Baycats @ Royals - Recap

If not for the errors committed last night this would have been a very entertaining 2-1 final.

Unfortunate that Guelph's shortstop Geoff McCallum is fighting the ball out there. He looks stiff and unrelaxed in his motions.

Both starters pitched extremely well. Adam Garner threw seven complete for Barrie and was pounding the strike zone all night, getting ahead of most of the Royals hitters.

Adam Reynolds threw a lot of pitches for this early in the season 115 is way too many for May baseball. Granted he is leaving the 28th for Lethbridge and needs 9 innings over 3 games to qualify for the IBL post-season. That's assuming he's not drafted or Royals Manager Kevin Hinton doesn't release him again like last season.

Some other puzzling moves last night included Hinton reaching base late in the game and not bringing in a pinch runner. Or even earlier in the game with runners at 2nd and 1st why didn't he square around to bunt? Granted he hit a laser to 2nd base which still advanced the runners but its poor strategy with a kid like Valeriote due up. Plus Valeriote already had a triple in the game.

I get it that Hinton wants Arden Eddie's record for most hits in the league but when do you cross the line between what is good for you and what is more beneficial for the team? I personally think its time Hinton focuses on managing.

The Royals hitters have no patience at the plate what so ever. More than a handful of at bats last night they jumped on the first pitch. Yes Adam Garner was throwing 90% strikes but still show some patience especially when your already down 5-1.

I must say i like the Baycats new road jerseys. Look a lot like the brewers.

Barrie is looking solid 1-9 and are going to compete with the best of them all season long.


Some other notes: I finally got a reply back on the concession stand issues. It turns out the city removed the grill and fryers this winter as they were in poor shape. So no hot dogs this summer unless the game staff fires up some BBQ's.

Last night's attendance was around 100 people tops. it was cold and a Tuesday night while school is still in so the number is probably about the norm. The Royals need to seriously consider skipping the Tuesday nights in May as its too cold and late for families