Beating the Red Sox

Friday night's win over the Red Sox was great.

We had a very tough week last week, and in practice our guys looked a little spotty. Take into account that we were rained out on Wednesday, and had one of our most lackluster practices on Thursday, and I'd have to say I wasn't sure of what to expect in Friday's game.

But our players put together one of our best games of the season. We were aggressive at the plate and our pitching, though wild in episodes, was good when it had to be.

The game-saving play was outstanding. The a high fly was hit to RC, where it landed. Our RC picked it up and made a strong throw into second, like he's been told (many times) in practice. Our SS caught the throw and made an accurate relay to home. Our C caught the relay and made the tag on a runner trying to score, holding on to the ball to assure the out. That play essentially ended the game.

Plays like that make all the work and practice worth it.

I've heard some players complain that they don't want to play the OF. They may feel they are being banished there. That is surely not my intention. In practice when we catch fly balls, I watch to see who's catching them, and who's looking solid when they catch them. Those guys are my nominees for CF and RC. I'm also looking for guys that are paying attention to what's going on. Those are my top nominees for LF and RF, where that attentiveness means that the player will be backing up a throw or a hot box.

There is no place to hide on a baseball field. Every position is important. Our win on Friday proves it.