Blue Jays display great form in first Practice!

The Blue Jays accomplished a lot at their first practice of the season Saturday, September 11. Eleven players - Braden Poon, William Amorosi, Jeremy Robertson, Justin Conner, George Roggie, Sam Berman, John Wyatt, Ethan Yu, Jake Schuman, Ava Curley and Aleka Frazier - had fun, did their best, and demonstrated great sportsmanship.

Back to School

Together, we learned some important lessons. For example, we discovered that our new practice field is not very easy to find. We also learned that another team practices on the same field at 5:00 pm. Therefore, we will begin future practices at 3:30 to ensure that we can work on fielding and still have time for every player to take a turn at bat.

Happily, we confirmed that the Blue Jays are ready to lay some serious aluminum on the ball this season!

Saturday, September 11 Practice Report

Ava Curley was the first Blue Jay to step to the plate. We are happy to report that she picked up exactly where she left off at the end of the spring BCC Baseball season! Ava remembered to keep her bat back until the pitch arrives. The result was predictable - she belted several great hits through the infield. Ava appears to have added some power to her swing over the summer!

William Amorosi is one of five new players who joined the Blue Jays for the fall season. Here, he shows great form, keeping his hands together on the bat as he prepares to belt a line drive to the right of 2nd base. William had a terrific first practice, making good contact on pitches both in and out of the strike zone!

Jake Schuman is another first-year player, but he is most definitely not a novice! Jake's hits to right field resembled guided missiles. Let's just say that it's a good idea to pay very close attention whenever he steps to the plate.

The Blue Jays are very happy to welcome back Braden Poon for his second season with the team. It is obvious that Braden spent a good portion of his summer thinking about baseball! Here, he demonstrates his cat-like quickness on the base path. Braden also hit the ball with authority, lacing hot smashes through the middle of the field with regularity!

Justin Conner has always been a hit machine for the Blue Jays. The good news is that he looks like he's swinging the bat better than ever. Justin took little time to belt line drives and fly balls to the outfield. Here, Justin admires one of his many terrific hits. Justin also appears to have added a big arm to complement his big bat. He threw the ball with incredible velocity and accuracy in Saturday's practice.

John Wyatt is another new addition to the Blue Jays this season. Here, John shows us the eye of the tiger as he awaits a pitch at the plate. John swung the bat well, cracking multiple hits to the right side of the infield. John also ran the bases with determination and grit!

Jeremy Robertson got right to work, showing off his laser-rocket arm! This new Blue Jay puts some serious mustard on his throws. Jeremy displayed increased accuracy with each throw. He also did a great job in batting practice, choking up on the bat and making solid contact with consistency.

Sam Berman is a veteran Blue Jay who is serious about sports. Notice how Sam follows through to create more power with his swing. Sam slapped multiple line drives that landed in the outfield. He also fielded the ball smoothly and demonstrated his usual blazing speed when running the bases.

George Roggie is ready to do great things in his third season with the Blue Jays. In Saturday's practice, George poked a few base hits to the left side of the infield. Then he got serious, driving the ball to right field with tremendous force! George also threw the ball very accurately.

Ethan Yu is a new Blue Jay who brings significant power potential to the plate! He worked hard in practice to adjust his hitting mechanics. Here, Ethan heads for 1st base after blasting a hot smash through the hole on the left side of the infield. This kid packs a wallop!

The final hitter of the day was the lovely and talented Aleka Frazier. She got her second Blue Jays season off to a great start, slapping hits straight up the middle of the field on pitch after pitch. Aleka has always demonstrated great hitting form. Now, she's adding power to her formidable stroke! Aleka also did a great job tracking grounders in the infield.

Family Affair

We were gratified by the number of parents who helped out at Saturday's practice. Your participation is not expected, but it is always very much appreciated!

Torsdon Poon's boundless contributions included helping Sarah conduct fielding practice and leading the post-practice clean-up effort. Susan Poon took many of the photos that you see here. Landon Poon collected the baseballs after practice.

Kevin Conner and Sean Frazier fielded hits in the outfield during batting practice. Thomas Yu took a turn at catcher. Steve Berman, Chris Robertson and Trista Robertson helped Sarah with fielding practice.

Thanks to each of you!

Game On!

The fall season-opener is Sunday, September 12 at 2:30 pm. The Blue Jays will play against the Tigers at Westbrook Elementary School. As always, we ask that you arrive 30 minutes before game time so that we can warm up and arrange the batting order. We will bat first because we are the visiting team.

Thanks to Susan and Torsdon Poon for volunteering to bring the snacks. Thanks also to Dina Zupnik and Kevin Conner for agreeing to bring the drinks.

Go Blue Jays! Let's have fun, do our best and demonstrate great sportsmanship in our game with the Tigers!

Coach Steve