Butt there is more to the Butt story from the Rock
Gerald Butt (left) and his son LHP son, Kody Butt were together for the first time with the Mount Pearl Blazers, capturing a provincial title in July of 2021. Kody pitched a win in his first senior game in the round-robin against the Gander Pilots. Gerald called the pitches in Kody's debut.
February 12, 2022
Butt Following in Father’s footsteps to North Dakota
By Ryan Sweeney
Canadian Baseball Network
Kody Butt has committed to Williston State, but he won’t be the first in his household to play college ball in North Dakota.
More than 20 years ago, his father Gerald, was an NAIA All-American Honourable Mention, just a few hours down the road at Mayville State. But the similarities don’t stop there. Gerald and Williston State head coach, Mason Przybilla both played under Scott Berry during their separate stints at Mayville.
Gerald was a two-time draft pick: by the New York Yankees in the 61st round in 1994 from Kwantlen College and the Cincinnati Reds in the 48th round of the 1998 draft from Mayville.
After playing four seasons of independent ball, Gerald sees a lot of similarities between himself and his son, but also sees a few extra elements of Kyle’s game which the father believes will help the son be successful at the college level.
“He has similar speed and athleticism as I did at that age, but the temperaments are definitely different” Butt said jokingly. “I would go A-to-Z in a heartbeat, but Kody is much more even-keeled. He’s more likely to buzz someone inside rather than lose his cool”.
There are some obvious differences too, namely that Gerald was a catcher and a corner infielder. Kody is a left-handed pitcher. And it’s Kody’s pitching abilities that dad sees as a good foundation to allow his son to compete on campus next fall.
“He has multiple pitches, and can throw them for strikes,” said Gerald. “Add in his newfound velocity, and he has the tools to go out and pitch night in and night out”.
One other benefit that Kody will be able to take advantage of is the climate; while North Dakota might not have what some would consider ideal baseball weather, about any climate change is a welcomed comfort for a kid from the rock.
“You’re as likely to pitch in snow as you are sun in Newfoundland, so weather is not going to be an issue for Kody” Gerald says.
Gerald played four years in independent leagues with Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks, Albany-Colonie Diamond Dawgs and the Sioux Falls Canaries in the Northern League, Springfield Capitals, Canton Crocodiles and Cook County Cheetahs in the Frontier League, plus the Atlantic City Surf in the Atlantic League.
In all, he played in 204 games with a .259 batting average, 29 doubles, three triples, four homers and 79 RBIs with a .666 OPS.