By Ben Fischer

University of Maryland

July 23, 2018

Stephen Schoch (UMBC) retired both batters he faced in the All-Star Game

HARWICH – Between a 90 minute rain delay and eight and a half innings of play, it took a long time for the Cotuit Kettleers to take center stage at the All-Star Game. But in the bottom of the eighth inning, Cotuit’s three all-stars stood tall together on the mound.

As pitcher Stephen Schoch (UMBC) exited the game, catcher Zach Humphreys (TCU) and first baseman Zach Biermann (Coastal Carolina) came to the mound to congratulate their teammate on his all-star performance in the West’s 4-3 win. 

Schoch, with the luxury of throwing to his teammate Humphreys, worked ⅔ of an inning, inducing two weak flyouts. Humphreys and Biermann each went hitless, but Humphreys said he still enjoyed his experience.

“It was awesome, it was the most fun I’ve had all summer,” Humphreys said. “I don’t mean that in a bad way, but I haven’t played in an all-star game since little league. So to play up here with the best competition, even though I didn’t really do much, was awesome.”

First baseman Zach Biermann (Coastal Carolina) was forced to work hard at first, as the West infield had accuracy issues

As a catcher, Humphreys could not relax as much as other players in the exhibition game. However, he did not complain about his increased workload.

“You’ve got to be more in the game and you can’t be as nonchalant as you want to be for an all-star game,” Humphreys said. “But you’re also catching all-star pitchers who know what they’re doing.”

The gates at Whitehouse Field opened at 2 p.m, giving the players over four hours to kill before scheduled first pitch. The rain delay stretched the downtime to almost six hours, but they found ways to entertain themselves.

“Shoot, we sat in the dugout when it was raining, we played hacky sack when it wasn’t raining,” Humphreys said. “I talked to my parents a little, but mostly it was just hanging out and meeting new people.”

Zach Humphreys (TCU) caught the final four innings for the West

While Humphreys said he enjoyed his whole all-star experience, he gave particular praise to the quality of his teammates on the West division squad.

“It’s awesome. It’s the best league and you’re playing with the best guys from around the country,” Humphreys said. “To see that talent and to be amongst that talent is really a blessing.”