At the young age of 45, pitcher Rich Hill made his debut with the Omaha Storm Chasers on Sunday, leading them to victory after pitching five innings.
The Storm Chasers defeated the St. Paul Saints 6-3 in Hill’s first game with the team.
The Chicago Cubs drafted Hill with the 112th overall pick in the 2002 draft. Hill’s career spans 20 years and stops with 14 different MLB organizations. He signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals on May 13, giving him the chance to play with the Storm Chasers.
His debut with the team came with a lot of different emotions. He said that it was a lot of fun getting to start with the team.
“It was great to be back out there,” Hill told Ana Bellinghausen. “Competing again, it was a lot of fun. It’s been a little while, so I’ve been working hard to get back and I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”
The process of playing for the Royals began with Hill reaching out to Team USA pitching coach Dave Wallace. He said this connection with Wallace and some Royals personnel helped bring him to Omaha.
“He was a contact, and I had given him a call and asked him if there was any opportunity here with Kansas City,” Hill said. “And I’m very fortunate that there was, and really that’s how the talks started.”
Although he’s 45, there are several things that motivate Hill to keep playing baseball, including his love for the sport. Hill told Bellinghausen that his will to play has kept him going.
“I love the competition,” Hill said. “It’s very difficult to kind of replicate that in anything else that you’re doing. So to be able to go out there and compete with the best players in the world, is something that I’ve always loved.”
Hill said that he’s able to maintain his physicality by making sure he’s always ready to go, and by staying in shape.
“Just work, that’s it,” Hill said. “That’s the biggest thing. Every day, doing something, making sure that whether I’m in the gym, or throwing, or doing some sort of mental skills work, continuing to stay on top of my game as much as possible without all the accoutrements that come with being with a club and understanding that what it takes to be ready.”
Having his family’s support is something that’s really important to Hill. He said that they’ve been very encouraging and supportive of his dreams.
“Our son Brice, who’s 13, was really, really excited,” Hill said. “My wife was really excited, Caitlin. Obviously, it’s very difficult to be able to leave and come here, but I’m fortunate.”
With the Storm Chasers, Hill is competing with and against players 20-plus years younger than himself. This includes 22-year-old superstar Jac Caglianone, who the Royals called up to the big club this week. Hill said that he’s impressed with how the young slugger has performed so far.
“Even his foul balls sound different,” Hill said. “Obviously his size and stature, and his ability to carry himself the way he gets his stuff done every single day. How he handles his at bats during the game, Kansas City is very, very, very lucky to have him.”
Although he has only started one game for the Storm Chasers, Hill has a lot that he would like to accomplish with the organization.
“I think the biggest thing is to win a World Series, and get back up there and help the team win,” Hill said. “That’s it.”
