In a season where the Yorkton Cardinals managed only 14 Western Major Baseball League wins the one near-constant highlight was James Green on the base-paths.
Over 39 games the speedy centrefielder would have 37 lead off hits, take 34 walks, get hit by six pitches, all combining for a .433 on-base percentage. The varied ways of making it to first base was just what Green wanted as he used his speed to swipe bases at what would prove to be a record setting clip as Thursday in Weyburn, in the Cardinals' last game of the season, he stole a pair. The first tied the WMBL season record at 35, and the second set a new mark at 36.
Green knew he was on the verge of a record having swiped a pair of games Wednesday in the team's final home game of the season to sit on the record's doorstep, still he said he tried to keep his mindset the same heading into the game versus the Beavers.
"It was kind of like any other game, get on base as much as you can and get yourself a couple of bags," he said.
In his first at-bat Green doubled and scored on a single, so the record had to wait.
"It should have been a triple but I wanted to steal a bag," he admitted.
Green would come up in the second reaching on an error, but Luis Sanchez stood on second base blocking his steal aspirations.
"Luis knew I wanted to steal so we put on a double steal. I took off for second. It was a pretty close call -- I can say that -- but it came out on our end," he said.
That tied the record.
Sanchez would score from third on a sacrifice fly leaving third base open, and an eager Green on second.
"The next pitch I took off for third. It was one of those moments, just a bang bang play," he said, adding it was the steal he had been coveting for several games.
Green said when he got to within about seven steals, and the season drew to its final games, he and teammates were aware the record loomed on the horizon, adding the rest of the team was supportive of his personal quest.
The WMBL record, set in 2006, had been held by Nick Meyers-Nosti a former Millionaire.
"Somebody had mentioned that," said Green. "That's kind of cool that a Melville guy had it and I played for the Millionaires and now their rivals."
The record is something Green was eager to share with his father, James Sr., but the call had to wait until Friday.
"It was just a little bit too late to get a hold of them (Thursday night)," he said, adding he made the call early Friday, noting he and his father always talked after games. "Me and my dad always talk about every game."
While the talks usually reflected on what Green might have done better, Friday it was a case of James Sr. poking some fun at his son.
"He told me I'd have done it a lot faster had I took his cleats," said the younger Green.
Cardinal head coach Bill Sobkow said Green had a fine season for the team.
"James was an excellent player for us." he said, adding that while the pursuit of the stolen base record was a highlight, he noted Green also "played very well defensively," and his on-base percentage made him a valuable lead-off hitter.
Green said he had never envisioned setting a league mark as he arrived in Yorkton in June for his third WMBL season, his first as a Cardinal.
"I was just coming up here to work on some things, and to help the Cards have a good season," he said.
However, Green did add speed is a huge part of his game, and every time he reached first base he had larceny on his mind.
"When I get on I try to create some havoc on the base-paths," he said.
Green said the 2011 WMBL season was his time to recommit to the game.
"I had sort of taken the year off," he said, adding he had not touched a baseball bat, or his glove since the end of the 2010 season when he played for Melville. " I had some off-field family issues I had to take care of I needed to step away from the game for a bit."
When he finally decided to return to the game a return to Melville -- he had 22 steals for the Millionaires in 2010 -- for a third season was not possible. In spite of not having that opportunity, Green has nothing but positives to say about the Millionaires ball club. He said the team had not expected his return, so went in a different direction, adding, "it's a good organization. There's a lot of good people in the city."
Green initially connected with the Millionaires via one of Canada's greatest ball players Terry Puhl who played in the majors for 15 years, and grew up in Melville. Puhl was Green's college coach for two seasons at the University of Houston-Victoria.
"He (Puhl) got me a shot to come play here," said Green, adding Puhl was a pivotal part of his development. " He's a great guy. One of the best coaches I've played for. He makes sure you're having fun. If you're not having fun out there, that's when errors start happening."
Puhl told Yorkton This Week he is proud Green set the record.
"Congratulations to James on setting the single season record James is the best base stealing threat I've ever coached. He's fun to watch and brings a smile to my face," he said.
Puhl said in the two seasons he coached Green at the U of HV, he saw first hand the base stealing abilities.
"James had the green light with me," he said. "I just wanted him to control his running when the score was getting out of hand. Otherwise, he ran at will
"He is a player that leaves everything on the field. Very much an overachiever.
"I enjoyed my years on the field with James because of his enthusiasm and character. He'll challenge anyone."
Puhl said Green is a player that simply loves the game.
"He is a wonderful person who likes to stretch the limits. Hopefully, he has matured even more as he gets older," said Puhl. "James will always be one of my favorites."
As for ending up with the Cardinals, Green said he hoped a year of play in Yorkton might create some future opportunities back in the game.
"I'm hoping to find opportunities to play at the next level," he said, adding he didn't have offers over the summer, but once he gets back home to New Braunsels, TX., he will line up a couple of minor league try-outs "and go from there I just want to go and give it a shot."
If playing baseball doesn't work out Green said it will be time to pursue teaching. He has a double major in mathematics and history.
Teaching is also likely to include baseball, as Green said he might well step into coaching one day, maybe even in the WMBL if the opportunity arose.
"If I had the opportunity but there's lots of competition up here," he said.
