Winning tough... Diamondbacks 1 - Yankees 0

Our adventure continues...

Winning in baseball is usually done with a combination of good defense and timely hitting. I am going to include luck into that equation, because yes, a lot of luck is involved. The good thing is that good teams rarely need that much luck, and more often than not you win because you deserve to win. Such it is with our team. Yet I have to believe that you make your own luck as well. Case in point, leading 1-0 in the third inning on Saturday, with 1 out, it would have been an unlucky bounce to have had given up a double to a player who had not been expecting to get one. Luckily Rachel made a good throw to Adam who managed to hustle and tag the runner just as he reached second base. Lucky.

There's a lot to be proud of here. Our young ones are coming along in game situations. Riley is showing great hitting ability, and when called on the past 2 weeks, Tristan and Rachel have made good fielding plays. It's focus and support that keeps us doing the right things. It's important that we keep focused and keep making the right decisions on the field.

Once again, hitting seems to be an issue. 1 run is hardly a world beater, and although it was enough on Saturday, let's be honest, it won't win many games. Adam is an impact player, and we are lucky to have him. He's playing at a different level than anyone else in the league and it is important for us to be able to make his job that much easier by getting runners on base in front of him. I will be adjusting the batting order again as I need to take advantage of what he brings to the table. 2 weeks in a row we have not made the most of his power, and I promise that will change.

Batting practice is the order of things this week. I'd like our guys to work out the kinks in time for our next big game, this coming Saturday against the Dodgers.

See you all on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Week Two - The real season begins - D-backs 7 - Angels 4

The hard part about being a coach at the rookie league level is knowing whether or not your kids really understand what you are trying to tell them. It's a trust thing. As a coach, you trust that in order for your kids to enjoy the experience, for your kids to get the most out of the game, that they know what to do when called upon. I'm not always the best at projecting what I'd like to see out on the field. I guess that comes with experience. Reinforce the basics, re-assure the kids that even when they have made a tough play, that they will be ok, that they remember what to do and how to do it.

A lot of good things happened yesterday. Our hitting is exceptional. With that I am still trying to get our "best" batting order happening. Adam hit a huge home run, and if I had managed it properly, our score-line would have been a lot bigger. My fault there. It's a thing where adjustments will probably happen all year long. Still, saying that, we need to get a balanced lineup where our weaker hitters won't be a "black hole" to the team. A lot of teams are tempted to put their best hitters 1-6 and then leaving the back end very "light" I want us to have a chance to score runs every inning.

On defense, we need to continue our work on the infield. Too much pressure on Thomas is happening right now. He will improve and make better decisions... he's a gutsy kid and wants to succeed. I also want the throws to first to be better. William does a good job, and I will work this week on the throws to him and getting him to be aware of where the ball is. Also, Thomas will need to make himself available on every throw that goes to William so that the ball gets back to him ASAP!!! Whew.... it's a lot to do!

On the outfield, we didn't have a lot of things going on. Tristan and Aidan both had chances, and did well getting the ball back to the infield. Liam will  be a key here. As a middle "cut-off" I want everything hit up the middle to go through him. His voice and leadership will be key. In all we will be focused on our guys making good throws and good decisions with the ball.

7-4 Was the final score. I'm pleased with what we're doing going forward. We have 2 HUGE games coming up the next 2 weeks. The Yankees and Dodgers will be the critical points in our season. 

All hands on deck!!! See you all on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Week One - Practice game against the Red Sox

Well, the first game is in the bag. Even though it was a practice game, I learned a lot from what I saw out on the field. The hitting is ok. We should improve there with more machine time. I hope to get in more "BP" this week, but I will continue to work the infield and outfield practice in order to get our defense perfect. If necessary we may practice again next Sunday. There is a lot of work to be done. I'm hoping to work more on catching, fielding, and making a good decision with the ball, right away. Hesitation costs. When a fielder gets the ball he/she must understand what to do with it. That said, the primary option has to recognize it and must be available to them.  I know it's a lot of "technical stuff", but I promise, it will become clear the more we do things.

I have to say, I LOVE the new uniforms! I am ordering the coaches stuff this week! I thought we all looked fantastic on the field and you can bet that in a very short period our game will be as spiffy as the uniforms! 

I was impressed with everyone, but will make note of Taylor and Rachel who both did very well. Thomas got some key hits and I think if we keep a balanced batting order, we should be able to score runs every inning. This will be imperative as we do have a large team and the prime scoring opportunities will have to be utilized each inning. I had a good look at all of our opponents on the weekend, and I think there will be a few good tests for us, starting this Saturday against the Angels. Most teams have 3 or 4 decent hitters, and others who can get a hit if we aren't paying attention. The Yankees and Dodgers will be tough too.

That said, I'd like to thank Desi for the pics, which I've added to the blog in a slideshow. I'll add more as the weeks go on. Also, team pics and personal pics will be done soon!

See you on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.!

Phil

Tom Macneil - RIP 10/04/08

"Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route." - Albert Camus

Here we are on the eve of another wonderful baseball season. Our kids are due a lot of fun times this coming year, and yet it begins with a tragic loss, not only for me, but for the entire YAO and Bermuda Inline Hockey Association. Our fearless leader, Tom Macneil, died yesterday of a heart attack. Tom, who has tirelessly given of himself, both on the field as a coach, and off as Rookie League Commissioner, even this year with no connection to the rookie league - both his boys Tyler and Riley have moved up - stayed on because no one wanted the job. It is a big job, and it's a credit to his unspoken passion and devotion to the development of our kids in baseball that kept him there.

I don't have a lot of "I remember" Tom stories, I do know that we were good friends, and I truly respected all that he did for the YAO. His unwavering support of us as coaches, all volunteers, kept him at the ballpark much more than he should have been and we never really had a chance to thank him. For that I am honoured to have worked alongside him. Tom was a not only a buddy, but a mentor and led by example. He wanted his kids to succeed and in that process he has turned out some amazing kids. We should all do so well.

A few people wanted to delay the opening week this week, but upon reflection and the insistence of his wife Gail, we shall play on. It would be Tom's wish. It's the least we can do for him.

In fact I do have an "I remember" Tom story. When his boys would do something well, at the plate or on the field, there was always a huge " 'ATTA BOY " from him. It was his trademark. It was his stamp of approval.

Atta Boy Tom... Atta Boy....

Tomorrow will be a tough day. I only hope we continue to make him proud.

1st Practice - Thursday, April 3rd

"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base." - Dave Barry

Wow. It rained today. If that's the worst practice we have all year, then we can expect some amazing things. I was probably more excited than the kids were to be out there this afternoon, but to think we had 10 players out there today, all of them except the few who knew me, nervous, and probably a little scared. The move from T-ball to rookie league is a big jump for some, and I'm glad to have some experience to lend a hand. As I said in my first post, Adam, William and Thomas will be the "big brothers" on the squad.

So, we did some throwing and catching, and even a little hitting off the tee. It was good work, even in the drizzle. It's a credit to each of them that they seem to buy into the "practice, practice, practice" regime I will use this year. We have a great team, and there is a great chance that we will be one of the contenders for the title this year, but it will be hard work!

Our next practice will be Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. I'd like to get 2 hours in and utilize more basics and expand on things we have already begun working on. I hope to see you all then.