8A - Village Chevrolet

Coach’s/Manager’s Message

Thursday 10/09/08
Thursday, October 9th - Coach's Message:

I am forwarding on an email that I received this morning from Greg Sanderson on behalf of ETLL. If you have a couple of hours on Saturday morning that you can share, I know that ETLL and Bennett Family Park would be ecstatic to have the extra help. If there are any questions, please let myself and/or Greg know.

Thanks again as always.

Michael



Coaches & Parents;

The call has gone out for volunteers at Bennett Park this weekend from 8:30-11:00am. Miracle Field work, and Bennett Park close down requires hours and hours of manpower. If you can make it this Saturday, we move one step closer to being ready to play ball next spring in an outstanding newly renovated facility. It won't happen without help from everyone.

Please forward this message to your teams.

I hope to see you at Bennett this Saturday at 8:30.

Regards,

Greg Sanderson
CP 6 Diretor










Saturday, September 27th - Coach's Message:

Good afternoon all - you probably thought you had heard the last from me regarding the baseball season.

Everyone should have received in the last day or two an email from ETLL regarding a completion of the 2008 season survey. I highly encourage each of you to take the time out, complete the survey and provide your honest feedback on the baseball program. This is one of the simplest ways for ETLL to obtain feedback directly from the parents regarding a variety of topics (e.g., the program, Bennett Park, the coaches, etc.). Please be candid and share your views, both negative and positive, all in the name of continuing ETLL's efforts to provide a quality baseball experience.

As always, if there are any questions, please let me know. Thanks and regards.

Michael










Friday, June 27th - Coach's Message:

Good morning everyone and happy Friday. A couple of important things to keep in mind regarding Village Chevrolet baseball for Saturday, June 28th:

- Game is at noon on Field #2 - referred to by the boys as the Green Monster field. For those not familiar with the Bennett layout, its the field right next to, i.e., south of, the batting cages we have been working in throughout the season.

- We will NOT be doing a batting cage session at 2 pm on Saturday following the game. However, for anyone with a player who would like to work thru a bucket or two of baseballs against the machine BEFORE our game, the coaches are showing up at Bennett on Saturday morning around 10:45 am and will run an impromptu batting cage session until approximately 11:40 am.

This is NOT a mandatory batting cage session - show up only if you want to and/or at whatever time is convenient prior to 11:45 am. My only request is that I do want everyone at Bennett Field #2 by 11:45 am in full uniform and ready to play.

See you at Bennett tomorrow and have a great Friday.

Michael










Wed - June 25th
End of Year Celebration - 6:30 Sunday June 29th @ North Lotus Park.

We'll have pizza, drinks,and dessert And, of course... celebrate a very fun and enjoyable season.

Whiffle Ball anyone?




Monday, June 23rd - Coach's Message:

Here's the run-down on the schedule for the week - PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR TONIGHT'S PRACTICE!!!!

- Monday, June 23rd: Practice at Clear Springs from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm for the Village Chevrolet guys. Also, I'd like to do a quick PARENTS ONLY meeting tonight towards the end of practice. Please arrive no later than 7:15 pm such that we can run thru a short list of things while the boys are finishing up with practice. Only 1 parent per family is needed and I'll keep it to 15 minutes.

- Tuesday, June 24th - game at 5 pm vs. Office Systems on Field #5. Keep in mind the early start - all players should be at the field in full uniform and ready to warm-up by 4:45 pm.

- Wednesday, June 25th - practice at Clear Springs beginning at 7:30 pm

- Saturday, June 28th - game at noon vs. Shiloh Gallery on Field #2. (Note the different field #!!!). Please have your players there by 11:45 am.

Please let me know of any schedule conflicts that are out there for the above if you have not done so already. Likewise, PLEASE REMEMBER THE PARENT'S ONLY MEETING TONIGHT AT THE CLEAR SPRINGS PRACTICE FIELD AT 7:15 PM. See everyone tonight at practice.

Michael









Tuesday, June 17th - Coach's Message:

OK - I promise a short email this time. Can you reply and let me know what your availability would be for an end-of-season team gathering the evening of Sunday, June 29th? More details to follow, but just trying to gauge whether or not that evening works for everyone.

Michael

PS - We sent home a hard copy of the playoff schedule with each player last night. If you haven't seen it yet, remind your player to pass it along. If your player wasn't at practice last night, I'll have some copies at practice on Wednesday night and the games this coming weekend.





Sunday, June 15th - Coach's Message:

What a beautiful day for baseball this afternoon - great job by all the Village Chevrolet guys at the game. As we head into the last week of the regular season, just wanted to remind everyone of the schedule:

Monday, June 16th - practice 6:30 pm at Clear Springs

Wednesday, June 18th - practice 7:30 pm at Clear Springs

Friday, June 20th - game vs. Evergreene Jewelers at 5 pm (PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE EARLY START TIME)

Saturday, June 21st - batting cage practice - 2 pm. Given that we have a game later that afternoon, lets consider this an optional batting cage session. I'm willing to throw to anybody who wants to show up (using the machine and/or me pitching) and I will be there from 2 pm - 3 pm. However, I completely understand if you only want to make the trip once to Bennett Field for the game later that afternoon.

Saturday, June 21st - game vs. Nelson Legal P.A. at 4:30 pm (this is the last game of the regular season)

I am aware of two players being gone for both games this coming weekend. If there are any other scheduling conflicts for either the Friday or Saturday game this week, PLEASE let me know ASAP. As an FYI, we are the home team for both games and will be occupying the third base dugout. As always, please arrive 15 minutes prior to game time.

Lastly, the post-season tournament schedule is out. I will pass out a hard copy of the brackets at practice tomorrow night. But just so you can mark your calendars accordingly, the schedule is as follows for the week of Monday, 6/23:

- Practices: Monday (6/23) and Wednesday (6/25) - normal times, normal place

- Game 1 on Tuesday (6/24): Village Chevrolet vs. Office Systems at 5 pm (PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY START TIME) on Bennett Field #5.

- Game 2 on Saturday (6/28): Village Chevrolet vs. Shiloh Gallery at noon / 12 pm on Bennett Field #2 (PLEASE NOTE THE FIELD - IT IS FIELD #2 and NOT FIELD #5)

Depending on how we play in Games 1 and 2 of the playoffs, there is the potential to also play Games 3 and 4 both on Sunday (6/29). The ETLL 8A season would then be officially over.

If there are any schedule conflicts for any of the post-season activities (practices and/or games), please let me know when you get the chance.

See you at practice tomorrow (Monday) night.

Michael








Friday, June 13th - Coach's Message:

Two quick reminders:

1. Batting cage practice - 2 pm - same rotation we have been following.

2. Game on Sunday vs. Faulkner Trading at noon. We are the visiting team (first base dugout). Please have your player(s) there by 11:45 am.

See you at Bennett.

Michael




Monday - June 9th - Team Parent Message
If you haven't given me a check for $50 to cover the cost of names on shirts and hats, treat tickets, etc. - please let me know and forward to me as soon as possible!
See you all at the game tomorrow!
Thanks.
Anne

Sunday, June 8th - Coach's Message:

We are headed into the home stretch of the season. Two weeks left (4 games) in the regular season, followed by one week of playoff baseball. More on playoff baseball in a second. Busy schedule this week for the Village Chevrolet guys:

Monday - Clear Springs practice - 6:30 pm

Tuesday - Game vs. Konen Homes at 5:00 pm. Its another early start time for a game, please have your players on the field, in full uniform and ready to play by 4:45 pm. If there are any schedule conflicts, please let me know so we can plan accordingly. We are the home team and will be in the third base dugout.

Wednesday - Clear Springs practice - 7:30 pm

Saturday - batting cage practice at 2 pm. We will follow our usual batting cage schedule again this week.

Sunday - Game vs. Faulkner Trading at 12 pm.

Back to the discussion of playoff baseball. At the conclusion of the regular season, there will be one week of playoff baseball in which all 8A teams will participate. Exact schedule will be determined as we get closer to the end of the season and will be based on regular season records. Our first game would be on either Tuesday, June 24th or Wednesday, June 25th, with additional games slotted throughout the remainder of that week. The last day that we could potentially be playing would be Sunday, June 29th and then the schedule becomes baseball free for the remainder of the summer. As soon I know more, I will pass that information along, but please mark your calendars accordingly.

One last reminder for the week - its getting warmer out each day, please remember water for the boys for ALL practices/games.

See you on the baseball diamond.

Michael









Sunday, June 1st - Coach's Message:

Here's the rundown of baseball activities for the upcoming week:

Monday, Jun 2nd - practice at Clear Springs at 6:30 pm

Wednesday, Jun 4th - The coaches are currently trying to get scheduled a scrimmage against the South Lake Pediatrics team (Mike Berset's team) for that evening. Details will be confirmed at Monday night's practice, but current plans are for a scrimmage beginning at 7 pm at Clear Springs - same practice field as always. Note the special start time which would be 30 minutes EARLIER than normal.


Friday, Jun 6th - our only game of the upcoming weekend is at 5 pm on Friday. This is another one of those early start times, so please let me know if you envision a scheduling conflict. Please be at the field by 4:45 pm with players in full uniform ready to play. We are the visiting team Friday evening and will occupy the first base dugout.

Saturday, Jun 7th - batting cage practice at 2 pm. We're back to the normal rotation again which is as follows:

Group 1 - 2:00 - 2:20 pm: Bixler,Kullman,Stolar,& Stork
Group 2 - 2:20 - 2:40 pm: Cowan, Madson (2),& Shepard
Group 3 - 2:40 - 3:00 pm: Fernandes,Speedling,Weber & Verneris

One last reminder - now that the weather seems to finally have transitioned to the warmer side, please make sure that your baseball player has water and/or some other drink available for all practices and games. We really haven't had to worry about this too much so far, but we want to make sure that everyone stays properly hydrated.

Have a great week.

Michael





Friday, May 30th - Coach's Message:

FYI - not sure if everyone received the ETLL email or not; however, for those going to the Twins game tonight, ETLL is asking that the players wear their team jerseys and hats to the game tonight.

Also, quick reminder of Saturday's schedule. Batting cage practice starts at 2 pm and our game is at 3 pm.

See you then.

Michael







Wednesday, May 28th - Coach's Message:

Baseball schedule for the rest of the week is as follows:

a) Practice tonight at Clear Springs at 7:30 pm. We are short a couple of coaches tonight - to the extent you have the time and are willing to help, I'm sure Scott and Derrick will take it.

b) Friday, May 30th is Twins night. Look forward to seeing those who have purchased tickets at the Dome. Many thanks to Anne Madson for coordinating the tickets for our team.

c) Saturday, May 31st. We have a game at 3 pm and are the home team in the third base dugout. Our regularly scheduled batting practice is also that afternoon at 2 pm. Player numbers 1 thru 6, please show up at the cage from 2 pm to 2:20 pm to take a few swings. Players 7 thru 12 will take some cuts from 2:20 pm to 2:40 pm. We will then head over to the field for the game. If there are scheduling conflicts for any of our players for the game on Saturday, please let me know.

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day holiday weekend - I'll see everyone on Friday night and/or Saturday.

Michael







Friday, May 23rd - Coach's Message:


Good Friday morning parents.

Awhile back, I had mentioned to you a discussion/story that the coaches were going to share with the boys at practice regarding sportsmanship. Attached is the ESPN video clip which was the genesis of that discussion. If you have family members of any age playing organized sports and have not had a chance to see this, I'd encourage you to take in this short 5 minute video with your kids. Its an excellent reminder for everyone involved with youth sports - players, coaches, and parents.

http://sports.espn.go.com:80/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3380875

(Let me know if the link doesn't work and I can send to you via separate email.)

Safe travels to the Shepard, Madson and Verneris families this holiday weekend. See everyone else at Bennett tonight no later than 6:15 pm. After the game, we'll try to confirm plans for a social baseball gathering over the weekend for those interested.

Michael







Wednesday, May 21st - Coach's Message:

Quick reminder - practice tonight at 7:30 pm at Clear Springs; should be a beautiful evening based on the forecast.

One quick "ask" for each family: We have a game on Friday night at 6:30 pm and its a holiday weekend. As of right now, the coaches are aware that the Madsons, Verneris and Shepards are unavailable for Friday night's game.

Please let me know via email ASAP if there are any others who will not be able to play Friday night. Thanks.

Michael





Monday, May 19th - Coach's Message:

What a team effort this past weekend for the Village Chevrolet guys. I told the boys last night that I wish I had game balls for everyone of them, because they all deserved one. Timely hitting, great plays in the field, runners thrown out at home, etc. - everyone contributed one way or another.

Baseball schedule is a little lighter this week with only one game in the schedule for the next 7 days. Here's what the calendar looks like:

- tonight (Monday) - practice at Clear Springs at 6:30 pm. Weather forecast for late this afternoon/early evening is spotty - we'll keep an eye on the sky and the radar, but for now, if you hear nothing, assume practice is on as scheduled.

- Wednesday (5/21) - practice at Clear Springs at 7:30 pm

- Friday (5/23) - only game of this week is at 6:30 pm. We are the visiting team and will be in the first base dugout that night.

This weekend is the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Holidays are intended to be spent with family and friends - safe travels to those of you who may be out and about. As discussed at the parent meeting early on in the season, we will NOT have batting cage practice this Saturday and will NOT have practice on Monday, 5/26 due to the holiday weekend.

There has been discussion among several parents who are not going away this weekend of putting together an impromptu afternoon of baseball and fun at a nearby park (i.e., North Lotus Lake Park). We'll talk about it at practice tonight and/or Wednesday and confirm some additional details. Anything that gets planned would be a non-mandatory, no obligation kind of gathering. As indicated earlier, holiday weekends are special and Minnesota summers are short - take advantage of a long, baseball free weekend if you like.

Lastly, its somewhat sad to say this, but we are at the official half-way point of the season already. 7 games in, 7 more to go. As coaches, we can't necessarily see and hear everything that is going on within (and outside of)the games, practices and/or the season as a whole. As such, any feedback (positive and more importantly, negative) is always welcome. If there is something you think we need to work on and/or would like to see us do more/less of in practices/games, we'd appreciate that feedback now when we can incorporate it into the remainder of the season.

See you on the practice field this week.

Michael






Monday, May 12th - Coach's Message

Excellent games by the Village Chevrolet guys this weekend - we really hit the ball well. Busy baseball schedule to start this week:

- Practice tonight at 6:30 pm

- Tuesday, May 13th: Game vs. South Lake Pediatrics at 6:30 pm. Be there by 6:15 pm please and/or let me know if any potential conflicts.

- Wednesday, May 14th: Practice at 7:30 pm. As discussed with many of you, three of the four coaches have other commitments for Wednesday night. Scott Kullman will gladly take anybody who can help.

Schedule for the upcoming weekend shows a Saturday game at 3 pm. We will also run an abbreviated batting cage session that day from 2 pm - 2:40 pm. Lets get player #s 1 thru 6 there for the first 20 minutes and player #s 7 thru 12 there for the second 20 minutes. Will give everyone a chance to take a few swings before the 3 pm game against the machine. Please also remember that we have our other makeup/rainout game is scheduled for Sunday night at 7 pm.

Lastly, please make sure you connect with Anne Madson re: Twins night and tickets if you have not already. The Stork's look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Dome that evening watching the Twins take on the Evil Empire known as the NY Yankees.

See you tonight at practice.

Michael





Thursday, May 8th - Coach's Message:

Weather permitting (please let there be sun and no rain!!!), here is the upcoming schedule for the weekend:

- Sat, May 10th - game at 9:30 am. We are the home team / in the 3rd base dugout. Please be there by 9:15 am

- Sat, May 10th - batting cage practice at 2 pm. We'll follow the same 20 minute rotations used last week.

- Sun, May 11th - MAKEUP/RAINOUT RESCHEDULE GAME vs. Faulkner Trading at 7 pm. Same field as always; we are the home team / 3rd base dugout. Please be there by 6:45 pm


Two other new announcements:

- MAKEUP/RAINOUT RESCHEDULE GAME vs. Evergreene Jewelers - Sunday, May 18th at 7 pm. Please add to your calendars.

- Keeping with a tradition started several years ago, the coaches of the Konen Homes team (i.e., the other Clear Springs team) have invited all Village Chevrolet dads out for a social gathering this Saturday, May 10th at Buffalo Wild Wings in Chanhassen at 8 pm. Nothing formal - come and go as you please.

That's all - enjoy what's left of the work week and I hope to see everyone this weekend on a bright, sun-soaked baseball field....

Michael








Tuesday May 6, A Message from Anne Madson - Sorry it is not inspiring... just a bit of business to tend to! (Volunteer Hours and Twins Night)

(Thanks for still reading...)

Volunteer Hours in the concession stand for Village Chevrolet are Tuesday May 20th from 4:30 -9:30.
We need all families to commit to 2 1/2 hours that evening.

Either 4:30 - 7:00 or
7:00 - 9:30

Please e-mail Anne Madson - amadson@mchsi.com with your first and second choice - or indicate that you have no preference for time. She will do her best to accommodate schedules. We do need 100% participation - with the
exclusion of the Stork family. (It can be parents or family members 16 and over)


Twins Night - May 30 Twins v Yankees @ 7:10 Orders due to Anne Madson by Monday May 12. Tickets are $26.00 each and treat tickets are $5.00

Some points to remember:
Sell 10 or more tickets and you are invited to a pre-game party that includes Twins Memorabilia giveaways.

Everyone player who comes is eligible to win
Throwing out the first pitch
Pre-game honor guard (scouts only)
Singing the 7th inning stretch
Batting practice buddy
Private suite at a future Twins Game

And the team in each league which sells the most tickets (at least 100) will play in the Metrodome later in the summer.


It is a great event. We would love to have everyone participate and make it a memorable time for the kids to share the fun with their friends!





Monday, May 5th - Coach's Message:

Beautiful weather yesterday for the game - finally!!! We came out a run short on the scoreboard, but the boys should be very proud of the fact that they pushed thru 13 runs. Especially considering in the first game we only had 6 runs and 5 of those came in one inning. Just a quick rundown for the week - starting with a reschedule notice.

a) this past Saturday's 8 am game ws. Faulkner Trading which was canceled due to weather looks like it will be played this coming Sunday night (May 11th) at 7 pm on Bennett Field #5. If this were to change, I'll let everyone know right away.

Still no word yet on the reschedule date/time for our first game vs. Evergreene Jewelers.

b) Normal practice times this week - tonight at Clear Springs at 6:30 pm and Wednesday at Clear Springs at 7:30 pm

c) Saturday morning game - 9:30 am vs. Steele Construction. We are the home team and will occupy the third base dugout. Arrive by 9:15 am in full uniform and ready to play.

d) Batting cage practice - Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. Our 4-man rotation every 20 minutes worked ideal this past Saturday and we will continue that again this week.

Following practice tonight, ask your players about a baseball-related story we'll talk about at practice - I'm just curious to see if they will relay the story and the learning points.

As always, any questions, concerns or comments, you know how to get a hold of me or the other coaches.

Michael






Friday, May 2nd - Coach's Mesage:

Hopefully everyone has seen the ETLL email and/or already checked in at the Bennett Park #. All 8 am games for tomorrow morning have been cancelled. Looks like we will add one more to the make-up list.

Here's the plan then for Saturday, May 3rd:

A) NO GAME PER ETLL / BENNETT PARK.

B) If it is NOT raining, we will continue with batting cage practice at 2 pm. Forecast seems to show no precipitation for the afternoon so hopefully we can get that in before Sunday's game. If you do not see an email from me by 1 pm or get a phone call from one of the coaches by 1 pm, please go under the assumption that we will be holding the batting cage practice. Likewise, keep in mind that we will be sticking to the batting cage rotation previously discussed - no need to be there for the entire hour.

Good night.

Michael






Thursday, May 1st - Coach's Message:

Welcome to May. Maybe the weather forecast will keep up with the month for once, but I'm not holding my breath on it....

First, what a great game on Tuesday night. The boys played fantastic - they hit the ball well, made some great plays in the field, were focused, etc. As coaches, we couldn't have been happier or prouder for the first game.

Second, we have a busy baseball weekend coming up - weather permitting. I'd keep the Bennett rain-out # handy for Saturday based on the current forecast. That # can be found on both the ETLL and Bennett websites. Here's how the schedule shakes out:

a) Saturday game - 8 am first pitch. Please arrive in full uniform and ready to play by 7:45 am - we are on Field 5 for the entire season. Layers/long sleeves UNDERNEATH the orange jersey may be warranted. We are the home team on Saturday and will occupy the third base dugout.

b) Saturday batting cage practice - 2 pm. Lets go with the rotation/time slots discussed at the parent meeting versus having everyone there for the entire hour. Those are as follows:

Group 1 - 2:00 - 2:20 pm: Bixler,Kullman,Stolar,& Stork
Group 2 - 2:20 - 2:40 pm: Cowan, Madson (2),& Shepard
Group 3 - 2:40 - 3:00 pm: Fernandes,Speedling,Weber & Verneris

c) Sunday game - first pitch at noon. Please arrive in full uniform and ready to play by 11:45 am. We are the visitors for this game and will be back in the first base dugout.


As always, any questions, concerns or comments, feel free to reach out to me and/or any of the other coaches.

Michael







Monday, April 28th - Coach's Message:

REMINDERs: 1. Practice tonight - Clear Springs at 6:30 pm. Dress appropriately - forecast calls for dry weather, but will be chilly.

2. Game tomorrow, Tuesday (April 29th) at 5 pm. Players in full uniform at the field and ready to play by 4:45 pm. Forecast calls for a little warmer weather, but will still be cool. If there are any known player conflicts for the game, please let me know at tonight's practice.

Michael




Saturday, April 26th - Coach's Message:

NO BATTING CAGE PRACTICE TODAY!!!!! (And I assume everyone saw the email from ETLL saying that all Saturday games have been cancelled.)

As much as I really enjoy the game of baseball, my dislike for today's weather is even greater. I don't see any need to have our future hall-of-famers fighting the elements. Hard to hit a baseball when the snow flurries might be blowing into their faces at speeds faster than the pitching machine kicks out the baseballs...

So, enjoy your weekend - preferably somewhere inside!!! I do not have any indication at this point in terms of the reschedule date for this afternoon's postponed game - will let everyone know as soon as I hear something. We will re-evaluate the weather and field conditions on Monday regarding practice that evening.


Michael








Thursday, April 24th - Coaches Message:

Quick update for what is a full baseball schedule over the next few days:

1. Batting cage time - 2 pm on Saturday, 4/26. We would like to have ALL PLAYERS arrive at the batting cage by 2 pm in full uniform. We will give everyone a chance to take a few swings between 2 pm and 2:40 pm before we head over to the field for our 3 pm game.

2. Game 1 of the season - Saturday, 4/26 at 3 pm, Field #5. We are the visiting team and will occupy the first base dugout.

3. Next week early reminders: Monday night practice, 4/28, at 6:30 pm. Tuesday evening game vs. the other Clear Springs team, 4/29, at 5 pm. PLEASE NOTE THE EARLY START TIME. Players in full uniform ready to play by 4:45 pm. Wednesday night practice, 4/30, at 7:30 pm.

4. Before Saturday would be a great time to sit down with your players and go thru the league rules. We went thru a few rules quickly again last night in practice (sorry for keeping them a little bit late last night - that's what we were talking about at the end of practice and there continue to be a lot of questions from the players about the rules).

5. Lastly, a little positive reinforcement regarding strikeouts would be appreciated - they will happen to every player, just like it happens to Justin Morneau or Joe Mauer of the Twins. Likewise, the fielding rotation has been established and assuming we have a full complement of players, there will be 2 players on the bench each inning not playing the field. Everybody hits, but each inning, 2 players will be on the bench.

A fielding rotation has been established that rotates the players between the infield, the outfield and the bench each inning. Some players will see more infield play in the first game, others will see more outfield play. Likewise, given that the game will probably be only 4 to 6 innings, not every player will have a turn sitting out in the first game. Rest assured - and please remind your players - that everyone will get equal playing time in the infield, the outfield and taking turns on the bench over the course of the season. The rotation is set-up to equalize the fielding positions over 12 innings (given that we have 12 players).

As always, I or any of the other coaches are happy to field any questions. "Twins Night" reminders were sent home with each player last night - look for Anne Madson for any questions on that.

Looking forward to a great opening weekend - now lets just hope that the weather guys are WRONG AGAIN and this weekend turns out to be a beautiful sunny weekend.

Michael








Thursday, April 18th - Coaches Message:


Great start to practice this week - what a nice feeling to be outside in the fresh air moving around. Most importantly, what a fun group of players - I can tell already this will be a fantastic season. The energy, the smiles and the desire to play are contagious with this group.

Couple of things before we get into the weekend:

1. If anyone is missing a black metal bat and/or pair of batting gloves following last night's practice, I have them - they were left on the practice field last night.

2. This weekend's Village Chevrolet time commitments are as follows:

a) team pictures are at MME this Saturday, April 19th - our specific picture time is at 11:30 am; however, please be there in full uniform by 11:10 am.

b) Batting cage time - Saturday, April 19th at 2 pm at Bennett Park. We have been assigned batting cage #1. As a reminder, for this first time and first time only, please plan on being there for the entire hour. Next time around we will break down into the smaller groups as discussed at the parent meeting.


Enjoy the upcoming weekend and what sounds like a fantastic weather forecast. For the Clear Springs parents - Michelle and I hope to see many of you at the "Parent's Night Out" event at the Minnetonka Country Club this Friday evening. If you haven't been to this event in the past, its a great social event conducted in a very casual manner that is really a lot of fun.

Regards.

Michael







Monday, April 14th Coaches Message:

As a reminder, we have our first practice tonight at Clear Springs from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Depending on field conditions behind the school, we may move practice indoors to the front gym which has been set aside for our use during this evening. If the fields and/or grass are not too wet/muddy, however, we will stay outside. But at least we have options.

On that note, might I suggest three things a) send the boys with sweatshirts (will be cool outside in the evenings), b) bring both normal tennis shoes and baseball cleats/shoes - if we do move inside to the gym, tennis shoes will be required, c) always, always, always send along a bottle of water or Gatorade for your boys to practice (and games).

One last thing - uniforms are in and will be distributed this evening. I know we may have one or two who cannot be at practice tonight - I'll just bring those uniforms to practice on Wednesday night.

Looking forward to the start of a great season. See everyone tonight.

Michael













VILLAGE CHEVROLET GAME SCHEDULE:

- 04/26/2008 Saturday @ 3:00 PM; Village Chevrolet @ Evergreene Jewelers on Bennett 5

- 04/29/2008 Tuesday @ 5:00 PM; Village Chevrolet @ Konen Homes on Bennett 5

- 05/03/2008 Saturday @ 8:00 AM; Faulkner Trading @ Village Chevrolet on Bennett 5

- 05/04/2008 Sunday @ 12:00 PM; Village Chevrolet @ Office Systems on Bennett 5

- 05/10/2008 Saturday @ 9:30 AM; Steele Construction @ Village Chevrolet on Bennett 5

- 05/13/2008 Tuesday @ 6:30 PM; Village Chevrolet @ South Lake Pediatrics on Bennett 5

- 05/17/2008 Saturday @ 3:00 PM; Shiloh Gallery @ Village Chevrolet on Bennett 5

- 05/23/2008 Friday @ 6:30 PM; Village Chevrolet @ RSM McGladrey on Bennett 5

- 05/31/2008 Saturday @ 3:00 PM; Office Systems @ Village Chevrolet on Bennett 5

- 06/06/2008 Friday @ 5:00 PM; Village Chevrolet @ Nelson Legal P.A.on Bennett 5

-  06/10/2008 Tuesday @ 5:00 PM; Konen Homes @ Village Chevrolet on Bennett 5

- 06/15/2008 Sunday @ 12:00 PM; Village Chevrolet @ Faulkner Trading on Bennett 5

- 06/20/2008 Friday @ 5:00 PM; Evergreene Jewelers @ Village Chevrolet on Bennett 5

- 06/21/2008 Saturday @ 4:30 PM; Nelson Legal P.A. @ Village Chevrolet on Bennett 5


Copies of the game schedule and additional information regarding the upcoming season to be provided at the Parent Meeting this coming Saturday, April 12th beginning at 9 am. Looking forward to seeing everyone then.

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