Evanston’s Anderson tough to hit

Updated: May 9, 2011 8:58PM

Every player on Evanston is happy Jack Anderson is in their dugout.

Catcher Trevor Forde made it clear he wants nothing to do with hitting the submarining pitcher. Even catching the junior right-hander is enough of a challenge.

“He’s a tough guy to go up against,” Forde said. “I won’t go against him in the cage.”

Anderson takes pride in knowing batters dread stepping into the box. Maine South found out last week how difficult Anderson can be on hitters.

“I mean, the ball looks like it comes out of the ground,” said Maine South’s John Fabiano, one of the team’s top hitters. “You can’t get a read on it.

“I’ve seem people attempt to throw like that, but he has good stuff. He’s fast and has good movement.”

Maine South coach Bill Milano said he’s never faced a submariner in his 11 seasons as head coach with the Hawks and appreciates Anderson’s approach.

“He gives you a different look and a different arm slot,” said Milano, whose Hawks didn’t get a hit in four innings over two games against Anderson in Evanston’s sweep. “We didn’t touch him (the first time).

At least we saw him better (in the second game).”

Anderson’s uncharacteristic pitching motion came about organically. He never intended on being a sidearm slinger.

Anderson started pitching at 13 years old and ever so slowly his arm continued to drop until he now looks like he’s dragging his knuckles on the dirt.

“It all happened naturally,” Anderson said. “As a freshman, I was pitching more sidearm and then I went to the submarine.”

Former Kansas City Royals pitcher Dan Quisenberry probably is the most famous submarine pitcher to play in the pros. According to some accounts, there are less than two dozen major-leaguers who use the

unorthodox throwing motion.

“Team definitely don’t see someone like me every day,” Anderson said. “No one wants to hit against me, and that’s how I like it.”

Anderson throws three pitches, but he mostly relies on his fastball.

In Evanston’s 6-5 win over the Hawks last week, Anderson threw all fastballs in a scoreless and hitless seventh inning to earn the save. He also throws a change-up and a slider.

But Anderson’s fastball might be enough as it moves differently almost every time.

“It’s interesting,” Forde said. “He really attacks the zone.”

Anderson dominated the Hawks in Evanston’s two-game league sweep last week. In the opener, he didn’t allow a hit in three scoreless innings of relief and faced one batter over the minimum.

Anderson ended the week with a 1.97 ERA over 28 1/3 innings. He had 27 strikeouts and had allowed only 20 hits as the Wildkits entered this week 15-8 overall, 6-4 in CSL play and on a six-game winning streak.

Because the motion is easier on his arm, Anderson is able to see far more action than traditional pitchers.

“Definitely,” he said. “It’s kind of like how softball pitchers can pitch every day. That overhand motion is very unnatural. The further down you go the easier it is on the body.”

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