VIDEO: Brendan James has emerged as a key piece in Post 31’s pitching puzzle

July 20: Brendan James had never thrown a pitch in varsity high school or American Legion baseball action, and hadn’t thrown a ball in anger of any kind since his freshman year at Steinert. It was pretty much looking like his pitching career was a thing of the past. 

But three weeks ago Post 31 manager Rick Freeman began giving the ball to James in relief, and he has known what to do with it.

Although Brendan was not needed into today’s 1-0 District 2 victory over Toms River; as Tommy Gater pitched a complete-game three-hitter, he will loom large in any tournament success Hamilton has. Since becoming the closer, James has not allowed a hit against 19 batters, having closed five games and saved four of them. 

Check out this video above as James discusses his sudden channeling of his inner-Mariano Rivera with Rich Fisher. 

About The Author


Rich Fisher has been around the Hamilton Township sports scene for so long that he actually got Rich Giallella’s autograph when Giallella was still a player! Proud product of Hamilton YMCA and Lou Gehrig baseball leagues and former teammate of Jim Maher on a very average Barton & Cooney rec basketball team, Fish graduated from Nottingham Junior High and Steinert High school and has covered township sports since 1980. His goal in life is to convince Maria Prato that Jersey tomatoes are at least 100 times better than California tomatoes.