THE END OF THE SEASON

Hi All

And another season of Madrid League Baseball comes to a close. I'd like to say thanks to all the parents for the time and effort in making it out to the practices and games week after week. I know its not easy on those cold early Saturday mornings at the start of the season, Given all the activities in addition to baseball on the weekends I want you all to know that I appreciate the effort of keeping baseball in your plans and part of your weekends.

To all the coaches and people that helped out- John with the pitching in the Senior games, Cindy for all the logistic help, Sean, Andrea, Christina, Erik, and Andrea for helping out in the snack shack, the Peters family for EVERYTHING, and to Irene for making it a part of our lives- THANKS. None of this would have been possible without the help and support of you all.

It was an excellent season in a lot ways. It was not only great seeing the kids improve in their baseball skills week in and week out, but also seeing their confidence grow with every success on the field and with the bat. It was especially rewarding seeing them learn the value and appreciation of teamwork, and most of all have fun.

Thanks to all of you that hung around and watched not only your games but also the games of other kids that helps make the atmosphere what is- a friendly family place to hang out, enjoy time with friends, and meet new people. I very much enjoyed being able to chat with you all and share that time.

To those of you moving on to new parts of the world, good luck and happy landings. I hope you'll always remember and carry a little bit of Madrid League Baseball with you. And to everyone I wish you all a great summer, and hope to see you all again soon.

Thanks and Best Regards....

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY JUNE 6

The last week. Its been a long season but a good one in many ways. As usual the best part for me is seeing families come together, people make new friends, enjoy a day hanging around and watching baseball. The kids have made enormous strides and the level of play gets better every week. It's great seeing them gain more confidence, and believe in themselves with each successful play in the field or hit when they're up to bat. The enthusiasm at last week's games throughout the day says it all and I almost hate to see it end.

 

I know this week is likely to be another challenging week with respect to attendance since Thursday is another holiday and we're likely to be missing lot of people due to travel and Communions. As always best efforts are much appreciated.

 

And with that here is the schedule for Saturday June 6.

 

Saturday June 6th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankees	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Reds	Brewers
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Tigers	Marlins
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Royals	Astros
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	Padres	A's
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	Pirates	Nationals
Senior 17:00-18:30	Cubs	White Sox

 

 

 

It's been a pleasure working with you all over the course of the season. This has definitely been the easiest season in terms of collaboration and teamwork and I'd like to say how very much I appreciate that. It's been a lot of fun.

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY MAY 30

Hi All

- Below please see the schedule for May 30. We're officially into the final two weeks and the playoff part of the season. In the coach pitch the winners of the 2 games will then meet on June 6 for 1st and 2nd place. The other 2 teams will play for 3rd and 4th place. It's been great seeing the younger kids develop over the course of the season and their baseball skills and execution improving with every week. The 4 teams were exceptionally well balanced this year.

- In the machine pitch since we only have 2 weeks we sort of had to abbreviate the playoff aspect in finishing the season. Sorry about this but we'll have to finish with the winners of the Pirates Royals game and the A's Nationals game playing the last week for the championship. All teams will have games on June 6. No matter how it plays out I have to say how pleased I am with the level of great sportsmanship demonstrated by everyone throughout the season.

Saturday May 30th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankees	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Marlins	Reds
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Brewers	Tigers
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Pirates	Royals
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	Astros	Padres
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	A's	Nationals
Senior 17:00-18:30	White Sox	Cubs

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY MAY 23

Hi All

Thanks for the support yesterday. I think we had one of the best turnouts of the season despite the holiday weekend.

 

We are going to have to make a change in the schedule for the games next week Saturday May 23. Due to a scouting event I've been informed that a large portion of the kids on 2 of the machine pitch teams will not be able to attend the baseball. As such the Machine Pitch game between the Pirates and the Astros will be cancelled. For kids on either the Pirates or the Astros that still want to play they should come for either the game at 12:30 or 14:00, and we'll slot them into one of the teams in the 2 earlier games.

 

So to repeat- PIRATES VS ASTROS CANCELLED. 

PIRATES OR ASTROS NOT GOING TO THE SCOUTING EVENT CAN COME TO THE EARLIER GAMES.

 

As a result of cancelling the game starting at 15:30 we will move the senior kid game from 17:00 to 15:30.

SENIOR GAME STARTS AT 15:30. 

 

Secondly: We're down to the last 3 weeks of the season. Since we have 6 teams at the machine pitch level this Saturday will actually serve as the first week of the playoffs. The schedule for the following 2 weeks May 30 and June 6 will be determined by who wins the machine pitch games this week. The Coach Pitch playoffs will start May 30.

 

 

Saturday May 23rd	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankees	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Tigers	Marlins
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Reds	Brewers
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Nationals	Padres
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	Royals	A's
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	Pirates CANCELLED	Astros CANCELLED
Senior 15:30-17:30	White Sox	Cubs

 

 

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY MAY 16

Hi Everyone

Temperatures are getting well into the summer zone in a hurry out here. And with the rise in temperatures we're also seeing a rise in baseball skills. It's great to see the kids hitting better, fielding better, and all around executing better at all levels.

Even though it's a local holiday in Madrid this Friday we will have our full slate of regularly scheduled games this Saturday. Make no mistake that we'll be out there so please make every effort if you're in town to come and enjoy a little baseball.

And with that here's the schedule for this Saturday May 16.

Saturday May 16th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankees	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Brewers	Tigers
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Marlins	Reds
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Pirates	Royals
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	Astros	Padres
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	A's	Nationals
Senior 17:00-18:30	White Sox	Cubs

Thanks

BASEBALL SATURDAY MAY 9

Hi Everyone

I hope you all had a nice long weekend to celebrate the Labor Day holiday. We're back and at it for baseball this weekend. With just 5 more weeks to go we should see a continued improvement in terms of skills, and execution.

We hopefully will have the cold weather behind us now and in no time be complaining that it's too hot.

Here's the schedule for this week. I hope to see you all out there. Please try and notify your coaches if you won't be able to make it. If you are coming please show up early to allow plenty of time to practice and get warmed up.

Thanks

Saturday May 9th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankees	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Brewers	Marlins
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Reds	Tigers
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Astros	Royals
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	A's	Pirates
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	Padres	Nationals
Senior 17:00-18:30	Cubs	White Sox

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY APRIL 25

Hi All

We had a pretty good week last week. The weather was a bit chilly to start the day but warmed up nicely into the afternoon. We're starting to move from a skills focus to an execution focus on the coach pitch level. That means that we'll be focusing more on the rules of the game, specific positions, when to run/not run, and where to throw when we get the ball. So far, so good.

On another note I'm sorry to say we are still really struggling with attendance on a couple teams. I know everyone has things going on in their lives but I'd really appreciate if we all could make maximum efforts to show up. Baseball is a team sport, and one of the values we're trying to teach is teamwork, Given that, if one team doesn't have enough players you're not only letting your own teammates down but it also hurts the other team as they don't get to play. I know the early game on Saturday morning is a little tough but please do try,

And here's the schedule for this week. I hope to see you all there this Saturday.

Thanks

Saturday April 25th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankees	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Tigers	Brewers
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Reds	Marlins
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Royals	A's
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	Nationals	Astros
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	Padres	Pirates
Senior 17:00-18:30	Cubs	White Sox

BASEBALL SATURDAY APRIL 18

Hi Everyone

A couple short messages for this week. From now on through the rest of the season we're going to be stepping up our coaching efforts with more focus on the rules, execution, and positioning on the field. We're at the point now where the kids skills are there. From here on we're going to be working enhancing those skills and incorporating them into the rules and execution of baseball.

On a second note I'd like to remind everyone that a key element in the game of baseball is respect. That means on the field and off players need to show proper respect to fellow players, coaches, parents, people working in the snack shack, Respect is one of those things that if we haven't learned it by now, we need to learn it on the field and carry it through off the field as well.

Lastly here's the schedule for this week and looking forward to seeing you all this weekend.

Saturday April 18th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankess	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Marlins	Brewers
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Tigers	Reds
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Nationals	Pirates
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	Royals	Padres
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	A's	Astros
Senior 17:00-18:30	White Sox	Cubs

BASEBALL SATURDAY APRIL 11

Hi Everyone- I hope you all had a great Semana Santa, safe travels or a relaxing time at home, and are ready to get back at it again. It seems like forever since we've been on the baseball field with the rain out of our last scheduled games and then the 2 week break. Hopefully we'll have good weather and a clear schedule now for the remainder of our season. I know everyone has a lot of other things going on in their lives but it's really important to try and coordinate all the activities around the baseball. Remember if your team is short a few players that means there's the rest of your team and the other team that won't get to play.

And with that here's the schedule for this Saturday April 11

Saturday April 11th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankess	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Tigers	Marlins
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Reds	Brewers
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Astros	Padres
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	A's	Nationals
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	Pirates	Royals
Senior 17:00-18:30	Cubs	White Sox

Hope to see you all there this Saturday

BASEBALL SEMANA SANTA

Hi All- Just a reminder there will be no baseball games the next 2 Saturdays. Our next games will be Saturday April 11. I wish you all a good Semana Santa, and look forward to seeing you all in a couple weeks.

BASEBALL SATURDAY MARCH 21 CANCELLED

Hi Everyone- Sorry, baseball is cancelled for today. The field is very wet and it looks like the rain is going to continue all day. With the break for Semana Santa the next two weeks are next games will be Saturday April 11. Hope to see you all then.

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY MARCH 21

Dear Baseball People- One of the great things about baseball is it's a team sport. Playing a team sport we learn the value of teamwork, and support, while giving and receiving encouragement to our fellow team players. When we made the teams this year we did so on the basis that each team would have a fixed number of players. For the league to work we need the players to show up. If they don't show up, we have no team, If we have no team, we have no games. So we really need everyone to make an effort to come out at their scheduled game times. If you're uncertain when your games are please contact either myself or your coaches. And on that note here's the schedule for this week.

Saturday March 21st	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankess	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Brewers	Tigers
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Marlins	Reds
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Astros	Royals
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	A's	Pirates
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	Padres	Nationals
Senior 17:00-18:30	White Sox	Cubs

Thanks and hope to see you all there this Saturday.

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY MARCH 14

Greeting baseball players and fans. Things are looking good for our baseball season. The teams are rounding out, the kids are coming into form, and the weather has been nothing less then fantastic. Please keep in mind that pretty much all the teams have the bare minimum of players. I know everyone has a lot of stuff going on in their lives but we really need everyone to maximize every effort to make it to their baseball games and help support their teams.

And with that said, here's the schedule for this Saturday March 14.

Saturday March 14th	Home	Away
Tee Ball 10:00-10:45	Yankees	Red Sox
Coach Pitch 10:00-11:15	Brewers	Marlins
Coach Pitch 11:15-12:30	Reds	Tigers
Machine Pitch 12:30-14:00	Padres	A's
Machine Pitch 14:00-15:30	Pirates	Astros
Machine Pitch 15:30-17:00	Nationals	Royals
Senior 17:00-18:30	Cubs	White Sox

Thanks and hope to see you all there.

BASEBALL FOR SATURDAY MARCH 7

Hi Everyone

Apologies for the absence lately as things have gotten very busy away from the baseball field. Fortunately with the help of others we've managed to get the season up and running. While the overall numbers are down from last year we still have had a good enough turnout so that we've been able to field a tee ball group, 4 coach pitch teams, 6 machine pitch teams, and 2 senior kid pitch teams. And with that we look forward to another season of Madrid League Baseball.

A few administrative comments:
- Given the reduced numbers this year, no team has the luxury of a surplus of players. This means that its imperative that everyone make maximum effort possible to attend every week. I know it's tough on some those cold Saturday mornings to get going but given that we need 9 players to field a team, if your team is 1 short that's 17 other kids that don't get to play.
- Please remember to pick up all your belongings following your game. Its impossible for us to keep track of everyone's stuff that gets left behind. It's a good idea to write your name on all your gloves, hats, bats, and other equipment.
- Please consult your coaches for practice days and times.
- If there's any doubt about the weather on game day, coaches should call me, and parents should call their coaches. Please do not email as game day emails are difficult to attend to.

And here's the schedule for Saturday March 7.
10:00 Tee Ball
10:00-11:15 Coach Pitch   Marlins vs Tigers
11:15-12:30 Coach Pitch   Brewers vs Reds
12:30-14:00 Machine Pitch   National vs Astros
14:00-15:30 Machine Pitch   Padres vs Pirates
15:30-17:00 Machine Pitch   Royals vs A's
17:00-18:30 Senior Kid Pitch   Cubs vs White Sox

Thanks and hope to see you all this Saturday

Hi All

I hope everyone had a good holiday season and that 2015 is off to a good start for you all. And now the good news- We're starting to get things organized for this year's baseball season. There's a lot of information here so please take the time to look through all of the points. You’ll see there are a few changes from last year especially with respect to security at ASM and the conditions required to be allowed to enter.

Attachments: Please contact me by email to receive registration forms.

Registration: We'll have a registration table set up at ASM Thursday and Friday Feb 5 / Feb 6, and Thursday and Friday Feb 12/13 from 15:45 to 17:00. If you can't make it to ASM to register please make every effort to do so via email by completing the attached registration and waiver forms and emailing them back to me. If you aren’t able to register at ASM in person or by email it will be possible on the clinic day itself.  

- Very important: If you have any requests or limitations with respect to siblings on the same team, requests for team assignments to facilitate carpooling, or practice limitations, please note them on the registration form. I can't guarantee they will be honored but we'll try. First priority will be balanced teams, second siblings, and third driving for families coming from far away. Sorry but requests to be on a team with friends will not be possible.

Cost: 60 Euros. You can pay at ASM registration, or Clinic day registration. If you pay by check it must be made out to American School of Madrid.

The Clinic: The date is Sunday Feb 15. I apologize (again) for intruding on peoples Sunday but due to the holidays and overprogrammed Saturdays we need to hold the clinic on a Sunday in order to get maximum attendance. The good news is that  it will not conflict peoples Saturday activities. If you were in either Senior Kid Pitch or Machine Pitch last year your session will start at 12:00 sharp. Please arrive early especially if you are registering on that day itself. If you were in Tee Ball or Coach Pitch last year please plan on arriving by 14:00. The clinic will last about 1.5 hours per session. We will run the players through some drills and make up the teams that same day.  

- Very Important: I am aware that these dates might conflict with school holiday schedules in Feb. If you can't make it to the clinic please let me know in advance so that we can keep it in mind when we make up the teams.

- If the weather is bad on the 15th, the makeup date will be Sunday Feb 22. If you're not sure on the day itself please call me.

- If you're not sure what session to come to call or email me.

Security: VERY VERY IMPORTANT. CLINIC DAY. ASM has increased security measures at the school. As such everyone will be required to print and complete the visitor access form, and bring it with them on the day of the clinic. If you do not bring this form, you will not be admitted. To be extra clear- NO FORM, NO BASEBALL. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRINT AND BRING THE FORM WITH YOU ON THE CLINIC DAY.

Season: Games will start Saturday Feb 28, or 2 weeks after the clinic date, and be every Saturday apart from holiday weekends. Game times will more or less be the same as last year, but are not yet determined. Stay tuned….

Practices: When possible we are going to try and schedule group practices this year. This means that there will be a designated time and day for each level- coach pitch, machine pitch, and seniors. These practices are of course recommended but are not mandatory. Understandably some people live further away, and or their schedules do not allow mid week attendance at a baseball practice.

Coaches: We already have some volunteer coaches but we can always use more. Please let me know if you're willing to help out in this regard.

Uniforms: They have been ordered from the US this year and are on their way here. This year we will not be accepting size requests and uniforms will be handed out on a best fit basis..

League: Hopefully we'll have enough kids to have the same format as last year. 2 tee ball teams, 6 coach pitch teams, 6 machine pitch teams, 2 senior kid teams. But we’ll have to wait and see….

Snack Shack: We have ordered snacks and they will be of the usual nutritional value. Snack Shack will not be open for business on the day of the clinic. As always food and drinks will not be permitted on the football field or track area.

Facilities: During all baseball events we will be allowed access to only the baseball field and the area near the baseball field. There is a lot of work going on around the school grounds. As such- kids, siblings, friends, or anyone else must stay in the baseball area. They will not be allowed to go to the playground or any other area of the school. Parents will be asked to be accountable for their kids. Failure to comply will result in ASM withdrawing access for the entire league to its facilities. 

Contact details: L.G@gmx.com.

Blog: www.madridleauguebaseball.blogspot.com. Please bookmark it.

Any doubts or questions please let me know. Please help spread the word. Ask the kids to tell their friends and please feel free to forward this email along to anyone you think that might be interested. If you made it this far, thanks and well done. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you all soon.