Youth, Rain, Plague can't stop Blue Jays in 2020!

Reality defied all reasonable expectations in Fall 2020.  A pandemic cast more than a shadow of doubt on whether the season would even begin.

Rain seemed to come only on Sunday afternoons, leading to cancellation or postponement of half of all scheduled games.

Even on "normal" days, the Blue Jays competed in a 4th and 5th grade league with only two fourth graders on the game day roster.  Everyone else played up at least one year; some played up two years!

No matter!  On Sunday, November 8, the Blue Jays capped their first kid-pitch season with a masterful performance versus a quality opponent.  With early offense, a deep bullpen, and late glovework, the Blue Jays completed an incredible season with a 5-1 record!

The final score was Blue Jays 7, Nationals 5.

November 8 Game Report

Jacob Carle put all five tools together in his final game with the Blue Jays.  Above, he delivers a fastball for a strike!  Jacob pitched a perfect inning, striking out the side in the bottom of the second.  He also did damage at the plate, clubbing a pair of singles to center field and driving in two runs.

Jacob wrapped up the Blue Jays portion of his baseball career at shortstop.  He was on the receiving end of a good throw on a 4-6 fielder's choice in the bottom of the first. Above, he stands ready prior to catching a fly ball to notch the final out of the game and preserve the Blue Jays' victory in the bottom of the sixth!

Milen Hukmani capped his Blue Jays tenure with a huge put-out in the game's final inning.  Playing at 2nd base, Milen covered the bag, caught a perfect throw from the catcher, and slapped the tag on the baserunner who was trying to steal.  The 2-4 play was the second Caught Stealing of the inning!

Milen was awarded 1st base when he was hit by a pitch in the top of the first inning.  He would later go on to score.  On the mound, Milen established a new high-water mark, working one inning and allowing no runs on no hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Sebastian Bloomberg raised his level of play in every game this season.  Above, he delivers strike three to end a scoreless bottom half of the first inning.  He was even better in the field, retiring the side on three consecutive 6-3 groundouts at shortstop in the bottom of the third.  At catcher, he converted attempted stolen bases into 2-5 and 2-4 Caught Stealing outs in the bottom of the sixth.  Sebastian chipped in offensively with a base hit, a walk, and a run scored.

Reto Lamparter can take the winter to recall what might have been his most productive day in a Blue Jays uniform.  His base hit to center field accelerated a three-run rally in the top of the second.  Reto ended the day 1-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored, and an RBI.  Defensively, he recorded three put-outs at 1st base in the bottom of the fifth,  one unassisted and two on throws from the pitcher and 2nd baseman, respectively.  In the bottom of the sixth, Reto made his pitching debut, recording two big outs and allowing just two runs on two hits and a walk.  The Blue Jays will look for Reto to become a regular member of the pitching rotation in 2021!

Brody Gottfried slammed the door on a potential rally in the bottom of the first inning.  Playing at 2nd base, he fielded a grounder and cut down the lead runner by throwing to the shortstop who was coverning the bag at 2nd.  Brody gave the Blue Jays an important insurance run in the top of the fourth.  Batting with a man on 3rd base, he smacked a base hit to the left side, collecting an RBI and helping the Blue Jays add to a lead that the Nationals would shrink perilously in the late innings.

Vinny Guo established himself as a key cog in the Blue Jays' pitching rotation in 2020.  Above, he delivers a strike in the bottom of the third.  Vinny allowed just one run on no hits and one walk in an excellent inning of work.  He also made a crucial play at 2nd base, fielding a grounder and throwing to 1st for the first out of the bottom of the fifth.

Henry Goldstein took some lumps for the team in the game with the Nationals.  He was ready to hit the ball, but the ball hit him.  Twice!  A tough cookie, Henry shook off the sting and scored in the top of the second.  Defensively, he did an excellent job in center field, cutting off a good hit and quickly returning the ball to the cut-off man, just like we practiced!

If 2019 was the year when Brendan Wang decided he wanted to be good at baseball, then 2020 was the year when he went out and made it happen!  Giving the Blue Jays momentum that they would not relinquish, Brendan drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single up the middle in the top of the first inning.  Pitching in the bottom of the fifth, Brendan helped himself by fielding a tough grounder and delivering a perfect throw to 1st base to complete the 1-3 put-out.

Noah Solovey improved his skills at 2nd base throughout the fall season.  Above, Noah handles the keystone position in the bottom half of the second inning.  Noah also handled right field duties with aplomb in the 1st, 4th and 5th innings.

An original member of Blue Jays 2.0, Dominic Delgado is always welcome back in the nest.  His cameo on Sunday included two walks and a run scored.  Dominic also applied the tag on what was arguably the game's most important out.  Playing at 3rd base in the bottom of the sixth, he covered the bag on a stolen base attempt, snagged the throw from the catcher, and slapped his glove on the runner to complete the 2-5 Caught Stealing.  That play and a subsequent Caught Stealing at 2nd base converted likely runs into outs and preserved a tenouse two-run lead.

Clark Roggie did his job(s) on Sunday.  His 1-for-2 day included a base hit, a walk, and two RBI.  Once again, Clark was called on to pitch in less than ideal circumstances.  This time, the coach turned to Clark when the Nationals reached the top of the order with the tying run at the plate.  The Fireman responded by pounding the strike zone and inducing a pop-out to the shortstop that ended the game.

Thanks to Nationals Manager Dan Stillman for working so hard to reschedule this game on two different occasions.  Finally graced by beautiful weather, the Blue Jays and Nationals played a game that was worthy of the effort.

The Team, The Team, The Team!

The Blue Jays will miss Navin Hukmani at practices and games next year.  At Sunday's game, Navin did whatever needed doing - helping catchers suit up and making sure on-deck batters were ready to go - just like he has for the last four years!

William Guo waived seven runners home from 3rd base in what proved to be a tight game.

Lance Bloomberg instructed baserunners to wait for a passed ball or wild pitch before advancing to 2nd base.  Smart!

New Beginnings

Seeing this crew on the field together one final time was fantastic.  Watching the Blue Jays play what was almost certainly their best baseball game was even better!

After seven awesome seasons with the Blue Jays, Jacob graduates to BCC Select in 2021.  Congratulations, Jacob!  We will miss you!

Milen will also take his diverse skillset to BCC Select in 2021.  It's tough to say goodbye after four great years, but that's the way it works when players are skilled and ambitious.  Good luck, Milen!

The sun will rise in April on what will hopefully be a more normal Spring 2021 season for the returning Blue Jays.  We suggest participating in some type of winter program - anything to keep playing!  We'll have optional offseason practices when weather permits.

Great season, Blue Jays!

Coach Steve