CHATHAM — Some baseball players have a way of believing that life begins and ends on the playing field. They’re consumed by their contracts, obsessed with their stats, and can’t crack a smile unless they secure a few hits or strikeout the side.

Not Sammy Solis.

The 19-year-old Chatham A’s ace knows there’s a world beyond the borders of the base paths. He knows, because he’s seen it firsthand. 

Solis has volunteered at a couple of AIDS orphanages in South Africa, including the one his family owns along the southeast cape of the continent.

“To see people who live in shacks and have nothing, absolutely nothing, makes you grateful for everything you have,” said Solis, who did a tour of service at Acres Of Love in Johannesburg prior to helping out at Open Arms, founded two years ago by his parents, Bob and Sallie.

The Solis’ spent part of their life savings to build cottages north of East London that house 20 children affected by the AIDS pandemic. “It’s amazing to think that one in four people in Africa have AIDS,” said Solis. “It makes you realize that there are worse things in life than giving up a base hit.”

That precocious perspective has paid off on the diamond for the six-foot-five southpaw, whose sensational start in the Cape League has been like something out of central casting. 

Solis has won all three games he’s pitched (all on the road no less), sports a 1.00 ERA (fourth-best among all CCBL pitchers), has logged more strikeouts (22) than innings (18), and issued only two walks. 

“I was afraid I couldn’t compete at this level,” admitted Solis, a freshman at the University of San Diego. “It’s a little intimidating when you hear them read the lineup of guys from schools like USC, Baylor and Texas. But I’ve been fortunate to come out every time and have good stuff.”

“Good stuff” might be a great understatement.

Solis impressed in his Cape League debut, striking out eight over five innings to lead the then 0-3 A’s to their first win of the season.

Win number two, against Wareham, was more remarkable, as Solis – unfazed by a one-hour and 20-minute rain delay – struck out eight over seven scoreless innings, while surrendering just two hits in Chatham’s 2-0 victory. 

“It was tough, because you warm up, then you cool down, then you warm up again, but for some reason, I felt even better than when I originally warmed up,” said Solis. “That’s been the most memorable game so far, because after you win the first time, people can say ‘oh anyone can get lucky,’ but the second time showed I can pitch up here.”

Solis further showed he’s got the right stuff last Wednesday when he tossed six innings of two-run ball in Chatham’s 5-2 win over defending CCBL champion Y-D.

“That was probably his worst performance so far and he still won,” said Chatham pitching coach Tyler Kincaid. “That’s the thing about Sammy. Every time he’s gone out, he’s given us a chance to stay in the game and a chance to win.”

He’s done so with a fearsome four-pitch mix, combining a high 80s to low 90s fastball with a cunning 78-81 MPH change-up, an oil-slick slider and a knuckle-curve he inherited from his dad, who was a pitcher for Notre Dame. 

“It looks like a fastball, but is a little bit sharper and breaks late,” said Solis of the rare pitch thrown most famously by the New York Yankees Mike Mussina. 

The knuckle-curve, which A’s closer Brad Boxberger also uses, has caused hitters a fair amount of frustration, but in truth, good old number one has served Solis best.

“His fastball against right-handed hitters runs hard away from them, so when they commit their swing, it’s hard for them to square the barrel on the ball,” Kincaid said. 

Many outside the Cape League have had the same difficultly. 

At Agua Fria High School in Avondale, Ariz., Solis struck out 398 batters, second most in state history in the 4A Division. He also went 3-0 at the Connie Mack World Series (a summer league for 16 to 18-year-old all-stars), where he saved his best for last, tossing a four-hit shutout in the National Championship game in front of 10,000 people at Rickettts Park in Farmington, N.M. 

Solis’ success continued at San Diego, where he logged a 3-1 record with a 3.83 ERA for the Toreros, who went 44-17 before losing to eventual College World Series Champion Fresno State. And his hot streak has certainly continued on the East coast, though the Cape League posses its fair share of challenges.

“Taking the aluminum bat out of these guys hands definitely makes a difference and gives an advantage to pitchers, but the level of competition is so good here that you always have to hit your spots and make your pitches,” Solis said. “You learn how to pitch out here because you have to.”

Solis learned that against Y-D when he managed to get out of a couple of jams with runners in scoring position. 

“I felt pressured, but I reminded myself that even the best guys only get a hit three out of 10 times, and the worst thing I can do is tense up,” said Solis. “Sometimes you just have to throw your pitches and hope for the best.”

Not being on a short leash has also made a huge difference.

“College coaches can pull you if you give up two runs in one inning, but out here,

you’re able to work through things,” said Solis. “Everyone’s growing and everyone’s maturing. The coaches let you find yourself.”

Solis was recommended to play on the Cape by his college coach Rich Hill, who managed the Chatham A’s from 1990-1993, and so far, he hasn’t let his skipper down.

“Sammy has done a very good job of not making too many mistakes,” said Kincaid, “and if he continues to do that, he’s going to win a lot more games.”

That means that Sammy Solis the A’s ace may soon become Sammy Solis the All-Star, and possibly even All-Star starter. But being Sammy Solis the baseball player is good enough for him. 

“Playing in this league is unreal,” said Solis. “I didn’t know what to expect coming in, but on and off the field it’s been great. You get to play baseball everyday. What more can you ask for?”