We are halfway through our summer baseball camp for Destrehan Wildcat hopefuls. There are 65 players ranging from 8 years old (well, one is 7) through 14 year olds. They are learning everything from the proper way to hold and throw a ball to the proper swing while letting the ball get deep. They are enjoying base running and sliding and, of course, learning how to spit.
The spitting is becoming an art form in baseball and it's not lost on these young hopefuls. They say the major league player's name and then spit like them. "Watch, watch Robinson Cano," then a spit and a swing. They have not invented this game, as every player that comes through my program will imitate some major league player. Usually the swing or throwing motion, not the spit.
We have ample space to hold a summer baseball camp. We have a full size field, a softball field and a turfed football field. We have the use of two gyms and a hitting facility with three drop down cages. We have 7 adult coaches and 40 high school players to help demonstrate. My players love the camp, and get to know the kids and remember them when were done. It is a mutual love and we allow the campers to come to our summer games for free (mom and dad get to pay).
I tell people who ask that there will be excellent teams at Destrehan after I retire. I know I have been watching this process for years, evaluating talent in our community for 12 years. I put a Destrehan Baseball shirt on every camper and start talking about "the Destrehan Way" when they are small. We don't lose players to private schools because they can't wait to be a DHS Wildcat. I can't wait to watch them myself. I love DHS Baseball!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The fallout
"I hate losing more than I like winning."
I'm waiting for the LHSAA to crown a 5A champion, and it sucks. I know we were not playing well enough to win in May, but we were awesome in March.We played with enthusiasm, swagger and a purpose. Unfortunately, we started to believe we were good -- No. 2 in the state, the best Destrehan team since 2004. They asked about it, brought it up often, but we reminded them that they had to finish the job. You can't be great without winning the big playoff games, but they didn't listen or execute.
The 2013 team wanted to win, but all the teams want to win. Some find a way to win, others just recruit to win. They are there every year. They win a lot and smile and celebrate, just like they earned it. I'm sounding bitter, and this blog is not about them.
I wanted to write about how I feel, this hollowness I can't shake. I went to a school system function today and faced the crowd. Many said congratulations for a great season, others asked why I was retiring in 2014, but most just couldn't believe we were not going to the tournament. It's hard to explain.
As coaches we did the normal coping procedures, we started looking at next year and this summer. The expectations are high for next year. We have the big arm, pitching depth and good team speed. Our hopes are high, but that's so far away, at least two blogs.
See you Saturday night after we have a champion.
I'm waiting for the LHSAA to crown a 5A champion, and it sucks. I know we were not playing well enough to win in May, but we were awesome in March.We played with enthusiasm, swagger and a purpose. Unfortunately, we started to believe we were good -- No. 2 in the state, the best Destrehan team since 2004. They asked about it, brought it up often, but we reminded them that they had to finish the job. You can't be great without winning the big playoff games, but they didn't listen or execute.
The 2013 team wanted to win, but all the teams want to win. Some find a way to win, others just recruit to win. They are there every year. They win a lot and smile and celebrate, just like they earned it. I'm sounding bitter, and this blog is not about them.
I wanted to write about how I feel, this hollowness I can't shake. I went to a school system function today and faced the crowd. Many said congratulations for a great season, others asked why I was retiring in 2014, but most just couldn't believe we were not going to the tournament. It's hard to explain.
As coaches we did the normal coping procedures, we started looking at next year and this summer. The expectations are high for next year. We have the big arm, pitching depth and good team speed. Our hopes are high, but that's so far away, at least two blogs.
See you Saturday night after we have a champion.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Give the Coach a break
I know I am a bad blogger. I write twice a year. I'm going to get better I promise.
Life is interesting, to say the least. My wife is playing the piano. And throwing things. I think she needs practice at the piano (not throwing things, she has that down). But it makes the house so alive. I love the music, and when my Daughter begins to sing, "WOW".
My mother has joined us since the assisted living facility she lived in decided she needed to much assistance. You figure it out. I can't. She is a handfull, and the bulk of the duties fall on my wife. She has been wonderful, (God knew I needed her help so he laid her off.) taking care of my mom, running her to dialysis three times a week. They get annoyed with each other, but that's normal. I do the same thing at work.
Lora is a tween in all its glory! She thinks like a adult, is maturing like an adul,t but needs to be a kid. We can't slow her down, and social media doesn't help. Skype/chatting and watching Sponge Bob. Now that's a tween.
My mom is living here but questions her quality of life. She would really like us to entertain her, but she can't hear me and she thinks Lori is mocking her by talking loud. Sometimes you just get tired of saying things twice.
I will be right back -- the beeper just went off. I hate that thing......She needed the bag of toothpicks opened. No strength she said.
My life is kind of like this blog, all over the place. In a year that my team is putting up incredible numbers (29-5), I really haven't had time to enjoy it. That is why I have decided to make next year my last. There are just too many things I am leaving for tomorrow. My mother needs more attention. I keep scheduling her needs after the baseball season. My wife and daughter have been great, being on call and helping out. Lori has literally put her life on hold for me and my mother. Now that's for for better or for worse, I never thought she would have to live up to our vows.
Well, the baseball season has one week left. A champion will be crowned in 7 days. In 24 years of coaching that champion has been someone else. I hate to beg but...
In three weeks the school year ends and summer vacation begins. I will be able to relieve Lori of her Grandma duties. I will be the main provider, and get her to appointments and dialysis. Wish me luck, cause I will get a full plate of Lori's days now.
It's a life that is full of others needs and personal wants. I am doing it with someone I love and respect, and because of her love for this forum you are doing it with us. So enjoy the ride and away we go...
Life is interesting, to say the least. My wife is playing the piano. And throwing things. I think she needs practice at the piano (not throwing things, she has that down). But it makes the house so alive. I love the music, and when my Daughter begins to sing, "WOW".
My mother has joined us since the assisted living facility she lived in decided she needed to much assistance. You figure it out. I can't. She is a handfull, and the bulk of the duties fall on my wife. She has been wonderful, (God knew I needed her help so he laid her off.) taking care of my mom, running her to dialysis three times a week. They get annoyed with each other, but that's normal. I do the same thing at work.
Lora is a tween in all its glory! She thinks like a adult, is maturing like an adul,t but needs to be a kid. We can't slow her down, and social media doesn't help. Skype/chatting and watching Sponge Bob. Now that's a tween.
My mom is living here but questions her quality of life. She would really like us to entertain her, but she can't hear me and she thinks Lori is mocking her by talking loud. Sometimes you just get tired of saying things twice.
I will be right back -- the beeper just went off. I hate that thing......She needed the bag of toothpicks opened. No strength she said.
My life is kind of like this blog, all over the place. In a year that my team is putting up incredible numbers (29-5), I really haven't had time to enjoy it. That is why I have decided to make next year my last. There are just too many things I am leaving for tomorrow. My mother needs more attention. I keep scheduling her needs after the baseball season. My wife and daughter have been great, being on call and helping out. Lori has literally put her life on hold for me and my mother. Now that's for for better or for worse, I never thought she would have to live up to our vows.
Well, the baseball season has one week left. A champion will be crowned in 7 days. In 24 years of coaching that champion has been someone else. I hate to beg but...
In three weeks the school year ends and summer vacation begins. I will be able to relieve Lori of her Grandma duties. I will be the main provider, and get her to appointments and dialysis. Wish me luck, cause I will get a full plate of Lori's days now.
It's a life that is full of others needs and personal wants. I am doing it with someone I love and respect, and because of her love for this forum you are doing it with us. So enjoy the ride and away we go...
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