In The News

Himpsl helps Danville win title

Johnstown native shows improvement in Braves’ system

By BILL CAIN, The Leader-Herald POSTED: September 21, 2009  

Derrick Himpsl

JOHNSTOWN - The numbers don't lie.

They tell how Johnstown native Derrick Himpsl improved this summer in his second year with the Appalachian League's Danville (Va.) Braves, the rookie-ball affiliate of Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves. They also show the left-handed relief pitcher where he still needs some polishing.

"I want better numbers, I want to dominate. I just want great things," Himpsl said. "I know what I can be, that's why I'm not satisfied with what I did and where I ended up."

Himpsl threw 21 1/3 innings for Danville this year, striking out 37 batters, walking 21, earning a 3-0 record, a hold and a save. His final ERA was 5.49 and his WHIP was 1.78.

In 2008, he threw 19 innings, struck out 26 batters, walked 23 and finished with an ERA of 6.96.

Another number on Himpsl's rsum is one, as in one Appalachian League championship.

The Braves finished the regular season 47-21 and won the East Division by 10.5 games. They then swept West Division champ Elizabethton in a best-of-three series, winning 7-1 on the road and 5-0 at home.

Himpsl said being a part of a championship season on the professional level was exciting and, understanding during the regular season what the Braves were capable of doing, drove them to excel.

"The whole time, you're thinking, 'We really do have a chance. We've got a run going, we're not losing many games, let's go. We've got starting pitching that's strong, we've got a great bullpen, hitters and gloves,'" Himpsl said. "What more can you ask for?"

Himpsl said he continued to learn from his coaches this summer and they were pleased with his progress. At the same time, he said, they expect more.

"They see this kid with a big-league arm and big-league potential and his stuff is good enough to be in the big leagues, it's just a matter of whether he's going to break out and start being even more consistent," he said. "The game gets finer and finer to the point where you have to be almost perfect."

Winning a minor league championship, he said, also made him hungrier for a shot at the major leagues.

He is back in Johnstown for the offseason, working and waiting for next spring and his next assignment. Being home affords him quality time with his soon-to-be 18-month-old son Aiden.

With minor league paychecks dwarfed by their major-league cousins, the offseason also means Himpsl has to work on more than his game. He has to work a regular job.

"Reality sets in when I walk back through that door and walk back into Johnstown. It's time to work. It's time to work and provide," he said. "That's the most important thing right now, it helps me drive and it makes me feel good about myself, being a good dad. I'm trying my hardest at that, too."

He shares his Braves cap with Aiden and in return, Aiden unwittingly serves as another coach for Himpsl, who said his son has helped him "go on the straight and narrow" as all his decisions now are influenced by his son.

Every now and then this summer, Himpsl even stuffed one of Aiden's socks in his back pocket on days he was going to pitch, taking a piece of home out to the mound.

Beside his love of the game, he said his hope to provide for his son is what drives him to succeed in baseball. In hopes of getting assigned to a league closer to the bigs, he plans for a more intense offseason program to stay in shape for spring training.

"If I'm not in the big leagues, that means there's something I'm doing wrong," he said. "I've got to get better. I've got to study the game more."

Michael J. Hauser - President
Twin Cities Sports Promotions
131 Queensboro Manor Road
Gloversville, NY 12078
518-725-5565
mhauser@frontiernet.net