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View Winners → Pasadena High pitcher Calvin Christiansen “really gets guys out”
Pasadena Independent May 08, 2014
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You can’t be successful in baseball throwing just a fastball, even if it is in the high 80s. Pasadena High pitcher Calvin Christiansen can attest to that.
Christiansen has seen his share of success with the Bulldogs throwing a cutter and a splitter to get batters out throughout a game.
“My splitter is kind of like my ‘freak’ pitch that really gets guys out,” said Christiansen, 17. “No one really throws it. It’s hard, especially if you haven’t seen it. And the cutter just keeps guys guessing.”
Born in Connecticut but raised in the Pasadena area, Christiansen said he is coming back from injury, but that all is going well for him now.
“It’s been going pretty good,” he said. “I had elbow surgery last year. I started throwing about February and it started feeling good, just a few innings at a time and just building up. My arm now feels great. It’s just a matter of getting my stamina back. I’m happy with my progress, so far. I just wanted to be healthy for the season.”
Christiansen said he is a converted shortstop as he got his start playing in the infield.
“Sophomore year is when I really started pitching,” he said. “Before then I mostly played shortstop. I started as kind of an extra inning guy. I got a few big wins sophomore year and I started pitching more. That’s when I got my big pitching award. Last year I couldn’t pitch and this year I’m finally coming back.”
Asked which position he likes better, Christiansen answered “definitely pitching.”
“It’s fun to be in control of the game and set the tempo and have everyone work behind you,” he said. “You can set the rhythm.”
Christiansen’s coach Mike Parisi said Christiansen has really led the Bulldogs over the years.
“He’s a three-year starter and he’s our ace on the mound,” Parisi said of Christiansen. “He’s done a solid three years for us and our program. He’s been helping us to (the CIF Southern Section playoffs) the last three years. He has a chance to play at the next level.”
Parisi added that Christiansen is just a solid player to have on the team.
“He’s a great competitor,” Parisi said. “He’s a great leader. He loves playing the game. He respects the game, plays it the right way. I’m fortunate to have coached him for three years.”
(Shel Segal can be reached at ssegal@beaconmedianews.com. He can be followed via Twitter @segallanded.)
-Story and photo by Shel Segal
