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Finally, after 715 days, the Yale Baseball team is back on the diamond, and vs the SEC. Auburn has such a great facility, great fans, classy players, great atmosphere and fun city. The SEC is the SEC for a reason. We were a 400 ft walk off Moon Shot from winning the series.
ok.. Let's try this again. Happy to say I will be playing for the Roughriders of the Northern Virginia Collegiate League in July. There is a ton of talent in NoVa. Really looking forward to dirt and grass under cleat.
2020 Ivy League Rookie of Year from D1 Baseball
Small sample size, but proud to represent my coaches, teammates and university.
For those players paying attention.. that says 3B, not SS. Being position agnostic opens more doors than you can imagine. If a coach asks what position you play.. the answer is "YES". Playing.. ON THE FIELD... in a position you have never played is ALWAYS better than sitting on a bench waiting to play your 'preferred' position. Versatility is an asset coaches are looking for at EVERY LEVEL.
Last Picture of the 2020 Baseball Season
Jacksonville FL - March 11, 2020 with AJ Gaich
Charleston SC - Shipyard Park - March 8, 2020
Hands inside.
When Mr. Belser makes time to show up to your game in South Carolina...
..you acknowledge the effort!!
In the category of "And that just happened."...5 minutes before, his daughter Malaka hit a BOMB on the next field over at the Shipyard!
Ivy League Rookie of the Week - March 2, 2020
While I appreciate this accolade, the big boy award (Ivy Player of the Week) went to my teammate Jake Gehri whose OPS on Sunday was 3.600. Let that sink in... 3.600!! 5-5 w/2HR, 3B, 2 1B. That is better than the cycle, right?? If he would have broken his leg while running around the bases on his 2nd HR and unable to advance past 2B, would that be the cycle? Should be. Just Sayin.
Informed Aggressiveness!!
Force your opponent to MAKE PLAYS...under pressure, but be informed. Aggressive does not mean reckless. I know exactly how far off 2nd I am. I know exactly how long it takes me to get to 3rd from where I am standing (3.0s). I know the catcher's POP time to 3rd with a lefty in the box (1.8s). I know the delivery time of the pitcher from the stretch (1.3s). Once again.. simple math (3<3.1)! Go/No-go is dictated by a simple equation and the game situation. It is RARELY "gut". Oh yeah.. and you need to execute or the math is meaningless. I was 3.05 on this steal, (marginally slower than I should have been) so the play was bang bang.
Baseball Math: One +Two = Five-2-Four (to Three)
With AJ Gaich - Yale Field
Five-Four-Three DP
First live action DP at Yale.
Next Chapter - 1st Day Swag
Ready to Get to Work
Post HS Graduation. Visiting my happy place for the last time.
This was MY dirt. I diligently cared for and raked it since this field came to be four years ago. It's yours now Sheffie. Take good care of it. With great power comes great responsibility.
I love this field, my teammates and our fans. None better across the board.
July 11 - International Hamate Bone Awareness Day!
Apparently 1,000 swings a week.. every week.. since you were 12 has its downside..
Upside... If they simply remove it.. you can't fracture it again!! For those with the affliction... don't try to repair.. just remove the damn thing.. trust me. I tried the former and should have went straight to the latter.
I join some other "ok" players who no longer have a hamate hook in their knob hand:
Tony Gwynn Jr., Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome, J.D. Martinez, Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Bautista, Dustin Pedroia, Jose Ramirez, Troy Tulowitzki , Nick Markakis, & Pablo Sandoval to name just a few. They don't need one. I don't need one. 206-0.5 = 205.5
Not Done Yet
Region Champs vs Kettle Run, 5-4
My last game in "The Bowl" at Riverside High School.
Thank you Riverside. Ram Family.
First AB HR vs Salem - 2019 VHSL Class 4 State Quarter Finals
June 4, 2019 - Clinches spot in State Semi-Finals
1-1, HR, 2 SB, 3 RS, RBI. (HBP in final 3 PA), DP.
Respect
Opponents, Teammates, Friends... When it's all said and done.. Respect
#8 - Travel teammate Hunter Entsminger (JMU '23) = Athletic freak of nature. 90+ on the bump and 2,700+ yards passing the pigskin.
Dirty Unit
Hard 90's make for a full washing machine..every day... the way it should be.
My dad tells me Fels Naptha is the secret.
RBI Triple vs Dominion for Winning Run Clinching Dulles District Regular Season Championship
May 9, 2019
Notice Sajon Belser (CoC '23) rounding third before shutting down the after-burners..
Fastest baseball player in the State of Virginia. Period. College of Charleston coaches... green light should ALWAYS be ON!! ALWAYS.. Sitting in math class..ON.. Eating chalupas in the dining hall..ON.. Waiting on deck...ON.. Walk = Double. Single = Double. Double = Triple.
Prouder of this 9 pitch strikeout than of most of my hits
Last pitch - 96mph left-handed filth running away dealt by my friend and travel teammate Nate Savino (UVA '23). "They can't teach how to throw 97 or everyone would." - Sat 95-97 all game.
Note pocket radar in lower left - 96..Yikes - Hope to get a rematch in college (grammar police - it is prouder, not more proud)
BP 10/31/18
Some wood hacks on Halloween.
I am very lucky when it comes to on-field reps. My stepfather is a human jugs machine and my dad is really good at shagging balls!
w/ Coach Plank - June 2018
Best coach in Northern Virginia. NoVa Magazine coach of the decade.
More than 300 wins and counting. Main thing he taught me: Respect the game. Do that and everything will work itself out.
Virginia Commonwealth Games - North Team - Gold Medal
Yes.. they are all pitchers and they are all TALL! I am not THAT short..
Glad this crew were all on both my Commonwealth and Travel (DE) Teams. All 90+ and all absolutely FILTHY!
Some Plays from Summer 2018 - Commonwealth Games and Diamond Elite (DE)
BCS National Championships - Fort Myers, FL (3rd Place)
Commonwealth Games - Lynchburg, VA (Gold Medal)
DE finished as top 25 ranked team in the Nation by Perfect Game with all players from 20mi radius. Not something you see nowadays.
Alternate Reds - May 2018
Uniforms change. Glove does not. I still use the same glove I received for Christmas when I was 12. New is not always better. Trendy is not always better. What makes you comfortable IS better. Everyone is different. I have never worn eye black in a game. I have never worn sunglasses in a game. I have never worn a batting glove under my glove, nor have I ever worn an elbow or foot guard (and I was HBP 17 times sophomore yr). Not against any of these things and most of them either protect or enhance in a positive way (though I don't get the backward sunglasses on the hat on sunny days - just sayin'). They just don't make me comfortable. Find what makes you comfortable; physically and mentally.
Woodgrove RBI - 2 out, Full Count, Top 6
I am at-bat, off camera...I end up on 2nd after a battle. #17 was brining it.
#13 on 1B is Tyler Casagrande (Arizona'22). If you want to see an example of a perfectly balanced, smooth, repeatable, whip-tastic left-handed swing.. look him up.
Riverside vs. StoneBridge - 03/12/18
