It is almost human nature to look towards the future, no scratch that, IT IS human nature to look towards the future. You constantly find yourself playing different scenarios out in your head; especially when it comes to sports. Thoughts of postseason play come and go from time to time, sometimes even thoughts of next season pop up. You find a lot of people that try to repress those thoughts and more or less, live in the moment and focus on the task at hand. You cannot try and win tomorrow's game before you play today's.
With a four game home conference matchup against Northwood looming, the Storm of Lake Erie College seem to be balancing the notion of winning one before you can look to the next, remarkably well. Sitting roughly a half game out of a three way tie for fourth place there is a lot on our players' minds. Words of making the conference tournament in our first year are starting to be whispered around campus. It is a struggle to not get caught in some sort of hype, but we put our blinders on and keep pushing forward. We continue to Stay The Course.
As for me, with the thought of this possibly being my last season On the Diamond; as I have mentioned before, I am starting to explore the other side of the game. I look forward to being one of the select few that wear a protective helmet instead of a slightly bent "fitted" and Lace Up their turfs day in and day out instead of their cleats.
I also am looking forward to the next chance I have to keep building on my knowledge of the "In's and Out's" of America's Pastime. I started that this past summer when I got the opportunity to coach my Alma Mater's 16U Hot Stove team. The Lorain Saints of the EE League, made a fantastic run and ended our summer with a more than respectable record of 17-3, including landing the number one seed for the state tournament. Unfortunately we fell short of our state title aspirations, but the experience of getting to run your own ship at such a young age was something I truly treasured, and still do. I owe that opportunity to a great man, and someone who has played a pretty significant role in my life, Dan Ternes. Check out this link to get a feel for what we were all about, it was a story our local paper ran (they covered almost all our games), video is included! http://morningjournal.com/articles/2010/07/07/sports/doc4c33fae783a64110039980.txt?viewmode=fullstory
A new opportunity recently came my way that was just too good to turn down. This summer I will be coaching (yes coaching, not playing) for an organization up north. And yes, when I say "up north" I do indeed mean our friends to the north (dare I say it, I do dare), Canada.
Kyle Sheppard, a former assistant coach here at Lake Erie and close personal friend of mine, last summer accepted a full time position with one of the most recognizable club baseball organizations in North America, the Ontario Blue Jays. Kyle was generous enough to offer me a job as one of his assistants for the summer. It is yet to be determined exactly what my role with the team will be, but whatever it ends up being, I have 100% faith when I say it will be an exceptional experience. A chance to network and learn from one of the most knowledgable coaches I have had the pleasure of knowing.
So from about June 10-July31st, and possibly even into the first week of August, I'll be in the dugout and/or bullpen of the OBJs 18U White Team (it honestly is hard for me to communicate in words just how excited I am about this). With a travel packed schedule; that includes Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, and Pennsylvania, I expect to spend a good chunk of my time this summer tweeting and blogging from the OBJ bus and various hotel rooms. For more information on the Ontario Blue Jays and continual updates from the program check out http://www.ontariobluejays.com/
As I look to the future, I also make sure I focus on right now. So for now, I look to a four game GLIAC set against Northwood and then some much needed family time this sunday. Happy Easter (to those who celebrate it of course) and HAPPY BASEBALL to all! Until next time, RAGE ON.
