Monday, September 25, 2017

Blue Jays hang tough with formidable Opponent




Tilden Middle School played host to a tough life lesson this Sunday. Sometimes the other team is really good! Twelve BCC Blue Jays showed they could handle it!


It was a hot day. The players had to stay hydrated to keep their cool.


 The coaches needed a drink as well!


The spectators migrated to the one small patch of shade. They were in for quite a show!


The teammates huddled together, promising to do their best and have some fun!


In the end, not a tear was shed. The players battled bravely, hit their hardest, ran their fastest and stood tall as a team. The Blue Jays kept smiles on their faces and learned a lot!

September 24 Game Report


Milen Hukmani was the first player at the field. He earned the top spot in the batting order. He started the team off with a solid single to the left side. He was a great lead off hitter! Ready with his batting helmet and bat every inning, Milen reached first base safely during all three turns at the plate.


In the field, Milen showed textbook ground ball technique. He played first base, third base and left center field. Facing some hot bats, Milen saw action in the outfield. He made a great stop on a bouncing ball in left field. Milen made an unassisted tag out at third base. The base runner had to take a seat after Milen's quick thinking gave the Blue Jays another exciting out. Nice work, Milen!


Clark Roggie ran hard to beat the Pirates to each base. Here he celebrates getting his foot on third base.  Clark set up for every at bat like a happy cat about to pounce. He had three solid hits and two excellent trips around the diamond. Most impressive, when the Pirates beat him to the bag on his third at bat, he headed back to the bench like a seasoned professional. Way to hang tough, Slugger!


Clark played second base, right pitcher's helper and left center field. During the first inning, Clark nabbed a wild grounder and stepped on second base for a force out. He knew what to do before the ball was hit! He also alertly backed up the shortstop, scooping up the ball and chucking it to first base. At right pitcher's helper, he hustled to snag another ball and make an accurate throw to the first baseman. Clark gets the award for most dirt on his clothes and face by the end of the game! Keep it up, Clark!


Brody Gottfried kept his eye on the ball. He used his beautiful level swing to knock three balls at the Pirates. This guy can really run. He used his powerful legs and quick steps to hustle along the base path to first base. When the Pirates beat him to the sack, he kept on smiling, ready to try again!


In the field, Brody showed off his ready position in left field, right field and left shortstop. Brody always kept his eye on the action. He sized up the competition and used their missiles to practice his jobs in the field. Brody didn't let the big hits bring him down. Way to hang tough!


Dominic Delgado knew the competition was fierce but he battled back. He hit a few bombs of his own! When the Pirates snagged one of his shots out of the sky, he took it like a champ. He is a seasoned base runner, beating the other team to the bag and getting into ready position to dart off again.


Dominic faced the onslaught of well hit balls in center field, at left pitcher's helper and at third base. He made an unassisted tag out at third base, sending the base runner back to the bench. Dominic kept his focus through three hot innings, scooping up any ball that he could reach. Dominic was a force to be reckoned with in the field and the batter's box. Great hustle and heart!


Niara Gupta loves her neon green bat and it showed! Niara kept her eye on the ball, making solid contact all three times at the plate. Look at that stance; you can tell she practices a lot. She knocked the ball past the infield and ran the base paths with silent determination.


In the field, Niara played right pitcher's helper, right center field and right shortstop. Facing blast after blast at pitcher's helper, Niara didn't back away. She is one tough cookie!


Jacob Carle has watched a lot of Major League Baseball and it shows every time he steps in the batter's box. Jacob squared up two especially hard hits. He smacked one to the left and the other into right field! Here he shows his signature running style, smiling all way home! Terrific performance, Jacob!


In the field, Jacob did his part for the Blue Jays, playing first base, center field and left pitcher's helper. Jacob saw quite a bit of action at every spot on the diamond. He knocked down some tricky throws at first base. He hustled to snag some blasts in the outfield. Jacob fielded several grounders, throwing to first base from pitcher's helper. Keep up the good work, Jacob!


Josh Porter started every trip around the bases with an intimidating stance and a steely glare. Josh showed determination, putting three balls in play. He is as quick as a cheetah, beating out the skillful Pirates when they tried to track him down. Keep swinging for the fences, Josh!


In the field, Josh showed his ready position and excellent focus. Josh played third base, left center field and second base. Josh covered the bases when runners were coming. It paid off in the third inning when Josh got the runner out at second base! He was alert and ready for a well hit grounder that was headed his way.  Josh moved to the ball, scooped it smoothly and beat the runner to the bag. Excellent example, Josh!


Adam Farber was a big bopper for the Blue Jays. In the first inning, Adam clobbered a bomb through the Pirates' fielding juggernaut. Reaching first base with plenty of time to spare, Adam immediately focused on dashing to second base. Adam showed his determination, power, and speed - great attributes for a ballplayer.


In the field, Adam always wants the ball to come to him. He played with confidence and authority. Adam helped the Blue Jays battle the Pirates from right center field, second base and right pitcher's helper. In the second inning, Adam made a tough grab on a powerful, hopping grounder at second base. If a runner had been coming then he or she would definitely have been out! Watch out for Blue Jay # 12 Adam Farber.


Ethan Chu ran hard in all three innings. Each time up, he loved to make contact and then smile all way to the base. Although the other team was skillfully making outs at first base, Ethan did not back down. He never got intimidated. Ethan was a great example of the Blue Jays motto. He tried his best, learned a lot and had lots of fun.


In the field, Ethan chased down the Pirates' missiles from left shortstop, left field, and right center field. Ethan found out just how busy the outfield can be. He got lots of exercise tracking down blasts that rolled in the grass. Ethan practiced excellent throwing technique getting the balls back to the pitcher. Ethan was like a sponge - soaking up the experience and coming out a more seasoned teammate in the end. Great attitude and super hustle, Ethan!


Peter Herdman hit the ball so fast every time he was up, the team photographer had to race to get his picture! In both the first and second innings, Peter hit the first pitch out of the box.  He knocked one bomb into right field and another up the middle. Peter made it to first base safely in each inning. Way to make it look easy, Peter.


Peter had great glove work against the Pirates. He made a beautiful catch at first base, just barely missing an assisted force out.  Peter also helped the team at left pitcher's helper and in center field. Peter watched every batter with a veteran's focus. He knew where he was going with the ball before every play. We can tell Peter loves to practice because his skills are sharp and his attitude is stellar. Go Peter!


Noah Solovey does not like to get out. He learned a lot playing such a tough opponent. Noah was safe at first base in the second and third innings. He learned to run hard as soon as he hit the ball and not worry about what the other team was doing! His determination paid off and his relief was clear as he reached the bag, beating the throw twice in his three at bats.


On defense, Noah played right field, right shortstop, and left field. When we checked the players' ready position before each batter, Noah was consistently prepared. He had his glove up and his eyes on the ball. The Pirates had hot bats but Noah didn't cower. He had team spirit, a can-do attitude and determination to improve. Noah loves baseball and it shows!


Evan Phillips knows how to muscle the ball past the opponent. Evan kept the outfield busy when he was in the batter's box.With his signature red batting helmet,  he sent one line drive to right field and another shot to left field! He didn't need many pitches to find one he liked. As he continues to play, Evan is destined to be an RBI king who sends his teammates home to score.


Evan showed guts and tenacity on defense. He played right shortstop, right field and left shortstop in the game with the Pirates. On a very memorable play, Evan bravely faced down a blast to the shortstop position. He got in front of the ball and stopped it cold. Keep up the good work, Evan!

A Team Effort: Big Thank Yous All Around


George Roggie stepped in wherever he was needed. He pitched the second inning, giving all twelve Blue Jays a ball they could hit! He counseled runners encouragingly as first base coach in the first and third innings. During the team's time in the field, George helped the players withstand the onslaught of the sun and some well hit bombs.


Navin Hukmani really got into his job as third base coach. He cheered the runners at the bag and then sent them scampering home. He made sure each player aligned himself or herself for the best chance to make a safe journey to home plate.


Eric Delgado was the anchor behind the dish. He made sure the batters set up properly with their bat of choice. He cleared the bats after every batter and welcomed home the runners who scored. Thank you for making the Blue Jays' offense run smoothly!


Evan Gottfried enthusiastically stepped in as bench coach. He made the job look easy, something it definitely is not! Evan made sure the batters on deck were ready and even found space for them to take a few practice swings. Thank you, Evan!


Peter Herdman's family provided a much appreciated snack and drink at the end of the contest. Thank you for that sweet treat!


The Blue Jays showed enthusiasm and heart in everything they did. They congratulated the Pirates with high fives, telling each player "good game!" The Blue Jays knew they had faced a formidable opponent.  They walked away from it a stronger, more seasoned team that is ready for the next opportunity to take the field!

Sarah and Steve

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