Needham Little League Opening Day is this Sunday, April 29. This will be a wonderful celebration of Little League Baseball, featuring the Little League Parade, the ceremonial first pitch, free hot dogs, and a variety of other festivities and attractions.
The schedule of events for the White Sox will be...
9:20 Players should arrive in full uniform (except for cleats) at Greene's Field, where we will assemble for a team photo. Players may go home (or somewhere else) after the photo shoot and return to Greene's around 10:40 to line up for the parade.
10:40 Players should line up for the parade, again in full uniform (except for cleats). Parade leaves Greene's Field at 10:50 and heads towards DeFazio. Players will march together with coaches. Parents can meet us at DeFazio.
11:30 Parade arrives at DeFazio. All teams assemble at Small Field for the NHS band and dance team performances, first pitch, speeches, National Anthem, etc.
12:30 Picnic. Free hot dogs!
1:00 Opening Day Game (Majors, not AAA)
3:30 Warm-up for our scrimmage v. Royals at Cusick. First pitch at 4:00.
See you there!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Second Scrimmage Added
In addition to Friday's scrimmage v. the Diamondbacks, we have just scheduled a second scrimmage for Sunday, April 29 after the Opening Day festivities. We will be at Cusick. 3:30 warm-up, 4:00 first pitch. We will take on the Royals for a final tune-up before we face them again in our season opener on Saturday, May 5.
Please have your son arrive in full uniform 30 minutes prior to first pitch for both scrimmages.
Please have your son arrive in full uniform 30 minutes prior to first pitch for both scrimmages.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Rain Threatens, Sunday's Practice Moved Indoors
We're due for some significant rain tonight and into tomorrow, putting tomorrow morning's practice at risk.
In order to remove any doubt, we will move practice indoors: 11:00-12:15 at TJO Sports, 5 Carver Circle, Canton.
Last minute, and optional, so no worries if your son can't make it. If he can, great. Let me know if he needs a ride.
Monday, April 16, 2012
White Sox Off for Well Earned Break
After practicing the last three days in a row (and four times in five days), our boys are really starting to find their groove. The coaches have worked them hard. The boys have hustled and pounded out the reps, and now they will enjoy a relaxing five-day break that our schedule generously offers us. Many players, I'm sure, will throw or take some swings during this time, and that's fine. But after working as hard as they've worked over the last five days, it will be nice to have a short break from it all, too. There will be plenty more baseball this spring.
We will resume practices this coming Sunday, April 22. We'll be at Newman. 8:30 for pitchers, 9:00 for everyone else.
See you there!
We will resume practices this coming Sunday, April 22. We'll be at Newman. 8:30 for pitchers, 9:00 for everyone else.
See you there!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Brave Sox Battle the Elements
At about 5:00 yesterday, Eric, Tom, Micah, and Dan took the diamond for what was supposed to be a pre-practice pitching session. The rain was coming down at a good clip, the wind was fierce, but these four stalwarts of the White Sox rotation were hungry for reps.
In baseball, there is no such thing as "natural ability." Nobody comes by the skills without a great deal of work. What separates great players from everybody else is about 10,000 hours of practice. These four guys understand this concept, and that is why, despite being drenched and chilled to the bone, they trotted to the outfield, actually smiling, and began their throwing routine.
It became clear soon enough, though, that the balls were just too wet and slippery to do any decent pitching. Did they want to pack it in, go home, and warm their icy fingers and toes by the fire?
"Go home? No way!" said Dan. "Can we stay? Please?"
The balls were wet, the players were wet, the coaches were wet, but Cusick Field was relatively dry. The infield was a little muddy and slick, but there were no puddles. The infield and outfield grass was playable.
So we began batting practice. That is when Tim, Mike, and Zack showed up. They trotted down the hill from the street ready start the full team practice. They, too, were smiling and eager to join in the fun. They, too, wanted reps more than warmth or comfort. Why not get in one of those 10,000 hours?
As it turned out, every White Sox player who was available yesterday for practice was at practice--braving what will hopefully be the most miserable weather conditions we will face this season. Hockey tryouts, an AAU baseball practice, a family trip to Israel, and a concert occupied the other players. And rightfully so, as these are all causes worthy of missing one of many baseball practices that we have on the schedule.
As essential as regular practice is to success on the diamond, every practice we hold is ultimately optional. I am not the kind of coach who will give players a hard time for missing practices. Everybody will have to miss a practice from time to time. As much as we all love baseball, there is much more to the life of a fourth or fifth grader than baseball.
I will leave it to the parents and players to find the right balance and make choices that are right for each kid. I feel very comfortable with this arrangement because we have a team full of dedicated and motivated players who understand the importance of practice, and who want their reps like they want their Halloween candy.
A very special thanks to Coaches Gage and McKay who endured the cold and rain along with our players last night, gave excellent instruction, kept the players moving, and kept it all fun.
In baseball, there is no such thing as "natural ability." Nobody comes by the skills without a great deal of work. What separates great players from everybody else is about 10,000 hours of practice. These four guys understand this concept, and that is why, despite being drenched and chilled to the bone, they trotted to the outfield, actually smiling, and began their throwing routine.
It became clear soon enough, though, that the balls were just too wet and slippery to do any decent pitching. Did they want to pack it in, go home, and warm their icy fingers and toes by the fire?
"Go home? No way!" said Dan. "Can we stay? Please?"
The balls were wet, the players were wet, the coaches were wet, but Cusick Field was relatively dry. The infield was a little muddy and slick, but there were no puddles. The infield and outfield grass was playable.
So we began batting practice. That is when Tim, Mike, and Zack showed up. They trotted down the hill from the street ready start the full team practice. They, too, were smiling and eager to join in the fun. They, too, wanted reps more than warmth or comfort. Why not get in one of those 10,000 hours?
As it turned out, every White Sox player who was available yesterday for practice was at practice--braving what will hopefully be the most miserable weather conditions we will face this season. Hockey tryouts, an AAU baseball practice, a family trip to Israel, and a concert occupied the other players. And rightfully so, as these are all causes worthy of missing one of many baseball practices that we have on the schedule.
As essential as regular practice is to success on the diamond, every practice we hold is ultimately optional. I am not the kind of coach who will give players a hard time for missing practices. Everybody will have to miss a practice from time to time. As much as we all love baseball, there is much more to the life of a fourth or fifth grader than baseball.
I will leave it to the parents and players to find the right balance and make choices that are right for each kid. I feel very comfortable with this arrangement because we have a team full of dedicated and motivated players who understand the importance of practice, and who want their reps like they want their Halloween candy.
A very special thanks to Coaches Gage and McKay who endured the cold and rain along with our players last night, gave excellent instruction, kept the players moving, and kept it all fun.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Today's Practice Is On...
...Until further notice. If it starts to pour, we will call it off. But it does look like the sky is clearing a bit, and Cusick is open, so we'll give it a go.
See you there!
See you there!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Schedule Changes and Additions
Just to make planning your busy spring a little more challenging, the baseball schedule will be a bit of a moving target. I apologize for that. The good news is that you can come here to the blog to see the latest schedule changes. The Master Schedule will always be updated in as close to real time as possible.
Here are the latest changes and additions:
Saturday, April 14: Practice 9:00-10:30 at Newman (8:30 for pitchers) - CHANGED Originally, we had a 1:30 practice Saturday.
Monday, April 16: Practice 5:30 at Newman (5:00 for pitchers) - ADDED
We were lucky to get a field for this one. We'll be off for most of the school vacation, so it will be good to get a little work in here if you can. People have plans for vacation, so this may be a small session. It's optional.
Sunday, April 22: Practice 9:00 at Cusick (8:30 for pitchers) - ADDED
Again, an optional session for those who are around at the tail end of school vacation.
Friday, April 27: Scrimmage v. Diamondbacks 5:30 (5:00 warm-up) - ADDED This is the first of probably 2-3 scrimmages we will schedule. The Diamondbacks are one of the top teams in the league and will likely contend for the league title. This will be an excellent test for us as we wrap up our spring training.
We will add at least one more scrimmage. If any of these practices are rained out, we will do our best to schedule another practice, but it may not be possible.
All of these changes are now reflected in the Master Schedule.
Here are the latest changes and additions:
Saturday, April 14: Practice 9:00-10:30 at Newman (8:30 for pitchers) - CHANGED Originally, we had a 1:30 practice Saturday.
Monday, April 16: Practice 5:30 at Newman (5:00 for pitchers) - ADDED
We were lucky to get a field for this one. We'll be off for most of the school vacation, so it will be good to get a little work in here if you can. People have plans for vacation, so this may be a small session. It's optional.
Sunday, April 22: Practice 9:00 at Cusick (8:30 for pitchers) - ADDED
Again, an optional session for those who are around at the tail end of school vacation.
Friday, April 27: Scrimmage v. Diamondbacks 5:30 (5:00 warm-up) - ADDED This is the first of probably 2-3 scrimmages we will schedule. The Diamondbacks are one of the top teams in the league and will likely contend for the league title. This will be an excellent test for us as we wrap up our spring training.
We will add at least one more scrimmage. If any of these practices are rained out, we will do our best to schedule another practice, but it may not be possible.
All of these changes are now reflected in the Master Schedule.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Saturday, April 7 Practice Schedule
I will offer another optional pitcher session prior to tomorrow's (Saturday's) practice. Any pitcher who's interested in participating is welcome. I'm hoping to have anywhere from 2-6 pitchers. Please let me know if your son is interested.
The pitching session will run from 4:30-5:00.
The full-team practice will follow, from 5:00-6:30.
We are at Newman. See you there!
The pitching session will run from 4:30-5:00.
The full-team practice will follow, from 5:00-6:30.
We are at Newman. See you there!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Baseball Pants and Protective Gear for Tonight's Practice
Tonight's practice will be our first of the season outdoors on a real diamond. Please have your son wear baseball pants and a protective cup.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Practice Added This Thursday, April 5
Great session this afternoon! The rain held off until the very end, and our boys were able to pack in a lot of quality reps.
From now on, the Needham fields are open (weather permitting), so we don't need to truck it out to Canton to play in a warehouse or have secret underground practices here in town.
To take advantage of the open fields, we have just scheduled an additional practice this week. For those who can make it, we will practice this Thursday, April 5 from 5:30-7:00 at Newman 2 (the diamond closest to the school building).
From now on, the Needham fields are open (weather permitting), so we don't need to truck it out to Canton to play in a warehouse or have secret underground practices here in town.
To take advantage of the open fields, we have just scheduled an additional practice this week. For those who can make it, we will practice this Thursday, April 5 from 5:30-7:00 at Newman 2 (the diamond closest to the school building).
May-June Regular Season Game Schedule Released
I have circulated via email the regular season schedule of games. Practices will be added but have not yet been scheduled.
There are a couple of corrections:
Our regular-season game schedule is as follows (the Master Schedule has been updated with all of these games as well):
Saturday, May 5: Game v. Royals 9:00 (8:30 warm up) at Cusick
Monday, May 7: Game v. Diamondbacks 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Thursday, May 10: Game v. Giants 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Newman 2
Saturday, May 12: Game v. Phillies 3:00 (2:30 warm up) at Cusick
Tuesday, May 15: Game v. Blue Jays 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Saturday, May 19: Game v. Angels 1:00 (12:30 warm up) at Cusick
Wednesday, May 23: Game v. Orioles 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Newman 2
Tuesday, May 29: Game v. Astros 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Saturday, June 2: Game v. Nationals 5:00 (4:30 warm up) at Cusick
Sunday, June 3: Game v. Mariners 3:00 (2:30 warm up) at Cusick
Tuesday, June 5: Game v. Mets 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Thursday, June 7: Game v. Mets 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Upper Broadmeadow
There are a couple of corrections:
- We will use Newman 2 (not Newman 1). Newman 2 is the diamond closer to the school.
- On Sunday, June 3, the schedule has us playing a double-header. We will not be playing any double-headers. the 9:00 game v. the Mets has been canceled. The 3:00 game v. the Mariners is still on.
Our regular-season game schedule is as follows (the Master Schedule has been updated with all of these games as well):
Saturday, May 5: Game v. Royals 9:00 (8:30 warm up) at Cusick
Monday, May 7: Game v. Diamondbacks 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Thursday, May 10: Game v. Giants 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Newman 2
Saturday, May 12: Game v. Phillies 3:00 (2:30 warm up) at Cusick
Tuesday, May 15: Game v. Blue Jays 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Saturday, May 19: Game v. Angels 1:00 (12:30 warm up) at Cusick
Wednesday, May 23: Game v. Orioles 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Newman 2
Tuesday, May 29: Game v. Astros 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Saturday, June 2: Game v. Nationals 5:00 (4:30 warm up) at Cusick
Sunday, June 3: Game v. Mariners 3:00 (2:30 warm up) at Cusick
Tuesday, June 5: Game v. Mets 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Cusick
Thursday, June 7: Game v. Mets 6:00 (5:30 warm up) at Upper Broadmeadow
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