Viks’ Scates Doesn’t Skate Issue Hard-Throwing Pitcher Has No Problem Challenging Hitters

It seems to many fans that Coeur d’Alene High School senior pitcher Mark Scates should have graduated by now.

They’ve become accustomed over the last three years to seeing him take the mound every spring and resume his never-back-down approach. This year, though, is the final chance for the four-year starter to play on a state championship team. His best chance so far eluded him two years ago, and that still stings today.

“We were in control throughout most of the state championship game, and to be honest, we choked,” Scates said of the Vikings’ loss to Lewiston his sophomore year. “This team reminds me a lot of that year, and I think we can win it all.” Scates said the Vikings’ defense will be key.

Scates takes the Randy Johnson approach to pitching: Home plate is his, and if you want to be safe then stay off it.

“I try and intimidate the batter,” Scates said. “If they’re on the plate, then I’ll hit them.”

Throughout high school, there has always been pressure on Scates to become one of the top athletes in the area. Along with making varsity baseball as a freshman, he played varsity football from his sophomore year until he quit early in his senior season.

Many people considered him one of the top football players in the region. Scates said he loved football more than baseball, but disagreements within the coaching staff soured his love for the sport. He decided to focus on baseball.

“I loved the guys I played football with, but it seemed like the coaching staff couldn’t get along,” Scates said.

It’s obvious Scates doesn’t hold much back, and he brings that personality to the mound. Vikings first-year coach Brian Holgate feels that Scates has one of the best fastballs in the Inland Empire League and has no problem giving him the ball in a big game.

“His No. 1 strength is his tenacity,” Holgate said. “He doesn’t mess around when he’s pitching.”

Velocity has always been Scates’ biggest strength. He’s being recruited by colleges because he has improved his mechanics and control.

“As he’s matured, he has become more of a pitcher than a thrower,” Holgate said. “He’s starting to realize that it’s a lot better to throw 100 pitches in a game and get ground-ball outs than to throw 140 to try and strike everyone out.”

Scates sharpened his skills at camps throughout the Southeast during the off-season. At a camp in Arkansas, he pitched a no-hitter while scouts from various college and pro teams looked on.

That helped Scates get noticed by a number of major colleges that have offered him scholarships. He is still undecided but is leaning toward going to college in the South. He would like to pitch in a warm climate, where he can throw outside year-round.

If Scates heads south, he’ll miss the presence of his two biggest fans - his mom and his dad Dave, the Coeur d’Alene police chief. Mark credits his parents with much of the success he’s had in high school.

“I couldn’t ask for better folks,” Scates said. “They’ve missed maybe one game in the last five years and they took me to the showcase camp in Arkansas.”

Scates said that he has enjoyed the pressure of high expectations throughout high school and hopes that it’s made him a better player.

As a four-year starter, the leadership role is squarely on his shoulders. It’s a position he’s comfortable with.

“If we come together like we should, there’s not many teams that will beat us.” Scates said. “I hope we get another chance to win it all and when the toughest guy on the toughest team is batting, I want to be out there against him.”