Panda prepares for his baseball like he does his pregame pancakes – a perfect recipe followed step by step delivering a perfect performance.
Servio Castillo grew up in a small town called Cua in Venezuela. In his country, baseball runs in their blood. And with a dad who lives and breathes baseball, it’s no wonder that Servio fell in love too. From the young age of four, he remembers picking up his first baseball, and well… the rest is history.
Growing up with two brothers and a dad who played and coached, there was no shortage of people to play and practice with. Together, team Castillo knew how to play hard, and most importantly have fun.
When his life sent him halfway around the world to Australia, it's no wonder that the call of the baseball diamond felt like returning home. But it wasn’t until a few years off from the game and a move to Townsville, that he found his new ‘Aussie’ baseball family.
“When I arrived at Jabiru Park (home to Baseball Association Townsville), they found out I was South American, and they made me feel at home straight away. It was really nice.
The rhythmic sounds of salsa and Latin music emulating from the dugout was all it took to know that he had found his people.
“For me, Latin music makes me feel happy, makes me feel free, and that I can enjoy what I’m doing because I feel connected with my Latin spirit.
So, when you combine the music with the game he loves, you know you will have one happy Panda.
“When we play, we must have Latin music coming from the dugout, especially when I am pitching. If I’m not playing well or we didn’t have a good game and there wasn’t Latin music playing – that’s normally why!
This Latino larrikin’s superstitions don’t end there. A big believer of not changing something when it’s working for you doesn’t stop at music. From game day pancakes to lucky socks, his whole day’s routine will follow suite.
“At the moment, for me it’s tee work. I have been doing tee work before every game. I find it’s a great way to get my eye in, feel the rhythm of my swing and generally get in the zone.
Despite having a curveball that can buckle the town’s best batters and more pitch types than you can count on one hand (yes that makes it very hard to give him signs) the Taipans A grade pitcher, has only recently embraced the craft.
“I grew up as a catcher and absolutely loved it. You’re always thinking. Thinking about the batter, about the situation and of course how your pitcher is going and what you will throw next.
This strong foundation and understanding of the game have been more of an asset than anything else though.
“You need to work as a team, pitchers and catchers. To respect and trust each other. Now as a pitcher, I can know what my catcher might want to throw and what would be good in each situation.
But it’s not all about getting that next strike out.
“I work pitch by pitch, setting up the batters. If I get a strike out, that’s great but it’s more about the battle with the batter.
With over three decades of baseball under his belt, there is one piece of advice that still rings true since his early days playing with his dad.
“You will make mistakes, it’s a part of the game. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing, enjoy the moment, enjoy where you are and enjoy the experience. I do love winning, but I love having fun.”
So if you’re not quite feeling it, next time you’re on the diamond – remember to embrace your inner salsa – whatever that may be for you!
Photos provided by Jo Weiss and Eliana Fernandez
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