Rivalry Week

With four games now in the books for the NDCL JV Baseball Lions, leading to a .500 record of 2-2, the Junior Varsity Pride is gearing up for a two game set (4/16 & 4/17) against spirited rival Lake Catholic (Mentor, OH). Now albeit my first year in the program, the significance of the NDCL/Lake rivalry was instilled in me very early on. Our Strength and Conditioning Coach, Doug Murray, on day one of voluntary team workouts (November 5, 2011), said (and I quote) "If you guys want to beat Lake, it starts now."

Notre Dame Cathedral Latin Baseball has seen much success during Head Coach Jim Clark's 17 year tenure, but year in and year out, before the program can concentrate or prepare for their (what seems to be annual) state playoff run, they first prepare to Beat Lake.

After sweeping Benedictine (Cleveland, OH) in two offensive routs, the JV Pride dropped two games in a row to St. Ed's (Lakewood, OH). With the roster back at full capacity, after a few hurlers were temporarily lost to the Varsity Spring Trip and various Easter vacations, the Lions now have their sights set on a two game series that has been circled on the proverbial calendar since the season's schedule was posted.

The Lions will host the Cougars for Game 1 (4/16) at 5:00 pm and then travel north to play Game 2 (4/17) on the road, with a start time of 5:00 pm as well.

For updates on Rivalry Week and the rest of the 2012 NDCL Baseball Season, follow the official Cameron Castro Twitter Feed, here.

Keep an eye out for these hash-tags: #NDCLJV #BeatLake #Pride #RivalryWeek

And also be sure to check out game results on the school's athletic website!

NDCL Offseason Update

With three more weeks to go in our Strength and Conditioning Program (which leads right up to tryouts) I have seen a vast improvement from the seniors down to the freshmen. I have been keeping a keen eye on the progress of all the kids that have been attending regularly (note that these workouts are not mandatory).

Our workouts are ran by two strength and conditioning coaches, Doug Murray (who has been on the NDCL Baseball staff in the past) and my fellow newcomer, Marco DiFranco. The guys have been responding really well to what both of these gentlemen have been preaching for the past 9 weeks (see photo below). Unfortunately, due to work obligations I've only been able to be in attendance on Saturday mornings. But when I am there, I spend my time making sure that each kid knows how these workouts will translate into baseball specific results and that each of them are continuing to get better, faster, and stronger-week in and week out.

Februrary 20th, the day it all begins. The day that I've been looking forward to since this past August when Head Coach Jim Clark brought me aboard. Due to a recent string of developments, it is looking as though I will be serving as the Head Junior Varsity Coach this season and will also play an integral part in the development of the pitching staff(s) of all three teams (Varsity, JV, and Freshmen).

My trusty SSK Fungo has began to grow just as excited as I am for this upcoming season. And it's also time to attempt to get the old wing back into batting practice shape (aka time to go invest in a large amount of IcyHot), wish me luck. But all jokes aside, both the NDCL players and coaching staff are ready and waiting. Go ahead, walk right into the Lions' Den, we dare you!

Strength and Conditioning Coaches Doug Murray and Marco DiFranco putting our guys through a Saturday morning conditioning.

Please note that I have discontinued my Twitter Feed until further notice. All updates concerning NDCL will now be posted to my Facebook page. OAOTD blog posts are also connected to my LinkedIn account. And for information on my trip to the OHSBCA State Clinic in Columbus, click here.