Douglas Smith
"Gimme the ball!"
That's the closer's mantra, and his frame of mind.
In the world of first responders, the closer is the one who rides to the sound of the guns — he is the one who runs to the fire.
In baseball, he's the one who revels in a close score late in the game. When his team's lead is threatened in the last inning, and others are looking at that mound and saying, "Gee, I'm glad I'm not there," the closer is tearing his heart out to saddle up and ride into battle.
The closer often embodies the Theodore Roosevelt quote about "the man in the arena": he might occasionally fail, but does so "while daring greatly."
On your favorite youth or high school team, the closer is not the snowflake kid.
Richmond's 2025 edition of varsity baseball is fortunate to have that mentality behind the right arm of Jeremiah Ritter.
The team's 17-9 record — as of the final out on May 1 — reflects a season of highs and of struggles. Yeah, the guys were on the downside of a couple of drubbings. But you don't win the final game of your conference's championship tournament — in enemy territory, no less — without a fund of guts, grit, and a stable of gamers.
Those of us with plenty of gray on top can recall a proud local baseball tradition all the way back to Raider championship teams of the 1970s. Coach Eric Brown has dedicated his efforts to reviving that tradition.
While you could see outlines of it beginning to form in 2024, watching six seniors hoisting the SAC title plaque on Pinecrest's field says a lot about the man, the mission, and a collection of young men who are carving their own niche in that tradition.
It was especially satisfying to claim that title against Pinecrest's Patriots. Coach Jeff Hewitt has produced winners for over a quarter-century. Hewitt is no stranger to deep runs into conference and state championship action. Even after the loss of key 2024 seniors, including standout Bryant Kimbrell, Hewitt has fashioned a squad that could succeed into the current state playoffs.
On May 1, the Patriots ran into another determined crew in Richmond's Raiders. The Pats fell behind in the first inning thanks to Douglas, Taylor, Hodges and Hill. But the Raiders could never rest easy as long as Pinecrest had outs to go; indeed, the Pats put their first or second batter on base in every inning except the third.
But in a sterling performance, starter Evan Hodges would find his best — usually a strikeout — allowing only a meager run until the sixth frame.
Even after the two-run Liam Dutton homer in the sixth, Hodges sandwiched two fly outs around a strikeout. But it's hard to quell a building momentum, especially against Coach Hewitt and his capable Patriots. And they seemed to have it with that round-tripper pulling the score close, a nifty 6-4-3 double play to end Richmond's seventh inning, and a home crowd behind them.
The top of the Pinecrest batting order was slated for their final chance, and Hewitt could not have asked for more. J.C. Woolard, David Wiley and Mitch Baek each boast batting averages above .310. What's more, each one owns on-base percentages above .420. In short, those guys are great at getting on base and causing trouble.
Enter Jeremiah Ritter. Sources define the name "Ritter" as "mounted knight" or "warrior." Richmond's fans would not have argued the definition during that last frame. "Ritt" eyed that lineup and didn't blink. His first offering coaxed a harmless fly out from Woolard to Jake Veach in center field. Barely catching his breath, Coach Brown's closer fanned Wiley, and the dangerous Baek watched strike three sink into catcher Evan Hodges' mitt.
I thought of a long-ago pair of shoes as Ritter warmed up for his relief stint. Close to a decade ago, Robin and I occupied a church pew behind Jeremiah's family on Sunday mornings. A few of those Sundays I recall young Jeremiah sporting a pair of shoes that I could only have dreamed about wearing to church at that same age. Not those leather uppers that you'd load full of Kiwi and spit-shine bright enough to please a drill sergeant. Jeremiah's were the shoes for the cool kid who seemed to say, "You'll get me to church, and I'll sit in the pew, but I'm gonna be comfortable ... and cool."
He still is — and doing so under the gun.
