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he was traded last month. When the draft started he and I went in to watch with our families. When I heard my name called it was a really awesome experience.
W Rainiers
From page A10
From page A10
with 3:36 left in the third. Looking at second and goal from the one-yard line, the Kings rolled out their shortyardage secret weapon in defensive tackle Tutu Tamaalevea. The big 330 pounder took the Justin Southern handoff and plowed his way over the goal line for his first touchdown of the season and the Kings led 28-0. “It was planned during practice,� said Tamaalevea. “It’s called ‘the Rhino.’ They gave it to me and I just took it right in. For a defensive lineman it feels great. It’s kind of hard to score a touchdown on defense, so when I scored that touchdown it was like heaven.� The Kings defense held the shutout until there was 20.4 seconds left in the game when the Outlaws’ Cory Croom took a pitch and just made it to the right pylon on a fourth and goal from the one-yard line. For the Kings, the win continues what has become a dream season for the second-year franchise that will come down to a Tacoma match-up in Renton, of all places. “I’ve been playing semi-pro for 11 years now,� said Tamaalevea, who finished with two sacks and three tackles for losses. “I’m 36, and I’m still pushing it. This is the best organization I’ve ever been a part of in my whole semi-professional career. I’m proud to call myself a King. If we do our job and sacrifice for the next teammate, we’re good. “They’re two teams from Tacoma, so I figure it should be in Tacoma. But it is what it is. We’re still going to go out there and do our job.� For the Outlaws (6-5), it was the end to their most successful season, which included the first playoff victory in franchise history. “We tried our best, but made too many mistakes,� said Outlaws head coach Richard Warren. “And you cannot beat a team like this when you do that. But I had a great season with these 2014 Outlaws and we will regroup for next year and be even better. I had a four to five-year plan to make to the championship game. Well, I guess it will be in the fifth year.�
KW: What was your major? JH: Foreign affairs. KW: Do you think you’ll finish your
degree?
JH: Yes. When I left college the head baseball coach made me promise I’d finish college within ten years. So before too long I’m hoping to finish it up. KW: What’s your earliest baseball memory? JH: Probably when I was ten years old my older brother and I played on the same All Star team together in the Dixie Youth league. My dad was a coach, and my mom came to all our games. KW: What other sports did you play? JH: I played football in high school.
That was my first love but as I got older I realized I’d probably have a brighter future in baseball. I played baseball from sixth grade on.
KW: Were you expecting the Mariners to take you? JH: We had meetings with scouts from probably 25 teams so I wasn’t sure what team would take me. I thought it would be somewhere around the fourth round. KW: And you went first to Clinton, Iowa, which isn’t too far from Virginia. Did your folks come to see you there? JH: They did not. I only played close to 40 games there. What was really cool about being there was that Virginia was in the ACC, and the Mariners drafted a lot of players from the conference so I got to play with a lot of the guys I had played against in college and root for them.
KW: Did you go to any College World
Series?
JH: Yes, I went to two. In 2009 and
2011. We finished third nationally in 2011.
KW: And you played with some of your current teammates in college. JH: Yes. Andrew Carraway, Chris Taylor, and Danny Hultzen. And coming up through the lower minors I played with about half the guys who are on the team now. KW: Did you have any of your current coaches previously? JH: Yes, Roy Howell, our manager, was my hitting coach in High-A and Cory Snyder, our hitting coach, was my hitting coach in Double-A last year. KW: You were drafted in the third round
in 2011. Where were you on draft day? JH: We were here working out for the College World Series and I knew that the draft would be on at that time so we asked the coach if my folks and I could be together to watch it. Stephen Kohlscheen was my roommate and was with the Mariners until
KW: Catchers are involved with nearly every play that happens when their team is in the field. You must have to really stay alert, watch for base stealers, wild pitches, help the pitcher with pitch selection, etc. Don’t you get worn out mentally as well as physically by the end of the game? JH: Definitely. But when the game’s over if you get a win the feeling you have makes it all worthwhile. That’s why you see a lot of catchers end up being coaches and managers. They have to know where every player has to be for every play.
KW: How about your knees? Have you KW: And then you played in the Fall been on the disabled list at all with knee
Instructional League? JH: Yeah, we went to Arizona for about three or four weeks and I got to play with some of the guys from Virginia.
KW: The next year, you played in High Desert and were named to both the midKW: Were you always a catcher? JH: I played lots of positions until I was season and post-season All Star teams. Did
11 or 12 but focused just on catching after that.
KW: But don’t hitters make adjustments to pitchers during the game? JH: Absolutely, especially as you get to the higher levels. If you get a batter out one way the next time he’ll look for that pitch and make adjustments to it.
you play in the mid-season game? JH: I did. I was in the Cal League and the way they work is that the league has one All Star team and they play against the Carolina League, so we flew to Winston-Salem so that was really close to home. I had probably 30 family members there. It was pretty cool, except our team lost.
KW: In the Cal League you led nearly every defensive category as a catcher, so I wondered if you think you’re more valuable to your team with your offense or your defense? JH: I would say defense. You have to work to get your pitchers through the game and if the other team isn’t scoring any runs because you and the pitcher are working together that well it’s pretty valuable to the team. KW: When a new pitcher comes to the team, how long does it take you to get in synch working with him? JH: One good thing is that I’ve played with some of the guys before in Big League camp and we talk a little before the game so I know how they like to attack hitters and what they feel good with.
problems? JH: Not since I’ve been in pro ball. The only DL time I’ve had was last year when I sprained my groin slightly running to first base.
KW: How do you stay in shape during the off season? JH: The last few years I’ve gone up to UVA and I have a guy I know in Richmond where I go to hit a couple times a week. KW: What’s been the highlight of your career so far? JH: One thing that was really cool in the lower minors was going to the play-offs both in Clinton and High Desert. Individually going to the All Star Game was a blast and getting to go to Big League camp a couple of times to be around the Major Leaguers and learn from them. At my first Big League camp two years ago I got to spend some time around Raul Ibanez. Talking to a player like that who has so much hitting experience is really valuable. KW: Have you thought any about your future, even though you’re just 24 now? JH: Not too much. Hopefully baseball works out and I can play a long time. One thing I think I would enjoy doing is coaching college baseball. Going back now spending time around some of my college coaches you can be more yourselves now you’re not playing. You can learn so much about how they change guys’ lives and make them feel really comfortable with who they are.
Local Restaurants RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: ISLAND PIZZERIA
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sland Pizzeria, located at 6332 Pacific Ave., is the brainchild of LaMonica and her husband, Andrew, an authentic chef hailing from Trelawny, Jamaica. Originally envisioned as a haven for Caribbean food, the couple altered their plan when they determined that the west side of Tacoma loves pizza. Island Pizzeria meets the needs of these pizza lovers by offering traditional pizza with an island flair. “We offer traditional things, but we add our own niche to it,� LaMonica said. “We give the community what they are used to and more.� Nothing exemplifies this marrying of styles more than the Jamaican Jerk Pizza: Mozzarella cheese, jerk sauce, jerk chicken, green peppers, red onions and banana peppers for $11.99. For Tacomans looking for a more traditional experience, Island Pizzeria offers $5 cheese and pepperoni 12-inch pizzas all day every day. To go completely off the wall, try the Island Delight Pizza: Mozzarella cheese, chicken, pineapple, tomatoes, onion, pesto, banana peppers and plantain for $11.99. Island Pizzeria specializes in Jamaican Patties, everything from spicy to jerk chicken to vegetarian
We bring the Caribbean to you!
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for $4.50. Other items at Island Pizzeria include hoagies, lasagna and wings, all with an island spice. Island Pizzeria is just one passion for LaMonica, as the other lies in poetry and writing. She released a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book last year and is an avid fan of young poets in the community. She hopes she can channel this passion by having Island Pizzeria host events for artists in Tacoma, including spoken word sessions. The other unique aspect of Island Pizzeria is all the vegetarian friendly options. The owners themselves are vegan, so it is important to the couple that Island Pizzeria has a swath of dietary options. Pizzas can be ordered as vegan or vegetarian including vegetarian pepperoni. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted to offer that same kind of service to vegan and vegetarian customers that we would want at restaurants,â&#x20AC;? LaMonica said. While Island Pizzeria may be a little outside of the box, the couple know that Tacoma is the place to lay roots for such an experimental food combination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a very diverse community with people who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afraid to try something new,â&#x20AC;? LaMonica said. Island Pizzeria is open seven days a week Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. To put in an order, call (253) 212-9891. Currently Island Pizzeria is pick-up only, with deliveries coming soon.
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By Derek Shuck derek@tacomaweekly.com
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