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It wasn’t the request that initially surprised Daniel Bruce. It was the distance.
Sixty feet, six inches. The span from the rubber on the pitcher's mound to home plate.
“I walked that distance and I was like, ‘Well, this is actually longer than I thought it was just watching on TV,’” said Bruce, a New Mexico United assistant coach and former player who retired at the end of last season as the club’s all-time caps leader.
He’ll soon get a bit more practical experience when it comes to America’s pastime.
The 30-year-old Englishman will throw out the first pitch at Saturday’s Isotopes game against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will be his baseball debut — at any level, in any capacity — after learning to properly throw a baseball for the first time this week.
“Yeah, they may regret that choice,” Bruce said with a laugh Thursday.
That might be a bit strong. For the record, Bruce, who has lived in the United States since 2014, is eager and excited about the opportunity.
But the Isotopes asked specifically for Bruce; a perfect fit for the minor league team’s World Soccer Night with fans receiving a mariachi soccer jersey. A little soccer meets baseball. After all, baseball already met soccer.
Isotopes catcher Jose Cordova and infielder Vimael Machín made an appearance at United training Wednesday. The pair talked some tactics with manager Dennis Sanchez and did some drills with keepers Kris Shakes and Raiko Arozarena, whose younger brother is Seattle Mariners All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena.
“I think we’re always respectful of other professional athletes,” Sanchez said. “Obviously, (there’s) differences in the games. There’s things that they’re quite better at than us and vice versa. But I think, especially in our community, the more connections, relationships we can have, the better.”
But it wouldn’t hurt to show out, and Bruce now has a chance to deliver for the United camp. No pressure.
The only problem? Bruce’s history with baseball has been limited to attending some Isotopes games with his American wife Joy, as well as some other minor league outings during his college days at Charlotte.
Baseball wasn’t particularly big in Warrington, England. Cricket was the closest, although Bruce didn’t take part. He doesn’t consider himself to be a multi-sport athlete. (His second-favorite sport, for those curious, after soccer is darts. He watches matches online.)
So, Bruce started with some tutorials, courtesy of Carlos Tenorio. United’s communications manager sent the assistant coach some YouTube videos of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan to study his mechanics.
“So class,” Bruce said.
An apt description for Ryan. The flame-throwing pitcher won 324 games, logged 5,714 strikeouts and tossed seven no-hitters in his 27-year career.
Translating that from video onto the field has been … interesting.
Learning to step and throw in sync proved challenging. If Bruce’s throwing motion looked — and felt a bit — unnatural, that’s because it is. “A lot of American kids grow up throwing and catching, whereas we just grew up passing a ball (with our feet),” Bruce said.
Bruce and Tenorio worked on refining those mechanics after Thursday’s training session. Tenorio said it went well. Bruce took a different approach and opted for some self-deprecation.
“I would say it was the first time I properly wore a glove, gone out there with somebody else who’s wearing a glove and actually throwing a baseball at good distances,” Bruce said. “It was so bad, I can’t even be nervous (about playing catch). I feel like you get nervous when you’ve been practicing a bit or like you're half decent, but I couldn’t catch a cold, honestly.”
But Bruce doesn’t need to be great at catching. Throwing — successfully — is the goal for Saturday.
And no matter how it looks, as he stares down that 60-feet-6-inches to home plate, there is one rule Bruce is making sure he follows: “Don’t let it bounce. You don’t want that. That’s what I’ve been told.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
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Sixty feet, six inches. The span from the rubber on the pitcher's mound to home plate.
“I walked that distance and I was like, ‘Well, this is actually longer than I thought it was just watching on TV,’” said Bruce, a New Mexico United assistant coach and former player who retired at the end of last season as the club’s all-time caps leader.
He’ll soon get a bit more practical experience when it comes to America’s pastime.
The 30-year-old Englishman will throw out the first pitch at Saturday’s Isotopes game against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will be his baseball debut — at any level, in any capacity — after learning to properly throw a baseball for the first time this week.
“Yeah, they may regret that choice,” Bruce said with a laugh Thursday.
That might be a bit strong. For the record, Bruce, who has lived in the United States since 2014, is eager and excited about the opportunity.
But the Isotopes asked specifically for Bruce; a perfect fit for the minor league team’s World Soccer Night with fans receiving a mariachi soccer jersey. A little soccer meets baseball. After all, baseball already met soccer.
Isotopes catcher Jose Cordova and infielder Vimael Machín made an appearance at United training Wednesday. The pair talked some tactics with manager Dennis Sanchez and did some drills with keepers Kris Shakes and Raiko Arozarena, whose younger brother is Seattle Mariners All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena.
“I think we’re always respectful of other professional athletes,” Sanchez said. “Obviously, (there’s) differences in the games. There’s things that they’re quite better at than us and vice versa. But I think, especially in our community, the more connections, relationships we can have, the better.”
But it wouldn’t hurt to show out, and Bruce now has a chance to deliver for the United camp. No pressure.
The only problem? Bruce’s history with baseball has been limited to attending some Isotopes games with his American wife Joy, as well as some other minor league outings during his college days at Charlotte.
Baseball wasn’t particularly big in Warrington, England. Cricket was the closest, although Bruce didn’t take part. He doesn’t consider himself to be a multi-sport athlete. (His second-favorite sport, for those curious, after soccer is darts. He watches matches online.)
So, Bruce started with some tutorials, courtesy of Carlos Tenorio. United’s communications manager sent the assistant coach some YouTube videos of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan to study his mechanics.
“So class,” Bruce said.
An apt description for Ryan. The flame-throwing pitcher won 324 games, logged 5,714 strikeouts and tossed seven no-hitters in his 27-year career.
Translating that from video onto the field has been … interesting.
Learning to step and throw in sync proved challenging. If Bruce’s throwing motion looked — and felt a bit — unnatural, that’s because it is. “A lot of American kids grow up throwing and catching, whereas we just grew up passing a ball (with our feet),” Bruce said.
Bruce and Tenorio worked on refining those mechanics after Thursday’s training session. Tenorio said it went well. Bruce took a different approach and opted for some self-deprecation.
“I would say it was the first time I properly wore a glove, gone out there with somebody else who’s wearing a glove and actually throwing a baseball at good distances,” Bruce said. “It was so bad, I can’t even be nervous (about playing catch). I feel like you get nervous when you’ve been practicing a bit or like you're half decent, but I couldn’t catch a cold, honestly.”
But Bruce doesn’t need to be great at catching. Throwing — successfully — is the goal for Saturday.
And no matter how it looks, as he stares down that 60-feet-6-inches to home plate, there is one rule Bruce is making sure he follows: “Don’t let it bounce. You don’t want that. That’s what I’ve been told.”
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at [email protected] or via X @DavidGlovach.
More New Mexico United reading
*
NM United is getting in the July 4 spirit with new kit
Team unveils festive new uniform — the 4th so far this season — for America's 250th birthday
*
NM United's Hurst says he did his part in recent eating contest
Soccer forward was part of trio that completed the Big Texan 72 oz. steak challenge
*
I survived the 72 oz. steak challenge (kind of)
Journal and others compete in Big Texan steak challenge
*
NM United is getting scoring chances, but now it needs to start capitalizing
NMU again goes without multiple goals in draw with Orange County SC
*
NM United academy players receive their honorary kits
NMU's first team holds ceremony for recent high school graduates
*
NMU's Keller debuts new cornrows and his teammates, coaches weigh in
Despite mostly strong reviews, the United defender is still undecided if new look will be long-term hairdo
*
Match day: Orange County SC at New Mexico United
NMU looks to keep unbeaten streak against California club intact
*
Taren Wente opted to bet on himself and it paid off with an ACC program
NMU developmental academy goalkeeper set to play his college soccer at Pitt
*
'You want a hot take?' NM United has plenty of thoughts on soccer's biggest event
Players and coaches pick favorites, underdogs, best moments and tournaments heading into World Cup opener
*
Noël finds himself the popular player to seek out after NM United rout
Midfielder scores 1st goal of season in USL Cup win over Phoenix Rising FC
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