Full Time

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!

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!

Bradenton Bound

This past Friday (4/27) I was offered and in turn accepted a position to go down to the IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, FL and instruct for the summer. It's a six week position that runs from June 30th-August 11th. I will be working with IMG's 14&U League and will manage one of the six 14&U teams. Meanwhile, on Defensive Days (D-Days), I will work with all the 14&U pitchers in the Academy. 

I owe a huge thank you to both NDCL Head Coach Jim Clark and Varsity Assistant Ken Bolek for helping me to get my foot in the door at IMG and making a few reference calls for me. It's an opportunity I'm truly excited about, and can't wait to further my ever expanding knowledge of the game!

For more information on the IMG Baseball Academy, visit there website here! 

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.

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!

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!

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

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.

For The Love Of The Game

I recently was given the opportunity to attend the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association State Clinic (quite a mouthful, I know) in Columbus, with Head Coach Jim Clark (NDCL). With over 300 high school baseball coaches in attendance, it was an awesome chance for me to able to interact with people who have a genuine love for the game of baseball (just as I do), and also a passion for teaching. Because in reality, what are coaches but not teachers too? Especially at the high school level, but that rings just as true at the collegiate level as well.

Some of the keynote speakers included:

• Greg Beals, Head Coach at The Ohio State University
• Rich Maloney, Head Coach at the University of Michigan
• Scott Stricklin, Head Coach at Kent State University
• Matt Palm, Head Coach at Heidelberg University
• Jason Stein, Head Coach at Eastern Kentucky University
• Butch Thompson, Assistant Coach at Mississippi State University
• Jay Alexander, Head Coach at Eastern Michigan University
• Cory Mee, Head Coach at the University of Toledo

Each segment addressed a different topic and provided various drills and philosophies, which I undoubtedly will be adding to my repertoire and begin to implement this season at NDCL. So a huge thank you goes out to the gentlemen listed above for sharing their knowledge of the game and also to a select few who took some time out to talk with me personally and bounce some ideas back and forth.

Needless to say I found myself listening to one distinguished coach after another, and began to imagine myself on that stage. The honor and privilege it would be to become a coach of such great knowledge and respect is something I am indeed striving for. Whether its on the collegiate or the high school level, great knowledge and great men/women receive a level of respect without ever having to pursue it, as do great teachers and educators.

If there's one thing I learned over the weekend, it's that no matter what level you teach at (notice I didn't say "coach") you can have an impact on the people around you that may not be visible to the naked eye. So I'd like to congratulate every single coach and teacher/educator out there who changes the lives of young people on a daily basis and seeks no thank you or recognition in return. They simply do it for the love of the game.


For an update on the NDCL offseason thus far, click here.

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)

The Next Step: NDCL Here I Come

As this is past summer season is officially in the books, I now look back and evaluate the experience as a whole. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given, and I know that this summer will undoubtedly aid me in furthering my career as a baseball coach. Having the chance to run my own staff, institute a throwing and conditioning program for all pitchers on the team, and travel throughout the states to multiple tournaments (including a World Series tournament); all pretty much for the first time, is something I will never forget.

As I look back on our pitching staff, I can confidently say that every single kid who put in the time and work all summer long, showed improvements as the summer progressed (that rings true for the entire team, position players included). Working with guys like Brett Nasello and Josh Appel, who will be attending schools in the states this fall to further their baseball careers, was a real treat for me. Because I knew I could give them a sneak peak at what awaits them in what is now only a couple weeks; they definitely have a leg up on the rest of the incoming freshman pitchers at their repspective schools. Guys like Andrew Gangadeen, Elliot Sebastian, Lucas Donovan, and Cole Kaiser, (who have 1-2 years left in the program) showed great promise and the talent to pitch competitively at the collegiate level. Each and every one of these guys were extremely coachable and I would like to thank every single one for the chance to work with them.

If our staff learned half as much from me as I learned from both them and Coach Sheppard combined, then I'd say that I did my job pretty well. I wish the entire OBJ 18U White team and the Ontario Blue Jays organization as a whole, nothing but the best and much success in their future endeavors.

Now the time is upon me to start looking forward to my next coaching opportunity. There's always a  next step, right? And no, it is not as the Student Assistant at Lake Erie (as was posted before). I thought long and hard about all my options over the summer and explored them to the fullest. I was offered and in turn accepted a position as an Assistant Baseball Coach at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin (NDCL) in Chardon, OH. I met with Head Coach Jim Clark last month to discuss the position; I will be working with the Freshman and Junior Varsity pitching staffs and will serve as either the Assistant JV Coach or Head Freshman Coach (this will be determined at a later date). I'm excited about this chance to coach in one of the most reputable Division II High School programs in the state of Ohio. However, due to OHSAA rules, baseball practices cannot officially start until February. So it's going to be a long offseason!

By the time February rolls around, I know I'll have the itch to get back on the field again. I might even have that itch by next week! Scratch that, I definitely will have that itch by next week (pun intended). But until that time, I will be focusing on getting ready for May 2012, which is of course when I will finish my undergrad degree. Also, in that time I will have started an internship at Cleveland Whiskey that I'm sure will keep me quite busy.

As updates on my impending career choice become relevant, they will be posted on OAOTD. Let's hope these next 6 months fly by, NDCL here I come!

You can also find any and all updates on my twitter feed: @_CamCastro. And for more information on NDCL click here.