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Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Caleb Balbuena Is Featured In Hometown Piece...

...in the Modesto Bee:

Balbuena makes history with Nuts
Pitcher is first local to play Class A ball in Modesto since '60s

By BRIAN VanderBEEK
BEE STAFF WRITER

Caleb Balbuena's debut with the Modesto Nuts on Saturday was not outstanding, but it was somewhat historic.

The former Summerville High and Modesto Junior College athlete allowed hits to the only two batters he faced in his debut for the hometown team, yet his mere appearance was noteworthy.

According to longtime MJC baseball coach Jerry Streeter, Balbuena was the first former Pirate to suit up for the hometown minor league team in at least 35 years, since Gary Gunther and Lonnie Croslow played for the Modesto Reds "in the late 60s," Streeter said.

"I think it's great to be here," Balbuena said. "I've been here before with opposing teams and there are some familiar faces. And I'm able to stay at home."

Balbuena was signed by the Rockies off the roster of the Kansas City (Kan.) T-Bones of the independent Northern League. He originally signed with Seattle after attending Long Beach State, and his career has included a year off with tendon replacement "Tommy John" surgery.

At 28, he's one of the older players in the California League, but that's a fact he shrugs off.

"It's another opportunity and a second chance," he said. "I feel I'm throwing better than I've ever thrown. It's encouraging."

At the end of his high school career (he's a 1995 Summerville grad), the 6-foot-8 righty had to decide whether to pursue basketball or baseball as a career. Once the diamond was chosen, he immediately went to work with Modesto pitching guru Dale Mead. Mead now serves as an assistant to Nuts pitching coach Butch Hughes.

And Mead agrees with Balbuena that age should not be a great factor in the pitcher's decision to stay in the game.

"What does it take to go from A ball to the major leagues?" Mead said "We've already faced some pitchers this year in this league who have gone to the majors. J.P. Howell pitched against us a couple times this year and now he's with the Royals.

"You always have a better chance to move up with teams that aren't doing that well at the major league level. Maybe this will turn out to be another situation like that."

posted on 8/10/2005 by Jeff Agnew

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