Fall Ball season is officially underway. We've worked really hard in the limited time we had. I tried to prepare the team for tougher competition. BP pitches came a little faster and infield practice grounders were hit a little harder.
I don't think we were ready to start the season but we were definitely better than the team we played today.
Griffey pitched the first two innings today and looked a bit rusty. His control wasn't there. He got out of the first inning giving up only 1 run. In the second inning, walks haunted him as he gave up 4 runs. Offensively, he had his best game. In the 1st, he knocked in a run with a solid single to right field. His next at bat, he ran the count full and drove the ball to right field far enough to round the bases for a 2 run homerun! It was more a result of hit it where the ain't as opposed to hitting it over the right fielders head. Nevertheless, he hit the ball hard to the outfield and made it to home without your typical single followed by 3 throwing errors. In his third at bat, Griffey drew a walk.
Brady went hitless but took healthy cuts each time up. I'm still not sure how he isn't making contact more often. I am going to have to record his at bats with my Coach's Eye app and analyze his swing frame by frame.
Defensively, Griffey and Brady both played well. Griffey made a nice play to his right whie playing first base and forced the runner out at second base where Brady was covering. While playing SS, Brady slightly bobbled a grounder but recovered and made a nice throw to first, The batter was safe by a step. I was excited though because Brady hasn't been able to make that throw. His throwing has improved a lot the last 2 months. He still has a long ways to go but I am encouraged.
Final score 11-7 the good guys.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Summer Wrap Up
The Diamondbacks finished the year with a first round loss in the playoffs. It was a close game but walks did us in as they usually do with any professional or amateur team. It was a good year. I think we overachieved, which is a good thing.
Griffey was selected as one of two players to represent the Diamondbacks at the All Star game. This is a direct result of the hard work he put in over the last year. At the ASG, Griffey pitched 2 innings. He threw alot of strikes but gave up a few runs due to his defense making a big error with 2 outs. His team won an exciting game as Christian of the DBacks scored the winning run on a wild pitch.
This year, the boys decided to try out for the Hilliard Travel team. I was kind of torn because I knew Griffey had a decent chance of making one of the three Hilliard teams while Brady was not quite there skill wise. A couple of weeks after try outs, I received a call from the coach of the Hilliard Colts Blue. The Blue coach was also Griffey's All Star team coach. The coach called to let me know that Griffey had made his team. While I was very happy, I was kind of sad for Brady. That night, congratulating Griffey and breaking the bad news to Brady was like breaking up with a girlfriend. To my surprise, Brady was genuinely happy for his brother. I cant tell you how happy that made me feel.
Although both boys are going to play Fall Ball, Griffey is also going to practice with the 2016 Colts and Brady is going to play flag football for the first time. It's going to be a busy, yet exciting Fall!
Griffey was selected as one of two players to represent the Diamondbacks at the All Star game. This is a direct result of the hard work he put in over the last year. At the ASG, Griffey pitched 2 innings. He threw alot of strikes but gave up a few runs due to his defense making a big error with 2 outs. His team won an exciting game as Christian of the DBacks scored the winning run on a wild pitch.
This year, the boys decided to try out for the Hilliard Travel team. I was kind of torn because I knew Griffey had a decent chance of making one of the three Hilliard teams while Brady was not quite there skill wise. A couple of weeks after try outs, I received a call from the coach of the Hilliard Colts Blue. The Blue coach was also Griffey's All Star team coach. The coach called to let me know that Griffey had made his team. While I was very happy, I was kind of sad for Brady. That night, congratulating Griffey and breaking the bad news to Brady was like breaking up with a girlfriend. To my surprise, Brady was genuinely happy for his brother. I cant tell you how happy that made me feel.
Although both boys are going to play Fall Ball, Griffey is also going to practice with the 2016 Colts and Brady is going to play flag football for the first time. It's going to be a busy, yet exciting Fall!
Monday, June 15, 2015
Down the Stretch
Our team started out well posting a 5-0 record. I warned our team that we have yet to play tougher teams. Our next five games we went 1-3-1. Our pitching has been good. The top half of our lineup has done well. Our fielding at times has been suspect. I have seen great improvement though. Very often we will make a good play fielding a grounder only to look up and not know where the play is at. Many times it has been as simple as field the ball and throw to first base. However, I think kids this age are just excited to make a play that they forget what to do next. I always remind the boys to know what to do with the ball before every pitch. Unfortunately, staying focused is a challenge for 9-10 year olds.
Over the last few weeks, Griffey has really improved and gained a lot of confidence both at the plate and on the mound. He now routinely makes contact and gets hits almost every game. This year he logged his first legitimate double.
As a pitcher, Griffey has really improved his accuracy. He still doesn't throw very hard but at this level, getting the ball over the plate is key. In game #9, Griffey started and pitched a gem. He pitched 3 innings, struck out 7 while walking just 1 batter and giving up 0 runs.
Brady has been much more aggressive at the plate. I have been urging all the boys to start swinging the bat. Brady has yet to record a hit, but we all know it's coming. Coach Mike and I can't understand how he's not hitting the ball. He seems to be right on it timing wise. It looks like every swing he is an inch under or over the ball.
Defensively, Brady is solid. I have recently shifted him from his normal position at second base to shortstop. I have made sure to pair him up when Christian is catching. Christian is really quick behind the plate and has a pretty good arm, The kids I've had at short in the past have either not covered 2nd on a steal/wild pitch or couldn't catch the ball when thrown to them. Brady is a bit opposite of most all the other boys. The mental part of his game is better than the physical part. I trust that he will be in position to receive the ball from Christian should a runner be moving.
The highlight of Brady's season so far came tonight while playing 2nd base. A low pop up/liner was hit in his direction. He ran up several feet and made a shoestring type of catch. I was so excited for him to make a play that he could be proud of. He really amazed me. Despite not getting any hits this year, he has never hung his head or showed any signs of discouragement.
Two games left until the tournament. Time to get back on the winning side of things.
Over the last few weeks, Griffey has really improved and gained a lot of confidence both at the plate and on the mound. He now routinely makes contact and gets hits almost every game. This year he logged his first legitimate double.
As a pitcher, Griffey has really improved his accuracy. He still doesn't throw very hard but at this level, getting the ball over the plate is key. In game #9, Griffey started and pitched a gem. He pitched 3 innings, struck out 7 while walking just 1 batter and giving up 0 runs.
Brady has been much more aggressive at the plate. I have been urging all the boys to start swinging the bat. Brady has yet to record a hit, but we all know it's coming. Coach Mike and I can't understand how he's not hitting the ball. He seems to be right on it timing wise. It looks like every swing he is an inch under or over the ball.
Defensively, Brady is solid. I have recently shifted him from his normal position at second base to shortstop. I have made sure to pair him up when Christian is catching. Christian is really quick behind the plate and has a pretty good arm, The kids I've had at short in the past have either not covered 2nd on a steal/wild pitch or couldn't catch the ball when thrown to them. Brady is a bit opposite of most all the other boys. The mental part of his game is better than the physical part. I trust that he will be in position to receive the ball from Christian should a runner be moving.
The highlight of Brady's season so far came tonight while playing 2nd base. A low pop up/liner was hit in his direction. He ran up several feet and made a shoestring type of catch. I was so excited for him to make a play that he could be proud of. He really amazed me. Despite not getting any hits this year, he has never hung his head or showed any signs of discouragement.
Two games left until the tournament. Time to get back on the winning side of things.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
U10 Diamondbacks Opening Day 5/7/2015
The first few games of the season are more like scrimmages. As coach, I use the first few games to give each player an opportunity to play many different positions. Winning takes a back seat to getting each kid accustomed to playing new positions, determining which ones can pitch, and taking additional time to teach the the game.
Griffey came into pitch in the 3rd inning of a 0-0 game. Griffey doesn't throw hard but can have decent control. Today he didn't trust his arm 100% as he didn't throw with very much authority and left several balls short of the plate. Fortunately, kids at this level in our league swing at anything close. Griffey struck out the first two batters he faced. The third batter reached on a hit. The next two batters reached base thanks to 2 balls going right through the legs of our 3rd baseman and shortstop. Griffey walked the next 2 of 3 batters. With three runs in, Brady fielded a ground ball at 2B and forced out the runner unassisted to end the 3rd inning. Brady is a bit uncoordinated. He doesn't throw well and his hitting is still a work in progress. However, his baseball IQ as a 2nd baseman is very high, and he almost always stops balls hit in his direction.
With us scoring 4 in the bottom of the inning and Griffey throwing strikes, I sent him back out to the mound. Griff looked more comfortable in the 4th. He trusted his arm and was letting loose. He struck out the side having thrown only 5 pitches called for balls. Three up. Three down!
Offensively, Griffey and Brady were aggressive at the plate. They took hard swings. Brady reached base via a walk all three times he was up. I love when Brady gets on base because I can always trust that he will be looking to advance given the chance. I never have to worry about him not advancing on wild pitches or missing a steal sign. Being fast helps as well. Griffey was 0-2 with a walk and a strikeout. However, he did make contact as he grounded into a fielders choice.
Overall, I was pleased with the boys and our team in general. We held out to win 4-3. Christian worked out of a bases load jam to save the game.
Highlights
Griffey Win 2 IP, 5K, 2BB
Brady 0-0 3BB, 1R 4U
Griffey came into pitch in the 3rd inning of a 0-0 game. Griffey doesn't throw hard but can have decent control. Today he didn't trust his arm 100% as he didn't throw with very much authority and left several balls short of the plate. Fortunately, kids at this level in our league swing at anything close. Griffey struck out the first two batters he faced. The third batter reached on a hit. The next two batters reached base thanks to 2 balls going right through the legs of our 3rd baseman and shortstop. Griffey walked the next 2 of 3 batters. With three runs in, Brady fielded a ground ball at 2B and forced out the runner unassisted to end the 3rd inning. Brady is a bit uncoordinated. He doesn't throw well and his hitting is still a work in progress. However, his baseball IQ as a 2nd baseman is very high, and he almost always stops balls hit in his direction.
With us scoring 4 in the bottom of the inning and Griffey throwing strikes, I sent him back out to the mound. Griff looked more comfortable in the 4th. He trusted his arm and was letting loose. He struck out the side having thrown only 5 pitches called for balls. Three up. Three down!
Offensively, Griffey and Brady were aggressive at the plate. They took hard swings. Brady reached base via a walk all three times he was up. I love when Brady gets on base because I can always trust that he will be looking to advance given the chance. I never have to worry about him not advancing on wild pitches or missing a steal sign. Being fast helps as well. Griffey was 0-2 with a walk and a strikeout. However, he did make contact as he grounded into a fielders choice.
Overall, I was pleased with the boys and our team in general. We held out to win 4-3. Christian worked out of a bases load jam to save the game.
Highlights
Griffey Win 2 IP, 5K, 2BB
Brady 0-0 3BB, 1R 4U
What is GBAC?
In 2005, Erin (my wife) and I were blessed with the birth of triplets. (G)riffey, (B)rady, and (A)very. Although we had our hands full raising triplets, God decided we needed another. Along came (C)ase. So now you know what GBAC is.
I remember when Tiger Woods first hit the Pro Tour as an amateur. There was so much hype surrounding this young man. His father was his biggest supporter and instrumental in getting his son started at a very early age. I thought is was so cool to see home videos of Tiger swinging a club when he was like 4 or 5 years old. Later he was a guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The documentation of his childhood years is something that I sure his family finds very special.
I've been known to have pretty terrible memory. I hate that I can't remember specifics of important ball games that I played in growing up. Some of my teammates remember games that I played in and how I performed better than I do. I think that's sad and unfortunate. This journal is going to ensure that me and my kids, and anyone else will be able to relive and reminisce that lives in sports.
I remember when Tiger Woods first hit the Pro Tour as an amateur. There was so much hype surrounding this young man. His father was his biggest supporter and instrumental in getting his son started at a very early age. I thought is was so cool to see home videos of Tiger swinging a club when he was like 4 or 5 years old. Later he was a guest on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The documentation of his childhood years is something that I sure his family finds very special.
I've been known to have pretty terrible memory. I hate that I can't remember specifics of important ball games that I played in growing up. Some of my teammates remember games that I played in and how I performed better than I do. I think that's sad and unfortunate. This journal is going to ensure that me and my kids, and anyone else will be able to relive and reminisce that lives in sports.
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