Go BCC Blue Jays!: Season Underway!

Refusing to succumb to chilly temperatures and biting wind, the Blue Jays and Cardinals opened the spring 2018 BCC National League season with a fun and well played game on Sunday, April 8, at Ritchie Park Elementary School

Huddled and bundled, the players displayed focus and maturity that might not have been possible just a few short months ago.

They paid attention to the coaches during the pregame meeting.

They read the lineup sheet and adhered to the batting order largely on their own.

They remained focused on the game and remembered to cheer for their teammates. The Blue Jays' efforts resulted in a solidly played season opener that will provide a great foundation upon which to build!

April 8 Game Report

Adam Farber commenced to mashing in the top of the first. Finding gaps in the defense isn't easy in the BCC National League, but Adam managed to do it, ripping a line drive double to right field that probably would have been a home run if the coaches had allowed him to keep running. Adam followed the two-bagger by squaring up well hit balls in the second and third innings.

Adam demonstrated just the right combination of confidence and competence at 2nd base in the top of the first inning. Above, he executes the Blue Jays' first put-out of the season, stepping on the bag after fielding a ground ball to complete what has become a routine play for Adam.

Dominic Delgado manned the leadoff spot in the Blue Jays' potent opening day lineup. Here, he prepares to shoot a line drive to right field in the bottom of the third. Combining consistent contact, ample power, and fleet feet, Dominic proved to be a rally-starter in the bottom half of each inning.

Dominic recorded the first of the Blue Jays' four infield assists from the left pitcher's helper position in the top of the first. Knowing what he would do before the ball was hit, Dominic fielded a grounder, turned, and delivered a fantastic throw to the 3rd baseman, cutting down the Cardinals' lead runner. Dominic also recorded back-to-back unassisted force outs at 3rd base in the top of the second.

Noah Solovey's penchant for consistent contact is the result of his willingness to practice, practice, practice! In addition to participating in every optional practice over the winter, Noah hit a few balls in the back yard with his dad prior to Sunday's game. He was richly rewarded with three rapid fire base hits to the left side of the infield.

One of the younger players on the roster, Noah is working hard to improve his fielding skills. Above, Noah gets in ready position in left field in the top of the first inning. He took his first turn at right pitcher's helper in the top of the second, showing good spatial awareness that we believe will allow him to assist on put-outs prior to season's end.

Jacob Carle gives the Blue Jays a veteran presence that is the envy of coaches throughout the BCC National League. In the photo above, Jacob takes a moment to admire the line drive that he ripped for a double to right center field in the bottom of the second. Jacob made a habit of scattering the opposing outfielders in the season opener.

A model of production on defense, Jacob recorded a put-out on a bang-bang play at first base in the top of the second. He was even better in the top of the third, fielding a grounder at left pitcher's helper and throwing out the lead runner with a clean delivery to 3rd base. Jacob enjoyed that play so much that he repeated it on the subsequent at bat, a rare instance of back-to-back infield assists in the BCC National League.

Clark Roggie worked in the offseason to add consistency and power to his offensive game; the early returns were promising. Clark needed three pitches to put the ball in play three times - which will be important when we start to have strikeouts - and provided an early highlight with a line drive to right field in the bottom of the first inning.

Defensively, Clark proved to be a great option at left pitcher's helper, where he showed off a strong and accurate arm. Clark's infield assist on an out at 1st base in the top of the second marked the longest throw for an out in this particular game. That simply would not have happened a few months ago!

Brody Gottfried capably put the ball in play to all fields. Above, he sizes up a pitch that he would pound up the middle for a base hit in the bottom of the second inning. Brody knocked a grounder to the right side in his first plate appearance and ended his day at the plate with an opposite field grounder that stayed just inside the 3rd base line in the bottom of the third.

Making baseball a priority, Brody attended every optional practice in the offseason. His dedication was rewarded with a turn at right pitcher's helper in the top of the first. After becoming accustomed to playing "up front," Brody rose to the occasion and executed the beautiful play that you see above. He fielded a grounder and delivered a throw to 1st base with uncommon quickness and precision for a five year old!

Henry Goldstein appears to have been enthused by the results that he produced in the first baseball game of his career! After pounding out his second hit of the day and advancing to 3rd base, Henry raised a fist in triumph. Proving to be a quick study at the plate after the coach figured out that he is a natural right handed batter, Henry delivered a solid single in each at bat.

Henry's introduction to baseball included two innings in the outfield and an inning at left shortstop, where he learned that the ball can get to you pretty quickly! Here, Henry surveys the field and thinks about where to deliver the ball on the next play.

Peter Herdman enjoyed a fabulous first game in his second season with the Blue Jays. He contributed mightily to the hit parade with a double to right center, a line drive single up the middle, and a towering shot to short right field. Here, Peter prepares to head for home and score one of the three tallies he put on the board.

One of the Blue Jays' more sure-handed fielders, Peter notched two put-outs in the bottom of the final inning. Playing at 3rd base, Peter collected two consecutive throws from the left pitcher's helper to record back-to-back force outs. Combining solid fundamental skills and excellent awareness, Peter is primed for a big season in spring 2018.

Returning for his third season with the Blue Jays, Milen Hukmani quickly recommenced pounding hits to the outfield. Above, Milen prepares to head home from 3rd base in the second inning. His powerful presence in the middle of the opening day lineup was key to the Blue Jays' prolific offense.

An experienced hand at the corner infield positions, Milen recorded the Blue Jays' first put-out of the new season. Playing at 3rd base, he alertly covered the bag and hauled in a throw from the left pitcher's helper to complete the force out. Milen also played solid defense at 1st base in the bottom of the third.

Gifted with uncommon natural vision and timing, Evan Phillips is a contact machine! There are few opportunities to take photos of Evan at the plate because he tends to put the ball in play on the first pitch. Above, Evan examines an offering from the pitcher prior to knocking a solid single up the middle in the second inning.

Evan had a quiet day in the field - that happens sometimes - but proved that he was ready, hustling to well hit balls at left shortstop in the bottom of the third.

Wyatt Fotiades sported an excellent fundamental batting stance and a smooth swing in the first game of his baseball career. Above, Wyatt puts the ball in play in the bottom of the second inning. Another player who offers the element of speed, Wyatt appears ready to take the BCC National League by storm!

Wyatt demonstrated some nice glove work in Friday's practice. Unfortunately, he didn't have many chances to make plays in the outfield or at right shortstop in Sunday's game. He did prove to be ready! We look forward to watching Wyatt develop as the season continues. In our opinion, the ceiling is high!

After honing her craft at the BCC Indoor Winter Clinic in the offseason, Niara Gupta delivered the goods at the season opening game. Above, Niara glides home from 3rd base to score a run in the bottom of the second inning. A consistent up the middle hitter, Niara reached safely in each trip to the plate.

Above, Niara battles the elements at the right shortstop position in the bottom of the first. She shook off the cold and demonstrated keen focus on the task at hand, pursuing grounders that came her way at multiple positions. We look forward to Niara having an opportunity to show off her vastly improved throwing skills in a game very soon!

After the game, the Blue Jays and Cardinals congratulated each other for a fun and exciting season opener. We'll see these guys again in May in what we hope will be significantly warmer conditions!

T-E-A-M

Coach Eric Delgado was a jack of all trades, leading warm-ups, catching when the Blue Jays were at bat, and providing helpful instructions to fielders who are learning that baseball requires quite a bit of thinking.