East Islip Angels Travel Baseball Club - (Islip, NY)

August 28th

We had a great practice today in preparation for a big tournament. A bit rusty at the edges, we were reminded of how far we have to go to be able to compete. Everyone paid attention and gave it a great effort.

As stated in practice, we expect communication with the coaches whenever someone will miss practice, a game, or a tournament. At this age, responsibility should be second nature. Be responsible to yourselves, your teammates and your coaches.

Part of being a baseball player is looking like a baseball player. In a game or in practice you never know who is looking at you. The coach from Arizona State or the Seattle Mariners area scout may be visiting his sister next door to our practice field. Suppose he sees someone make throws from deep right field to third base on a fly. As he puts on his glasses and takes a second look he sees that the player has his hat on sideways and is wearing beach shorts and sandals. His opinion of that player just turned from prospect to goof-off. The scout just went back into the house and turned on the TV to watch the Mets.

On the other hand, look at the player who is fully dressed and looks the part. His hat is turned forward, shirt tucked in, and he is wearing baseball pants. He might have just hit a pop up or made a bad throw but the way he carries himself gets him a second look. That player just got the scout to spend an extra 5 minutes watching him practice. He gave himself a chance.

The point of all of this is that practice and appearance has alot to do with how you play games. Practice as closely as you can to how you would like to play in a game. Look sharp, make sharp throws, and pay attention to your coaches. Look at the teams that are successful consistently. On the bench between innings they are watching the opposing pitcher. Before a game they are warming up with a purpose. During the game they are focused on the game. They always know the balls and strikes count and how many outs there are. They know what everyone should do with the ball in a given situation. Bring yourselves up to the next level and look the part.

Practice attire:
Baseball Hat
Baseball Pants
A shirt that makes you look like a ballplayer
Baseball Cleats or Sneakers

August 9th, 2006

We are on the waiting list for a fall season on the regulation 90ft. field. The August 18th tournament at Sachem is out and most likely we will not be playing in the August 25th Wood Bat Tournament at Baseball Heaven. Family vacations and other conflicts are making it difficult to get our core team together for a set of games.

We are registered for the BBH Labor Day Tournament and expect to field a team that is able to compete. Teams in that tournament include Merrick (Section 4 champs), Long Island Phillies, and the Battlecats. This will be a true test of our progress. We can only improve by playing against high caliber teams.

August 6th, 2006

The team showed real character, bringing together a come from behind victory. The game was played as though it were the seventh game of a playoff series. Mistakes and errors were made, as can be expected from 12 year old ballplayers but our heads were held high. The team picked each other up. There were strong pitching efforts by Andrew and Brian B along with a save by Tyler C.

2 Bombs off of the bats of Tyler M and Tyler C started our scoring but it was little baseball that won it for us. A single by Kyle followed by a sharp single to right by Brian B tied the score. A second pitch suicide squeeze by Bobby won the game. Great third base coaching by coach Joe in foretelling the first pitchout. The tournament ended in a positive note.

Smithtown Wins
Lets congratulate Smithtown on winning first place in our bracket. After losing the district 35 championship, and getting run-ruled by us on Friday they came back to win 3 straight and play for the championship. To make it more difficult for themselves, they lost an NJBL game at 9am today that would have put them into first place. They too, are a first-class group of guys who never gave up.

August 5th, 2006
Two tough losses today but there is still time to make our efforts respectable. There always comes a time in a game or in a situation when a team has to reach back for just a little more. A common scenario is when a team is out of state at a tournament with one game to play on "Sunday" and no chance at playoffs. Many would want to literally pack up and leave. What commonly happens is that the team goes through the motions, gets run-ruled, and leaves thinking of a new team they want to play for "next year". What should happen, as an athlete, is that a player gives it their best regardless of their playoff situation. All athletes reach this point in a season, tournament, or in life. It is up to the athlete to dig down and look at every situation and ever game as though it were a playoff situation. We all have losses, in life and in games. We cannot always win but we can always leave everything that we have on the field. Remember why you chose to play baseball at this level. Remember that regardless of the outcome of any individual game, you will be a better ballplayer just for being here. Remember why you chose to give up your summer, sacrificing social events, family outings, backyard barbeques, etc. Give it your best. Not for your coaches or your parents,
Do it for yourselves.

August 4th
A great start to the East Coast Nationals with a 12-2 win. Details are posted under the game results link. A special thank you to free agent aquisition Kevin Ahearn who contributed with 2 walks, a solid late inning single and a great catch in right field. Welcome Aboard!