All twelve Blue Jays made it to North Chevy Chase Park on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9 for the game with the Senators. Thanks to all of our moms for sharing a portion of their special day with the Blue Jays!
May 9 Game Report
Ryder Coleman led off for the Blue Jays and hit safely twice against a very good fielding team. We were very proud of the way Ryder reacted when he was thrown out at 1st base after the Senators caught a fly ball.
That was Coach Steve's fault. Ryder did exactly what he had been taught to do. Now that we are playing against 1st grade teams, the time has come to teach the Blue Jays about tagging-up after the opponent catches a fly ball. That is one of the things that we'll work on at practice next week.
We love the way that Ryder plays. He came to every practice last season and most practices this season. He always has a smile on his face. He tries hard and has a great attitude. Ryder also happens to be the youngest player on the team. In the game with the Senators, Ryder was playing against boys who are two years older than him. That might not sound like much of a difference until you consider that two years are equal to 40 percent of Ryder's life!
Great job, Ryder!
This seems like a good time to discuss Sam Berman, another five year-old who demonstrated grit and determination in the game with the Senators. Sam caught a ball with his face in pregame warm-ups. Then, he took another one in the chops on the last play of the game.
But this is one tough Pre-K kid! Sam did not miss a single turn at bat or in the field!
In the photo above, Sam plays heads-up defense at the right pitcher's helper position, where he did a great job. Sam collected a slow roller and fired a perfect throw over the runner and directly into the mitt of Braden Poon at 1st base. In fact Sam and Braden were quite a pair on the right side of the infield. In the second inning, Sam very nearly caught a fly ball in the air.
When it deflected off of Sam's mitt, Braden (above) alertly grabbed it and stepped on 1st base for a put-out. The Blue Jays collected seven put-outs against the Senators. We think that's a new record!
This handsome young man was a big reason for the Blue Jays' success in the field. Michael Hardie made two unassisted put-outs at 3rd base in the first inning. Michael caught one ball with his mitt. We're pretty sure that he caught the other - a hot smash down the line - with his chest. Michael also contributed some outstanding hits. He appears to be celebrating one of them in the photo above. Michael had a great game!
Above, Andre Schnider receives congratulations for one of his four put-outs in the game. Andre sprinted from the left pitcher's helper position to make a force out at home plate. He beat another runner to 3rd base for an unassisted force out. In the third inning, Andre capped a sterling defensive display with two more force-outs.
Needless to say, Andre had an awesome game!
Beauty and the Bats
Once again, the Blue Jays Ladies came through with clutch hits at crucial moments.
Suzanne Pearl continued to make good contact with each trip to the plate. Offensively, Suzanne drove in runs with hits to the left side of the infield. Defensively, she came very close to making an unassisted put-out after she fielded a ground ball at 3rd base.
Ava Curley reached 1st base safely twice against a very good team. Ava not only hit the ball well, but also demonstrated outstanding speed on the base paths. She collected two RBI on the afternoon. We realize that some Blue Jays might not know what an RBI is. For now, we'll just say that RBIs are very good things to get. We'll explain the details at practice in the coming weeks!
Here, the very charming Aleka Frazier smiles after using her blazing speed to beat the big boys to 1st base! Aleka also made a great stop at left shortstop on a very hard hit ground ball. Aleka gave the Blue Jays a spark on both offense and defense!
Awesome Plays by the Jays!
James Aitken picked up where he left off at practice Saturday, blasting hits through the left side of the infield. James's hits allowed his teammates to score runs for the Blue Jays. James also made a nice stop in the field at the left pitcher's helper position.
George Roggie had a very efficient day offensively, reaching base safely in each of his three trips to the plate. He also scored three runs for the Blue Jays. George was an offensive juggernaut!
The smile on Justin Conner's face tends to expand when he has a baseball bat in his hands! Justin came through with solid hits to all corners of the infield in Sunday's game. He both scored and drove in runs for the Blue Jays.
Allen Tousi turned six years old Friday and celebrated with a great hit to left shortstop in the third inning Sunday afternoon. Allen also did a nice job fielding ground balls at right pitcher's helper.
Afterward, the Blue Jays congratulated the Senators for playing a great game!
It takes a Village
The Blue Jays are lucky to have support from parents, siblings and cousins.
Torsdon Poon - we don't know what we would do without you! He helped the team warm up, coached 1st base, took a turn at bat boy, and provided help with just about anything that needed to be done.
Landon Poon is a chip off the old block. He caught for two innings, coached 1st base, and helped collect bats.
George Roggie's big cousin, Max Johnson-Fraidin, came straight from his own BCC Baseball game. He coached 1st base, took pictures, and did a great job at catcher. Thanks, Max!
When John Hardie volunteered to coach 3rd base, we did not have to think twice. Above, John advises Braden Poon to run to home plate just as fast as he ran to 3rd.
Thank you to Mary and Cameron Tousi for bringing the postgame snacks. Above, Allen Tousi appears to indicate that he enjoyed the selection.
Forward, Blue Jays!
It's difficult to believe that we only have three games left to play this season. We believe that's reason enough to end this game report with even more cute photos! Enjoy!
Happy Mother's Day and Go Blue Jays!
Coach Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment