Go BCC Blue Jays!: Blue Jays break out the Bats

Sunday, September 30, 2018 - finally, a day that was tailor-made for baseball!

Following a month of rainouts, the Blue Jays were ready to break out the bats in a big way.

Fans soaked up the rays and witnessed a hitting exhibition unlike anything we've seen at this level.

Renewing acquaintances with the Cardinals, the Blue Jays erupted in an unprecedented offensive explosion.

September 28 Game Report

Evan Phillips finished each offensive stanza with a blast! Above, Evan sizes up a pitch prior to belting a double up the middle in the bottom of the second inning. He then ended the game with a two-bagger to right field in the bottom of the third. We estimate that Evan collected no fewer than five RBI on the afternoon.

Evan concluded a stellar day in the field with the first infield assist of his baseball career! Playing at right pitcher's helper in the top of the third inning, he cleanly handled a grounder and delivered an accurate throw to 1st base to complete a put-out on the final opposing batter.

The baseball gods gave Henry Goldstein the day he deserved! His epic day at the plate was even better than his 3-for-3 stat line. Henry blasted three hard shots to the outfield and reached first base easily. Henry has worked really hard, taking extra batting practice every week. It shows!

Henry was focused and quick on his feet in the field. He played outfield the way it is meant to be played, stopping a terrific hit by an opposing batter and holding the runner to a single! In the second inning, Henry made another terrific stop on a grounder at right shortstop. He then delivered an accurate throw to first base.

Brody Gottfried achieved a personal milestone in the bottom half of the second inning. Starting with his bat back toward the catcher rather than up toward the sky, Brody launched a ball that landed beyond the bag at 1st base - his first outfield hit! Proving that there is more than one way to get on base, Brody used his feet to collect an infield single in the bottom of the first.

Defensively, Brody did a nice job gathering a well hit ball in right center field and returning it to the infield to prevent extra bases in the top of the third. He also worked on moving quickly to the ball at the right shortstop position in the first.

Sebastian Bloomberg was a hard swinging monster at the plate. No one was going to step in front of Sebastian's blasts on Sunday. His power hits paved the way for him to notch at least two doubles that would have been triples if we had allowed him to continue to run. Sebastian is not afraid to swing hard; when he connects, the result is an unstoppable line drive. He was on fire against the Cardinals.

In the field, we love how Sebastian attacks the ball and does not allow the ball to attack him! He showed quick reflexes on well hit balls at 3rd base. He charged and fielded a dribbler as well. Sebastian's quick feet and focus were rewarded in the second inning when he made an unassisted force play at 2nd base.

Jacob Carle ignited the Blue Jays' attack from the lead-off spot. Above, Jacob readies himself before hitting a liner up the middle in the bottom of the second inning. Jacob's offensive exploits also included a fly ball base hit to left field in the bottom of the third.

Jacob was a busy guy in left field throughout the top half of the first inning. The Cardinals delivered some well hit grounders that Jacob promptly handled and returned to the infield to deny extra bases. The lightweight coach-pitch baseballs seem to be exiting the infield pretty quickly now that the players are older and stronger.

Peter Herdman found Coach Delgado's pitches to his liking. Batting in the middle of the Blue Jays' lineup, he belted three solid hits up the middle in the game with the Cardinals. By our estimate, Peter needed no more than one or two pitches in order to get the carousel moving in each at-bat.

Another player who discovered that the "hot corner" has become considerably hotter this season, Peter made a great play on a well hit ball at 3rd base in the top of the second inning. Lining up in "ready position," Peter proceeded to put his body in front of the ball, cleanly field the scorcher between his feet, and step on the bag for an unassisted force play.

Noah Solovey continued to make quick work of his at-bats. Here, Noah loads up and sends a pitch up the middle of the infield for a base hit. Having improved his contact skills over the last few months, Noah is ready to take the next step and do some serious damage!

Noah handled a well hit ball in right center field and held the batter to a single in the top of the second inning. Proving that he can make good stops at two different positions, Noah picked up the pace and fielded a bounding grounder at right shortstop in the top of the third.

Milen Hukmani is a steady force at the plate. Demonstrating consistent contact and ample power, Milen made it safely to first base three times in a row. Milen sees the ball well, makes good contact, and runs hard. His consistent success bodes well for some great plate appearances when the Blue Jays begin machine pitch.

An experienced 1st baseman, Milen knows how to get to the bag and present a target for his teammates. Milen completed an assisted put-out by catching a good throw from the right pitcher's helper to end the top of the third inning.

Adam Farber delivered a memorable blast in the bottom of the second. His line drive double to the grass in right field was a highlight in a game that featured many. Squaring up juicy pitches in each trip to the plate, Adam drove in multiple runs in the game with the Cardinals.

Adam jump-started the Blue Jays' defensive effort when he caught a tricky pop-up at left pitcher's helper on the game's first at-bat. Adam put in some good reps on "swinging bunts" that make for some difficult outs. He also did a fine job covering the 1st base bag in the second inning.

Dominic Delgado is always a key cog in the Blue Jays' lineup. Above, Dominic gets ready to pound a ground ball base hit up the middle in the bottom of the second. Later, he belted two liners that included a double in the bottom of the third.

In the top of the third, Dominic turned in the kind of defensive play that the Blue Jays will strive to make routine. Playing at 3rd base, Dominic ranged into foul territory, reached with his glove, and hauled in a foul ball pop fly. That type of effort is a win-win for the Blue Jays. If you drop it then it's a harmless foul ball. If you catch it then it's an out!

Yet another Blue Jay who showed up ready to hit, Niara Gupta crushed ground ball base hits up the middle in both of her plate appearances. Showing excellent hit-and-run skills, Niara flew around the bases and scored two runs for her team.

Niara contributed a huge defensive highlight in the top of the third inning. Not waiting for the ball at 2nd base, Niara charged and cleanly fielded a bouncing grounder before it reached the bag. Knowing what she would do BEFORE the ball had been hit, Niara completed the force at 2nd base with seconds to spare!

Clark Roggie lined a shot to the grass in center field for a double in the bottom of the second. He beat out an infield single to the right side in the first inning and chopped a single to right field in the third.

Clark made a nice stop on a grounder at left shortstop in second inning. He also made a good pick-up on a grounder at left pitcher's helper in the third.

After congratulating the Cardinals, the Blue Jays congratulated each other with an old school handshake line.

Coaching the Carousel

Navin Hukmani coached at 3rd base and helped the outfielders remain attentive on defense.

Eric Carle coached at 1st base and provided the much appreciated post game snacks.

Consistently painting the strike zone with hittable pitches, Coach Eric Delgado gave the Blue Jays' hitters a sizable competitive advantage. Shuffling the in-game coaching assignments appears to have worked out well!