I've seen Boston Red Sox knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield plenty of times working on the hill at Fenway Park. Now miles and miles away from Boston, I still have the opportunity to see knuckleballs dance through the air as two Saxony Lutheran pitchers " Garrett Fritsche and Bryant Steffens -- throw the pitch.

Fritsche, who pitched just 12 innings total last year, has been used primarily as a reliever so far this year. He typically throws the knuckleball three or four times each inning, Crusaders catcher Bret Steffens said.

"He throws a pretty good knuckleball," Steffens said. "We don't throw it as much but when we throw it, it normally throws the hitters off because it's a really good pitch to get them off balance. It's not a lot slower than his changeup and curveball. He throws it faster than a lot of knuckleball pitchers do. It's a pretty good pitch because it looks the same until it gets in there and the hitters don't know what to do because it's so different."

I talked with Fritsche about it. He also who also has a fastball, changeup and curveball. Here's a little Q&A with him:

Q. Where did you learn the knuckleball?

A: I just started throwing and it happened to come. I throw it every once in a while. I learned it myself. ... First, I just learned it and then I went online I looked at different major league pitchers and how they threw [it and other pitches].

Q Who's your favorite knuckleball pitcher?

A: Wakefield. He's where I first learned people threw it. I just started throwing it different ways and finally I was able to throw it a little bit.

Q: Did you go on the Internet to see how Wakefield throws his?

A: I looked at it but I can't throw it like he does. It didn't work so I just sort of use my own way.

Q: What do you like more -- closing games or starting them?

A: Closing. I just come in and get the game over with and help the starting pitcher, since he did a good job, to just finish it up.

Q: What do you like about your Crusaders team this season? How's your outlook?

A: I think we'll do pretty well. We'll get back to the championship game I hope and hopefully win it this year. ... Chris Roth is definitely our best pitcher. He's been shutting them down so far. And then Bret Steffens our catcher, he's barely ever caught before but he's doing a good job."

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Perryville's Kris Cottner, who has signed to play football at Southeast Missouri State, has started his spring track season strong. Cottner earned the boys track MVP at the Jackson Invitational by finishing first in the 400-meter dash (50.93) and second in the 200-meter dash (22.50).He also helped the Pirates to a first-place team finish at the Ste. Gen. Invitational by placing first in the 100 and 200 meter dashes.

Compare the intensity of track to football?

Track is a great change of pace in the spring. It allows you to compete as an individual but I'm just glad I can get out here and compete in the spring. It in turn helps on the football field. It gets your speed and endurance up.

Are you going to be going out for the track team at Southeast, too?

I don't know about [he said laughing]. We'll see what happens.

What are your goals this year?

Last year I finished seventh in the state in the 400-meter dash. This year if I don't win it I'd like to get top three in the state in the 400. And then possibly be all state in a relay and possibly make it to state in the 200 as well.

How are you preparing for football at Southeast?

I'm lifting a lot and I'm on a workout plan that they gave me and I'm watching my diet and making sure I maintain my weight throughout the track season. I'm just trying to get stronger. I haven't been able to work out down there. But I've workout every day after track practice.

When do you plan to move into Southeast after graduation?

I plan on moving in as soon as I can this summer and as soon as the state track meet is over with.