Story about Feinemann(he was born 5/28/1990) written tomorrow,those Australians are always one step ahead of us
Heartbreak, despair and anguish were words that could once be used to describe the feelings of West Torrens baseballer Mitchell Fienemann. Just days after agreeing to a professional baseball contract in late 2007 Mitch suffered a debilitating shoulder injury. With an athletic frame around 6 foot 4 inches and a fastball in the upper 80's (miles per hour) it was easy to see what attracted the baseball scouts to the young pitcher.
According to Mitch's agent Stuart Hanrahan from Runway Sports Management, 'There were a number of scouts very interested in Mitch during this initial period'.
Unfortunately for Mitch the injury was so severe that it required surgery and left the team with no choice but to rescind the professional contract offer.
"To say that I was devastated was a huge understatement," said Mitch from his home in Lockleys, South Australia.
"One minute my dreams of playing professional baseball had come true, the next they were gone. I was crushed."
In the following days, Mitch was booked in to see Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Michael Hayes, and after diagnosis it was decided that he was to have surgery, something Mitch says was the only option.
"If I ever wanted to pitch again - I had to do it," he said.
Successful repairs were made to what was described as a labral flap tear to Mitch's right shoulder and the long road to recovery began.
Perseverance, tenacity and patience were now Mitch's catchwords as he slowly began to rehabilitate from the arthroscopy to a point when he was finally able to begin throwing a baseball in June 2008. Painful sessions in the gym were replaced by long sessions at the field gradually stretching the throwing out to 'long toss'.
Mitch's persistence and resolve paid off when made his first visit back to the pitching mound in December 2008. As his innings and pitch count increased word again began to spread throughout the scouting fraternity that Mitch was back! However, it was Pittsburgh Pirates scout Tony Harris who was the first to give Mitch a solid challenge since the ill fated injury. There are reports that Mitch actually surpassed his previous highest velocity with a fastball reaching 90mph during the session.
The results from the workout impressed Harris enough to recommend to the Pirates front office that they make an offer for the lanky right handed pitcher. This Pirates agreed and made Mitch an offer that he agreed to sign, even though he was due to pitch in front of additional scouts at Easter.
As such, Mitch became a buccaneer, much to the delight of Harris. "We are very excited to have been able to acquire someone of Mitchell's calibre. Mitch has worked very hard during his rehabilitation. He deserves this opportunity and we are delighted that he is the latest Australian to become a Pittsburgh Pirate," said Harris after the signing. When asked what it was that he liked so much now about Mitch Harris said 'Mitch's strength and velocity has never been so good which is a great sign of things to come.'
For Mitch the dream has come true again - something that he realises he is very lucky to have accomplished.
"I know how lucky I am to be able to get this opportunity again and I am determined to make the most of it," Mitch said.
It will be straight to work for Mitch as the Pirates make plans to send him directly to Florida and Spring Training, where he will finalise his rehabilitation under the watchful eye of the Pittsburgh training staff. If Mitch's approach to his injury is any indication, he is sure to give himself every opportunity to take the mound at PNC Park, the home of the Pirates Major League team, at some point in the next few years.
