The momentum is building

Practice. Patience. Dedication. Three big words all fastpitch softball pitchers must live by. And Matt Sparlin lives and breathes those words.

In just three short years, the 16-year-old Sparlin from New Ulm, Minnesota has emerged as one of fastpitch softball’s promising young pitchers.

Right handed at 5-foot-11 and 172 pounds, Sparlin’s scouting report scores high: Outstanding drop ball. Good change up. Excellent control. Mid-60s speed. Needs some work on the rise ball. Big heart.

His coaches describe him as “A real horse”. Sparlin wants the ball, knows what to do with it, and likes to ring up the W’s and the K’s with it.

“Winning and striking guys out is what I like best about pitching,” says Sparlin. And he did plenty of that last season by pitching his Schells / Radio One team to third place in the ASA Boy’s 16-Under national tournament. His 4-1 record earning him that “Horse” label.

But he learned early on from his dad, Scott Sparlin, that if he wanted to become a fastpitch pitcher, he’d better not be allergic to practice, patience, or dedication.

“It took me a lot of time and dedication,” said Sparlin. “And pitching year round. Also the knowledge that I might not be good right away…that I needed patience.

“I knew if I wanted to be good at pitching I would have to practice even when I didn’t feel like it, or when I was too tired,” he said. “My dad always got on me to get going.”

And Sparlin’s PPD has paid off handsomely with a string of steady successes. In 1997 his team finished sixth in the 14-Under ASA nationals, followed with a fourth in 1998. And he’s also had success jousting with the men.

In the eight-team High Island men’s league he more than held his own. “He closed out the final three innings in two games where the games were definitely on the line,” said Scott Sparlin. “He pitched hitless ball in one outing and gave up only one hit in the other, while allowing no runs.

“Last year our Junior Olympic team finished 4-2 in the league. They were never blown out. In fact they only lost the two games by a total of four runs.”

But New Ulm isn’t alone in trying to produce Matt Sparlins. Henderson, New Auburn, Villard along with Vernon Center and Lake Crystal have budding boy’s fastpitch programs. “This year Lake Crystal will have an 18-Under, 16-Under and 12-Under teams,” said Scott Sparlin.

“We just need more mentors to make the programs work,” he added. “With that in place you usually find a way to get all the other stuff done. Our future plans (in New Ulm) include 18-Under, 16-Under and 14-Under teams; it depends upon if more mentors come forward.”

And for Matt Sparlin, his engine is revved up for the 2000 season as Shells / Radio One will play in the ISC North American Junior championships – a first for the team.

But he’s got long-range goals as well. He would one day like to wear the uniform with USA stitched across his chest.

“I would like to make the Junior National team,” said Sparlin, “and some day maybe if I work hard enough, I could play for the USA Men’s national team.”

To reach his goals he says his change up and rise ball need refining. “My change up is kind of good now, but my dad says it needs to be my best pitch outside of my drop ball. And I want to make my rise ball jump more.”

With his strong work ethic and talent, Matt Sparlin will be in the fastpitch “Spot Light” for years to come.

Hardball advice: “Fastpitch is the most challenging game for hitters. If baseball hitters think they can hit a baseball, they should try fastpitch and really see if they can hit.”

Memorable moment: Throwing a no-hitter in the national tournament last season (one pitch from a perfect game); knocking off favored Eau Claire, Wisconsin in the ’98 national tournament; beating GM Contracting of Lake Crystal 10-5 in the nationals last year. “We didn’t beat those guys all season,” says Sparlin. “Those guys can hit.”

Pitcher he most admires: Paul Heers. “He has pitched a long time and has won lots of games including a national championship and several state championships,” says Sparlin. “I admire him because he still is playing even though he is 48 years old. Another thing I like about him is that he never quits no matter what.”

For the adults: “Maybe if more adults that used to play the game got involved with younger players, and we got more younger pitchers, (then) we could have more teams,” says Sparlin. “I think fastpitch should be an alternative high school sport played in the Fall so baseball players could try it.”

Favorite ISC pitchers: Jimmy Moore, Mike White and Jodi Hennigar. “I like Jodi Hennigar because he has a great drop ball which I hope I can have as good. Jimmy Moore because he’s been around forever and doesn’t look like he’s even trying when he pitches. And Mike White because he’s unbelievable and just pitches so smooth.”

Throwing strikes: Bowling for his high school team, Sparlin helped lead it to a conference championship and sixth place finish in the state tournament. “Fastpitch helps me in bowling because I really have to concentrate like I do when I pitch,” he says.

Fastpitch goals: Along with making the Junior National team and USA Men’s team, he wants to pitch his team to a national tournament championship.