Blue Jays bring Game Faces to tilt with Dodgers

On a day when it was questionable whether baseball would be played in Montgomery County, the Blue Jays arrived at Tilden Middle School with their game faces on, ready to play the Dodgers.  This turned out to be a classic BCC National League match-up!

Jacob Carle warmed up his rocket arm with a fantastic display of proper throwing technique.

Not to be outdone, Milen Hukmani tuned up with cool accuracy.

Improving by leaps and bounds with each passing week, Grady Blair came equipped with an aggressive disposition and a beautiful follow-through.

Luke Kavounas prepped for the game with the eye of the tiger.

Noah Solovey had his mitt down and his head up to field grounders.

When they look this good in warm-ups, you know you're in for a treat!

This game was played at a dizzying pace both offensively and defensively.

The Blue Jays demonstrated skill and teamwork beyond their years and experience.

Together, they treated fans to an hour of fun and truly outstanding BCC National League baseball!

May 7 Game Report

Grady Blair's development over the first month of the season has been a pleasure to watch.  In Sunday's game, Grady belted the ball with authority in each trip to the plate.  This guy seems to hit the ball harder with every swing!

Here, Grady runs with a purpose as he heads home to score in the first inning.  Grady also played well defensively at right pitcher's helper and in the outfield.

Adam Farber is on an offensive hot streak that would be the envy of any player.  Above, Adam sizes up a pitch that he would promptly launch to left field.  Adam's at-bats tend to begin with the bases loaded and end with the bases empty!

Here, Adam rounds 2nd base on his way to 3rd in the top of the second inning.  In addition to running the bases well, Adam also played good defense at 3rd base and at 1st base.

Niara Gupta has the look of a hitter whenever she steps to the dish.  In the game with the Dodgers, Niara smacked two shots up the middle and beat out a close play at 1st base on a ground ball to the right side of the infield.

Here, Niara demonstrates how she points her mitt at the target when she throws.  Niara hustled for the ball at right pitcher's helper and at second base.

Milen Hukmani is a classic "pull" hitter, making contact out front and using his natural power to spray the left side of the field with big hits.  Here, Milen bends his knees and gets his bat back as he prepares to send yet another ball to left field.

Milen's accomplishments in the game with the Dodgers included an unassisted put-out on a force play at 3rd base to end the bottom half of the second inning.  He appears to have been appropriately pleased.

Luke Kavounas notched a base hit and scored a run in each inning.  Above, he finishes his trip around the bases with a flourish, stepping on home to tally another marker for the Blue Jays.

Luke improved his footwork in the field and on the base paths this week.  Above, he watches the batter with strong focus, knowing that he will "run on contact" from 2nd base to 3rd.  Defensively, Luke ended the game with a huge unassisted put-out at 1st base.

Lila Schruefer might be the best four year old baseball player in the BCC National League!  Lila was all smiles as she rounded 2nd base and headed for 3rd in the top of the first inning.  Lila collected three outstanding hits in the game with the Dodgers.

Lila used her mitt to track the ball on hits up the middle in center field.  She also played heads-up baseball at right shortstop.

Clark Roggie had no trouble putting the ball in play in each at-bat.  His best hit might have gone a very long way had it not collided with a large obstruction - also known as his brother, the pitcher - on its way to center field.

Clark refined his throwing technique during solid turns in the field at 2nd base, at right pitcher's helper, and in left field.

Dominic Delgado wore an ear-to-ear grin throughout the game with the Dodgers - and for good reason.  Above, he heads for 1st base after smashing a grounder to the right side.

Dominic continued to demonstrate a live arm - and an engaging grin - at 2nd base, at left pitcher's helper, and in right field.  All told, Dominic looked like a guy who knows what he's doing in every facet of the game.

Jacob Carle is a classic lead-off hitter.  A reliable contact guy, Jacob puts the ball in play and then uses his natural speed to get on base and set the table for the big boppers in the middle of the Blue Jays' lineup.

Jacob scored three runs in the game with the Dodgers.  Defensively, he turned in several spectacular plays at shortstop and left pitcher's helper.  Jacob's love of baseball is evident in every swing, catch, and throw.

Take a look at the focus and intensity of yet another player whose development seems to take gargantuan leaps from week to week.  Noah Solovey is well on his way to becoming a terrific hitter.  Here, Noah keeps his head still and his eyes squarely on the ball.  It should come as no surprise that he delivered a fantastic hit in each inning of the game.

Noah's growing confidence can also be seen in his base running.  Above, he crosses home plate and scores a run with a spring in his step.  This is why coaching youth baseball is its own reward.

Fantastic Facilitators

Rishi Gupta brings consistency and experience to the 1st base coaching box.  Some of the kids have asked about taking the extra base on really good hits.  We'll do that soon enough, but probably not this season.

Eric Delgado helps the players get lined up at the plate and catches the few pitches that aren't hit.

George Roggie served up a smorgasbord of good pitches and dodged a few well hit balls along the way.

Noah Solvey's family provided the all-important snacks after the game.  Thanks, Solovey Family!

Fun Stuff!

Here's a reminder that baseball is fun!  Grady and Milen yucked it up on the bench.

The very photogenic Lila Schruefer struck a smiling pose as she waited for her turn at bat.

Grady effectively straddles the line between fun and learning.  He's doing a great job at both!

Clark, Noah and Luke shared a laugh after the game.

Jacob's enthusiasm for baseball reminds the coach of a six year old boy he once knew.

Dominic was still grinning after the game!

Great game, Blue Jays!  What a terrific looking team!

Coach Steve