At 34 years old , Jon Gwizdala has cemented himself as a cornerstone pitcher for the Midland Explorers —wearing #11 —thanks to a lifetime spent around the diamond. Off the field, Jon is a college softball coach , passing on his passion to the next wave of players. Here’s an inside look at his journey, challenges, and aspirations. A Family Game from Day One Growing up in Michigan , Jon was introduced to fastpitch at the age of eight , often serving as a batboy and absorbing knowledge in the dugout. “Pitching softball came naturally,” he recalls. “It’s been a family game for as long as I can remember.” Mentors like his uncle Tom Stasik and father Ron Gwizdala helped cultivate the local fastpitch scene, while Don Petro, Del Benson, and the late Clint Beane also played pivotal roles, especially during Jon’s time with the Junior Explorers. Trials and Triumphs Early in his career, Jon faced the challenge of finding teams to pitch for, sometimes traveling the Midwest alone to join squads in other states. His dedication paid off, culminating in a stint as one of the Midland Explorers’ marquee arms. But a knee injury and surgery derailed his 2024 season . “My goal now is to rebound strong,” he says. “I want to stay consistent and healthy, and that starts with strengthening my knee and honing my mechanics.”