We have six practices under our belt, and Sunday was family day. A chance for everyone to meet each other, watch a little baseball and share some food. I woke up to the sound of rain, never a good thing for a special day. It never rained to hard and the day went on without a hitch. A great crowd, and plenty of excitement. It looks like a good group to work with, and everyone was nice at least for now.
Our 1st scrimmage is Saturday at Lutcher and the forecast is sleet. Baseball season in Louisiana!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
What a day
The crack of the bat, a lovely sound. It must be the 1st day of practice.
Everyone was ready to go, the wait has been tough. A long practice but no one complained, not once. Plenty of ground balls for the infielders, PFP's (pitcher fielding practice), fly balls for hours. The final and most enjoyable part was a 6 inning intrasquad game. And then it rained.
We had to wait an extra 3 weeks to practice and then the rain started falling. This is why you can't give teams two weeks to prepare for a season. It might rain that long.
The second practice is on the football field, sprint turf keeps us working. But we were horrible. We couldn't play catch. There was no enthusiasm, no pride and little was accomplished.
When pressed the players made excuses, the turf was slippery. This could be a long season, if things don't improve.
And it's only day two.
Everyone was ready to go, the wait has been tough. A long practice but no one complained, not once. Plenty of ground balls for the infielders, PFP's (pitcher fielding practice), fly balls for hours. The final and most enjoyable part was a 6 inning intrasquad game. And then it rained.
We had to wait an extra 3 weeks to practice and then the rain started falling. This is why you can't give teams two weeks to prepare for a season. It might rain that long.
The second practice is on the football field, sprint turf keeps us working. But we were horrible. We couldn't play catch. There was no enthusiasm, no pride and little was accomplished.
When pressed the players made excuses, the turf was slippery. This could be a long season, if things don't improve.
And it's only day two.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
It's about time
So the 24th of January finally arrives, and the 1st crack of the bat will be heard. Thank goodness the preparation will begin, and I need it.
Do we have talent? Can they learn the process? Will they work hard? Is it important to them?
I sure hope so, I need to find out. I need to develop them. I need to go to work .... I just need baseball.
Do we have talent? Can they learn the process? Will they work hard? Is it important to them?
I sure hope so, I need to find out. I need to develop them. I need to go to work .... I just need baseball.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
College workouts
I make a trip every year to LSU-Eunice for their annual prospects camp. This year I brought a left-handed pitcher, and a outfielder. 100 players all hoping for a chance to keep playing. They come to Eunice with hope, the coaches are nice and the camp is run well.
The only problem is that LSUE is a defending national champion. Many of these players are only average high school players. There are a few real prospects and they are obvious in this group. It takes 5 hours to divide the pretenders from the contenders.
Then the LSUE team took the field. Their slick fielding shortstop, was mine last year. Sam Carriere started at SS for us for 4 years, and he looks great. We have been fortunate to have many quality players, and he was one of the best.
We are weeks away from starting our 2011 campaign, and a few hours watching a quality college team was just what the doctor ordered.
I just can't wait to begin, I love this game!
The only problem is that LSUE is a defending national champion. Many of these players are only average high school players. There are a few real prospects and they are obvious in this group. It takes 5 hours to divide the pretenders from the contenders.
Then the LSUE team took the field. Their slick fielding shortstop, was mine last year. Sam Carriere started at SS for us for 4 years, and he looks great. We have been fortunate to have many quality players, and he was one of the best.
We are weeks away from starting our 2011 campaign, and a few hours watching a quality college team was just what the doctor ordered.
I just can't wait to begin, I love this game!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Half stepping practice
The Louisiana High School Athletic Association, has determined that the official 1st day of practice is January 24th. But...
Oh ya, you can workout before that but you can't use a bat or fungo. WHAT ... you can throw and run and roll balls to your infielders, but no hitting.
I feel like we are half stepping our way to the 2011 season. By now we would have had 8 practices and 3 scrimmages, and begin to get answers. Not this year, I have only questions. I hope they are answered by our 1st game on Feb. 24th.
I have an inexperienced team and they need plenty of work. We could be good (yes, Bill I believe that) but it will take some seasoning. Lot's of Tony Chachere's could only help this team.
Oh ya, you can workout before that but you can't use a bat or fungo. WHAT ... you can throw and run and roll balls to your infielders, but no hitting.
I feel like we are half stepping our way to the 2011 season. By now we would have had 8 practices and 3 scrimmages, and begin to get answers. Not this year, I have only questions. I hope they are answered by our 1st game on Feb. 24th.
I have an inexperienced team and they need plenty of work. We could be good (yes, Bill I believe that) but it will take some seasoning. Lot's of Tony Chachere's could only help this team.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
WOW! Where did the year go?
Where did a year go?
My last post was a little more than a year ago and the questions have been answered.
We went 26-10, 15-0, in the toughest district in the state. The kids played as well as anyone could have hoped.
Brandt Bourgeois stood up and was a solid #2 to Kurt McCune (now at LSU). Scott Stonestreet surprised everyone, winning the second base job and then proving to be a excellent 3rd pitcher. He made us go with clutch hits throughout district and even played some 1st base.
Sam Carriere proved to be the best shortstop to ever wear at DHS jersey. He backed out on Nicholls State and is playing at LSU-E, And Matt Smith is at Delgado now playing 2nd Base. Even Seth Montz found a place to continue his career (LSU-Alexandria), after a solid season at 2nd Base.
So what are the unanswered questions for 2011?
An infield in flux, no returners and plenty of holes to fill.
The outfield is more settled with three players with experience. Zack Schexnaydre will be another force in the middle of the line-up. Brett Hebert played DH in 2010 and will solid in the 4 hole, but who else?
Nothing but questions, yet I love it. This could be the most enjoyable year in quite awhile. Few expectations, lots of young talent and plenty of competition.
Let the battles begin, I can't wait.
And I promise it won't be a year until the next post.
My last post was a little more than a year ago and the questions have been answered.
We went 26-10, 15-0, in the toughest district in the state. The kids played as well as anyone could have hoped.
Brandt Bourgeois stood up and was a solid #2 to Kurt McCune (now at LSU). Scott Stonestreet surprised everyone, winning the second base job and then proving to be a excellent 3rd pitcher. He made us go with clutch hits throughout district and even played some 1st base.
Sam Carriere proved to be the best shortstop to ever wear at DHS jersey. He backed out on Nicholls State and is playing at LSU-E, And Matt Smith is at Delgado now playing 2nd Base. Even Seth Montz found a place to continue his career (LSU-Alexandria), after a solid season at 2nd Base.
So what are the unanswered questions for 2011?
An infield in flux, no returners and plenty of holes to fill.
The outfield is more settled with three players with experience. Zack Schexnaydre will be another force in the middle of the line-up. Brett Hebert played DH in 2010 and will solid in the 4 hole, but who else?
Nothing but questions, yet I love it. This could be the most enjoyable year in quite awhile. Few expectations, lots of young talent and plenty of competition.
Let the battles begin, I can't wait.
And I promise it won't be a year until the next post.
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