Antarctic October Training
Bogdashka stood in the box, bat up, ready for Farias' pitch. The Russian hitter was expecting a sinking fastball, low 90s. The Argentinian pitcher was leaning over, looking at where the catcher was patting himself. Of course, wearing mittens made it impossible to relay signs the usual way. Orlando Farías kicked back, with Bogdashka Goldobenko tightening his body in anticipation. The pitcher slung his arm as hard as the bulky winter clothing he was wearing would let him, with Omar Moreno receiving the ball with a satisfying pop. "Strike one!" The Antarctic Baseball League was officially underway, with the first pitch of October Training being a called strike.
The Qinling team had arrived by boat three hours before the game was set to begin. It was then that the players were called into the locker room from the common area on Davis Station. Bogdashka took his glove, specially made to fit a hand wearing inner gloves and mittens, and sat in front of the locker that held all his gear. He started getting ready. He was already wearing thick wool undergarments, a wool sweater and insulated pants, standard for anyone staying in Antarctica, even when inside. He added his parka, with a large #13 and GOLDOBENKO sown into the back, and a penguin wearing a baseball cap on the front left chest. He put on his third pants and swapped his comfortable boots for the special made cleats. They looked like boots, they were lined with fur on the inside, with the outside tough leather. Hard steel spikes allowed them to trot, some might say run, in the snow with little risk of injury or slipping. He put on his balaclava, wool beanie (also featuring a penguin), mittens, anti-glare goggles and headed off into the field.
If you could even call it a field. There was of course no grass, just a flat enough space with 3 bright orange bases set 90 feet apart from each other. Most snow had been removed in preparation to the game, and it was a blessing there was no wind on this cloudy September day. Bright orange flags marked important spots: the pitcher's mound, and where foul ground began, with them being set every 50 feet. There was no outfield wall, but hardly anyone was strong enough to hit it that far, while wearing all this gear. The baseball was also heavier, a bright orange rubber monster that seemed to have a life of its own when it was windy outside. It had no seams, but these pitchers still found ways to make it move in certain ways with its spin and the cold wind. Baseball in Antarctica is truly an odd sight!
9 innings and 9 runs later, the Davis Emperors beat the Qinling Dragons 5-4 in the first October Training game. Elsewhere, all other teams began their action as well, beginning a 30-game preseason. Here are the results:
Top Hitters
CF Sipho Dlamini - Casey - 19-56, 4 2B, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB
3B Huang Lian - Qinling - 16-53, 3 2B, 5 HR, 9 RBI
1B Fabien Renard - Showa - 21-69, 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 16 RBI
LF Chi-ju Yun - Rothera - 20-63, 2 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 9 SB
CF Humberto Olivares - Scott - 23-85, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 7 SB
Top Pitchers
RH Nicolas Bocquet - Qinling - 25 IP, 1 ER, 14 HA, 8 BB, 7 K
RH Salvador Meneses - Carlini - 24.1 IP, 2 ER, 13 HA, 6 BB, 15 K
RH Rogelio Baza - Scott - 23.1 IP, 1 ER, 11 HA, 11 BB, 18 K
RH Marcel Dupont - Concordia - 23.2 IP, 1 ER, 10 HA, 3 BB, 15 K
RH Waldo Fleming - Davis - 24 IP, 1 ER, 19 HA, 6 BB, 16 K
And here are what the experts predict for the Antarctic Baseball League's maiden season:
It looks like we're in from some excitingly close fights for the Ross, Weddell and Plateau divisions. The Krakens are projected to be the best team in the league, or is it just their weak division? This and more as we head into Opening Day!