By Paul Gotham
ROCHESTER, NY — His pinpoint control and breaking ball earned him the call of “Bend it like Beckham” from Niagara Public Address Announcer Doug Smith, and the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s 2012 Pitcher of the Year will return for an encore performance in 2013.
Steven Beckham (Olivet Nazarene), who notched a 4-0 record during the regular season with a league-leading ERA of 1.84, will wear the blue and white of the Niagara Power again.
In 44 innings of work during the 2012 campaign, Beckham struck out 46, walked 17 and allowed 30 hits. He surrendered six extra-base hits and opposing batters hit just .191 against the right-hander as the Power advanced to the organization’s first ever appearance in the league championship.
“When he was on the hill, I knew we were going to have a chance to win,” said former Niagara head coach Garret Shivley. “I couldn’t ask for more out of a pitcher than what I got out of Steven Beckham.”
With Beckham leading the way Niagara rattled off nine straight wins in late July to secure home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Beckham is currently 5-1 in eight appearances for the Olivet Nazarene Tigers. He has 28 strike outs and nine walks in 43-plus innings of work.
“He has a nice slider and a low 80s fast ball,” Shivley commented. “More than that he doesn’t just throw; he pitches. He’s a guy that can locate his pitches. He doesn’t walk hitters. He makes them put the ball in play. He’s crafty, but he’s not afraid to attack hitters on the inner-half.”
Beckham will be joined by infielder Matt Brooks (Hanover) as the Power look to continue their winning ways in ‘13. Brooks has made 19 starts for the Hanover Panthers. The sophomore utility infielder from Goodlettsville, Tenn is hitting .290 in 69 at bats for Hanover. He has six extra-base hits, 16 RBI and 10 base on balls. He combines that with stellar glove (.981 fielding percentage with 103 put outs).
Niagara opens 2013 on the road at Hornell, June sixth. The Power’s home opener is the following night at Sal Maglie Stadium against the Rochester Ridgemen.
Current Tampa Ray Ben Zobrist played at Olivet Nazarene.
Founded in 1978, the NYCBL is a summer wood-bat league which provides eligible student-athletes the opportunity to develop skills over the course of two months in Upstate New York. Current major league players Tim Hudson, Hunter Pence and John McDonald all spent a summer playing in the NYCBL. Twenty-one former NYCBL players heard their names called during the 2012 MLB draft.
Leave a Reply