After waiting through ten days of rain and soggy field conditions, the Blue Jays showed up en masse and ready to play the Orioles on Sunday, September 16, at Grosvenor Center.
Following a spirited warm-up led by Coach Delgado, the players amped up their enthusiasm and took to the field for three excellent innings of baseball.
The capacity crowd was in for a treat on a rare sunny afternoon!
Two excellent BCC National League teams left it all on the field, challenging one another with big hits and aggressive defense that exceeded expectations at this level.
September 17 Game Report
Dominic Delgado wasted no time resuming his role as one of the more prolific out-makers in the league. "The Dominator" warmed up by catching a fly ball and fielding a grounder and delivering a good throw to 2nd base for outs in the top of the first. He added one of his patented outfield assists on a force at 2nd base in the second, transforming what should have been a hit into a fielder's choice. Dominic capped his spectacular day with two unassisted put-outs and a caught fly ball that he converted into a double play with a throw to get the runner who hadn't tagged up at 2nd. Of the twelve put-outs recorded by the Blue Jays - a fantastic achievement versus a strong opponent - Dominic was at least partially responsible for eight!
Dominic hit well, too. Above, he stands in the on deck area prior to batting in the bottom of the first inning. Dominic contributed two solid singles, multiple RBI, and a couple of runs scored for good measure.
Adam Farber adapted ably to the velocity of the Orioles' hits at two different infield positions. Handling left pitcher's helper duties in the top of the first, he stopped no fewer than three blasts that had appeared to have been headed toward center field. Moving to 3rd base in the top of the second, Adam charged a dribbler down the 3rd base line rather than wait for the ball to come to him. That's how we want to do it - attack, attack, attack!
Adam's potent bat allowed his team to end each inning on a high note. Above, he imagines how his first inning double might appear as it exits the infield while still on its way upward! Adam slammed a virtual carbon copy for another extra base hit in the bottom of the second. Treating fans to a herculean demonstration of power, Adam appeared to enjoy every minute of his 3-for-3 day.
Niara Gupta flashed some serious pink leather in a productive top half of the second inning. Above, Niara steps on the bag after fielding a bouncing grounder, notching an unassisted force play. Her other put-out was even better. Niara wisely covered 2nd base and turned to face the outfield after a ball had been hit to the center fielder. She collected a throw from the center fielder that resulted in a rare 8-4 force out at second base!
Batting second in the order, Niara jumpstarted the Blue Jays' offensive machine. Above, she slams on the breaks and looks to the 3rd base coach for guidance prior to scoring a run in the bottom of the third. Niara's quick bat and even quicker feet enabled her to set the table consistently in a fantastic 3-for-3 performance.
After opening eyes at the final optional machine-pitch practice of the summer, Josh Porter unleashed some serious power at the coach-pitch level in the season opener. Above, Josh grins broadly prior to smashing a line drive double to center field in the bottom of the first inning. His 3-for-3 day included another extra base hit in the bottom of the second.
Josh flexed his muscles in the field, too. His work at left pitcher's helper in the top of the third inning was particularly impressive. Playing about 30-35 feet from the plate, Josh had his reflexes tested by a barrage of scorching grounders, courtesy of the Orioles' bats. Not backing down, Josh put his body in front of the ball and collected some good stops.
Noah Solovey worked hard on his game over the summer and elevated his level of play in the season's first contest. Showing excellent contact skills, Noah had no trouble putting the ball in play in each trip to the batter's box. After legging out a base hit on a grounder through the right side of the infield, Noah circled the bases and scored a hard-earned run for his team in the bottom of the second.
Noah's improved focus and aggressiveness in the field paid dividends in the top of the second. Playing at right shortstop, Noah stopped a well hit grounder and held the Orioles' runners to one base apiece - no small achievement when you're playing on 50 foot base paths and good hitters are pounding light baseballs your way at unprecedented velocity.
Batting in the middle of a balanced and productive Blue Jays' lineup, Evan Phillips kept the line moving with three solid knocks up the middle. Above, Evan shifts gears on his way to 1st base in the bottom of the second inning. Evan's combination of size and speed bodes well for his future offensive production as he gets more reps.
Evan's play at right pitcher's helper was impressive on well hit ground balls and hard-to-reach dribblers. Playing the Blue Jay Way - aggressively and fearlessly - Evan prevented two hard hits from bounding to the outfield and nearly logged an infield assist on a "swinging bunt."
Henry Goldstein was alert and aggressive at the right pitcher's helper position in the top of the second inning. The Orioles feature a deep lineup of up-the-middle-hitters as well as a coach pitcher who can put the ball exactly where the batters like it on almost every pitch. Henry is one of many Blue Jays who adapted well to the O's rapid-fire attack.
Henry ripped an opposite field line drive that skipped into right field in the bottom of the second inning. Displaying good footwork, fundamentally sound mechanics, and excellent speed, Henry is primed to do some serious damage once he masters his timing at the plate. His work ethic suggests that he'll do exactly that sooner than later.
A consistent performer at the corner infield positions, Peter Herdman had an uncharacteristically quiet day on Sunday. Baseball can be a strange game - sometimes, the ball doesn't find you. Peter made a nice stop at 3rd base in the top of the third on the only batted ball that came his way.
Peter was anything but quiet at the plate in the game with the Orioles. Above, he digs in and prepares to slap a base hit up the middle in the bottom of the second inning. Peter seemed to add power to his swing with each trip to the batter's box and finished the day with two solid singles and two runs scored.
Milen Hukmani was a busy young man at two different infield positions. Holding down the fort at left pitcher's helper in the top of the second, Milen worked to anticipate and move his feet to stop well hit grounders up the middle. In the top of the third, he fielded a bouncing grounder at right shortstop and nearly completed the throw in time to get an out.
Milen's excellent work at the plate helped the Blue Jays finish each offensive stanza with a bang. Batting in the eleventh spot in the order, he drove in runs with a blast to right center field and two bouncers up the middle.
Jacob's aggressive base running in the bottom of the second earned him a bruise and the admiration of teammates and coaches. Jacob safely slid into 2nd base just ahead of a throw that he would end up wearing. Rebounding like the champ that he is, Jacob soldiered on to score on a subsequent hit.
Sebastian Bloomberg appears to have enjoyed his first game with the Blue Jays. The smile above came after he had scored a run in the bottom of the second inning. An aggressive hitter and base runner, Sebastian ripped three solid hits to various middle infield locations in the season opening game.
Sebastian introduced himself to his new teammates by completing the team's first assisted put-out of the new season. Playing at 2nd base in the top of the first inning, Sebastian covered the bag and caught a good throw that arrived just in time to get the runner. In the photo above, Sebastian stands ready at shortstop, where he left no doubt that he is not afraid of getting his uniform dirty.
After popping up to the left pitcher's helper in his first and second plate appearances, Brody Gottfried was determined to reach base safely in the bottom of the third inning. Getting a pitch to hit, Brody squared up a solid grounder up the middle and scooted down the 1st base line, beating the throw and notching his first base hit of the fall season.
Clark Roggie generated hard contact in his second and third trips to the plate. A victim of the dreaded at-'em ball in the bottom of the second, Clark pulled a run-scoring line drive to right field in the game's final inning.
Good sportsmanship abounded when the game was complete. What could be better on a Sunday afternoon than watching two good teams go toe-to-toe for three solid innings?
Pitching In
Making his BCC National League pitching debut, Coach Eric Delgado settled in and proved that he can serve up meatballs with the best of them. The coach pitcher is a vastly underrated factor at this level; the Orioles' manager is the best we've ever seen. Eric narrowed the competitive advantage that the opponent had enjoyed the last time these teams met and some other guy tossed erratic pitches to the Blue Jays' unlucky hitters.
Well done, Coach Delgado!
Navin Hukmani did yeoman's work with the Blue Jays' baserunners from the 1st base coaching box. Base running decisions will only become more important as the Blue Jays' opponents develop stronger skills in the field.
Ryan Porter observed the goings-on and provided information and instruction to runners at 3rd base. Despite some infield pop-outs, the Blue Jays were not doubled up at third by the Orioles' stout defense. Excellent work, Ryan!
Adam's parents chipped in with the post game snacks and drinks, obviously pleasing Adam's thankful teammates.
A Strong Start!
Considering how little they've practiced together, the Blue Jays appeared to gel quite nicely as the season opener progressed.
They had fun, paid attention, tried hard and generated excellent results versus a team that is likely to be among the best they'll see this season.
Thumbs up, indeed! Let's see if we can practice AND play a game next week!
Coach Steve
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