The Blue Jays began the fall season in fantastic fashion on a perfect day for baseball Sunday, September 9 at Tilden Middle School.
Dylan Yoon, Jake Lang, Sam Berman, John Wyatt, George Roggie, Braden Poon, Charlie Knowles, Gavin Ferguson, Jaden Smith, Ethan Yu, Jeremy Robertson, Jack Raymond and Dylan Edwards had fun, played good baseball, and demonstrated terrific teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the season opener.
This was a closely contested game that featured two good teams.
The final score was Blue Jays 10, Dodgers 7.
September 9 Game Report
Sam Berman treated the Blue Jays' faithful to a spectacular overall performance. Above, Sam prepares to rip a towering shot to left field. His 3-for-3 day included a double, two singles, and a team high three runs scored.
Sam ignited the Blue Jays' defense when he ranged to his left from the shortstop position and grabbed a fly ball behind 2nd base in the second inning. He later notched two infield assists, including a remarkable stop and throw from his knees in the top of the fourth inning.
Ethan Yu wielded a hot bat from the key number three spot in the lineup. Here, Ethan sets up in the batter's box before lashing a solid single to left field in the first inning. His 3-for-3 batting line included a double, two singles, one run scored, and an RBI.
A tireless worker, Ethan refines an element of his game each off-season. His work over the summer to improve his catching paid off in a big way in Sunday's season opener. Playing at 3rd base, Ethan alertly covered the bag on a hit to left field and caught the outfielder's throw to complete a rare 7-5 force out. Ethan also snagged a ground ball at 3rd and delivered a good throw to 1st base in the third inning.
George Roggie generated substantial offensive production in the game with the Dodgers. Batting in the fifth spot in the order, George produced a sterling 3-for-3 batting line that included a double, two singles, a run scored, and a team leading three RBI.
George also got it done with the glove. Above, he mans the 1st base position, where he contributed three infield assists, including an awesome pick of a ball in the dirt in the fourth inning. George gave the team an unanticipated bonus out in the third inning, fielding a bouncer in left field and delivering a perfect throw to force the runner at 3rd base.
Braden Poon came through with solid contributions to the Blue Jays' offensive attack. Above, he stands ready to pound a ground ball through the left side of the infield. Braden notched singles in the third and fifth innings, scored two runs, and produced an RBI.
Defensively, Braden made good stops at shortstop in the third and fifth innings. He also filled in ably at 1st base when a teammate was injured in the top of the sixth.
Dylan Edwards did a great job at the plate, keeping the line moving with an efficient 3-for-3 performance. He chipped in with solid singles that extended rallies in the second, fourth, and fifth innings. After working on his hitting mechanics throughout the summer, Dylan appears primed to have a breakout campaign this fall.
Dylan had one of those days in the field. He was ready to make plays at 2nd base in the second and fourth innings, but the ball never found him. He did see plenty of action behind the plate at catcher in the top of the sixth.
Gavin Ferguson delivered in a clutch situation in the bottom of the second inning. Batting with two on and one out, he hustled, beat out an infield single, and collected an RBI. Gavin's work on his hitting over the summer produced early dividends for his team on game day.
Defensively, Gavin contributed a significant under-the-radar play in the third inning, hauling in a bouncing grounder in left field and returning the ball to the infield to hold the runner to a single. Gavin also turned in a typically steady performance at pitcher's helper in the second and sixth innings.
Jeremy Robertson came through with two key plays late in the game. Above, he gets ready to run at 2nd base after pounding an RBI double to left field. He would go on to score the Blue Jays' tenth and final run of the game.
Here, Jeremy sprints triumphantly to the bench after making a huge out to end the top half of the fifth inning. Playing at the pitcher's helper position, Jeremy ranged to his right, collected a grounder, and delivered a perfect throw to 1st base to complete the out that halted a big rally.
Jaden Smith joined the Blue Jays for the fall season and immediately made a positive impact. He knocked singles in the second and fifth innings, reached on a fielder's choice in the third, scored a run, and logged an RBI in an impressive debut.
Jaden showed no hesitation upon learning that he would be the catcher for the first inning of the season opener. In addition to being a reliable backstop, Jaden later did an exemplary job handling the 2nd base position in the third and fifth innings.
Charlie Knowles returns to the Blue Jays this fall after turning in a dynamic debut in the spring. In Sunday's game, Charlie hit in the lead-off spot and did a good job putting his bat on the ball. In the fifth inning, he was robbed of a solid base hit up the middle when the Dodgers' pitcher's helper made an incredible play on the ball.
Charlie's big out at 1st base in the third inning drew admiration from the opposing coaches. Playing at 1st base, Charlie sprinted to his right and made a diving, shoestring catch on a well placed pop-up to notch the first out of the inning. He added an assist in the top of the fifth when he caught a throw from the pitcher's helper to complete a bang-bang play that thwarted a late rally.
John Wyatt appears to have a bright future at the catcher position. Donning the gear in the fourth inning, John performed so well that the Dodgers' coaches could not resist praising his play behind the plate. A fearless player, John consistently kept the ball in front of him, a skill that will increase in importance when the Blue Jays move up to the kid-pitch ranks.
A reliable contact guy, John put the ball in play in each of his three trips to the batter's box. He contributed to the game's pivotal rally when he stroked a single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth inning. John also collected an RBI in the bottom of the third.
A versatile athlete, Dylan Yoon had the look of a classic utility player in the game with the Dodgers. He was equally adept during stints at catcher, 2nd base, 3rd base, and in the outfield. The coach knows that he can plug this guy into any spot in the lineup and receive quality play.
Dylan's combination of solid contact and blazing speed makes him a threat to do special things on offense. In the game with the Dodgers, Dylan hit the ball hard in each trip to the plate. He collected two singles and scored a run.
Jake Lang brought a new bat and a powerful swing to his first game as a member of the Blue Jays. Contributing to important rallies in the second and fourth innings, Jake enjoyed a 2-for-2 afternoon that included two singles and an RBI.
Jake knocked down a well hit line drive at 2nd base in the first inning. Another player that can handle multiple positions, Jake also played well at catcher, pitcher's helper, and in the outfield.
Jack Raymond demonstrated his ability to put the ball in play in the fourth inning. His solid grounder up the middle suggested that good things are in store for Jack this season on the offensive side of the ball.
Jack played the field with increased range and aggressiveness at the pitcher's helper position. He moved to his right to field a ground ball in the first inning. He then slid far to his left to nab another grounder in the fourth inning.
The teams congratulated each other for a fun and competitive game. We enjoyed playing the Dodgers and we hope to see them again in future seasons.
Brain Trust Returns
The Blue Jays are very fortunate to have a dedicated group of coaches that we believe is the best in all of BCC Baseball.
Coach Tom Yu is a stalwart at 1st base and a fantastic influence on the kids and the manager. Tom led warm-ups, helped set up the field, and again used his physician's training to check out an injured player.
Much appreciated, Tom!
Brian Ferguson is a steadying influence in the 3rd base coaching box. Fortunately, the Blue Jays consistently heeded his advice, remaining on 2nd base rather than running into outs when the ball was hit to the left side of the infield.
Well done, Brian!
Bench coach Trista Robertson is the heart and soul of the Blue Jays' game day operation. We shuffle positions a lot at this level; Trista always points the players in the right direction.
Thanks, Trista!
Susan Poon's meticulous score keeping reminds the coach of everything that happened during the game. We use this information to write the game reports and to figure out what we need to work on in practice.
Thanks, Susan!
More Thanks
Jaden Smith appears to have been quite proud of his mom, Aimee, who brought the post game snacks and drinks to his very first Blue Jays' game. Thanks, Aimee!
And thanks to everyone - Fred Knowles, Torsdon Poon, Derrick Raymond, James Yoon, Chuck Edwards and probably others - who helped out along the way.
Great Start!
Congratulations, Blue Jays! This was a great way to start the fall season.
Coach Steve
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