I have now have had a few people question why I would want to write this blog. Mainly, I love having a place to express my feelings and thoughts on the game. Maybe my wife doesn't need to make it so public, but if you know me you will check in once in a while.
This week we began district play. We opened 2-1 with a loss to Dutchtown and wins against Hahnville and East St John. Like most high school games we could have won the Dutchtown game. But I guess we could have lost the other games too!
We beat our big rival Hahnville this week 9-5. It is the 10th straight win for the Wildcats over the Tigers. I guess I should "knock on wood," but I know this streak will not last forever. In baseball no one dominates for long, and the best team doesn't always win. But it's been fun!
The biggest news of the week happened off the field, when a former player of ours sat down at his computer like I am now. Kurt McCune, a former Wildcat and current LSU pitching star, sat down to write about a friend of his who had greatly affected his life. WOW, what a story. And he showed great character.
I had my players read it before the Hahnville game on Thursday, and they were touched. Kurt wrote about his friend and teammate who was seriously injured in a head on collision and may never play baseball again. Kurt talked about his change of perception about what is really important. Life, health and happiness trumps baseball, even when you are exceeding your dream. He talked about how lucky he felt to be able to play this game. Then the very next day he went out and pitched his very first complete game.
Kurt is pitching better than anyone expected, perhaps the biggest surprise in LSU's young season. He is their early season MVP, and he keeps it all in order by remembering his struggling friend. It's a nice story from a fine young man. I am proud to say he is a "Wildcat".
This week gets no easier for us. We finish the first round of district play this week and start a two game set with Dutchtown. If I am correct we will be playing those two games for the district lead and they will be setting themselves up for the title. But it is a long season and lots of things can happen. Check in once in a while and I'll try to keep you updated.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Gotta love Monroe!
Each year I take my troops (the Destrehan baseball team), to Monroe, LA, for the Bayou State Classic in and around Monroe. The classic hosts 70 of the top teams from around the state, and draws college coaches from around the region.
That would be a good reason to go, but that is not my reason.
I believe that this trip bonds the team. Three days in tight quarters with few distractions. They have to travel, eat and sleep as a team. They find out a lot about each other (not all of it good), and learn to deal with each other.
Sometimes they find friends and many times they discover that their teammate is not someone they would otherwise hang out with. As for me, both of these senerios need to be discovered. It makes a team what it is.
This year was tougher than most. We started 0-2 after two days. We left for the tournament feeling pretty good about ourselves, being 4-1, and coming off an impressive 3-0 victory over a talented Central of Baton Rouge.
But the good feelings didn't last long, as our Achilles Heel reappeared and our defense disappeared. We have shown the ability to make errors in bunches, and did so in two tough losses, 13-0 to Airline, and 12-5 to Captain Shreve.
The ugly underbelly always shows when things get like this and selfish players get called out by their teammates. This trip was no exception. The seniors began their attack on cocky underclassmen.
This not a bad thing and the offending party cannot just grab their bag and go home. This is where the "becoming a team starts," and everyone ends up involved.
The rains came on Saturday and we spent the day on our chartered bus. Up at 6:00 a.m. to get checked out of the hotel and drive to West Ouachita. We arrived early to find a tarp on the field, and a bad weather report. The weather report was correct, and before the 1st pitch the rain came.
Back to the bus we ran to wait out the rain delay, then came the 1st cancellation. The second game was at 2:30 in Ruston, so we were off on our 45 minute ride. It is now close to 12:30, so we stop to eat at Burger King. Before we could eat our burgers the call came that the 2nd game was canceled. Back to West Ouachita for a 5:00 game. We get back on the bus headed to W.O. to hit under their covered hitting facility. But the call came at 2:00pm. No way the field will be ready. Would you like to try for 7:00 p.m?
Thanks but no thanks. It's time to head for home.
The next 5 hour ride went off without incident, and the Wildcats were home for 7:00 p.m.
Before I sent them on their way, I had a quick meeting with the players in the locker room about character, hard work, and making baseball first. They left for mom, girl friends and who knows what on this Mardi Gras weekend.
I hope this trip was a success and the next few weeks will give us the answer.
Go Cats go, just not on a bus.
That would be a good reason to go, but that is not my reason.
I believe that this trip bonds the team. Three days in tight quarters with few distractions. They have to travel, eat and sleep as a team. They find out a lot about each other (not all of it good), and learn to deal with each other.
Sometimes they find friends and many times they discover that their teammate is not someone they would otherwise hang out with. As for me, both of these senerios need to be discovered. It makes a team what it is.
This year was tougher than most. We started 0-2 after two days. We left for the tournament feeling pretty good about ourselves, being 4-1, and coming off an impressive 3-0 victory over a talented Central of Baton Rouge.
But the good feelings didn't last long, as our Achilles Heel reappeared and our defense disappeared. We have shown the ability to make errors in bunches, and did so in two tough losses, 13-0 to Airline, and 12-5 to Captain Shreve.
The ugly underbelly always shows when things get like this and selfish players get called out by their teammates. This trip was no exception. The seniors began their attack on cocky underclassmen.
This not a bad thing and the offending party cannot just grab their bag and go home. This is where the "becoming a team starts," and everyone ends up involved.
The rains came on Saturday and we spent the day on our chartered bus. Up at 6:00 a.m. to get checked out of the hotel and drive to West Ouachita. We arrived early to find a tarp on the field, and a bad weather report. The weather report was correct, and before the 1st pitch the rain came.
Back to the bus we ran to wait out the rain delay, then came the 1st cancellation. The second game was at 2:30 in Ruston, so we were off on our 45 minute ride. It is now close to 12:30, so we stop to eat at Burger King. Before we could eat our burgers the call came that the 2nd game was canceled. Back to West Ouachita for a 5:00 game. We get back on the bus headed to W.O. to hit under their covered hitting facility. But the call came at 2:00pm. No way the field will be ready. Would you like to try for 7:00 p.m?
Thanks but no thanks. It's time to head for home.
The next 5 hour ride went off without incident, and the Wildcats were home for 7:00 p.m.
Before I sent them on their way, I had a quick meeting with the players in the locker room about character, hard work, and making baseball first. They left for mom, girl friends and who knows what on this Mardi Gras weekend.
I hope this trip was a success and the next few weeks will give us the answer.
Go Cats go, just not on a bus.
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