Tom Norton was part of a dynamic one-two punch at the front of the rotation for the Skippers in 1969. He was known for his powerful fastball that left hitters in the dust and featured a knuckle ball he mixed in to keep hitters off balance.

“Of all my years coaching at SC4, I have never had any pitcher who matched the velocity and movement of Tom Norton,” said former Skippers coach Dick Groch. “We needed to practice with extreme caution indoors as our catchers and hitters could not see the ball when he threw. We had to wait for the weather to break so he could let it loose outdoors. Without question, I never had a pitcher throw harder than Tom.”

Norton grew up in Elyria, Ohio and originally planned to attend Ohio University on a baseball scholarship following high school graduation. When those plans fell through, his high school teammate and fellow Skippers Hall of Famer, Dennis Queen, convinced coach Groch to bring him up to SC4.

Norton had an outstanding freshman season, pitching 45 2/3 innings in 10 games with 63 K’s and an impressive ERA of 0.92.

“I recall a game in Georgia where Tom threw 9 pitches and had 3 K’s,” said Groch. “The hitters were helpless with him on the mound. You just didn’t see that type of velocity.”

Tom signed with the Minnesota Twins following his first season with the Skippers and made his MLB debut in 1972. Norton made 21 appearances in relief, throwing 32.1 innings with 22 K’s and a 2.78 ERA. Overall, Tom pitched 7 seasons in professional baseball, including at the AAA level with Durango in the very talented Mexican League, where he compiled a 11-8 record with a 3.76 ERA in 1976. An arm injury effectively ended his career following the 1976 season.

Norton remembers the impact of Hall of Fame coach Dick Groch, the college atmosphere, the opportunity for new friendships and the doors SC4 opened for future baseball as the highlights of his time as a Skipper.

Groch shared how unique it is for an undrafted player to pitch at the Big League level as Norton did following just one season at SC4. Norton was a special kind of baseball talent who helped the Skippers to a successful season in 1969.