Page 8 The Advocate News (Wilton-Durant, Iowa) Thursday, June 27, 2013

Opinion

Shaffer and Crawford Packing Heat!

Shaffer pitched 221 innings and collected Chip off the block Cole Crawford moved to Wilton from An351 strikeouts. He gave up 183 hits, walked 208 batters and gave up 141 earned runs. He keny as a fourth grader in 2004-2005, when had a 16-19 overall record, opposing batting the Beavers went undefeated (42-0) and won a state title. To say that motivated the now senior average of 0.222 and an ERA of 5.01. Yet remember, he was pitching against the ace of Wiltons staff would be an understatebig boys during his eighth and ninth grade ment. I watched a lot of those games, he said. seasons, something we dont typically see as much in baseball. His ERA during his sopho- So many good players have come through here. You want to do what they did. You want more and junior years combined was 2.09. In terms of averages, coming into this to be better than them. Due to the wide array of great pitchers season, Shaffer has averaged 88 strikeouts, to come through Wiltons 52 walks and 55 innings program, Cole didnt get pitched per year. Hes given his first appearance in a up 35 earned runs per seavarsity game until he was son. a sophomore. During his It was an honor to be freshman year, Wiltons on the mound (as an eighth varsity staff included his grader), said Shaffer, the brother Alec, who now son of Danny Shaffer and By Derek Sawvell throws for the University of Janelle Shaffer. I was just Minnesota and is garnering out there throwing. Throwing against the largest schools, as Shaffer draft prospects heading into his senior year. Hes close to being drafted. That expands would mainly pitch against non-conference my horizons, said Crawford, the son of Ken foes early in his career. As Ive developed, Ive found a great and Dawn Crawford, who has signed to pitch knowledge of the game, he said. Im a at Quincy University next year. Watching my brother pitch all these years I kept thinking baseball junkie. Although he has had knee problems thats going to be me some day. That day is here. Coming into his senior throughout his career on both the basketball court and the baseball diamond, hes never season, Crawford had an overall record of 16had any major arm issues. He attributes this 5. During his sophomore and junior seasons to playing in travel leagues as a boy, learning combined, he struck out 189 batters in 144 to throw a lot of innings in tough environ- 2/3 innings, surrendered 43 walks, gave up 95 hits, 27 earned runs, had an ERA of 1.43 and ments. I started with travel ball at age 10. Travel opposing batters had a measly 0.161 batting ball is the best a kid can do. If youre serious average against him. In terms of averages, hes averaged 94.5 about baseball, the coaches and people you play against help you, said Shaffer. (Com- strikeouts and 21.5 walks per year. Hes ing into high school) I was used to throwing given up 47.5 hits and 13.5 earned runs per quite a bit. I really take care of my arm. I ice season. Giving up earned runs is the worst feelit after pitching Then I play center field, where you have to have the strongest arm in ing Ive always been competitive, said Crawford. I try to get every out Its all the field. Hes even come into games in relief, doing about confidence. I always say be cocky on whatever hes asked to help his team win. I the field and be humble off the field. His dominance from the mound is thanks to like the pressure. I dont truly feel pressure. Its a game in the end. You have to stay calm his pitching arsenal, which consists of a fourand have composure. Thats what separates seam fastball, a two-seam fastball, changeup, curve ball and slider. Hes been working the good from the great. Another thing that separates Shaffer is hard on his slider but his favorite pitch is the his arsenal of pitches fastball, curve ball, fastball. I always like getting guys out with change-up and a splitter, which he developed the fastball. Especially if theyre late on it, in the offseason. His favorite pitch to throw he said. Hes also been a strong presence at the plate is the change-up. At the plate, hes developed into quite a for the Beavers. Coming into this season, hes power hitter. Coming into his senior season, averaged 22 hits, two home runs and 16 RBIs he had 87 career hits, 11 home runs, 62 RBIs per season with a batting average of .265. When hes not on the mound, he plays third and a career average of .318. My junior year, I started hitting the crap base. On the rare night off from the field, he out of it, said Shaffer, who has signed to play steps in as DH. (Batting) is one of the most mental parts college ball at Black Hawk College. I didnt realize I was hitting for power. You have to of the game, said Crawford. After having so have the mindset that youre going to get hits. many at-bats, you usually know what pitches are coming. You have to have a positive mindset. When asked if being a leftie helped either at the plate or on the mound, Shaffer said he Backyard showdown? To watch Shaffer and Crawford throw thought it was an advantage, as batters arent against one another is mechanics and strategy as used to seeing left handed pitchers. Its an advantage, but look at how many in motion from a pitching perspective. They right-handed batters there are. But its rare to faced each other twice last season during the see a leftie so maybe thats harder to face, traditional three-game series and each got a said Shaffer, noting that several on his fathers victory. On July 2, 2012, Cole and the Beavers deside of the family are left-handed. feated Justin and the Wildcats 2-0 in Wilton. On

Case in Point

Wilton's Cole Crawford

Durant's Justin Shaffer July 5, Justin and the Cats got revenge at home, defeating Wilton 1-0. Collectively through the two games, Shaffer had 24 strikeouts while giving up five hits while Crawford struck out 18 batters and gave up four hits. My hope is that in the upcoming series this year (July 1 and July 3), our communities get to see another showdown. Both have great respect for each other and both know that you have to rely on your teammates to help you get wins. Its a friendly rivalry. Our stats are so similar its weird, said Shaffer. Its crazy to think there is that much talent in this part of Iowa. Hes been pitching varsity longer than I have. Hes got a lot of experience and is confident with his stuff, said Crawford. Both had blazing starts out of the gate this season. Crawford started 7-0 while Shaffer began 8-0 (including a win in relief). Both were defeated for the first time June 17. We lose on the same night and win on the same nights almost like being the same guy on different sides of the mound, said Shaffer with a laugh. Clearly theres a chance the Cats and Beavers could face each other in district play. Perhaps coaches Meyer and Souhrada will wait to throw their aces against each other until that possible match-up. Yet selfishly I, and the towns of Wilton and Durant, would love to see these two seniors on the mound in CVC action next week to help settle both the conference and Backyard Challenge scores. I would love that, said Crawford of facing Shaffer. The crowd would come out It would be a close game, down to the wire. We get so much comparison. If we throw against each other, the whole towns would be wanting to see it, said Shaffer. It will be 0-0 in the seventh inning or something close to it. In this rivalry, you cant give each other runs. (Stats were tabulated via quikstatsiowa. com.) purchased now at Liberty Bank, Community State Bank, US Bank, Citizens Bank and Family Foods. Other activities at the park include face painting, BJ and DJ, and a slow-pitch softball tournament. There will be funnel cakes, freshsqueezed lemonade, walking tacos, root beer floats, sloppy joes and hot dogs and pulled pork sandwiches and brats. The Apostolic Church of Tipton will be selling glow-in-the-dark toys, novelty items, snacks and floating lanterns. There will be a free swim time from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the James Kennedy Family Aquatic Center. The fireworks display completes the perfect Fourth of July Celebration at dusk in Tipton.

ive miles. A simple stretch of road on historic Highway 6 separates our communities of Wilton and Durant. That short drive also separates the top two pitchers in the state of Iowa Durants Justin Shaffer and Wiltons Cole Crawford. One left handed, one right, both dominating area baseball teams night in and night out. And like many good high school pitchers, both seniors are quite lethal with a bat in their hand. Its safe to say that here in our coverage area, we have both sides of the mound and plate covered. Their stats, more so this season, mirror each other. Last week I noted that heading into the week of June 17, Shaffer was ahead of Crawford 93-92 in total strikeouts. Both were at the top of all classes in the state of Iowa in that category. We have watched these two athletes develop quite a narrative through their years as student-athletes and as I knew their roads of playing for the Wildcats and Beavers were coming to an end, it seemed only fitting to sit down with each of these hurlers prior to the biggest series of their careers in Cedar Valley Conference play. On July 1, Durant and Wilton begin a three-game series that spans three days. On the line the final CVC baseball title. The workhorse If youre as familiar with Durant baseball as we are here at the AN, then perhaps Shaffers career mirrors more of a contract player than a typical high school player. Hes been pitching varsity games for DHS for five years, beginning as an eighth grader. Ive always used the comment they are riding him like a horse when discussing how many games/innings hes pitched over the years for Wildcat head coach Colin Meyer. Its been nice to throw for five years. Its crazy, it feels like Ive been here for 10 or 15 years. Its crazy its about to end, said Shaffer. Through his first four years (8th-Jr year),

Tipton plans Fourth of July events

With the addition of a 5K road race, a street dance and an inflatable game area, Tiptons Fourth of July Celebration isnt just fireworks anymore. Events begin Wednesday, July 3, in downtown Tipton with a street dance and beer tent from 8 to midnight. On Thursday, July 4, the Firecracker 5K Road Race and One-Mile Fun Run will begin with registration at 6:30 a.m. at the lower shelter house near the tennis courts at city park. The 5K race starts at 7:30 a.m. and the one-mile run follows at 8:30 a.m. This event

is sponsored by the Tipton Chamber of Commerce. There is a $20 registration fee for the 5K race and a $15 fee for the one-mile run. Stop by Family Foods for a grilled butterfly pork chop sandwich prepared by the Cedar County Pork Producers and provided by the Tipton Chamber of Commerce. Serving begins at 10:30 a.m. David and Debra Fry will be the grand marshals of this years parade with the theme Sun, Surf & Celebrate. The Frys own the Fry Funeral Home in Tipton and volunteer their time to various service organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and Volunteer Services of Cedar County. David also serves on the Tipton City Council and is president of the International Order of the Golden Rule.

The parade is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at the corner of Fourth and Meridian streets. Staging areas are on the corners of Mulberry and First through Fourth streets. There is no parking along any portion of the parade route and parade entrants with horses or other animals must provide a certificate of liability insurance upon arrival in the staging area. The Tipton Chamber of Commerce will award Tipton Chamber Bucks as prizes for the winning parade entries. Following the parade, a new addition to the celebration will be at city park from 3 to 7 p.m. The inflatable game area includes a 33-foot Titanic slide, Dodgeball Defender, Toddler Zone and a bouncy house. The cost to enter is $5 for unlimited access. You can purchase a wristband on July 4 or they can be