Tigers draw criticism for breaking etiquette

Pitcher Timmy Townsend reacts to the final out in the Pirates’ 4-0 loss on Thursday. Townsend yielded only four hits in six innings.

BDN photo
by Pat Dailey

By Pat Dailey
BDN Sports Editor
pdailey@bransondailynews.com

Timmy Townsend and Jordan Storm felt Republic’s players broke from the etiquette Branson and most teams follow and expect from the other dugout.

The Tigers could be heard mocking Townsend as he was on the mound on Thursday, blurting out his first name as he was about to pitch. For those in attendance who watch the comedy, “South Park,” it was obvious the Tigers were making a reference to the show’s crippled character, Timmy!

“They were kind of getting in my head, yelling my name,” Townsend said. “It was bothering me, getting me off my groove.”

“Republic is one of those teams like that in every sport,” added Storm. “We’re not that type of team. In basketball, their guys were saying stuff to us, really bad stuff. Even their parents were yelling idiotic stuff.

“When I hear people from Republic talk, I try not to even listen. They’re nobody I want to be around.”

Storm also took exception to a Republic batter telling the rest of the Tigers Townsend has, “the gayest curve ball I’ve ever seen.” It was a comment the Pirates didn’t know what to make of.

“I have no idea ( if it’s a compliment or a cutdown),” Townsend said.

Townsend has established himself as one of the best off-speed pitchers in the Central Ozark Conference. He held Republic to four hits, three walks and three runs.

“If that’s what they thought about his curve ball, I don’t know why they didn’t hit it better than they did,” Storm said.

Townsend said Republic is a tough matchup for him.

“They have a bunch of lefties,” the right-hander said. “I couldn’t really use my curve ball a lot against their lefties because the curve goes right at them. I tried to get them off their groove by throwing changeups on the outside corner of the plate.”

Townsend didn’t take much solace in another quality start.

“A loss is a loss,” he said. “We need to start winning again.”