Ryan Fleming’s game day diet features a heavy emphasis on tracking his macronutrients. As the reigning Rookie of the Year in the MABL 18+ league, he wants to ensure his game-day diet is strictly followed so as not to repeat his June 24 outing against the defending champion Middleboro Mocka Rays (18-2).
In that outing, Fleming surrendered a career-high nine runs on 11 hits in four innings of work in the Waltham Cutters’ 10-1 defeat. When reflecting on what factors may have led to his uncharacteristic outing, he immediately pointed out the fact that he deviated from his regular game day routine of ordering a Chipotle burrito bowl filled with two servings of steak, extra lettuce, extra fajita veggies, light brown rice, light black beans, light cheese, light tomato salsa and medium salsa for dinner that night.
On game day, Fleming starts his day by mixing non-fat Greek yogurt and blueberries in a bowl to go with one cup of coffee. Before he leaves for his job at Boston Children’s Hospital, he makes himself a protein shake to keep him going throughout the day. He combines both lean milk, usually Stonyfield Organic Protein Milk, and two scoops of Gold Standard 100% Whey protein powder.
For lunch, Fleming creates a PB Fit Peanut Butter and oven or grilled chicken sandwich. That process begins by thoroughly mixing PB Fit Peanut Butter and “ultra-fresh” tap water in a small bowl. The chicken is cooked the night before an upcoming game and added last after being chopped up into smaller pieces, as shown in the video above.
“The nice thing is you can make it as thick or runny as you want it to be,” said Fleming. “I personally like it to be a little bit runny, but it kinda depends on what else I am throwing in the sandwich as well.”
“This might look a little weird, but I will say especially in tandem with the chocolate protein shake it is absolutely delicious and comes highly recommended.”
His favorite snack to bring to the field on game day is Peanut M&Ms, inspired by former Seattle Seahawk RB Marshawn Lynch, who was famous for eating skittles in the middle of NFL games.
“If I know I am going seven (innings) on that day, then I’ll start pumping it (M&Ms) around the second or third just to make sure I don’t fall off a cliff from an energy level standpoint,” said Fleming.
Fleming has followed up his MABL 18+ Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020 by posting a 3-2 record, 2.37 ERA, and striking out 58 batters, which is the most of anyone on the Cutters’ staff. He has allowed one run or less in 13 of 17 career appearances on the mound. The Cutters have also surrendered one run or fewer in 10 of their games this season.
“After a very successful rookie campaign, he has really gained confidence and become one of the most dominant pitchers in our league,” said teammate Dan Wilson. “He throws hard and throws a lot of strikes. He has a hammer for a curveball. He is very competitive and pitches his best in big moments.”
Fleming and the Cutters will be back in action on September 9, when they will host the Waltham Athletics (10-10-1) at Nipper Park in Waltham. The first pitch is scheduled for 8 pm.
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