Chris Smith, Perseverance in Pitching from High School to Yankees - Part 1

Chris & classmate Adam Duvall @ Butler High School in
Louisville. Both made the Varsity team in their sophomore year

4 years at Kentucky Wesleyan    played as a
position player but later became a closing pitcher

Lake Erie Crushers in Avon – Chris was 6th pick out of 350
players for workout

No pressure – by the way you are now starting in the 10th
inning &  a Grand Slam against Chris

Independent ball is cut throat – not much room for player
talent development

Chris returns to Louisville as a fitness consultant &
freshman baseball coach  @ Butler High School

Chris’ goal & vision for his career changes as new
opportunities arise

Traverse City Beach Bums later call Chris back to the
game. 

The Bums had called up 42 pitchers to try out for 12
spots. 

Training was brutal but . . . 

Chris gets a tap on the shoulder. He is being cut by the Bums
and he returns home.

A turbulent Red Radar flight in a matchbox plane – next stop
Pecos League

White Sands Pupfish & Motel 6

Bring your own uniform pants

Chris’ Professional baseball contract  - $0 
salary
 Some players were paying $350 to play with the Pupfish

Chris delivers 13 punchouts – bonus payouts
Washington Wild Things in 2011

Chris Dugan, Observer Reporter puts Chris on the Wild Things
Dream Team.

Chris @ 2nd pitching start with the Wild Things  –
parents in the stands.   First 6 batters get on base and
score. Turning point in Chris’ career - Darin Everson, Pitching
Coach & Manager visits Chris on the mound and helps him turn
it around.

Tampa Bay Rays  - strong tryout throwing 92 –to 95 and
striking out 4 of 5 batters at Charlotte

Spring Training, Bubbles & Chopping Blocks

Chris continues to expand his game traveling on a 16 hour
flight to Brisbane to play in Australian Baseball League

Chris throws his first No-Hitter in Australia, ABL

Field Announcer counts down each strikeout as Chris pitches
another strikeout record

Houston Astros come a courting

Chris accepts contract with New York Yankees 

Chris' journey into Major League Part 2 coming soon



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Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

Research sources included:
Wild Things Dream Team: : Chris Dugan,
Observer-Reporter.com

Chris Smith Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Smith_(pitcher,_born_1988)


Chris Smith on Baseball Reference
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=smith-011chr