Blue Jays grind through rematch with Yankees

The Blue Jays and Yankees renewed acquaintances on Sunday, May 21, at Tilden Middle School for a rematch of the season opener.

Prior to the game, the bats were little more than harmless chunks of aluminum and, in one case, space-age composite material.  But, in the Blue Jays' hands, they would soon become tools of destruction.

 Despite cloudy skies and cool conditions, the players were ready to go.

Note the intensity in anticipation of the hitting display that was to come.

Once again, this group of five and six year old kids would not disappoint!

May 21 Game Report

Niara Gupta continued to make tremendous strides with her glove work.  Niara honed her groundball-fielding skills before the game and followed through with two excellent plays at right pitcher's helper.  Niara also chased down a well hit ball in the outfield.

Niara made short work of her three plate appearances, knocking solid singles up the middle and to the left side of the infield.  Most five year-old kids don't even try to play organized baseball.  Niara is trying and succeeding!

Adam Farber proudly displayed his new mitt during pregame warm-up and then put it to good use between the lines.  We love Adam's consistent "ready position" regardless of the position he plays.  In Sunday's game, he demonstrated topnotch awareness at 1st base, 2nd base, and in the outfield.

Further honing his power stroke, Adam delivered some impressive blasts after the fill-in pitcher managed to find the strike zone.  Above, Adam launches another big base hit that would not stop until it reached the outfield.

Jake Wilson's progression with the bat throughout his first season of baseball has been fun to watch.  Above, Jake knocks a solid grounder to shortstop with the look of a guy who's done this before - probably because he's done this before!

Defensively, Jake is all hustle.  Above, he settles in at 3rd base in the top of the first inning.  Jake was all over the field regardless of whether he was playing 3rd, shortstop, or in the outfield.

Like many of his teammates, Grady Blair becomes noticeably enthusiastic whenever it's time to hit the baseball.  Above, Grady brings the bat down and sends a single up the middle in the bottom of the first inning.

A grinder on defense, Grady was aggressive in his pursuit of well hit baseballs in the infield and the outfield.  A member of the Blue Jays' youth movement, five year-old Grady demonstrates all of the tools you look for in a baseball prospect.

Ethan Chu turned in a spectacular play that nearly resulted in an assisted put-out in the top of the third.  Playing at right pitcher's helper, Ethan calmly fielded a grounder and then turned and delivered a throw to 1st base that was right on line.

Ethan made up for lack of experience at the plate by following directions and utilizing a keen batting eye.  Above, Ethan drops the bat and takes off for 1st base after bashing one of the three solid hits he delivered in the game with the Yankees.

Dominic Delgado enjoyed another great day in the field.  In the top of the first inning, Dominic cleanly gathered multiple grounders at left pitcher's helper and delivered accurate throws to 1st base.  He also contributed a hold-your-breath moment when he almost completed the Blue Jays' first-ever catch of a fly ball.  The day is coming!

Another Blue Jay that is adding power to his hitting repertoire, Dominic delivered balls to the outfield in two of his three trips to the plate.  Above, he celebrates after scoring his second run of the day.

Jacob Carle had reason to smile in the bottom half of the final inning.  Playing at left pitcher's helper, Jacob attacked a grounder and threw a direct strike to the 1st baseman, completing the most impressive assisted put-out we've seen this year in the BCC National League!

Jacob continued to haul the mail at the plate, blasting a memorable fly ball to the left side of the infield in the bottom of the second inning.  Above, Jacob loads up and prepares to drive a grounder up the middle in the bottom of the first.

Another guy with power to spare, Milen Hukmani blasted two hits to the infield and one to the outfield in the game with the Yankees.  Here, Milen scampers to 1st base after sending a ball to shortstop in the bottom of the first.

Milen was on the receiving end of the Blue Jays' assisted put-out in the final inning.  Playing at 1st base, Milen moved quickly to cover the bag, provided a good target for his teammate, and caught the ball properly - with his fingers up - to complete the out.  We'll remember that play for a long time!

Noah Solovey continued to confound opposing defenses with consistent contact at the plate.  In Sunday's game, Noah focused on swinging as hard as he can while continuing to keep his head still.  The results were impressive!

After checking the lineup card at the bench, Noah put on his mitt and assumed "ready position" in the field.  Yet another five year-old whippersnapper, Noah does a fantastic job of watching the batter on every pitch and putting himself in position to make plays in the field.

The last of those whose age you can count on one hand, Clark Roggie responded to the challenge of playing at 1st base with aplomb.  He remembered to cover the bag and to give his teammates a target on every play!  Clark also fielded a grounder at second base in the top of the second inning.

A ferocious hacker who is not afraid of swinging and missing, Clark belted three excellent hits in the game with the Yankees.  His dart up the middle bounded to center field in the top of the first.  Here, he bangs a liner that would bounce to right center in the third.

Both teams demonstrated great sportsmanship when the game ended.  These teams would make good rivals.  The Blue Jays' offense versus the Yankees' defense is a classic showcase of strength versus strength.

Assistance

Eric Delgado is a mainstay behind the plate for the Blue Jays.  In addition to his typical duties, Eric was charged with the unenviable task of catching an aging and erratic pitcher in Sunday's game.

The Blue Jays featured a tag team 1st basing coaching battery.  Rishi Gupta started the contest before leaving for yet another BCC baseball game.

Navin Hukmani filled the void throughout the middle portions of the game.

Eric Carle coached at 1st base and delivered the postgame snacks after the game!

The Memorial Weekend Break is upon us.  After celebrating the unofficial kickoff of summer, the Blue Jays will return to the diamond for the home stretch of three practices and games in June.

We can't wait!

Coach Steve