I highly recommend Needham's summer baseball program for those players who enjoy the game, are hoping to continue playing into the summer, looking to benefit form top-notch coaching, and want to experience the game at a slightly higher level of competition than spring baseball in town.
There are no tryouts for the U8 teams, and all players are welcome. It is a travel program, with away games in nearby suburban towns. The season runs from the end of June through the first week in August. Families often have plans during this time--it is okay for a player to miss a couple of games and/or practices at this level.
My son played the summer after his Single-A season and he has continued since. It has been wonderful experience for him in terms of his baseball development, the friends he has met, and the pure fun of it all.
For more information click here. To register click here.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have or you can contact Greg Atkinson, Director of Summer Baseball, at needatkfam@verizon.net
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
On-Field Clinics Run by TJO
This Sunday, May 6, instructors from TJO Sports will be conducting an on-field clinic at Mitchell. The purpose is two-fold: to provide practice and instruction for our players and to demonstrate effective drills and coaching techniques for managers and assistant coaches.
The success of this clinic will depend on the active participation of our coaches. All managers and all assistant coaches are encouraged to attend--all hands on deck to the extent possible. The TJO instructors will plan and coordinate the clinic, but they are expecting coaches to run stations.
9:00-10:30 at Mitchell: Ironbirds, Mets, Muckdogs, Riverdogs, Grasshoppers.
10:30-12:00 at Mitchell: Storm, Blue Claws, Lugnuts, Scrappers, Sand Gnats, Timber Rattlers.
The success of this clinic will depend on the active participation of our coaches. All managers and all assistant coaches are encouraged to attend--all hands on deck to the extent possible. The TJO instructors will plan and coordinate the clinic, but they are expecting coaches to run stations.
9:00-10:30 at Mitchell: Ironbirds, Mets, Muckdogs, Riverdogs, Grasshoppers.
10:30-12:00 at Mitchell: Storm, Blue Claws, Lugnuts, Scrappers, Sand Gnats, Timber Rattlers.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Kid-Pitch Games
We are beginning our kid-pitch games this Saturday, May 5.
At Broadmeadow we will have representatives from the Ironbirds, Muckdogs, and Mets take on representatives from the Bees, Riverdogs, and Grasshoppers. Steve Van Dam of the Mets will manage the team made up of the Ironbirds, Muckdogs, and Mets. Rob Kirschner and Keith Wilson of the Bees will manage the Bees, Riverdogs, and Grasshoppers. First pitch will be at 5:00.
Across town, at the same time, Dwight Field will play host to a combined Storm, Blue Claws, and Lugnuts squad, managed by Peter Brassard of the Lugnuts, who will face a team drawing from the Scrappers, Sand Gnats, and Timber Rattlers, managed by Dan Schwartz of the Timber Rattlers.
Please email the designated kid-pitch manager with names of the 3-4 players that your team will send, indicating who is ready to pitch, along with the name of the assistant that your team will provide.
And, if you haven't already, please sign up to manage one of the these games. Click here for the spreadsheet.
Some important guidelines for these games:
At Broadmeadow we will have representatives from the Ironbirds, Muckdogs, and Mets take on representatives from the Bees, Riverdogs, and Grasshoppers. Steve Van Dam of the Mets will manage the team made up of the Ironbirds, Muckdogs, and Mets. Rob Kirschner and Keith Wilson of the Bees will manage the Bees, Riverdogs, and Grasshoppers. First pitch will be at 5:00.
Across town, at the same time, Dwight Field will play host to a combined Storm, Blue Claws, and Lugnuts squad, managed by Peter Brassard of the Lugnuts, who will face a team drawing from the Scrappers, Sand Gnats, and Timber Rattlers, managed by Dan Schwartz of the Timber Rattlers.
Please email the designated kid-pitch manager with names of the 3-4 players that your team will send, indicating who is ready to pitch, along with the name of the assistant that your team will provide.
And, if you haven't already, please sign up to manage one of the these games. Click here for the spreadsheet.
Some important guidelines for these games:
- Games will be four innings at the start of the season, with the option to play six at the end of the season.
- The games will be played with umpires calling balls and strikes and outs on the base paths.
- Nine batter Rule (Double-A rules) will be in effect for these games.
- Players will be on a 2-inning pitch limit.
- Games will be played like “real” baseball games except for stealing (Double-A rules).
- Everyone bats in lineup (continuous batting order so free substitution) but only nine players in the field.
- Same as regular Single-A games – no player should play the same position twice in a game except if the pitcher goes two innings. Catchers can also play two innings.
- Once a pitcher is removed from the game, they cannot pitch the remainder of that game even if they stay in the game in the field (Little League rule)
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Heavy Rain on the Way
While the fields have been left open by Park and Rec, please be judicious about practices today. If there is standing water, heavy rain, or lightning, call your practice off. Be conservative.
Let me know if you'd like to reschedule/add a practice.
Let me know if you'd like to reschedule/add a practice.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Opening Day and Team Pictures
We are now only two weeks away from Opening Day, April 29, 2012! The festivities will include the Little League parade, performances by the Needham High School band and dance team, ceremonial first pitches thrown out by members of the Needham High School varsity baseball team, a speech by Senator Scott Brown, and of course the Opening Day game (Majors, not Single-A--our games start the next day).
The schedule of events...
10:30 Single-A players should arrive and gather into teams at Greene's Field, where they will prepare to march in the parade.
10:50 Parade leaves Greene's Field and heads towards DeFazio. Managers and coaches should march with their teams, keep the team together and moving in the right direction. Parents should meet their players at DeFazio.
11:30 Parade arrives at DeFazio. All teams assemble at Small Field for the NHS band and dance team performances, first pitch, Scott Brown speech, National Anthem, etc.
12:30 Picnic. Free hot dogs!
1:00 Opening Day Game
1:45-2:15 Single-A team photos at the Defazio Tot Lot:
1:45 Ironbirds, Muckdogs, Mets, Bees
2:00 Riverdogs, Grasshoppers, Storm, Blue Claws
2:15 Lugnuts, Sand Gnats, Scrappers, Timber Rattlers
Order forms for the team pictures will be delivered to managers, and managers should distribute them to parents prior to Opening Day. Parents should arrive at the photo shoot with forms filled out.
The schedule of events...
10:30 Single-A players should arrive and gather into teams at Greene's Field, where they will prepare to march in the parade.
10:50 Parade leaves Greene's Field and heads towards DeFazio. Managers and coaches should march with their teams, keep the team together and moving in the right direction. Parents should meet their players at DeFazio.
11:30 Parade arrives at DeFazio. All teams assemble at Small Field for the NHS band and dance team performances, first pitch, Scott Brown speech, National Anthem, etc.
12:30 Picnic. Free hot dogs!
1:00 Opening Day Game
1:45-2:15 Single-A team photos at the Defazio Tot Lot:
1:45 Ironbirds, Muckdogs, Mets, Bees
2:00 Riverdogs, Grasshoppers, Storm, Blue Claws
2:15 Lugnuts, Sand Gnats, Scrappers, Timber Rattlers
Order forms for the team pictures will be delivered to managers, and managers should distribute them to parents prior to Opening Day. Parents should arrive at the photo shoot with forms filled out.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Please Pick Up Trash
Managers should ensure that all trash is picked up after each practice or game. Please make sure the dugouts, diamond, outfield, and all areas surrounding the field are cleaner than when you arrived. This can be a quick and efficient task if you involve the players, and it can be a great vehicle for team-building and teaching respect for the field.
Unfortunately, we have already received two complaints from neighbors about trash left at Broadmeadow. We are working on getting a trash barrel stationed at the field. In the absence of a trash barrel, it would be a good idea to bring a trash bag to the field to make it easier to dispose of any trash you gather.
Thank you for your help with this. It will make a huge difference in our relationship with Park and Rec and the Needham residents who abut the fields.
Unfortunately, we have already received two complaints from neighbors about trash left at Broadmeadow. We are working on getting a trash barrel stationed at the field. In the absence of a trash barrel, it would be a good idea to bring a trash bag to the field to make it easier to dispose of any trash you gather.
Thank you for your help with this. It will make a huge difference in our relationship with Park and Rec and the Needham residents who abut the fields.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Fields Are Open, Permits Are Active... Play Ball!
The fields are playable. We are clear to begin practices today. Have a great time!
We are supposed to get some spotty showers later in the day, and it's supposed to rain this evening, so keep an eye on the weather.
A little drizzle you can play through. The rule of thumb for fields: if there is any standing water (puddles) on the diamond or in the outfield, don't use the field.
Let me know if you have any questions.
We are supposed to get some spotty showers later in the day, and it's supposed to rain this evening, so keep an eye on the weather.
A little drizzle you can play through. The rule of thumb for fields: if there is any standing water (puddles) on the diamond or in the outfield, don't use the field.
Let me know if you have any questions.
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