There are some special plays in a baseball game that make a game a great game to coach. The fans come and clap for good baseball. As a coach I get to see what went into that good baseball. I see the work, and anxiety, and fear, and coordination, and thinking that a player overcomes.
Our game against Elks was special to me because I got to see some guys move from “coming along for the ride” into leading their team leaders. You don’t have to be a great player to be a leader, you just have to demonstrate an extra degree of character.
When we started practice in March, I would have been frightened at the thought of putting an “All Rookie Outfield” in the field against the number 1 team in the league. We would hit fly balls deep and the kids would run in. Then we would hit them in and the kids would watch them land in front of them. We got better and the balls were bouncing off of gloves. I heard Coach DiNovo yelling.. 2 hands. Then I heard Coach Hilt shouting “You can get to it.” It looked like any hit to our outfield was destined to be an in the park homer.
Last night I saw a completely different outfield out there. Patrick Hilt was in center field when a bloop was hit to that most impossible place. It was the little crease between the infield and the outfield that is sometimes called “No Mans Land.” There are only 3 players on our team with the speed to get there.. the other 2 have the last name of Shaw. Patrick kicked in the after burners. I saw his big red cleats flying in a blur and him dive for a catch that not even the umpire could see him make. Finally Patrick rose from the turf hel his glove in the air, and there was that beautiful white ball right in the webbing. It was a great night for a coach. I know how hard Patrick has worked at baseball. Patrick is in drama, runs cross country, and is a boy scout. Baseball is a big responsibility to add to that list. Patricks character for the past 2 months all came out for the world to see in that wonderful catch.
Patricks acrobatics must have been contagious. The second greatest catch of the year came in the same game. Everyone on the team knows that Mike Monthie is the first kid to practice almost every day. We all know Mike is the youngest by a long shot, and he makes up for it with hard work. When the team storms the field, Mike is the guy running out front. I watch “Iron Mike” at 9 years old stand in the batters box and not back out against flame throwing 12 year olds and I just root for something good to happen. Last night was one of those nights. Mike was in left field and was masterful at holding runners on balls hit to the outfield. One runner decided to take 2 bases on Mike, and that ball came right into James Hutton. I thought for sure Mike had the runner gunned down. After that Elks knew not to run on the “Young Gun” out in left. If you proceed to second base it will be at your own peril.
Mikes play of the season came in the 4th inning on a shot hit to his left. Mike bolted and took an oblique path to the fence between left and center. He launched his body at just the right time to make the catch of his career and rob a double. I made a note to myself: “Hard work pays off and leadership comes from every direction.”
There were some other highlights. Nate McCarroll was our starting pitcher, and he did a great job. We know when we need a few innings of gas, we can go to Nasty Nate.
James Hutton has 2 of our 3 hits. He blasted a double, and a single, and was the victim of an awesome play at shortstop that took away another sure double.
The biggest, most productive swing of the bat came from Jimmy Morrison. He was dealt an outside pitch that he just walloped to the deepest part of right field. It was a punishing shot, and Jimmy put his cleats in 5th gear to make it a triple with 2 RBI’s.
Christopher Adikes had 2 sweet catches at third base that made the highlight reel.