Outfielder still looking for his "Fields of Dreams"
It was the home half of the 3rd inning back on July 14th, 2014 when Eugene Emeralds pitcher Adrian De Horta was on the mound facing Canadians outfielder Roemon Fields trailing 1-0 to Vancouver. Fields was 0-for-1 on the day having grounded out back in the 1st inning.
For fans of the Canadians, this day had special possibilities as a page of Vancouver baseball history was set to fall should Fields grab himself a pair of stolen bases. Coming into the 32nd game of the season, Fields was already just one stolen base shy of equaling the single-season franchise record that Michael Richard had been holding onto since 2007.
Richard nabbed 25 stolen bases for Rick Magnante's Canadians nearly seven years earlier and not one player had been able to surpass the Lake Charles, Louisiana native's mark until Fields approached in. What made the fragile record even more vulnerable was the fact that Fields had more than half a season remaining to grab just two more stolen bases making it a foregone conclusion that someone in a Vancouver Canadians jersey would finally leapfrog the speedy Richard.
Fields led off that top of the 3rd inning with a sharply hit baseball back up the middle where it was fielded on a skip by Emeralds centerfielder Austin Bousfield. As Fields rounded first before retreating back to first base, Canadians hitting coach Dave Pano whispered to the baserunner 'Go on the first pitch'. Pano had seen enough of De Horta while coaching over at first base that he knew Fields and his abilities would be able to challenge right out of the gates.
De Horta threw over once to first base before he offered to the plate. A subtle reminder to Fields that De Horta did in fact have him on his mind. But the next pitch, with the tall, slendar pitcher working from the stretch, motioned toward the plate and with the high leg kick, off went Fields galloping toward second base.
Eugene catcher Mike Miller, poised with a strong throwing arm, efforted to get the ball out to second base before Fields made contact, but after a small plumb of dust dissipated from around the bag out in the middle of the diamond, there stood Fields as the base umpire held his arms out as far as they could reach.
Fields had tied the Canadians short-season franchise record with his 25th stolen base of the season.
As fans cheered and broadcasters described, Fields dusted himself off and looked over at Canadians manager John Schneider who was already in the middle of a sequence of signs that to the common fan meant nothing, but to Fields gave him the marching orders needed to continue his pursuit not just of home plate, but of a place in Canadians history.
The very next pitch, with the middle infielders playing cat-and-mouse with Fields, the Federal Way native bolted toward third base and caught most of the Eugene infield off guard.
Another throw from Miller was aimed squarely at third base with defensive-minded infielder Nick Vilter awaiting the ball in hopes of tagging Fields somewhere on his body before a hand or a cleated show found its way onto the base.
The throw was late, and Fields with his right arm pumping in a circular motion shot up with his foot firmly planted on the bag knowing he had just become the best the Canadians had ever had in the business of stealing bases.
A roar from the crowd was accompanied by a handshake from Schneider who simply said 'man, you're fast'.
Fields had stolen 26 bases in just 32 games. He would go onto steal 49 over the course of his 72 games with the Canadians helping them to the Northwest League Championship where Canadians only affiliated Minor League Baseball team would fall to the Hillsboro Hops.
As the Hops rushed the field with index fingers pointed upward, Vancouver's franchise collected their belongings and began the process of wrapping up the season and making plans for the winter months where rest, relaxation and off-season workout plans were awaiting them.
For Fields, a free-agent before the season started, there was a sense of uncertainty.
Despite taking the Northwest League by storm, Fields was still without a long-term plan and the Blue Jays had hardly gotten to know him before the season ended and all that was left for Fields was a stat line and hope that Toronto would come with pen in hand once more.
An invitation to Fields did come, in the form of a trip down to Florida for six weeks of instructional league baseball, a gift given to most first year players who the Blue Jays would like to see more off.
After that, Fields was offered the chance to go south for more games, and more instruction. But this time it was way down south as in Australia.
Former Canadians infielders Jon Berti and Shane Opitz had both gone Down Under a year earlier and sang the praises of the professional baseball played in Australia.
The problem came in the form of 'life'.
Fields, who lives just minutes from Safeco Field in Seattle had a family to support, and life in the Minor Leagues doesn't exactly help many retire in short order. A tough decision awaited Fields as he had to choose between heading south to hone his skillset or stay at home and pick up the mail bag that he had just put down months earlier to take a chance at professional baseball.
His decision?
Family.
Fields passed on the chance to go to Australia and hoped that his time in Vancouver was enough incentive to give the Blue Jays the confidence needed to bring him back in 2015.
Fields worked a regular job, pulling regular hours in Federal Way, Washington and when that was done, he would hit the gym and work behind the scenes to ensure he could remain close to his family while improving enough to get him on Toronto's radar.
How could the Blue jays not know about Fields and his 49 stolen bases? Oh, they know - but baseball is a tough business.
The Blue Jays didn't invest much in Fields, nor did they spend a draft pick to get him making him the most prototypical type of expendable player around.
Those are the harsh realities of baseball.
Luckily for Fields the Blue Jays are in the business of scouring the globe for talents like his. Looking for that one player that has a God-given gift and yet somehow slipped through the cracks of the baseball world and into their lap.
Canadians pitcher Miguel Castro was found that way. Vancouver pitcher Bo Schultz was found that way and is currently in Dunedin with the Blue Jays trying to find a home on their opening day roster.
It can happen, and for Fields, although the road is long and the margin for error is slender at best - he continues to believe that he can will his way to the Major Leagues.
Imagine the story.
Former postal worker trades in mail bag for life in the Major Leagues. If you don't call Hollywood, I will.
For now, Fields heads to Spring Training with his reputation, a few added off-season pounds and the hope that he can pick up where he left off a year ago in Vancouver. There are no promises being thrown at Fields in 2015, but as he has proven since joining the Blue Jays, there doesn't seem to be a base that he can't steal and now he hopes to steal a spot with the Toronto Blue Jays.
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