Baseball on the brain
A day in the life of Blue Thunder shortstop Ben Orloff
With a 68-game Northwoods League schedule over the course of 2 1/2 months, it's baseball nearly every day for the Brainerd Blue Thunder.
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For shortstop Ben Orloff, who plays for the University of California, Irvine, during the spring, the analytical aspects of the game are never far from his mind.
Orloff uses strategy to make the most of his talent. Finding a gap to hit the ball through or setting up in the right spot on defense allows Orloff to make big plays on the diamond.
Ben Orloff plays shortstop for the Brained Blue Thunder and University of California, Irvine. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
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"I don't have a big arm, so it's having a good release when throwing the ball," Orloff said. "It's also knowing what pitches are being called and where to play the ball."
With the Blue Thunder, a typical day for Orloff usually begins in mid-morning, sometimes waking up to the smells of breakfast being cooked by housemate Tyler Brandon, a Thunder relief pitcher.
Brandon and Orloff are spending the summer in the house of retiree Betty Holden, who volunteered to be their host family. Holden, a former Madden's employee, is one of the Thunder's biggest fans.
After breakfast the shortstop may go running or go to the YMCA in Brandon's car and work out for about an hour with other Blue Thunder players. Orloff focuses on lower body strength.
Ben Orloff took swings during batting practice. Brainerd Dispatch/Trevor Williams
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The shortstop then hangs out with some teammates, usually to watch sports on TV. Then it's off to batting practice in the afternoon.
Orloff holds the NCAA single-season (34) and career record (60) for sacrifice bunts. He spends a portion of practice making sure he executes bunts perfectly.
As Irvine's and the Thunder's No. 2 hitter, his primary goal is to advance the leadoff runner to second for the heart of the order to drive the runner in.
"Our mindset at Irvine is to play for one run an inning," he said. "Our coach says if we can score one run for nine innings, we are going to win a lot of games. When we execute, we can put pressure on our opponent."
Ben Orloff (left) and the Blue Thunder work out regularly at the Brainerd Family YMCA. Brainerd Dispatch/Trevor Williams
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As the afternoon turns into evening, Orloff and the team prepares for the night's game after batting practice. At 7:05 p.m., it's time to play ball.
In the dugout, Orloff talks it up with fellow teammates, usually discussing what the opponent's pitcher is throwing and how to get hits off of him.
At bat the shortstop is known for his hustle. Instilled into him by Irvine's coaching staff, he runs "hard 90s" each time he makes contact in his 90-foot dash to first base, sometimes turning sacrifice bunts or infield dribblers into singles by sheer will.
On defense, Orloff says successful fielding is about thinking how to play the ball before allowing instincts to take over.
After the game ends, the Thunder have their postgame dinner, which includes meals like pizza or spaghetti. Some Thunder players may go hang out together before calling it a night. Then it's time to get some sleep before repeating the routine the next day.
Ben Orloff (left) lives with Blue Thunder reliever Tyler Brandon. Brainerd Dispatch/Trevor Williams
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Orloff, who joined the Blue Thunder at midseason, has lasting memories of this year's college baseball playoffs.
Irvine shocked the college baseball world by defeating Texas and Wichita State, both at their home fields, to make it to the College World Series.
At Wichita State, Orloff briefly ran into Thunder teammate Andy Dirks.
"I remember Dirks got on second once," Orloff said. "I said, 'Hey are you going to Brainerd this summer?' He said, 'Yeah.' I said, 'I'll see you there.'"
At Omaha, the shortstop remembers the incredible support the city had for Irvine. Orloff explained how Omaha gets behind teams that make their first appearance at the CWS. Irvine felt like the hometown team.
Ben Orloff showed his room in his host family's house. Brainerd Dispatch/Trevor Williams
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In a double-elimination first round, Irvine lost to Arizona State before going on a roll and defeating Fullerton and Arizona State, both in extra innings, to face defending national champion Oregon State.
Orloff played a key role in the win over Arizona State when, down 7-3 in the eighth with the bases loaded, he was hit by a pitch to start a four-run rally.
"It was a pitch where you couldn't really get out of the way, but at Irvine we take pride in hit by pitches," he said.
Irvine's magic ran out against Oregon State, which would go undefeated at the CWS. Despite the loss, Orloff enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to the next season.
Looking at his college career so far, both his college coach at Irvine and newspapers around the country have likened Orloff's play to St. Louis Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein.
"In a couple years, if I can be doing what he's doing, that would be awesome," Orloff said.
TREVOR WILLIAMS, sports copy editor, may be reached at trevor.williams@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5866.