Ladies -
A great first week, I had a good time and learned a lot and really enjoyed working with all of you. We went over a lot of material - kind of a basic overview - and will work on using our deep practice techniques to polish that over the next several weeks.
The next two weeks are all going to be very busy and hectic. Band members leave on Tuesday and will be gone through spring break. Godspell is ramping into full production so those students will intermittently be present and Spring break is right around the corner with many of you taking off early. Band and Godspell performers, that is your over-riding responsibility. I am happy to have you for short periods of time if you can, but your focus and energies need to be toward those performances. All our practices next week are at the Middle School 3:30-5:30. If you need a ride, Elaine will be at the gym door by the swimming pool at 3:15 to give a ride. Otherwise, arrange your own ride.
I will hand out more paperwork on Monday to get your parents to sign for medical release and transportation.
I would like everyone to be there on Monday to make sure our list is current and up-to-date. As always, text me or leave me a voicemail if you are not going to be at a practice. I have also changed the timing of the Tryouts/Team selection process to March 30/31. Teams will probably be announced on April 1 (Sorry) and we will do a parent meeting on April 2nd.
That is the truth as I know it today. I am thinking seriously about two JV teams with the turnout and enthusiasm that you have all shown.

bill
marinersoftball.net
399-1042

3/22-

Ladies -

Hope you all had a great spring break and are coming back full of
energy and ambition and focus. Here are the current plans for the
next week.

Practice will be from 3:30-5:30 at HMS all week. We will be
continuing to refine our fundamental skills in preparation for the
"tryouts" next Monday and Tuesday. The "tryouts" are going to be a
demonstration of the skills you have picked up and the rubric is on
the web page. It will be a part of the process in deciding who is on
what team but will not be the only factor. I am still hoping to have
3 teams, 2- equal JV teams and one Varsity team and it looks like we
should be able to get everyone a lot of games and especially a lot of
playing time,doing it this way. It is important, though, that I know
soon if you have decided not to play so I can balance numbers.
Everyone that is out now will have a spot on a team. Let your parents
know that we are planning on a Parent meeting either 4/1 or 4/2.

Godspellers -- your priority is the musical preparation this week. If
you can fit it into your schedule to come for some or all of any of
the practices, that is great. If you just can't make, I understand
but just ask that you email or text me that you are still planning
on playing this year so I can get an accurate and reliable team
count.

Anita, Elaine and I have been very pleased with the focus and
attitude that you are showing and especially with the support that
you are giving each other. I have really enjoyed working with you all
the last three weeks.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, talk to us. We do much
better if we know what you are thinking and feeling since this really
is your team and we are along to help with the ride.

Bill
www.marinersoftball.net

3/29

Great Job in the Musical to all you Godspellers. Really well done and
enjoyable. All your hard work shone through.

Tryout Week-

If you want an idea of the Tryout Rubric it is posted on the
website. This is nothing more than the skills that we have been
working on for the last 4 weeks. All our decisions will also be based
on your performances in the last four weeks of practice. This is a
chance to show how far you have come. Look on it as a fun challenge.


This is still a bit tentative as I have not seen the official
schedule from Perk but we have talked about times so I think this is
close to being true

All practices this week will be at the HHS Gym

Monday- 5-6:30- you will be broken into three groups and rotate
through demonstrating fundamentals and skills. After warmups there
will probably be three stations.

Tuesday - 3:30-5:00 - same groups and the rest of the stations.

Wednesday- will meet with everyone and hand out team assignments.

Thursday - Patty Linehan will be here to start working with us also.
Parent meeting at 6pm to discuss travel, money, budget, fundraising,
etc.

Friday - more practice. Maybe it will warm up enough to get outside.

I think that is all I wanted to mention. Really looking forward to
finally getting everyone together at one time and seeing what the
team looks like. Everyone that might end up on JV teams can send me
an email or text with the name of one person they really want to be
on the same team with - I will hold it in confidence.

As always, ultimate truth should be found on the website. We also
have a winner in the "Identify that Player" contest. Brittani
Stafford was the first to correctly spot Courtney Stage and her sun
glasses. She gets the award.

bill

4/12/09

Hope you all had a great weekend with Prom and Easter and Sunshine.

The batting cage is up at the Clapp Shed. I need to contact him
tomorrow to find out times that we can be there without being in his
way. Seems like it will work pretty well. I am not sure how to be
most efficient in using it. Maybe groups of four? More later.

Let's plan on being on the spit, either on the gravel or on the pad
at 4pm for the rest of the week. I will text around noon if the
weather looks like it is going bad. The fields at Karen Hornaday are
almost completely clear but still frozen. Lots of hope that it will
be ready in three weeks. If not, I am thinking of alternatives.

Those of you that still have Jerseys out from Spirit Day, please
bring them on Monday. Picture Day has not been set yet so we may do
Unies ahead of time.

Liv- The Sweatshop is quoting $23 for the hoodies with this years
logo and $17 for the pants. They want to do like last year and have
people individually bring them back for number and name. Simpler for
them and they promise a fast turn around.

Grade check on Friday - make sure that all loose ends are taken care
of as this is the entire season on the line for playing. There will
be one more grade check before state.

This week we will be working on solidifying positions. Every practice
will still continue to be a tryout however. I do want everyone to be
comfortable with two positions.

See you tomorrow.