One Week to Go

It all started 41 days ago -- eight players and a coach going through conditioning and throwing drills on a freezing cold afternoon at the St. Mary's playground.

Here we are six weeks later, ready to begin our final week of the preseason, putting the final pieces to the puzzle together as we get set to open the 2007 season against Augusta Christian on Monday, March 5.

Our final week of the preseason will feature a pair of exhibition games, including Monday's game against rival EDS at Eisenhower Park. We'll close out our preseason Saturday with an exhibition game against the Augusta Heat, a USSSA travel ball team that plays tournaments virtually year-round.

Sandwiched in between the exhibitions Monday and Saturday will be a week of practices designed to put our team in position to begin the quest to reach our goals in 2007. Our practices this week will be our final chance to tie up the loose ends and cover some very important elements of our game. There will also be a couple of great opportunities for our team to bond, develop team chemistry, and strive to live out our BIG TEAM LITTLE ME motto.

It is crucial for the success of our team that everyone attend each session this week. We've had players in and out the past few weeks due to illness, and the coaching staff understands the circumstances. But if you are physically able to be there, SMS baseball must be our priority this week.

So, get healthy, take care of your schoolwork in advance, clear your schedules, and be there at every session this week. Since there is no school Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, you all will have plenty of time to take care of any other responsibilities during the day.

After Monday's exhibition game, we will practice Tuesday at Eisenhower at 4:30.

On Wednesday, we will be attending the Aquinas baseball home opener against Butler at 4 p.m. at Aquinas. We will use this time not only to support Aquinas and get a taste of high school-level ball, but we will also use this time to meet as a team and cover some important ground. Attendance Wednesday is mandatory -- we will meet at the Aquinas field at 3:30 p.m., and players are required to stay until at least 5 p.m. Those who must leave to attend Social or other events may leave at 5 p.m.

On Thursday, we will practice at Aquinas from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, we are back at Eisenhower at 5 p.m., and on Saturday, we will play the Augusta Heat. Players should arrive by 9:15 a.m. -- first pitch is at 10 a.m.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon, we will hold a season-opening party for all players and coaches at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Few. The theme for the party will be SMS BASEBALL 2007: MIRACLE ON DIRT. You'll find out what that means when you get there.

The Fews have been very gracious and generous to offer us the use of their home (which, in case you didn't know, has a batting cage in the back yard!) and they will also be providing food for the team, so a special thank you to Indee and Trey Few for their hospitality! The party is tentatively scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Please check the Web site and your email for the confirmed time and directions to the Fews home.

As we wind down the preseason, I want to thank all the players, our outstanding coaches, Marc Williamson and Jeff Agee, and all the parents who have made a big commitment to our baseball program the past six weeks. Special thanks to several of our dads who have helped at practices, including Joel Simmons, Wayne Pace and Mike Anderson. I'd also like to thank our school staff, especially principal Keith Darr, assistant principal Joe McBride and our athletic director Barbara Shine for all your support of the baseball team. Part of our goal is to reward you all with a championship in 2007.