Well, that was as expected given ONE practice on 3/11 and a whole lot of rain since then. The guys actually got in a great practice during warm ups today (!!) and some of those reps made a difference in today's game.
Which the Lions won, by the way, in edge of the seat fashion. Hat's off to Salesian, who played for the most part like they managed to find some dry fields lately on which to practice. Playing from behind the whole game after a run in the first, they kept getting runs back, usually through a combination of walks and miscues. And one very irregular issue with the opposition scorebook, which seemed to indicate that due to a mixup between 11 and 13 players from their side, a 7th run had actually plated in there somewhere (not that we're complaining).
On the positive side, everyone swung the bats well today and you can tell this team is going to be an offensive juggernaut. And with the exception of the train-wreck top of the third (3 walks, an infield hit and lots of forced and unforced errors) that let Salesian plate 4 runs to tie it at 5, there were some great defensive plays by our very out of practice looking guys. Defensively, the Lions team that played those other 6 innings should be able to hold the line once they get some more practice in and can bear down.
Solid pitching by Stephen E (3 innings, 4 strikeouts, 2 hits, 4 walks) and a stellar performance by Andrew (4 innings, 11 strikeouts, 1 hit, 3 walks) put the Lions' bats in position to do their damage. Once the errors get under control, this is going to be a very good baseball team.
We should have some great pics by tomorrow (Jack Ladd was pleased and some he showed me looked fantastic). Stay tuned... and...
GO LIONS!!
9-0. Unbeaten. Untied. Untamed.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Play Ball! (already!)
It has been a ridiculously long wait, compounded by a rainout of every practice save the first one, and cancellation of the originally scheduled Opening Day last Saturday for the same reason.
But all that ends Tuesday, 5:30PM, at Palega-Portola Rec Center, Field #2, vs. Salesian.
Ladies and Gentlemen... without further ado, your Stuart Hall for Boys Opening Day Roster:
But all that ends Tuesday, 5:30PM, at Palega-Portola Rec Center, Field #2, vs. Salesian.
Ladies and Gentlemen... without further ado, your Stuart Hall for Boys Opening Day Roster:
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Shhhhh.... is that the forecast?
Click here for 5-day forecast, Palega-Portola Recreation Center weather
Let's not say it too loudly, but the "Stuart Hall Lions Weather Blog & Occasional Baseball Update" reports that the week may be shaping up as one w/o a great deal of precipitation...
Really?
Really (check out Tuesday). Please click "Click here" above for live updates.
And please cross fingers (a Hail Mary could not hurt either).
Go Lions.
Let's not say it too loudly, but the "Stuart Hall Lions Weather Blog & Occasional Baseball Update" reports that the week may be shaping up as one w/o a great deal of precipitation...
Really?
Really (check out Tuesday). Please click "Click here" above for live updates.
And please cross fingers (a Hail Mary could not hurt either).
Go Lions.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Official Word - No baseball today
Such disappointing, if not surprising, news from Coachie that the game is cancelled and our 8-game regular season just became 7 games. That we miss the "rematch" with the St. Cecilia team whose 8th graders beat us in the Reg Season and Championship games last season makes this even more disappointing. However, there is another game scheduled against St. Cec on 9 April, providing the weather cooperates.
In the meantime, a reminder of why we love baseball, from George Carlin, who proves here that he never needed foul language to be one of the funniest people who ever lived:
In the meantime, a reminder of why we love baseball, from George Carlin, who proves here that he never needed foul language to be one of the funniest people who ever lived:
Friday, March 25, 2011
Rain or Shine, 11AM Saturday AM, McCoppin Park
Could it be baseball, everyone? As Marjorie says:
"Think of it this way: your flight's delayed, but you have to stay at the gate just in case it can take off."
So unless told otherwise by the Coaches through Marjorie, let's all be there, on time and ready to play! We do not want to end up left at the gate (i.e., a forfeit)!
Click here for McCoppin Park Map
"Think of it this way: your flight's delayed, but you have to stay at the gate just in case it can take off."
So unless told otherwise by the Coaches through Marjorie, let's all be there, on time and ready to play! We do not want to end up left at the gate (i.e., a forfeit)!
Click here for McCoppin Park Map
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Great turn out at the Gym Thursday morning!
Stephen reports most of the team showed up to the "voluntary" practice held this AM early at the gym. Coachie and Coach E. were there, and the guys did a lot of hitting with the old whiffle balls.
But mostly the got to convene, work out together, and remind themselves that this is a baseball team, and it is time for this season to get started.
Go Lions!
But mostly the got to convene, work out together, and remind themselves that this is a baseball team, and it is time for this season to get started.
Go Lions!
This is no baseball blog - it's a weather blog!
As of right now, we have no official word about Saturday's game, so technically it is still scheduled.
However, since this isn't a baseball season yet, with the exception of one tantalizingly good practice, which occurred maybe 3 months ago or so, I cannot say I am feeling any confidence at all that there will be baseball on Saturday for the Lions (cue depressing music track).
As of about 15 mins ago, the rain actually went horizontal for a while, and began working it's way into one of our windward facing windows (yes, terminology is fittingly going nautical on us).
So no rain-out pictures today. They're getting harder to find, and I fear I'll be needing my remaining ones soon.
However, since this isn't a baseball season yet, with the exception of one tantalizingly good practice, which occurred maybe 3 months ago or so, I cannot say I am feeling any confidence at all that there will be baseball on Saturday for the Lions (cue depressing music track).
As of about 15 mins ago, the rain actually went horizontal for a while, and began working it's way into one of our windward facing windows (yes, terminology is fittingly going nautical on us).
So no rain-out pictures today. They're getting harder to find, and I fear I'll be needing my remaining ones soon.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Will Opening Day be postponed?
Naturally, Wednesday's practice was yet another casualty. I'm starting to get tired of pictures of wet fields!
Good grief!
It's sunny out, but the field is closed...
So with Ft. Scott closed we're left with the gym at 7AM Thursday morning for the team's second practice this season and the final tune-up to Opening Day on Saturday. Coachie will be there, for whichever boys can make it.
Anyone remember February's near-perfect weather, all month long??? Gotta love the timing.
PS - I've spent each rained out practice eating the cookies and drinking the "milk" I'd planned to bring for the P's. Getting tired of drinking alone!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
And another rained out practice...
Cannot catch a break!
Monday, March 21, 2011
As Marjorie said... "Iffy"
So, a possibility of canceled practice at Rossi on Tuesday:
... stay close to Marjorie's emails, the SHB8Baseball Twitter account, or this blog for updates as they happen.
Stay tuned.
... stay close to Marjorie's emails, the SHB8Baseball Twitter account, or this blog for updates as they happen.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Ft. Scott closed - practice cancelled
Guess we'll have to try again next week?
(nice pic from Marjorie - hopefully the weather allows nicer pics soon!)
(nice pic from Marjorie - hopefully the weather allows nicer pics soon!)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tues 3/15 Practice cancelled - Rain
Darn. Talk about your perfect plan spoiled. After a week without baseball thanks to the LA trip, we get weathered out today. For those of you who still need a baseball fix, head on over the ATT Park to catch St. Ignatius vs. Sacred Heart High Schools play their annual ATT Park grudge match at 4:45PM. Preceding it at ~3:30PM will be the USF Dons vs. San Jose State Div 1 game (the "Dante Benedetti Classic"). Let's hope rain doesn't take out these two great games as well.
Spring means baseball - Spring means rain. And I got a bad feeling about Ft. Scott tomorrow (Wed) at 6:30PM as well. Yuck.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
To Live and Die in L.A., and a bit about blogs...
Friday evening was fun, picking up the boys at school after their flight back from L.A. Lots of big grins, super high comfort levels, and a feeling that they were given an appropriate amount of unsupervised time to spread their wings a bit as well as talk about 13-yr old guy stuff - as us Dads may recall, that's some of the most important stuff in the world. When I asked for a comparison to the Fall Yosemite trip, Stephen's reply was that it was much better, as they weren't frozen, and they got to eat. My hope is that one of the budding writers in this class one day describes that Fall trip in detail, whereas I prefer to think L.A. was a good time had by all rather than "Heart of Darkness."
What's that got to do with baseball? Not a darn thing, which is the funny thing about blogs. They need a certain amount of update, or people stop looking. And sometimes it has to be off-topic, as there has been NO BASEBALL since last Tuesday. This is soon to be rectified, but in the meantime, Let's cover some non-baseball blog topics:
1. We have a twitter account (SHB8Baseball)! I have even managed to load it onto this blog. What does this mean to us? We will be getting baseball only tweets, which if you have followed the other class Twitter account, SHB8Sports, you will see that we will not be "following" Lacrosse (LAX). Now, before I get any complaints (see #2, later), I have a 5th grader who loves LAX, which automatically makes it ok in my book. The thing is, LAX tweets sound somewhat like baseball ("Nick scores, 6-4"), and we have some players on the team who also play LAX ("Ryan scores, 7-4"). Compounding this problem is the declining age-related mental acuity of many of us (ok, the author), so to keep from being confused, the baseball games are going to be tweeted on their own account (you're welcome, Florida Gramma). I'll do most games, but if unavailable, I'll be asking for volunteers. Our Tweet-Czarlette, Les, will no doubt make herself available. Also, having done some games last year, I want to let you all know that I am perfecting an end of half-inning summary style, replacing my attempts last year to perform batter-by-batter tweets, and allowing me to actually watch the games, converse with parents, and perhaps enjoy a refreshing beverage as well, while not inundating followers with play-by-play.
2. Comments. I have thrown a switch that supposedly allows registered members (5 so far, listed on front page) to hit the comment button on any post, and, you know, "comment." This is where you get to add your own observations, correct me, call me names, or pretty much anything you feel like saying. Your comments are encouraged, and appreciated, and it has been my experience that blogs are most fun when people comment, so give it a try. NOTE: Pretty much anything goes, but I do have the ability to delete comments. Just so you know, I would only consider doing so if something I am certain you would regret later gets posted.
3. Pictures/Video clips. If you have anything good from last year, send my way please. I'll figure out an album for the blog, but I might also post right in that day's post. As to questions about the current blog pic, that is Andrew pumping his fist as Stephen lays a hard tag on an unsuccessful base stealer (throw down from either Stephen Page or John Carey at catcher).
All for now - can't wait for Tuesday's practice!
What's that got to do with baseball? Not a darn thing, which is the funny thing about blogs. They need a certain amount of update, or people stop looking. And sometimes it has to be off-topic, as there has been NO BASEBALL since last Tuesday. This is soon to be rectified, but in the meantime, Let's cover some non-baseball blog topics:
1. We have a twitter account (SHB8Baseball)! I have even managed to load it onto this blog. What does this mean to us? We will be getting baseball only tweets, which if you have followed the other class Twitter account, SHB8Sports, you will see that we will not be "following" Lacrosse (LAX). Now, before I get any complaints (see #2, later), I have a 5th grader who loves LAX, which automatically makes it ok in my book. The thing is, LAX tweets sound somewhat like baseball ("Nick scores, 6-4"), and we have some players on the team who also play LAX ("Ryan scores, 7-4"). Compounding this problem is the declining age-related mental acuity of many of us (ok, the author), so to keep from being confused, the baseball games are going to be tweeted on their own account (you're welcome, Florida Gramma). I'll do most games, but if unavailable, I'll be asking for volunteers. Our Tweet-Czarlette, Les, will no doubt make herself available. Also, having done some games last year, I want to let you all know that I am perfecting an end of half-inning summary style, replacing my attempts last year to perform batter-by-batter tweets, and allowing me to actually watch the games, converse with parents, and perhaps enjoy a refreshing beverage as well, while not inundating followers with play-by-play.
2. Comments. I have thrown a switch that supposedly allows registered members (5 so far, listed on front page) to hit the comment button on any post, and, you know, "comment." This is where you get to add your own observations, correct me, call me names, or pretty much anything you feel like saying. Your comments are encouraged, and appreciated, and it has been my experience that blogs are most fun when people comment, so give it a try. NOTE: Pretty much anything goes, but I do have the ability to delete comments. Just so you know, I would only consider doing so if something I am certain you would regret later gets posted.
3. Pictures/Video clips. If you have anything good from last year, send my way please. I'll figure out an album for the blog, but I might also post right in that day's post. As to questions about the current blog pic, that is Andrew pumping his fist as Stephen lays a hard tag on an unsuccessful base stealer (throw down from either Stephen Page or John Carey at catcher).
All for now - can't wait for Tuesday's practice!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wow... do we have good coaches!
So a few dads made it out for the first practice this afternoon at Rossi to check out the team and the coaches. Jack L. and I were there at the start and were later joined by Bob C. and Doug P.
Since all of us have coached these young men at one time or another in either baseball, soccer, or basketball, we were naturally interested in how the "new" coaches would handle our guys. A couple things became clear right away:
1. The boys - are a lot bigger than we remember, and stronger. They throw balls really far now, and hit them even farther. For guys like Jack, who hasn't seen Joseph play in a couple years, it was an eye-opening experience (which Joseph added to by hitting the ball as if he'd been playing a lot of baseball prior to today). These players have serious beast potential.
2. Coachie and Coach E. - run the kind of practice you'd have thought they'd been doing together for years. Not a wasted minute, with diamond-crossing infield drills and then opposite field outfield drills. The guys then all got to hit twice (Coachie pitching) with a soft toss session by Coach E. in between. Each guy hit better their second ups and the coaches kept 'em moving. They finished as light faded with a team meeting on the bleachers (Dads not invited) that Stephen told me on the way home was pretty motivating.
Naturally us Dads did our best not to make nuisances of ourselves, and with the exception of some constructive heckling when one of our guys performed something only twice as well as we now can, we generally kept out of the way and weren't invited to leave (thanks, coaches and players).
In summary, a first practice that exceeded my expectations for how much could be covered in that amount of time. These coaches clearly have an objective in mind and are moving things forward quickly in practice. No more this week though, as the boys are off to L.A. on their big class trip. We'll pick it up again next Tuesday (I think), and I miss baseball already!
Go Lions
-dan e
Since all of us have coached these young men at one time or another in either baseball, soccer, or basketball, we were naturally interested in how the "new" coaches would handle our guys. A couple things became clear right away:
1. The boys - are a lot bigger than we remember, and stronger. They throw balls really far now, and hit them even farther. For guys like Jack, who hasn't seen Joseph play in a couple years, it was an eye-opening experience (which Joseph added to by hitting the ball as if he'd been playing a lot of baseball prior to today). These players have serious beast potential.
2. Coachie and Coach E. - run the kind of practice you'd have thought they'd been doing together for years. Not a wasted minute, with diamond-crossing infield drills and then opposite field outfield drills. The guys then all got to hit twice (Coachie pitching) with a soft toss session by Coach E. in between. Each guy hit better their second ups and the coaches kept 'em moving. They finished as light faded with a team meeting on the bleachers (Dads not invited) that Stephen told me on the way home was pretty motivating.
Naturally us Dads did our best not to make nuisances of ourselves, and with the exception of some constructive heckling when one of our guys performed something only twice as well as we now can, we generally kept out of the way and weren't invited to leave (thanks, coaches and players).
In summary, a first practice that exceeded my expectations for how much could be covered in that amount of time. These coaches clearly have an objective in mind and are moving things forward quickly in practice. No more this week though, as the boys are off to L.A. on their big class trip. We'll pick it up again next Tuesday (I think), and I miss baseball already!
Go Lions
-dan e
It's almost baseball!
Well SHB baseball fans, the schedule has been released and practice starts today, so baseball is practically here! Can't wait? Why should we!
Let's recap, shall we? Last year at this time, a bunch of 7th graders decided it was time to organize and compete in their school colors for the first time in their baseball careers. This group was quickly joined by three 8th-graders, inexplicably forcing them into the 8-1 Division of the SF Parish & School Baseball League. No matter. The group banded and bonded, going 6-2, making the playoffs as the #2 seed, and meeting their rival St. Cecilia in the championship game, losing a well fought battle against the likes of Slade Mahoney (St. Ignatius freshman team) and Cole Schmitz (Sacred Heart freshman team), who threw a 1-hitter in the championship game.
Will this season be a revenge tour? Not necessary. The competition has graduated, and our now 8th graders will be facing last year's 7th graders, while significantly upgrading talent. Joining last year's stellar core of:
Ryley Acerat
Liam Campbell
John Carey
Stephen Everest
Andrew Ferrero
Morgan Law
Stephen Page
will be some serious new talent:
Ryan Clark
John Kevane
Nick Stinn
and "as available" Joseph Ladd (meaning we have to drag him off the golf course!)
And yet it gets better. While ably coached last year by Scott and Drew, this year SHB's own legendary PE Teacher Glen Bowers (i.e, "Coachie") has come out of coaching retirement just to lead this group! Want more? Our very own world's greatest English Teach and all around talent Mr. Estrada (i.e., "Mr. Estrada") has succumbed to two years of pleas from his student/players, and joins Coachie's staff as Asst. Coach. For both, having found themselves attending most of the games last year anyways, it was a natural progression to joining the boys in the dugout.
How good is this team? Can you say 8 SF Little League All Stars? Can you say seasoned veterans? Can you say top-notch coaching? Perhaps you can whisper "domination?" Suffice it to say, the Parish League trembles in anticipation of the fight for second place to which they have been consigned, while SHB parents are upgrading their flash cards and cameras in preparation of highlights and web gems.
So hop on the bandwagon, SHB Parents and supporters - it's going to be a wild ride!
Let's recap, shall we? Last year at this time, a bunch of 7th graders decided it was time to organize and compete in their school colors for the first time in their baseball careers. This group was quickly joined by three 8th-graders, inexplicably forcing them into the 8-1 Division of the SF Parish & School Baseball League. No matter. The group banded and bonded, going 6-2, making the playoffs as the #2 seed, and meeting their rival St. Cecilia in the championship game, losing a well fought battle against the likes of Slade Mahoney (St. Ignatius freshman team) and Cole Schmitz (Sacred Heart freshman team), who threw a 1-hitter in the championship game.
Will this season be a revenge tour? Not necessary. The competition has graduated, and our now 8th graders will be facing last year's 7th graders, while significantly upgrading talent. Joining last year's stellar core of:
Ryley Acerat
Liam Campbell
John Carey
Stephen Everest
Andrew Ferrero
Morgan Law
Stephen Page
will be some serious new talent:
Ryan Clark
John Kevane
Nick Stinn
and "as available" Joseph Ladd (meaning we have to drag him off the golf course!)
And yet it gets better. While ably coached last year by Scott and Drew, this year SHB's own legendary PE Teacher Glen Bowers (i.e, "Coachie") has come out of coaching retirement just to lead this group! Want more? Our very own world's greatest English Teach and all around talent Mr. Estrada (i.e., "Mr. Estrada") has succumbed to two years of pleas from his student/players, and joins Coachie's staff as Asst. Coach. For both, having found themselves attending most of the games last year anyways, it was a natural progression to joining the boys in the dugout.
How good is this team? Can you say 8 SF Little League All Stars? Can you say seasoned veterans? Can you say top-notch coaching? Perhaps you can whisper "domination?" Suffice it to say, the Parish League trembles in anticipation of the fight for second place to which they have been consigned, while SHB parents are upgrading their flash cards and cameras in preparation of highlights and web gems.
So hop on the bandwagon, SHB Parents and supporters - it's going to be a wild ride!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)