March 24, 2003
So when does this season actually start?

HISD spring break is over, so with any luck we should have a full house at tomorrow's practice, which will once again be at the batting cage. T and I are travelling to a wedding this weekend, leaving on Wednesday, so that's the only practice I'll get to attend. I expect my main assistant coach to run a couple while I'm gone. I have no doubt he'll do a fine job of it, though a small part of me worries that the kids will somehow see me as less Coach-like when I return. For now, I'll need him to work a couple of the kids whom I envision pitching but who missed all of last week's practices.

I'm still concerned about the hitting - our coach-pitch and kid-pitch batting practices were not exactly filled with the sound of the crack of the bat (well, with aluminum, I guess it's more the *ping* of the bat). I'm anxious to see how they do against the Jugs machine, which has the virtue of throwing consistent strikes.

As far as I know, the season is supposed to start Real Soon Now, perhaps next weekend. As yet, I have no idea what the schedule is. I've got some travel and other likely conflicts over the next two months, so I'm getting a little antsy about having to make plans without knowing when I'll have a game. Soon, they tell me, soon.

Finally got our catcher's equipment problem solved - the league equipment manager met me after our Saturday practice and handed off two chest protectors and a second pair of shin guards. As it happens, the original pair did seem to fit the two kids we worked out at catcher that day. Both of them have promise behind the plate - they don't fear the ball and they can make the plays, two traits that are very much not to be underrated at this age. I'll work out one or two more kids behind the plate, but those two will see the bulk of the innings there.

This has really been a good experience for me so far. I can't wait for the real games to start.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on March 24, 2003 to Just call me Coach | TrackBack
Comments

When I first started playing, I was tossed around the field to see what the best position is (I've actually played every position but SS and P). They finally found a place for me at 1B. I was always a bit resentful that I never got to play catcher.

Then I did. In the Houston heat. Before long, I was begging to be put back at 1B but much to my regret, I was a pretty good catcher...

Posted by: R. Alex on March 24, 2003 11:57 PM

I played a lot of catcher as a kid, too, before settling in at second base. The good news for these kids is that the season will be over by the end of May. :-)

Posted by: Charles Kuffner on March 25, 2003 6:47 AM

I think May is about when our season started... it was about 1/2 schoolyear 1/2 summer, though that was a change from years prior when it was 3/4 or 4/4 summer.

Posted by: R. Alex on March 25, 2003 8:47 AM