Playing hard and having fun

No, this wasn't really a loyal fan at today's games, but the temperatures and winds were challenging for the fans and the players at our Bandit Yard's season opening Early Bird Tournament.

All in all, we were very proud of our players.

Juust remember - "... it's a marathon, not a sprint!"

Everybody play hard and have fun, and we'll see how the tournament results are at the end of the day tomorrow (prayers for the rain to hold off might be a good idea, too).

One week from now ...

... the opening day of our first home tournament will begin!

But first there's lots of work to do.

And those scheduled "field preparation" days are this coming Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th from 5:30 to 8:30.

We will have our duties assigned when we arrive. Please bring your families, your boots and work gloves, and any equipment that you think would help get our fields as nice as possible.

As the now more Irish Coach Boos said: "There are only a couple times a year when we impose on the families, so I hope you can lend a hand."

And while you're there, check out how nice the concession stand is looking. The menu looks wonderful!

If you see this before you get to practice tonight ...

... then you'll have a heads-up on what tonight's practice will be - straight pitching and catching workouts.

Catchers will go through their usual sequence while pitchers do their lead-in work.

When it becomes time to throw live - catchers catch and pitchers throw 20 from in front of the mound and then 20 from off the mound.

Pitchers: PLEASE STOP AND TELL THE COACHES IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCING ANY TYPE OF DISCOMFORT! We will evaluate you and (hopefully) progress from there. But there's no shame in stopping the throwing this early in the year.

We'll then finish with catchers making live throws down to second base with infielders covering the bag and taking throws. If time is left, ground balls.

See you at the Yard!

Practice today was spirited! And the turnout was high.

Props to the boys for working hard (I wonder if they know that outside practices are going to be more frequent and the season begins in less than two weeks).

Uniforms were distributed today, so we're starting to look like a team.

Just work on knowing the signals - there will be a test!

While the manager's away ...

... Coach Boos is taking a well-deserved week long vacation to Ireland!

While he's away, we're going to continue our practices with our pitchers and catchers increasing their skills.

We'll also be doing some ground balls, some outfield work, some situations with fielders and runners, and hitting, hitting, hitting (did I mention hitting?).

Now, if we can just get the weather to allow us to practice outside (bring your outdoor gear, just in case)!

How can my son qualify for the Bandits?

I'm a single mom with a twelve year old son named Ethan who would rather play baseball than anything. I guess you'd say his baseball skills are only average, but I think he would show real improvement if he had a little guidance and encouragement. I've been reading about the Indiana Bandits Baseball Club on their website. How could Ethan qualify for that program?

Mary Templeton 

Fishers, Indiana

mtempleton@aol.com

(this blog is a test)