This Week In Baseball: All Fields Covered (Feb 17, 2025)

Tune in for inspiring stories of young athletes making their mark and celebrating milestones that add character to their communities. Whether it's a day at the park with family or an edge-of-your-seat finish —the thrill of baseball is undeniable.

Key West Hype @iammikestack

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Baseball Joy
• 1:48 Major League Spring Training Action
• 5:38 Conch Baseball Triumphs and Celebrations

Transcript

Joy: 0:04

Thanks for tuning in to the Bring Joy podcast. We're in season five and it's all about baseball. I'm talking big leagues to the little leagues, Yankees to the Conks and everything in between. I'll share my joy for the game with you and whether you're a fan of baseball or good storytelling, trust me you'll be entertained and each episode will bring a little joy to your day. So sit back and relax. Let's do this thing this Week in Baseball.

Joy: 0:32

Remember that show With host Mel Allen? Me and my childhood bestie Tricia watched that show every Saturday morning. Then would head out on our bikes looking for a game to join. We'd always find one. Well, here's my nod to the classic show. Only, this episode is more like last week in baseball. I knew it was going to be a good week when it started, with me shagging balls for my four-year-old nephew at the park. I know right, Be still my heart and wait for it. He squares up lefty at the plate. I don't know what hand he throws with, cuz he's not interested in playing catch. He just wants to hit dingers and I'm good with that. I'll tell him, like I tell Roman Garcia and Sammy Holland you hit it, I'll go get it. We're off to a good start, right, but stick around until the end, because I'm going to walk it off with Augie Davila. But there's ground to cover before we get to the recs.

Joy: 1:30

Spring training is officially underway, with all Major League players joining their teams and returning to the parks, Most notably Juan Soto, who signed the richest contract in sports history $765 million with the Mets. Yeah, Brother man didn't want to be a Yankee, so now he's a Met, A very wealthy Met, but a Met. So, on behalf of all Yankee fans, thanks for coming and thanks for leaving. We'll see you around the way, and we don't even have to wait until the regular season. The crosstown rivals will face each other on March 24th. Mark your calendars, and if Boone is any kind of skipper, he'll make sure Garrett Cole gets a start. Our best against their best.

Joy: 2:14

In other Yankee news, Hal Steinbrenner held a press conference to announce the Yankees were adjusting the policy regarding facial hair. Yankee players can now wear well-groomed beards. Immediately, there were memes on the internet with Derek, the all-time Captain Jeter, with an AI-enhanced beard. Don't, okay. Somebody call Elon Musk and have him ban all Derek Jeter beard memes ASAP. Is anything sacred anymore? Devin Williams, the new Yankee closer, has always worn a full beard and is one of many players who advised the boss man on the topic, saying beards were important to players. Really, Beards, Okay, whatever. Just promise me you guys understand. Well-groomed means you washing it with soap and water. And, gentlemen, one more thing Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Joy: 3:05

Matter of fact, why don't we wait till you get back to the Bronx, take a walk through Monument Park and see what the babe and the mick have to say? I know you get me started. I'll talk all day about the Yankees, but let's do that. Next episode I'll bring on my pal, lifetime Yankee fan, Cookie Charres, and we'll give our take on the 2025 Yankee season and how we expect our boys to respond to the World Series loss to the Dodgers. Okay, I said it, we lost to the Dodgers. I might need to get used to talking about the Dodgers, because here's the thing Key West native son, Anthony Knowles is a rising star in the organization. I told you last episode keep an eye on Knowles is a rising star in the organization. I told you last episode keep an eye on Knowles.

Joy: 3:46

The kid got the call to work an inning on opening day against the Cubs, Two ground balls and a pop-up. Even superstar Mookie Betts gave Tone some love. And as Teosca Hernandez was catching the third out, the TV guy says an impressive seven-inning pitch for the pride of Key West, Antonio Knowles. Go ahead, make me stand up and salute the TV as I replay the inning. What 20, 25 times, who's counting? The Dodger Daily website featured Antonio's inning with a complimentary caption that in part said Tones is absolutely an elite human being and has a ton of potential. He goes on to say I'm not going to hide it, he's one of my favorites to root for. Well, Mr Dodger Daily, join the Key West Conga Line because the entire island is rooting for the kid, because the entire island is rooting for the kid.

Joy: 4:38

The college baseball season is also underway, which means it's time to kick in that ESPN Plus subscription to catch all the college action. If you're a baseball fan and not following college baseball, who are you really? I've recently become a Stetson Hatties fan, but always love the Knowles and expect them to go back to Omaha this summer along with Felix Ong and the Florida Gators. But I'll definitely be following the teams of Jacob Burnham, Lucky Barroso, Jack Haggerd and all the Conch Baseball alumni playing college baseball. And the Lady Conchs alumni are well represented at the college level. Also, Congratulations to Bella Perez. In her second year with FIU, she hit the Panthers' first home run of the season and check this out the 2025 Lady Conks were in the stands to see it. How cool is that? Even cooler, the Lady Conks turned a triple play during their away game. Way to be heads up. Tavon and Shiloh.

Joy: 5:35

The Conkball 12U team, coached by Miguel Gonzalez, hit the road to compete in a perfect game tournament. The young ballers went undefeated in five games. They brought home a trophy and plenty of experience as they prepared for this summer's trips to Cooperstown. Back at home, there was plenty of action at the recs. Let's start with a doubleheader for our JV team. The young squad typically has to rough it on the road, so I was excited to watch them play at home. They swung the bats with purpose and won both games. I'll call out Christian Masters for the inside the park home run. You gotta hit it far and run fast to make that happen.

Joy: 6:13

The varsity Kongs came into the weekend feeling confident after winning the regular season opener against two ABF Academy teams out of Homestead and Hialeah. The Conks put up 19 runs. The big highlight was Sammy staying hot at the plate, including a home run to center field. And the sophomore sensations Nellie Ong, Roman and Augie tagged triples on the weekend. Sophomore sensations Nelly Ong, Roman and Augie tagged triples on the weekend. Vinny Moline and Christian Koppel got the starts and combined with the bullpen, we hung 20 Ks. The Conchs played clean defense, no errors. The sweep earned the milestone 400th win for Coach Ralph Henriquez. Congratulations, Coach.

Joy: 6:56

Coach, the Miami Christian Victors came into town carrying a lot of hype from the South Florida baseball writers. Well, we play good teams for breakfast. I know I know too much, too soon, but it's Friday night at the Rex and what's Mike Stack say? Key West, Florida. The Key West calls we ready, Mile zero, bottom of the map, home to the Rex. You know we about that action All right. Well, it didn't work out like we planned it, so I'm going to fast forward and skip the details. We lost a two-run lead and the game in the seventh inning took home a heartbreaking loss. But Saturday night we came back ready to play.

Joy: 7:35

Roman set the tone early, crushing a home run to left field. He knew it as soon as he hit it. We all did and rose to our feet and watched the ball fly over the fence until we couldn't see it anymore. Somebody call Aaron Judge and ask him how to measure that exit velocity. We had a two-run lead going into the fourth and our pitchers lost their touch and couldn't find the strike, allowing three runs to score and the victors take the lead. Then Cruz control Holmes took over on the mound, threw three scoreless innings, keeping his team in the game. But their pitcher was equally impressive with multiple release points. Had the umpire mesmerized and the conch batters guessing. We hadn't scored since the second. So we're heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Joy: 8:22

Miami Christian 4, Conchs 3. Need I remind you this team has hard and no quit? Jackson Bernhardt comes in as a pitch hitter. He works a walk after a tough nine pitch at bat. Nelly flies out for out number one. Then Showtime. K Maltz lines a single.

Joy: 8:40

Now we looking at runners on first and second. With Roman due up. He welcomes their new pitcher tagging a single up the middle, scoring to Speedy Bernhardt. And we all nodded up before a piece. Here we go, Key West. Here we go. Kaden Pichardo flies out for the second out. Now Sammy and all his confidence steps to the plate. A bass rap right here. Run scores and we go home, or he gets out and we play extras. No pressure really.

Joy: 9:08

Well, they decide to intentionally walk Holland to face Augie. Now the bases are juiced with two outs, Got a ball game. Need a ball player? Augie falls behind in the count. He steps out of the box, gets a sign from coach I'm not trying to steal signs, but I'm pretty sure he gave him the hit, the damn ball sign. Augie agrees, steps back in the pitcher, takes his sweet time to deliver the pitch. If there was a 22nd clock in high school, like the pros, there'd be a major violation. Augie's feet are firm in his stance but he's loading that bat to time the pitch. Finally, what looks to me like a fastball comes his way and Augie drills it. Conchs runners take off for home. The left fielder and the center fielder make their jumps toward each other and the ball, but it sails over the head into the gap for a double scoring. Two Conks win, Conchs, win.

Joy: 10:01

There's pandemonium at the recs, the conks on the field and in the stands mob each other. There's hugs, high fives and back flips. The K crew was pumped up and in no hurry to head home, so we stuck around and continued celebrating high-fiving moms, dads, aunts, cousins, anyone who had a cheesy grin like us while we waited to congratulate the team. I realize this season is just getting started and it's more of a marathon than a sprint, but I also realize you shouldn't ever contain your joy. Eventually we headed out and my friend K Crew Mark says to me sometimes I have to pinch myself and remember this is high school baseball. Yes, sir, my friend at its finest, as Mel Allen used to say, that's all for now. Folks See you next week.

Joy: 10:52

For this Week in Baseball. I'm Joy Nulisch and I appreciate you tuning into my podcast. My purpose is to bring joy into my life and the lives of others. If you enjoyed this episode, drop a review, share and subscribe, because there's a lot of good stuff on tap. You can also follow bring joy on youtube and instagram or check my website at joynulisch. com. I'll go bring joy to the people in your world. Until next time, much love.