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12U house ball update
The first, and only scrimmage, went down last night and I was looking for a couple of things:
- Were the boys ready to compete? Did they have that baseball dawg in them?
- Could we pitch?
That's it.
Mission complete.
We have ourselves a baseball team. Honestly, I had to do very little coaching outside of figuring out new defensive positions for five innings. It got to the point where I felt like Don Zimmer on a Thursday afternoon during a 2:20 WGN first pitch leaning against the fence with not much to do besides clap here and there, look at my lineup card and give a few high-fives.
Quick observations:
- The boys swung the bat. The ball was moving. They were running the bases, taking extra bases, stealing, understanding not to run into tag-outs on a ball hit to the shortstop.
- The defense was superb. I don't know if we missed a throw to first base. I was hoping for the outfielders to get burnt deep to see how they handled relays and chaos, but that didn't pan out.
- One thing we need to work on with time is getting our bats started earlier. Against kids that can throw heat, our bats needed to get moving. That should improve with more ABs and timing.
- Our catchers did a great job. I don't remember many baseballs getting to the fence. Lucas, the boy from down the street from us who couldn't hit the broadside of a barn last year had himself a much-needed night. All of a sudden, things are clicking. He's driving the baseball over outfielder heads. We're going to need that pop because Sequoia will miss the first two games of the season due to soccer.
- Varitek, my 12yo catcher who told me he wanted to try pitching, threw smoke in his one inning on the mound and had two Ks and a lazy pop-up out for a 1-2-3 inning.
- On the bases, Varitek was on second when a ball was smacked down the third base line. I sent him and he never stopped. Full bore. There's a play at the plate and he slides in under the tag. Our baserunning chase drills from second to home and home to second where I'm looking for desire out of the boys is paying dividends.
- A boy on the other team was swinging what looked like a vintage Easton Black Magic. I couldn't believe my eyes. His father must've grabbed that out of his old bat bag.
- Daddy Ball update: My son batted 6th, had a couple of RBI ground outs and a called third strike. The last ball he hit was a shot right at the second baseman who just made a nice play. Screencaps Jr. did his part. He's steady. I have him playing center to solidify us up the middle.
- My Tom Glavine had a Tom Glavine night. I can't remember much about that inning, but it was relaxed, he threw it right over the middle and it was a fast half-inning just like vintage Glavine.
- The pitching staff is ready to roll. Seaver didn't have his normal control, but he'll be fine. We have five reliable arms to throw at teams with Sequoia out of the pen, if needed in a pinch.
- 12U is definitely my wheelhouse for coaching. I can have actual baseball conversations with the boys and their brains aren't in a different stratosphere.
It's time to get the season rolling on Saturday. We have a team.
How many youth sports does this apply to?
- Mike N. asks:
Welcome to the ump show
– Zach asks:
Given that "the ump show" in MLB seems to be getting worse and worse, do you think we ever might see a player or manger end up decking one of these umpires someday?
Kinsey:
Never say never. However, I like to think these guys value their money enough to not go over the line by throwing a punch. If Lou Pinella didn't punch that ump back in 1989 or 1990, then I don't know if we'll see a punch thrown before robot umps take over the sport.
TNML hats!
- Reid in Minnesota writes:
I need a TNML hat! They look sweeeeeet. Please tell me you're restocking those.
Kinsey:
I had no idea the hats had sold out. Also, I had no idea the TNML Polo of the Summer was down to just mediums on the latest pre-pre-order.
I'll get with TNML T-shirt Mogul Olivia G. to get an update. Call me crazy, but I have to believe there will be another order on the hats since you guys bought the entire stock three weeks into the mowing season.
Poncho shirts (#notsponsored)
- Rory M writes:
Have been a fan for a few years, but only long sleeve and roll them up mid forearm.
I’ve always felt like big guys only could pull off the short sleeve button down and not look like an old man. At 6’3", 190, and fairly thin I didn’t think it was possible.
Grabbed 2 large slim fit shirts after the discussion and will probably be ordering more. These might be my go tos from now on.
Who loves brunch?
Mike T. in Idaho sent in a link to the top 100 brunch spots in the United States.
Kinsey:
I've always had a problem with "Brunch." It feels like people who love "brunch" are trying to out-elite others. It feels like a power play. Maybe I'm off-base with this one. It might also have to do with growing up in a farm town where if you said "brunch," people would look at you funny.
I need one of you to sell me on why brunch is so great. I feel like eating breakfast at a reasonable time, then lunch is completely doable. Maybe I'm truly missing out.
Sell me on brunch. I'm willing to give it a chance.
Be careful out there…balls are flying
- Michael F. in PVB, Florida writes:
If my encyclopedic power of recollection is true this happened near where you spent your formative years.
How many times have I shanked one and wondered where it ended up.
Kinsey:
I seem to remember my mother taking a golf ball off the windshield while driving next to Community Golf Course in Dayton, OH. I need to check with her on that one.
############
That's it. I'm over my time this morning. Let's get moving. It's a random Tuesday in May.
Go have an incredible day.
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com