As a former prep and collegiate pitching standout, Daniel Wagner knows first hand the importance of a good battery mate.
On Saturday in Coolville, he'll learn more about another kind of mate: A wife.
Yes, Wagner is getting married to Tanya Fox then - in an outdoor ceremony in the late afternoon. Both are Warren High graduates. In fact, Fox used to hurl for the Warriors' softball team, Wagner said.
"I'm kind of nervous," admitted Wagner prior to the start of Monday's annual Cincinnati Reds Legends baseball camp at Liberty Park (the VFW field) in Marietta.
Before tying the knot later this week, though, Wagner has work to do, helping his dad and camp director, Mike, at the baseball clinic.
With former Reds' lefty Don Gullett bowing out because of health issues, there was no pitching instructor. The camp went from three hurlers a year ago - Clay Carroll, Pedro Borbon, and Norm Charlton - to zero this week.
But wait a minute there, what about Wagner?
The hard-throwing righty did after all finish his prep career on the hill with a career school record 28-4 mark.
The 6-foot-3 Wagner then pitched on the college level at NCAA Division II West Virginia State before transferring to the University of Rio Grande, where he was 3-1 as a reliever this past spring.
Wagner obviously knows something about toeing the rubber - so that's where he ended up at the camp - at the pitching station.
When Wagner was a prep player, he was also the Warriors' shortstop. But in college, he was exclusively a pitcher.
"I wish I had done both in college, like in high school," he said, "because I like playing everyday."
But that's all bygones, now. There's the future to look forward to, starting Saturday with a wedding. Then, there's finishing up at college and getting his degree in physical therapy.
So, where will the happy couple be going on their honeymoon? The Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati?
"Don't I wish," said Wagner, laughing. "We like camping, so we'll be going to Snowshoe Mountain (in West Virginia)."
Congratulations and much happiness for Wagner and his bride-to-be.
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor, and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
