Making waves in the high desert
Sunday, June 8, 2008
BRIAN MEEHAN
The Oregonian Austin Bibens-Dirkx, the former University of Portland - pitcher, feels as much at home in Adelanto, Calif., as a chinook salmon would.
The small dusty Mohave Desert town is home to the High Desert Mavericks, the Seattle Mariners' Class A Advanced California League team. Adelanto gets less than 4 inches of rain a year and temperatures routinely soar above 100 degrees. More importantly to the 23-year-old reliever from Salem, Mavericks Stadium is as pitcher friendly as a Little League field.
"The wind blows out to center field at 20 to 30 mph every day," Bibens-Dirkx said. "The temperature is 100-plus and it never rains here. Being from Oregon, I am not used to that."
Bibens-Dirkx, a McNary High School graduate, pitched two seasons at Chemeketa Community College before playing at Portland in 2006. The Mariners selected him in the 16th round of the 2006 draft.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander's low three-quarter delivery can be rough on batters, especially right-handers. The Mariners had been grooming Bibens-Dirkx as a closer before an elbow injury shortened his 2007 season.
Bibens-Dirkx tried to pitch through the pain that built in his elbow last spring, but by the end of June his arm hurt too much to continue.
"I should have stopped before that but in minor league baseball you are trying to win a job," he said.
He underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur in his elbow and is rebuilding his strength. He is pitching middle relief for the Mavericks and has a 0-0 record with a 5.82 ERA in 212/3 innings. He spent a week on the disabled list earlier in the season but now feels as if he is regaining his form.
"I think once I get back to full strength it all will fall into place," he said. "I am getting close. I am able to pitch with no pain now for the first time in a while."
And what is his main goal for the season?
"I'd like to get out of here as soon as possible," he said. "There is absolutely nothing to do here on a day off but hang out and watch movies."
Right now, Jackson, Tenn. -- where the West Tennessee Jaxx play -- would be a Double A dream come true for Bibens-Dirkx.
