Charmed Arm
Baseball, like every endeavor, tends to reward orthodoxy over results. Scouts look for pitchers with “normal” deliveries and physiques, often discounting the success of players with neither. Occasionally, however, a player with an unorthodox approach thrives despite predictions to the contrary. One such player, middle reliever Pat Neshek of the Minnesota Twins, comes to Kauffman Stadium (Interstate 70 and Blue Ridge Cutoff) as the Twins face the Royals in a three-game series, continuing tonight at 7:10.
Neshek altered his style after being struck on the forearm in high school while pitching, becoming a submarine thrower with a violent delivery that’s wacky enough to baffle everyone. Despite (or because of) his unique arm, Neshek, a Web sensation after being the 1,337th player picked in the 1999 amateur draft, became one of baseball’s best relievers in 2004. Tickets cost $8 to $30. Call 816-504-4040 for information.
Twins
Fri., April 20, 7:10 p.m.; Sat., April 21, 1:10 p.m.; Sun., April 22, 1:10 p.m.; Tue., Aug. 7, 7:10 p.m.; Wed., Aug. 8, 7:10 p.m.; Thu., Aug. 9, 1:10 p.m.; Mon., Sept. 10, 7:10 p.m.; Tue., Sept. 11, 7:10 p.m.; Wed., Sept. 12, 1:10 p.m.
