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Twice against South Korea, catcher Voitech Kaspar made outstanding plays at the plate to prevent two runs from scoring.
Against a team like South Korea, a perennially strong region when it comes to Little League Baseball over the decades, some teams may have gotten a little star struck and nervous before the game even started. But Brno, Czechia didn't bat an eye and played tough.
And behind the plate, Kaspar made sure to make an impact. And did he ever.
In the top of the fourth inning, Jae Hyun Maeng of South Kore a had a leadoff single to reach and slowly worked his way around the bases with a walk to Seo Jun Park and then a bunt to move him to third.
Maeng would head home, but Kaspar fielded the throw and got the tag. A lengthy review would get underway after Maeng was initially called safe. The umpires then ruled it an out and Kaspar's play helped prevent a run and kept it a 1-0 game at that point.
An inning later, Kaspar got another out at home and in the sixth inning, South Korea's Ki Hyun Jung got caught in a pickle between first and second. During that rundown, Korea tried sending a runner home.
Czechia's infielders quickly saw it and rifled a throw to Kaspar and again, he delivered with a swipe to record the out.
"For sure he had a really good game. He's the right guy for that position and he didn't surprise us with those plays," Klimes said. "We know he's capable of making them ona regular basis. We're happy for him that he made those plays, but we knew we had a chance to make those plays when he's behind the plate."
Some may have focused on the scoreboard and seen the 5-0 score with South Korea recording eight hits. And yes, South Korea's Hyun Been Han crushed a home run in the sixth inning to left field that stole the show.
But Kaspar's plays behind the plate were definitely highlight worthy on their own. And no doubt he made Czechia's fans and parents in attendance proud.