Buffalo Bills hitting the ball in Rochester

Posted at: 06/18/2012 6:33 PM | Updated at: 06/18/2012 7:11 PM
By: Robin De Wind | WHEC.com

Some members of the Buffalo Bills were out Monday hitting the ball, rather than chasing it, throwing it or kicking it. 

The Buffalo Bills get back to practice Tuesday, but Monday, a few players took some time out to test their athletic abilities on the baseball field. 

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, linebacker Nick Barnett, punter Brian Moorman and kicker Rian Lindell all took in a little batting practice at Frontier Field with hitting coach Tom Brunasky tossing the balls. The team is ramping up its efforts to be more visible in the community and it gave these guys a chance to do something they haven’t done since junior high. 

Nine-year-old Jack Wheeler was lucky enough to get one of Fitzpatrick’s three over the fence balls. Fitzpatrick was the only one to get over the fence, but he did get a head start. Last week, he went to Toronto for batting practice before a Blue Jays game.

Fitzpatrick said, “It was fun. I got three out. I think I got four but they called one of them foul but it was a better showing than Toronto. The pitcher helped out a little. We had a Cy Young winner throwing to us, there was speed. Part of it was getting used to it. It was nice throwing softballs.”

Barnett said, “ Ryan kind of cheated a little bit because he was able to do batting practice so he got a little practice in but its fun to come out here, Rochester is such a nice city, I like it when we come out here for camp it's fun.”

The Cy Young Award winner was Pat Hentgen. Last week, Kyle Williams had six homeruns in Toronto. The Bills head back to Orchard Park for OTA’s this week. As for the Red Wings, they begin a four game series with the Durham Bulls. Tampa Bay Rays all-star third baseman Evan Longoria is on rehab stint with Durham. He will DH while recovering from a hamstring injury.

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