Guestbook
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Total Entries: 49
| Posted By | Comments |
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Tony Szymendera
RICHMOND,VA July 21, 2009 10:48:04 PM Entry ID: 1664505 | John and Anthony, I enjoyed the article in the Times Dispatch last week on your team and your efforts to keep baseball alive in the city. While I live and work in the West End, I grew up in inner city Philadelphia and have always appreciated the many people in the neighborhood who coached and organized teams that kept a lot of us focused on the right things and pointed in the right directions. I have also wondered from time to time how I might be able contribute in that same way. One of your comments near the end of the article got me thinking about some possibilities. You mentioned that many of your players do not play or work on their game out of season. I am the high school principal and head varsity baseball coach at St. Christopher's and we have some wonderful facilities here. I wonder if we could work something out where you can use the facility once a week or so over the winter or in the weeks prior to the season starting to get ready. We have a couple of indoor batting cages as well as pitching mounds. One is located in our fieldhouse which could accommodate a full infield--especially at your age level. So you could take groundballs (very true hops on the rubber surface but better than nothing) and even do pop up/flyball drills. Another idea might be to run a camp/clinic over a few different days or weekends of the winter. We have some connections through our coaches and could probably bring in a few "name" people to help if that was a need. We have five former players currently playing college baseball (VA Tech, Boston College, Princeton) who we could also use if there was a desire to tie education into the equation. One in particular might be especially effective. Austin Wates has been leading the Cape Cod League in hitting most of the summer and will probably be a pretty high draft pick after next season. He's an African American whose mom has done a lot of work on race issues through theater--he would get the importance of the effort and message. And his mom would make him help out! I may be getting ahead of myself but I think there are some interesting possibilities here. St. Christopher's is looking for ways to make a difference in the community and knows that its facilities and people are one of the ways to do that. So, if you are interested or want to explore something, I would be glad to talk further. If not, thank you for the work you are doing. It is much needed in our world. And good luck with your team. Tony Szymendera Head of Upper School Head Varsity Baseball Coach St. Christopher's School Richmond, VA 804-282-3185 szymenderat@stcva.org |
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Troy Williamson
Chester July 17, 2009 3:08:41 PM Entry ID: 1662065 | Great article in todays paper. Watched you guys play in BaseballNation event and was very impressed with your game. Look forward to working with you all in future events. |
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Jack D'Ambrosio
RICHMOND,VA July 17, 2009 12:43:16 PM Entry ID: 1661984 | I had 2 kids that played on travel teams and high school careers. I have one son who plays baseball but just for fun. Unfortunately people just can not stop labeling people. All the leagues, travel teams and high school teams my kids played on. I can count the number of African American players on both hands that played with my kids. I would think as a society it wouldn't be that way. I praise you two and your kids for rising above all to play a game that I truly love. I would like to make a small donation to your team. I wish I could be more generous but unfortunately I am unemployed. Stung by the big corporation letting someone go after 20 years of service. Thanks for taking the time for your kids they will look back and thank you. As I thank you for dedication to baseball and the kids. |
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COACH GRIGSBY
EXPRESS VILLAGE July 17, 2009 11:01:32 AM Entry ID: 1661945 | So often as coaches we hear the Sports Psychologist tell us, to tell our hitters to ' just relax at home plate '. We hear things like: Image a comfortable place, hear your favorite song, see yourself hitting a home run, step out clear your thoughts.... This approach does have some validity - But the truth is - As Coaches.. ' Being relaxed ' or ' Go out and have some FUN ' - Just doesn't get the job done. Then you're left with a BIG ' L ' hanging over your coaching record. What gets the job done? ... A Calculated Response, A CONDITIONED Reaction - Towards .... TIMING & SPACE ! The Truth is this ... Before the player has FUN and is relaxed about his performance, he experiences a diving catch, striking a batter out, OR for hitters, Hitting LINEDRIVES & Home Runs . Before these diving catches, striking someone out, and Hitting Home Runs, comes a Serious, Focused, Calculated Response ... The player is zoned into moving his/ her body with precision TIMING to master a specific SPACE ! |
| Ms. Sandy June 11, 2009 9:36:47 PM Entry ID: 1642220 | Let's go Express, lets do our thang this weekend. Attitude is KEY. |
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COACH GRIGSBY
EXPRESS VILLAGE June 11, 2009 9:03:07 AM Entry ID: 1641691 | “No matter how far life pushes you down,no matter how much you hurt,you can always bounce back.” Sheryl Swoopes |
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COACH GRIGSBY
EXPRESS LANE June 10, 2009 8:13:02 AM Entry ID: 1640915 | The Goals Coach Grigsby wants every player to leave with… Teach every player to get a little better every day. Teach the players that teamwork and cooperation amongst a group of people is a way that you can succeed in Baseball and life. Confidence creates success. A positive attitude creates positive results. Hard work will result in an attitude of self worth. If we pay attention to the little details then the end result is easy. Perseverance and the ability to never give up will result in success. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Courtesy and kindness gain you respect and friendship. Put others before yourself and you will feel better about yourself. Be aggressive and take action. Do not wait for life to come to you, Seize the moment before the moment passes you by. Do not live in the past, you cannot change what has happened. Learn from the past. It is not our right to be a part of the game of baseball, but a privilege. Many do not get the chances we have. Go after each practice and game as hard as you can, you can rest at home. Teach the qualities to our players through the game of baseball that will create a positive, caring, respectful, and successful young man of the future. Last but not least.....Never ever, ever second guess your coaches---Ha ha ha. |
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COACH GRIGSBY
EXPRESS VILLAGE June 6, 2009 5:07:36 PM Entry ID: 1638598 | There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being — to help someone succeed." |
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Coach Pooka
Richmond June 5, 2009 10:15:43 AM Entry ID: 1638031 | Let's play our game this weekend guys......with class! |
| UMP June 4, 2009 8:21:38 PM Entry ID: 1637783 | "Always to a Good Job~~~~They don't need to be told....they know.....I think the assoc. is going to change that rule from being a forfeit to the coach being ejected and the player will be removed from the pitching position.... Ya'll did a great job....Hope ya'll play in our future tournaments... Love.....MR. UMP~~~~~~~~" |
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CJ Stewart
Atlanta, GA June 3, 2009 12:22:58 PM Entry ID: 1636795 | Anthony, I wish much success to you the East End Baseball program. Competition in the urban baseball community isn't strong in it's present state but there is hope thanks to people like you. We have to all be willing to work together for the sake of the kids by sharing our resources. There is currently less than 3% of blacks competing at the college level and I feel that is unexceptable as a former professional college and professional baseball player. At the end of the day, if you aren't a part of the solution then you are a part of the problem. Thank you Anthony, your coaching staff and parents for being a part of the solution. |
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COACH GRIGSBY
EXPRESS LANE June 2, 2009 9:37:22 AM Entry ID: 1635892 | HELLO EXPRESS PLAYERS,PARENTS,COACHES,AND FANS I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SLEEP OVER THIS PAST TOURNEY,IT WASN'T RIGHT AND I'VE MADE IT CLEAR TO THE BASEBALL-NATION TOP PEOPLE WE GOT A RAW DEAL. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND OUR PLAYERS AND PARENTS FOR KEEPING THEY'RE COOL ON SUNDAY WHICH SHOWED CLASS OF WHO WE ARE AS A TEAM. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE FANS PAST AND PRESENT WHO CAME OUT TO SUPPORT THE EAST END EXPRESS BASEBALL TEAM, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A LONG FUN SEASON SO WE AS COACHES KNOW THERE WILL BE NOTHING BUT GOOD TO COME TO US THIS SEASON. WE HAVE A LOT OF BASEBALL AHEAD OF US AND A MAJOR TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA TO PLAY IN THE MJBL INNER-CITY WORLD SERIES LIVE ON ESPN. SO LETS STAY STRONG TOGETHER LIKE A CHAIN AND THE EXPRESS WILL RIDE SMOOTH... |
| Ms Sandy June 1, 2009 3:09:23 PM Entry ID: 1635255 | Great playing this weekend guys. Always remember that you are only as good as you think you are. So think BIG.... |
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Tammy
henrico May 27, 2009 2:15:30 PM Entry ID: 1632447 | i just wanted to wish yall guys good luck this weekend.. shawn and i will be out of town...branden remeber u are a leader keep your team heads up and you guys will win............good luck |
| Sandy May 26, 2009 11:10:54 AM Entry ID: 1631554 | Great job this weekend guys, Remember ATTITUDE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE!!! Welcome Tyriq and Woo an awesome addition to the Express Family. |
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Coach Pooka
GLEN LEA May 24, 2009 11:34:29 AM Entry ID: 1630716 | Way to finish up strong today! That's the Express team that I know! Good win! |
| Joe Richmond May 21, 2009 11:45:06 AM Entry ID: 1629163 | Good Luck Marquis. |
| Sandy May 17, 2009 9:07:24 PM Entry ID: 1626479 | Big games coming up this weekend guys, lets get ready to have some fun. EACH ONE TEACH ONE...... |
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Branden dreher
henrico May 13, 2009 9:16:33 PM Entry ID: 1624282 | hey wat up it me branden and i like to thank yall for leting me play this weekend....and i probly will be seeing yall alot more cuz i really liked playin with yall.and i try to tell my mom to let me play with yall.and thanks..and that goes out to all the funny player yall have on yall team. |
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BRANDENS MOM
Henrico May 13, 2009 8:58:24 AM Entry ID: 1623688 | I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK YOUR TEAM FOR ALLOWING MY SON BRANDEN DREHER TO PLAY FOR YOU THIS WEEKEND. HE REALLY ENJOYED THE TEAM. I AM VERY PROUD OF WHAT ACCOMPLISHED THIS PAST WEEKEND. HE THINKS YOU ARE A AWESOME COACH AND FOR ONCE HE SAID WE JUST PLAYED BASEBALL AND HAD FUN.... |
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COACH GRIGSBY
EXPRESS LANE May 12, 2009 8:11:43 AM Entry ID: 1622947 | The Power of Attitude Never under-estimate the power of attitude. Both the coach's attitude and the attitude of the players on the team can be the deciding factor in how the team develops and prospers. Our attitude can be our best friend, or our worst enemy. It is the characteristic that will draw people to us or turn people against us. Attitude is the key to getting along with others and moving ahead in life. The player with the right attitude is more than willing to work hard to accomplish the objective of becoming a better player. The player with the right attitude will put the time and effort into becoming a better hitter, a better pitcher, a better defender, whatever it is that the player wants to accomplish. The player with the right attitude will develop the necessary skills to become a better player with a thirst and hunger for the game that does not require constant motivation and monitoring. When everything else is equal or if there is any doubt, will you as the coach not pick the player with the better attitude? As a player would you not work harder for a coach with a great attitude? Remember that you're part of a team, and as a teammate it's about making the team better, it's not just about you. Baseball not only pulls us together, it helps us to learn how to excel and how to inspire others around us to excel. Sports help us to learn the joy of winning and how to handle defeat. |
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COACH GRIGSBY
CHOO CHOO VILLE May 12, 2009 7:56:00 AM Entry ID: 1622945 | CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EXPRESS PLAYER BRANDEN DREHER WHO WAS PICKED AS ABA "SHOWCASE" PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT FOR HIS FABULOUS PLAY IN THE 3 GAMES GOING 8 FOR 9 WITH 9 RBI'S,4 SINGLES,4 DOUBLES,1 TRIPLE,9 RBI'S AND A WHOPPING .889 BATTING AVG. CONGRATS BRANDEN AND HE ALSO WON THE HOMERUN DERBY WHAT A WEEKEND.. |
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Coach Pooka
GLEN LEA May 10, 2009 10:09:14 PM Entry ID: 1622015 | Great job this weekend guys I'm so proud of yall! Great job Tony & Turk! Express is making strides! |
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COACH GRIGSBY
RICHMOND,VA May 10, 2009 12:27:32 AM Entry ID: 1621609 | GREAT GAME EXPRESS U GUYS PLAYED YOUR BUTTS OFF TODAY IN THOSE BACK 2 BACK GAMES, CONTINUE TO GET BETTER ON AND OFF THE FIELD... |
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COACH GRIGSBY
EXPRESS VILLAGE May 3, 2009 1:56:15 PM Entry ID: 1616838 | Coaches are the backbones of youth baseball, the individuals who sacrifice so much time to run practices, teach the game, manage the game, and everything else that goes into being a coach. Being a coach is one of the toughest things there is do in all of life, anyone who’s coached knows what we mean. Coaches are teachers, role models, positive influences and so many other things to the youth of our country. |
