Josh finds old fire
JOSH Warner has come close to Major League Baseball once before. Now, he’s more determined than ever to get his shot.
The 26-year-old Coomera Cubs pitcher played three seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system before a year-long shoulder injury in 2014 put paid to his dreams.
He returned to Australia via the Brisbane Bandits but by 2016 had seen the enjoyment zapped from his game, sparking him to hang up the cleats. It was only when he was watching some baseball this February that the hunger returned.
“I just thought, why not give it another crack? Because I think I would be upset with myself if I didn’t,” Warner said.
And so, he began rebuilding his arm strength, first by throwing just 10m. By the Greater Brisbane League season-opener, he was in full flight, throwing four scoreless innings to lead the Cubs to victory against Windsor.
“I didn’t really know what to expect getting out there and I was pretty out of my comfort zone, which is odd considering how much baseball I have played in the past,” he admitted.
“I was pretty anxious but after the first pitch, everything settled down and all the memories pretty much came flooding back on what to do.”
Warner had previously played for Surfers Paradise but linked with Coomera due to his connection with coach Phil Stockman, another exprofessional pitcher, who had monitored his comeback.
Weather pending, Warner will be back on the mound tonight for the first part of a two-game home series against Ipswich at Mudgeeraba, while their own field is under works. Game two will be tomorrow.
Warner’s aim to return to the US has already had a boost, with Australian Baseball League side Canberra Cavalry signing him two months ago. It means he will only play five weeks for the Cubs before becoming a flyin, fly-out Cavalry player between his Bachelor of Commerce studies.
“It’s just one step at a time. I figure that if I play well for Canberra, then good things will happen,” Warner said. “My goal is to get to a point where I get a shot (in the US) and have a chance to get back into the minor league system. Once I’m over there, anything is possible.”
Surfers Paradise’s game against Carina last night was washed out.