When he comes to the mound, the six foot two inch righty out of Clemson, brings with him such a fierce competitiveness that the crowd, as well as opposing hitters, can sense that something is about to happen. Cotuit closer Nick Glaser doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but what he has is very good and he knows how to pitch. He is a thinking man’s pitcher, who knows before he gets to the mound in a critical save situation just what he will do. And if the batter has faced him before he knows that Glaser is coming right at him with his best stuff and that it’s going to be mighty tough to hit.

Because of the College World Series he arrive in Cotuit late and family commitments took him away for another week. But, given the chance he will post some numbers in the Cape League this summer that will put a few more wins in the ledger for his team. As Glaser says, "closing is about working the hitters weaknesses that the previous pitcher has already exposed and then hitting your spots with everything you’ve got." Watching him pitch it is clear he brings a lot of talent to the mound that will make for some exciting finishes on the Cape this season

How many different pitches do you throw?

Four. I throw a fastball, cutter, slider and a circle change.

Do you have an out pitch?

My slider. I have just picked up the cutter and I’m still working on it.

You have an imposing mound presence. How does that work for you?

The way I go to the hill, the first thing in my mind is that those runners aren’t going to score. The hitter is at my mercy. I just go right after him.

A closer needs to have ice water in his veins, do you?

If that’s what it takes to keep the situation under control. A closer has to be confident and competitive. When I’m out there I’m in control. I’m coming at you. It’s up to you to hit my pitch.

Confidence and courage are a big part of being a closer. What else?

Poise. When people look at you they need to know that everything is under control. You also need to be cool and calm. I pitch like its the first inning and go right at the hitter.

How important is it to be able to pitch inside?

It’s everything. It sets up the out pitch and establishes who owns the plate, and it’s not the hitter.

What more do you have to learn about pitching?

A lot. As a pitcher your always learning something new. I’m still working on my change up and trying to keep my slider down.

When things start to go bad, how do you maintain your focus?

I take a deep breath and concentrate on the hitter. I don’t let anything distract me. I simplify the problem and go right after the hitter.

Do you have any fears when your on the mound?

None.

If I was to say that Nick Glaser pitches with an attitude, what would you interpret that to mean?

That I’m confident and I’m tough out there and that no one’s getting anything off of me.

You led the ACC in saves and broke the record at Clemson with 15. How important is that to you?

I’m bothered more that I blew five saves than I am happy about the 15 I got. It just fired me up to work harder. The most important thing to me is that I was able to help our team.

Has there been anything special that has happened to you in baseball?

Watching my younger brother Jay develop as a player. He’s a starting pitcher at Edmonds Community College.

What was it like to pitch in the College World Series?