Published: August 08, 2007 11:38 pm      

TIM SCHMITT: The next Bonds? He could be tough to find in this world

COMMENTARY

BUFFALO — Jonathan Phillips pushed his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose, hiked up a pair of bright orange shorts and focused on Lindsay Catalano’s words with the sun beating down Wednesday at Dunn Tire Park.

Forget Barry Bonds’ historic shot, A-Rod’s milestone or Tony Gwynn’s induction into the Hall of Fame. Phillips’ concentration was on Catalano, a Buffalo Bisons intern and Kenmore native, who painted a mental picture for the 8-year-old.

Phillips was to pretend a fly ball had been knocked to right. Catalano would tell him the ball was in the air, he’d float a few feet down the third base line, then hustle back to third and tag up for home.

When she bellowed, he listened, streaking for the plate with glasses bouncing.

Things went well for a few feet, then Phillips slowed. He veered out of the baseline and onto the grass. He missed home plate.

Hours removed from the fall of one of the world’s greatest sports records, Phillips didn’t just look a kid on foreign soil. He looked like a kid on foreign soil who didn’t care to be there.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be.

The romance between kids and baseball — especially inner-city kids and baseball — has gone the way of Brad and Jen through the past decade. Phillips, part of a group from the Niagara Falls Housing Authority’s Summer Enrichment Program, told me he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do on the field. He later said he’d never even played baseball.

The reason?

“I don’t have a ball or a bat.”

Where kids like Phillips used to flock to diamonds, they now find a court. Phillips said he prefers basketball over baseball, even though he said the New York Yankees were his favorite sports team because “they represent New York.”

He added that he never watches the Yanks because he can’t catch the games.

But Phillips is a perfect example of a kid who’s got no chance to become the next Bonds, even if he’s got the skill. As part of a generation that’s been passed over by the national pastime, or vice versa depending on who you ask, the chance to wear pinstripes is remote.

In 1975, 27 percent of Opening Day big league rosters were black. Last year, that figure had fallen to less than nine percent.

And with little guys like Phillips consistently picking hoops over a bat and glove at Hyde Park, those numbers have little chance of improving.

“We’re trying to give kids who might not have a chance to be out here a day they can remember,” said April Davis, who works for Independent Health, which helped organize the event. “This was a great chance for these kids to get out here and get some exercise.”

But will it mean more baseball players within city limits?

“I’m not sure if it will help,” said Colorado native Ryan Mulhern, who plays first base for the Bisons. Mulhern tossed balls to kids in the underground batting cage during the clinic.

“I don’t know why it’s not bigger in the cities here. Maybe it’s too cold.”

Ouch. Gotta play that card, Ryan?

Phillips, Casey Walls, Heaven Cox, Charles Hayes and Aalyha Holifield were just a few of the campers who got a chance to spend time with Bisons Mulhern, Yamid Haad and Keith Ginter on Wednesday.

Maybe it’ll make a difference. Maybe kids like Phillips will become inflicted with baseball fever.

Odds say otherwise.

Contact group sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.