PREPARING FOR THE UNTOUCHABLES

The only feedback I received about this week's practice was four requests to skip practice on Monday and hold a light workout on Wednesday. That's what we will do..I'd like to get everyone a few swings and a few reps at the position they're likely to play on Thursday. We'll be playing without Richie and Mariza throughout the playoffs (as long as we remain alive) so there will be some defensive adjustments.

So let's make every effort to be at Washington Park on Wednesday at 5:00. If we can get started on time, we should be done in time to zip over to Nicholl Park and catch the end of the playoff games.

TD's 20, PC BRICKS 18

It was a noble effort yesterday. We almost pulled it out despite being extremely shorthanded. A special tip of the cap goes out to Mamie and Stephanie who stepped up for us once again. Without them we would have forfeited the game.

Luckily, it was a game we didn't need. We were going to finish in fifth place whether we won or lost. From here on out, the games mean something. The experimentation time is over.

It's almost a lock that our first round playoff game will be next Thursday against the Untouchables at Nicholl Park #2.

It's important that we get everyone to practice Monday. We continue to shoot ourselves in the collective foot with the kinds of mental mistakes that are common of teams that do not practice. Gentlemen, you know we have a surplus of male players. If you skip Monday's practice, don't come to the park next Thursday with expectations of playing. That goes for all of us.

We have a solid core of about six players who show up to our practices regularly. That isn't enough for us to perform our drills. When you don't come to practice, you are not only hurting yourself but you're hurting your teammates whose sharpness is dependent upon your participation. For your team, PLEASE get to work early enough on Monday to reach practice at Washington Park by 5:00. The same six players can't carry this team through the playoffs on their backs. We need EVERYONE to pull together and contribute.

WHITHER THE BRICKS?

Thank you to the handful of players who showed up to practice yesterday and to the couple who let me know in advance they couldn't attend.

We have less than of a third of our team showing up to practice. Almost nobody responds when Gary or I try to take roll call. Our players show up late for the games or skip them entirely.

PRACTICE MONDAY JUNE 27

WE WILL NOT BE PRACTING TODAY. ALL INJURED AND SORE BRICKS WITH BAD LEGS PLS TAKE THIS BREAK TO GET HEELED UP. WE WILL BE PRACTICING ON JULY 5,2011 TUESDAY. SO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE DURING THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND BE SAFE.
COACH/GRANDPA

GAME JUNE 23, 2011 - PC BRICKS 19, MASTER BLASTERS 4

GREAT GAME BY THE PC BRICKS. FINALLY OUR HITTING CAME AROUND AND OUR DEFENSE WAS GREAT. KUDOS TO ALL THE MEMEBERS OF TEAM. WE STILL NEED TO WORK ON A FEW THINGS AND WORK ON GETTING TO THE GAMES ON TIME. ME AND MARK CAN'T STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ON TIME FOR THE GAMES. IT MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER FOR ME AND MARK TO DO THE LINE-UP AND NOT RUSHING. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MASTER BLASTERS FOR BEING GOOD SPORTS AND FOR WAITING FOR US TO HAVE FULL ALLOTMENT OF WOMEN TO FIELD A FULL SQUAD. I WILL BE SENDING OUT OFFICE COMMUNICATOR ON MONDAY FOR A LIGHT PRACTICE JUST HITTING TO KEEP SHARP. WE HAVE A BYE THIS WEEK BUT I'M WILLING TO GO PRACTICE AT WASHINGTON PARK. I HAVE THE EQUIPMENT FROM MARK WHILE HE'S ON VACATION. EVERYBODY LET'S BUILD ON THIS SUCESSFUL GAME AND NOT REGRESS.  THANKS.
COACH/GRANDPA

MONDAY'S PRACTICE - LET'S BE ON TIME!

I think the game with the Outlaws confirms that we have to put forth our best effort against the top teams in the league if we expect to win. The Outlaws practiced twice last week in anticipation of playing us. I offered to treat the team to pizza if we had twelve people show up on time for our practice. Only five were there at 5:30. At the game Thursday, the Outlaws had over a dozen players loosening up and preparing for the game at 4:45. We had six. It's obvious which team wanted that game the most and it wasn't us.

PRACTICE - JUNE 6TH

We're practicing at Washington Park on Monday. We don't have a permit so Coach and I are going to get there early to grab the field before someone else does. Please keep in mind that two guys can't sit on a field for two hours waiting for the rest of their team to show up. We expect everyone there at 5:30. If you're not going to be there, you need to let us know.

As an incentive to get everyone out to practice on time, The Coach will treat those who arrive by 5:30 to a cheeseburger across the street at Great American Hamburger & Pie Co. BTW, that doesn't mean pulling up to the park at 5:30. That means on the field, cleats and glove on, ready to play at 5:30.

It would be great if we can get some early birds out to join us.. The Coach and I will be there at about 4:00 to claim dibs on the diamond and get the equipment in place. As many people have been showing up late or missing practice entirely, I'm sure there's at least a few who can use some extra work. I can usually stay until sundown to pitch some after-hours BP but my daughter's high school graduation ceremony is at 7:00 in Pleasant Hill so I'll be leaving early this time. Please arrive early for extra work. You don't want to miss out on this.

RAIN STOPS PLAY - MAY 31ST

No practice tonight. The grounds are soggy and it will be cold and windy. We will practice on Thursday, June 2nd, at 5:30 PM. Pinole Valley Park.

MAY 19TH BATTING PRACTICE

It was a light turnout for Thursday's practice. Gabrielle, Nina, Gary, Brandon, and myself came out to play. I shot some video during batting practice so we can see how we're swinging. I didn't notice a spider web on the fence where my camera was set up so you'll see it blowing about in the wind. I hope you won't find it too annoying.

Following the videos are some still shots. Among them is a sequence from one of Gabrielle's first at bats followed by a sequence from one of her later at bats. In the first at bat she's just trying to get a feel for what she's doing. She's way out in front of the pitch and out on her front leg by the time the pitch arrives. All she could do was push her hands at it. There's almost no follow-through after contact. In the second sequence, you can see she stayed back on the pitch and put a hard swing on it with a nice follow-through. She made a lot of progress in just one practice session. Very impressive!

UM, WHERE'D YOU GET THAT IDEA?

I just learned that Stra8 Ballin' believed they were invited to our practice tonight (which has been rained out). What? Our former teammate, Gena Noble, was invited to practice with us -- as was Marcus Smith from Mod Sqaud. Since we've been getting no more than six of our players out to our practices thus far, I invited them so we'd have enough players to run some drills. There weren't any teams invited to join us. I know it wasn't Gena who expanded the invitation.

PRACTICE RAINED OUT

No practice tonight (May 16th). Our next practice will be Thursday, 5:00 PM at Pinole Valley Park.

BATTING PRACTICE VIDEO

I had the camera out at Thursday's practice. I got some video of Mariza, Carlos, Derrick, and Richie swinging the bat before my batteries ran out. Had I been paying attention, I could have changed them and got the rest of the team. Unfortunately, these video segments won't play on your computer at work. SSA's security software will block them.

PRACTICE - THURSDAY, MAY 12

This is a reminder about Thursday's practice at Pinole Valley Park at 5:00. If you don't know how to get there, click here for directions and a map. You can also check the "Park Locations" listing over in the right column. Scroll down a little and you'll find it



MONDAY NIGHT"S PRACTICE SESSION

Last night’s practice under the lights at Fernandez Park was a good one. Those in attendance were Nina, Carlos, Mandi, Gary, Rita, Richie, and myself. We fielded some flies and grounders and had a couple of rounds of batting practice before calling it a night.

We looked pretty solid for our first time out. The only negatives to report are some minor bumps and bruises and the annoyance of the numerous gnats that were drawn to the area by the lights.

I thought it was a good diamond for us to practice on until Nicholl Park opens up. What do you think about practicing here on Monday nights each week until our season starts?

FIRST TWO PRACTICES SCHEDULED

We have two practices scheduled next week. The first will be 8:00 PM Monday night at Fernandez Park in Pinole. Please try to arrive a little early so you'll have time to get your equipment ready and loosen up before we take the field at 8:00. We have the field rented for two hours and it would be a shame to waste any of that time on anything other than playing ball. I expect to arrive around 7:30.

Our second practice will be 5:00 PM Thursday at Pinole Valley Park. Again, please try to arrive early so we can maximize our two hour rental.

SCHEDULING OUR FIRST PRACTICE

I'm off work this week for my daughter's spring break but I'm still working to get some practices scheduled. Brandon is going to get things sorted out with the diamond at MLK Memorial Park. If it won't be available to us right away, I'll resume my efforts to get us a diamond in Pinole. I expect our first practice will be next week at the latest.

All-Star Game & BBQ

The game and barbecue have been pushed back two weeks to September 11th. Also, the game time has been changed from 1:00 to 12:30. While this may have been good for the league, it certainly wasn't good for our team. We selected Lena and Gena to represent us at the all-star game and neither will be able to attend on September 11th. James has Army Reserve duty that weekend so he and his daughters won't be able to attend either. In all, the change in dates will cause us to lose nine participants including family and friends.

It's Playoff Time (Isn't It?)

We have a playoff game Thursday. Less than half the team showed up for yesterday's practice. Once again, we couldn't run the drills we needed to prepare ourselves for the game. Those who were there worked hard. I'm really disappointed in this team. I don't see the level of interest and commitment we had in the past. If we can't even get up for a playoff game, maybe it's time to pull the plug.

Preparing for the Mod Squad (Not!)

We've lost two of our last three games. The only win in those three games was a lucky one in which we put out our worst effort of the season.  With all that, we had six people show up for practice today. The six who were there put out a great effort. There's not much else to say except that if we play another sloppy game and lose, we'll deserve it (again).

Master Batters Up Next

This week we have our second matchup of the season with the Master Batters. Last time we played without Lawrence and this time we'll go without James. I believe Dale and Chiniqua are still unavailable because of injuries and Nancy will likely have to miss the rest of the season because of other commitments.