Grand Forks, N.D. - Sioux southpaw
Brandon Baumgartner (Coon Rapids, Minn.) is spending his summer playing for the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers of the Northwoods League.
The rising senior is pitching well with only two weeks remaining in the campaign. He has allowed only one earned run in his last 15 innings of work and has picked up a win in relief in his last three outings. Baumgartner currently holds a 6-2 record with a 3.14 ERA, while striking out 28 batters in 43 innings of work.
The Lunkers are making a push for the second-half title in the North Division after having a rough go of it in the first half. Baumgartner recently answered five questions about his experience playing in his home state of Minnesota.
1) What's been the biggest difference for you, having to face hitters with a wooden bat?
"I think the biggest difference this summer facing wood bats has been that at the start of the summer most of the hitters had to adjust to swinging with wood bats compared to aluminum, which gave the pitchers an advantage. Also, wood bats do not have the kind of pop an aluminum bat has, which allows you to make mistakes that would usually be hit for home runs or base hits, but instead they become fly balls and ground outs."
2) How has this experience in the Northwoods League helped you grow as a pitcher?
"This summer, I feel as though I have grown very much as a pitcher. I now feel confident I can compete at the highest level against some very good hitters. Another thing I improved this summer was my change up, which I feel will be very helpful in my pitching this upcoming spring."
3) What have you carried over into this summer that you learned transitioning into a relief role this past season here at UND?
"Well, since I relieved all year long at UND, coming here to the Northwoods League and being a reliever was very comfortable for me and I felt that relieving all spring long really helped me excel at that role this summer. It's still a work in progress, but this summer has helped out tremendously."
4) What's been you favorite moment in a game so far this summer?
"My favorite moment so far this summer would have to be earlier this season in a game versus Mankato. It happened to be a come from behind walk off win for us and it was a great experience to be apart of and it was my first Northwoods win as a pitcher."
5) What's the travel been like for you this summer, getting to see a lot of different places in Minnesota?
"The travel has not been bad at all. This year they changed how the league has worked and we only play teams from the north division, which meant that we do not travel to Wisconsin or Michigan at all. We have stayed around Minnesota for the most part with a couple trips to Canada. Overall it has been very enjoyable being able go to all these towns and seeing the fans and the great fields the league has to offer."
