WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

71-year-old to pitch to Josh Hamilton

By Jeff Gravley

Jul 12, 2008

"Come on buddy boy!"

That's the challenge from pitcher Clay Council. He is 71. The batter is a teenager.

Both are a part of the Cary Legion baseball team. Even at the age of  71, Cary's  Council is still throwing batting practice in the sweltering heat. "My arm feels good but my old 71-year old body is run down," he admits.

Council has been a part of the local baseball fabric for the past 30 years as a high school and American Legion coach in Cary.

How many rounds of batting practice has he pitched? "Oh, thousands!"

And Council knows the art of pitching batting practice. "Throw the same speed and throw right down the middle," Council explained. "They want to get down their timing. They want the same speed in a general location. Right down, I call it death valley. The happy zone."

Among the thousands of rounds of batting practice, Council pitched to a teen-aged Josh Hamilton, long before he was a major league all-star. The two have known each other since Hamilton was 13. Often times during those summer workouts Council would joke with the MLB All-Star.

"I said man, if you ever have a tryout or you ever want a good showing, you better get me to throw to you. I'll hit your bat good."

Three weeks ago, Council got a call from the Texas Ranger with an invitation to pitch to Josh in Monday night's Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium. "I want you to throw," Hamilton stated.

Council's reply, "I'm available!"

But first he wanted Josh to clear it with the Texas Rangers and Major League Baseball.

"At my age I didn't think the teams or major league would let you. I might have a stroke out there, a heart attack, fall dead," Council joked.

But all has been cleared for Clay Council to take his second trip to Yankee Stadium, 52 years after his first visit.

"Believe it or not, I saw Don Larsen pitch a no-hitter. Don Larsen pitched a no-hitter in the World Series, 1956 it was."

Monday night, Council will take his turn on the mound at Yankee Stadium trying to throw strikes for Josh Hamilton to hammer.

"Like I say, I'm going to be nervous, an old country boy you know, adrenaline flowing. Shoot, I might hit the Bull on the first pitch," said a smiling Council. "I might hit Josh!!"

As long as Clay Council keeps hitting that bat, Josh Hamilton will take care of the rest.

Just like those summer days gone by.