- Chris & classmate Adam Duvall @ Butler High School in Louisville. Both made the Varsity team in their sophomore year
- 4 years at Kentucky Wesleyan played as a position player but later became a closing pitcher
- Lake Erie Crushers in Avon – Chris was 6th pick out of 350 players for workout
- No pressure – by the way you are now starting in the 10th inning & a Grand Slam against Chris
- Independent ball is cut throat – not much room for player talent development
- Chris returns to Louisville as a fitness consultant & freshman baseball coach @ Butler High School
- Chris’ goal & vision for his career changes as new opportunities arise
- Traverse City Beach Bums later call Chris back to the game.
- The Bums had called up 42 pitchers to try out for 12 spots.
- Training was brutal but . . .
- Chris gets a tap on the shoulder. He is being cut by the Bums and he returns home.
- A turbulent Red Radar flight in a matchbox plane – next stop Pecos League
- White Sands Pupfish & Motel 6
- Bring your own uniform pants
- Chris’ Professional baseball contract - $0 salary
Some players were paying $350 to play with the Pupfish - Chris delivers 13 punchouts – bonus payouts
Washington Wild Things in 2011 - Chris Dugan, Observer Reporter puts Chris on the Wild Things Dream Team.
- Chris @ 2nd pitching start with the Wild Things – parents in the stands. First 6 batters get on base and score. Turning point in Chris’ career - Darin Everson, Pitching Coach & Manager visits Chris on the mound and helps him turn it around.
- Tampa Bay Rays - strong tryout throwing 92 –to 95 and striking out 4 of 5 batters at Charlotte
- Spring Training, Bubbles & Chopping Blocks
- Chris continues to expand his game traveling on a 16 hour flight to Brisbane to play in Australian Baseball League
- Chris throws his first No-Hitter in Australia, ABL
- Field Announcer counts down each strikeout as Chris pitches another strikeout record
- Houston Astros come a courting
- Chris accepts contract with New York Yankees
- Chris' journey into Major League Part 2 coming soon
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Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"
Research sources included:
Wild Things Dream Team: : Chris Dugan, Observer-Reporter.com
Chris Smith Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Smith_(pitcher,_born_1988)
Chris Smith on Baseball Reference
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=smith-011chr
