The umpires say "PLAY ball!" at the start of the game
There is a reason why the umpires don't say "Work ball!". It is a GAME for boys to play and moms, dads, and grandparents to coach and cheer. It should always be a reminder that baseball is intended to be fun, even when you lose in the first round of the playoffs.
The real world should be the furthest thing from our minds when we go to the ballpark. Then there are times like Saturday when the two worlds collide and we are reminded how much we need to treasure those special times at the ole ballpark.
Last night, I received terrible news that Randy Stith, the 37-year old coach of the 12u Cardinals passed away from what I understand was a heart attack. His son, Dominic, plays on the 12U All-star team where Randy was also an assistant coach. The Cardinals were in our half of the bracket during the playoffs and made it to the championship game thanks to Randy's coaching and his son's hitting and pitching.
Being a coach at Hobgood has been and is a great privilege for all of us. We receive many blessings by just being around your boys. At the same time we get to meet many parents and coaches whose paths we would have never crossed without baseball. Randy was one of those who I never would have had the pleasure of meeting without God having put us together on a baseball field.
Several weeks back Cade and I had a long chat with Randy as I had noticed how well his son held runners on base while pitching. "What was the secret?" I asked. Lots of hard work and time spent with his son practicing and practicing. Even long hours of practice become very special when the future chances to do so are taken away. Randy and I agreed to get together in the future to have him work some with Cade. Sadly, that time is now lost.
As Chris Stephens said to me when he broke the news, "Hug your kids extra hard tonight". I agree. One never knows when it might be the last chance to do so. Losing a father, a friend, a husband, and a coach reminds us all that losing a a baseball game is nothing by comparison.
General George S. Patton said:
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."
It seems very appropriate on this Memorial Day weekend and is true in Randy's passing as well. We thank God for the men who lived life to its fullest and died for our country.
We also thank God for those who have blessed the game of youth baseball such as Randy. Randy spent a short time on this earth as did many of those defending our country, but they all left a huge impression on those they touched. The boys Randy coached will never forget him nor will the coaches who coached with him.
May the Stith family and all those who knew Randy be in our prayers.
Game cancelled
At 11:00 this morning the heavens opened up and dumped a load of water on the Hobgood Baseball Complex.
All games are cancelled for today. I will post an update of the new game time for tomorrow as soon as I know it.
Go Rockies!
Play ball...
Just heard from the League Director that the fields are open and will play as scheduled today.
Let's go Rockies!
Game time at Noon Tomorrow, be there by 10:45...
I am requesting that all the boys be at the cages a few minutes earlier than normal so that we can make sure we get in our stretching, tee work, wiffle ball work, and live pitching in the cages and not be rushed. We take the cages from 11:25 until 11:50, but I want to try and get out of the cages early if at all possible so that we have time to take infield.
We have one simple goal this weekend, "Win our last game". The journey starts now. Let's win this game and take it from there. I went by the fields and there is no standing water from today's rains. I expect the fields will be just fine tomorrow, but keep your eyes on your email in the event field conditions aren't playable.
While we all know baseball is just a game, the playoffs sometimes seems like a "war" with the win or go home outcome. Many coaches have quoted field generals to their teams to get them ready for "battle". My favorite is George S. Patton, mainly because I have vivid memories of watching the movie "Patton" with my father as a teenager.
Two quotes from the general to take us into Championship Weekend.
"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory"
"If a man does his best, what more is there?".
Let's put forth our best effort and experience victory all weekend.
Go Rockies!
Playoff schedule for next weekend.
Our first game is on Saturday. The game times on the path to the championship are:
1) Saturday, May 21, at 12:00 pm
2) Sunday, May 22, at 2:00 pm
3) Monday, May 23, at 6:00 pm
As an old coach once told me, "Just win your last game". Let's go win three and celebrate.
Go Rockies.
Practice today at 4:00, be there by 3:45
We need to maximize field time as today is our last official practice. I want to get our stretching in, take the field for throwing as soon as the other team is off the field, and do lots of ground balls and fly balls today. Cages will follow from 5:30-6:00.
Be there or be square. Go Rockies!
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships -- Michael Jordan
We have plenty of talent but most importantly we have a great team. When one kid gets down, someone else is there to pick them up. Two double plays in a three inning game. I love it. A pitchers best friend. Those two plays were huge in shutting down the Mets at just the right time....and the Rockies' bats were loud and booming.
I am very proud of what the boys have achieved. We have tonight and tomorrow to revel in the glory of a regular season championship.....but come Sunday at 4:00pm we set our sights on another goal, the playoff championship.
All the teams in 12u know the playoff championship road goes through the Purple and Black. We need to be ready. An even bigger trophy is at the end of the next turn in the road, but it won't come to those who rest on their laurels. Hard work is what will get us another big trophy.
Michael Jordan had lots of talent but he knew what was really important. Teamwork and intelligence. Let's keep working hard and see if we can bring home another "big hunk of metal"
Congratulations Rockies.......You Rock.....Get it? <wink>
Last regular season game at 8:00 pm tonight
We are the Away team and will need to be in the cages at 7:00. Please arrive by 6:45 and we will stretch, then hit off the tee and head to the cages. I want to make sure we are ready to hit the field for warm-ups as soon as the 6:00 game is over.
This is going to be a late night for the boys and it comes at the end of their school week. Let's make sure everyone gets a good meal in them as they will still be on the field at 9:30 tonight and will need lots of energy.
Let's "make it happen" and go get that regular season 1st place trophy!
As Skip Caray used to say to Bobby Cox...."We're with you, win or tie". Either one gets us a big piece of hardware.
Go Rockies!
Game time 11:00, be there Bt 10:00
It will be harder to get in the cages early, so lets be there by 10:00 and get our stretching in before we hit the cages. This will insure we will have plenty of time on the field.
We hit the cages rught at 11:25. Let's keep those bats booming.
Go Rockies!
First pitch at 6:00 pm tomorrow night
We are the home team so let's be at the cages as close to 5:00 as possible, do our stretches first, and then head to the cages. The good news is Coach Andrew will throw batting practice as Coach Doug was a miserable mess last Sunday. We hit the cages at 5:25 and then head to the field. I want to make sure we get some time on the field before the game starts so let's hustle through our warm-ups.
This is a big game. We need to get our Mo-Jo back and start another winning streak. Everyone to bed early tonight and come ready to "make it happen" one more time.
All of us know what rush hour on a Friday afternoon in Atlanta can be like, so if you are running late please text me at 770-814-1448 if you will be late.
Go Rockies.
Fields are closed, but let's plan on doing the cages for batting practice.
Since we can't get on the field, let's take work in the cages. From what I can tell with the radar, the weather has moved through.
Let's meet at 4:15 at the cages. I am going to bring my tripod and video each boy hitting today using my iphone with Coaches Eye. We will review it with them then send them back through working on whatever we pick up in the video.
If you can't make it just let me know via text at 770-814-1448. If the skies unload between now and then I will let you know, but right now it is clear here and we are only 1/2 mile from the park.
We now know what facing Phil Niekro was like
Phil Niekro once said "There aren't many hitters who like facing knuckleball pitchers. They may not be intimidated by them, but they sure are thinking about them before they go into the box."
That was so true today as the boys had a real tough game with a VERY SLOOWWW ball pitcher. While it wasn't a knuckle ball, they were still thrown for a loop. After looking back at the stats we need to remind ourselves that we lost by only one run with our worst hitting performance of the year. Even though we hit miserably, let's give some credit to the pitcher. There are some great lessons to take away from such a game.
There were some great plays in the field. Two legitimated doubles were kept to singles by great plays in the outfield and hitting the cutoff man. Jack Poor looked like Andrelton Simmons at shortstop cleaning up everything hit his way. Cade pitched well, almost too good with a strike to ball ratio of 4:1. Jack, Gavin, and JD all went 2 for 3 with some great line drive hits. Hayes Gillis was one for two and scored two runs.
While it was our first loss of the season, there were lots of positive things that happened and we lost by ONLY ONE RUN. The boys need to keep their chins up and come to practice tomorrow at 3:45 ready to work hard. There are some easily correctable mistakes we made today and tomorrow will be the time to get back to work and finish the season strong.
We are still in first place, so let's work hard tomorrow and get back in the winning column on Friday. Please be at the park by 3:45 ready to stretch, on the field from 4:00-5:30, then cages from 5:30-6:30.
Go Rockies!
First Pitch at 11:00 tomorrow against the Braves
Not the Atlanta Braves (although that might be kind of interesting this year), but the Hobgood 12U Braves. Let's be there a few minutes before 10:00 AM as we are the Away team and need to hit the cages right at 10:00. The first ones there will hit on the tee first and then head to the cages.
After the cages, let's hustle through our stretches. At Monday's game everyone was running late (both teams) since it was a work day and no one had a chance to take infield. I want to make sure we get a few ground balls tomorrow. Not only is it an obvious "quality of play" issue, it is also a safety issue. The Braves can hit and I want everyone ready to field.
It goes without saying....."No sleepovers tonight" <smile> given that more than likely we will be playing with 9 players. We need everyone to bring their A-game and "make it happen" one more time.
Go Rockies!
Make-up Game rescheduled for Monday at 6:00 PM
This means everyone needs to be at the park as close to 5:00 as they can. We will stretch and head to the cages at 5:25. At 6:00 the Rockies will "make it happen"
Today's Game Cancelled
Even though it looks beautiful out there right now, the thunderstorm that went through last night left some water on our field. The 9:00 game on Field #5 is cancelled, but all other games on field #5 will play as scheduled later today.
I will let you know when the makeup game will occur as soon as I find out.
Come bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for our game tomorrow
First pitch is at 9:00 AM. We are the home team so we need to be ready to stretch at 8:05 and hit the cages for batting practice at 8:25.
The boys have played well all season and now find themselves in first place by 1/2 game. I am counting on them to show up ready to beat the only team that has blemished our record this season. Let's play hard and see if we can't extend our lead.
Tommy Lasorda, the often boo-ed (at least by true Braves fans) and long time coach of the Los Angeles Dodges once said:
"There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens."
I think tomorrow is going to be the day the Royals "wonder what happened" as the Rockies "make it happen". Get a good night's sleep and see you in the morning.
Go Rockies!
Practice tonight at 5:30...
We are on the field from 5:30-7:00, then cages from 7:00-8:00. I know with traffic and other activities it is hard to get there much earlier than 5:30 to start stretching, but let's do the best we can to be there as early as possible. it just allows us to maximize our time in fielding drills when we do.
Just a heads up that this Saturday's game is bright and early at 9:00 AM. No sleep-overs on Friday.....being in first place brings with it extra responsibilities. <smile>
The great player and coach Leo Durocher once said....
"Baseball is like church. Many attend few understand."
Hobgood night at the Etowah Eagles High School game
See the details below. The Bolings plan on being there. We will probably arrive between 5:00-5:15. If you are interested please come wearing your Rockies Jersey. You will get in free and our team will be recognized. Game starts at 5:55 as the Etowah Eagles take on Cherokee in a conference game. Most players at our park probably live in one of these high school districts so this could get loud. <smile>
Below are more details as supplied by Hobgood if you have not received it.
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The Etowah High School Baseball team is hosting Hobgood Night tomorrow night, Monday April 18th. All Hobgood players, coaches and families are encouraged to attend this event.
Gates open at 5 p.m., and the Eagles take on Cherokee High School at 5:55 p.m. Players and coaches wearing their Spring 2016 jerseys get in free. Players and teams that arrive before 5:30 p.m. will be recognized during pregame festivities. Following the game, Hobgood players get to run the bases.
This is also a Special Chick-Fil-A Night. A Meal Pack is $5 and includes a chicken sandwich, chips, cookie, and a drink. Please no drop offs. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Admission price for parents is $5.00.
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