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Baseball is a team sport
The sport of baseball is a team effort.
You have heard me speak about being flexible about
where you play and when you play. It takes the
whole team to acheive success both on and off the
field. Your role each game may be different than
the game before. Sometimes you start, sometimes
you come in as a reserve, sometimes you sit on the
bench for emergency situations. This is teamwork
and is what will build success for this program.
If you want to be an individual, go play golf or
be a bowler. You will be noticed in the role of
a team player. Hustle even when you strikeout or
make an error. This is something that will not go
unnoticed by the coaches of college team or scouts
for baseball. Hustle on and off the field and think
before the next pitch, what is expected from me if
the ball comes my way.
Remember to think ball - base - or backup.
On defense.
Remember to run hard from the start, a single may be
turned into a double should the ball get through the
infield.
Run everything out. I have seen dropped popup win
games. A walk is as good as a hit. The more pitches
you see - the better your chance is you will achieve
success at the plate. Wear the pitcher out. Watch him
from the on deck circle. Learn his style and release
point. Focus totally on his hand and the ball, pick it
up right away and focus on hitting it where it is pitched.
Let the ball do as much for you as the bat. Hit it to
right, hit it to left. Spray the ball around, line drives
and ground balls are hard to defend than lazy fly balls.
More potential for errors can occur on a ground ball.
Why 3 things have to happen - you must field it, throw
it and catch it. Fielding the ball at this level will win
more games regardless of the talent level of your team.
Walks likewise win or lose games. On offense we like walks
on defense, they can be a fielding teams worse nightmare.
These little things can pay big dividends for the TEAM!
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Pitchers - Be Honest
Every pitcher should be honest to his manager and or coach.
Every pitcher should be honest to his teammates.
Every pitcher should be honest to himself.
What I mean by this, is do not hesitate to tell the truth
about how your pitching arm feels. If it is sore or tender
tell you coach the truth. Do not try to be a hero for the
sake of the team. Your arm is important next game, next week,
next month, next year, and so on.
One outing is not worth damaging your arm or pitching future.
If a coach does not have your best interest at heart, then he
is not worth playing for. Your health and best interest is you
being honest with yourself.
No one pitch, inning, game, or season should be your last,
because you felt it necessary to help the team. Helping
yourself is helping the team.
Good health, fitness, mental awareness are your best assets.
Be true to yourself. Your future depends on it. Do your work
on off days too, will help you to be in your best physical
shape for the season. Jogging will help your legs get you
through more innings. Without your legs in top shape, then
your pitches go high and control and velosity will also be gone.
Just DO IT! But do it right!
Coach Kimsey
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Heat Stress
Through the next week we need to drink alot of
fluids and keep ourselves as fresh as possible.
The heat index will be over 100 and make sure
you drink way more fluids then you even think
you need. Bring a small cooler with some ice
and wet towels will also be beneficial.
The heat got several of our players and even the
umpires this past Saturday. Please be guarded
against the heat.
I want to thank Bob Stevens and Bob Hempton for
the good job they did umpiring our games this
past Saturday. A special thanks to Joe Podganjy
for all he did for the team with coolers, tents,
water and arranging the food between games.
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Baseball the Game "My Coaching Motto"
Baseball the Game - is special. Yes, it is America's
Past time. Yes it is a team sport. Yes it is a way
to meet other people and too development new and lasting
relationships. Remember these few thoughts!
We step between the lines and play as hard as we can
for the duration.
We play as a team and win and lose as a team.
We will look back well after our younger days and dream
of yesterday. We too will dream of tommorrow as we see
the young kids that resemble the players we once were.
We may be leading them the same way some of our parents
or coaches lead us to the front line of competition.
Always respect your teammates, umpires, your opponent,
the fans, your coaches, parents, friends, and most
importantly yourself. Have pride in what you say and
do both on and off the field. Respect is earned not
something that is just given to you. RESPECT is worth
its weight in GOLD! "To thyne ownself be true".
My one final thought:
"Perfect Practice Makes the Game routine".
Play ball and have a fun and safe season!
Your coach and cheerleader,
Don Kimsey
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