Next Up: Opening Day

With tryouts officially in the books, I would like to start out by congratulating those guys that made the final cut and will fill out the rosters of the Notre Dame Cathedral Latin Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshmen Teams. To the guys who unfortunately were let go off; we as a coaching staff urge you to not give up on the game, keep working hard, play summer ball, and please by all means - come back out next year!

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

World Series Bound

When I arrived in the Greater Toronto Area on June 3rd, the Ontario Blue Jays 18U White team was 3-13. A little rough, I know. Nearly Two Months and 29 games later, the teams' record sits at 16-29 (13-16 since my arrival). Believe it or not (emphasis on BELIEVE IT), we are now only days away from traveling to Youngstown, OH for the NABF World Series!

During my constant talks with Head Coach Kyle Sheppard before my arrival, a reoccurring theme seemed to be our sub-par record. I stood confident by one particular statement I made to him, "Don't worry, we will hit our stride." And sure enough we did, within weeks we were fielding a competitive team with a winning attitude day in and day out. Our stride couldn't have come at a better time. The coaching staff knew after our trip to Virginia Beach that we were ready for our Regional Tournament, and had a real shot at making some noise in Altoona, PA.

After playing only three games (out of a scheduled five) in Altoona and posting a 2-1 record; the OBJs took second place and were thought to be eliminated. But due to an exception made by the NABF-WS committee, the Jays were granted a birth in Youngstown.

With an impending 15 team round robin tournament, the OBJ 18U White team is more than ready for the challenge ahead. Only one team workout stands in our way of pursuing that proverbial World Series Ring.

For anyone that will be in the Youngstown area August 4-7, watch out for the Jays of Ontario! Until next time, Take Flight!

Student of the Game

PBLO: Premier Baseball League of Ontario. That is what has been consuming most of my time over these last two weeks. The Ontario Blue Jays 18 & Under White team has finished league play and now sets its sights on a grueling travel schedule that will consist of four different tournaments in four different states (Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and Pennsylvania) spread out through a seven week time period.

In my two weeks here, the young Jays of the Greater Toronto Area have posted a record of 4-9. I have seen great strides made by the young pitching staff since my time has began. Those four wins consisted of three complete games (no CGs were posted by our hurlers before my arrival) and an all around increase in time put into not only the physical side of pitching but the mental side as well. Having put the staff on a regiment and a specific program, I hope to see even more impressive and improving performances out of our guys while we make our way through a tough tournament schedule.

I am undoubtedly already seeing improvements in my ability to relate to these kids and my abilities as a baseball coach. Baseball players, and all athletes for that matter, are a breed of their own. With each one having different qualities and personality traits. There is not one universal motivating factor that can be used on an entire roster. As a coach, you must be able to asses what drives and pushes each individual player to want to compete at a higher level; in an attempt to get the best performance possible out of them. This is something I think I have begun to really understand and take hold off. It can not only be shown in how you handle Starters vs. Relievers, but also in how you handle the pitcher who just threw a gem for you vs. the pitcher who struggled through an inning and a third; battling through walk after walk and error after error. 

Seeing that I have started to experiment with different styles and philosophies on how to relate to each one of our players, I know that I will find success along the way but also failure. And in those times of failure, is when the best and brightest coaches shine. Which is being exceptionally demonstrated by OBJs Head Coach Kyle Sheppard. Although the results of his time and hard work may not reflect directly in our overall record, it does reflect in the improving attitudes and in both the increasing mental and physical talent our of players. Also by teaching these kids responsibility and holding them accountable to certain expectations both On and Off the Diamond, Coach Sheppard and the rest of the coaching staff is sharing with them some insight on what awaits them at the next level.

Through running a club program and coaching high school players just as they will be coached and treated in a college program, definitely is preparing these kids for the next step. The goal is by the time these kids step foot onto a college baseball field and more importantly a college campus, they already know what to expect and know what is expected out of them.

While I try to do my part in preparing our players for the reality check that awaits them, I am certainly humbled by the experience and the opportunity I have been provided. If this staff of young and vibrant arms can learn even one minuscule thing from me while I'm here then I can leave satisfied. Just as our head coach is doing, I am sharing my knowledge of the game with our guys and my experiences of having done what they long to; play college baseball. 

No matter how old you are or how long you have been around/involved with the game of baseball you can always expand and increase your knowledge. As a coach, you hope your players can learn the most that they can from you; but you also hope to learn as much as you can from them. You are never done learning. And you will always be a Student of the Game. That is exactly what I am, still a student yearning to learn more and more about the game that he loves. And believe me, I fully intend on doing so for as long as I can.

Take Flight.

Taking Shape and Taking Flight

With this past Storm season officially in the books, we take some time to respect the progress the program has made and the direction it continues to head in. The 2011 season brought a school record in wins and an overall record of 21-26. This resulted in a 7th overall place finish (we were picked to finish 10th in the preseason) in the conference and a near conference tournament birth. Unfortunately when we had it in our grasps, it slipped away. We finished 4.5 games behind the fourth place finisher Saginaw Valley State University. Two GLIAC teams, Grand Valley State University and Wayne State University received bids to the Midwest Regional Tournament, with GVSU advancing to the Division II College World Series. To them we tip our caps. However, we competed fiercely with both of those teams, and we know that we are not far off their pace.

This season also heeded five, count 'em FIVE, Storm members receiving All-GLIAC honors. Shortstop Ryan Rua and Outfielder Brandon James were bestowed First Team honors. Outfielder Matt Toth was named to the Second Team; lastly First Baseman Jae Leeworthy and Relief Pitcher Doug Fox received honorable mentions. Furthermore, Rua and James were also named First Team All-Midwest Region, and Toth was awarded Second Team. These recognitions vouch for themselves, but they undoubtedly represent just how competitive the program is and how good of a ship Head Coach Brian McGee is currently sailing.

Now I turn my focus inward, with finally having accepted the decision that my playing career has unexpectedly come to an end (which believe me is THE hardest pill I have ever had to swallow), I am officially setting my sights on landing a Graduate Assistant coaching job pending graduation next May. As I have previously posted, I've already started to get the ball rolling on this; Friday June 3rd I will be leaving for Ajax, Ontario. Where the Ontario Blue Jays 18U White team awaits. Due to recent staff changes with the team, I will be assuming full responsibilities as the team's pitching coach. I'll be developing and implementing a throwing program and conditioning regiment for each individual pitcher. If I aim to be a college pitching coach and eventually a head coach, this is a great starting point. I also expect to learn and retain a lot of good solid baseball knowledge from Head Coach Kyle Sheppard, which will only increase my capabilities and skills as a coach.


Another opportunity recently came across my plate that I'm still exploring and looking into. With my playing career at an end, but still one more year to go here at Lake Erie College, Storm Coach Brian McGee has generously offered me a position as the Student Assistant Coach for the 2011-2012 academic and athletic year. The details of this position are still in the works but I fully expect it to be an awesome learning experience, and something that will only further aid me in landing that Graduate Assistant job next summer.


With the experience I gained last summer as the head coach of the Lorain Saints, my upcoming position with the OBJs, and my impending role with the Lake Erie Storm for next season; my resume and reputation as a baseball coach is quickly taking shape. It's looking more and more like this dream of mine (to stay involved with the game of baseball in anyway I can for as long as I can) is honestly turning into a reality. OAOTD (On and Off the Diamond) now turns its attention up north, with many posts to come over the summer relative to the OBJs 18U White team and the experience(s) that it results in.

I've been rifling through my brain recently, to come up with a one-liner for the summer that not only sufficiently (and temporarily) replaces Rage On, but also does justice to my goal with the Ontario Blue Jays and associates well with the Blue Jays name. And after much deliberation, I have landed on something that I think really encompasses all of these aspects. Until next time, Take Flight.

Focusing On Right Now But Looking To The Future

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.