Mike Steinkamp got little notice from scouts in college. But he kept playing in local Illinois leagues and he kept trying, including changing his pitching style to sidearm, his hometown Bloomington Pantagraph wrote.
The, in summer 1989, at age 24, he got his first chance at the pros, with the independent Salt Lake City Trappers, The Pantagraph wrote.
"Ever since I've been an undergrad I've been working towards this," Steenkamp told The Pantagraph as he prepared to leave for Salt Lake City. "This was going to be my last year trying to make my dream come true. I just don't want to give up playing. This is my shot."
Steinkamp's shot eventually lasted two seasons. He played both at Salt Lake City.
Steinkamp's career began that year in 1989, signed by Salt Lake City as a free agent. He played his college ball at Eastern Illinois University.
Steinkamp played in the Central Illinois Collegiate Baseball League in summer 1984, with Springfield. He picked up an 8-0 win on a hot day that June, The Pantagraph wrote.
"I kept the ball down today," Steinkamp told The Pantagraph then. "I'm usually wild high and tight. The heat helped me. I seem to pitch better when it's hot."
After playing at Eastern Illinois, Steinkamp then finally got his shot in 1989. Late that August, he pitched the club's sixth complete game of the season, after a rocky first inning, The Salt Lake Tribune wrote.
"I wasn't that worried," Steinkamp told The Tribune afterward. "Every first inning I've pitched this year has been bad. If I can get through the first inning only giving up two or three runs, I usually settle down and get in a groove."
Steinkamp ultimately saw 10 outings, nine starts for Salt Lake City that year. He went 3-3, with a 5.61 ERA.
He then got to return for 1990. He saw 13 outings, 12 starts, going 6-4, with a 4.54 ERA. That season marked his last as a pro.
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- Bloomington Pantagraph, June 13, 1984: Defense supports Springfield in 8-0 victory over Twin City
- Bloomington Pantagraph, July 16, 1989: Sidearm style keeps pitcher's dream alive
- Salt Lake Tribune, Aug. 29, 1989: Traps Finish Home Season on High Note
Made the Majors:1,426-31.9
Never Made Majors:3,044-68.1%-X
More 1990 Minor Leaguers:
- Dave Staydohar, Advertising Sign, 6/8/16
- John Stearns, Season Changing, 3/20/13
- Rick Steed, Didn't Have, 9/6/13
- Jim Steels, Just Glad, 1/20/12
- Marino Stefany, Outstanding Pitching, 3/9/16
- Mark Steffens, Local Team, 7/16/17
- Bill Stein, His Role, 6/16/18
- Brian Steiner, Hard Worker, 6/9/14
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