Last weekend, the Edinburgh Devils matched up with the Glasgow Galaxy for the only game around the league. Galaxy ended up as winners 8-7 with a thrilling ending in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs and bases loaded as the Devils couldn’t get the tying run to cross home at the end of the game. As always, we have two players from Baseball Scotland to feature and both come from the mound.
Hsinyen Lai came in to relieve the starter for the Devils in the third inning and came up clutch for his team. 7 IP/ 1 R/ 0 ER/ 5 K/ 1 BB while toeing the rubber and helped out his own cause from the plate going 1/3 with 1 R and 2 BB. Lai, born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, first found baseball through his mother and her side of the family at the age of seven. Since then, he hasn’t stopped playing for 30 years. Although he was pitching for the Devils this past weekend, his favorite position is shortstop which is the first position he learned. He contributes his success on the field to his pitching accuracy from the mound and throwing accuracy while fielding. Lai would like to keep playing baseball and stay healthy as long as possible because he promised his 4 year old son that one day, they’ll stand on the same field together wearing the same jersey, where he’d like to player catcher while his son pitches. As far as staying healthy and playing for a long time, Lai would only have to look at his favorite player for inspiration, Ichiro Suzuki. The future hall of fame outfielder plans to play into his 50’s at the major league level. Best of luck to you and your son Hsinyen.
The Galaxy MVP would have to go to Luke Powell. Starting pitcher was able to help out offensively plenty going 3/5 from the plate with a double, 2 R, and a stolen base to boot. Luke, hailing from Long Island, New York is a Mets fan. Growing up in the 80s and watching the team from Queens, where his grandfather was born, win the World Series in 1986 inspired him. Luke’s favorite position is second base, one half of the “Keystone Combination” with fellow middle infielder the shortstop. “So much happening here and you’re so involved with ever play, plus there’s nothing quite so satisfying as turning the double play and making two guys sit down on the bench in about two seconds time.” He’s always loved pitching as well but feels it can get lonely out there on the bump when the ball isn’t moving quite the way you want and expect it to. He also pride’s himself on the mental part of the game, “The chess match, like trying to pick apart a hitter’s weaknesses, and exploiting those weaknesses while still pitching to my strengths.” A tropical biologist, his dream is to have a little research station in the jungles of Venezuela or Colombia with a baseball field next to it where he can play a few innings every afternoon with the locals and other biologists. Crazy where this world will take you as Powell assumed his baseball days were done in DC when he played his last game stateside, threw his cleats in a dumpster, cracked a beer, and starting reminiscing about his playing days. Then he moved to Glasgow and a friend mentioned to him Baseball Scotland and the rest is history. Enjoy the ride Luke.