Were you at the games Friday, as well? Sano and Abel Baker had some words after Sano’s game winning HR in the top of the 9th inning of the nightcap.

Honestly, the only HR that I specifically recall at this stadium (which has only been open now something like 11 years) that may have been hit harder than Rhodes’ was hit by another Snapper… Michael Gonzales… a couple of years ago. He hit his HR to RF and the ball was still higher than the top of the RF foul pole as it went over the fence.

I was also at the Wednesday evening game and it always is interesting to note if you “saw the same game” as someone else did!

I completely agree — it was not a particularly well played game defensively. I’ll admit to focusing in on Sano and Rosario at first. Rosario’s error was on a pretty routine ground ball directly at him that he just plain old muffed. As Jim C says, it made you cringe. Sano threw the ball away during a series of throws made by the Snappers that made you think it was a little league game. Even more cringe-worthy. With a runner on first, there was a base-hit to center and Jhon Goncalves came up firing to third. His throw was a bit late and a bit high, Sano came down with it and promptly fired the ball into right center, widely missing 2nd base. Cringe. Even Sano put his hands to his head, leaned over, and I suspect was in full cringe-mode himself.

Despite all this cringe-inducing defensive behaviour (from both teams) – I did come away with other more positive impressions that night.

Sano really is an impressive young athlete. On his double down the left field line, he glided around first base and into second with ease. Power and grace in one package. He drove another ball to straightaway center that was caught right at the 400 ft sign on the fence.

Despite his 0-4, Rosario impressed me with his ease and patience at the plate. I felt like he got 4 good at bats.

AJ Pettersen caught my attention with his pre-game “attention to detail”. As opposing Cedar Rapids pitcher Austin Wood warmed up down the right field line, AJ lined himself up behind home plate, in line with Wood and his catcher way down past first base, so he could study his delivery and get a sense of timing his swing. I’d never seen that before.

Rory Rhodes did indeed absolutely crush that home run ball. Jim C has likely seen more games at Vets Memorial than I have but I also would say its the longest I’ve ever seen there. It was the game-winner too, breaking a 5-5 tie in the 8th.

Wang-Wei Lin, the Snappers right fielder, also impressed me. The lefty-hitter looked good on an opposite-field single to left in the first and while I can’t remember his stats, I have the impression he always seemed to be on base.

And lastly, the Cedar Rapids Kernels have a player named Abel Baker. No I’m not some old-timer military veteran – but I still found it funny.

Had a great night watching the Snappers play in Cedar Rapids!

Again, nice report by Jim C.

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“Throw some ground balls – it’s more democratic.”