Joliet leads the Frontier League in RBIs and is second in home runs, but equally important to the team’s success has been its defense.
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The Slammers have committed fewer errors than every team except Southern Illinois.
“We built this team around defense,” Joliet manager Jeff Isom said. “If you look at our infield, we’ve got guys who are going to make plays. Anywhere on our field, especially up the middle, we’re very strong.”
Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez played all of last year with the Slammers. Second baseman Carter Bell and third baseman Jake Gronsky are in their first full season with the team.
Rodriguez has only three errors, while Bell and Gronsky have four apiece. Outfield regulars Charlie White in center and Phil Bates in left each have just one error.
Rodriguez partly credits a better playing surface at Silver Cross Field for the improved defense after the Slammers led the league in errors last season.
“Honestly, the surface is a lot better this year than what it was last year,” Rodriguez said. “Along with that, we prepare very well for every game. I have a very aggressive mentality defensively. We come to the park and take the preparation serious.”
So does Kevin Duff, who’s in his first season as head groundskeeper. Duff had been the assistant groundskeeper for Tampa Bay’s Class A affiliate in Bowling Green, Ky.
“When I got here, the field was looking pretty bad,” Duff said. “I didn’t like how tall and thick the grass was. We rented dethatchers, and (stadium operations manager) Shawn Hardy and I walked the whole grass area in one day to thin it out.
“The mower got lowered to an inch-and-a-quarter. That way the ball will roll better and the ball will be able to be played better. The infield was really dry. It was like a brick. I’ve been watering it a lot, and now it’s not.”
Duff also plans to aerate the field after the season and top dress it with sand to improve root growth.
The Slammers (28-20) hope to delay that process by holding onto first place in the East Division and making the four-team playoff. Joliet was 20-7 from June 3 through Monday.
“The more games you can win early, the less you’ve got to win in the second half,” Isom said. “Those games in the second half are a lot harder to win. You’ve got tired guys. You’ve got pressure of, ‘OK, you’re so many games back.’ We don’t want to have to do that.”
Ironically, Thursday’s series finale against the Washington Wild Things at Silver Cross Field was postponed because of a rain-soaked field.
The Slammers start a three-game road series Friday against the Lake Erie Crushers before the four-day All-Star break.
Isom is the manager of the East Division team for Wednesday’s game. On Thursday, he added Slammers pitchers Spencer Medick and Sean Townsley to his roster.
Joliet’s Marc Flores, Bell, Rodriguez and White already had been voted to the East team.
The Slammers return from the All-Star break to host the Florence Freedom in a series that starts July 15 at Silver Cross Field.
Tim Tierney is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
Up next: Slammers (TBA) at Lake Erie (TBA), 7:05 p.m. Friday.
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