Even if the result is secondary during this type of game, we can still mention that the Ottawa Titans had the best 10 to 6 over Quebec with the help of three long balls at Heni-Casault Park.
“We still have a good idea of our formation, but the coaching staff will consult this evening. The question still lies with a position player and possibly a throw. We will wait until tomorrow to finalize our decisions,” explains the Quebec manager.
Le Soleil – Capitales pre-season Jessen Dalton – May 3, 2024 – Photo Caroline Grégoire (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
Thin sample
Scalabrini assures that it is never easy to decide who should leave and who should stay with a limited number of matches.
“In an ideal world, I would have finalized the lineup with an additional preparatory match, but as we are going abroad Monday morning without returning to Quebec for a while, that’s where we have to decide. Pitchers are harder to evaluate, you often see just one inning from a player in cold conditions like tonight. We rely on what we saw in the simulated games and we always do our homework.
Le Soleil – Pre-season of Capitales Tommy Seidl – May 3, 2024 – Photo Caroline Grégoire (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
Positive assessment
The fact remains that the manager was satisfied with what he saw of his future training at training camp.
“We have 15 players who have already put on the Capitals uniform and that’s what’s different from other years. We feel that we are ahead of previous years with team spirit. There is a lot of familiarity between the players and the adaptation of the new players has been very effective.
Scalabrini is quick to add, however, that there is still work to be done with player timing.
“There is no doubt that the two preparatory games next Monday and Tuesday are important. We still have a way to go before starting the season next Thursday in Florence.
Under close surveillance
Having undergone surgery on his left hand in the off-season, the play of shortstop Kyle Crowl is scrutinized by coaches. Crowl played a crucial role in last year’s championship win and Scalabrini admits he is worried about the number 11.
“He had a slight setback a few weeks ago, but he was playing tonight. What I liked most about him is that he doesn’t get hurt. It is certain that we will give him time off regularly during the season. We will start with two parts out of three and we will evaluate again if necessary. It’s certain that he will be in the opening match against Florence.”
Scalabrini assures that he communicates a lot with his right-handed hitter.
“He is the first to say that it is more mental than physical with his injury. He is gaining momentum and he still has a certain fear of getting injured again. We’re going to be careful with him.”
Bad singer?
The Capitals batting man for this preparatory game was none other than pitcher Abdiel Saldana. The Panamanian gunner had the worst performance of all the team members at the karaoke night. The consequence of this poor performance was to play the batting man for the entire duration of the preparatory match against Ottawa.
The author of these lines also heard the rumor that Quebecer Anthony Quirion was the complete opposite of Saldana as a singer. Everything remains to be verified…
