The Blue Jays enjoyed a successful rematch with the Giants Sunday, May 16. Once again, the game gave us many great stories to tell!
For starters, we were pleased to learn that it is possible to play a game at North Chevy Chase Park without freezing! Appropriately, the Blue Jays were hot in all phases of the game.
Aleka Frazier's mere presence brought a smile to the face of Justin Conner. Coach Steve, who had expected Aleka to miss the game, had a similar reaction. Aleka really took one for the team, missing her older sister's ballet recital so that she could play in the game! Thanks to prima ballerina Anastasia Frazier for sharing her little sister with us!
Ironically, Aleka and Justin would provide two of the biggest highlights for the Blue Jays!
May 16 Game Report
Michael Hardie and his teammates gave themselves many reasons to smile in the game with the Giants.
George Roggie got the Blue Jays going defensively. In the first inning, George charged a short grounder from his pitcher's helper position, grabbed the ball and stepped on home plate for an unassisted force out. George's great play prevented the Giants from scoring a run!
Aleka Frazier's dramatic put-out at 3rd base in the second inning drew cheers and congratulations from the Giants' coaches! Aleka stopped a searing line drive, picked up the ball and stepped on 3rd base with plenty of time to spare!
Aleka also received a hug and a congratulatory hand shake from teammate Justin Conner. She deserved it. That was an awesome play!
The action at 3rd base was fast and furious in the second inning. Here, Sam Berman beats the runner to the base for a force out after snagging a ground ball at pitcher's helper.
Just look at Sam's heads-up fielding position. Sam does a great job focusing on the batter. That's how we make outs in the field!
Andre Schnider collected the Blue Jays' final out of the game in the 3rd inning. After fielding a ground ball at 1st base, Andre turned and stepped on the base just before the runner arrived. That's a great put-out by Andre!
Ryder Coleman made a terrific play at right shortstop in the second inning. Ryder beautifully fielded a hard-hit ground ball and then turned and threw perfectly to Michael Hardie, who gave Ryder a terrific target at 1st base. Great play, Ryder and Michael!
Braden Poon made two great stops on hard hits to center field. Above, Braden returns the ball to the infield, stopping the Giants' base runners in their tracks! Braden also did a good job at pitcher's helper, very nearly making put-outs at third base.
Big Bats and Fleet Feet
The Blue Jays did a great job hitting and running the bases. Above, James Aitken prepares to belt the ball through the left side of the infield...
...and, as you see here, that's exactly what he did...
...reaching 1st base safely, something that James has done routinely in recent weeks. Excellent work, James!
Earlier, we witnessed Justin Conner's softer side. But he's all business in the photo above. Check out the look of determination on Justin's face! Combine that with a beautiful swing and an all-too-rare decent pitch from Coach Steve, and you get a hit like the one Justin collects in the video below!
Great hit, Justin!
Ava Curley's hitting continues to improve every week. Here, Ava keeps her hands back until the pitch arrives. The look on her face says it all - she knows that she's going to get a hit!
Ava reached 1st base safely in all three trips to the plate. Above, Ava sprints toward home for one of three runs she scored for the Blue Jays!
Why is this man smiling? Because he knows that he's about to hit a scorching grounder through the left side of the infield! Michael Hardie continued to hit the ball solidly in the game with the Giants.
Michael's terrific hitting gave him ample opportunity to run the bases and score runs for the Blue Jays!
Sam Berman continued to hit the ball well. Sam socked line drives both right and left in Sunday's game!
Here, Ryder Coleman is understandably pleased after scoring another run for the Blue Jays. Ryder made the most of each at-bat, hitting solidly to all corners of the infield.
George Roggie gave us the thumbs-up after his huge single in the second inning. George reached base safely and scored in all three innings for the second consecutive week!
Braden Poon always swings the bat well. But when Coach Steve manages to give him a good pitch, it's time to put away the good china! Braden powered a hard grounder through the infield in the third inning that enabled his teammates to score runs. Great job, Braden!
Aleka Frazier is the embodiment of total focus at the plate. Here, Aleka prepares to slam one of her three fantastic hits. Aleka collected at least three RBI for the Blue Jays!
Afterward, the Blue Jays again demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, congratulating the Giants for an exciting and fun game!
Family Affair
Thanks to Torsdon Poon, patriarch of the Poon Family, whose contributions know no bounds! Torsdon helped the Blue Jays warm up, collected bats and coached 1st base. Susan Poon also worked tirelessly to collect bats. Landon Poon did a great job coaching third base.
Marty Schnider had the unenviable task of trying to catch Coach Steve's pitches. Thanks to Marty for undertaking this thankless job.
After the game, George Roggie let Ryder Coleman know that Ryder's mom, Jennifer Cooper, did a fine job providing the postgame snacks this week. Ryder used the occasion to show George his new mitt.
We agree with Sam Berman. The Blue Jays earned two big thumbs-up for the game with the Giants.
Thanks to Sam's parents, Nicole Fradette Berman and Steve Berman, for volunteering to bring the snacks next week!
Go Blue Jays!
Coach Steve
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