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Hillhouse: The Cross-Wired Pitcher
If you think you've got him figured out, he's got you. He doesn't out-pitch as much as out-manipulate
hitters.
He can't overpower batters as his Page Brake teammate Kyle Kouka can. He can surely out-think
and outlast them.
There is a reason for Hillhouse's madness.
When he turns sideways on the mound, you would think he's a zipper. At 6-foot-3, 179-pounds,
Hillhouse's build is complete reversial of a Zack (6-3, 280-pounds) and just about any men's major fastpitch open pitcher.
"I hear it an awful lot about my slight build," Hillhouse pointed out. "Players have told me that I didn't
have a big enough butt to be a good pitcher. No, I don't have the conventional pitcher's build.
"I'm not trying to fool anyone. But I would like to point out that one of the greatest all-time pitchers was Ty Stofflet.
"And what did he weigh? Something, like 175-pounds."
Think of Hillhouse's build this way: his clothes fit better.
Patience, savvy, and experience is Hillhouse's game. And that's saying a lot, too. He is only 26-years-old. In pitching service, he has 17-years behind him, pitching in New Zealand, Australia, and America.
His tendencies are unlike most men's open pitchers, which is why hitters have so much trouble trying to anticipate what's coming, from where and how slow.
A lot of pitchers might try to throw the ball through the backstop. But Hillhouse doesn't venture down that road.
"I can't," he said, "pitch harder and harder.
"I have to use my abilities. I have to be smart about it," explained Hillhouse. "That's what happens to a lot of guys with great potential. They don't use all their abilities."
Smart.
Keep that thought.
Hillhouse, not only attempts to out think hitters, he hypnotizes them. They become statues, awaiting the heat.
"You try to stay one step ahead of them, or (rather), one step behind them," he smiled.
Hillhouse is a student of the game. When he's not pitching, he'll sit in the stands or on the bench, and attempt to pick other pitcher's pitches. And he's one of the best in the game at doing it.
"I'll try to do whatever I can to help my teammates," added Hillhouse. "I try to store up other pitcher's tendencies, which help my mates."
If you're looking for Hillhouse to be the team's savior, forget get about it. He is going to give his team an honest effort each trip to the mound. He brings his lunch pale. He'll always attempt to go the distance.
Still with him, you have to look at the soul of the man.
"I don't even get into that," Hillhouse pointed out. "There are very few Peter Merediths, Michael Whites, Chub Tangaroas, Stofflets, or Zacks in this game. These guys are the saviors. I'm just a man from Erie (PA.). And I'm thrilled to be part of this sport.
"It's like I'm living a dream. Sometimes, I'll be sitting at home and think, 'Man, how fortunate I am?' It's an honor. I covet every day."
This must be a new Hillhouse. Being humble isn't associated with his game plan. Most people view Hillhouse as a witty, and fast-talking humorist. Hardly humble.
The last three years have humbled him.
Playing for Larry H. Miller Toyota (1995 & 1996), Hillhouse suffered a huge setback. It had always been a dream for him to play Miller Toyota. But he injured his knee, his career almost became a nightmare.
"I hate to even look back at that point of career," added Hillhouse. "Don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed playing for Miller Toyota. But after I was injured, I lost a lot of confidence in myself.
"I would try to go out and pitch. But I couldn't. No one knew my pain. No one wore my spikes. And I felt every opportunity I got to pitch, I had to make the most of it, or I wouldn't get the ball for another six or seven games. I put a lot of extra pressure on myself.
"And that didn't help matters out, either. It's a rare opportunity to pitch for a club like Miller Toyota. And I couldn't help but hear the whispers that I was faking it. I felt like a failure.
"I felt I had to get away from the game," he continued. "But I realized that I had to suck it up. I needed to pitch again on a regular basis. So, I went to New Zealand. I not only got my confidence back, but I received a lot of support from my girl friend, Fiona.
"She has been my life support. She was there when I really needed someone."
He was able to escape his oil spill of his Miller Toyota season. His pitching dream is still strong enough to hold a bookmark.
Stateside, he still needed a chance to prove himself again.
In 1997, Page Brake sponsor Carl Hansen took a feeler on him. He got his chance.
"I really can't tell you what I think of Carl," paused Hillhouse, searching for the correct word. "I guess you can say I love him. That's the best word I can say. I really appreciate what he has done for me.
"Playing for him is a privilege. I've played for a lot of owners you never see. But Carl is always there for us. He goes on every trip to lend his support. He's straight up. You always know how he's feeling about you."
Wedding bells also knocked on his door. He and Fiona marched down the isle last March.
And his maturity has shown with the fact that he was named an ISC Commissioner this year. He is a liaison between the USA and New Zealand.
One more
thing, Hillhouse has received more help with Page Brake. Hansen added a
"Kiwi Bloke" -- Kyle Kouka, who pitched for the Pueblo (CO.)
Bandits the last two years.For Hansen, who is hardly a bandit, it was a great heist.
Kouka is a reversial of Hillhouse. He is a power-pitching bloke.
"The reason it has worked out so well for us this season is that Kyle and I have really focused our egos," Hillhouse pointed out. "We leave our egos at the door. We respect each other. Believe me, that's a big key for us."
Page Brake has responded to Hillhouse's and Kouka's effort. For the first time since 1987, Page Brake wrestled the Utah Travel League from Miller Toyota.
"That's huge!" mused Hillhouse. "But if I had one disappointment with the championship, it was that Carl wasn't there to share it with us. And I know how much it means to him."
Last year, Page Brake (47-11), ranked No. 13, in the ISC poll, finished No. 16 in the ISC World Tournament.
"Each year, you want to improve on what you did the year before," said Hillhouse. "Sometimes, you can take giant leaps. But most of the time, you have to be realistic. And you have to take small steps."
Page Brake has learned to touch all the bases.
And with Hillhouse, and his "Kiwi Bloke" -- Kouka -- Page Brake draws more respect for its Kimberly trip this year. The Salt Lake team could even be a clear and present danger.
And Hillhouse, the cross-wired pitcher, doesn't want to get his wires crossed.
"I know one thing, added Hillhouse. "Don't ever give up on your dream. That would comeback haunt you more than anything in your life."
His dream is no longer a fairy tale. That's because he has learned to respect himself more, too.
And that's huge for anyone in life.
Editor's Note:
DAN PATTISON has been a sports writer and columnist for over 30 years with
The Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, Las Vegas Sun, The Sporting News,
Basketball Times & USA Today. He is currently enjoying his
association with men's major fastpitch and as an ISC Commissioner.