PREPARATION PAYS OFF

lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44

- KYLE BANDUJO

On Fourth of July weekend, with the Iowa general assembly in recess, District 1 Representative J.D. Scholten was spending his time as he often did, at a Sioux City Explorers game.

He enjoyed a bratwurst and a few beers while taking in a game of the team he pitched for from 2003 to 2007, following a standout college career first at local Morningside and then Nebraska.

Explorers pitchers weren't having nearly as much fun playing the game. They were mired in a stretch during which manager Steve Montgomery had depleted the staff. In one game, he used 10 pitchers.

"One of the people as I was walking out jokingly said, 'Oh, they need to get you a uniform,' Scholten said. "And I just laughed it off."

Montgomery wasn't laughing. His pitching staff was taxed. His scheduled starter for the July 6 game was injured. So he put out a call to Scholten, asking if the 44-year-old had anything in the tank.