Thanksgiving Weekend Exhibition Games

It's already Thanksgiving weekend here in Toronto and thankfully, we still have double digit temperature. Although the sunshine is nice and bright, the wind is a bit cold!

Aaron received an invitation to play in a double-header exhibition game(s) this Saturday, with a newly formed team in the Fergie Jenkins league (the Giants), and he accepted. He woke up this morning and was not feeling well, but he still wanted to go...so it only means we skip Thanksgiving preparation, grab his gears, bundle up and head out to the fields!!!

The games were scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Nobleton, Ontario, which is about a 30-minute drive from our house but we were asked to be there for 1:00 p.m.

Game 1

I was still trying to make myself warm and get settled when the game began, with the Giants up to bat first.  It was a quick inning with no runs for us.

Aaron was sent out to cover short when the Giants took the fields in the bottom of the first and it was also a short inning with no runs scored for the Athletics.

Our Short-Stop...

Top of the second and we get a runner in scoring position but the inning was over before we could secure the run, and leaving Aaron in the hole.

Aaron is back out at short for the bottom of the second.  The first batter hits and is safe on first; the second walks; the third and fourth both strike out; the fifth hits a double near the fence...and 2 runs are scored. The sixth batter hits, and another run is scored, and the batter is safe on first. Time is called to talk to our pitcher.  Aaron takes the opportunity to chat with one of his former teammates from the Mississauga North Tigers. The final batter hits right towards Aaron and he is thrown out at first, even though our coach is calling second. These are new coaches and only one has seen Aaron at practice before, so I guess they will find out soon that he knows HIS game!

 

Defense...

Top of the third and Aaron starts us of. After fouling a couple, he walks, and wastes no time in stealing second! The next batter hits and is out at first, but Aaron is able to make it to third. The next batter hits and Aaron is sent home, only to be tagged out at the plate! Then the runner is thrown out at third, and no runs for us!!!

That bat flip though!!!

The slide into Second...

We send in a new pitcher for the bottom of the third, and the bases are quickly loaded. The next batter hits and 2 runs are scored; and then another hit brings in 2 more! Time is called to change our pitcher. All the kids today are new to each other and are being looked at for a spot on the team, although Aaron has already been offered one...we just haven't decided as yet. The inning ended before any more runs could be scored.

Our Short-Stop...

Top of the fourth and our first and second batters are both out at first; the third is safe on first; the fourth hits a nice triple...and we finally get our first run in this game! The fifth batter walks and then the next batter is out at first.

Bottom of the fourth and the first batter is caught at first; the second walks; the third hits and is safe on first; the fourth is out at first...but 1 run is scored. The final batter is caught in centerfield.

Top of the fifth and our first batter strikes out; the second is safe on first; Aaron goes up and hits one in the infield and is safe on first, but the runner is out at second. The fourth batter hits and is safe on first, and Aaron makes it to third; and the fifth batter strikes out...leaving Aaron on third!

Safe on First...

Bottom of the fifth and it was 3 up 3 down, and our players are looking more comfortable with each other now.

Top of the sixth and I lost track because of a phone call, but at one point the bases were loaded and 1 run came in. Time is called...not sure if it was mercy or the time limit, but the teams were given a half hour break before Game 2.

The sun is now going in and out of the clouds and it is much colder! Andy had already picked up lunch for Aaron, so he and I headed out to a nearby local supermarket and bakery to get something to eat. Warm, fresh, homemade bread and cheese taste really good with it's cold.

Game 2

The second game got started with the Giants taking the field first. Aaron is back at short and he managed to get the first out when the ball was hit right towards him. The second batter is caught by the catcher and the third is out, when he hits infield but Aaron grabs the ball and throws him out at first.

Nice Grab!!!

Bottom of the first and our first batter hits and is safe on first; the second is caught in centerfield and the runner is thrown out at second! The third batter hits and is safe on first; the fourth hits a nice one down nears the fence...and our first run in this game is scored...and the batter is safe on third! Another hit near the fence and another run comes in, and the batter is safe on second. Then the final batter pops up and it's caught by the catcher.

Top of the second and the Athletics' first batter is out at first; the second strikes out; the third and fourth both walk but then the fifth batter strikes, to end the inning with no runs.

Bottom of the second with 1 already out, Aaron goes up and hits on a full count, and he's safe on first, and he steals second before the batter is done batting! The next batter hits and is safe on first but Aaron gets caught in a run-down between second and third! He tried but is eventually tagged out! The fourth batter walks and the fifth is out at first.
 

Nice Hit...

"Whatcha gonna do, when they come for you"...

Top of the third and the Athletics' first batter strikes out; the second is caught infield; the third hits and is safe on first; the fourth is also safe. A runner is tagged out when the catcher throws to Aaron...to end the inning.

It's so obvious that the boys are now playing as a team...either they are really comfortable with each other or the food helped! We could see Aaron stretching his arms behind the dugout and loosening up his arms. He is going to be pitching sometime in this game but I am not sure which inning. It is also freezing cold...and I do mean FREEZING! My teeth are knocking but I want to see him pitch so I have to brave the cold.

Bottom of the third and our first batter is out at first; the second hits a double and is safe; the third and fourth both walk; the fifth hits a nice double...and cleared out the bases (3 runs)! The sixth batter strikes out; the seventh walks and the eight is out at first...leaving Aaron in the hole.

Top of the fourth and the first batter walks; the second hit one in left-field and is safe on first; the third and fourth both strike out.

Aaron starts us off for the bottom of the fourth and he hits the very first pitch out of the park...but it's foul! He fouls the second pitch and eventually strikes out! He goes back to the dugout and heads over to the bullpen to warm up. Our second and third batter both strike out.

Foul...

Not much time to warm up in the bullpen but Aaron takes his place on the mound for the top of the fifth. We have a 5-run lead in this game, as the Athletics haven't been successful in scoring any runs. The first batter strikes out after fouling a few; the second hits right to Aaron and is out at first; and the third does the same...hitting right to Aaron. Wow, we only needed the pitcher and catcher for this inning! Watching him pitch is worth braving the cold.

Watching him pitch is worth braving the cold!

Bottom of the fifth and our first batter is caught in centerfield; the second is safe on first; the third is caught in left-field and the fourth is caught in right-field.

Aaron is back on the mound for the top of the sixth. The first batter walks and Aaron throws to first to pick him off but our first baseman drops the ball! The second batter hits to second, and our defense couldn't get any outs! The third batter strikes out, and the runner advances to third! The fourth batter walks, and the bases are loaded! Our coach is getting upset because the Umpire is not calling the strikes, and he keeps shouting for Aaron to "throw it right there"! The next batter hits and they get the double-play, stopping any runs from being scored. OMG...I was so tense in that inning that I forgot how cold I was!!!

Bottom of the sixth, and our first batter walks; the second is caught in centerfield; the third hits and is safe on first...and a run is scored. The fourth batter fouls a few and then gets caught at second, and the runner going to second is out, to end the inning.

Top of the seventh and last chance for the Athletics to score a run in this game...and most likely the last inning. Aaron is back on the hill. The first batter hits and is out at first; the second hits towards Aaron and is out at first; the third walks; the fourth hits in right-field and is safe on first and the final batter hits right towards Aaron and he is out at first, ending the game!

So much passion behind those pitch!

All I can say is "WOW". Yes, I know I am a LITTLE bias but I didn't get to see him pitch a lot this Summer and I 'almost' forgot what he is capable off when he has a ball in this hand. It was definitely worth giving up my Saturday and sitting in the cold. I didn't wait for anyone, I just grabbed my stuff and ran to the Jeep to warm up!!!

Time to head home and finish prepping for Thanksgiving. There is always so much to be thankful for, including baseball...but not the white pants!