The next step, eventually there is always a next step. And for me the time has come to make it. On Saturday (6/9) I accepted a position as an Assistant Baseball Coach at Defiance College (Defiance, OH). Meaning I will be leaving Norte Dame Cathedral Latin after just one season. I would like to thank Head Coach Jim Clark and everyone involved in the NDCL Community for allowing me to become a member of their Lion Baseball Family! Although my tenure with the NDCL Baseball Program was short in time, it was lengthy in experience. And that experience is something I will carry with me into my next venture in the coaching realm.
I would also like to thank everyone who helped to make this a reality. To anyone that lent any sort of advice, lent a listening ear, made a reference call, or provided me with the tools to take my coaching career to the next level, THANK YOU!
Upon my return from the IMG Baseball Academy in August, baseball will officially be my full time job!
Showing posts with label Lions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lions. Show all posts
June 11, 2012
May 24, 2012
A Season in Review
A season's end means only one thing, it is time that we reflect on the trials and tribulations that the NDCL Junior Varsity Lions encountered throughout their 2012 campaign. Finishing with an overall record of 10-8-1 (7-3-1), the JV Pride won 5 of their last 6 games to finish with a record above.500!
Including a 12-11 season finale victory over rival Walsh Jesuit, that could not have summed up the spring in a better way if it had been scripted. After leading 11-4 going into the top of 7th inning, the Lions fell privy to the late inning jitters as Walsh plated 7 runs to even the score at 11. After a one out double by clean-up hitter Anthony Leonetti and an intentional walk to center fielder Ryan Proud, in stepped Sophomore First Basemen Chandler Walnsch. Walnsch, who finished the season with a .290 batting average, was down in the count 1-2 yet proceeded to single to right-center field. After a brilliant base running read by Leonetti, I had no intention of putting up the stop sign in the 3rd Base Coach's box. With the ball beating him to the plate, our burly catcher had no choice but to come in with a hard (but legal) slide, causing the ball to squirt loose and an immediate mobbing to commence at home plate!
Like I said, a game that in my eyes perfectly summed up the JV Pride's season: a great start, rough middle road, and fantastic finish!
Here are a few statistical categories, to better gauge the Lions season as a whole:
Hitting
BA: .347
Runs: 151
Hits: 172
SB: 48/55
BB: 84
Ks: 90
OBP: .470
Pitching
ERA: 4.67 (Based on 7 inning scale)
Ks: 131
BB: 98
WHIP: 1.82
AVG: .248
The last thing on the Lions plate for 2012 is the Spring Sports Banquet on June 5th, where the coaching staff will recognize a Team MVP, Most Improved Player, and Coaches' Award Recipient. However, more details to come on that in the week following the banquet.
With the season finally in the books, I personally now look forward to my next venture. Approximately one month until I depart for the IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, FL! See details on that here.
Lastly I do have some short closing remarks on the 2012 season; if these young men learned half as much from me as I in turn learned from them, that I would undoubtedly consider that a successful season! Thank you guys, it was a great ride and I was privileged to be apart of it! Good luck to all of the JV Lions in their summer seasons, time to get ready for the 2013 journey, stay hungry fellas!
Pride!
Including a 12-11 season finale victory over rival Walsh Jesuit, that could not have summed up the spring in a better way if it had been scripted. After leading 11-4 going into the top of 7th inning, the Lions fell privy to the late inning jitters as Walsh plated 7 runs to even the score at 11. After a one out double by clean-up hitter Anthony Leonetti and an intentional walk to center fielder Ryan Proud, in stepped Sophomore First Basemen Chandler Walnsch. Walnsch, who finished the season with a .290 batting average, was down in the count 1-2 yet proceeded to single to right-center field. After a brilliant base running read by Leonetti, I had no intention of putting up the stop sign in the 3rd Base Coach's box. With the ball beating him to the plate, our burly catcher had no choice but to come in with a hard (but legal) slide, causing the ball to squirt loose and an immediate mobbing to commence at home plate!
Like I said, a game that in my eyes perfectly summed up the JV Pride's season: a great start, rough middle road, and fantastic finish!
Here are a few statistical categories, to better gauge the Lions season as a whole:
Hitting
BA: .347
Runs: 151
Hits: 172
SB: 48/55
BB: 84
Ks: 90
OBP: .470
Pitching
ERA: 4.67 (Based on 7 inning scale)
Ks: 131
BB: 98
WHIP: 1.82
AVG: .248
The last thing on the Lions plate for 2012 is the Spring Sports Banquet on June 5th, where the coaching staff will recognize a Team MVP, Most Improved Player, and Coaches' Award Recipient. However, more details to come on that in the week following the banquet.
With the season finally in the books, I personally now look forward to my next venture. Approximately one month until I depart for the IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, FL! See details on that here.
Lastly I do have some short closing remarks on the 2012 season; if these young men learned half as much from me as I in turn learned from them, that I would undoubtedly consider that a successful season! Thank you guys, it was a great ride and I was privileged to be apart of it! Good luck to all of the JV Lions in their summer seasons, time to get ready for the 2013 journey, stay hungry fellas!
Pride!
April 28, 2012
A Tale of Two Seasons
At the half way point in the 2012 NDCL Baseball season, the Junior Varsity Lions sit at 5-5 (5-2 in North Coast League action) through 10 games. It feels as if just last week we were still conducting tryouts, it is truly amazing how fast a season goes by. With 12 scheduled games left, the JV Pride have finished Season 1.
Season Number 2 starts this Monday (4/30) against rival Walsh Jesuit High School. The NDCL JV Lions showed a few flashes of brilliance in Season Number 1. However, brilliance at times, was muddled by sub-par play and a few losses suffered via the OHSAA mercy rule.
As a whole, the Lions have been relying on timely hitting and aggressive base running to win ball games, averaging 8.5 Runs and 2.3 Stolen Bases per game. The pitching staff has seen its struggles on the bump throughout the season but have come on strong as of late with four quality starts (4 or more Innings Pitched and 3 Runs or less given up) in the last five games.
If the JV Pride can continue to build on the recent success on the mound and swing the bats as they have thus far, then the chances of an NCL Title are definitely within reach. However, nothing in this sport is given to you. If you want something, you have to go out and take it!
Catch your dream, don't chase it!
Here is a sneak peek at where the JV Lions are statistically through 10 games:
Hitting
BA: .346
Runs: 85
Hits: 87
SB: 23/24
BB:42
Ks: 48
OBP: .450
Pitching
ERA: 5.40 (Based on 7 inning scale)
Ks: 73
BB: 44
WHIP: 1.80
AVG: .252
With five games in six days coming up for the Pride, Season 2 will undoubtedly fly by just as fast as Season 1 did. This upcoming week could prove to be pivotal as the Lions fight tooth and nail, or should I say tooth and claw, to capture a regular season North Coast League Championship.
NDCL will take on Walsh Jesuit Monday (4/30) and Tuesday (5/1), followed by Cardinal Mooney (5/2) and end the week with Shaw High School (5/4) and St. Ignatius (5/5). For continual updates, game results and recaps, follow my Twitter Feed and keep an eye on NDCL's Baseball Website.
March 24, 2012
The Grind
"Sit up, put your feet on the floor, and don't look back, because we've got work to do. Welcome to The Grind."
It effects us all in different ways. The offseason is a grind, spring training is a grind, and the season itself is the biggest grind of all.
Which is, coincidentally, where the NDCL Lions seem to find themselves. Right on the cusp of the biggest grind of the year, Baseball Season. This past Friday, the NDCL JV Team was hosted by the Willoughby South Rebels for a nine inning "tune-up" scrimmage. Although it marked the Rebels third scrimmage in as many days, it was the first time the Lions were set free. I'd like to thank the entire Willoughby South Baseball Program for having us!
A recent development in the Opening Day Countdown, the Junior Varsity Lions March 28th opener against Holy Name, may possibly be switched to Saturday, March 31st vs. Cardinal Mooney.
The Grind strikes again. Regardless of when the NDCL Baseball Lions first official pitch of the 2012 season is thrown, the Grind will rear its ugly head again (it is of course, inevitable). And when it does, we will meet it with hard work, sweat, and determination!
"Luck is the last dying wish of those who want to believe that winning can happen by accident, sweat on the other hand, is for those who know its a choice, so decide now, because Destiny waits for no man."
*BREAKING NEWS: You may now follow day to day updates concerning the NDCL Baseball Lions on my Twitter Feed (@_CastroBaseball). My sincerest apologies for the absence from the tweeting realm. But I'm back, and back with a proverbial vengeance!
Another great video montage from the folks at Red Productions, in collaboration with TCU Baseball! Great job guys, keep 'em coming!
January 27, 2012
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.
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!
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.
October 31, 2011
The Wait Continues
Five days and counting. Five days until the first team conditioning for the NDCL Baseball Lions. It has been over a month (44 days to be exact) since I've stepped foot on a diamond. Which needless to say is 44 days too long!
It's been a long grind for me, but I've continued to stay positive. I'd be lying to you if I told you it has been easy for me to be here at Lake Erie while no longer being a "Student-Athlete". All I've known for the past three years was being a member of the Lake Erie Baseball Team. I thought it was my identity. But I soon came to realize that it wasn't. Your identity is what you make it, people respect and like you for who you are, not what sport you play (even at a small athletically consumed school like LEC). Being a Lake Erie Baseball Player didn't make me who I was, my character did.
Someone once told me that "Your character makes you a legend." I have let this concept take hold of me, and I am not looking back.
But the countdown is officially upon us, this Fall semester is flying by. With each passing day we draw closer and closer to pitchers and catchers reporting (Spring Training). It's still hard for me to put into words just how excited I am about this upcoming season at NDCL, although it is still unknown exactly what position I'll be in (Junior Varsity Assistant or Head of the Freshman Team).
I have also begun to explore more possibilities in the coaching realm. The chance that I will remain at the high school level is becoming more and more likely. Even though no definitive answer will be made until the late spring of 2012, a solidified role in the NDCL program for the imminent future is still in the cards.
Ultimately, I will have some very important and significant choices to make, but for now I'm just taking things Day by Day and waiting. Waiting for February that is! While also looking forward to our team's conditioning program to start, however due to Ohio High School Athletic Association rules (OHSAA) the coaching staff still cannot do any hands on instruction (which is why the entire month of February has a big red circle around it on my calendar). So for now, the wait continues.
Any and all updates concerning NDCL will come from my Twitter feed (#NDCL #pitchersandcatchers #springtraining)
It's been a long grind for me, but I've continued to stay positive. I'd be lying to you if I told you it has been easy for me to be here at Lake Erie while no longer being a "Student-Athlete". All I've known for the past three years was being a member of the Lake Erie Baseball Team. I thought it was my identity. But I soon came to realize that it wasn't. Your identity is what you make it, people respect and like you for who you are, not what sport you play (even at a small athletically consumed school like LEC). Being a Lake Erie Baseball Player didn't make me who I was, my character did.
Someone once told me that "Your character makes you a legend." I have let this concept take hold of me, and I am not looking back.
But the countdown is officially upon us, this Fall semester is flying by. With each passing day we draw closer and closer to pitchers and catchers reporting (Spring Training). It's still hard for me to put into words just how excited I am about this upcoming season at NDCL, although it is still unknown exactly what position I'll be in (Junior Varsity Assistant or Head of the Freshman Team).
I have also begun to explore more possibilities in the coaching realm. The chance that I will remain at the high school level is becoming more and more likely. Even though no definitive answer will be made until the late spring of 2012, a solidified role in the NDCL program for the imminent future is still in the cards.
Ultimately, I will have some very important and significant choices to make, but for now I'm just taking things Day by Day and waiting. Waiting for February that is! While also looking forward to our team's conditioning program to start, however due to Ohio High School Athletic Association rules (OHSAA) the coaching staff still cannot do any hands on instruction (which is why the entire month of February has a big red circle around it on my calendar). So for now, the wait continues.
Any and all updates concerning NDCL will come from my Twitter feed (#NDCL #pitchersandcatchers #springtraining)
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