Go BCC Blue Jays!: Blue Jays deliver Command Performance

The Blue Jays brightened the mood with their play versus the Phillies under an overcast sky on Sunday, October 8, at Tilden Middle School.

Locked in from the get-go, this team was on its game from beginning to end!

Players cheered for their teammates from the bench!

They discussed strategy in meticulous detail!

They executed with brilliant precision!

They hustled!

They left it all on the field!

They demonstrated respect for their worthy opponents, the Phillies!

This command performance was surely an inspiration to the next generation of BCC National League prospects!

October 8 Game Report

Adam Farber provided veteran leadership with his all-around play. He was particularly impressive on consecutive plays at 2nd base in the top of the second inning. Adam ranged to his left, gloved a bouncing ground ball, and, knowing that he did not have a force play at 2nd, wheeled and threw accurately to 1st base. On the next play, Adam nabbed another grounder and, knowing that he did have a force play at 2nd base, took two quick quick steps to his right and executed the unassisted put-out.

Adam has done a great job of leveling his swing in recent weeks. Above, he sizes up an offering prior to crushing a searing liner to center field. Adam sparked the Blue Jays' offense with a powerful smash in each of his three plate appearances.

Ethan Chu left the field on Sunday having achieved a milestone - his first career infield assist! Playing at right pitcher's helper in the bottom of the third inning, Ethan got in front of a grounder, stopped it cold, turned and delivered a perfect throw to 1st base to beat the runner by a country mile! Ethan also made a great stop on a grounder at left shortstop in the top of the first.

Improving his swing every week, Ethan finished the bottom half of each inning with a bang. Above, he hones in on a pitch that he would send through the middle of the infield for a base hit in the bottom of the second inning. Ethan reached safely and drove in a run in all three trips to the plate.

Dominic Delgado brings a sharp mind and a reliable glove to any position. Handling left pitcher's helper duties in the top of the first inning, he fielded a grounder, wheeled, planted, and made a great throw to 2nd base. Dominic knew before the ball was hit that he had a force out opportunity at 2nd. Playing at 1st base in the top of the third, Dominic hauled in a good throw from the right pitcher's helper to complete a put-out.

Dominic brought a sparkling new bat to Sunday's game and swiftly proved that he knows how to use it! After hitting a one-hopper to 1st base in his initial at bat, Dominic smoked a blistering liner to center field in the bottom of the second. He completed his big day at the plate by hustling and beating a throw at 1st in the game's final stanza.

It seems likely that Jacob Carle will spend a good portion of the years to come on the left side of the infield. Getting acclimated to playing 3rd base, Jacob showed keen instincts at the Hot Corner. At left pitcher's helper, Jacob fielded grounders and made good decisions, throwing the ball to the correct base in each instance in an effort to cut down the lead runner.

Always a solid contact man, Jacob has added the element of power to his offensive repertoire. He clubbed two more legitimate extra-base hits to the outfield in the game with the Phillies. Once aboard, Jacob is almost a sure bet to score due to his aggressive base running and impressive speed.

The cerebral Luke Kavounas is a ball player for the thinking man or woman. Playing in center field in the top of the first inning, Luke fielded a grounder, immediately realized that he was just a few feet from the 2nd base bag, took two steps and completed an unassisted force out. An attentive listener who takes coaching well, Luke dotted the "i" on his great day in the field in the top of the second. Playing at right pitcher's helper, Luke stopped a slow roller near the 1st base line. Rather than try to chase the runner, he calmly tossed the ball to the 1st baseman, making the assist look easy!

At the plate, Luke continues to work on his timing. In Sunday's game, he hit two cue shots and then scooted down the line to beat the throws. Again, Luke got the attention of the opponents when he slammed two hard foul balls toward their bench! When Luke begins to straighten out those missiles, it'll be time to put away the good china!

Brody Gottfried tipped his cap prior to the game and proceeded to turn in a performance that was worthy of a curtain call! Playing at left shortstop in the top of the first, Brody shuffled to his left and got in front of a tough grounder. Then, handling the right shortstop position in the top of the third, he demonstrated what he'd worked on at practice, moving quickly to the ball and cleanly fielding a grounder between his feet. That was a textbook play and a great stop!

Offensively, Brody kept the line moving from the number three spot in the batting order. Above, he shows off his mechanically excellent batting stance in the bottom of the first. Brody reached base safely twice and provided a base running highlight when he ran from 3rd base and beat the left pitcher's helper to home plate, scoring a big run in the bottom of the third.

Milen Hukmani always gives the Blue Jays a reliable glove at 1st base. Manning the bag in the top of the second, Milen hauled in a good throw from the right pitcher's helper to complete an assisted put-out. He also did a fantastic job at the less familiar 2nd base position in the top of the first. Showing that he understands when to go for the ball and when to cover the bag, Milen added a measure of versatility to his game.

Hits to the outfield are beginning to come in bunches for Milen. Above, he takes a moment to admire his line drive double to left field in the bottom of the second inning. Milen grounded a hot smash through the left side of the infield in his first at bat and sent a grounder through the middle in the final inning.

Josh Porter was all smiles at 3rd base in the top of the second inning. Josh worked hard to be in "Ready" position for each pitch, pursue the ball when it was hit near him, and cover the bag when the ball was hit to another player. Josh also proved to be quick to the ball at right shortstop in the top of the third.

Josh is all hustle on the base paths. Here, he gets on his horse and stares down the bag on his way to 1st base. Josh reached safely in each of his three trips to the plate, proving that contact and quick feet are a tough combination to get out.

Peter Herdman continues to impress regardless of where the coach lines him up. Above, Peter stands ready at 1st base, where he caught a throw from the right pitcher's helper to complete a put-out in the top of the first. Peter's assist at left shortstop in the top of the second was pure highlight reel stuff! Ranging to his left, he snagged a well hit grounder, gathered himself, and pitched a dead-solid-perfect underhanded toss to the 2nd baseman for an inning-ending force out. WOW!

The confident smile above could well be the result of the two line drives that Peter slammed to the outfield in Sunday's game. Our favorite was the double that landed about 20 feet beyond the right fielder and bounded another 50 or so through the outfield grass. That could have been a homer, but the coach held Peter at 2nd base. In time, he shall be free to run!

Clark Roggie was the spark plug that ignited the Blue Jays in the field. Playing at right pitcher's helper in the top of the first inning, Clark made a solid stop on a grounder, turned to his glove-side, and delivered a throw to 1st base with Six Sigma precision. The result was the Blue Jays' first out of the game!

Clark worked to focus on the ball in his three trips to the plate. Above, he shows us how it's done, staring down the ball all the way until it hits his bat. Clark slammed a one-hopper to first base in the bottom of the second inning and collected an RBI on a base hit up the middle in the bottom of the third.

When this Instant Classic ended, the Blue Jays and the Phillies congratulated each other. These were two well-matched teams that could hold their heads high after this contest.

The Blue Jays also congratulated each other - appropriately so, in our opinion!

Well Oiled Machine!

The stalwart Eric Delgado coached in the outfield, caught the head coach's unpredictable pitches, helped players get lined up properly, doled out congratulations, and helped locate equipment. We're not certain, but we think he might have raked the field after the game!

Evan Gottfried commands attention, the mark of a great bench coach. He had the players Ready! in all circumstances.

The head coach is an admittedly old-school guy who can be a little loud sometimes. Yes, it's true. But nothing gets him more pumped up than watching kids focus, learn, improve, and feel good about their very real accomplishments.