Life in minors: seeds, gum and Gatorade
Brainerd High School graduate Adian Kummet has been a pro baseball player for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League for a little more than a month.
Through 31 games the right-hander had a 6.17 ERA and 1-1 record with three saves. Through 11.2 innings he had allowed 13 hits and eight walks with 12 strikeouts.
Kummet, whose team stands last in the four-team North Division with a 9-22 record, capitalized on a rare off-day July 22 to discuss his experience so far.
You have made eight of your nine appearances in relief? How's that going?
Adian Kummet
"The reliever situation in rookie ball is a rotation in itself. There are around nine of us and almost certainly two or three will be down on any given night as they had pitched the night before. So that leaves six and usually two or three are on one day's rest, so they are second in line next to the three that are up that day and in first relief ... if that makes sense.
"My first professional appearance was a start. I was on a strict pitch count and got through the first two innings with no real trouble, but the third started with a double, then a walk, and I had reached my pitch count so I was removed. The two runs subsequently scored, but overall I was pleased."
What have the bus trips been like?
A. "We went on a week-long road trip to Utah, stopping first in Orem, then in Ogden. The bus ride was around 11 hours, and we traveled to Orem on a day off, but after the last game in Ogden, we returned to Billings immediately following the game, arriving back at 8 a.m. Overall, they haven't been too bad, but I'm a bit biased, seeing as every spring for St. Scholastica we took a 30-hour trip to Port St. Lucie, Fla. Eleven hours is a piece of cake."
Q. How do you like Montana?
A. "Montana has been a welcome surprise. Initially, I felt as though I would have rather been assigned to Sarasota, Fla., but the more I thought about it I don't think that playing at noon every day, in 100 degrees with 100-percent humidity, would be all that great. I feel that we have one of the best, if not the best, facilities for a rookie ball team in the entire country. The scenery here is absolutely amazing, and it makes the bus trips that much better."
Q. What have you been focusing on?
A. "So far, I would say that locating my fastball early in the count is the biggest thing that I'm trying to work on. I have been pitching from behind a lot, and that's tough as a pitcher because it's hard to use your off-speed pitches when you're in 2-0 and 3-1 counts. I have been working on being confident enough to trust my sinker and pitching to contact.
"It's definitely an adjustment from college, where if you make a good pitch the metal bat can make that good pitch an average pitch. More times than not, hitters are going to get themselves out if you make pitches down in the zone with wood bats.
Adian Kummet
Team: Billings Mustangs
League: Pioneer (Rookie)
Major league affiliate: Cincinnati Reds
Born: April 15, 1987, Brainerd
College: St. Scholastica, Duluth
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Throws: Right
"Obviously, success will not come from throwing a fastball down the middle, but making sure to throw a strike early in the count has been a key for me."
Q. How's life in the minors?
A. "Life in the minors is fairly monotonous. A typical day at home is as follows:
"10 a.m., wake up and grab some breakfast, catch up on some e-mails and news, make a few phone calls and relax.
"Noon, eat lunch and head to the field.
"2 p.m., Pitchers go out early and stretch, throw and condition. Some days we throw bullpens, others we do some mechanical work.
"4 p.m., batting practice. This is where a lot of thinking between pitchers goes on. A lot of intelligent and worthwhile conversations, such as what kind of seeds, gum and Gatorade we will be consuming in the bullpen later in the night.
"5-7 p.m., hang out in the clubhouse, read, listen to music and get ready for the game.
"7-11 p.m., game.
"Postgame, usually have a late dinner and come back to the hotel where I'm living, relax and go to bed.
"Next day, repeat."
Q. Is the schedule grueling?
A. "For me the biggest challenge is being prepared mentally each day to come to the ballpark and stay focused on getting better. It's especially difficult when I pitched the night before and know that I'm not going to pitch. Physically, you are going to have your aches and pains, and as a pitcher, you're throwing every day, so knowing when to push your arm and knowing when to back off is the biggest key."
Q. What have been your highlights?
A. "My first save. My first win. And throwing in front of my parents, I think that was my biggest thrill so far. For them to see me pitch professionally for the first time was pretty fulfilling for me. I know I can never thank them enough for all they have done, and the best way was for them to see me pitch, and succeed, so that was pretty cool."
Q. Did playing for Duluth and Rochester in the Northwoods League help?
A. "Playing in the Northwoods League was probably one of the best things that could have prepared me for the life of professional baseball. They are practically identical in the way they are set up - play every day, travel half the season.
"The biggest difference is that every two weeks I get a check, which still makes me smile every time I get one."
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.