Richard Stout
Tony Reyes/NMStateSports.com
The adage speed kills and strength punishes is often used to motivate athletes when they’re training. Senior Richard Stout uses his speed on the bases as a weapon to victimize pitchers much like an assassin uses his favorite weapon to eliminate his targets.
Stout has led the Western Athletic Conference for two straight seasons with 26 and 20 stolen bases in 2007 and 2008 respectively. He was also second team All-WAC last year as a junior and was just named to the preseason All-WAC team this year.
“I would say because of my God-given speed I can steal no matter what,” Stout said. “But I would say when I’m best, I know I feel good and it doesn’t matter usually what the (pitching) count is because I get good jumps.”
In addition to his speed, his versatility has allowed for the Aggies to move Stout from the infield to the outfield this season. While some players would be bothered by such a move in their senior season, Stout isn’t.
“I really don’t have a favorite position, whatever I can do as an athlete to help the team out, I will. I’d say I’m most comfortable at second base,” Stout said. “But actually I have been taking fly balls everyday in center field. I have never actually played a full season in center field and it is actually getting a lot more comfortable, I’m realizing how to use my speed to my advantage and am much more comfortable now.”
Stout credits his parents and coaches for the successes he’s had on the diamond.
“My dad was a catcher, I actually have a lot of speed and he doesn’t like to run at all,” Stout said. “We are the complete opposite, he is really slow, and I guess I got my mom’s genes. She was an athlete, she used to swim, ski and play tennis.”
While genetics and instincts help any athlete, it’s the work off the field that separates merely good players from the great ones. Stout is aware of this and this season has dedicated himself to training “like an Olympian”. He said he is not drinking any soda or eating junk food anymore because it’s his last season. He is even eating and writing left-handed to improve his switch-hitting to become even more of a threat at the plate.
Stout said he would relish the opportunity to play professional baseball if the opportunity was given to him. The determined Stout added he has invested twenty years of his life to baseball and would do everything in his power to go to the next level. He said he would be “blessed” if a guy with his size 5 ‘ 8 “, 175 pounds was drafted but believes his work ethic could help him get to “The Show.”
Stout’s love of the game is similar to Crash Davis from the movie Bull Durham. In the movie Davis plays his entire career in the minor leagues, setting home run and hitting records. It’s no coincidence Stout lists Bull Durham as his favorite baseball movie.
Besides Stout’s work ethic and passion for the sport, he distinguishes himself from most players because when the game is on the line, he would rather win the game on the bases than behind the plate.
“I would rather steal home to win a game because I think it’s way more exciting and more rare to steal home because nobody expects it, especially if you are trying to win a game and it’s a gutsy move,” Stout said.
Some say stout means being bold, brave or fearless, if that’s the case then teams should keep their eyes on the Aggies because they will undoubtedly be Stout this year. Stout and the Aggies begin play Friday, Feb. 20 when they take on North Dakota at Presley Askew Field.
