WHIV 2049.6- "Where's The Pivot?" The Jim Ashford Story, Part 1

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WHIV 2049.6- "Where's The Pivot?" The Jim Ashford Story, Part 1

Post by recte44 » Thu Dec 09, 2021 4:00 pm

"He's a good hitter, but..."

"No power. Not a serious corner outfield type."

"This guy swings at anything and everything, and never takes a walk."

"He strikes me as a "try hard" type. I don't see the natural ability."

"He's six foot six, two hundred five pounds, and hits like a guy a foot shorter and 50 pounds lighter."

Jim Ashford has heard all of the critics and doubters. Loud and clear. Year after year. Unlike many players who would be put off by comments such as these, Ashford encourages them. "Go ahead, tell me I'm no good," said Ashford, kneeling next to the batting cage in the new Palace Station Ballpark and Casino in Las Vegas. "Keep fueling my fire. It's been working for me, so why change now?"

Growing up in Toronto, Ontario was a great experience for Ashford. "We were a middle class family, and there were so many different types of folks in our neighborhood, and a lot of sports," Ashford said. His father, Jack Ashford, was a hyped hockey prospect. "Pops was supposed to be a great hockey player, drafted by the Leafs, signed a big contract," Ashford explained. "He destroyed his right knee in his first year in the minors, and that was it." As the younger Ashford grew from a boy into a man it became clear that he had the same body type and athletic ability as his father. Pressure to play hockey was a part of regular life for Jim. "Dad wanted me to play hockey, Juniors coaches were constantly talking to me, my friends wanted me on their teams, and on and on it went," said Ashford with a sigh. There was just one problem. "I didn't like hockey," admitted Jim. "Not even a little. I mean I played it, but the spark wasn't there. Didn't want to let my dad down, and I didn't say anything for a long time." Eventually it was the elder Ashford who breached the topic.

Image
Ashford, in a Junior Hockey picture, looking rather sullen.
Ashford continued. "Dad sat me down after a game, it had to be Grade 11. Dad was a no nonsense kind of guy, and he came right out with it. Asked me straight out if I even wanted to play hockey. It felt like a million pounds of weight fell off of my shoulders like a feather. I admitted that I didn't like the game. Dad was supportive, and I kicked myself a little for waiting so long to say something."

Dad wasn't going to let up from his only son despite this news. Instead, he wanted to know what the pivot would be. "Dad always talked about 'the pivot'. How can you adapt when something goes wrong, when you need to change a focus, and that. So he wouldn't let me off the hook that easy. 'What's the pivot, son?'"

Sixteen years old. It's a confusing time in a young man's life. Most sixteen year olds aren't sure what they want to do tomorrow, much less for the next twenty years. Jim Ashford was not your ordinary sixteen year old kid. While everyone but him had his future as a hockey star figured out, Jim Ashford had other dreams. Dreams he kept quiet, secret, only for himself. That is, until the moment his father asked him that question.

"What's the pivot, son?" Jack Ashford asked with a serious tone.

The younger Ashford did not hesitate. The answer came quickly and confidently. The quickness of his response seemed to almost surprise him. "I'm going to be a baseball player, dad," Ashford said with a rather upbeat tone that was unlike his usual tone of voice.

"Alright, then." His father nodded emphatically, looked his son in the eye, and then said with a loud clap, "Let's get to work, then."

There was a lot of work to do. Jim Ashford had many factors working against him. He and his father came up with a list, which he still keeps in his locker to this day. It read:
1) I'm Canadian.
2) People think I'm a hockey player.
3) I have no Select Team experience.
4) I'm not a power hitter.
5) Not on any Prospect Lists.

There was a second half to the list, though. Each of those five points had a counterpoint. They read:
1) So what?
2) Screw them, I'm a baseball player!
3) I'll prove myself to be worthy.
4) Play to your strengths and be the best hitter you can be.
5) The only list that matters is a BBA Lineup Card.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

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Re: WHIV 2049.6- "Where's The Pivot?" The Jim Ashford Story, Part 1

Post by jiminyhopkins » Thu Dec 09, 2021 4:17 pm

Player Spotlight = 3 PPT
Two Part TN = 4 PPT

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Re: WHIV 2049.6- "Where's The Pivot?" The Jim Ashford Story, Part 1

Post by recte44 » Thu Dec 09, 2021 4:41 pm

I don't care about the points. I was able to actually write something relatively creative for the first time in a long time.

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Re: WHIV 2049.6- "Where's The Pivot?" The Jim Ashford Story, Part 1

Post by 7teen » Thu Dec 09, 2021 7:02 pm

Nice article!
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Re: WHIV 2049.6- "Where's The Pivot?" The Jim Ashford Story, Part 1

Post by jiminyhopkins » Thu Dec 09, 2021 7:09 pm

recte44 wrote:
Thu Dec 09, 2021 4:41 pm
I don't care about the points. I was able to actually write something relatively creative for the first time in a long time.
And I was actually trying to compliment you. But ok.
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Re: WHIV 2049.6- "Where's The Pivot?" The Jim Ashford Story, Part 1

Post by CTBrewCrew » Fri Dec 10, 2021 11:23 pm

Kid wins the Brewster Series MVP…AND makes the cover of the 2049 Media Guide?! hang that in ur locker doubters.
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