Wayne State University Athletics

Cameron Weidenthaler

Baseball 1/24/2019 8:32:00 AM Cameron Weidenthaler, Assistant Media Relations Director

Another Successful Anthony Bass Pitching Camp in the Books

Anthony Bass speaking to the campers on Saturday.

DETROIT -- Former Wayne State University baseball standout student-athlete and soon-to-be WSU Hall of Famer Anthony Bass returned to campus on Saturday for his Seventh Annual Pitching Camp. The camp drew 80 participants and the group received expert pitching instruction inside the Doris J. & Donald L. Duchene, Sr. Athletic Facility and the Matthaei. In addition, current Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Matt Shoemaker was on hand as a featured guest instructor. The campers also were able to receive autographs from both professionals.

"It was another excellent turnout and great energy from the campers this past weekend," said Bass. "It is refreshing to come back to Wayne State every winter and see the passion that the next generation of ball players display. It motivates me to continue to pursue my dreams and try to become a better person. I want to thank Ryan Kelley and his entire staff for putting on such an organized and professional clinic. It really is unique. I look forward to the next year's pitching camp!"

Bass was drafted by and pitched for the San Diego Padres from 2011-2013. He spent the 2014 season with the Houston Astros, pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2015 before playing in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was a integral part of the Fighters winning the Japan Series championship for the first time since 2006. He was named Outstanding Player in the Nippon Championship Series earning three wins without giving up a run. Bass appeared in 37 games, making 14 starts for the Fighters and won eight games, while posting a 3.65 ERA and striking out 71 batters in 103 and 2./3 innings. Bass spent this past season in the Chicago Cubs organization, pitching in 16 games and finished with a 2.93 ERA. He recently signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization.

He recently graduated with a degree in Management Information Systems and will be inducted into the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame in February.

Over his MLB career, Bass has a career 4.51 ERA in 299.1 innings pitched in 147 appearances over seven seasons. He has made 18 starts with one complete game, 202 strikeouts and three saves.

"It was extraordinary to witness participants from across our region come to Detroit on an early Saturday January morning with the motivation to learn, develop and prepare for a successful 2019 baseball season on the mound!" said Kelley. "Plus, it is always special to have WSU alum Anthony Bass back on campus. His passion to help aspiring pitchers from our community and give back is first class. Plus, Matt Shoemaker is the consummate professional and we are very thankful for his camp teamwork. Thank you to all of the camp participants and families for attending. Their commitment to brave a challenging commute and weather conditions speaks to their dedication. This camp is helpful to our program but we are also honored to assist a charity that is important on our campus. Plus, a special thanks to Two Men and a Truck, MVP Mounds and 2SP Sports Performance for their teamwork, leadership and support for this camp."

While at Wayne State University, Bass was the highest MLB draft pick in program history. A Rawlings/ABCA All-America First Team and NCBWA All-America Third Team selection in 2008, Bass was also selected to the Daktronics, Inc. and Rawlings/ABCA All-Region First Teams, earned Pitcher of the Year honors from the latter organization as well as a Gold Glove for outstanding defense. He was also named the GLIAC Conference Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-GLIAC. In his three year career, Bass ranks in the top 10 all-time at Wayne State in several categories, including: second in strikeout/walk ratio (3.38), third in victories (21), tied for third in winning percentage (.700), fourth in strikeouts (206), seventh in starts (33), eighth in innings pitched (213.0), and tied for 10th in complete games (14).

A portion of camp funds will be distributed in memory of Officer Collin Rose in support of the Wayne State University Police Department.

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