Annapolis resident gives sport new twist
Del Sordo on virtual rowing challenge: People needed ‘chance to compete’
In a year largely without champions, several rowers reclaimed their sport from the comfort of home to be crowned champion — thanks to a first of its kind rowing competition and the Annapolis man, Alex Del Sordo, who realized it.
The Global Virtual Rowing Challenge, a knockout, head-tohead bracket-style tournament provided a respite for international rowers, young athletes, Olympians and CrossFit athletes alike to participate from their own indoor machines, in a year in which their own competitions fell victim to the cancellation wave of coronavirus.
Though her win had yet to be announced on Friday, CrossFit athlete and indoor rower Jordan Falcone of North Carolina felt confident she had victory in hand just hours after completing her row. In the final of the Women’s Masters Event, she defeated competitor Diane Lowenstein, 1,696 meters to 1,664 in a 5-minute, 54-second race — the world record-time the U.S. women’s eight team set in 2013 that still stands today.
“It was kind of perfect timing,” Falcone said of the challenge. “When we’re all stuck at home, it was great to have something
But without them, now we’ve got to make a little adjustment, try to keep the focus and be the same guy.”
Onthe field, Alberto hopes to be the same guy as last season, as well.
After bouncing among several organizations because of a series of waiver claims, Alberto settled in Baltimore and became the only Orioles regular to hit over .300, with his .398 batting average against left-handed pitching being the second best in the majors.
“To have Alberto, the energy that he brings not only for a game but for your workout, how he is in the clubhouse — love guys with energy, and Hanser definitely has that,” Hyde said. “Same guy every day. It keeps it light, for sure.”
About a week after returning to his hometown of San Francisco de Macorís in the Dominican Republic after the cancellation of spring training, the city shut down, Alberto said, leaving him stuck at home to prepare for the delayed season.
Eventually, the city reopened, allowing Alberto to do some live batting practice before coming to Baltimore for the restart of camp.
Alberto said that despite the pandemic, he never had doubts about playing this season, even though it meant leaving his wife, Olga, back in the Dominican Republic with their young daughters.
“It wasn’t that tough a decision because that’s what I do,” Alberto said. “That’s what we do. I play baseball, so my family knows that. I spent three months with them there, and they understand. This is my job. It’s a little harder to come here and leave them there, but you know they’re safe. My wife, she takes really good care of my daughters, and my whole family, they take good care of each other. I can come here and do my job without thinking of what’s going on over there.”
That peace of mind has enabled Alberto to provide his typical energy boost at the ballpark. But he acknowledged that some aspects of that will be more difficult because of social distancing rules put in place to prevent the virus’ spread.
“We can’t get close to my teammates, so I’m that guy who’s always close with them, try to joke around,” Alberto said. “I can’t do that anymore. I think that’s the hardest one right now. But through the season, I think we’re gonna learn, and hopefully, we can go back to the high-fives.”