By Norm @Tezbaseball:
Hey guys! Happy New Year and thanks for reading 9 Inning Know it All. With the New Year comes a couple of new twists. I’ll be dipping into my into my contact list. I want to keep it simple and real. I will be asking questions from all kind of baseball fans. It might be a minor leaguer, major leaguer, someone working in baseball or just your average baseball fan. I hope there will be something for everyone. If there’s a question you would like me to ask email me at normbo18@gmail.com
Today I get to ask Colorado Rockies minor league pitcher Kraig Sitton a few questions. Sitton was a 7th round pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2010 MLB June amateur draft. Thanks for taking the time Kraig.
Norm: I had the chance to umpire a few of your games when you were younger. What do you remember most about your younger years playing baseball?
Kraig: I would just say how much fun it was. As much as I enjoy pressure situations in baseball there wasn’t any, you just threw the ball and hit the ball. It was very simple. As you go higher in any sport it becomes much more complicated. There is so much more to baseball than what most people think or that meets the eye. And I remember my first ever game ball, which of course you gave to me! That is a memory that I will always have.
Norm: You have great athletic bloodlines in your family. What was it like growing up a Sitton?
Kraig: I would say that I had pretty big shoes to fill following both my cousin Charlie who was a very good basketball player at Oregon state and my grandfather Otto who played football at OSU from 1910-12. My parents were also athletes in high school as well so they get most of the credit. Needless to say we are all huge beaver fans and it really was a dream come true for me to go there and play baseball. In my years at OSU I was asked countless times if I was related to Charlie. Everyone knows him down there.
Norm: You played with Russell Wilson in 2011 in Asheville. What was that like and should he win the NFL MVP award?
Kraig: Yes I did, as well as 2010 in tri-cities. He is an incredible athlete and one of the hardest workers I have ever been around. Also one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. And as I am sure you can see from his espn interviews, very professional. It was neat to be around him as he balanced both sports and ultimately made the decision to pursue his career in the NFL which has worked out great for him so far. I don’t know about being the MVP, but he has certainly proven that he can compete and win on a regular basis. He is going to be in the league a long time and I am willing to bet there will be at least one MVP in his future.
Norm: Who has been the best hitter you have faced so far?
Kraig: I had a chance to face Aubrey Huff this year which was the first big leaguer I have had an opportunity to pitch to. It was a pretty neat experience and a chance to challenge myself and my abilities as well. He ended up getting a base hit up the middle so it was a reminder that I need to continue to work at getting better!
Norm: Who has been the biggest influence for you so far in your career?
Kraig: I couldn’t be where I am today without the support of my parents. I talk to my mom after almost every game whether it be a text or a call. They have listened to and attended every game they could all the way from little league to pro ball. I have also been very fortunate to have great coaches in high school and college which have prepared me. And of course the coaches in the Rockies system have a vast wealth of knowledge that have helped me in so many ways both mentally and physically. So I can’t really identify a singular person who has influenced me while I have had the help of so many.
Kraig, thanks for taking some time.