Chris Reitsma

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**Chris Reitsma**

Atlanta Braves — No. 37
Closer
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
April 4, 2001 for the Cincinnati Reds
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006 season)
Saves	37
Earned run average	4.58
Strikeouts	348
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (2001–2003) Atlanta Braves (2004–present)

Christopher Michael ("Chris") Reitsma (born December 31, 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team. He made his Major League debut on April 1, 2001.

1 Personal life
2 Pitches
3 Role
4 Charity Work
5 External links

[edit] Personal life

He is married to his wife, Janelle, and has two daughters, Kylie and Emily. He graduated from Calgary Christian High School in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with three varsity letters in basketball. He is also a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States - Reitsma pitched for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Reitsma also performs generous charity work in the off season with the mentally and physically handicapped. He is a born-again Christian.

[edit] Pitches

Reitsma features three pitches. He has a sinking fastball that sometimes will induce groundballs, as well a changeup. He also possesses a big, looping curveball that he doesn't throw as much as his fastball and changeup. Braves coaches attempted to get Reitsma to focus on only two pitches in an attempt to simplify his delivery.

[edit] Role

With the Atlanta Braves, Reitsma has been used as a relief pitcher, specifically as a setup man. However, in 2005, with newly acquired closer Danny Kolb getting off to a rough start, the Braves elected to use Reitsma as the closer rather than returning John Smoltz to that role. On the last day of non-waiver trades in 2005, the Braves traded for relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitcher Roman Colón and a minor leaguer. Farnsworth soon replaced Reitsma as the closer, sending Reitsma back to being a setup man.

With the Braves unable to retain Farnsworth, who signed with the New York Yankees following the 2005 season, the team feverishly searched to fill the closer's role through free agency or a trade. However, they were not able to find anyone to fill the hole left by Farnsworth's departure, and because of this, Reitsma has had numerous chances to be the Braves' closer in 2006. However, Ken Ray has come in several times to relieve Reitsma.

On July 3rd, Reitsma was placed on the disabled list for 15 days with ulnar neuritis in his right arm.

[edit] Charity Work

Reitsma is the founder of Reitsma's Relievers whose mission is to benefit at-risk children, youth and their families by providing assistance, programs and events designed to build self-esteem, provide unique life changing opportunities and help them to set and achieve their life goals.