First Game Results - Optimism Abounds

The Magnolia 13's had their first action Saturday April 9 and a lot of good things happened. This team has a bunch of strike throwing pitchers - a plus. This team puts the ball in play - a plus. This team has some power - a plus. This team has the ABILITY to play good defense - will be a plus. This team can run - a plus.

I liked what I saw. The best thing I saw during the practice game was us making some very good mistakes. I believe it is best to make mistakes early. There is NO better way to learn than through making mistakes and making them early.

Things we learned yesterday:
1. It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep your eye on the ball while on base. Signals need to be taken from the safety of the bag (but it is good that we are actually looking for signals). Eyes on the ball before and during leads - always a plus. And we stay on the ball even when the other team is doing something routine, like throwing the ball back to the pitcher

2. The game is a little faster this year. When the other team bunts we need to jump on the ball and act fast. OUR CATCHERS NEED TO YELL WHERE THE PLAY IS. Middle infielders may need to cheat in bunt situations for coverage issues. Everyone must MOVE, and move fast, when a batter squares around to bunt.

Things we maybe didn't learn so much that Coach Cougan will be talking about at the next practice:

1. Flyballs in the air need to be caught IN THE AIR by outfielders. They are outs when caught, they are hits when they land. We are trying to get outs, ASAP!

2. Different players come in different sizes. Outfielders need to start acting on their own when they see six foot batters come up versus 4 foot players. Think for your selves, try to impress me with what you know.

3. The game of baseball is played on our feet. Bad things happen when we go to our knees. On dives we land on our chest, we do not drop to our knees.

4. Another player's bad throw (and we are 13 we will uncork bad throws) become a fielding opportunity for the recipient of the throw. Stop the mistake at your end. Move to the ball, stop the ball, stop the resultant mayhem associated with a bad throw.

But all in all, I was impressed by hustle, I was impressed by the focus on the bench, I was impressed by the effort. I was glad we made the mistakes we made. Now we can go to work on learning more and getting better and better every time we are out there!