Practice #2

The Mudcats held their second practice of the fall 2010 season on Friday night under sunny skies at Nowell Field. Players and parents showed good awareness of team rules, arriving several minutes early for the 5 p.m. start, only to discover that for the first--and likely only--time all season they had beaten Coach Andrew to the field. Let the record show that he did arrive moments before 5 p.m., thereby avoiding the substantial fine and sprints for being late to practice.

After stretching, the team broke into three groups and split into an infield station, outfield station, and baserunning station. The infield station was somewhat dragged down by an incapable catcher, but the Mudcats rose above his meager level of play and worked on making plays to home, first, and even turning a couple double plays. Infielders are asked to remember to follow their throws at all times.

In the outfield, the Mudcats had to catch several tricky fly balls off the tennis racket, perhaps making them the first team to potentially challenge for both the World Series title and the Wimbledon title.

No one is really sure what was happening at the baserunning station, because Coach Mike was so quiet no one could hear him. Hopefully he will speak up at Saturday's practice. Rumor has it that the baserunners may have been working on running through the bag at first base and reaction time to instructions to either move on to second or head back to first.

After stations, the Mudcats adjourned to the batting cage, where they...split into stations. (If they don't split into stations, the assistant coaches have nothing to do, and bored assistant coaches are even more dangerous than bored 7-year-olds.) At the soft toss station, hitters were reminded to focus on their load, using their hips, and firing the trigger. Yes, all this actually relates to hitting. In the live batting cage, Coach Andrew alternately threw BP and dodged missiles off the bats of his hitters, including one that upended his water bottle and another that triumphantly toppled the ball bucket. On the tee, the Mudcats concentrated on getting their hands through to the ball.

So amazing was the display of talent that the team assigned to the field in the following time slot never bothered to show up. Word has it they have collectively turned in their uniforms, put their bats on eBay, and signed up for fall soccer instead. Expect more of the same at Saturday's practice, which begins at 3 p.m. (Note to Coach Andrew, who some people may not realize actually sleeps at the field on some nights: This means be there at 2:50, ready to step on the field at 3. Thanks for your cooperation.)