Before Wednesday’s baseball game, Josh Richmond was out in the outfield throwing and catching with his teammates. Not fly balls, mind you, but he was active enough that an observer was prompted to ask him if he were going to play that day.
Richmond squinted, showing his disappointment.
“No sir,” he said. “I’m going to get a CT scan Monday, and that should tell us something.”
The University of Louisville outfielder injured his non-throwing hand when he dived into the right field wall while attempting to make a catch. The early diagnosis was that it would take three to four weeks to heal. But that was March 4, almost two months ago. Dan McDonnell said last week that he hoped to take Richmond to Morgantown for the West Virginia series but X-rays indicated he was not ready.
“He’s just been slow to heal,” said McDonnell. “It has been frustrating for him because he has boundless energy and really wants to get back out there.”
With his blond hair, All-American looks and enthusiasm, Richmond is a natural leader. Wearing the protection on his left hand, Richmond is usually perched on the top steps of the dugout, the first one out on the field when something good happens, and is always encouraging his teammates.
Richmond was the lead-off hitter before getting injured in the eighth game, batting .333 at the time. He has been sorely missed in the lineup while McDonnell has had to make do with other batters in his spot.
One can only hope that the upcoming scan reveals some improvement. If not, U of L may be forced to consider a medical red shirt. That would be a blow for Josh Richmond. He wants to play baseball now.