Got another hit in the 2nd scrimmage .
Play SS all day and look good.
Got a look at the new transfer pitchers.
Thursday is the next scrimmage and then Friday game against ST Thomas in town.
Also will get to play at Target field Thursday!
@Consultant posted:This is the reason, I advise the "above average" HS player to play "up' on a older team.
My son jumped Little League at age 12 to the Babe Ruth '15 and under' team. At age 14, he played SS on the SR Travel team in Northern California against 35 future MLB players.
Always play up when possible it improves the reflex's.
Bob
Totally agree with you Bob. "Playing" up helped my son tremendously. He was a 10 year old on U12 little team, and played on a 17U as a rising 8th grader. On that 17U team he was SS when the ace pitched (usual) SS and I think 2b or CF other times. His throws from SS sometimes took a bit to get to first (quick release compensated). I used to tell him that the field at this point won't grow again, and his arm will get stronger. Good to see higher speeds on fastballs early on.
Yes Bob is totally correct. Took him to the top PG team when he was 8th/9th grade. He was up to the shoulders of the rest of the team. He did not make that team but learned what it would take to do it.
In the next 4 years he passed all those guys to be the captain of the All state/State championship teams.
Of course it also helped going from 5'6" 115 lbs to 6'1" 190lbs and a lot of weight training.
It’s funny how posts bring back memories. I guess it’s what’s left when the playing days are over.
My son was asked to fill in on a town 16u team when he was a 5’2 100 thirteen year old who was 12u eligible. His regular team was a regionally ranked 13u team.
When I dropped him off for pregame I told jokingly told him other than not shaving, not driving themself to the game and being a foot shorter there’s no difference. Then, I told him he would likely play left, bat last and be expected not to screw up.
When I returned at game time he’s swinging a bat like he’s going to bat soon. He was batting second and playing second. Some parents were a little piqued he was inserted so high in the lineup. The first time up he doubled the other way, stole third and scored on a grounder. The second time up the pitcher had him 0-2. He didn’t bite on any curves in the dirt until he walked. This impressed me more than the double. He got another hit the third time. But the fourth at bat he earned his cred with the sixteen year olds. He took a fastball in the ribs for a walk off forced in winning run.
After the game I asked the coach about batting him second and playing second. The coach told me he heard from the 14u coach in the program he filled in for he could handle anything.
I had my son play grade appropriate rather than by age group starting in 7th grade. Freshman year he played up two years to 16u. He was recruited to be on 17u teams before ever playing varsity due to his 16u play post freshman summer.
@PitchingFan Mississippi State has already had two scrimmages with everyone, including freshman, pitching on limited counts. I think it is really school-dependent.
Getting excited for Thursday intra squad and Friday game vs St Thomas at Target field.
Classes are getting real as are the long practices.
Veery cool bonding with the team on and off the field.
Because IOWA plays Summer baseball (he threw over 60 innings) he is not throwing this Fall.
Also very interesting to me that when he pitches his BA drops.
When he plays SS iBA rises.
adbono says that is common as you only have so much focus.
So maybe not throwing this Fall will help is BA (along with more POS work).
So several more intra squad games, 2 real games, and a Pro-Alumni game which should be huge fun.
Over the Summer Gophers added 6.
5 from transfer portal.
all pitchers
One new Freshman.
Transfers from Illinois, St Louis, Neb Omaha, Arizona State, IOWA .
Much needed pitching help and relief.
Seems like lots were from Gopher recruiting area that were recruited before.
Good Knight:
this is "exciting" time for you. Enjoy every minute. It will be interesting the "make up" of the roster after Fall practice. Where is the team's Spring Trip this year?
Bob
Bob, not positive yet, but I think Florida and a game at Spring Practice with the Twins!
A friend of his from travel ball was drafted 1st round.
Yes I am excited to see roster after the Fall.
Will they use wood bats with the Twins?
Bob
Good question! IDK.
I have another suggestion. The game will be much more enchanting.
Wow. We don’t even start practice u til the 26th and scrimmages will e later October.
@baseballhs posted:Wow. We don’t even start practice u til the 26th and scrimmages will e later October.
Up here in the north you gotta get it in early in the Fall. My son is at a D3 in the same part of the country and they started Fall practices at the end of August and will finish up in the beginning of October.
Some years around here there is snow on the ground by the end of Oct! Certainly plenty of days with high temps in the 40’s
Intra squad tonight before 2 local games.
Was so tempted to drive the 6 hours to see it but not even sure he will play.
I guess I will do game changer.
If only the coaches knew that he always plays great when I miss a game. I would be banned!
I missed 3 games in 4 years of HS. His first HR. His first no hitter. And the night he struck out 16 in 6 innings.
I meant to ask today if they still have the "?" on caps vs the "M". If they still have them for game tomorrow I want pics.
He does not think I am as funny as I think I am.
Excited to see where he falls when compared to all the new guys after the fall scrimmages and games.
Really would have liked to see him pitch a little this Fall to see how he handles the older guys. But arm health is important and I love that coaches are serious about it!
Bob some folks seem to remember that in Twins game they used wood and Minnesota used aluminum.
Good Knight;
that maybe true, however the "exit" velocity with the metal bat increases the opportunity for the Twins infielders and pitchers to be injured.
Twins have extra wood bats for Minnesota players. It will improve their hitting.
Bob
Intra squad game at target Field.
Good thing I did not get there as they did not let anyone in.
They still have "?" on caps vs M
He went 2 for 2 with one all the way to the warning tack for a dbl.
Very big place.
Hitting .500 so far.
Played SS, 2b, and 3b.
Should I be thrilled with his hitting or worried about teams pitching?
Real game tonight vs St Thomas! woohoo
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Beat St Thomas last night 4-1
Was first off the bench and looked excited.
Hit the ball 3 times as DH but did not get all of it and out at first.
Lots of pitchers each throwing an inning.
Still have ? on their caps vs M!
Amazing how relaxed I can get when he does not pitch!
Wow busy weekend coming up.
Game Friday night vs Concordia.
Parents weekend.
Dinner with the team/coaches.
Intrasquad game Saturday
Football game Saturday.
Get together with parents Saturday.
Fun meter is on high!