Player Spotlight: Marcus Webb, Grinders Ace

Marcus Webb doesn't look like much when he's standing on the mound. At 5'4" and 115 pounds, he's not the biggest kid on the field. But when he winds up and delivers, batters quickly realize they're in for a long afternoon.

The 12-year-old right-hander has been the Grinders' ace all season, posting a 6–0 record with a 1.42 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 42 innings. His fastball sits in the upper range for his age group, and he's developed a curveball that has become his out pitch.

'I've been throwing since I was four,' Marcus told us after a recent practice. 'My dad used to pitch in college, so we've always worked on mechanics. He taught me that location is more important than velocity — you can't just throw hard, you have to throw smart.'

Off the field, Marcus is an honor student at Riverside Middle School who lists math and science as his favorite subjects. He plays basketball in the winter and says the footwork he develops on the court helps him on the mound.

When asked about his goals, Marcus doesn't hesitate. 'I want to pitch in high school, then college, and see how far I can go. But right now I'm just focused on helping the Grinders win the championship.' With performances like his recent playoff run, that goal looks very much within reach.