Published: June 30, 2008 10:42 pm            

NYCBL BASEBALL: Blomberg is the people’s choice

You might as well call him the Jerry West of the Niagara Power.

After all, who better to market as the face of New York Collegiate Baseball League franchise than the fun-loving, energy-filled Joel Blomberg?

“He portrays exactly what we want in a player for a faith-based team,” Power manager Sam Kirby said. “He’s a good Christian and a good athlete. He has his head on straight and does everything the right way.”

Perhaps that’s why you’ll often find Blomberg lingering on the field until every fan, young and old, goes home with a picture, an autograph or just a little conversation time.

“It’s a lot of fun interacting with the fans,” he said. “It’s an honor to have kids ask for an autograph or just hang out or have your picture taken with them. It’s special.”

The fans show their thanks in more than just conversation, though, as Blomberg almost always draws the largest cheers from the crowd. His biggest cheering section comes from behind home plate, though. That’s where you can always find his host family, the Parisos of Grand Island.

“The kids bring their friends, they make signs, do special cheers — it’s really nice,” Blomberg said.

Blomberg is one of only two players that returned to the Falls this summer and the Parisos were a big reason why.

“(Tony and Elaine) are like my mom and dad up here,” he said. “They have a beautiful home and nice kids. We just hit it off right away last year.”

Blomberg said some of his most memorable moments during his time in Western New York have come with his host family.

“We all watch a television show together, 24, we go on their boat, have bonfires and just hang out,” he said.

Now, Blomberg hopes to create similar positive memories on the diamond. The centerfielder had success at the college level, helping Embry-Riddle (Fla.) Aeronautical University to the NAIA World Series this past spring, but the Power struggled down the stretch a year ago and have gotten off to a rough start this summer.

Personally, the defensive wizard is still making adjustments at the plate. But they’re adjustments Blomberg realizes must be completed if he is to have prolonged success in the future.

“I need to be more consistent with the bat and work on cutting down the strikeouts,” he said.

And Kirby believes his speedster can do it, if not on attitude alone.

“Of any player I’ve ever coached, I respect him and the way he lives his life and approaches the game of baseball as much as anybody,” the skipper said. “He’s very determined. He’s a competitor and he’ll work at anything you ask him to do.”

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.

        

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