Bump an All-Star again
When Towanda graduate Nate Bump took the mound for the International League in the Triple-A all-star game he was entering in the fourth inning as a relief pitcher.
"It was nice to come out of the bullpen again," Bump said. "I haven't done that in a couple of years."
For Bump the past two years have been spent in the starting rotation so changing things up is a little bit different.
"I'm definitely used to having things my own way, taking all the time I need to get ready," he said. "But, I didn't need to throw many pitches when I warmed up, so it was good."
For Bump coming out of the bullpen was a common appearance the last time he was in the big leagues and after excelling as a starter the past two years in the minor leagues he is hoping to one day be back in the big leagues.
"That is what we are all playing for," Bump said. "We all want to be called up at some point."
After starting last year in the Independent Atlantic League, where Bump was the league's starting pitcher in the all-star game, the Towanda graduate finished last year strong for Triple-A Toledo.
This year he has one of the International League's best ERA's at 2.48 and he is 7-4 on the year and was one of two pitchers representing the home-town Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the All-Star game.
"It was fun," he said. "They cheer for us here left and right. It was a good experience."
Throughout this season Bump feels like he has had to work, but is starting to find his rhythm.
"I've been battling a lot of things," Bump said. "I feel like I am starting to turn it around and put things together."
While he has battled all year, Bump is pleased with the results.
"I'm okay with it," he said. "I would like to see my miles per hour come up a bit, but I feel pretty good about it."
Bump hopes that when he plays in front of sold out crowds like at Wednesday's all-star game the adrenaline brings up his fastball speed.
"I hope so," he said. "I haven't seen it yet (the speed) to know what it looked like, but I would hope that with a little more adrenaline it went up."
And, for the second straight year Bump made an all-star game, something he had never done in his professional career before last season.
"I missed one when I was traded by the Giants,' Bump said. "I made it in Double A that year, but then got traded. To make it now, at 33, it's pretty special."
One of the best parts for Bump these days is getting a chance to have his family, especially his kids, take in some of the memories with him.
"It's more for my kids now," Bump said. "I hope they remember this when I'm old and have arthritis and can't move my shoulder.
"The main reason I came back was so they could experience this."
When Bump took the mound for the Triple-A all-star game in his home stadium with Lehigh Valley he did so to a huge ovation, and that's something he hopes his children got to enjoy.
"It's fun," Bump said. "It's nice here. Playing here, it's the best crowds I have played in front of in my life."
And playing back in Pennsylvania has meant more chances for his family to watch him play.
"It's been good, I've been living at home and traveling to the games," Bump said. "My parents have been able to come up for games and my wife's parents have been here. It's been really good."
Along with being close to home, Bump is enjoying the chance to play in one of the International League's nicest, and newest stadiums, in Coca-Cola Park.
"It's nice," he said. "It's a good place to play. It's big to centerfield, and not as deep to the corners. I like it a lot."
This year was a bit different for Bump as he got off to a fast start. When he has struggled this year Bump has responded with a big outing, something that is not as common for him.
"It's usually not the case," he said. "I'm used to struggling a little bit early on, then putting it together. But, I've been able to keep things pretty consistent this year.
"It's nice, you always want to be able to do that. You always want to bounce back when you do have a bad start."
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