After the sixth inning, the rickety scoreboard at the old Rizal Memorial Baseball Field showed UP leading Ateneo 7-2. In a game which would conclude events of a disappointing first round of UAAP Baseball, the Blue Batters made uncharacteristic errors while their bats fell silent.
This season was supposed to be about redemption after going winless the previous year; this season they were supposed to start with a bang and possibly challenge for a title.
Boosted by Little League veterans who had gone on to represent the Philippines in international competitions, it was an all-star contingent joining a group of solid veterans that looked to bring Ateneo baseball to new heights.
But, a season full of hope suddenly turned into a nightmare. The Blue Batters fell 13-3 to defending champions Adamson in a game ended by the mercy rule. They also dropped tough games to NU 3-0 and an upstart to UST 8-2.
The only placeholder in their win column was a lackluster victory over traditional rivals De La Salle, 4-3. “Our coach was disappointed because we should have scored more runs in that game,” said starting pitcher Inigo Olivares.
Now against UP, they were staring at a five run deficit—a situation that would dampen their Final Four hopes.
Coach Emerson Baracdoc rallied his players in, “Mahiya kayo huwag lang sa pangalan sa nakasulat sa likod niyo, pati yung pangalan sa harap niyo, (Don’t just feel shame for the names in your backs, but also the name in front of you)” said Coach Emer pointing to the royal blue-colored Ateneo name on their mud stained jerseys.
His inspirational words were rooted by a deep concern; a concern not in the errors committed, number of strikeouts or runners left stranded, but rather in a problem much deeper than gloves and bats.
Dugout dilemma
The most evident signs of struggle were the tough times spent behind the plate—a problem carried over from the offseason.
On many occasions, the Blue Batters have left runners in scoring position, costing them in close games. Despite their solid defense and stable pitching rotation, their offense has failed to match up.
“We really have to continue to train hard and focus even harder on our hitting,” said Bocc Bernardo.
Perhaps the bar was set too high on the newbies, who were expected to deliver like veterans. Despite playing overseas against a high level of competition, the college game shows that they are, after all, still rookies trying to make it in the league.
“I played in the UAAP and it’s really different from any international competition,” said Coach Emer on adjusting to seniors play in the UAAP.
But despite these early struggles, Coach Emer sees the team as one not lacking in skills. He knows his young squad have all the potential in the world; the problem is not in outcome, but how they play the game.
“Gusto ko makakita ng teamwork at puso galing sa kanila (I want to see teamwork and heart from them).”
The coach said if the team plays with these things in mind their true play on the baseball diamond will follow. It is not runs or strikeouts that will determine the fate of the season, but rather the Blue Batters’ heart and unity.
Turning point
Now, in the final game of the first round, at the bottom of the ninth inning versus the Fighting Maroons, the Blue Batters staged an unlikely comeback to take a 13-10 lead.
Suddenly the bats that have fallen silent all throughout the first round exploded, punctuated by Kevin Ramos’ two run and three run homers which cleared the old left field wall of Rizal Memorial.
The final out of the game unleashed a wild cheer as the Blue Batters’ found their groove just in time for their second round campaign.
It was a long time coming; the Blue Batters finally found their hot hitting and could rely on their steady defense to close out the game. But if this would be the season’s turning point, all those hits weren’t the reason according to the Blue Batters’ coach.
“Ito ang hinihintay ko, nakita ko ang puso nila sa larong ito (This was what I was waiting for, I saw their heart in this game),” said Coach Emer.
