Thursday, December 17, 2009
Winter Hitting Schedule
This January we will begin our Winter Hitting Sessions. We will go twice a month for January and February and then push for once a week in March. We will dance around Spring Break. The season will get started sometime in April.
My plan is to run these sessions at Balls and Strikes. For those of you that don't know Balls and Strikes is out near the Rascals Ballpark. I would reserve the cage for 2 hours on a given night (I am thinking Monday's or Wednesday's as I have conflicts on other days each week). During those 2 hours each kid would be a part of a group of 3 and would spend 30 minutes hitting, drilling and learning.
My plan is to get started probably the week of the 11th of January.
If you feel strongly against Monday or Wednesday as the day let me know. I'd like to make one trip up to Balls and Strikes and do the whole team in one 2 hour session.
More to come after the holidays!
In HIS name,
Coach Tom
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Chinese Christmas - December 5th (5pm)
T5FITZ@CENTURYTEL.NET
TGFITZ@CENTURYTEL.NET
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday, November 6th- Trailhead
Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Halloween last night!
It's been a while since we've heard from everyone.. so I thought it would be nice to try and get together next Friday!
Place: Trailhead, Historic Saint Charles
When: Friday, November 6th between 6:30 and 7pm.
Who: Well- this would be an adult only Big Stick Cardinal adventure.. Hey.. we've got to bond too.. Right Coach Tom?
So far I have Wyatt's parents, Coach Tom and Miss Teri.. and then Brad and I ..
Please let me know if you can join us.. we'd love to see everyone and catch up!
Christine
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Year End Evaluations
We will take some time off before beginning our winter hitting program. That won't start until January. We will ease back into things, but I want to get things going earlier next year. I assure you each player will be given the opportunity to take over 300 cuts and field 300 ground balls/fly balls before our next game in April. Not to mention additional cuts and ground balls/fly balls they will see from you the dedicated parents. With your commitment, the kids talent, and the coaches teaching you think this team will look dramatically different even from this year? Count on it!
I have performed end of the year evaluations with some of you already (Haynes, Fortner, Skow, Fitzgerald) but need to come by or meet for lunch with the rest of you. I will make my schedule as flexible as possible for the rest of October, but please send me an email with some times and dates that would work for you. It will just be Tyson and me from Thursday - Monday this week so if we get together over the weekend or in the evening I'll have Tyson with me. He and I would gladly come by the house. The kids could play and the adults could talk. Pastor, I'll see you on Saturday at the football game. We can talk then.
I want to take 15 minutes to talk with you about your child's progress this year and what I see for him and the future of Big Stick. I also want to hear from you. What do you want to see for your child with Big Stick? What do you want Big Stick to become? Do tournaments interest you?
This is about all 11 families and the direction you want the Big Stick Cardinal family to take and not about what I want. Consider me your servant! We have something very special going here and I want to build upon it. Relationships are forming and I genuinely believe, and hope, that all of us really enjoy spending time together. I can only speak for Teri and I....we love all you and will miss seeing you on a weekly basis this fall.
The Chrisitan Small Group that I have talked about in the past is a way of keeping us in touch thru the fall and winter. More on that coming soon, I promise.
All for now. Stay warm and dry!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Stryper - Sauget, IL - Monday (tomorrow) Night 7 PM
Let me know. Who knows maybe you'll catch a bible! I did last time out. Call me ASAP or email me if interested! 904-424-7239....thomas_fitzgerald@csx.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
Daddy Date Night
But with my precious princess Trinity not really big into sports like her daddy, we decided to find common ground. Thus Daddy Date Night! We go out to dinner, movies, get our nails done (not me though, no never, wouldn't think of it, that's not manly......aaahhhhhh well a pedicure every now and again maybe!)
Well this Friday, Trinity and I are going down to SLU to watch a girls volleyball game. Trinity and I would love to make this a Double Daddy Date night. If any of you dad's are interested in bringing your precious little one with us, Trinity and I would love it. The game starts at 7:00 PM this Friday. Let me know if you are interested.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
League Champions Again!
We saw a lot of great things today. Maybe as close to a perfect game that we have seen. We won 35-10. That is more runs than we have scored in any game this year, in fact it is the max amount of runs we could score in any given game since we can only score 5 an inning. On defense we gave up less than 1.5 runs an inning. That too is a record for us. What a great ending!
I will be scheduling meetings with each of you over the next week. I just want to take 30 minutes or so to come by and talk with you about the season, the direction of the team and your child's development.
What became crystal clear to me today is that with 6 more months of physical growth and maturity, we are destined to keep this train rolling down the tracks. Our future is so bright, we need shades! I don't mean to be cocky, but this team has achieved some good things. Let's achieve great things in 2010! We can and will get better! Much better! That is scary, but I believe it to be true. No kid is tapping the pinnacle of his potential. We will get back to work beginning early 2010. Our next league game is in April. We may play a tournament or two next year too....we'll see about that. I have identified some tournaments for 2010 that are 8 and under pitching machine tournaments. Keep in mind now that we have 6 and 7 year olds, and prior to May 1, we will no 8 year olds, so I don't know how that will all play out, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Talk to everyone very soon. Thanks again for being so supportive. We love you all!
Coach Tom
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Final Game - 10:45 AM Saturday
Try and get to the indoor batting cages before Saturday if you can. Balls and Strikes or Drew Praters is fine. Set the machine at 29 mph and get some cuts in. We have not hit in a while so lets get refocused. Also, try and get your boy out with this glove. Hit him some grounders and get him ready for Saturday.
Have fun!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Today's Game Postponed!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
NEXT GAME TIME CHANGE!!!!!!!! 2:15 PM!!!!!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Next Game - Sunday 9/27 - 12:30 PM
Coach Tom
Game Rained Out!!!!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Check SPAA.COM for Rainout Info
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Rascals Friday Night - 7:05 PM
Weekend Games
We have 13 for Sunday....
Anyone that has not talked to me yet not going to make it on Saturday or Sunday? Already thinking about the weekend. Wait...I've been thinking about this weekend since last Sunday. What am I going to do this winter? I should be a bear and just hibernate....
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
River City Rascals In the Championship - Be There!
We are offering $5.00 box tickets (up to 4 per athlete) if they call or order tickets at the box office for the following games:
Game 1 – Thursday, September 17 @ 7:05 pm
Game 2 – Friday, September 18 @ 7:05 pm
*They must state that they are with the D.A.A. and their team name when ordering tickets.
Teri, Trinity, Tyson, Trace and I are going to be there. Would love to have all you join us. Can't beat the price. The kids always have a blast. Let me know if you are going to go so we can look out for you.
Come on out! It will be fun!!!!
Coach Tom
Monday, September 14, 2009
End of the Year Player Evaluations
- Focus
- Attitude
- Commitment
- Defensive Awareness
- Arm strength and accuracy
- Fielding skills...ground balls and fly balls
- Baserunning
- Hitting
After this is done I would like to set up a time with all of you to discuss our thoughts. With 6 plus months before our next game I want to share with all of you what we see. Where things are going well and where there might be some room for improvement. All the kids do things well, but all have areas they need to improve upon. This is a good idea because it gives everyone a lot of time to work on some of those areas.
I think because we desire to stay together til they get to high school age, and maybe longer, that is very important.
We also need to talk about parent's expectations.....
- Is this just for fun?
- Is winning important?
- Can we have fun and win?
- Is tournament/travel ball of interest next year and beyond?
- Is your child being treated fairly by the coaches?
- Are there certain positions you or your son feel he would be better served playing?
- What do you want us to work on with your son that we are not already doing?
Pretty much, I just want to throw it on the table, level set, be honest and open and have good dialogue. This is a family. You are my friends and I will do anything for any of you. Teri and I moved here two years ago not knowing anyone and we are closer to all of you then anyone else in the area. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize that because it would be hard on Teri and I.
We love being with each and everyone of you and we will stay in contact with each one of you during the winter. In fact we are even considering starting a "Christian Based Small Group". Josh is probably saying, "Yeah I heard that before!" He is right. The Lord has really convicted me over this and shame on me for waiting to be a good soldier under God's command on this topic. This will happen. More on that later if you are interested.
The toughest part of coaching is dealing with parents. I am a parent and I don't coach my kids in football or soccer, so I know all the emotions believe me. But you are more than parents to me and I hope I am more than just a coach to most of you. The Big Stick Cardinal family is not unlike any other American Family. We all need to be there for each other, be open with each other and enjoy each other. If we can't do that then it becomes just a baseball team....boring and without purpose. I want us to have purpose. This is more than just baseball. We are teaching respect, honor, courage, resiliency, commitment, passion, love, compassion and empathy among many other things. This is a family. Please always remember that Teri and I feel that way.
See everyone on Saturday....
Coach Tom
22-20 Loss
That's ok. They are 5, 6 and 7. We will get better. Practice will fix all of it. We will be so good next spring it isn't even going to be funny. Let's take care of business next weekend, win our 2nd league title, finish the season 8-1-1(with very little practice by the way) and take some time off.
We will start our hitting program in January, start practicing outdoors in March and be ready for our first game in April. We will play a tournament or 2 next year as well if the parents/kids are interested in the commitment and the competition.
I am so excited for next year!!!!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
21 - 21 Tie
I wanted to explain what happen today when I threw my hat. I can deal with fielding errors. I can deal with offensive let downs. Yet mental mistakes I will never accept. However, I need to deal with them by trying to keep my emotions in check. We had an incident today that got the best of my emotions. I threw my hat when it happen and for that I am sorry. Some of the kids saw it, some of them did not. I apologized to your son after the game as it is unacceptable behavior and I need to learn how to deal with the mental errors when they happen. That is not the example I want to provide your kids. I am truly sorry. If your son was emotionally affected by the incident please let me know so that I can talk to them one on one tomorrow.
Let's get 'em Sunday!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Game Time!!! Saturday 10:45 AM
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Practice Tonight...Strehl 94/95 (6-7PM)
Let's have fun, work hard and keep rising!
Let's Go BIG STICK CARDINALS!!!!!!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 9th - Practice
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Perfect Game?
We will have our hands full in 9 days. The Pirates are hungry! They want us bad. The coaching staff hates me, especially the head coach. She just doesn't see eye to eye with me. I want this one bad too. In fact I want both Saturday and Sunday's game badly.
Our kids are peaking....let's keep it going! Practice Wednesday at 6 PM. Field 95.....we will work on defense exclusively.
Have a great holiday weekend! Be safe and we will see you on Wednesday.
Coach Tom
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 9th - Practice at Strehl
We need to practice our defense and our base running. Practice will run from 6 PM - 7PM and will move quickly. We will get a lot of work in.
Please plan on being at this very important practice. If you can't make it let me know. We will not hit. Practice will be at Strehl. Field TBD, but plan on 95 or 94 depending on availability.
See everyone Thursday, September 3rd around 5:30ish. We play the Tigers again.
Have fun!
Coach Tom
Schedule Update....also on the SPAA website
24 9/12/2009 Saturday 10:45 AM Strehl 95 H SP201 Pirates
14 9/13/2009 Sunday 02:15 PM Strehl 95 H SP201 Pirates
21 9/19/2009 Saturday 10:45 AM Strehl 95 V SP203 Sharks
17 9/20/2009 Sunday 12:30 PM Strehl 95 V SP202 Gators
Monday, August 31, 2009
Nice Win!
Had a few rough spots hitting today but for the most part a nice effort. Very impressed with the defensive play tonight. Yes we had errors, I can deal with errors, but had very few mental errors. The kids were very focused tonight on defense and it showed. They have a good sense of the defensive side of the ball right now. We need to work on fluidity, which we will in the spring, but they really have a good feeling of where to go with the ball when hit to them.
Next game Thursday against the Tigers. This is the rain out game. Nick has snacks. I know RJ and Raynard won't be there. If anyone else won't make it, please let me know.
Can't wait 'til Thursday!!!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday's Game Rained Out!!
Coach Tom
Thoughts....
One thing that I stressed on defense, in regards to fielding ground balls, was to move your feet, get your glove out in front of your body and work from the dirt up. What I mean by that is...
- Get in front of the ball by having an active lower body. MOVE THOSE FEET!
- Get your glove in front of your body and get your butt down underneath you.
- Work your glove up from the dirt rather than down towards the dirt
All of these things will equate to a successfully fielded ground ball. Fitzgerald Guarantee.
Continue to stress this with your kid the rest of this season cause by the end of the fall season they will be sick of hearing me say it. Then after a layoff thru the winter, my big mouth will be there again stressing it.
I was watching a kid pitch game this week and saw this as a big issue even at that level. It is not an ability thing it is a practice thing. This is something we will practice, practice, practice in the spring.
We can improve on defense and will improve on defense because we have a lot of talent. Every kid can improve and no one is near their potential. I am a defensive minded guy and always enjoyed the defensive side of the game when I played. Pitching and defense is what it takes to win at any level and both will be stressed as we move the Big Stick Cardinals towards playing high school ball.
See ya Saturday!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Concession Stand & Practice
Concession stand starts at 5:15 PM.
Practice starts at 5:30 PM....we'll go as long as the kids want to go! Defense, defense, defense, and a little hitting sprinkled in.
Coach Tom
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Coach Tom- Tip of the Week- Aug 25th
With less than two outs make sure that the ball is down on the ground before proceeding to the next base.
**friendly reminder- Pastor, it's your turn for snacks on Saturday**
And concession duty's tomorrow ladies.. and hiting practice for those that can make it after 5:30pm.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Defense and Paying Attention
Let's face it the kids are doing great in so many areas. In fact they are doing better in more areas than they are not doing well in.
What do they do well
- Hit
- Run the bases
- Have fun
What they need to improve on
- Paying attention
- Defense (Ground Balls, Fly Balls, Knowing where to go with the ball)
We will work on these two items at practice on Thursday. Field 94. Anytime after 5:30 is fine. I will be there the entire night helping with the concession stand, but will take a break during our practice time.
See everyone on Thursday night....let me know if you will be there.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Today's Game
The kids pulled it out and really showed some heart out there. They are really dialing it in. Everyone is contributing and there seems to be new heroes every game.
Who is the next hero on Monday night?
See you then.
Coach Tom
Housekeeping- Email Test
Great game today.. it was a tough one.. whew..
Just a couple of housekeeping items with the blog..
Overall.. I think it's going well- unless you're not getting email updates.. then not so much. (Public apology #1 to Ethan's family!)
So just a recap. You should be getting email notifications when Coach or I add comments to this blog. If you are not getting updates, please email me at Christinetwnmom3@yahoo.com
Second- Snack schedule is up next to the game day schedule. (Jacob has snack duty for Monday's game) If we have a rainout game, whoever was scheduled to bring snacks will bring on the make up game (Make sense?)
Lastly, to make sure I'm not going crazy or assuming that everyone knows how a blog works- Can I ask a favor? Can I get a reply comment to this blog posting this weekend from all the cardinal parents?
Click on comment and add your "ok.. I'm getting email notifications, or Coach Tom rocks.. whatever you want to say!"
Friday, August 21, 2009
Saturday 10:15
Game time is 10:45 but let's get there early and get lose. We are home team. Field 95
Remind your kids to listen to those base coaches and "be aggressive on the basepaths!" Let's take the extra base!
Updated Concession Stand Schedule
26th - Clymer, Becher, Blake-Fortner, Johnson
27th - Haynes, Rudin, Fitzgerald, Anderson
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Practice Scheduled - August 27th - 5:30 PM - Whenever!
Updated Concession Stand Schedule
26th - Clymer, Becher, Blake-Fortner, ?????
27th - Haynes, Rudin, Fitzgerald, Anderson
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Schedule Update!!!! Rainout Rescheduled
Coach Tom
Monday, August 17, 2009
Phone Numbers
August 17th Game Postponed Due to Rain!
Rainout Pending!
Coach T
Concession Stand Update
Aug 27th - Haynes (1)....need 3 more
The Fitzgerald family will work one of these days too. Will decide as this thing plays out.
5:15 - 8:00 PM
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Snack Duty...
Snack Schedule will be posted next to the game schedule on our blog.
For Tomorrow nights game, we have Nick bringing snacks..
If you can not bring snacks on the dates I've assigned, just let me know and we can change it-
Thanks
Christine
(Great Game today.. I think I can still hear Teri screaming in my ear! Go Cardinals!)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Concession Stand Duty
August 26th 5:15 - 8:00PM (4-5 people needed)
August 27th 5:15 - 8:00 PM (4-5 people needed)
If under the age of 14 you can not enter the concession stand to work...SPAA rules.....although we saw kids younger than 14 working today.
Please just email me with which day works best for you and we will get this requirement behind us.
Thanks.
Friday, August 14, 2009
WELCOME PARENTS AND PLAYERS!!
I thought it would be a good idea to organize the emails that Coach sends us, as well as any other important information regarding our boys.
Please, please be kind to me. If I misspell a name, anything in this blog, please let me know.
I have listed a few important items to the right of this blog. If you see anything that should be added.... please don't hesitate to let me know.
Christine
(Jacob's Mom)
Coach Tom- Tip of the Week- Aug 13th
On a ball hit to the outfield grass, round 1st base, listen to your 1st base coach and hustle for 2nd base!!! Be thinking 2 at all times!
We are going to be very aggressive on the base paths this fall! Tell your kids tonight, Friday and Saturday morning to hustle out of the batter’s box and get down that baseline. Don’t watch the ball! Get your head down and move it!!!!
Same goes for being a base runner on 1st or 2nd base. We are going to run, run, run. The coaches on 1st and 3rd base are going to be aggressive! If we aren’t hustling and being aggressive as players this strategy won’t be successful. Very important going from home to 2nd, 1st to 3rd and 2nd to home. Let’s take extra bases!!!!
This will be reinforced all year! Hustle and listen to your base coaches. Be ready to take the extra base at all times!
See everyone Saturday morning at 8:30 AM.
Coach Tom
Coach Tom July 25th- Housekeeping
Couple housekeeping items….
Get to the batting cages….get to the batting cages….get to the batting cages. This is going to be a big transition for the kids. I can’t stress this enough. We have 14-21 days before our first game. We are going to try and get access to a pitching machine for our practice on August 8th. Stay tuned. Timing is everything. This is a process. Stay patient. If you can get your boy to the batting cages a couple times before our first game I know it will make a world of difference. I’ve been with some of the boys at the batting cages already, and the difference from round to round was apparent.
To those that paid your entry fee today, thank you. For others bring it to our next practice.
Next Practice – August 1st 9 AM at DAA #2….pending a freak thunderstorm at 6:30 AM!
SPAA requires a copy of every child’s birth certificate. Please make a copy of that and have it available at our next practice. This is a requirement.
See you soon!
Coach Tom