SUMNER — Avoid the meme.
That’s the goal Ryan Rowland-Smith states as he sizes up the “shrinking steps” at Sumner Ninja in his final tune-up before the show. A few weeks earlier, the former Mariners pitcher-turned-broadcaster was invited to compete on “American Ninja Warrior” as it stopped in Tacoma.
Rowland-Smith has stared down some of the most ferocious hitters to come through MLB. The first batter he faced in his Mariners debut 12 years ago was Ken Griffey Jr., whom he struck out.
But right now, the thought of a hanging step is scarier than a hanging curveball ever was.