BEARS@YW: A real test of resilience

11.5.25 - Bournemouth Bears @ Yeovil Whirlwinds

The day started with a feeling of anxiety; this was the second time playing against the Bears, having played them in the pre-season tournament, so I knew they would be a tough opponent. I was playing Catcher for both games but I had slept well so felt like I was ready. As expected, the two games were well contested with the second game in particular having a dramatic finish (more on that later).

Through the two games there were multiple plays or inning that stood out to me that I’d like to discuss with you. My favourite? I hit a triple during the second game! A special shout-out to my teammate Aidan as he helped me to get my mind into the right space and instead of swinging for the fences I just tried to make contact. It worked really well; it was a line drive to left field. I was early on the swing but just flattened my bat path and believing that I would hit it worked.

My second favourite play was Aidan who hit an inside the park home run. Having not cleared the fence, this shows how important base coaches are. They let the batter focus on keeping a good line when running, tagging the inside of the base while receiving instructions from base coaches as to where the ball is and whether to stop or not. This is a game changer when the base coaches are fluid and proficient in what they do, it is a special talent instructing in high pressure situations and knowing what your runner can and can’t do.

Throughout the games there were multiple outfield catches which include flyouts and line drives. Our team is especially good at these plays because in training we always practise these scenarios, so we aren’t surprised in a game. I think that this really helps new players to get used to catching and tracking a ball before, after gaining experience, being able to move to the infield which needs a much quicker reaction time and is higher pressure. But one of the main things we seem to have is a great Centre Fielder, Dave Martin, to guide the newer players and teach them to trust their teammates to direct them towards the ball.

When I started catching, I knew what I was getting into and that was having to catch for multiple pitchers, I’ve found that every pitcher has their own style and sweet spot that I’m ready for. This also makes me more ready because I know their tendencies on what they do differently when they miss a pitch and throw it into the dirt, so I’m ready to block it. From the outside catching seems simple but it’s mentally tough, you must be in the game every single pitch and know what is happening at all times, how many balls/strikes, how many outs and where the runners are.

Finally we come to the most exciting inning of the day; game 2, bottom of the fifth, score is 19-15 to Bournemouth. Three outs and Bournemouth win, 5 runs and the victory is ours. First batter faces four pitches and is out swinging - the first out. Second batter is a ground out to the second baseman, second out. We felt like this could be the end of the game, somewhere there was no coming back but from but we had the belief and just did our best to come back. Third batter makes a poor connection and the ball drops in front of home plate but manages to beat the throw to first for a single which started a rally that would give us our seventh win of the season. I’m up to bat next, the pressure is on but I manage to just put it into play in front of the pitcher letting me get a single. With two on base, the lead-off batter was up next and we are in the mindset now that we have a chance. A great double and both me and the other runner reach home plate. Score is 19-17 and number two in the lineup triples up the middle scoring the baserunner for a 19-18 scoreline. One more run to tie the game! After some base stealing from the runner already on base our next batter singles to the shortstop bringing the runner home. 19 all, the game is tied and we are ready to win this game. The next batter Aidan, who earlier managed an inside the park home run, is up to bat. One pitch, one swing and the ball looped up, destined to land in the gap between the mound and 2nd base. A valiant attempt to catch it by the pitcher was in vain and, with the subsequent throw to first crossing the dead ball line, our last run scores and we win the game 20-19. This finale felt like a movie, it was truly amazing; the emotion that showed when the umpire called safe at home plate was the best ending to a game I have ever experienced, and being part of this last inning was the best thing I have experienced in baseball. Heartbreak for Bournemouth and credit to them for playing an awesome game. We look forward to playing them again next Sunday in the return fixture.