A middle reliever is not usually thought of as an essential part of a baseball team. But Justin Segal was just that for the Lancaster Barnstormers when they won the Atlantic League Freedom Division's first half, clinching a playoff spot.

As a result of his success, Segal was one of five Barnstormers named to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game, slated for 7 p.m. tonight in York's Sovereign Bank Stadium.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the Home Run Derby is scheduled for 5:15. The game is sold out.

"It's quite an honor to be selected," Segal said. "A lot of other people on our team are deserving. But for myself, I'm really excited."

Lancaster has gone through some tough times this season. The Barnstormers lost key personnel to affiliated organizations, including three late-inning relievers.

They also lost starter Jerome Williams, who was 6-0, and some of their other starters had difficulty pitching late into the game.

Eleven different pitchers started in Lancaster's first 63 games. As a result, Segal became very valuable. The righty is tied for the team lead in appearances with 33, which ranks tied for third in the league.

"That's a big part of your pitching staff when you've got a guy who can throw every day," Lancaster manager Butch Hobson said. "He's been an integral part of our bullpen. He was big when our starters weren't going far into the game."

Segal has always been able to pile up innings. He pitched four seasons at UC Santa Barbara and he holds the school's career record for appearances with 108.

He also ranks both first and second for the Gauchos in games pitched in a season, with 36 in 2006 and 33 in '07.

The 5-10, 175-pound Californian uses an unusual sidearm motion with a mid-delivery pause to fool the hitters.

He goes into the stretch, then pauses briefly, tapping his left foot as he steps toward the plate before he takes a bigger step while making his pitch.

In his junior season at UCSB, Segal's pitching coach changed his delivery to his current submarine style.

"How I got the pause and the tap and the funkiness to it, I'm not sure, but it evolved over time," Segal said.

"I've never seen anything like it," Lancaster pitching coach Marty Janzen said, "and obviously it screws up the hitters. I've caught him a couple of times and it's tough to pick the ball up. It's a different arm slot."

After college, Segal pitched one season in the Yankees system at the Class A level before spending the last three years in California's independent Golden League.

Last season he helped Chico win the Golden League championship. In the 2010 regular season, he was 3-2 with a 0.92 ERA in 40 games and he allowed more than one earned run in just one appearance.

He pitched in four of six Chico playoff games, giving up just one run and recording two saves.

This season, he's made the step up to the Atlantic League, where he's facing far more batters who have spent time in the majors and at Triple-A.

"I knew it was going to be a challenge, but that's how you get better is to challenge yourself," Segal said. "It's not about the name on the back of the jersey.

"It's about attacking and doing what you know how to do as a pitcher. And I've had success so it's been good."

Segal, whose 482-e innings lead Lancaster relievers, is 4-1 with a 4.81 ERA. His repertoire includes a sinker, slider, change-up and four-seam fastball.

"He doesn't overpower you," Jazen said. "But he keeps the ball down, controls bat speed and keeps guys honest by pitching in. He bridges the gap to get to the late-inning guys who throw fairly hard."

Segal got his degree from UCSB in business economics along with a minor in sports management.

He's not sure what he wants to do following his baseball career. But he is hopeful that decision is a long time from now.

So far, Barnstormers fans feel the same way.

Other 'Stormer stars: In addition to Segal, four other Barnstormers were chosen for the All-Star game. They are: first baseman Tommy Everidge, the league leader with 13 homers and a scheduled entry in the Home Run Derby; starting pitcher Ross Peeples; second baseman Gilberto Mejia; and designated hitter Fernando Seguignol, who will miss the game for personal reasons.
bwilson@lnpnews.com