Iowa Rep. J.D. Scholten has prepared for his storybook moment in pro baseball

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Last Saturday, the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball needed an emergency pitcher.

Iowa State Representative J.D. Scholten, a former baseball player nearly two decades removed from his last professional pitching appearance, answered the call.

The 44-year-old, who pitched in college and was on the ‘X’s’ roster in the early 2000′s, was excellent. He earned the win on Saturday, and got another call to pitch the following Thursday, getting another win.

Scholten has gained national attention, but he has just one concern.

“There’s a misnomer that people think I was just on the couch and came out and threw,” said the Democratic state representative. “This is about four years in the making I’ve been hounding them the X’s over the few years saying ‘hey if you need someone I’m here.”

Scholten says he recently picked up pitching again, making appearances on amateur teams in Minnesota and a semi-pro team in the Netherlands last year.

“I mean baseball is in my blood,” said Scholten. “I’m just soaking it all in. Any day at my age that I can be on the mound and throw is a great day. I love representing the place where I’m from, whether it’s down at the capital or with the Explorers with the “Sioux City” across my chest.”

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