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.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
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
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