Go BCC Blue Jays!: Glass Half Full for Blue Jays

The Blue Jays came away knowing two things after the game with the Yankees on Sunday, June 2, at Whitman High School.

The offense is pretty good and rapidly improving.
The defense has a long way to go.

The Blue Jays scored 18 runs over six offensive innings, although the final inning wasn't included in the game score. They batted at a season-high .638 clip and posted a new team record contact rate of 85.1%. The Jays' prolific offense was stopped only by the five-run rule on two different occasions.

Conversely, the Blue Jays have now successfully executed a mere five put-outs in their last ten defensive innings. For all intents and purposes, when the opponent doesn't contribute multiple strikeouts to the cause, the Blue Jays need the five-run rule to bail them out on defense. That needs to stop.

It seems like a stretch to call this one a "win." But, officially, that's what it was.

The game was called due to the time limit. The final score after five complete innings was Blue Jays 15, Yankees 12.

June 2 Game Report

Statistics do not begin to explain how well Josh Porter hit the ball in the game with the Yankees. After raising eyebrows at practice on Friday, Josh put the barrel on the ball in each plate appearance on Game Day. His 2-for-4 day included a 100 percent contact rate, a double, a run scored, and two RBI. Josh also reached on a fielder's choice after hitting the ball hard on two different occasions.

Josh was ready to roll at 3rd base. Unfortunately, the Yankees consistently pounded hard grounders up the middle, denying Josh an opportunity to make a big play in the field.

The coaches were happy to write Adam Farber's name on the lineup card for the first time in several weeks. Adam immediately made his presence felt with base hits in both of his plate appearances. His 2-for-2 day boosted his batting average to .667 for the season.

Adam played two innings in right field and did not see any action come his way.

Noah Solovey LOVES to bat against the Yankees. In Sunday's rematch, Noah delivered a 4-for-4 performance that included three RBI. In two games with the Yankees this spring, Noah is now 8-for-8 with a run scored and seven RBI. Incredible!

The Yankees sent a barrage of well-hit baseballs up the middle and in the hole on the right side when Noah manned the 2nd base bag in the late innings. We will continue to work at practice on situational baseball, explaining when to go for the ball and when to cover the base.

Milen Hukmani continued to provide consistent production in the heart of the Blue Jays' batting order. His 3-for-4 performance included two runs scored and an RBI. For the season, Milen ranks third on the team with a .700 batting average and is tied for second in runs batted in with seven.

Milen contributed an all too rare Blue Jays' infield assist in the top of the third inning. Playing at pitcher's helper, he scooped up this grounder and tossed a perfect throw to 1st base to complete the 1-3 put-out. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays would go on to make just one more out the rest of the way.

Brody Gottfried extended his hitting streak to three games. Brody's 1-for-4 day included a run scored and an unfortunate groundout to the 1st baseman on a well hit ball. The bane of every young lefty hitter, the unassisted 3G put-out is the ONE play that every team at this level can make consistently.

Brody put in two innings at 2nd base, one behind the dish at catcher, and three in the outfield.

Jacob Carle returned from a one-game absence and proved to be every bit as hot as he'd been when he left. Jacob recaptured the team lead in batting average (.765) with a 4-for-4 day that included a double, two runs scored, and four RBI.

Jacob chipped in defensively with an assisted put-out at 1st base in the bottom of the first inning. The 6-3 groundout was easily the most impressive defensive play of the day.

Hitting one spot behind Jacob, Sebastian Bloomberg gives the Blue Jays a potent Daily Double at the top of the order. Sebastian's exploits versus the Yankees included a 3-for-4 batting line, a triple, a double, two runs scored, and two RBI. Sebastian's only hitless at-bat resulted in an RBI fielder's choice. His two extra-base hits increased his season's total to seven, easily the best on the team.

Sebastian worked hard at shortstop in the middle innings. Improving the entire team's defensive play in the middle of the field is Job One for the Blue Jays' coaches heading to the fall season.

After missing out on some reps in the month of May, Dominic Delgado returned to shake off the rust in the game with the Yankees. Dominic's workmanlike 2-for-4 day included a triple, one run scored, and two RBI.

Dominic was involved in two of the Blue Jays' five put-outs on defense. Here, he fields a grounder prior to delivering a dart to 1st base for an easy 6-3 groundout in the bottom of the first. Later, Dominic fielded a grounder at shortstop and handled the force play at 2nd base on his own to notch a key unassisted put-out that would ultimately enable his team to win the game.

Niara Gupta continued to put together productive at-bats in the game with the Yankees. Above, she prepares to hit a solid grounder through the middle in the top of the second inning. Niara ended the day with a 2-for-4 batting line that included two runs scored and an RBI. She reached an additional time on a fielder's choice.

Niara very nearly completed a couple of assisted put-outs at pitcher's helper in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Seamus Bain came through for the Blue Jays with another solid day at the plate. In addition to going 2-for-4, he scored a run and collected an RBI. Seamus has produced at least one hit in every game this season.

A willing catcher, Seamus took another turn behind the plate in the game with the Yankees. He also played two innings at 2nd base and three in the outfield.

Removing the hitch from his swing is key for Henry Goldstein. Seeing the ball well these days, Henry is at his best when he begins in the position seen here and then brings his bat straight down through the zone. In Sunday's game, Henry went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI.

Henry's aggressive approach in the field makes him a good fit for the pitcher's helper position. He gets good jumps and hustles to the ball. His productivity will increase in conjunction with his confidence.

Clark Roggie had a typical Clark Roggie day at the plate. Batting near the top of the order because he makes consistent contact, Clark went 3-for-4, scored four runs, drove in a run, and reached on a fielder's choice. The next step for Clark is to consistently break things whenever he swings the bat!

Clark made his first put-out as a 1st baseman when he caught a nice throw from the pitcher's helper to complete a 1-3 groundout in the bottom of the third inning. Clark has been working on his catching so that he can make that play every time.

Like most opponents this season, the Yankees are older and bigger. The Blue Jays have proven that they can slug with the big boys. Now is the time to raise expectations for catching, throwing, and general readiness and situational understanding in the field.

Stepping Up

Coach Eric Delgado transported gear up the big, long hill at Whitman in addition to leading warm-ups, coaching and umpiring, and working to help the Blue Jays understand their positions on defense.

Navin Hukmani helped with catching and throwing warm-ups and served as a base coach and umpire.

Lance Bloomberg stepped into the fray as the pitching machine operator and did a phenomenal job. Considering the team record 85 percent contact rate, perhaps we should ask Lance to run the machine at every game!

Home Stretch

As expected, the spring season has been challenging.

It's important to remember that this is the youngest team in the BCC American League. In the opinion of the head coach, the Blue Jays' 3-3 record is a significant accomplishment.