B.A.W.P.

30 Innings – What the coaches had to say

// December 7th, 2009 // Articles, Hot Topics, Seniors

Clearly this was one of the Great games of baseball that we have seen in Cape Town. Here is an interview of both the coaches, Neil & Alan.

Q1: Obvious question, what is it like being in a 1-1 draw going into the 20th inning, especially knowing that there is still another game after this one.

Alan.  We were getting more & more concerned as the game went on , from about the 12^th inning onwards , as we only had an 11 man squad , & we were missing a frontline pitcher , & by that stage our catcher had developed a hamstring strain . So to us it was becoming more & more important to try & win game 1 , as I really had nothing left with which to operate with for game 2 , so how we came within 1 out of winning game 2 was unbelievable !!!

Neil. At that stage I was thinking, I need to win this game now and hope that the players still have enough energy to play the 2nd game.

Q2: What are the real dangers/hazards that a coach faces in a game like this? (fatigue, keeping the team focussed, 2nd guessing yourself on what should/could have happened)

Neil. Trying to keep the team focused is of utmost important…and making them aware that you believe in them and that they can do this.

Alan. Yes , I would also say to continue keeping the team focused & positive is very important . I also think that both coaches felt that there were missed chances , by the players & the coaching staff , on the offensive side , but hats off to the pitching & defense . There was some outstanding pitching & defensive plays made in big situations.

Q3: Was there any moment in the game, other than the last innings when you thought “I got this one in the bag”?

Alan. Not really , although the way this game went our top order looked more likely to get us a run , so whenever we could get them up to the plate again I felt that something might happen – but not 19 innings after scoring the first run of the game !!

Neil. I had that moment in  the 12th or 13th inning with runner on 3rd 1 out . The batter decided to hit the 1st pitch straight to 3rd base. I was gutted.

Q4: It did not seem to be a pitcher’s duel, as so many pitchers were used, yet no runs were scored for 18 innings, how is that possible?

Neil.  I think it was a pitchers duel. It it just that each team had an opportunity( a very small one) and they could not convert it into a run because the pitchers were just to good at that moment. I think the pitchers raised their game when it matter the most. But the hitters were also guilty of not selecting good pitchers to hit. It must be said that fatigue on a day like that played its part as well.

Alan. The wind was , in my opinion favorable for the pitchers , well hit balls were being knocked down by the wind , & the defense , as mentioned before did really well. Having said that , I also feel that every pitcher in game 1 , & Elario in game 2 did make the most of the conditions & did their jobs excellently.

Q5: Did you expect two extra innings Games this weekend?

Alan. Definitely not , but Bothasig have ‘grown’ up into a quality side – we don’t expect anything other than a tough game when we play them. Well done to the Club management & the coaching staff.

Neil. Not by a long shot…I expected the games to be tight because of the rivalry between the teams, but nothing like what we experienced that day.

Q6: What do you say to your team after a 21 inning game, win or lose?

Neil. I was very disappointed we lost, because the momentum was always going to be with the team that won. It meant we had to be tougher in the 2nd game to ensure we also come away with 2 points on the day. I just had to calm myself and then back the players to play well in the 2nd game.

Alan. I think this was easier for me than for Neil   -  all I said was ‘ that was fantastic , very very well done you guys – great character – now what about game 2 !!! ‘

Q7: Where there a couple of missed opportunities during the game where it could have been wrapped up?

Alan. Difficult for me to remember , but I seem to feel that earlier in the game we had some chances , but as the game progressed they seem to have had the better chance to get a result , also they were batting bottom of the inning , which possibly allowed for more enterprise.

Neil. Yes there was, especially for me…twice I had the opportunity and twice we failed.

Q8: How do you train this week, having used your entire bullpen. Do they rest on Tuesday, what do you have your pitchers doing?

Neil. I had a down day the Tuesday, we did some fitness with a soccer ball and then we spent time talking about the game and the team.

Alan. No training Tuesday , batting practice on Thursday with light throwing , a lot of stretching , and then a fair amount of agility work  -  hour & a half – finished !! No bullpen work outs , & it is our Club braai night , so we will just chill. Saturday we will start up again & we have a make-up game on Sunday – vs VOB.

Q9: How do you think this will effect your team with regards to the rest of the season. Clearly everybody now knows that both your teams can go 21 innings against the best?

Alan. I think both teams can come out of this contest with a lot of positives. Maybe at the end of what was a very long day , each Club winning 1 game was fair result , & I would like to believe that the players are mentally stronger for it as well . The results so far  indicate that there is a long season ahead for all.

Neil. I think the confidence and the motivation will be there and this will help for the rest of the season. Clearly all the other teams will want to beat us and we just have to be better on the day.

Q10: how do you plan your next game against each other?

Neil. Limit the mistakes we made in that game and hope we come out on top.

Alan. There is some time before that happens , & we have other games to plan for – 1 bridge at a time . On the lighter side maybe BAWP needs to adopt the IBF ‘tie-breaker’ ruling after 10 innings ??