What's going on with the SweetHearts in 2006
DATELINE: Friday, June 23 - Just a note to say how much I have enjoyed this summer and coaching this team. No, it's not the best playing team, nor is it the best hitting team but the personalities of this team are so much fun to be around and work with. Parents and coaches seem to see the talent this team has and the fact that soon they will break out of this slump and beat up on some team. The talent is there, they just have to start playing smart and together.
DATELINE: Wednesday, June 14 - This team has so much going for it but we have not lived up to it yet. There are 11 very good players on the field but they don't play as one unit. I hope that they come together before the season is over. Our team party is scheduled for Mr. Gatti's on Friday, June 30th at 7pm.
DATELINE: Saturday, June 10 - Batting practice was hot, hot, and hotter still. Only Blanche, Sam, Michaela, and Elizabeth showed up but boy did they make huge improvements. They are hitting the ball so well now. All it took was a minor change in their batting style and suddenly they went from not hitting to pouncing on every pitch. I just wish the others had been here. Those who made the effort will move up in the batting order for the next game.
DATELINE: Thursday, June 8 - We did it! We won our first game tonight. Taylor looked very good. Michaela caught a fly ball to right field, Jeannette had a very good game behind the plate plus the whole team looked very good on the base paths. This was a "whole team effort" We have batting practice Saturday morning in Maplewood.
DATELINE: Thursday, June 1 - Rainout! Wednesday's game was rained out in a freakish limited shower. It rained only at the ballpark. As I drove to the fields the streets were only wet two blocks from the park. There was no way to know this from the opposite side of town. The game has not been rescheduled at this time.
DATELINE: Sunday, May 28 - The second game of the season was much better even if we did lose. The team added a new player, Amanda Mercer, to the roster. The game was close for a while with us only being down 1 run and Taylor pitching a very good game. The next time we play Hackberry should be a different game. Leah came in to pitch the final inning and she is also looking much better on the mound. Leah has become known as "the vaccuum" because she lets nothing get passed her in the field. I'm liking this team more and more each day. Saturday June 3 we will hold batting practice which should really help this team.
DATELINE: Wednesday, May 24 - Our first game was a waste. Four players didn't show up causing us to forteit. We attempted to at least play a couple of innings but by the second inning things began to really fall apart where no one could throw OR catch. I just called them off the field and sent them home. We will try again Wednesday night.
DATELINE: Saturday, May 20 - Practice was shortened Friday due to a school dance that some players wanted to attend. I have no problem with that, it is the last one of the school year. We worked on a little base-running and getting ready for our first game next Tuesday. The only bad news was the fact that my "starting pitcher" won't be there due to a band concert. Other than that we should be okay.
DATELINE: Wednesday, May 17 - Game schedules are ready. Last night's practice gave coaches a good look at who can play where. Opening game next week will most likely feature a starting line up of Blanche behind the plate with Taylor on the mound, Alyssa at 1st, Leah at second, Jeannette at SS, Sam at 3rd. Outfield will likely be Katie, Megan and Elizabeth.
DATELINE: Friday, May 11 - Very productive practice, good hitting and found out that Taylor is a good pitcher. It is nice to have so many pitchers and catchers. Next Monday we will have a practice game and get to see how the team really looks.
DATELINE: Monday, May 8 - I was so pleased with tonight's practice! The girls seemed bored at first since I was the only coach and it took longer to explain everything, but once they had all the parts down they started "getting into" the practice. They like the running and base stealing. They will really like it next week when the start practice games. Thursday I will bring out the pitching machine.
DATELINE: Sunday, May 7 - Last Thursday's practice got rained out. Then it rained all weekend. Now it is supposed to rain tomorrow too so we might lose another practice.
DATELINE: Monday, May 1 (3rd Practice) - A very good night with all players but Selby and Elizabeth there. Newest member was Megan and boy is she a great little player. Great arm and hustle. Taylor is really showing her stuff. She has a rocket for an arm. This is going to be a really great year if I can just keep them all together and all here.
DATELINE: Tuesday, April 25 (2nd Practice) - Practice went fantastic tonight. I was very impressed with the advancement we made. I have talent at every postion and at several the strength is 2 and 3 deep. I am still waiting for the last three players to show up. I also had my former player - now mother - show up to help coach. She will never know how excited I am to have her 'back'. This will be as much fun for me as it is her.
DATELINE: Saturday, April 22 (Post Practice) - First practice went great but only 5 players showed up. However, that's not all bad considering that out of those five I found two pitchers and a very good catcher - and I mean, VERY good. I also understand that I drafted another very talented catcher too. The one player I was really looking forward to meeting didn't show. Several others are still out of town on Spring Break. Maybe Tuesday's practice will be better attended.
DATELINE: Saturday, April 22 - First practice will be later this morning. We will get to know each other, see who wants to play, who wants to play where, size uniforms, and hand out info sheets. After that I will update the website with birthdays, uniform numbers, and roster info. The weather looks to be nice today.
DATELINE: Thursday, April 20 - Draft went great. I got the players I was after and the team as a whole should be great. The new roster includes: returners Katie Conner, Sam Thompson, and Alyssa Wilkins, along with new players Shelby Blanchard, Blanche McGee, Leah Perkins, Jeannette Fontenot, Elizabeth Stanley, Taylor Wilkins, Haley Bergeron, Ashley Weaver, and Michaela Coleman. I have been making phone calls but getting mostly answering machines.
DATELINE: Wednesday, April 12 - Tryouts went great. I saw lots of young ladies that are "my type" players - small, lanky, and fast. I tend to be more interested in speed on the basepaths that power in the batter's box. I can get players on first but what I need are girls who are not afraid to run between bases. I also met a former player and her daughter but I can not say more yet since draft is not til next Wednesday. Maybe I'll have a surprise to tell then.
DATELINE: Wednesday, April 5 - Tryouts are scheduled for April 12, 5:30pm, Pattison field #6. I will begin my 24th year with the SweetHearts. Draft will be a week later on the 19th to formalize the 24th edition of the team. Good Lord willing I will coach my 350th game with the team this season and also get to be around next year for the 25th anniversary (silver) season.