Coming off a promising freshman season with the varsity baseball team, expectations were high for sophomore pitcher Charlie Nuss this spring. Unfortunately, lofty goals had to be revised when Nuss was recently diagnosed with a torn lateral tendon in his throwing shoulder. Now, instead of striking out the competition with his signature curveball, Nuss isv resigned to a season on the sidelines, unable to pitch until at least the fall.
Moving from starting games to manning the scoreboard, the adjustment to spectator has not been easy for Nuss.
“I just have the urge to throw. There’s something deep inside me that just wants to throw, and now I can’t,” Nuss said.
“It’s hard just sitting on the bench, not being able to play,” Nuss said. “I know it’s going to take a lot of time to get better, but it’s definitely worth it. I love baseball. I’ll do anything to get back out there again.”
Nuss has willingly taken on his role in an effort to help his team’s cause.
“I want to be a good part of the team and support them,” Nuss said. “I know they’d do the same.”
Taking on a new outlook has helped Nuss adapt to his new role.
“I’m taking the situation dealt to me and I’m going day by day,” Nuss said.
Nuss has not strayed from baseball or shut the game out from his life. Instead, he has elected to surround himself with the game as much as possible. Now he helps run practices and even works the scoreboard at games.
Daily practices have allowed Nuss to remain close to his teammates and the game he loves.
“At practices I can still be part of the team. I can take ground balls and condition like everyone else,” Nuss said. “It’s good to keep a routine.”
Although the experience has been trying, Nuss has gained new perspective from his time on the outside looking in.
“It’s brought out how much I love baseball,” Nuss said. “I never realized how much I relied on the game until it was gone.”
“It’s not like I’m out forever, it’s one year,” Nuss said. “Next year, I’ll be back.”
anon • May 1, 2013 at 10:31 AM
what a heart warming story