Now that our rosters have been finalized, we turn our attention to the real day we have all been waiting for. I am of course referring to Opening Day! Which for the both the Varsity and Junior Varsity is March 28th vs. Holy Name, and March 31st vs. Cardinal Mooney for our Freshmen team. The NDCL coaching staff has finally filled out as well:
Varsity*
Jim Clark - Head Coach
Dreux Turchin - Assistant Coach
Ken Bolek - Pitching Coach
Junior Varsity
Cameron Castro - Head Coach
Steve Teringo - Assistant Coach
Freshmen
Matt Wantz - Head Coach
Jeremy Rothstein - Assistant Coach
*The NDCL Lion Varsity team will also depart for Sarasota, Florida on April 6th and return on April 13th.
Unfortunately, even after factoring in a more than mild winter (per Northeast Ohioan standards), we have yet to be able to get outside and hold a full practice On the Diamond. But when that first day of on-field practice does come, we will certainly cherish it. As does every other baseball program in the Midwest, no matter the level of competition.
On a personal note, I'd like to send out a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to a man who I've played for, who I've coached with, and who is to this day - a very close friend of mine; Kyle Sheppard, on his recent engagement to Leeann Bland. Happy for you Shep and can't wait for the hockey themed wedding! Who knows, maybe Greg Zaun will make an appearance!
I'd also like to wish the Lake Erie College Storm Baseball team the best of luck in this 2012 season. I came in with a lot of those seniors and they are honestly like family to me. Wish I could have finished it out with you guys, but go give 'em hell and get that GLIAC Conference Tourny bid!
Please continue to follow the OAOTD blog for additional and continuing information concerning the 2012 NDCL Baseball Lions season! You can see all three teams' updated schedules here. On and Off the Diamond is also directly linked to my Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
#GoLions #BeatHolyName #OpeningDay #ShoveCity