NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks infielder Tory Nelson loads up to make a throw from third base in the Mavs' 9-1 win Sunday at Athletic Park against the Weyburn Beavers.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
There isn’t a lot Tory Nelson isn’t willing to do for the Medicine Hat Mavericks.
The local product has played five different positions this season in the red and white, recording outs at first, second, third base, left and right field. He’s also thrown two innings on the mound, recording three strikeouts while only allowing two hits and two walks.
He says it makes the game a lot of fun when he plays multiple positions and it’s an ability he takes pride in.
“I just want to be a team guy, do whatever I can to help the team win,” Nelson said. “I’m happy to do it wherever they need me.”
He’s also filled in as bullpen catcher during some games he hasn’t started and when the need surfaced. Between all the positions he’s played this season and the different roles he’s taken throughout the season, it’s pitching that tops the excitement levels for him.
“Pitching is always No. 1, I can always bullpen catch, whether it be practice or if they need a guy, I can go down there,” Nelson said. “But pitching in a game, that’s something I haven’t yet gotten to do since high school, so that’s really fun.”
Nelson’s ability and willingness to move around the diamond to help the team isn’t lost on the Mavs’ coaching staff. Head coach Kevin Mitchell has high praise for his utility man and is glad he’s on their team.
“Tory has been everything I could ask for in a baseball player and a teammate, he’s been an exceptional young man,” Mitchell said. “He’s a guy I have a great relationship with, it doesn’t matter what I’ve asked of him or not asked of him, he shows up and he’s the same person every day. It’s really hard to do that. In baseball and in life. That’s a skill that’s going to treat him well throughout his life, baseball and not.
“His versatility on the field, we can put him pretty much anywhere. He’s even pitched for us this year, that’s obviously very valuable. He’s been swinging a good bat the last week or so and he knows who he is, he understands his role. He’s always ready to do whatever it takes to help the team.”
Entering play Friday, Nelson has 24 hits and 11 RBIs in 39 games played with the Mavericks this season. He’s found more success as of late, recording eight hits in his last 10 games. He says he’s been focused on just being himself and it’s been working.
“I’m just trying to do my job, not trying to be someone I’m not,” Nelson said. “There’s a lot of guys ahead of me and a lot of guys behind me. So it’s about just starting to trust them, trying to get on base and do my part to help the team win more.”
Nelson played a big role in the Mavs’ first-round series win over the Regina Red Sox in the 2022 WCBL playoffs. He had two hits and three RBIs in Game 1 and recorded two assists defensively at first base in the series clinching Game 2 win. As the Mavs gear up for another semifinals series against the Red Sox, Nelson says he’s looking forward to the postseason environment.
“It’s a completely different atmosphere and a different game,” Nelson said. “In the regular season, if you have a loss it’s a quick switch to get on to the next game and forget about it. But losses mean a little more in the playoffs and every inning, every at bat, everything means a little more in the playoffs.”
Nelson drew two walks in the Mavs’ 7-6 win over the Lethbridge Bulls at Athletic Park on Thursday. He and the Mavs opened a two-game set Friday against the Red Sox to end the regular season. Friday’s game was not complete by press time, visit medicinehatnews.com/sports for a full game story.
