EDITOR’S NOTE: Times Leader Sports Writer Kim North sat down with Beallsville High School graduate and Texas Rangers’ starting pitcher Dustin Nippert and his family at their home outside of Powhatan Point earlier this week for a question and answer session.

Growing up in the small town of Beallsville, Dustin Nippert knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. The trouble was, not many people believed he could accomplish his life’s dream.

“Why not me?” the 1999 BHS graduate kept asking those doubters. “People were telling me that things like that didn’t happen to people like me, especially around here.”

Well, after being drafted in the 15th round of the 2002 MLB draft and 61 appearances in the majors, including 11 starts, Nippert has turned all those non-believers’ heads.

“I don’t take anything for granted and I live every day for every day, and I’m having fun.”

Nippert made his major league debut near his hometown as he started for the D-Backs on Sept. 8, 2005, in Pittsburgh against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Just as the Arizona Diamondbacks were ready to break from their spring training camp last, the 6-ft.-8, 225-pound righthander was traded to Texas for Jose Marte.

After enjoying a pretty good AAA stint, the 27-year-old was promoted to the ‘bigs’ and was assigned to the bullpen. Injuries forced the Rangers to install Nippert into the starting rotation and he made six starts and 20 appearances a season ago.

Now, as he gets ready to begin his fifth season in the big leagues, he talked a little about his expectations for the upcoming season and his experiences in living his dream.

TL: What is the outlook for the Rangers and yourself for 2009?

Nippert: Hopefully good things. Last season we finished second in the West Division to the Los Angeles Angels. We were close to them in early August, but they pulled away from us down the stretch. Hopefully we can make it a little closer this year and then win the division.

Personally, I’m going into spring training with the attitude that I’m a starting pitcher, and I’m hoping to make the rotation.

TL: Would you rather be a starting pitcher or reliever?

Nippert: It doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m in the big leagues, but if I had to choose, I’d have to say starter. But, like I said, as long as I’m in the big leagues, it doesn’t matter.

I’ve always been a starting pitcher coming up, but if it takes me to be a reliever to stick with the big team, then that’s what I’ll do.

TL: When did you realize that you could pitch in the majors?

Nippert: The day I got drafted, I guess. I never knew if would ever happen. I saw some guys at WVU that were being recruited and talking to scouts, and I thought I had as much ability as they did.

TL: Was the trade from Arizona to Texas beneficial for you?

Nippert: I think so. It was a fresh start, and sometimes a player needs a change. I loved playing in Arizona. They had a good group of guys, a good GM.

With Texas, they also have a good group of guys and GM, so I went in with both feet and gave it all I had.

TL: What is the biggest difference between the AL and NL?

Nippert: In the AL you have to face nine hitters that can all hurt you with one swing of the bat. I’m not saying that there aren’t pitchers in the NL that can hit, but in the AL all hitters 1-9 are potent and can drive in runs. That makes you stay on your feet even more.”

TL: What has your biggest moment in MLB been?

Nippert: Without a doubt, my debut in Pittsburgh. They cancelled school at Beallsville for the day and bused some of the students to Pittsburgh for the game. Having all my family and friends there made it that much sweeter. That was a moment that I’ll never forget. It was really special.

TL: Who is the toughest hitter for you to get out?

Nippert: No thinking here … Vladimir Guerrero. I think I’ve got him out once and he’s hit me twice with line drives. He’s a free-swinger, so you’d figure he’d be an easy out, but he hits everything you throw to him.

TL: What team is the toughest on you?

Nippert: It’s a toss-up because the Angels and Boston Red Sox both have potent lineups 1-9. You have to be ready to go on every pitch because both teams have big-name players.

TL: Talk a little about your no-hitter in AAA last season at Omaha?

Nippert: That was definitely a special day. I knew it was a 7-inning game because it was the first game of a doubleheader. I just tried to throw all of my pitches for strikes, and fortunately, everything was working.

I never really thought about a no-hitter until I looked at the scoreboard while sitting in the dugout in the sixth. I had some butterflies at the start of the seventh. I was nervous but I told myself it was time to get things together.

The first batter hit a grounder between third and short that went off our third baseman’s glove. I didn’t even look at the scoreboard to see what it was scored, but then I heard the crowd boo and knew that they had charged an error on the play. I settled down and got the next three outs.

It was neat to do it in Omaha because of the College World Series being held there. It’s a great stadium, but we didn’t have the crowd that they get for the CWS, but it was a great feeling.

TL: What is your biggest memory of playing high school baseball or coming up through the minors?

Nippert: Playing with my twin brother Derek. He was drafted a year after me by Arizona, so it was great to get to play with him in the minor leagues.

TL: What was your favorite MLB team growing up?

Nippert: This may sound funny, but I really didn’t have one. Derek and I were big into the outdoors, hunting and fishing. My grandfather liked the Reds, but others in my family liked the Pirates.

TL: Who was your favorite player growing up?

Nippert: Like I said above, I really didn’t have a favorite player because Derek and I were always outside doing something. Sure I watched baseball some, but I didn’t really have a favorite player growing up.

It was kind of neat to watch Jay Bell play for Pittsburgh and then go to Arizona where he was a coach. I did follow the Pirates some when they were good.

TL: How was your experience in Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic?

Nippert:?I did fairly well. I was originally scheduled to make five starts, but I stayed and made seven.

I came out pleasantly surprised. I had no expectations going down there.

If I need some more innings next off-season, I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. The people down there love the game and they welcome you with open arms if you’re playing baseball.

TL: What former or current teammate has helped you?

Nippert: Randy Johnson was still with Arizona when I got up there. As a rookie, it can be a little intimidating trying to talk to him, but once you get to know him, he’s a really good guy. He was more than willing to sit down and talk with young pitchers.

TL: How difficult is it on your wife and family?

Carrie Nippert: It’s a lot tougher now with the kids. When he’s travelling, the other wives get together and plan things, but it’s a whole lot easier when he’s home.

Dustin Nippert: If I have a bad day at the ballpark, I can always come home to my son who always has a smile on his face. My family has been behind me all the way.