OBJ White Hurlers Take The Next Step

I recently posted on my Twitter feed that five pitchers who I had the opportunity to work with this past summer, while in the Greater Toronto Area, have now officially moved onto the next level. And are continuing their baseball careers at various colleges here in the states. I can only hope that I made an impression on each and every one of these guys (even the smallest impression is considered a win in my book). Hopefully they will carry what I was able to teach and instill in them during the summer over to the college level. I would like to issue a formal congratulations to the following kids:

Ryan Anthony - Grambling State University (Louisiana): NCAA D1
Josh Appel - Saginaw Valley State University (Michigan): NCAA D2
Alex Attwell - Mineral Area College (Missouri): NJCAA D1
Jordan McLean - University of Northwestern Ohio: NAIA
Brett Nasello - Oklahoma Panhandle State University: NCAA D2

The transition to college baseball is far from easy, but I honestly feel that these guys are ready for the challenge that lays ahead. That is a testament to the entire Ontario Blue Jays organization. Being a young coach just starting to pursue this career choice, I very well may have learned more from these gentlemen than they learned from me. And for that, I thank them. I wish them all the best, and hope to see them succeed in this new chapter of their lives.

Bring some Turbulence down to the states fellas! Go Jays!

Take Flight.

Follow the OBJ Twitter feed here. And also be sure to check out their website.

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.