After waiting almost three months for the fall season to begin, the Blue Jays waited another 30 minutes for their first turn at bat on Sunday, September 8, at Tilden Middle School.
Undeterred, they put together an excellent performance in the field and at the plate.
With a little more practice, this team will soon convert multiple infield assists every week.
The hustle and want-to were certainly on display in the opening game with the Orioles.
Game Report
Dominic Delgado approached his two plate appearances with confidence and a powerful batting stance. Above, he keeps his eye on the ball and prepares to smash a line drive to right center field in the bottom of the first inning. Dominic followed up on his outstanding initial effort with a single up the middle in the bottom of the second.
Dominic contributed a defensive highlight in the top of the second, catching a thrown ball at 1st base to record the Blue Jays' first assisted put-out of the season. He also played typically solid baseball at left pitcher's helper, fielding two grounders and delivering good throws to 1st base in the top of the first.
Niara Gupta choked up on her bat and put the ball in play rapidly in the opening game. In the bottom of the first, she sent a grounder through the middle and turned on the jets to beat the throw at 1st base. In her second at bat, Niara hit the ball even harder, notching a base hit on a grounder through the middle.
In the field, Niara knows what she will do with the ball BEFORE it is hit. Above, Niara plays the right pitcher's helper position where she fielded two grounders and delivered good throws to 1st base in the top of the first inning. Playing at 2nd base in the top of the second, Niara put her body in front of the ball to snare a grounder and then alertly stepped on the bag for a force out.
Josh Porter enjoyed an auspicious debut with the Blue Jays. Above, he smiles as he demonstrates impressive leverage in his well-balanced batting stance. Josh introduced himself to his new teammates with two fantastic hits in the game with the Orioles.
We love Josh's aggressiveness in the field - he doesn't wait for the ball to come to him; he goes and gets it! Playing the left pitcher's helper position in the top of the second inning, Josh blocked a high bouncer and calmly picked up the ball and delivered a perfect throw to the 1st baseman to notch the first assist of his baseball career.
Noah Solovey made an outstanding selection when he bought his new bat during the off season. He put the stick to good use in the opening game, pounding a base hit in both of his at-bats. We really liked the way that Noah hustled and beat the fielder's throw at 1st base in the bottom of the second.
Above, Noah stands in ready position in right center field in the top of the first. Coaches appreciate Noah's consistent focus in the field, especially on days when the opposition averages approximately 15 pitches per plate appearance. Noah was ready to go in left field, at 3rd base, and at right shortstop.
Evan Phillips' first career at bat was a huge success and his second one was even better! After smashing a grounder through the middle of the infield in the bottom of the first inning, Evan contributed a huge offensive highlight in the game's final inning. His scorcher through the right side of the infield did not stop rolling until it reached the outfield grass.
Evan played both outfield and infield in his first game with the Blue Jays. Above, he stands ready at the left shortstop position. Getting acclimated to the position, Evan focused on moving his feet and getting in front of ground balls.
Opposing fielders had good reason to move back when Milen Hukmani stepped to the plate. He crushed a liner to left field in the bottom of the first inning. In his second plate appearance, Milen bounced a clean single through the right side of the infield.
A dependable 1st baseman, Milen demonstrated improved footwork around the bag, hauling in a variety of throws on some very close plays. Moving to the outfield in inning number two, Milen aggressively fielded well hit balls in left center field.
Brody Gottfried impressed with the glove and the bat in his first game with the Blue Jays. Above, he stands in ready position at the left shortstop position in the second inning. Brody admirably maintained focus in the outfield in the top of the first.
Batting second in the order, Brody demonstrated a knack for quick contact. His first at bat required just two pitches and resulted in a base hit up the middle in the bottom of the first. Proving that the first hit was no accident, Brody then made quick work of his second plate appearance, belting a bouncing ground ball single to the right side.
Ethan Chu picked up where he left off at the end of the spring season, lending a great attitude and a big stick to the Blue Jays' cause. Above, he focuses on watching the ball all the way to the bat. Ethan contributed a good hit to the right side of the infield in the bottom of the first and a grounder to the left pitcher's helper in the bottom of the second.
Good things happen when Ethan plays the right pitcher's helper position. Above, he glances at the opposing pitcher prior to the pitch. In the top of the second inning, Ethan fielded two grounders and delivered good throws to 1st base that very nearly resulted in assisted put-outs.
An outstanding low ball hitter, Adam Farber checked in with two excellent hits in the game with the Orioles. Above, he stands ready and focuses on the ball prior to smashing a ground ball single through the right side of the infield in the bottom of the first inning. Adam would later slam a single up the middle in his final at bat of the day.
Adam waited patiently for an opportunity to make a play at 3rd base in the top of the first inning. His endurance tested, he kept his head in the game, understanding that you never know when the ball will come your way. In the second inning, Adam fielded a well hit grounder in right center field.
Showing no signs of jet lag, Luke Kavounas made his way to the field following a flight delay and promptly commenced a show of impressive contact. After fouling off multiple pitches, Luke pulled a pair of singles to the right side.
A 3rd baseman by trade, Luke nevertheless enhanced the Blue Jays' defensive efforts from the left shortstop position in the top of the second inning. Above he calmly stands in ready position and awaits the opportunity to make a play.
Clark Roggie was a busy guy in left center field in the top of the first. We counted at least four well hit balls that he gathered and returned to the infield. He also did a nice job fielding a grounder at 3rd base and throwing to 2nd in an attempted force out in the top of the second.
Clark's best work came at the plate in the bottom of the first inning. After waiting more than a half-hour for the opportunity to bat, Clark got the Blue Jays started by slugging a hard chopper to left field on the very first pitch he saw!
Team Effort!
Rishi Gupta does more than merely wave the runners on and hold them up at 1st base. His lessons regarding technique are appreciated by Blue Jays and opponents alike!
We also want to thank Shivani Gupta for stepping up and providing the post game snacks.
The ever-helpful Navin Hukmani took up residence in the 3rd base coaching box. Blue Jays base runners kept Navin busy throughout the seemingly brief offensive innings.
Eric Delgado served as the Blue Jays' catcher and enthusiastically doled out congratulations to the many Blue Jays who scored runs in the season opener. We do not know what we would do without Eric!
Peter Kavounas served in the all important role of Bench Coach. Undoubtedly, he noticed that many players are able to handle more on their own than they could just three short months ago.
Great game, Blue Jays! The fall season is off to a terrific start.
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