WITH SEVEN new recruits and a tougher training regiment, the Ateneo Blue Batters plan to contend in this year’s UAAP—this is, of course, coming off a winless season where they ranked last in the tournament.
“After the injury to our captain [Carlo Banzon] in our first game, the morale really went down and affected us the rest of the season,” said Assistant Coach Rudy De Leon.
But the book is closed on last year’s story, as all those events have unfolded, the future of Ateneo baseball is ready to be rewritten.
The Leadoff
In previous years, the Ateneo Baseball team has had difficulty recruiting: some technically not good enough, or prospected recruits do not pass the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET); but, it’s a different story this season.
Aside from Matt Laurel who transferred from UP, Josh Rapaport (Brent International), Pelo Remollo (DLSZ), Inigo Olivarez (Xavier), Chip Esguera (LSGH), Adrian Bernardo (Southridghe), Nick Sarga (Reedly International) and Andy Tan (Southridge) were seven high school students with a passion for baseball.
These seven, however, weren’t like other high school kids. Some have years of international experience under their belt, competing in international tournaments such as the the Little League World Series.
De Leon was instrumental in Ateneo’s recruitment as he had coached them in different leagues around Metro Manila. So when it finally came to university prospects, they informed their coach of their intent, passed the ACET, and now field groundballs at Loyola Heights.
“We came here because of the baseball program and the coaching staff,” said Rapaport.
Stepping up to the plate
As these rookies join the team’s veterans—remnants of the squad that that finished third in Season 71—the long build-up to the UAAP begins.
“All the players have the talent, so we want to focus on conditioning and skills to develop it,” said De Leon.
The Blue Batters have upped the ante on training, currently holding batting practices in Marikina, fielding at the Ateneo baseball field, and early morning weights sessions at the Blue Eagle Gym.
But in spite of the many hours invested in training, the spirit of competiveness and fearlessness is apparent. When asked about the biggest challenge in training, rookie Andy Tan simply answered, “Waking up!”
For the Blue Batters, the eight rookies provide what they desperately needed last season: options. Last season, the shin injury to Banzon and a dislocated finger to second basemen Paolo Castilio, left several holes in the Blue Batters’ line up. Not only were they left with one bench player to back the entire team up, but players were forced to play outside of their preferred position.
But similar to how an American Football team relies on their quarterback, a baseball team relies on their pitcher, and for Ateneo, pitching has always been a shortcoming. Now, with all eight rookies able to pitch it seems this will no longer be a problem for years to come.
“We have a deep rotation this year, and all these guys are utility players so they can play multiple positions,” said De Leon.
Swinging for the fences
With college baseball on the horizon for this young team, one can expect this season to set the foundations of the years ahead. Being on rebuilding mode, however, does not rule them out of a top three finish.
“This team can contend, despite them being young we can rely on their chemistry,” said De Leon.
Whether you attribute it to idealism, exuberance or just plain pride, the Blue Batters know they have what it takes to get where they want to be. When opening day finally comes, it will all come down to those nine young men in the blue and white taking the diamond.
