Forty four baseball players. Thirty four colleges represented. One summer ball team.
All from different backgrounds and areas around the country, the OC Riptide players came to Irvine, California, in June. Their task: becoming a team in mere days.
However, each of these ball players had one goal in mind going into the season, and it easily forged unity. They each aspire to grow in the game of baseball, getting more at-bats and more outings. They hope to take their game to the next level, some jumping from junior colleges to four-year universities, some from their college benches to starters.
“Being around the game more and learning from all these guys who go to different schools with different styles of baseball has really helped me grow,” pitcher Tommy McGuire (Cypress College) said.
Some players use the summer league to challenge themselves, trying new positions in the field and new areas in the batting order.
Patrick Hackworth (University of California San Diego) played for the Riptide in 2023 as an outfielder. This season he shifts around positions in the infield.
Patrick Hackworth applies the tag on a would be base stealing San Diego SunRay.
(Photo credit: Dingers Photography)
“Now I’m able to play a variety of positions, which I take pride in and think it will be really helpful moving forward,” Hackworth said.
Whatever the personal goals, these players work together toward the common goal of winning games and improving their abilities.
A month into the summer season, the OC Riptide stands at third out of seven in the California Collegiate League South Division. With a 12-8 division record, the Riptide has consistently improved from early season struggles.
From the start, each hitter faced an obstacle.
They needed to quickly learn the differences between a metal bat and wood bat. Riptide head coach Connor Spencer says this transition isn’t easy.
“No one really talks about nor does any player really realize until you start doing it that it takes adjustability to swing a wood bat,” Spencer said. “Not all wood bats are created equal.”
Spencer added part of the learning curve stems from determining the best wood bat for each player due to the numerous options available. But with only so many at-bats and plate appearances, players had to fight time and make adjustments quickly. Learning bat preferences took time for each player.
“Similar to how professional golfers get fitted for golf clubs, baseball players should be fitted for wood bats,” Spencer said. “There’s hundreds of different types of models and weights. Guys come out of the gate and just pick up a random wood bat, and then they struggle.”
The scores reflected those challenges at the plate. After a slow start to the summer, players have built comfortability and turned around a losing record.
Michael Diaz sprints home from third to score a run. (Photo Credit: Jgray.media)
Along with better productivity at the plate, the team recently added more players. Hackworth and Michael Diaz (Grand Canyon University) joined the ‘Tide in late June and entrenched themselves in the top of the batting order.
“I think with Diaz and Hackworth, I’ve tried as hard as I can to leave them as a staple at the top of the order, and what it’s done is take a lot of pressure off the rest of the lineup,” Spencer said.
Now with the entire lineup set, players can build consistency, and “pieces fall into places where they are supposed to be. Guys become more comfortable,” Spencer said.
Jake Brown (California Baptist University) leads the team in runs scored (19), and Rocco Gump (Northwestern State) stands atop with 19 hits.
The pitching staff experienced a rocky start to the summer as well, digging the team into multiple-run holes and giving up early leads.
“It’s still kind of been a roller coaster with the bullpen, but we’ve had some great outings, and it’s about attacking the strike zone,” Spencer said. “Our guys are getting more comfortable every time they go out there.”
Sammy Cova (University of Oregon) leads all arms in ERA (1.42) in 6.1 innings pitched, while Jack Bunnell ranks second (1.80) in five innings pitched.
With one month remaining in the season, each day presents a critical opportunity for players to reach their goals.
“This is a game that wants to punch you day in and day out… It’s about coming out to the yard every day and being simple and consistent with everything you do,” Spencer said. “Within that you’ll find success on the baseball field.”
