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.

There is Always a Postseason

Hindsight is always 20/20, you've heard it before and you'll hear it again. The ability to look back and critique yourself by seeing things much more clearly than you previously could is a technique that many people employ. Baseball players are no different, we always find ourselves looking back on the completed season; acknowledging different pitches, plays, or decisions that had some sort of direct impact (or at least that's how we see it in our mind) on the outcome of the season. Some would say there are a select few that get to put off this time of reflection for later in the year, due to a little thing called the Postseason.

By definition, a Postseason is the "period after the end of a regular season in which additional games or playoffs are held, especially to determine a champion". This definition probably rings true for most people, and if asked to give a definition of this term, would give an eerily similar one. However, as I sit here, I've started to breakdown the word itself and not just what our good friend Webster says it means.

The prefix of post is defined as "an additional statement or action that provides or indicates further information or a sequel to something". Now when you put that in front of the word season, you form the term Postseason which I've determined can literally be defined as "additional events or actions that provide a sequel to a period of the year marked by special events or activities".

I promise you that there is method to my madness and a rationale behind my thoughts. What I am getting at here is that the Postseason is much more than just a playoff system in which a champion is crowned. And the Postseason is certainly not limited to the select few. After each regular season comes to a close, there is always something to look forward to, a "sequel" so to speak. Yes, for some that sequel might be a shot at hoisting the proverbial championship trophy. But for most, that sequel is a transition and it is a new time to refocus, reenergize, retrain, and regroup for the impending tasks ahead of you (whether those tasks are On the Diamond or Off the Diamond). These tasks differ on a person to person basis; for your typical college baseball player, these might include making The Walk (I am of course referring to the walk across that stage, the stage that holds that allusive college diploma) and then making the best attempt possible to try and enter "The Real World", or perhaps starting that summer job that  is being dreaded. But for most, their transition is gearing up for a long relaxing season of playing summer ball, cutting grass, seeing old but certainly not forgotten friends, and quenching their thirst for the long overdue summer weather. But unarguably, the biggest thing that our transition holds is an overwhelming desire and appetite to taste the ever so sweet nectar that is, college baseball.

So as the Storm wish nothing but the best for and congratulate the teams and programs that are making their transition into conference tournament and eventually regional play (A.K.A. a "Traditional Postseason") we look forward to and intend on celebrating our own upcoming endeavors. No matter when your season ends, or how far you make it, or how well you competed, there is always something to look forward to and there is always a Postseason.

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.

Keep Grinding

There are so many images that can drop your jaw when thinking of the game of baseball. But one of the best sights in the game has to be looking up into the stands and seeing those bleacher creatures waving their brooms around. This rarity is usually only ever seen on the big stage, but this past weekend down at Kiwanis Recreational Park, it was almost as if you could hear the ever so subtle sound of the brooms' bristles sweeping the Tiffin Dragons right off of Braggs' Field. Not only is this an awesome experience for the faithful fans, but its also an incredible feeling for the guys who Lace Up their cleats day in and day out. Hoping that the work they have put in will translate into results.

Well this past weekend, we saw those results. A four game sweep over conference foe Tiffin University was the outcome. Our first GLIAC conference sweep in school history. With Tiffin being our head coach's alma mater, he was especially pumped to see the Dragons have a tough time flying in the Storm. This sweep catapulted us into a tie for third place in the conference (only the top four make the conference tournament). Oh and by the way we were picked to finish last in the conference, I repeat, LAST.

One of the biggest things that a set of victories like this do, is they almost force you to not be content until you get to taste this feeling again. They force you to keep your nose to the grind stone and keep pushing forward. They force you to want more.

So back to the grind we went, with an upcoming non-conference game against Toledo and a two-game set against conference competitor Ohio Dominican. Unfortunately, I just learned that we dropped today's game to Toledo 7-6. But his just goes to prove that we can compete with any team, any division, any where. I now look forward to seeing and playing against one of my very good friends, ODU's man behind the dish and fellow Lorain native, JT Feldkamp.

It's a long and rough road to our first GLIAC conference tournament, but we will get there. The Storm will keep grinding, and continue to RAGE ON.