As it approaches the plate, the hissing becomes more pronounced. The scary thing is that this ball has a direction, as if it is telling itself where to go, confusing the surrounding radar guns aiming at it.

Three digits flashed on the gun, and then the major league scout nodded knowingly.

For mainland pitcher Chase Petty, this situation has been going on for several years, and he is expected to participate in the first round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Players Draft on Sunday.

stingy Can join Marvin reserve outfielder Lonnie White Jr., Eustace Bishop’s left-handed pitcher Anthony Solometo and redfield outfielder Benny Montgomery, in Lewisbury, in York County.

However, Petty may be the most interesting, simply because he is a rare breed of high school pitchers, capable of throwing at a speed of 100 miles per hour. In the area code competition, he was timed over 100 at the age of 17.

What makes Petty of the University of Florida promise that the more dynamic is that the ball often falls where Petty intends to land. There are some major league pitchers, even Phillies pitchers, who have not yet mastered this key skill, let alone reaching triple figures in doing so.

For Petty, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound right pitcher, this is natural.

“Every time the ball leaves my hand, it feels the same,” Petty said. “I have been like this all my life. Throwing 100 seems a bit strange, because I have been throwing hard since I was 12 and it always feels the same.”

Petty was coached by his father Bob Petty since he was a child, but as Chase grew older, Bob did some interesting things. Bob Petty is not as attached to his son as many fathers do when coaching their children in youth sports. He knows when to step aside and listen to more people.

Someone happened to be not much older than Chase.

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related: Program 3: A trio of local high school baseball players can participate in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft

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Mike Adams is 26 years old. He graduated from the Holy Spirit Academy in 2012. He is currently the right-handed pitcher for the Phillies AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Adams is also a walking pitcher expert and may one day become a major league pitching coach.

He and Petty worked miracles together.

Adams has known Petty since he was 14 years old, when his throwing speed was 85 mph.

“For him at the time, it was obviously really, very good,” Adams said. “At the age of 18, throwing 102 is extremely rare. But for him, his knowledge of the mound and ability to direct multiple pitches is indeed advanced.

“He has a very good slider and a very good change. He has a complete package. Chase throws a lot of strikes. He knows where the ball is going. I think many times when you get a high school student who throws 100 , The blow to them is that they don’t know how to pitch and read the batter, nor do they know how to pitch.

“That’s not Chase. For Chase, the best thing is the future. When he comes into contact with minors and can direct three pitches and read the batter and understand the situation at that level, this is for him Really great.”

Petty and everyone around him felt that he was in a win-win situation. Florida is a baseball powerhouse of the US Securities and Exchange Commission. If he goes to the place expected in the draft, it is likely that he will not be able to reach Florida in the first round.

Adams emphasized that Petty’s psychological quality is also a kind of strength, because he is very willing to accept guidance.

“If you ask most people who know Chase, they will say he is fearless,” Adams said. “Chase doesn’t ridicule or care about his ranking, he just goes out and wants to win. Chase wants to win. This is what he cares about, and this is what makes him different from children of his age.

Continental coach Bill Kern plays baseball for Chase’s father Bob, so he has known Chase since he was a child. Chase is a four-year starter for the Broncos, and anyone who has walked through a continental baseball field will know when Chase pitches.

When Chase held a bullpen meeting, Kern ran into problems, especially when they were inside, because usually a group of people gathered to watch. Kern had to impress his team and they practiced again.

“A few weeks ago at the Carpenter Cup Championship, Chase went out to get a bullpen and everyone had to watch him pitch,” Kern said. “Chase didn’t even pitch the ball. Even if he didn’t arrange the pitch, he always attracted the audience.”

What every major league team hopes to see from Petty is his “throwing ability.” The team wanted to see more than just speed-although he still threw at 98 mph in the seventh inning, he showed control of the slider and had good control over his changes .

“I don’t know where Chase will fall, I only know that the team that pulls the trigger will be satisfied with their choice,” Kern said. “The Phillies showed interest. This will make people in this area very happy, and we can’t wait to see where Chase is.”

As for Chase, he will not let this moment occupy his heart.

“I have to face this matter squarely, this will be one of the most important moments in my life, everything is fine,” Chase said. “Anyway, I won, you want to see it. It’s a bit like a long Christmas Eve. If I go to Florida, I will win. This is a great school with great courses. If I were in the first round Being selected and signing, I will win there too.”

Either way, the crowd will follow the hiss of the ball.

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Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sports writer in the Philadelphia area. He has been writing for PhillyVoice since its establishment in 2015 and is the president of the American Boxing Writers Association. He can follow on Twitter: @JSantoliquito.