By John Orrell
Landmark correspondent
RUTLAND – Whether it be as a member of the wait staff at his family’s Ladd’s Restaurant or as a member of the Wachusett Regional High varsity baseball team, 2023 graduate Alex Toomey knows his way around disciplined situations.
The right-handed hurler from Rutland was a key contributor to the 2023 Mountaineer squad that finished the campaign at 11-9 and advanced to the MIAA Division 1 state tournament. As a starter for head coach Jeff Kodys, Toomey knew that a sizeable weight would fall upon his shoulders, but similarly was aware that he had the talent and temperament to get the job done.
“I started when I was young, and I just stuck with it,” said Toomey of his introduction to pitching. “I feel like it makes me who I am. It sets me apart from everyone else. Baseball is my own thing. I never lose the fun I have playing the game with all the guys. I just love everything about it.
“I never really saw myself as a pitcher growing up, but then high school came, and I started to pitch then. I stuck with it and I loved it.”
Toomey was selected to be a team captain for the recently concluded season, an honor that gave him a source of pride. He and teammates produced sound team chemistry and unity whether on or off the field.
“I always remind them (teammates) that we’re a team and we’re all working together,” Toomey said. “I always tried to pick them up. People get upset, but that’s baseball. I try to keep everyone in the dugout positive and keep working as one whole unit, and not people doing one thing.
“Almost all of pitching is mental. When you’re overthinking, you’re just beating yourself out there, and you just have to play the game. Physical mistakes happen, but you can’t be too rough on yourself. Just the mental warfare when you’re pitching is so much of the battle.
“We had a lot of seniors on the team that have been playing so long, and that was a bond that we all had together. We showed the younger kids what it took. You have to do your job.
“I’m definitely amped up (when taking the field), and I’m always nervous, but everyone is. No one can’t be nervous. I try to contain it and use it toward the game and not let it get the best of me. I keep it all within myself. When I’m out there pitching, all I’m thinking about is me and my catcher and what’s going on in the game, and I just block everyone out.”
Toomey concluded the season with an ERA of 3.06, striking out 35 in 39 innings. His repertoire of pitches includes a 2-seam fastball, a 4-seam fastball, curveball and change-up. His season was praiseworthy, but a humble Toomey wishes the ERA had ended just a tad lower.
“I had high expectations for myself,” he acknowledged. “My junior year I finished with a 1.70 ERA, so I was looking to better that, but we played some great teams this year. I feel like we had more competitive games. I was happy with my season-ending stats.”
“Alex could probably play in the field and he could probably hit a lot, but he’s a good pitcher,” said Kodys. “His teammates love him. He’s a good kid, and he’s been a great captain for us. We’re going to miss him next year.”
Toomey will be off to attend and compete for the AMCATS of Anna Maria College and major in fire science in the fall. He played varsity football through high school except for his senior year, where he finished on the gridiron to focus exclusively on baseball, a decision he has never looked back on. Having the opportunity to wear the green and white as a Mountaineer will result in positive memories all through life.
“Growing up, it was always the dream to play for the Wachusett team,” he said. “Everyone looked up to those Wachusett kids, so for me to finally put on the jersey, especially being named a captain in that jersey, meant a lot, and it carried a lot with me.”
