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.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Rollie Fingers set to come Saturday
Rollie Fingers is excited about coming to Mitchell, South Dakota. He is doing radio and newspaper interviews this week in preparation for the Leadership banquet on the DWU campus. The Major League All-Star, World Series champion and Hall of Famer will join Senator George McGovern as the keynote speakers.
Tickets are still available. Visit the DWU website to purchase tickets and learn more about the banquet.
Below is a link to the SDPR interview that Rollie did Thursday. He will be on Sioux Falls radio tomorrow (Friday) at 2 p.m.
http://http://sdpb.sd.gov/radio/shows.aspx?MediaID=59119&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all
Tickets are still available. Visit the DWU website to purchase tickets and learn more about the banquet.
Below is a link to the SDPR interview that Rollie did Thursday. He will be on Sioux Falls radio tomorrow (Friday) at 2 p.m.
http://http://sdpb.sd.gov/radio/shows.aspx?MediaID=59119&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
If at first you don't succeed...
DWU hosted its elementary baseball camp Saturday with 36 kids participating. The campers had a great time while working on their fundamental baseball skills. Sunday is our last session of our high school offense and defense camp, and we hosted a pitching camp earlier this year. All totaled, we had more than 100 participants who took part in at least one of our camps. It was our pleasure hosting them. I believe it was of great benefit to our players and the kids in our community.
We will end the camp season with this video. It consists of a first or second grade student attempting to hit a pitch. Even though he swung and missed several times, all that mattered to him and his teammates is that he made contact with his last pitch.
This video exlempifies the great game of baseball and the youthful spirit of an 8-year old.
We will end the camp season with this video. It consists of a first or second grade student attempting to hit a pitch. Even though he swung and missed several times, all that mattered to him and his teammates is that he made contact with his last pitch.
This video exlempifies the great game of baseball and the youthful spirit of an 8-year old.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Opening day just around the corner
It is just a little more than two weeks before we head to Phoenix, Arizona, home of the 2011 Spring Training site of Dakota Wesleyan University baseball. After weeks of practicing indoors, the team is more than excited to travel to Arizona and our season opening weekend against Missouri Valley College February 25-27. Although it depends on next week's weather, things look good for us to play our first four games of the year in Marshall, MO. We are scheduled to play one game Friday, two Saturday and one Sunday. We are scheduled to stay at the Comfort Inn in Marshall. For reservations, contact (660) 886-8080.
We are scheduled to leave for Omaha early morning on Thursday, March 3. We will spend the first two days in Phoenix practicing before starting our games on Saturday, March 5. Here is our game schedule and the parks we play at during the week. I've attached website information on our games in Phoenix and the ones in Tucson. Tucson is about a 90 minute drive from Phoenix.
March 5 - Snedigar Park, 3 pm
March 6 - Snedigar Park, 12 noon
March 7 - Gene Autry Park, 9:30 am (2)
March 8- Snedigar Park, 12 noon (2)
March 9 - Tucson (2) 12 noon
March 10 - Snedigar Park, 11 am (2)
March 11- Gene Autry Park 9 am (2)
March 12 - Gene Autry Park, 9 am (2)
March 14 - Tucson 10 am (2)
Here are the two websites of the two training sites we play at:
www.tigsports.com/
http://www.russmattbaseball.com/
We are scheduled to leave for Omaha early morning on Thursday, March 3. We will spend the first two days in Phoenix practicing before starting our games on Saturday, March 5. Here is our game schedule and the parks we play at during the week. I've attached website information on our games in Phoenix and the ones in Tucson. Tucson is about a 90 minute drive from Phoenix.
March 5 - Snedigar Park, 3 pm
March 6 - Snedigar Park, 12 noon
March 7 - Gene Autry Park, 9:30 am (2)
March 8- Snedigar Park, 12 noon (2)
March 9 - Tucson (2) 12 noon
March 10 - Snedigar Park, 11 am (2)
March 11- Gene Autry Park 9 am (2)
March 12 - Gene Autry Park, 9 am (2)
March 14 - Tucson 10 am (2)
Here are the two websites of the two training sites we play at:
www.tigsports.com/
http://www.russmattbaseball.com/
Monday, February 7, 2011
Coaches pick DWU eighth
After finishing in the top three the last two years, the Great Plains Athletic Conference coaches picked Dakota Wesleyan University to finish eighth in the baseball conference. The coaches poll was released last week and had Mount Marty picked to win the conference. Mount Marty should be picked one after winning the title a year ago. They return some great players from last year's team that finished one game away from the NAIA World Series.
The coaches pick is certainly not a science. In my first two years at DWU, the coaches haven't been real accurate at picking the champion. Polls and predictions do not mean a thing. That's why we play the games - to determine a champion.
Getting picked eighth does not bother me in the least bit. Two years ago we were picked near the bottom of the league but we finished third in the regular season before winning the GPAC tournament title. Although we are young and inexperienced this year, we're hoping to finish a little better than eighth place. Our goals as a team have nothing to do with where the coaches picked us to finish.
The coaches pick is certainly not a science. In my first two years at DWU, the coaches haven't been real accurate at picking the champion. Polls and predictions do not mean a thing. That's why we play the games - to determine a champion.
Getting picked eighth does not bother me in the least bit. Two years ago we were picked near the bottom of the league but we finished third in the regular season before winning the GPAC tournament title. Although we are young and inexperienced this year, we're hoping to finish a little better than eighth place. Our goals as a team have nothing to do with where the coaches picked us to finish.
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