Calabrese's speed on display again in Team Maroon's loss to Team Green
Ontario Blue Jays OF David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.) went 2-for-3 in Team Maroon's 8-3 loss to Team Green. Photo credit: Christiana Quesko
September 18, 2019
By James Sutherland
Canadian Baseball Network
There’s fast, and then there’s too fast.
David Calabrese, a native of Maple, Ont., was the fastest player in Tuesday’s 60-yard dash at T12 Scout Day, registering a time of 6.43 seconds, and put that on display in his first game of the Tournament as his Maroon squad took on Team Green.
After appearing to register a two-run hit in the fourth, the 16-year-old’s quickness got the better of him as he failed to touch first base.
“I hit the ball, I was rounding first and I was looking to see if the ball would land fair or not, and actually overran the bag,” he said in a post-game interview. “As I went to go back to touch the bag I think I missed it again.”
Team Maroon coach Allen Cox made light of the mistake.
“He was watching the play, overran it, tried to touch it a couple times,” said Cox. “Their first baseman and the umpire were looking right at it. So he kind of just laughed it off.”
Though Calabrese wasn’t able to use it in that situation, running is one of his day-to-day focuses.
“I think for me, speed is my No. 1 tool,” said Calabrese. “I really try to utilize it as much as I can. I really work hard on consistently getting myself faster and faster and that's the one area that I really try and improve on every single day.”
Cox notes that speed is a constant, unlike pitching or hitting that can sometimes go through a drought.
“Speed's never in a slump,” he said. “So you know you walk him, you're looking at a triple. He'll be at third within a couple pitches.”
Calabrese finished the game going 2-for-3 with one RBI and one walk, including a triple.
“I just saw a first pitch fastball right in my wheelhouse, and I just jumped on it,” he said. “I just tried to hit it as hard as I could and obviously it worked and I was really happy with the results.”
Cox was impressed with Calabrese’s power given how fast he is.
“He showed some pop today, he hit a ball off the wall there in his second at-bat, so you put all those together you're going to be a special player,” he said.
“It's the first time I've seen him play. I think he's a very good player. I think he's going to go play in a big-time Division I school.”
This is the second time Calabrese has appeared at the Tournament. The outfielder is using last year’s experience as a confidence booster this time around.
“Last year I came in, I was a younger player. I had a little bit of nerves, but this year I feel a lot more comfortable here,” he said.
“It's a great atmosphere to play in, great experience to play in a Major League stadium, and really just never gets old. Last year was awesome, but this year I'm just looking forward to playing a lot better and having a great week.”
Calabrese was awarded Player of the Game honours in a losing effort as Maroon was topped 8-3 by Team Green. Max Grant went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Austin Gomm was 2-for-2 to lead Green’s offence.
Team Maroon gets back on the field Thursday at 1 p.m. taking on Team Orange.