Greetings from the DWU baseball coaching office! We are extremely excited for the 2011-12 baseball season. We feel we have put together a team that can be successful both on and off the field. Success, however, will never come without hard work, desire and a passion to be the best that you can possibly be. We have all the tools we need to compete for championships. Come with a winning attitude!
Our fall informational meeting is tentatively set for Monday, August 23 in the athletic room in the Christian Family Wellness Center. The meeting is set for 4 p.m. Do not be late. The meeting will allow us to get to know each other, complete paperwork and provide more information on the 2011-12 season.
You will need the following items before practice begins: 1. All personal baseball gear (includes spikes, gloves, catchers equipment, etc.); 2. Blue or black turf shoes; 3. Wood bat; 4. White practice pants.
You will be given a DWU hat, t-shirt and an additional workout jersey. Additional gear can be purchased at the time of check-in.
Before we meet in August, every player must attain web sponsors for the upcoming year. I have attached a web sponsor form. Please review the document and immediately begin to find the sponsors. We are hoping each play can secure at least two sponsors. In addition to the web sponsors, each player should compile a list of 30 addresses of family, friends and supporters who would be willing to donate to the program. The addresses need to be written out. I’ve attached a spreadsheet.
We look forward to seeing you August 23. Take care and good luck until then. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call (701) 739-7628 with any questions.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
New season
A new baseball season is upon us as more than 40 ball players get set to arrive on the DWU campus in a few weeks. The coaching staff at DWU is excited for the 2011-12 baseball season. Although our record wasn't as spectacular as the two previous years, last year's team did a lot of good things both on and off the field. They worked hard, were unselfish and played the game the right way. The returners will lead this year's team, along with a talented group of newcomers. We're very pleased with our retention rate from a year ago, and believe the returners will mesh well with a talented group of new players. They sky is the limit for the team, and I am excited to see how we come together as a team.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Waiting for warmer weather
The clock just turned to read 5 a.m., and we're sitting in the airport waiting for our 5:52 a.m. departure time to Phoenix, AZ. Our kids are tired, but excited to get to warmer weather, green grass and see the sun for more than a couple of hours a day. As I write this, I see guys who have endured a 4-plus hour bus trip from Mitchell to Omaha. We rode on a bright yellow school bus after our bus broke down in the DWU parking lot. I must admit, it's been awhile since I've ridden on a school bus.
Our guys are all awake in the airport, despite the long night. There, however, hasn't been much complaining or whining. Our players, no doubt, feel fortunate to be heading to a place where baseball is the king and where we can get better as a team. Temperatures are expected to reach 80 degrees with sunny skies expected for the next 10 days.
For now, however, our guys will enjoy each other's fellowship, play on their computers and just bond as a team while we make the trek to Phoenix.
Our guys are all awake in the airport, despite the long night. There, however, hasn't been much complaining or whining. Our players, no doubt, feel fortunate to be heading to a place where baseball is the king and where we can get better as a team. Temperatures are expected to reach 80 degrees with sunny skies expected for the next 10 days.
For now, however, our guys will enjoy each other's fellowship, play on their computers and just bond as a team while we make the trek to Phoenix.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Opening weekend beneficial
We cannot get focused on results early in the season. That's what I told my players before, during and after our opening weekend games. Last weekend, we played our first four games of the season to Missouri Valley College in Bolivar, MO. On a field played in mud, we lost by the scores of 3-1, 10-0, 3-2, and 3-2. The field was wet both days with temperatures in the 40's on Saturday and a balmy 75 on Sunday.
Just getting outside to play was extremely beneficial for us. We didn't play great in any games, but we saw a lot of good things. Our starting pitching was good, we played pretty decent defense for three games, and we had some quality plate appearances. On the other hand, we need to improve offensively, in the bullpen and with some defensive skills.
Thomas Pickett and Ethan Opsahl, two of our most experienced pitchers, were very good considering it was their first starts of the year. Joey Fitzgerald was also very good in his DWU debut on the mound. Patrick Dennis showed signs of good stuff even though his first start of the season yeiled mixed results from both he and his defense.
Our offense struggled, but showed signs of life at different points. We believe we can put together a pretty good lineup if our players understand that our offense has to be balanced and disciplined.
Our record was disappointing, but our effort was not! We will improve and we will continue to work hard. Our players have too much integrity not to.
I want to thank Missouri Valley for their hospitality and setting the games up on a field that did not have snow on it. A special thank you to Bolivar High School and their head coach for all the work they put in to get the field in playable condition.
It was a good weekend for us. The experiences of the four-game set will help us continue on our path to seek excellence.
Just getting outside to play was extremely beneficial for us. We didn't play great in any games, but we saw a lot of good things. Our starting pitching was good, we played pretty decent defense for three games, and we had some quality plate appearances. On the other hand, we need to improve offensively, in the bullpen and with some defensive skills.
Thomas Pickett and Ethan Opsahl, two of our most experienced pitchers, were very good considering it was their first starts of the year. Joey Fitzgerald was also very good in his DWU debut on the mound. Patrick Dennis showed signs of good stuff even though his first start of the season yeiled mixed results from both he and his defense.
Our offense struggled, but showed signs of life at different points. We believe we can put together a pretty good lineup if our players understand that our offense has to be balanced and disciplined.
Our record was disappointing, but our effort was not! We will improve and we will continue to work hard. Our players have too much integrity not to.
I want to thank Missouri Valley for their hospitality and setting the games up on a field that did not have snow on it. A special thank you to Bolivar High School and their head coach for all the work they put in to get the field in playable condition.
It was a good weekend for us. The experiences of the four-game set will help us continue on our path to seek excellence.
Spring trip ininerary
Arizona itinerary
Thursday, March 3
12:01 a.m. – Leave for Omaha
5:52 a.m.- Take off to Phoenix
Lunch on own
2-4 – Practice
Pizza for supper
Friday, March 4
Leave for Tucson 9 a.m.
Practice in Tucson 11-1 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 5
Practice 1-3 p.m.
Game vs. Indiana Wesleyan 3 p.m.
Supper 7 p.m.
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 6
Pregame 10 a.m.
Game 12 noon
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Monday, March 7
Pregame 7:30 a.m.
Games 9:30 & 12:30 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8
Pregame 10 a.m.
Games 12 noon and 2 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9
Leave for Tucson 7:30 a.m.
Games at 12 noon and 3 p.m.
Supper in Tucson
Team meeting 11 p.m.
Thursday, March 10
Pregame 9 a.m.
Games 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Friday, March 11
Pregame 7 a.m.
Games at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Lunch at 1:30 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 12
Pregame at 7 a.m.
Games at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Lunch at 1:30 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 13
Family Day – Meals on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Monday, March 14
7 a.m. – Leave for Tcuson
10 and 12 noon – Games
5 p.m. – Arrive at airport
11 p.m.- Arrive in Omaha
2 a.m. – Arrive in Mitchell
Thursday, March 3
12:01 a.m. – Leave for Omaha
5:52 a.m.- Take off to Phoenix
Lunch on own
2-4 – Practice
Pizza for supper
Friday, March 4
Leave for Tucson 9 a.m.
Practice in Tucson 11-1 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 5
Practice 1-3 p.m.
Game vs. Indiana Wesleyan 3 p.m.
Supper 7 p.m.
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 6
Pregame 10 a.m.
Game 12 noon
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Monday, March 7
Pregame 7:30 a.m.
Games 9:30 & 12:30 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8
Pregame 10 a.m.
Games 12 noon and 2 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9
Leave for Tucson 7:30 a.m.
Games at 12 noon and 3 p.m.
Supper in Tucson
Team meeting 11 p.m.
Thursday, March 10
Pregame 9 a.m.
Games 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Friday, March 11
Pregame 7 a.m.
Games at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Lunch at 1:30 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 12
Pregame at 7 a.m.
Games at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Lunch at 1:30 p.m.
Supper on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Sunday, March 13
Family Day – Meals on own
Team meeting 10 p.m.
Monday, March 14
7 a.m. – Leave for Tcuson
10 and 12 noon – Games
5 p.m. – Arrive at airport
11 p.m.- Arrive in Omaha
2 a.m. – Arrive in Mitchell
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Opening weekend games changed
It looks like opening weekend is a go, albeit with some changes. This weekend's game scheduled for Marshall, MO with Missouri Valley has been changed to Bolivar, MO. The games will now be played on Saturday and Sunday in the tiny town of Bolivar. Both days will feature two 7-inning games starting at 1 p.m. The team is scheduled to take off Friday afternoon and be staying at the Super 8 in Bolivar.
Opening weekend is always an exciting time for coaches and players alike. Although we are young, we feel we can put an exciting team on the field. Our guys have worked extremely hard in preparation of this weekend. It may be one of the hardest working and unselfish teams I have coached in recent years. The guys have a passion for their teammates, coaches and program. We may not feature the talent we've had in the past, but we will have the desire it takes to compete.
Even though we have not played a single game yet, I am proud of my team for the effort put forth in fall ball, the strength and conditioning season and preseason. I believe we can compete with the best.
Opening weekend is always an exciting time for coaches and players alike. Although we are young, we feel we can put an exciting team on the field. Our guys have worked extremely hard in preparation of this weekend. It may be one of the hardest working and unselfish teams I have coached in recent years. The guys have a passion for their teammates, coaches and program. We may not feature the talent we've had in the past, but we will have the desire it takes to compete.
Even though we have not played a single game yet, I am proud of my team for the effort put forth in fall ball, the strength and conditioning season and preseason. I believe we can compete with the best.
What an evening
Rollie Fingers and Senator George McGovern lived up to their billing at Saturday's baseball banquet in the Sherman Center on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan. A good crowd listened to the pair talk about politics, baseball and the game of life. McGovern, now in his late 80s, kept the audience in awe as he talked about his experiences with iconic political leaders of the past. Fingers also impressed guests as he discussed his handlebar mustache, pitching in three World Series and his relationship with legendary slugger Reggie Jackson.
In addition to the speakers, former DWU player Casey Solem was awarded a plaque for being the first ever Tiger named to the NAIA All-American Second Team. The East Grand Forks native had a huge 2010 season, hitting 15 home runs and stealing 30 bases.
It was a great event for the Public Service & Leadership Department, the baseball program and Dakota Wesleyan University. We feel fortunate to offer the community of Mitchell the opportunity to see two of the country's best leaders in their respective fields of nearly four decades ago.
In addition to the speakers, former DWU player Casey Solem was awarded a plaque for being the first ever Tiger named to the NAIA All-American Second Team. The East Grand Forks native had a huge 2010 season, hitting 15 home runs and stealing 30 bases.
It was a great event for the Public Service & Leadership Department, the baseball program and Dakota Wesleyan University. We feel fortunate to offer the community of Mitchell the opportunity to see two of the country's best leaders in their respective fields of nearly four decades ago.
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