Baycats getting inventive
Sports
Posted By LUKE EDWARDS, SPECIAL TO THE EXAMINER
Updated 1 month ago
Mark Wanzel PhotoBaycats Pitcher Paul Spoljaric delivers the heat to Joe Stone of the Ottawa Fat Cats during Saturday's game at the Barrie Metals Stadium.July/18/10
|
|
When he has his full squad at 100% health, Barrie Baycats manager Angus Roy believes he has the best team in the league.
That's why the lineup cards for Barrie are getting a little unconventional as the season winds down.
"We made the decision that we're going to finish wherever we finish," Roy said.
The skipper isn't worried about the battle for top spot in the IBL, which appears as though it will go down to the wire. Instead, he's focusing on getting his players healthy and in top form for the playoffs that are just around the corner.
Heading into this past weekend, Barrie was in a dogfight for top spot, trailing the Brantford Red Sox and Toronto Maple Leafs by one game. However, the allure of finishing top in the regular season -- and the presumably easier first-round playoff matchup that follows -- did not tempt Roy to play some of his banged up players.
"All of those guys could have played if it were a big game," said Roy, adding that none of his injured players are doubtful for the playoffs.
On Saturday, the Baycats played their last home game of the regular season against the Ottawa Fat Cats. Barrie found success with their unconventional lineup, defeating the Fat Cats 3-2.
In front of members of the military from CFB Borden, Barrie squeaked out the win by taking advantage of an Ottawa error. With two out in the fifth inning, Jordan Lundberg hit a deep fly ball to left field.
Ottawa's Kyle Barclay tracked the ball down at the warning track, but it popped out of his glove as he backed into the left field fence.
Two Barrie runs scored on the play, giving Barrie a 3-1 lead. Ottawa got one back in the eighth inning, but that was as close as they'd get.
Before the game, the Baycats recognized the efforts of the Canadian Forces. Soldiers from CFB Borden were in attendance.
Aside from the pitching mound -- where Paul Spoljaric hurled 5 1/3 innings of three-hit ball -- the rest of the field looked like players picked positions out of a hat.
Lundberg, a catcher, and first baseman Matt Logan defended the left side of the infield-- shortstop and third base, respectively. As a result, Ryan Davis played first base and Matt Proctor caught.
In the outfield, Jonathan Baksh was flanked by a couple of pitchers. Doug Dimma and Ryan Dillabough manned the corner outfield positions. A third pitcher, Jordan Hill, was the designated hitter.
Showing their versatility, though, the team looked strong on defence. Logan and Lundberg both looked especially comfortable on the left side of the infield. Lundberg did commit an error at short, when he let a ball to his left get through the infield, but made three other plays without much difficulty.
Logan, meanwhile, looked strong at the hot corner, making a number of good plays on hard-hit ground balls.
"We have guys who can play in different spots. Lundberg and Logan are great ball players and great teammates. They'll do whatever it takes to win," said Roy.
On Sunday in Kitchener, Lundberg once again manned shortstop, but Logan slid back to his more familiar first base position. Ryan Davis, a first baseman, played left field. The rest of the lineup was more conventional, though, except for pitcher Scott Price, who did the designated hitting.
The Baycats lost 9-7.
Roy said that while it would be nice to close out the regular season on a high note, it's more important to make sure everyone is ready to go when the playoffs arrive.
"Of course, you'd love to go in rolling, but the only option right now is to make sure everyone is healthy," he said.
Barrie closes out the regular season Wednesday in Brantford.
Topic guidelines: We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.
Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers.
