Change of Season

It's been too long since I've last posted and I apologize for being lazy, busy, overwhelmed.....etc. It has been an awesome experience this semester. First, I'll detail my life outside of coaching:

I picked up four classes as an adjunct professor. I teach in the Health and Human Performance department in First Aid/CPR and Weight Training classes. Not too bad and there's not a lot of preparation for me. However, I also teach two courses for Bossier Parish Community College, which meets on campus of NSU. My undergraduate degree is in Physical Education and coaching, while my master's degree is in Sports Management. So when seeking other courses to teach, I was presented the option of teaching........College Algebra! That's right math. I am teaching entry level math for the community college. It's not been too difficult, as I have teaching and presentation material to help prepare for class. I only have to be one step ahead of the class to look like a genius. And trust me I'm no genius, let alone a math whiz. But it has helped to stretch me professionally and learn to communicate better. That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

As far as baseball goes, the season is 13 games old and the schedule is pretty brutal. We play games on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We have Monday off with a practice on Thursday.

We played at Ole Miss, who was #2 in the country, and got beat pretty good. We travel to New Orleans tomorrow to play #23 Tulane University and I'll post more on Thursday.

The Demons will have a new website up tomorrow and will post the link so you can follow details of our games if you would like.

2007 Demon World Series Champions

Taste the Steak!

The spoils of victory!

This has to be the biggest steak I have ever seen or eaten in my life. This was the victory meal Kelly's Heroes shared for winning the Demon Word Series yesterday 12-1. This was the text message I sent to the team on Saturday night before the game on Sunday. It was one of those coaching psychological things that you hope work, but really had nothing to do with winning the game. It was fun to see the replies from each guy; probably more excited that they found out that I can text!

For more details on the thrilling victory and to catch up with Demon baseball click the headline above.

Pictures from NSU Baseball

2005 Southland Conference Championship

Received an automatic bid to NCAA Regional in Baton Rouge, LA

Demon Baseball Locker Room

Locker Room spread for recruits
NSU Baseball has a contract with Louisville Slugger/TPX



Assistant Coaches Office

Small but efficient!

Equipment Room
Also serves as my office!

Demons World Series Game 1

We have completed our fall workouts and look to end the fall season with the Demon World Series. This is a chance to put on game uniforms, turn on the lights and see how the players react to the spotlight.

I'm coaching one team, Kelly's Heroes (after the old war film by the same name, starring Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas) and back in the managerial seat. We had an official draft the day before and Bobby Barbier is heading up the other team, aptly named after a hard-nosed player on the Cleveland Indians, The Garko's.

We also get to practice game day preparations with pre-game BP and infield/outfield warm-ups. Helps to normalize game days, although you can't reproduce the feeling of playing at LSU, Ole Miss, and Tulane during the season. What fun those games will be!

I drafted our best pitcher with the #1 pick, opting to go for pitching over defense with that pick. Coach Barbier then got to draft the next two picks (since I had the #1) and picked our best catcher and arguably our 1A pitcher. I was able to stock the outfield with some good picks, but failed to draft a "true" shortstop. Nonetheless, I had my team and look to get it on.

The first inning was a disaster as we went down in order in the top and my #1 pick gives up 4 runs in the bottom! We scored in the second off a solo home run by our senior 1st baseman, but trailed 5-2 in the fifth. However, we surmounted an awesome comeback in the next inning to take a 6-5 lead and went on to win 8-6. Justin Morgan, senior pitcher, threw 3 strong innings only giving up 1 run.

The Heroes showed some guts after a horrible start and we look to win the series tonight in Game 2. By the way, the winner of the series gets to eat steak, while the loser has to serve the winning team and eat hamburgers.

I feel like some steak!

Changing Roles

I've just completed my first two weeks here at NSU. It has been exciting and a thrill to be here at the DI level. But, I have come to realize that it's really not that different from level to level. I've discovered that these student-athletes are the same 18-22 year old kids. They may have a little more talent, but still struggle with life issues and how to play the game the correct way.

We had a scrimmage this weekend and it was surprising to see common mistakes made here just like coaching DIII or Junior college baseball. This does, however, help to confirm that I can make an impact here and know that I can coach at this level.

My role from the past 7 years has obviously changed, as I'm no longer the head man. I can only offer my opinions and need to persuade change as much as I can. The staff here has been great and we've been learning together, but seem to work well together so far.

With this change, I've started at the ground level and have duties that reflect that:

1. Fieldwork - mowing, raking, watering, weed-eating
2. Laundry when needed
3. Equipment room organization
4. Equipment ordering
5. Any duties required to make the team better

I also have outfield duties and hope to make them better this year. They struggled last year and this is a good chance to make them better and leave my mark.

I hope to have pictures soon, so keep checking on the site!

Southern Bound Travel

What a whirlwind of a week! I'll get into some details about my first week here at NSULA. But I wanted to share some thoughts on my trip down south. I left last Saturday and had a quick trip down to KC, MO. I spent the night at my uncle's house and had a good visit with them. I left for Arkadelphia, AR the next morning to spend the night with one of the coaches from the KC Grays team, Dirk Kinney. He just started at a NCAA DII school (Ouchita Baptist University) as the pitching coach and I was able to watch a few bullpen sessions with pitchers working out. This was a great opportunity to catch up with Dirk and continue to split up the trip. I was able to relax and watch the Cowboys beat up on the Giants.

Some of observations I had as I was driving down from Minnesota:

• How flat the Midwest really is
• The hills of Arkansas and how beautiful those mountains were
• The pace of life really slows down in the South, I forgot about that
• Down in the bayou of Louisiana feels a long way from Rochester

I arrived on campus of Northwestern around 10 am and literally got to work. It was a smooth drive down, but I did have to replace a O2 sensor in my car before I left Rochester! The car ran well after that and I had no other problems. It was a good trip and I'm glad to be here.

The Call, Act II

I have resigned from Crossroads College effective Friday, September 7. I have accepted a position as an assistant coach for the Northwestern State University Demon baseball progam. I begin practice on Monday, September 10 with the program.

I can't explain how excited I am to become a coach again and work with DI athletes! This is really unbelievable and I AM living the dream. It's going to be hard, no doubt, but I'm anxious to be coaching in a college program again.

I fill in some details in a later post.

Exceeding Expectations

That's how I summarize the summer with the Grays. I had no idea what to expect when I committed to coaching the team. I knew that I wanted to be back in baseball and knew that I would enjoy being around the players. I didn't know what talent there was or the talent of the teams we would play. I didn't know the coaching staff or the area where I would spend 9 weeks. There were a few bumps and disappointments, but the majority (99%) exceeding my expectations.

The team finished 3rd in the league tournament and had a 20 win season, both program records. Even though the players were extremely tired the last week, they continued to push through and compete on the field.

The players were a joy to be around. They worked hard, showed up on time,put up with a 6 and 4 year old riding in vans with them, and didn't complain very much. A little complaining is natural! The team meshed well together and got along, except the usual spats associated with brothers who spend a lot of time together. I still keep up with the majority of the players through phone calls and texting.

The coaching staff helped me grow as a coach and a person. They challenged me on running the team and philosophy of hitting and pitching. We had chances to talk about life in general and what was going on in their life. We disagreed at times, like we should, to foster a stronger development of the team. But mostly, we cared for they players and kept them in mind in all decisions.

Spiritually speaking, we had informal times to talk about our relationship with the Lord after meeting for scheduled Bible study sessions. It was the usual issues that plaque 18-21 year olds: future, girls, language, attitude, etc. It was a nice chance to talk about how the coaches dealt with those issues and how even when your older, there are still struggles. Angela, Claire and Nolan offered a glimpse into married life with children and they provided an excellent example.

This experience has really allowed me to see that coaching is my passion and making an impact on a team day in and day out is where I would like to be. I have sought the Lord's counsel and hopefully that day will come when I'm back on the field again soon.

I want to thank each one of you that provided support during the summer. Without you it would have been a struggle, but it turned out to be one of the best summers I've had.

MINK League Tournament

It has certainly been a whirlwind last week! I haven't posted in nearly a week, but that's the life of a team on the road facing elimination each day. Here's a recap of what happened:

After winning our first game 4-0 on a solid pitching performance, we lost to the #1 seed Clarinda A's 4-3. Unfortunately, we had 3 unearned runs given away and could have won 2 in a row in the tournament. Pretty disappointing game and left a bad taste in our mouth. Now each game is do or die, win and stay or lose and go home.

This is a challenge for the coaching staff to make sure we are keeping the guys motivated. That's the struggle for our guys to fight the urge to hang it up and get back home or stay competitive and wanting to win.

Game 3 is against the Topeka Golden Giants, a team that we finished 3-3 against. Now we face them in the rubber match on neutral ground. We scratch out a 6-1 win and send them home. Big win for us!

Game 4 is against the Chillicothe Mudcats who beat us 5 of 6 times in the regular season. We win this game 3-2. Trialing 2-0, we come back to tie it at 2 and go ahead to stay on a solo home run. Our best starting pitcher comes in to close the game in the ninth to preserve the victory.

Wouldn't you know it, we have made it to the semi-final game of the tournament and once again play the host A's. If we win, we qualify for the NBC World Series in Wichita, KS. These guys have dug down deep and taken pride in playing this game despite wanting to go home. We jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first. The game goes back and forth and we regain the lead 7-5 in the eighth. The guys are playing loose, while the host team is a little tight because they should be winning. The A's again come back to tie us at 7, but we scratch out a run on a safety squeeze and take the lead 8-7. In the bottom of the eighth, we bring in our closer, but he gives up the tying run and walk-off run, both on homers and we lose the game 9-8. What a ride.

Postseason Begins

After a 3 game skid, we have made it to the regional MINK League tournament in Clarinda, IA. We were seeded #5 in the tournament out of 7 teams and drew the Omaha Wildcats in the first round. The wasn't a lot of information on this team, except that most of the players are from Wayne St. (Neb.) and that they had won their league in Omaha. Scouting has it's place in regular season games and could help in this tournament, but the coaching staff wasn't concerned because we would have the same lineup regardless.

After an injury to one of our starting pitchers, once again we turned to Jesse Bachman to start the game. He delivered. He pitched a complete game, 5 hit shutout with 13 strikeouts. Really good start for us! Our offense generated plenty of runs, including a two-run home run to win the game 4-0. Great feeling for our squad as we gained some momentum into today as we face #1 seed and hometown host, the Clarinda A's.

The game's at 8:15 again tonight and we look to continue our success so far.

Nothing Really Matters

I heard that song today by Queen, that nothing really matters. Couldn't help but think of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey lip-syncing in the car to that song in Wayne's World. Anyway, that's about as close as I can come up with to describe the last three games we lost. We were on a roll having won 8 of our last 9 games. We were scoring runs, playing good defense, and pitching well.

Then, we learned that the league tournament was moved up to tomorrow (or today if you want to get technical) and that the remaining games would not be counted toward the league standings and the tournament seeding. So, nothing really mattered. We needed to save our arms for the games that did matter. We needed to rest some guys that have been playing everyday. We gave some players opportunities to play other positions. In fact, just to spice up the game today and keep the guys loose, we actually pulled the lineup out of a hat! Really, we did. We put who was playing what position and literally pulled them out. The guys got a kick out of it and help to put the game in perspective. It really didn't matter.

Immediately after the game, we made sure to refocus the guys. The slate is clean, we're 0-0 and now the next games really do matter. We travel to Clarinda Sunday to play at 8:15 p.m. vs. a team from Omaha. The internet broadcast will be on, so be sure to listen!

"I Love It When a Plan Comes Together"

One of the most well known quotes of the 20th century. Uttered by the leader of a band of renegades destined to help those in need. Usually said when the job was done and justice prevailed. Hannibal Smith, colonel of the A-Team, would say this phrase after saving another poor soul from the clutches of evil. I watched this show dutifully every night it was on and enjoyed seeing them put together ways to beat the bad guys day in and day out.

Well, last night was like the A-Team. It was one of those games when the script was written to perfection and we executed the plan. Our #1 ace threw 8 innings with over 5 strikeouts and only gave up one run. Our defense was solid, making every routine play. We had timely hitting, scoring more runs than the other team. Our closer came in the 9th inning and shut the door picking up another save and extending our winning streak to three and winners of 8 of the last 9 games, with this 3-1 victory over league foe, the Topeka Golden Giants. It was just like you draw it up and one of those game that coaches like to be a part of. You let the game take care of itself, you let the players play, and the win happens.

I love it when a plan comes together!

We're on a Roll

It's been a hectic last week, I apologize for not posting sooner. Angela and the kids left for Rochester on Saturday and I have moved into a host home. What a great set up for me as I have a queen size comfort adjustable bed! I also have 24 hour access to the Internet and ESPN! I went golfing in the 100 degree heat yesterday and we're wrapping up the season.

We have begun to play well winning 7 or our last 8 games. We've won really close games (1-0, 3-2) and we've blown out some teams (8-2, 10-0). So it's good to see us gearing up for the league tournament which starts on Sunday.

Some of the players continue to battle through injuries: sore shoulders, tired legs, aching knees and backs. They're young, but the grind gets to them all. We had our last off day yesterday, so it's the coaching staffs job to keep them fresh as we can.

It has certainly been an exciting summer and I have enjoyed every minute of being around the game again. Thanks again for making it possible for me to do this!

Split - the Evil Reality of Baseball

The split, not a word you associate with wholesome goodness. For example, the beloved 10-6 split in bowling. I've been playing Wii bowling with Claire and have come across that pin setup one too many times. You know the one where you have to try to knock one pin clear across the alley to knock down the other. Yeah right! Other infamous splits: Britney and what's his name, Brooklyn and the Dodgers, the Partridge family, and the banana split. Wait, that's a good one. Anyway, the point in this little blog is to split is bad.

However, the way we are playing it was good to split yesterday. After yet another offensively stagnate game which we lost 3-0, we were down yet again 4-0 in the fourth inning. We were going quietly into the night, couldn't get anyone to get that two out hit and time was running out. Then just like that we were patient at the plate, drew some walks, had timely hitting and tied the game at four. Our bullpen put up zeroes in the fifth and sixth and we scored a two-out run in the bottom of the sixth and gave the lead to our closer in the seventh. He came in and struck out two, including one looking to end the game and we salvaged a split on the night.

The way it's been going the previous week, I'll take it!

Undefeated after the All Star break

Well, that's what I've come to call the last five days we had off because of the rain. Our very own All Star Break. We had a refreshing rain to make the grass greener and to rest up some guys who were banged up. Unfortunately, we opened up with the Junction City Generals who are pretty good and have been playing games when we could not. So we traveled out to Junction City, Kansas for our first game in a week.

We had our best pitcher on the hill, Ben Shockey, who has a sub 2.5 ERA yet we can't score any runs when he pitches. And wouldn't you know it, he holds the Generals to two runs over 7 innings, but leaves with a 2-0 deficit. Looks like we're going to keep the losing streak going to six games. But wouldn't you know it, in the eighth we come back to tie the game at 2 and go on to win in extra innings 4-2. What a great way to start our week! The guys played good defense and put together quality at-bats to steal a game from a good team. Our bullpen did a tremendous job with three scoreless innings to put the game away. It felt good to win again and get back in the left side of the column.

Had an interesting dilemma in the eighth inning as the coaching staff tried to figure out a lineup change. Our first string catcher is hurt and couldn't play, so we had to move our DH to catch after pinch-hitting for our starting catcher. We also pinch hit for our right fielder and brought in a new pitcher. So we had to move our pitcher to hit for our catcher as the pinch-hitter moved to right field. However, this was an educated guess and after conferring with the umpire we made the right moves. Did you follow that? Me either! It was one of the hardest lineup changes I've ever made and was made that difficult because of our lack of depth on our bench.

I'm learning this summer as well. We have 5 games in the next four days. Another great test to see what we're made of.

Rain, Rain, Go......

Well, you know the rest. It has been raining since Wednesday of last week and just stopped early Sunday morning. Other sports tough it out and play in any weather that's out there. Except for the occasional lightning storm, soccer and football and other sports play through anything. Not true with America's past time. Would you want to step into the batter's box in the rain with pitchers throwing a wet ball? You could get one in the ear!

You would be surprised how much baseball coaches know about the weather. The rain we have been getting is coming from the Gulf of Mexico due to two high pressure areas in the East and West of the Midwest. Those high pressure areas are drawing moisture up from the Gulf and dumping huge amount of rain from Texas to Missouri. The bulk of the storms have been in Texas, where extreme flooding has threaten many peoples lives.

For us, it means we have been sitting around and had to postpone 4 games. We have not played since Tuesday of last week. The clouds have broke and we are practicing today and head down to Junction City, MO for a game tomorrow.

Talk to you then.

Heartbreakers

Over the past couple of games this team is competing very well. Just not good enough to win. We lost on Friday 1-0 on a superb pitching performance by our #1 starter. Chillicothe scored their only run on an error in the first inning and again, we couldn't muster any hits together to squeak one out. The bright spots were the pitching performances of the starter and the relief pitchers. We even lost our starting shortstop to a 1 inch gash in his arm by being spiked on a head-first slide into second. He had to leave the game and have 6 stitches; he'll be out a few days.

Yesterday, we finally broke through with the sticks and scored some runs, leading 4-3 in the eighth. The relief pitching wasn't as dominant and gave up a tying home run, with a throwing error and we lost 5-4. I feel really bad for the guys and they are trying their best and the effort is there. We need to win today to make us feel better about ourselves.

Will post tomorrow.

Negro League Museum

We just can't get a winning streak together. We traveled back to Clarinda, IA to play the A's which we beat 16-8 last time we played them, but couldn't get the big hit with men on base. We are getting better at the plate and our approach is improving. We pitched decent in the game but lost 7-4. I've found that we are not as talented as the other teams, only because we are facing DI talent most of the time. However, these guys are hard working and improving everyday and enjoying their time playing. That's what this summer is all about!

Yesterday, the team traveled to downtown KC and spent the afternoon at the Negro League museum. It was a great look back at US history and how the league began from racism. There were many great players that couldn't play in the big leagues. They played before enormous crowds as those teams had tremendous support from the black community. I read about one white owner who began a team to launder money for a gambling ring, but found he made more money running a legit Negro league team. Great stuff.

We head to Chillicothe, MO tonight to hopefully get back on track. Over the course of the weekend, we have our top three pitchers throwing, all with sub 2.5 ERA. Gives us a good chance to win some ballgames.

No Bullpen Needed

We found the win column yesterday with a 5-2 win over the Topeka Giants. Jesse Bachman threw a complete game for us and helped to preserve our bullpen. We've had to use pitchers quite a bit the last week and that effort helped set us up for the rest of the week. We got timely hitting and solid defense to keep us in the hunt in the league.

The guys are dragging a little bit and we've had some injuries to overcome. One of our players might have torn a shoulder muscle and is out for the summer. However, we did pick up another pitcher who is coming back from an injury to his non-throwing hand. He'll be a much needed boost in our bullpen later.

We're back in Clarinda, Iowa tonight and trying to put together a win streak. Will post on Friday.