Quick Hits

Quick hits from game 1 of the ABL Grand Final Series between the Perth Heat and Adelaide Bite that saw the Bite take a 1 – 0 lead in the best of 3 contest. 

• The ABL and Foxtel went with the “Entertainment Approach” and in general the coverage was really good. There were some early problems with graphics (both teams had multiple DH’s listed in their line ups), and the side-line reporter revealed a lack of baseball knowledge in the post game interviews by asking  Mark Brackman if he would be starting in game 2. Warren Smith was very good as the play-by-play man with the only major issue occurring when his colleagues referred to him as ‘Waz”. John Deeble was serviceable as the ‘colour’ guy but could have armed himself with more information on some of the players – particularly the professionals. The real down side with the production was the lag between pitch and the cameras switching to pick up where the ball actually went. This is obviously as a result of the production team being inexperienced at putting baseball to air and would surely improve with practice. All in all it was an enjoyable broadcast and both the ABL and Foxtel should be pleased with the package they presented.
• If you told the Defensive Specialist that both teams would combine for 25 hits and only score 7 runs, you’d be laughed at. Both teams came out swinging, only to see potentially large innings extinguished through a lack of clutch hitting. The Adelaide 8 & 9 hitters (Wigmore and Cakebread combined for 6 hits) while the Heat received major contributions from De San Miguel (4-5) and McArthur (3-5).
• It appeared that Aaron Bonomi was safe at home plate on a bang bang play in the 8^th, which would have been the tying run. The ball clearly beat Bonomi to the plate although the throw from Jamie McOwen drew Brandon Bantz up the first base line preventing the catcher from properly blocking the plate. To the Defensive Specialist’s highly trained eye, Bonomi’s leg went through Bantz’s leg before the tag was applied. This may all be a moot point if Bonomi hadn’t slowed down after rounding third. With 2 out and a runner on second, every third base coach is going to wind the runner home so there was no excuse for Bonomi slowing.

Bonomi wondering "why'd I stop?"

• Neither starters had their best stuff with Brackman surrendering 10 hits and 3 runs in 5.2 innings and Schmidt giving up 9 hits and 4 runs in 4.1 innings of work. Schmidt in particular appeared to lose his way in the 5^th as he gave up 3 runs when his usually outstanding control deserted him and he began elevating his fastball.
• On the other hand, both teams received stellar support from their bullpens. Adrian Burnside was fantastic over 3 innings while Cameron Lamb provided a sublime 4.2 innings of relief. Both pen-men held their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the game. 

So where to from here? Well Adelaide are most definitely in the driver’s seat heading into game 2 with their most dominant pitcher Brandon Maurer set to take the ball. The Heat will likely send Trevor Caughey to the hill in the hope that he can continue his season-long excellence. It’s hard to envision another 25 hits but both offenses are hot at present and a slugfest is not out of the question.