When 12-year-old Matthew Sauer first saw his older brother, Nick, play baseball with his friends a few years ago, his passion and interest in the sport developed.
Today, Sauer is the leading pitcher and shortstop for the Giants of the Orcutt National Little League.
In 13 games, Sauer has pitched 35 innings, garnering 67 strikeouts and two walks. He’s pitched three complete games—and the Giants won all three: 6-1, 7-0, and 9-0. The Giants held a 8-5 record as of press time.
His pitching formula helps him: He throws his curve balls from the same position as his fastballs.
Not only is Sauer a formidable pitcher, he’s also quite the slugger. He currently holds the lead in his league for homeruns with three, and his batting average is .500.
“Most kids pitch around him,” said David Sauer, his father and coach. “Only a few throw directly to him.”
David also serves as coach to the Giants, and he congratulates his players, including Matthew, but encourages them to keep improving.
“I tell [Matthew], ‘Good job, but you’ve got to get better every day,’” David said.
Matthew doesn’t let the stress of perfection get to him, however.
“I just don’t really think about it,” he said of going onto the field and giving it his all. “I just have fun.”
Matthew hopes to someday get a scholarship to play baseball for UCLA.
“He just loves UCLA,” David said.
This article appears in Apr 21-28, 2011.