Next Practice

SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2009 - 6:30 p.m. @ Brace Canyon Field #2

We've got two games next week, and we've still got stuff to learn, so we practice on!

Our fundamental play is really improving, Gang! Keep putting things together that you learn and experience, and you'll always continue to improve!

Saturday Game

Parents - Please share, print or relay this message on to your Ball Player before Saturday. Our game on Saturday:

9:00 a.m. McCambridge #2 vs. Rivera Yankees

We'll be in the 3rd Base dugout once again as the home team. Please be to the field by 8:30 a.m. Earlier if possible to get the young bodies and minds going.

Great job last night, Gashousers... We're slowly, but surely climbing that mountain. We're making vast improvement in play execution, and now we need to start using our heads to make good decisions on the field.

1.) We seem to have a lot of nervous energy before, and early on during the game - that's understandable. We'll try and quell (there's your word of the day - it means to suppress or stop) that nervousness by doing a little more aerobic exercise during warm-ups. Right now, we've basically played "even ball" with two teams that I believe we are better than. That's one man's opinion, but hopefully you all agree.

2.) I cannot emphasize enough the importance of attitude and following instruction - if Greg or I instruct you to do something, please do not challenge that - you have to trust that we know the game, and won't mislead you - our goal is to put you in a position to make the easiest play possible.

3.) Dugout Etiquette - I have to be a little bit harsh on this one. I love our desire to be rowdy in the dugout, but our rowdiness rarely has anything to do with the game. I hear questions repeatedly: "Coach, how many outs are there?" "Coach, what's the score?" "Coach, where am I this inning?" I love the zeal, gang, but I wish we could refocus that energy to watching our game, and keeping our heads involved in the action on the field - two of those questions YOU should always know the answer to.

Along those lines, last night I heard members of our team criticizing/making fun of their own team members. Gang - that won't be tolerated. I simply won't stand for it. We're a team: We win together and lose together - and we get lectured together. If you're a ball player please sit (or stand) in the dugout - but do not stand on the benches or go wandering around behind the dugout area! Too many times I had to wrangle players from behind the dugout.

4.) We have 15 players. Some nights some players will see more action on defense than others, as well as more at bats. I've tried to structure infield and outfield line-ups based on some experience as well as play. As a player, if you're not IN the game, there is not a better time to LEARN, than by simply watching. It may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but you can SEE things that are done right, and things that could use some improvement. When you go out there, you want to make that improvement!

Last, but not least...

5.) It's my fault on the steal sign thing! When you guys are given a sign, it's kind of like a green light. It means to go when you have the opportunity. It doesn't mean you have to go RIGHT THAT INSTANT... Hopefully that will clarify... I felt terrible last night when I kept asking why people weren't running when given the sign, and I finally got, "How am I supposed to steal while the pitcher is just standing there with the ball?" Well, you're not. But if you get the steal sign, that means as soon as the pitcher starts to deliver, you're off to the races!!!

See you on Saturday. And there's nothing better than beating the Yankees, so let's get up early and get a WIN!

Dreams...

Goodness...

I had two different dreams about last night's game - in one of them it was even 72 degrees at game time!!! Had I known they would schedule 90% of our games at 7:45, I would have called us the "Night Cap Gang." Seriously...

So proud of the guys last night!

Next Practice:

Sunday, April 19th, 2009, 5:00 p.m. - McCambridge #1 - Please be there by 4:45.

We're going to work on:

1. Base Running Skills, including "The Art of Base Stealing" taught by yours truly.
2. Fielding - Infield and Outfield.
3. Pitchers will throw, Catchers will catch - Work on Throw-downs to 2nd and 3rd. As well as snap throws to 1st.
4. Rapid Fire situational play.

Hope to see everyone there.

Schedule, Gas House Style

Enough with the Excel spreadsheets, yes? Let's break this down into a format we can all easily read!

Mark your calendars...it's time to play ball!

Wednesday April 15th, 7:45 p.m. - McCambridge #2 vs. Dragons

Wednesday April 22nd, 7:45 p.m. - McCambridge #1 vs. Bergo Red Sox

Saturday April 25th, 9:00 a.m. - McCambridge #2 vs. Rivera Yankees

Thursday April 30th, 7:45 p.m. - McCambridge #1 vs. Holt Reds

Tuesday May 5th, 7:45 p.m. - McCambridge #1 vs. Jensen Pirates

Thursday May 7th, 7:45 p.m. - McCambridge #2 vs. Blastwaves

****************Parents and Players****************

We are in the American League Division.

The remainder of our schedule will be released following the weekend of our final first-round game. (May 11th - with games starting the following day on the 12th...be prepared, just in case.) Our second round schedule will depend on how we play in the first. The top team from our division will be bumped to the Major League Division. The bottom team will drop to the National Division. My hope is that we get bumped up...so, we've gotta come to play!!

See you all tomorrow (or tonight, depending on when you read this).

GAME TIME!

Here we go. Spring training out the way, we open the season vs. The Dragons.

Wednesday, April 15th, 7:45 p.m. McCambridge #2

Please be there, fully equipped by 7:15 - protective cup, glove, (I've got the hats!), jerseys, socks, GRAY pants... you know the drill.

I'm looking at potential practice times between now and then, so stay posted, but NOTHING on Sunday. Enjoy the holiday, enjoy time with family...enjoy a breath from hardball...but next week, we breathe it!!!

GASHOUSIN' !!!

Practice

Wednesday April 8, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. @ McCambridge #1.

Stay tuned for season information as well as the next practice time.