Fade to Black


Closing pitcher Black known by his teammates as more than just the few final outs


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Monica Bradburn | Staff Photographer Ontario, Canada senior pitcher Tim Black throws a pitch at Theunissen Stadium. Black has been named to the mid season watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award.

Tim Black had no name for the first week of his life.

Since then, the Central Michigan University baseball senior closing pitcher has been called by many nicknames including Tim “Fade to Black," Dart, Big Red and a few others not appropriate for newsprint.

He said he has no idea why his parents finally chose Timothy, but the nicknames suit the 6-3, 245-pound right-hander.

Fade to Black

His majestic red beard isn’t the only selling point for the senior from Mount Hope, Ontario. Black leads the Mid-American Conference with nine saves.

Black is 3-1 with a 2.95 ERA and hasn’t allowed a home run in his two seasons with the Chippewas.

“That’s what Tim does,” said junior outfielder Logan Regnier. “I really don’t expect anything else every time he goes out there, to be honest with you.”

Broadcasters from 91.5 WHMW coined the nickname Tim “Fade to Black,” because the Chippewas go to Black to finish off a victory just like a film fades to black after the final scene.

He learned about the nickname on the way to Comerica Park on April 15 and approved, saying “That one’s good to put in the paper.”

Throughout high school and during his two years at North Iowa Area Community College, Black was a starting pitcher. Since he arrived at  for the 2014 season, he has 18 of the team’s 32 saves.

Head Coach Steve Jaksa said Black has the mentality it takes to close out victories.

“(It takes) a mentality of aggressiveness,” Jaksa said. “Every pitch, he’s aggressive. It’s a good thing. He’s a strike-thrower. When a guy comes in and closes, it’s usually a close game and you really can’t afford to give up just a walk.”

While Black said he wouldn’t mind starting again, he said he doesn’t approach the ninth inning any differently than he looks at the first eight innings.

“You’ve got to go out and throw strikes,” Black said. “At any point in the game, you’ve got to throw strikes to be a pitcher. I’ve just stuck to my game plan that we came up with and just roll with it from there.”

Dart

Black throws strikes regardless of the situation, which top off at 91 mph. Wednesday’s Clash at Comerica is Exhibit A.

Down 7-2 in the ninth inning, Black entered the game in what’s usually called ‘garbage time.’ He breezed through the inning, not allowing Michigan State University to pick up a hit or a run during the inning for the first time in the game.

About 30 minutes later, the Chippewas were celebrating an 8-7 come-from-behind victory and Tim Black was the winning pitcher.

“The guys kind of nicknamed him Dart,” Jaksa said. “He’s fun to be around, but when he’s between the lines and takes the ball and goes on the mound, he’s all business. Our guys feel like we’re going to win that game when he’s in there.”

Senior outfielder Nick Regnier said the team calls Black “Dart” because of his pinpoint accuracy.

“I think it’s because he spots up all the time,” Regnier said. “He never really misses his spot. It’s like he’s throwing darts out there.”

Big Red

Black isn’t the only relief pitcher with a prominent beard.

Joba Chamberlain from the Detroit Tigers went eight months without shaving last season. His big, bushy beard wasn’t allowed when he was a member of the New York Yankees.

Former San Francisco Giant and current Los Angeles Dodger Brian Wilson’s giant black beard was an icon for the Giants 2010 and 2012 World Series titles.

While Black’s big red beard stands out from his teammates’ facial hair, Black called Logan Regnier’s beard the best on the team. While Black trimmed his beard in the fall, he’s keeping it for good luck.

“We did it last year and we had a pretty good year, so we thought we’d keep it going.”

Nick Regnier, also sporting a beard, said despite it’s annoyance, the facial hair has it’s advantages on the field.

“Maybe it’s an intimidation thing,” Nick said. “It looks better when a bunch of guys come in with beards than a bunch of baby-faced guys.”

Whether it’s the 2.95 ERA, his 91 mph darts or the immense red beard, there’s no close shave when Black’s in to close.

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About Taylor DesOrmeau

Taylor DesOrmeau is a senior at Central Michigan University, majoring in integrative public relations ...

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