tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17624463537604874572024-03-04T21:31:48.674-08:00Coach SpeakThoughts from a Christian, who is also a coach. I am blessed. Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-22558165423649701632020-04-01T19:20:00.000-07:002020-04-01T19:20:14.228-07:00The Rebel Life<br />
I have never drifted too far from the game of baseball that I love. In 2014 I coached my last high school game and retired. I continued to coach summer teams, American Legion and college teams (AAABA) at Delgado. I never intended to retire from coaching baseball, I just couldn't continue to coach at my high school.<br />
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Well fate has found me again and I am back at the prep level. Riverside Academy came calling and asked me to be a part of their baseball staff and have a larger role at school in the future. The 2020 Riverside Rebels were young and inexperienced; they also lost 4 players to their rival school since last season. The expectations were not very high, but I like it that way.<br />
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The players were scared and also believed that they would struggle. They had a new head coach that they knew from football. Then I came along after meeting with the powers-that-be and joined this staff. I knew we could be successful if they took instruction. With only 4 upperclassmen (3 seniors and a junior) this was going to be difficult. Inexperience and immaturity won't help when trying to convince a team that they can compete.<br />
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The facility is nice, but the playing field was overgrown and funds needed to be secured before improvements could be made. This of course cost us some field time and we needed field instruction desperately. I had to call in a few favors to get a pitching coach. My summer staff was not easily available. My bench coach was working in California and his son, my pitching coach, is a college student. In spite of being in school, he carved out a few days a week to come throw bullpens. His father was not getting back until the season was started. The head coach hurt himself hitting early season fungos and needed surgery to repair the injury. To say we were a skeleton staff was an understatement.<br />
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But the season doesn't wait, so we started on the road. The beginning of our schedule was going to be difficult, the middle had plenty of games we could win, and the district was the final third. Through our first 6 games we were staying competitive. The keys to being successful in baseball are pitching and defense and both of those were lacking, despite a .500 record. We were getting it done with our hitting. But it all came crashing down in the next two games -- the hitting slowed and the opponents improved. The immaturity was beginning to show and our confidence evaporated. After a Tuesday loss in a close game to Hammond High, we went into a tough weekend tournament schedule. And the season began to unravel.<br />
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We were scheduled to play East St John H.S. on Thursday March 12th. We had heard about a virus that was threatening our country, but didn't expect what was to come. Schools began to shut down. Events were canceled. The St. John Parish School Board was the first to cancel all extra curricular activities. ESJ had to cancel our game, Friday's opponent, Thibodaux High School, assured me they were playing on Friday. They were en route when they were called back by their principal. The season was in jeopardy and we knew it, but we didn't want it to end in a locker room. The season always ends on the field, usually with the players in tears. We had one more chance to play before we had to take a break. We agreed to play a double header in Loranger, Louisiana. Right decision, wrong results. After a tough day at the yard, we were going into our forced break 3-7.<br />
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The Corona Virus is a way of life now, three weeks after that double header. We have not seen our players and getting back to playing is a dream for this year. My self-enforced retirement is over and my corona-virus retirement is in full force. I'm not trying to down play how serious this is. I have two of my players' fathers ill and worried about their lives. Families are being driven by this virus as parents have become teachers and teachers are trying to help out. The world has come to a stop and only God knows how and when it will end.<br />
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I just hope it ends soon, with everyone healthy! It sure makes that 3-7 record look real small.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-40845192941067252552018-11-17T19:27:00.001-08:002018-11-18T16:31:34.714-08:00I'm back!I know. I haven’t posted since 2014 when I retired. Well, I never really retired. I just changed venues.<br />
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I gave up my high school team, but I coached two years of college summer baseball. I helped win an AAABA national championship in Johnstown PA in August of 2015.<br />
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In 2017 I started coaching an American Legion baseball team, the Gonzales, Louisiana-based Gauthier Amedee Wombats. We had a good first year, making it to the State Tournament. Then, last summer, we made it to the American Legion World Series in Shelby North Carolina, and finished third.<br />
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It has been a great experience. I got to bring together my old coaching staff that I loved so much, I was coaching the game I love. Life was good again.<br />
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I am the first to acknowledge that life is good, because I also have found my Savior, Jesus Christ. I had been floundering for years after the Catholic Church denied my annulment in 2007. I always enjoyed going to church, but I was hurt. I thought I was religious, but I found out I was wrong.<br />
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I never studied the Bible. I was preached at, but never understood what serving was about. I never surrounded myself with men of Christ or found strength through them and The Word.<br />
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Then, my son, Daniel invited me to his church because he liked the Pastor. On my first visit I realized that he spoke to me. His message was exactly what I needed. There were a couple hundred people there watching Pastor Manley Miller of Celebration Church talk to me. Obviously he wasn’t just talking to me, but it sure seemed that way. The main message was to live through your bible, and serve others just as Jesus did. Celebration Church also stresses “Life Groups” surround yourself with other Christians to share with. My Life Group is a men’s group and they have helped change my life.<br />
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I shared my love for Jesus with this year's team. They understood my need to share, but I didn’t preach to them. I just shared.<br />
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I believe that Christ is in control and it has made me calm. I always pray for others, but my brothers said I need to let God know what I needed too. I wanted success for these young men, so I prayed for it. I knew that success would bring a degree of notoriety and I would use it for his glory.<br />
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I asked during the state tournament and began writing a daily blog on Facebook, expressing my personal faith. Soon we won a regional championship and were headed to the World Series. I wrote on my page daily, and the followers grew to around 100. It was awesome spreading the Gospel and giving a daily recap. I was spreading the word and it felt good. I was fulfilling my promise I made to Jesus during the state tournament.<br />
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My life hasn’t really changed, but my perspective is totally different. I now live to serve. I look for opportunities to help. I look at everything as a blessing, no matter how small or insignificant it is. I want to start a foundation to serve and I want to do it with people I love and trust. I want individuals who are blessed to trust us enough to distribute their donations to those in need. There are so many needs and opportunities to help the less fortunate.<br />
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Baseball is and always will play a big part of my life, but I'm beginning to see a different future for myself.<br />
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<br />Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-62169168314760755922014-05-24T09:44:00.003-07:002014-05-24T09:44:51.655-07:00It's a wrap - coaching career comes to an end!<br />
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The tears have been spent, the goodbyes from the banquet have ended. The career of Coach Marty Luquet ends with the numbers 447 - 251, and that's it. One more function tonight, a retirement party with close friends, former players, and coaches. Is it really over, no more practices and games. Will I miss it when they start up again? Sure I will. If I miss it too much, I will consider doing it again.<br />
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I would really like to try my hand at the next level. I have applied at two colleges, three times. I never could convince an athletic director put to his job at stake by hiring a high school coach. It doesn't matter how good you are, they want collegiate experience. I had a year as an assistant coach at Nicholls State University, but I guess 1987 is too far in the past.<br />
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I loved coaching high school players -- well not all the time. I remember one night after a terrible performance by the Chargers of O.Perry Walker. I walked in the house miserable. My wife Cheryl (Daniel and Courtney's mom), was waiting to see her husband. I growled at the dog, ignored her welcome home hug and plopped on the couch with a beer, still seething about the loss. She tried to console me about making a living out of training 16, 17, and 18 year old kids. She mentioned how wonderful a job I was doing with them, when their parents couldn't even get them to clean their rooms or put out the garbage. I was having none of this, even though I knew she was right. Then she hit me right between the eyes, "Why don't you quit". QUIT? QUIT? I asked her if she was crazy, "I love coaching." Her response was, "Then act like it." I have acted like it for the rest of my career. I love it.<br />
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I will never forget how excited Lori and I were when I went back to coaching after eight years as an assistant recreation director. I came home excited and told her I got my name back. "Coach." She was as excited as I was. She saw the love in my eyes. It was a special moment.<br />
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Lori and I have had many special moments connected with my coaching. There was the State 5A Championship Tournament in New Iberia in 2003. We were on the verge of beating Barbe and Wade LeBlanc , a major upset in 2003. The tension was incredible and Lori was feeling it too. She had recently lost her brother Rhett in a car accident, and was calling on him to help out here. "Give me a sign Rhett," and a dragonfly landed on her knee and she freaked out. We won and our whole family now uses dragonflies as a symbol for Rhett. We have dragon flies everywhere. Thanks Rhett, cause Wade LeBlanc was real good.<br />
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In my first season at Destrehan, I coached my son Daniel. He helped lead the Wildcats to the State Tournament for the first time in school history (2002). We lost to Jesuit (Jesuit will need its own blog) in the quarter finals. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the 6th, with two outs, I tried to straight steal home with a freshman (Tyrone Wethers, he turned out to be real good). But he was out. We ended up losing 6-3, but it set my reputation as a gambling, anything-goes coach. Daniel drove in our 1st run in that game and went 2-for-3 on the day. Now he's following his father's footsteps, coaching (football) and loving kids. I even got him to coach baseball one season -- so he was there to see me win my 400th game. That was a special moment. <br />
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I couldn't write about coaching without talking about my biggest fan. My daughter Courtney lives and dies with every game I coach. She loves watching my teams, and I just love her. She was a senior at Destrehan in 2004, which just happens to be the best team I ever coached (sorry other 24 teams). This team came into the pre-season nationally ranked at #7. The 1st weekend we go to Catholic High in Baton Rouge and play the #3 team in the country, Nova from Florida. We were so excited. We lost the next day to Catholic and they dog piled on game 3 of the season. We never lost again to for 31 games. Unfortunately we needed to win 34 to win the state championship. It was still awesome, what a year. Courtney was front and center for every game and still is. I love her so much.<br />
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My final child Lora Leigh couldn't care less about baseball. She did want me to stay as the coach, because she likes scaring the middle school boys about having to play for her dad. She loves her dad but not baseball. She came to my last game and wore head phones, laid on a blanket and faced away from the field. She is kind of a fan of the concession stand.<br />
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My love Lori will miss it the most. I admit that the most perfect place in the world is the 3rd base coaching box. I am never more confident than when I am standing there. It's my perfect world. Lori just likes my swagger on the field and in the stadium. Destrehan baseball belonged to me!<br />
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Now it doesn't. DHS baseball does not belong to me anymore. I am having trouble letting it go as it has been a part of me for so long. The progam is in good hands, the players will still work hard. The winning tradition will continue, just without me.<br />
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But tonight will be fun, Lori has invited everyone I care about. She will be at my side as I get past this and we will have a wonderful life together. Hopefully at a beach somewhere, thanks Lolo, I love you.<br />
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Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-64860946033893408512014-03-04T22:44:00.003-08:002014-03-04T22:44:59.688-08:00The season is off and runningWhen I received our tournament schedule I had to laugh. I love to play a tough schedule, but come on.<br />
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The first weekend tournament had us opening with perennial powers in Louisiana. The first game was against defending 3A champion Parkview Baptist (the preseason #1), followed by three time district 5A champion Dutchtown. The first Saturday would see us play St. Amant. which eliminated us from the playoffs last year. The second game on Saturday would conclude the Trey Richardson Tournament with defending 5A state champion Catholic High of Baton Rouge. We held our top pitcher for Monday, when we were scheduled to play the #6 team in the country (Baseball America), and #1 5A preseason team in Louisiana, Barbe High School of Lake Charles.<br />
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Having to play all five of these games against quality teams on the road was a taunting task. We tried to prepare for the season, but extreme cold and many rainy days cost us precious practice days. Everyone had the same problems, though, and at least we have an indoor facility to work in.<br />
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The decision to hold our best pitcher, Kade Granier, for Barbe on Monday was a calculated risk. Losing three of these games would certainly put us in a very bad spot in the power ratings. The power ratings are even more important this year with two rounds of best 2 out of 3 series in the playoffs. The top four seeds will hold a huge edge and get to hold two series at home. How hard will it be to go into a good team's home and take two games with a hostile crowd and sleeping in hotels? Not an easy task for any team.<br />
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Thursday's game versus Parkview was our first test. Watching them take infield I knew that their ranking was accurate. They're big, strong and talented, but I looked forward to the game. I know our team will scrap. We won't win any contests because of our imposing size. We have one player who is 6'5" (Granier), and the rest of my starters are under 6'0". We will fight for every pitch, try to win every at bat, but we sure won't scare you.<br />
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But a close game became am 11-2 win with bunts and running. We hit three bunts in one inning, and all three drove in runs. Senior pitcher Ryan Brewer kept Parkview down with three strong innings, and sophomore left hander Tyler Winters picked up the win with two hitless innings, striking out four. Ace Kade Granier threw two innings to pick up the save. We were off to a good start.<br />
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The Dutchtown game was close. Starting pitcher, junior Nick McClendon, threw five quality innings and sophmore Brandon Wild threw two scoreless innings in relief. Clutch two-out hitting kept us 2-0. In the third inning, Jacob Cambre drove in Granier, who singled and moved to third on Brewer's double to left, and Randy Harveys sacrifice fly plated Brewer for the 4-2 lead. Granier hit a long 2-run homer in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-2.<br />
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Game three was our first loss of the season, as St. Amant put on quite a hitting display. St Amant had 8 hits and score 6 runs against starter Junior Austin McDonald. Loagan Babin threw 2 2/3 hitless innings in relief giving us a chance to win. Granier hit his second home-run of the season in the 5th, but we couldn't piece together another treat and lost 6-5.<br />
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The second game against Catholic High was a tremendous display of hitting leading to a 12-4 win. The outcome was never in doubt. Sophmore left-hander Cole Martin threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and four runs.Senior Hunter Abadie finished with 2 2/3 perfect innings of relief. Granier had a perfect 4-for- 4 day, with his 3rd home run in three games. Brewer had three hits and Randy Harvey had two in the win.<br />
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The #6 team in the country, still took us lightly as they prepared for Monday's game. Barbe has 7 players who have committed to D1 schools. My players were ready from the time they arrived at school for the 3 1/2 hour bus ride on a yellowbird. The kept talking about "being on the map" and letting everyone know we were going to be contenders. Sam Steib got the Bucs attention with a long two run homer in the top of the first. Granier was outstanding on the mound, giving up three hits and striking out six. His biggest test came in the fifth, when Barbe loaded the bases with no outs. A hit batter, an error and a walk left the game in doubt with the score 5-2. But Granier struck out the side and only a passed ball allowed Barbe to score, cutting the lead to 5-3. Hunter Abadie and Ryan Brewer both hit doubles to drive in big runs.<br />
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This start is a credit to a bunch of players who care about each other. They never think they can't win and play with a chip on their shoulder. These guys are playing hard because they love it, they don't care if their underrated. They just want to get on the map!Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-50373448110011855572013-12-30T08:38:00.001-08:002013-12-30T08:38:17.797-08:00Why are you quitting now, Coach?<b>I get this question two or three times a day. "Why are you quitting now, Coach?"</b><br />
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<b>Everyone thinks that the parents are driving coaches out of this profession. I don't believe that I have ever had problems with parents. Yes, there are two or three who don't care for me. I still love being around the players, and even the umpires are OK. Well, close to OK. </b><br />
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<b>So, here is the reason: IT IS NO FUN. THE GAMES ARE NO FUN.</b><br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Call all the high school baseball coaches you know and ask them if they agree. You see, we (the coaches) have allowed the powers that be, the</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfhs.org%2F&ei=KSDBUqqXDojYoAThtYDwDg&usg=AFQjCNFJmNOHtfwcfkdCj3oe0KafMKe6eQ&sig2=pfZ0wyijvmHUZqotYwAJcw&bvm=bv.58187178,d.cGU"><i><b> </b>National Federation</i> of State <i>High School</i> Associations: NFHS</a></span> to ruin our game. High school baseball is boring. They took a game that was so wonderful and they brought it to its knees.</b><br />
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<b>We moved to the BBCOR bats a few years ago, and suddenly, teams that could hit were punished. Teams that can pitch are almost unbeatable.</b><br />
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<b>I spent 30 years teaching players the proper technique of hitting. I have coached quite a few good hitters. Some of those players have set school records for hitting. One even set a national record when he hit 6 consecutive home runs. ALL of these are untouchable now. Players hitting double digit home runs were fairly common on every team in the New Orleans area. Last year one player hit 10 home runs -- in a seven parish (counties) area. </b><br />
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<b>It has affected all games played. We all bunt early in the game. We are giving away the the most important thing in baseball -- OUTS. Even when players hit a ball on the screws, center fielders run them down easily. I know they restricted the speed of the ball off the bat to protect the pitchers. I understand this concept in college baseball where the players are 19-22 year old men. Their frames are filled out, their bat speed is measurable.</b><br />
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<b>I don't coach them. My best hitter is 5'8', 155 pounds. Really. Being a hitting coach you may say I want it back because I was successful. Well let me take you in another direction.</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">All I know about pitching is that I couldn't hit the good ones</span>.</b><br />
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<b>Well everyone is a good pitcher now! There are still very talented arms and they are almost impossible to hit. In the pre-BBCOR days, an average player could run into a fastball and get a hit if it found a hole. They have no shot now, so coaches just pitch around good hitters. The other players don't have a chance. Even when you can get ahead in the count, the pitchers just throw it right down the middle. Hit it as far as you can, and the center fielder just runs it down. Not only the bats have been affected the pitchers are too. Do you really want to teach players to throw it down the middle? Why not? There is no penalty. Home run hitters are singles hitters now (and the old contact singles hitters don't exist). We have even created a new brand of pitchers -- soft throwing right-handers. Just flip it up there, make it move a little and let them hit it. It's not going anywhere.</b><br />
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<b>I miss 10-9 games, guys hitting doubles and players scoring from first. Those days are gone. Now its 0-0 in the 2nd and we have seen three sacrifice bunts already. The good hitting teams still win. We were 29-6 last year, so it's not about winning, The fans are sitting on their hands. The players never jump out of their seats and never get to say "Did you see that?!"</b><br />
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<b>Have I thanked the</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfhs.org%2F&ei=KSDBUqqXDojYoAThtYDwDg&usg=AFQjCNFJmNOHtfwcfkdCj3oe0KafMKe6eQ&sig2=pfZ0wyijvmHUZqotYwAJcw&bvm=bv.58187178,d.cGU"><i><b> </b>National Federation</i> of State <i>High School</i> Associations: NFHS?</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>You have made the game I love boring, and because you did it for "SAFETY REASONS" it's here to stay. </b></span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> Well I'm not - so farewell. </b></span></b></h3>
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Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-58388204918929931002013-12-29T23:33:00.000-08:002013-12-29T23:33:16.407-08:00Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-77961436059783017062013-12-08T15:31:00.003-08:002013-12-08T15:31:16.496-08:00Hurting for my sonI share a school with my son and daughter-in-law. I have been here for 14 years, enjoying the status of a successful coach. I am lucky I get to see the people I love everyday. I get to share their highs and lows in real time, as it happens.<br />
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I watched my son this week get eliminated from the football playoffs, and I feel his pain. We had a real good chance to win the championship, but lost in the semi-final 35-7. This team played much better than us on this night. We lost our quarterback in the first quarter when he got hit on a long run. This is important because this was Daniel's quarterback. This was his hard work put into a 6'4" 240 pound work of art. I could feel the pain and the loss in Daniel watching him walk off the field for the last time as a Wildcat. The long hug he gave his wife spoke volumes. I have made that walk many times, and despised each one<br />
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The coaches feel the hurt as well, they watch the players' tear streaked faces and hurt for them. The coaches only get to hurt later when the players start to feel better. The coaches understand that there is another season next year, but it seems forever from right now.<br />
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To Daniel and the other coaches. it was a great year going from 4-5 to 13-1, from wanting to be winners to believing you couldn't lose if you did things right. The message you gave to your players was inspiring. that through hard work your dreams come true. Everyone wanted to be state champions, and they are hurting right now. But your players learned more about themselves through those tear stained faces than they ever would hoisting that championship trophy.<br />
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I love my family for what they do and how they do it. Daniel and Cori care and share themselves everyday with other peoples children. I know how lucky my grandchild is that they brought her into their lives.<br />
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<br />Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-68415266303301617752013-07-08T09:15:00.000-07:002013-07-08T09:15:01.960-07:00A little bit shortThe American Legion season came up a little bit short -- by about a month. We had a 16-4 record going into a three team round-robin tournament. With a pretty solid pitching staff, with good depth, we were ready for the big eight team double elimination tournaments. Only one problem -- after going 0-2 we won't be playing in those tournaments.<br />
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We really needed to play in those extremely competitive tournaments. We needed to fight our way through this, to find a way to win. But our hitting let us down, we never grasped the concept of staying on top of the baseball. We didn't do a good job of situational hitting, and we just didn't understand. We also didn't find a way to win. We didn't make big pitches, make routine plays when the game was on the line. We didn't get beat by better teams, we just gave two away.<br />
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We lost as a team, but the players lost individually. The seniors-to-be lost the most. They lost the opportunity to display their abilities. A high profile, eight team tournament draws college coaches from every school in the state. The coaches will stay for two days and watch 8 games, while evaluating the 2014 talent. They won't see our players and will wonder why. I will tell them it was a fluke, but in the end we didn't get it done.<br />
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I will never coach another American Legion game, and that is sad. I have enjoyed some great times coaching Legion baseball. Winning the 1st District championship in 1986 was my proudest moment. A public school from Algiers winning the (unofficial ) Catholic League championship. We were the first public school to win a 1st District championship in 34 years, and it has never happened again. Another fond memory was the summer of 2003. The Destrehan team that just lost the state championship to East Ascension, finished runner-up to Shaw after eliminating Jesuit in Ponchatoula. The state tournament was in Crowley, La., where we played for 7 days against quality teams. We played out of the losers bracket after losing the first day to the host. We played elimination games for 6 straight days winning them all until the final game -- a well played 2-1 loss to Gauthier Amedee.<br />
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The summer season is over but the preparation for the 2014 season is beginning. I am sure our players will rededicate themselves and work hard through the off season to prove that we are one of the best -- if not the best team in Louisiana. Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-20366985395301764222013-06-09T19:05:00.000-07:002013-06-09T19:05:02.642-07:00Summer FunThe pressures are still there, only different. There are no large crowds and the students are doing other things. So welcome to summer baseball DHS style. The temperatures will continue to climb and so will the pressure of trying to secure a starting position going into January's practices. <br />
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We have divided our players into three teams, with American Legion being the central focus. The Legion team consists of returning players for the 2014 season. There is a lot of anticipation for the 2014 team, coming off a 29-6 season and losing only four seniors. There is a lot of anticipation for this coach, as I will be coaching my last season -- my 25th. Most coaches believe that championships are won in the heat of summer, with plenty of luck in May.<br />
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We also have two younger teams (Metro), that we work with as well. This is where we develop the next wave of talented DHS players that make this a program. Incoming freshmen and our current freshmen make up these teams. They will battle each other for spots on the varsity roster as well as for playing time in the future. They will play through the month of June, and then get some much needed summer vacation. The Legion team will get no rest, as they will play in the playoffs through the month of July.<br />
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Is this a lot of baseball? It is if you ask our football coach. Summer baseball is what makes this sport so special. All men can tell you about a game or a summer team that was special to them. No one will ever say my most memorable day was the summer workouts in football, or the seven catches I made in the 7-on-7 drill. Summer is baseball -- hot, dirty, sweaty baseball in South Louisiana, where the heat index is over 100 everyday. The summer season will end when the players decide it should. Then it will time for football games and cheering on our beloved Wildcats. It's what we do between the last pitch of summer and the long-awaited first day of practice in January.<br />
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My last first day of practice in January.<br />
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<br />Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-18151761403281685532013-05-29T15:58:00.000-07:002013-05-29T15:58:50.907-07:00Camp Life with the CoachWe 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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).<br />
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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!Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-67961020936006390202013-05-09T20:18:00.000-07:002013-05-09T20:18:30.245-07:00The fallout"I hate losing more than I like winning." <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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See you Saturday night after we have a champion.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-83700845435866540102013-05-04T09:49:00.000-07:002013-05-04T10:00:17.921-07:00Give the Coach a breakI know I am a bad blogger. I write twice a year. I'm going to get better I promise.<br />
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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".<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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...<br />
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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.<br />
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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... <br />
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<br />Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-30439255137133688792012-12-10T19:41:00.000-08:002012-12-10T19:41:10.819-08:00A lot to say, and a lot to be thankful forI'm back already because I have plenty to be thankful for. So I thought I would make a list for Christmas:<br />
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1. A wonderful loving wife. I couldn't do everything that is being asked of me without her support and love. She makes every day special, and a man can't ask for more than that.<br />
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2. Supportive children - It's hard to balance their lives and help their dad. Courtney has been so helpful and caring, especially when I need her. She has always been there for Grandma, even when Grandma hasn't always been nice. Daniel is there for me, always saying the right thing at the right time at school. Looking out for me and keeping me balanced. Lora Leigh may have the toughest chore, living and sharing her space with Grandma.<br />
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3. An understanding school. Not the building but the people that care about my world, always asking if they can help and picking up my slack. They never get upset when I have to leave -- and Lord knows I have left enough.<br />
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4. My team. They want to be working and need my attention. They haven't complained and they ask about my mom often. They are a good group and I hope they get what they deserve.<br />
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5. Jane. I have uprooted her world, hid her stuff and locked her in her room. She sometimes believes all of these are true. When really she just wants to survive, and do it her way.<br />
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Our life has changed. It won't return to normal again real soon. I believe that may be best. We are being challenged. When it's all said and done, we will be better people. My wife, my supportive children, my school friends, and my team. But most of all we will make a safe loving home for an 82 year old. Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-2820797981827567062012-12-09T12:52:00.000-08:002012-12-09T12:52:26.126-08:00There's more than the game!Life has come calling, and is chasing me around.<br />
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The Windsor's call shouldn't have surprised me, but I wasn't ready. The Windsor is the assisted living facility where my mom lived for the last 3 1/2 years. Come and get her, they said, she needs too much assistance to remain.<br />
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In the last year "Hurricane Jane" has shrunk to 88 pounds from 120. She was extremely weak and needed to be moved from place to place. I couldn't fault the Windsor, but where to next? I always assumed that the next move would be a senior citizen home and I toured one in Destrehan. It was nice, plenty of staff, clean, but half the residents were in bed waiting to pass. It was three o'clock in the afternoon, they should be playing bingo or playing cards. She may not be Hurricane Jane, but she wasn't ready for this either.<br />
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So I talked to Lori and we brought her home. I had no idea the amount of time and energy would go into moving her here. Getting new doctors, finding a new place for dialysis, and setting up some home health providers. Even doing some remodeling of our home to accommodate her. All of that was time consuming, but nothing was more important than finding a sitter. Where do you start? Do I call an agency or advertise? I started with Facebook. Yes, Facebook. Within three hours friends sent me three names, and the interviews were set.<br />
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What do I know about hiring a sitter? I just knew I had to do it quick. I have always been a good judge of someone's character, and that will come in handy for this task. The first candidate was a short, over-the-top women recommended by my son's in-laws. She had taken care of a member of a prominent west-bank business owner. After a call to him, I felt quite certain she could handle my mom. She is animated and loud, but I just got the right vibe. I hired her before I interviewed the other candidates. I cancelled one interview and met with another out of respect for a former co-worker. I knew I had made the right choice, and Jane liked her too.<br />
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Her name is Freda, and she has been great. She has developed a relationship with my mother. Sometimes it's a love-hate relationship, but they have survived. It's a constant battle to get my mother to talk respectfully to anyone -- Freda, Lori, Lora and even me. She has had her way all her adult life (thanks Pappy), and now demands it. She can rub you raw, and do it quickly. She makes this a very challenging situation, and it would be hard enough without her attitude. We are dealing with it, and Lori and Lora have been great. I know our world tilted and they had no control, but they are loving souls hanging on.<br />
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Jane has been here almost two months, and our lives are different. We are revolving around her, and her constant needs. She is getting more comfortable, doing more for herself and sleeping through the night. Freda is taking care of the days, driving to dialysis three days a week. Getting her to doctor visits, and taking care of her needs. She has even been bringing her to bingo and card games. Jane loves those outings. At night there is the constant concern, the beeper that never leaves my side. I have been having problems trying to relax. I almost dread weekends. We won't even talk about the Thanksgiving week I had off and Freda went to Virgina. Everyone says how tired I look. I must look bad.<br />
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I have to take care of myself, and find a way to relieve the tension. This week Lori and I go on our annual anniversary week-end getaway. When Jane came to live with me, the first thing I did was call my brother Val. He had to come this weekend and sit with his mother while we escaped. He promised to come -- well at least send his wife. He also decided to come for Thanksgiving and my mom's birthday. Nice Idea. But he cancelled (he also cancelled this week. Thanks for the help). His mother-in-law is having a procedure, and he needs to be there to help her. My daughter Courtney stepped up, (as she does often) and we are still going away. Pensacola Beach and the Margaritaville Hotel. The beach awaits our bare feet, but no swimming. Too cold.<br />
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There are plenty of adjustments to be made in our home. Baseball season is right around the corner, and will bring its own pressures. We will make it happen, and because of our love. Our love for each other, and the love of family. Even if Jane doesn't get the connection, we will survive Hurricane Jane.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-36959217016634109922012-07-22T19:52:00.001-07:002012-07-22T22:14:45.059-07:00Where have I been? Don't ask. I let an administrator talk me out of writing. Well here I go again....<br />
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This season has been as demanding as any I have experienced. The season began with the introduction of BBCOR bats. The end of power hitting.<br />
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There are teams in our area that were known for their hitting. As one coach said, "Just take a hundred points off your average."<br />
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Finding runs and players that didn't use it as an excuse were hard to find. Pitching, defense and bunting became a way of life.We finished 17-17 and made the playoffs, but that is a poor year for Destrehan High School (at least since I arrived here}.<br />
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So much for prep.<br />
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This blog post is about American Legion and the maturing of a ball club. How do you convince young players to not be selfish and give yourself up for your teammates? Teenagers are the most selfish people in the world,. Me me me. The task is huge, but when accomplished it is fun to watch. We are there as a team.<br />
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The time spent at the park is fun, enjoyable and extremely rewarding. I credit a young coach for making this happen. Chris Mire has joined our program and is relentless in instructing the players. Sometimes I believe he is too hard, but the results speak volumes. The players don't always like him, and sometimes I think he is going to give up. He will not and they haven't and the result is a 22-11 record and a trip to the State Tournament this weekend.<br />
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I am enjoying the ride and smoothing out the rough spots, while enjoying the maturing process for both Chris and our players.What ever happens this weekend, it will not tarnish the success that this group has enjoyed this summer.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-45001964852035914972011-09-04T16:14:00.000-07:002011-09-04T16:45:45.218-07:00On the eve of football seasonThe high school football season starts tomorrow for the fighting Wildcats. It's been delayed by two days because of a tropical storm. A Labor Day opener is pretty cool. There is nothing more exciting than a Friday night high school football game in South Louisiana -- or Monday.
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<br />I have always loved high school football, the excitement, the bands, the whole community buys in. Not everyone comes out, but there is interest. At the grocery they ask, at the gas station they ask everyone wants to know about the team. It is the same in baseball, but at a much smaller scale.
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<br />Our school and our program is respected around the state. We have scrambled the last few years, but that should have been expected. To have the athletes to win back-to-back state championships is special, but the underclassmen suffer a lack of playing time. A drop-off of athletes and experience is difficult to overcome. I know. We have dealt with it in the baseball program as well. The early indicators say this will be a much improved Wildcat team.
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<br />Well. tomorrow night they kick off at 6 p.m. Lori and I will be in the press box. Daniel will be too, calling plays and living his dream. My daughter-in-law, Cori, will be in the stands, and family will be in the stands. It couldn't get much better than this.
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<br />GO CATS!
<br />Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-48386811410708187922011-08-20T12:02:00.000-07:002011-08-21T05:34:50.873-07:00Bragging RightsAs a Coach I always talk about team first, before individuals.
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<br />At our banquets I never bring up individual honors, only team rewards. This week our head football coach asked me to take out an ad in the football program. He said, "Put all your accomplishments on there."
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<br />Well I thought about it and, of course, I tried to make it a team accomplishment page. After all, I didn't win 240 games by myself. Not even close.
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<br />I relied on the coaching abilities of the following talented professionals who helped me: James Mills, Johnny Rome, Earl Incardona, Terry Joseph, Chris Mire, Donnie Diodene, Craig Perrier, Bill Calhoun, Kenny Montz, Troy Desentz, and Garrett McGovern.
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<br />How do you thank these men except to say, "You are Destrehan Baseball, and thanks for making it so dominant for 10 years."
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<br />I did make a program page and here it is . Enjoy it, it brought back great memories for me.
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<w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" ></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Destrehan Baseball<span style="mso-no-proof:yes"></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >“The Winning Tradition continues, Ten Years of Excellence”</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Record 240 – 101</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >State Runner-up (2003, 2005)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Six appearance in State Tournament</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >(2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Four District Championships</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >(2002, 2004, 2009, 2010)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Nine 20+ win seasons</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >(2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Players at the next level</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >(Professional Baseball 1, College Baseball 24)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Individual Awards and Accomplishments</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Coach Luquet</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >5A State Coach of the Year</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >(2002, 2003, 2005)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Metro Coach of the Year</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >(2002, 2009)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >District Coach of the Year</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >(2002, 2004, 2010)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style=" mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Louisiana</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;font-size:14.0pt;" > Player of the Year (Mr Baseball)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >Beau Jones (2005)</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" >All – State Players</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">2002<span style=""> - Larry McVay and Daniel Vitrano</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2003 - Ruston Rebowe, Andrew Lassere, Beau Jones, and Trey Simon</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2004 - Trey Simon, Beau Jones, Andrew Lassere</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2005 - Beau Jones and Tyrone Wethers</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2006 - Trey Watkins</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2007 - Renny Weber and Trey Watkins</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2008 - Trey Watkins</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2010 - Sam Carriere</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="">2011 - Zach Schexnaydre
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<br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-no-proof:yes;font-size:14.0pt;" ><span style="mso-tab-count:1">
<br /></span></span></b></p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style=" font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-mso-ansi-language: EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA;mso-no-proof:yesfont-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;" ></span></b>Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-54365334071733996402011-07-30T14:40:00.000-07:002011-07-30T18:44:46.236-07:00When does Home become HomeWhen I first arrived at Destrehan High School (my fifth school and sixth job in 22 years), I noticed that some of the coaches were hometown boys. The principal was hard on these guys. They had lived here all of their life. With the exception of college, some have never experienced anywhere else. He knew he could do what ever he wanted to these coaches and they were tied to the community.<br /><br />By their standards, I was a coaching nomad. No allegiances to anywhere. Growing up, my family lived in three time zones. I called California home. I came to New Orleans from Chicago, where I graduated from high school.<br /><br />The most asked question in New Orleans is, "Where did you go to school?" And they mean, "What high school?" My answer is "James B. Conant High School in Illinois (note: he was a scientist who helped develop the atom bomb).<br /><br />St. Charles Parish is a small town, and children stay in small towns. I hope so. My son is now a small town child and coaching at his high school. <span style="font-style: italic;">My</span> high school. Destrehan has made us feel welcome. We are lucky.<br /><br />As I finished my tenth year at Destrehan (my longest tenure), we finished in the playoffs for the tenth time. The program is feeding off its past, and the players are playing up to our reputation. We have young talent and will make deep runs into the playoffs in the next few years.<br /><br />Building a successful program is fun. There is little expectation and the reward is high. But as you push the bar higher and higher, it becomes harder to maintain. Everyone expects the best and has become accustomed to the results. Even a season like 2011, (second place in district, an 18-15 record, and a regional loss to the eventual state champion) draws criticism.<br /><br />Throughout Louisiana their are programs that are starved for a successful season. I know that because one them came calling in July.<br /><br />After letting their coach go, East Ascension High School came looking for me. Their search committee was headed up by some hard core baseball men, and they were looking for the best.<br /><br />They didn't start their search with me, but it didn't take them long to call. East Ascension is a program with a distinguished history, state championships and professional players. They have a quality stadium and great community support. Their teams have been competitive the last few years, but never played as a team.<br /><br />Their offer was nice, with a comparable salary and coaching stipend. Extra funds were available, and involving the community was definitely a must.<br /><br />New Athletic Director and Football Coach Paul Bourgeois sat with me and we hit it off immediately. Everything was in place to move. They were so excited to get a coach of my pedigree. All that they were waiting for was me to say yes. Just say yes and a new adventure will begin.<br /><br />I talked about it with my wife, my children. Everyone was supportive and made sure the decision was mine.<br /><br />Well almost everyone. Not my littlest one (she is 10 years old). All she wanted to know is why I would leave Destrehan. "Dad," she said. "You will need all new clothes."<br /><br />And, she said, "It's not home".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">HOME</span>. I never had a home. I am the nomad.<br /><br />This is the first time I ever coached and became a part of the community. I love Destrehan High School, and the people and the players and the past players and their families. Wow, why would I leave?<br /><br />The last few years have been tough. Support and expectations sometimes get in each other's way. When the news leaked out, support from my past players and families poured in.<br /><br />As one of them said, "You are my coach and that is my school, and you can't go somewhere else. If you do, that won't be my baseball team."<br /><br />Support from the administration followed, and I knew I couldn't leave. Will the expectations change? No. They will always be high and off the chart. All I know is that only one team can win the state championship, and many programs believe it will be them.<br /><br />There is a General Douglas MacArthur quote above the tunnel leading to the field at Yankee Stadium that says, "There is no substitute for Victory."<br /><br />Well, we are not playing for the freedom of the world. We are playing for fun, and each other. I just want to teach young men how to love baseball and hopefully give them life lessons. When the are successful citizens, I will know I succeeded.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-25600942651594206202011-07-28T16:50:00.000-07:002011-07-28T16:54:02.555-07:00Goodbye Frito<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0tzjF3xwnv4ZsDSwd68nRhwIa06W9424b-yK9NgVIeTO2lX7srL543Nug01yQsOtQLe8L5As4h7CVYrU8qJEUcnT8S41f_0H1VuffbEg8iMGeAaLr9gPqpBdujM5Y24RZUjy-Er3c98/s1600/Frito.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0tzjF3xwnv4ZsDSwd68nRhwIa06W9424b-yK9NgVIeTO2lX7srL543Nug01yQsOtQLe8L5As4h7CVYrU8qJEUcnT8S41f_0H1VuffbEg8iMGeAaLr9gPqpBdujM5Y24RZUjy-Er3c98/s320/Frito.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634555620385589266" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I dropped by school today and Coach Madere showed me something that made me sad.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was a drop form for one of my guys. It was Frito’s.</p>I knew he was going home, to Norway. But this made it real. I loved Frito for many reasons. Here are a few: <p class="MsoNormal"> He showed up for our first meeting like every other player, eyes wide open and hanging on to every word. He listened intently and followed all my directions to the T. Soon he was in the weight room practicing. He couldn’t have weighed 120 pounds and wasn’t very strong, but he didn’t look out of place. He was cute and worked hard, but his accent gave him away. He didn’t have that South Louisiana Cajun twang or the north Louisiana drawl. His was European, different and obviously nothing like what we have in the south.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Son, where are you from, and what is your name?” I asked him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Fridtjof Medhus” he replied. “I am from Norway.” No one could pronounce that – much less spell it – so we called him Frito. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was so nice the other players loved and accepted him immediately. They took him in, took him to football games, parties and made him feel so comfortable. His stepdad was on assignment in the United States, working at one of the petroleum plants here in the parish. They were going to be here for two years. Since he was a sophomore, he would not graduate from Destrehan. But it didn’t matter. He was one of the boys and enjoying it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We were doing a public service project for the Norco Christmas parade, when I first talked baseball with him. I asked him how much baseball they play in Norway, and he said ‘very little.’ </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I asked him what position he played, he look perplexed and responded with, “I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t even know the names of the positions.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Oh I see,” I said. “Well wait until we hit the field.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first day on the field I gave my assistants a heads up, and they took it from there. Frito had little experience with a ball.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some of the players took him out and showed him how to throw, but fielding balls was an adventure. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">He started at second base. The infielders quickly sent him to work with the outfielders. But fly balls were no easier than grounders, and a lot more dangerous. The first fly ball went between his glove and his nose. The second hit him in the leg. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I called him over and asked “Is this harder than you thought?” He nodded his head, eyes down. He knew this wasn’t going to work out. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So I came up with another plan.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Frito we need a manager,” I said. “You will work for the coaches. I will spend time with you teaching you the game. How does that sound?” </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A smile came to his face. He was a part of the family. He was a Wildcat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">And he was a hit. The players loved him. He was the hardest worker, and the players respected him. As an example of that, we had a specialty hat - a tri-color hat - and the captains decide who gets them. The hardest workers get them first. When I asked the players who should get the one, they chose Frito. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I asked them if they were sure they wanted to give the manager, the first hat, and they said, “Yes. Yes he deserves it.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Wow, that’s pretty special.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Frito’s work habits were wonderful, and he learned baseball along the way. He also learned and observed human nature. He could not understand why all of the players didn’t work hard every day. The game looked so fun, yet players didn’t work or hustle. And he would tell them things in a way that only he could, wondering why God gave them such talent and they didn’t work to improve it. They couldn’t argue with him because he was no threat to them. And some did work harder. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">He had trouble understanding why some players were selfish and not team players. He understood roles, but not egos. He once told a player to help carry the water on a road trip to the bus. The player responded, “I am a starter, I don’t carry water.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Frito went berserk. He just couldn’t understand why someone wouldn’t just help out because we needed it. What a great theory! I bet he never would have complained when he had to sacrifice bunt or hit behind a runner to help the team. I loved his pure innocence, the quality he brought to this team. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I did get that player to help with the water, despite being a starter (we don’t have any rule like that), and told Frito he would be the one to decide when that player didn’t have to carry water anymore. In pure Frito fashion, that guy is still carrying the water and doesn’t complain. I think I will let him pick the next water guy. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">When the season ended, I knew Frito was going home to Norway. So, I made sure he got his letter jacket a year early so he would have one. I am not sure if I will ever find the qualities of Frito again, but I would love to put some of his qualities and vision into my </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">players. He never got a big hit or pitched a great game, but he brought so much to our team and to me. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Yes, I will miss him. I should thank him for showing me this game through virgin eyes. I forgot to enjoy it, and how much I love it. I sometimes wonder who taught who more. We introduced him to sports and to baseball, but he showed us so much more. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Goodbye Frito, you are a good friend.</p>Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-91600097999412618972011-07-16T16:31:00.000-07:002011-07-16T16:55:38.968-07:00Crank up the washing machineThe batting cages came down last week. The windscreens too.<br /><br />The dugouts were cleaned and all the water coolers are stored for the winter. On Saturday it was rewashing the uniforms and hanging them up in storage.<br /><br />All by myself, I cleaned and straightened and reflected on the season. Coaches always reevaluate the season. What did we do wrong? What could I have done different, or better?<br /><br />Do CPAs spend time reevaluating their seasons?<br /><br />Do plumbers say, "Could have been better or more efficient on that last job?"<br /><br />Do all professionals reflect on their jobs, or is this just a trait of coaches? This is not unique to baseball coaches. I believe all good coaches do this. I just don't know if they do it by themselves on a summer Saturday afternoon during the spin cycle.<br /><br />Oops. Gotta run the dryer just went off!Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-16128238014637172512011-07-10T17:22:00.000-07:002011-07-10T18:24:18.703-07:00Coach can I play now?The prep season was interesting as the season ended with a two game playoff run. We lost to Jesuit and they continued on to win the 5A State Championship, a great accomplishment. We were six outs from knocking them off in the regional , leading 7-4, in the sixth.<br /><br />Why am I not happy? We were not supposed to be good, said my biggest critic. "You will be lucky to win ten games this year" said my own principal. We were 18-15 and into the playoffs, finishing 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> in district.<br /><br />Well, the summer will be more fun right? Well, it never is.<br /><br />"It's too hot. It's too humid. You can't expect the kids to play in this weather," say some parents.<br /><br />I use the summer to evaluate next year's team. A few seniors stay but never play well. The graduating seniors must have offers to play college baseball in order to play for us in the summer.<br /><br />This year I had found a place for them to prepare for their college careers, playing with and against college talent. A chance to play 50 games, for free. Traveling to play in 5 states and participate in 8 tournaments. Their answer was "No thanks, we just want to play with you."<br /><br /> Maybe I should feel honored. Fifteen more games with us. Well now I am worried about their commitment to their careers. I wish them well, I do. I hope they're not home too soon.<br /><br />We played the summer Legion program. Sometimes we were good. We were very young at times with three freshman and three sophomores on the field together. Most of the time we were OK. We hit and didn't pitch, or pitched and didn't hit. Some players started out hot and cooled, and some brought up low averages with late season streaks.<br /><br />Overall we played better down the stretch and there are many positives going into next year. Some players made their stock rise and some fell off the radar. We had some players come out of nowhere, and some take their place.<br /><br />Well everyone has about six months to grow and get stronger. Some will and some will disappear. The competition starts now in the weight room, only some players don't know it.<br /><br />When January arrives and we hit the field, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">everyone's</span> hopes will be high. The memory of the 2011 prep and summer season will have faded or been erased in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">everyone's</span> mind but mine. It's my job. And as I reward those who worked harder and got stronger and better, the others will just transfer the blame to me. I guess I should have coached them better. After all they were Triple A travel ball stars.<br /><br />This gets harder each year. Just ask the high school coaches in Louisiana. I have.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-53389836447445007122011-05-05T20:51:00.000-07:002011-05-05T21:06:07.387-07:00It's always Jesuit<div></div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:black;"><div>It's playoff time. You can tell because we have to play the Jesuit Blue Jays. </div> <div><br /></div> <div>Again.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>We won our first playoff game against Archbishop Shaw 5-2. I have coached at Destrehan for ten years. We have made six trips to the state tournament and played in two championship games. </div> <div><br /></div> <div>In nine seasons we have played the Jays four times, losing three of them. And all of those were in the state championship tournament. One of them was the state championship game in 2005.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>There is a ray of hope, however, because we beat them in 2009, at home, in this regional round. I messaged one of my former players and asked him what we wore that day. He remembered it "like it was yesterday." </div> <div><br /></div> <div>Pinstripes (in honor of Jesuit), black jerseys and red hats. I believe in Karma. Lots and lots of Karma. </div> <div><br /></div> <div>Wish us luck. Lots and lots of luck!</div><br /></span>Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-48872029902881019142011-03-27T21:07:00.000-07:002011-03-27T21:52:27.138-07:00WOW what a rideI 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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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!<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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".<br /><br />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.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-72659702619255930192011-03-06T08:26:00.000-08:002011-03-06T09:43:43.184-08:00Gotta 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.<br /><br />That would be a good reason to go, but that is not <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> reason.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />Thanks but no thanks. It's time to head for home.<br /><br />The next 5 hour ride went off without incident, and the Wildcats were home for 7:00 p.m.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I hope this trip was a success and the next few weeks will give us the answer.<br /><br />Go Cats go, just not on a bus.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762446353760487457.post-49977746725437170702011-02-27T20:07:00.001-08:002011-02-27T22:25:20.978-08:00Just pick it up and throw it!The 2011 baseball season is one week old, and I have learned a few things.<br /><br />The old adage in baseball is that pitching and defense win games. Well not all of them.<br /><br />If you are confused, so am I. We have won 3 of our 4 games so far and we can't play catch. Just pick up a ground ball and throw it accurately across the diamond. Sounds easy.<br /><br />But in our first 4 games, my team has made 24 errors. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">24 ERRORS</span>.<br /><br />That is a whole season's worth in 2003 and 2005. This could be the toughest season ever for our pitching staff. They will have to get extra outs and make quality pitches with plenty of base runners.<br /><br />In the first 4 games the pitchers have been outstanding, pulling us out of many jams. Our hitting has allowed us to win games.<br /><br />But come on guys. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">24 ERRORS</span>?<br /><br />All your life you play ball, some kind of ball. Someone throws it to you and you catch it. Then you throw it back to them. Pretty simple stuff. Unless you are a infielder this year.<br /><br /> We are young and will get better. Soon I hope. We play some of the best teams in Louisiana soon, and we better get our act together. We cannot expect to score 10 runs a game, and need them all to win. But we are 3-1 and on a 3 game win streak. Enough said.<br /><br />I always go watch games and my favorite saying is: "I go to the park to see things I've never seen before." This year I am seeing that at my own games.Coach Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08547159650463984671noreply@blogger.com0