FRESNO, (CA): We’ve all heard Stories about the hard throwing pitcher with control problems. One pitch would blast pasta batter for a strike; the next would sail wildly to the backstop.

That used to be Ranbir Grewal.

Baseball coaches, scouts and his opponents have always raved about Grewal’s live fastball and biting curve. They also worried about his ability to throw those pitches in the strike zone.

For Grewal’’s opponents it was more a matter of wondering exactly where the fastball, which clocks close to 90mph, would to. Fear can make a philosopher out of mere mortals.

The question haunting Grewal at Kerman High School and Kings River Community College was always, “He has great potential but why he isn’t more successful?”

That was in the past. Meet the new Ranbir Grewal, who has become the most successful pitcher on the highly regarded Fresno State University staff.

Pitching is the heart of the 20th ranked Bulldogs early rise to the top of the Big West Conference standings. At 6-2, Grewal is the FSU leader in wins and has a team leading 2.40 earned run average.

The 6 foot 2 inch, 220 pound senior right hander who will turn 23 years old in less than two weeks, has finally grown into his potential.

“Last year, I was actually just learning how to pitch,” Grewal said, “During the summer in Alaska, I gained a lot of confidence.

“Now I’m getting a chance to pitch, and it’s working out just fine.”

The key word here is confidence. Grewal has changed from a pitcher who wondered if he could get batters out to one who believes he can.

“What we always felt about Ranbir was that as soon as he realized he was a good pitcher, he would become one because he had good stuff,” said FSU coach Bob Bennett. “He’s probably one of the most improved guys we’ve had here.”

The improvement came slowly but took a big jump last summer when Grewal went 6-2, helping the Kenai Peninsula (Alaska) Oilers place third in the National Baseball Congress tournament. It gave Grewal a chance to use all the lessons he learned last season with FSU.

“Last year, I learned a lot just sitting on the bench and throwing in the bullpen,” Grewal said. “I needed innings and got a chance to pitch in Alaska and gained confidence.”

Grewal was 2-1 for FSU last season, striking out 21 in 26 innings, but also walking 20. He has cut the walk ratio in half this season, walking 30 and striking out 62 in 60 innings.

“Last year, I’d get behind on hitters, and you can’t do that,” Grewal said. “I’ve tried to focus on getting ahead of the batters this year. Then, I can throw the curve and get a ground ball or a strikeout”

The transformation from a thrower to a pitcher took time.

“It’s mechanics, Grewal said.

“I’ve always had a decent arm, but I was wild. Coach (Bennett) changed basically everything. I learned to throw a Slider last year, and that has become one of my best pitches.”

Bennett said the credit should go to Grewal and a solid work ethic.

“Ranbir is a hard worker and jumped on some things mechanically,” Bennett said. “He was throwing hard and had the great curve but his balance was off.

“His strike was fouled up, his release point was off, his front arm was off and his rhythm was fouled up. Once he got control of his body, he was able to utilize his talents.”

Suddenly the professional scouts are sitting up and taking notice.

“I think Ranbir is a good prospect,” Bennett said “He is just now at the base of his career.

“He has improved dramatically with all of his pitches, even his curve. He’s always had good bite on his curve and good rotation but did not have control of it, He does now and is throwing harder too.

“He’s a good sized guy and has never had any arm problems. You look at him and can see him progressing and really doing something to pro ball.”

Grewal has never been drafted but has recently been asked by scouts for information.

“Playing pro baseball would be a dream comes true if it happens, but I’m not going to worry about that until the end of the season,” Grewal said. “Right now, I just want us to have as good a season as we can.”

Ranbir was born in Yuba City to Sardar Atma Singh Grewal now deceased and Sardarni Surjit Kaur. His father was active soccer player at Banga in Jullundur Dist. His brothers Gurdial and Balbir play basketball.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 4, 1990