The ACT is a collection of local Canberra hopefuls and is supplemented by players who through injury, form or otherwise, have been given a "wildcard" of sorts to play at the tournament by their home states. It is a valuable opportunity for these boys to play competitively and further their abilities. There are some good players, some surprising players and some emerging ones. Nonetheless they are popular with the crowds who see them rightly as firm underdogs and a fighting force.
Our first innings got us 11 runs ahead. It stretched on beyond half an hour. Frew, Dyer, Phillibossian, Power, Moran, Whitely, Hunt, Packer, Myrmell was the starting side. There were more walks than a retirement home and some lusty hitting. Philibossian nudged one over the fence, aided by a howling gale which made pitching challenging, outfirled catching tough and hitting tempting. All others hit solidly too. Joel Dyer (Kellyville) is having some sort of tournament. He has been a dominant hitter and highly focused. Cameron Power (Hawkesbury-Baulkham Hills) has also been very spirited and talented to date. His work at first base has been first rate.
As the ball whistled to all parts of the ground, our coaching staff were able to rotate their pitchers and the whole batting line up at different stages as we surged past 20 unanswered runs.
Different pitchers came, tasted and went in the five innings before we enforced the mercy rule.
Cronulla's Claude Bova was strong at the start, Richardson fast but walked quite a few and Mayo powerful at the end.
Wedged in between, James also pitched one innings as part of this rotation - and learned a lot.
His very first pitch was called high by the dugout and catcher and surprisingly, but magnificently, it was bombed for a home run! Typically the first pitch is 'taken' and looked at. Not this one. A huge hit which just made it, assisted by the Geelong doctor, but a home run regardless. The price of a pitch left high. A shock in some ways, but a test of character.
What followed were two great strike outs showing change ups and curve balls, but there were three errors in the field around this. A simply skied dropped catch at Short Stop that had Liam reaching for his glove (unbelievable really), an extremely poor throw from third for a basic out which went wild and a stuff up in the outfield straight out of a B Grade Hollywood kids baseball movie. All the time, the pitcher is meant to smile and carry on. There is no alternative.
James, wearing the 25 jersey this campaign after his favoured 23 was already taken by a team mate who played last year, has much to work on with his pitching - as successful as he has been at times. His velocity needs to be accelerated through a refined technique to dominate as opponents get older and stronger. His poise and positioning has improved and his variety is sound. The beauty of youth.
He is learning the tough side to pitching. He is also learning what was feared, that hard pitching assignments in games across a full club and rep season matters - not being rested and 'protected'.
Others too were struck out trying to dent the houses of the neighbouring suburb, others struck out looking at lobbed pitches. It was embarrassing for a few players, but a product of a very different standard. Nonetheless, the team secured a commanding win 21-2.
James' single at bat saw him rifle a shot between second and first and a diving horizontal catch from the first baseman was breathtakingly good.
It was that sort of day.
Nonetheless, we are about to be tested closely in the coming games against much more fancied opponents. Victoria (Blue) have one lad who throws his pitches in the mid 80 miles per hour. As a team they are humble and together in a different way to last year's team, but they support each other well.
Our last view of James as we left the carpark was him being hugged by the captain, James Philibossian who is a quality kid and roommate on this tour. James was also running harder than all others and running first in the 'warm down' after the game.
Managing disappointment defines the person.
Work makes free.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment