August is going to be “Frontier League Standings Awareness Month” for the Slammers.
Starting Tuesday, the defending East Division champions will play 15 games in August against Windy City and Washington, two teams the Slammers have to pass in the standings to make the playoffs.
Although the main goal of players in independent baseball is to get signed by an affiliated team, they keep an eye on the standings just like the big leaguers.
“We definitely pay attention to that every day,” Slammers starting pitcher Duke Von Schamann said. “We know that we have Windy City and Washington coming up and those are going to be huge series for us.
“That’s why these games are important right now. We need them all. We definitely pay attention to the standings. We’ve really got to figure it out. It’s go time now.”
Slammers catcher Spencer Navin, who played in the Dodgers’ organization, relishes the team aspect of independent baseball.
“We know what’s coming up,” Navin said. “We know where we sit and we know who we’re going to play. We’re keeping track of it.
“You’re always trying to do individual greatness. But at the same time, as an athlete, you’re always going to have that team mentality. You want to win and you want to get to the playoffs.”
Joliet (30-34) has won nine of 15 games since the All-Star break, but still is fifth in the six-team East Division. The Slammers nearly made it a 10-5 record since the break, but they suffered a 7-6 loss Sunday to West Division leader Florence (42-24) in 11 innings.
Luis Diaz launched a bases-loaded hit off the left-field wall to score two runs, but Rock Shoulders was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first to end the game.
“I think we’re playing decent baseball,” said Navin, who was 2-for-4 Sunday to raise his average to .298. “We just need to capitalize on some opportunities that are given to us that we aren’t right now.”
An example of what the Slammers can’t afford to do down the stretch came in the third inning. They loaded the bases with no outs, but a strikeout, a pickoff at third and another strikeout ended the chance to extend a 2-1 lead.
More Top Picks Best Drones For Photography
The Slammers left 15 runners on base Sunday and 11 in Saturday’s 10-7 loss to Florence.
Besides capitalizing on their opportunities, the Slammers could use a reliever to stand out from the rest of the bullpen.
“We need someone to step up in the bullpen big, that can come down in the middle innings and shut stuff down for us,” Navin said. “As far as starting and closing, I think we’re sitting pretty good.”
Joliet will play 20 of 29 games in August on the road. No big deal to Navin.
“Personally, I like playing on the road,” Navin said. “It’s not less pressure, but you’re being yourself. You feed off people talking crap to you, so I don’t mind playing on the road. I look forward to it.”
It’s OK with outfielder Ridge Hoopii-Haslam, who’s batting a team-leading .326.
“This is the biggest part of the season right here,” Hoopii-Haslam said. “Play time is over. Everybody has to be locked in. This is where people are going to show who’s going to excel.”
Tim Tierney is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.