it was a no-brainer for me, said Abney who serves as the Director of Softball Operations for the team and is also an occupational therapist at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care. This combines two of my greatest passions in life: softball and rehabilitation in coming back from something that can

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Having pitched for the American League West rival Oakland As, Drew Pomeranz is no stranger to the Los Angeles Angels.But the Pomeranz the Angels will face on Saturday will be a different Pomeranz than theyre used to. And it isnt because Pomeranz now pitches for the Boston Red Sox.Pomeranz, who was traded from Oakland to San Diego during the offseason, developed a much-needed third pitch that propelled him into the Padres starting rotation and eventually to the National League All-Star team before he was traded to Boston on July 14.He was 8-7 with a 2.47 ERA in 17 starts for the Padres, and a significant part of his success can be attributed to the cutter he learned just before the start of spring training.While learning a new pitch is not all that unusual, what was unusual was who Pomeranz learned that pitch from.Pomeranz was working out a couple weeks before spring training, playing catch with minor league catcher Travis Higgs, when Pomeranz noticed how Higgs ball would move.I noticed his ball would cut, so I asked him about it, Pomeranz told The Huffington Post. He showed me how to throw it. At first, maybe one out of 10 (of his pitches) would cut. I kept doing it every day, and guys were missing it. No one was squaring it up, so I was like, I guess this thing works.It has been a good pitch to complement his exceptional curveball and a 92-mph fastball.Pomeranz, though, is 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA in two starts for Boston, and will go up against one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. Angels starter Hector Santiago hasnt lost a decision since June 10, winning six consecutive decisions and five straight starts.He is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA in July, and is 9-4 with a 4.28 ERA overall in 21 starts. And he is doing it despite rumors he could be traded before the non-waiver trading deadline Aug. 1.Honestly, I have no control over that, Santiago told the Orange County Register. I cant come in and tell them to trade me or not trade me. I just try to come in and have fun and be happy every day. If this is my last game here I just enjoy it and have fun with the guys and see what happens from there.Santiago is 2/3 with a 2.97 ERA in seven career games (six starts) against Boston. His last start against the Red Sox came July 2 at Fenway, and Santiago earned the win after giving up just one unearned run and four hits in six innings.Santiago has had success against most of the Red Soxs top hitters, holding David Ortiz to a .214 average and Mookie Betts to .222. However, Xander Bogaerts has had Santiagos number, hitting .556 (5 for 9) against him. Cowboys Jerseys 2021 . PETERSBURG, Fla. Fake Cowboys Jerseys . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. https://www.cowboysjerseysale.com/ . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. Cheap Cowboys Jerseys . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. South Carolina softball alumni are getting together in support of wounded members of the military with a pair of events this week in Lexington and West Columbia, South Carolina. The Louisville Slugger Warriors, which is a highly decorated national slow pitch softball tournament team consisting of U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel who have suffered service related wounds, travel all around the country to raise awareness for disabled servicemen and women. Gamecock softball alumna Kate (Pouliot) Abney and Fun4All helped bring such a team to the area for the second straight year.When I first learned about these guys, it was a no-brainer for me, said Abney who serves as the Director of Softball Operations for the team and is also an occupational therapist at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care. This combines two of my greatest passions in life: softball and rehabilitation in coming back from something that can be devastating, and deciding to overcome that. To push through the rehabilitation process, overcome obstacles and begin to live life to the fullest is what occupational therapy is all about.The first event will have the Louisville Slugger Warriors take on a team from Joint Base Charleston at the Lexington County Baseball Stadium beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 14. Admission is $2, and donations will be accepted at the gate.These are young men who are very competitive in nature, and I can relate to that as an athlete, Abney said. I can also relate to them in a special way with the relationship I have in medicine and therapy. Im learning a lot from them. I have so much fun with them, too.On Saturday, October 15, the Louisville Slugger Warriors and more than two dozen South Carolina softball alumni will be on hand as part of a fast pitch tournament called USSSA Louisville Slugger Operation Thank You, which will be played at Pine Grove Sports Complex in West Columbia.They will be playing a round robin tournament mixed in with South Carolina softball aalumni, Abney said.dddddddddddd We already have around 25 Gamecock softball alumni coming in to play from all around the country. We are creating four teams where the Louisville Slugger Warriors will be playing alongside alumni from the past several decades.The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission is a generous sponsor of the event by hosting both fields for the tournament, which features youth club teams for 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U. The gate fee for entry to the tournament is $6 for adults, $4 for youths, while children under 12 get in free. Funds and donations raised at the events help the team to continue its travel across the country and compete in the tournaments, while raising awareness of the needs of disabled veterans. After a successful event last year in Columbia, the goal is to raise $30,000 at this years event in the Midlands.We go around the country and play in tournaments against able-bodied teams, Abney said. The team does really well. Theyre hungry for high level competition. It also raises awareness. These guys are coming back home injured, but that doesnt mean that they still cant be incredible athletes and that they are very capable of pursuing their passions.The goal is to continue to build on their rehabilitation process that theyve gone through since their injuries. We have eight amputees on the team, and several of the other guys have some of the invisible wounds that you are hearing a lot more about these days, such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and things like that. This really gives them a sense of comradery again and helps them get out to further their physical and mental rehabilitation.Donations can be made at either of the events or if you would like more information on how you can make a donation to the cause, contact Kate Abney via email at kate.pouliot@yahoo.com. ' ' '