 |
| El Dorado Broncos pitcher Justin Lindsey, from Kansas State, delivers against an opponent during a recent home game at El Dorado McDonald Stadium. Lindsey is one of three Wildcats playing summer baseball in El Dorado. photos by John Curtis El Dorado Times. |
"There little room for comfort, but it's nice to know you have friends on the (Broncos) who know what you are going through," Welch said. "I feel like I'm compatible to them and we share the same feelings about playing and everything. We kind of have the same outlooks about what's going on and what we want to do for the (Wildcats). It's good to have guys around you who share the same thoughts as you."
"I knew I was going to El Dorado around Christmas time," Giller added. "Once we all figured out we were coming here, we were pretty excited and looking forward to helping the team do pretty well."
All three have made contributions in some way toward the Broncos, leading the Jayhawk League standings. El Dorado (21-7 overall, 15-7 Jayhawk) was leading the league by 2 1/2 games before heading west for a five-game series that started Friday night with the Dodge City Athletics.
Lindsey went to El Dorado to continue work on his mechanics. The Arizona native didn't have any decisions and a 4.11 earned run average in 12 relief appearances in 2008, but spent 2009 as his redshirt year.
 |
| El Dorado Broncos catcher Cameron Welch drops the ball as Wichita Sluggers baserunner Brett Macari, from Butler County Community College, slides in for a run during recent action at El Dorado McDonald Stadium. photos by John Curtis El Dorado Times. |
The pitcher said he was dropping his elbow below his shoulder, which gave him tendinitis and not have as much speed on the ball when he delivered his pitches.
The righthander has been placed in a starting role for the Broncos — a role he may soon inherit with the Wildcats considering the number of pitchers who left the team following the 2009 season — and Lindsey has developed into one of the top pitchers in the league. He is 3-1 with a 3.06 earned run average, striking out 34 to only six walks issued.
"At first, (being a redshirt) was frustrating, but I thought about it after a while and realized it could be really good for me," Lindsey said. "I had been working on a lot of stuff and I still have an extra year of eligibility and an extra year to develop. I think since we lost all of out starting pitching from last year, (the K-State coaches) want us to go out there and get some stamina up.
"They wanted me to be the starter last year, but things didn't work out because of my mechanics. I had to get my mechanics back and that's why I redshirted so I could work to pitch at a high level. During the last part of the season, I was looking forward to getting (to El Dorado) so I could start playing again and pitching again. It was real boring just to watch every game."
Welch, one of three catchers on the El Dorado squad, is batting .231 with a home run and six RBIs for the Broncos. The soon-to-be redshirt sophomore said he thought he'd be able to come in and immediately help the Wildcats, but said the collegiate level was an eye-opener for him, so he's using his time during the summer to improve on his skills.
The Wichita Heights player broke the thumb on his glove hand twice and redshirted in 2008; then was only 1-for-3 at the plate in four games during the 2009 season. Now with senior catcher Rob Vaughn graduating, it opens a hole for him to become a more integral part of the program.
"I was kind of hoping to get to go to (Houston), but I was definitely excited to play in El Dorado because I haven't gotten to play in a while and I was looking forward to playing," Welch said. "The one thing I want to get out of this summer is to just get some more bats under my belt and carry it over into the next year for the school season.
"I want to prove to the coaches that I can play at that level and I hope to get a good spot. I thought I made some strides last year, but I feel like I made a step, albeit a small step, in the right direction. I felt like I got off track because (of the broken thumb). I finally get a chance to showcase what I can do, I guess."
Although Giller did get to go with the Wildcats down to Houston for the regional, he, like Lindsey, was also ready to get to El Dorado to improve on his game. The Manhattan High product, who was also a redshirt freshman, hit .400 (6-for-15) with a home run and six RBIs in 2009.
Giller, whose younger brother Kurt signed with Nebraska before being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays, has already pushed himself into the starting lineup after showing up two weeks later due to his participation with the Wildcats. Playing either first base or as the designated hitter, Giller is batting .233 with with two home runs and six RBIs. The soon-to-be sophomore hopes he is using his time to work as a first baseman to find himself a spot to help K-State even more.
"I didn't get very many opportunities (with K-State in the spring), but I tried to make the most out of it when I could," Giller said. "I had two great players in Jason King and Justin Bloxom ahead of me. Bloxom was drafted and he signed, but King will be back. Hopefully, first base will be open. I had played third and shortstop in high school, so I think this will help.
"As (El Dorado) coach Andy (Schatzley) says to us all the time, he wants us to enhance our skills, and at the same time, work for the team goals and be successful there. (Our team) is a close group of guys who are fun to be playing with and it's been pretty fun. I just want to enhance my skills, as well as helping (the Broncos) compete and try to win a (National Baseball Congress) championship for El Dorado."
