Pitcher rebounds after viral moment
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Stepping back on the pitcher’s mound was different for Kaiden Shelton — and not just because more than 18,000 people were watching at Lamade Stadium.
Shelton later acknowledged holding back a bit and being more cautious with his deliveries Thursday night.
Throwing his first pitches in live game action since famously hitting an opponent in the head, Shelton passed an important test in a big step for his Pearland team, winning its first game at this year’s Little League World Series, 8-3, over the Hollidaysburg, Pa. team the big crowd was there to support.
What became a viral moment, credited with highlighting the best of Little League Baseball because of the sportsmanship involved, was a difficult one for Shelton to play out before a live nationwide television audience and, eventually, a world of social media followers.
During the Southwest Regional tournament game, with a trip to Williamsport on the line, Shelton never made it out of the first inning on the mound.
When his pitch sailed up and in and hit Isaiah Jarvis from Tulsa (Okla.) National, Shelton’s concern for the well-being of his opponent was immediately obvious.
Jarvis eventually got up and made his way to first base, before heading to the mound to console Shelton and let him know all was OK. Still, Shelton was too distraught over what happened to continue pitching.
“When I hit him, I felt really bad that day,” Shelton said after Thursday’s World Series win.
That feeling did not instantly disappear.
Shelton was a changed pitcher when he came to the mound with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning with Thursday’s game tied, 2-2.
“I’m trying to not hit people,” Shelton said. “I’m trying to just not let it loose.
“I’m trying to throw strikes and I’m just trying to not throw it as fast; just throw it right down the middle.”
That approach may have been safer and a necessity for a pitcher trying to become comfortable on the mound again. It was also quite effective.
Shelton struck out the first two batters he faced and became the winning pitcher when Pearland scored six times in the top of the fifth inning. Shelton did not allow an earned run in 2 2⁄3 innings of relief, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out three.
“He looked like he was throwing pretty hard,” Pearland manager Aaron Cummings said, “but I do want to say I’m just proud of this young man.
“You get all the attention because last time he was on the mound, he hit somebody and it went viral. So, to come out in front of 18,000 people with a really close game, he showed the kind of kid he is.”
It was not the first time Shelton showed the ability to bounce back.
An inning after hitting Jarvis as part of a four-run first inning that put Oklahoma ahead, 4-3, Shelton drove in the run that tied the game and started the comeback to a 9-4 victory and spot in the World Series.
Jarvis remains connected with Shelton and the entire Pearland team.
Citing the “incredible display,” Little League International announced that it had invited Jarvis to be a guest and take part in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Little League World Series.
Jarvis made the trip to Pennsylvania after the Pearland opener and is scheduled to throw out the first pitch Monday night before Pearland takes on Honolulu, the West Region champion, in a U.S. winners’ bracket semifinal.
Jarvis arrived Saturday and will stay through Tuesday, including a chance to also see Sunday night’s MLB Little League Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.