Thursday, June 12, 2008

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Jessie Shevins, a first team All-BCSL American Division pitcher, easily handled NJS.com Rich Barton and Cory Doviak.

TENAFLY – In the first of a series of challenges against area athletes, NorthJerseySports.com’s own Rich Barton and Cory Doviak took their hacks against Tenafly pitcher Jessie Shevins, who was named to the first team this year in the BCSL-American Division.

She may have had some success on the diamond this season, but how would she fare against two out-of-shape guys who constantly talk trash without the game to back it up? That question was answered on Friday when Barton and Doviak faced off against Shevins and a handful of teammates.

First up was yours truly, Richie Ballgame. On the second pitch I saw, I lined a ball into left field for a base hit. My confidence was back and I felt my swing was. But true to form, I went down looking in my next at-bat to come right back down to earth.

“I really stink,” said Barton, who once led a slow-pitch softball league in walks drawn five years in a row (and proud of it). “Not sure what it was, but Jessie’s delivery was really tough to read. I had trouble getting my timing down. I’m not sure if it was because it’s the first time I’ve seen live pitching all year or because I’m old and no longer an athlete by any stretch of the imagination.”

Doviak then stepped into the box and promptly made a complete idiot of himself. After fouling off a pitch, he went down swinging in two straight at-bats on a total of 10 pitches.

Barton's single in his first at bat came on this swing, which was obviously late even against a changeup.

“I may have gone down swinging, but at least I’m tall,” said a disgruntled Doviak. “Barton is a hobbit with really tiny hands. I don’t even know how he can hold a bat with the little paws of his.”

I then stepped back into the box and grounded out to all-county shortstop Megan Birch. Would I have beat it out with my blazing speed down the line? Honestly, probably not without blowing out a hamstring. I made up for it in my next at-bat by taking a change-up back up the middle for a base hit.

“I think Jessie (Shevins) just felt bad for Rich and Cory,” said Tenafly head coach Megan Williams. “But the important thing is that everyone tried and gave their best effort. Whether you are a high school athlete trying to improve or a couple of old guys trying to relive your youth, giving it your all every time you step on the field is what it is all about.”

Doviak then did the unthinkable and embarrassed himself even worse than striking out. He laid down a bunt thinking he would beat it out for a hit. But Bridgette Cohan popped out from behind the plate with her throw to Jules Barrett at first beating Doviak by a step. He finally got a hit in his final at-bat to save some face.

In my final two at-bats, I chopped a ground ball that I believed I would have beaten out, but we’ll call that an out before I struck out on a high fastball. I finished 2-6 while Doviak finished up 1-4. Even Jules Barrett stepped into the box and went 1-2 with a strike out and a base hit to right-center.

“Now that I got my feet wet today, I’m ready for anyone in any sport,” added the loud-mouthed Barton. “I may lose in every challenge. But at least I’m ready and I didn’t throw up today. I consider it a win-win for all parties. Except for Doviak who got thrown out trying to bunt, that’s terrible.”

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