Long Island’s Blevins Has Done a Great Deal While Still ‘Fighting for An Opportunity’

Bobby Blevinshas accomplished a great deal on the pitcher’s mound, including establishing the all-time record with 32 victories at LeMoyne College,playing a key role in the Long Island (NY) Ducks’back to back Atlantic Leaguechampionships and getting to take part in the Asia Serieslast November, but when you talk to the sturdy 29-year-old face to face it is apparent he wants even more out of his baseball career.

“Basically, I am fighting for an opportunity”, the lifetime resident of Briarcliff, NY, not far from New York City,told me in the hallway outside the visiting clubhouse at The Ballpark at Harbor Yardin Bridgeport, CTa short time after hurling six solid innings (three runs, eight hits, seven strikeouts) and settling for a no-decision this week.

The 6-foot, 200-pound hurler did not have to say what opportunity he truly seeks because every young man in Blevins’s situation wants a shot at the major leagues.  He did say a future chance in Koreaor Japanmight not be unacceptable, but only at some point down the road.

“I need more exposure and to be more consistent,” was Blevins’s self evaluation in order to achieve higher goals.  “I need to get different eyes on me.”

He has two sets of important eyes on him with the Ducks in Manager Kevin Baezand Pitching Coach Steve Foucault, both former major league players.  “He’s got real good stuff; he’s composed,” praised Baez.  Most of all, “you want guys who want to take the ball in big spots.”  Blevins is that guy.

“It was a great experience in Taiwan(Asian Series),” said Blevins, who pitched for Italy. He even got to shake hands with new New York Yankeesstar Masahiro Tanaka.

For now, Baez has Blevins in the top portion of the Long Island rotation, where he has a 1-1 record along with two no-decision starts and has a 4.13 earned run average while allowing 21 hits in 24 innings along with 23 strikeouts and only six walks.

Let’s See If Can-Am’s Tiebreaker Rule Catches on Elsewhere

One reason I am anxious for the start of the Can-Am Leagueseason next Thursday (May 22) is to see how the new tiebreaker rule works out.  After being considered a success in the World Baseball Classicand in International Baseball Federationworld championship play, the Can-Am has adopted it and any game making it to the 11th inning or beyond will start each half inning with a runner on second base.

It is obvious from watching games in various leagues through the years, including the majors, crowds often dwindle by the time a contest reaches the 11th.  It would not be a shock to see other leagues go this route in future years.

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Hot-Hitting Lew Ford Still Mainly a Player

Another player off to a great start in the Atlantic Leagueis the 37-year-old outfielder Lew Ford, who had a wonderful return to the major leagues, including the postseason, with Baltimoretwo years ago.  And, when I approached him after a 13-inning marathon this week in which I had seen him collect two hits to keep his average at .353 I was not sure if it was mainly hitting coach Lew Ford or player Lew Ford since he carries both titles with the Long Island (NY) Ducks.

“I am still trying to further my (playing) career”, he emphasized, a point Manager Kevin Baezseconded a short time later.  “First and foremost, he is a player,” Baez said.  In the meantime, by hustling his backside off, as I had witnessed during the game, the owner of nearly 1,600 major league at-bats is leading by example.  “It is part of who I am,” exuded Ford, who missed a good chunk of time with a sports hernia while in the Baltimore system last season before re-joining Long Island for its title run.

(This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes on Independent Baseball.  Thirty-six columns are planned during 2014.  Fans may subscribe at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy added stories on the blog www.IndyBaseballChatter.com , or comment to RWirz@aol.com .  The authorhas 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)