OLD ORCHARD BEACH — It took three years, two different leagues, three managers and drama ”“ both on and off the field ”“ but the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide reached the postseason for the first time in franchise history this season. And if manager Chris Torres has anything to say about it, it won’t be the franchise’s last.
After suffering through a 9-33 campaign in the NECBL in the franchise’s inaugural season ”“ then almost relocating after the season ”“ the Tide improved to 23-30 in its first year in the FCBL last season.
This season, however, the Raging Tide put it all together, starting with a new manager in Torres. Not only was Torres new to the Tide, but he was also new to managing, as he was facing his first summer not playing professional baseball. At just 30 years old, Torres brought a youthful exuberance to the field and to the clubhouse, and he said he wanted to do things differently.
“I’m trying to bring a new regime and a new atmosphere ”“ fun-loving baseball,” said Torres. “I think it’s working. The guys are buying into it.”
Torres’ plan worked, as the Tide won two of its first three games with offensive explosions, then won its next game on a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth against Martha’s Vineyard ”“ the same team that ended the Tide’s season. That was the first of five walk-off wins for the Raging Tide, including a 13-inning win and an 11-inning win. Torres called his team the “cardiac kids” for its flair for the dramatic.
The Tide also needed some late-season magic to secure its spot in the postseason, winning its final four regular-season games before beating Pittsfield in a first-round, play-in game. The five-game winning streak was the longest of the season for the Tide.
The Tide found itself in the middle or at the bottom of the FCBL standings for much of the season, but still had eight players elected to the FCBL All-Star Game ”“ including catcher Mekae Hyde winning the 25th player fan vote ”“ speaking to the talent the team had.
Torres said he thinks that talent hasn’t reached its potential, as many of his players are freshman, sophomores and juniors in college. And hopefully, Torres said, the bulk of those players will return.
“I’m going to bring a lot of the young guys back. We’re going to make a go at it next year, right out of the gate,” he said.
Torres, himself, said he wants to be back, and his tone in talking about “we” and discussing the future speaks to that. But he also has an open contract offer with the Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League, and said he needs to do what’s best for his family, with a wedding in the near future and trying to pick up the pieces after his father’s death in May.
Despite the uncertainty, Torres answered “absolutely” when asked if he would be returning.
One player who returned to the Tide this season was shortstop Tito Lluberes, who said he was happy to play in the postseason after missing out the season before.
“It’s unbelievable. Last year, we came up short,” said Lluberes. “We have a good group of guys. C.T. is awesome. We just play hard, and things work out.”
Lluberes’ double-play partner, second baseman Aaron Wilson, said he was glad to be able to play a postseason game at home, in front of the team’s fans.
“It was great, just being able to come back and play in front of the home fans is great,” said Wilson. “They’ve been supporting us the whole season. Coach C.T. was backing us up the whole season, just trying to get us better. It worked out perfectly.”
The reception the team got in its last game left a lasting impression on the players, Lluberes said.
“We had a great show up today. The crowd was in it. Even though we lost, they’re still here, shaking our hands, telling us we did a great job,” said Lluberes. “We have a great town here.”
“We got some more support, and hopefully we can move forward with that, and take it to next year,” said Torres. “There’s room here for baseball. And I think we proved that.”
For Torres, the team’s first playoff appearance is just the start. If the franchise can get the stability it has been searching for in its young existence, and a young manager and young roster return with the experience of this season, the Raging Tide’s direction will continue to point up.
“Hopefully we can build off this. I plan on bringing a championship here next year,” said Torres. “We’re going to bring a championship to OOB.”
— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.
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