GETTING UP TO SPEED

I am sitting in my office staring out the window, enjoying the massive amount of snow that has fallen so far this winter, knowing that some day this spring I will be cursing every inch of it as I no doubt will be shoveling it off the softball field.  There is certainly plenty for me to do to prepare for our first practice on January 24th, but the procrastinator in me will not allow such a thing. 

Rilee and I had taken an oath to keep up with the blog this season.  Anyone care to share how we are doing.  I'll do my best in this one to get everyone up to speed in hopes that we will be forgiven.

FALL SEASON

Chester Bowl Morning Workout

For all you alumni reminiscing about the good old days of fall softball please know the 'times, they are a-changing'.  To maximize our 16 days we incorporated numerous morning (6:30am) workouts to go along with our team practices in the afternoon.  The 'best' of those workouts were spent on the Chester Bowl hill, running, lunging, hopping and whatever else I could think of, up and down the top half of the hill.  More than a few players 'lost their cookies' but in the end they all survived.  Nothing like a little character builder, right!

The alumni game as always was a blast.  Heise came back an literally mow down every batter she faced.  We may have managed a couple foul balls, maybe.  Thank goodness she only threw three innings!  Azur then came in and did exactly what she was supposed to do, throw the ball right down the pipe so we could get our confidence back.  Thanks Azur for continuing to give back to the program:)  It was an enjoyable day with 15 alums making it back.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Piedmont Project

Is anyone out there aware of my obsessiveness with a well groomed softball field?  Well, one day this summer as I was cutting the outfield grass I came up with a brilliant idea (I do my best thinking behind the lawn mower).  It became known as the 'Ballfield Beautification Project'.  We selected a local, run down field (there are certainlt a ton in Duluth to choose from) and gave it a four hour makeover.(click on picture for short video)  It looked 100% better when we got done and I know ever player enjoyed every bit of the experience!!  (Actually, it seems they don't have quite the same passion as I do.)

In addition to the BBP we did our usual work at the start of the Duluth Inline Marathon and helped out at the Mentor Duluth Christmas Party.  Thanks to Theresa T. for organizing both events..

PERSONEL
A new year brings on new faces.  We welcomed six new players this fall with another transfer coming for spring semester.  We will be 21 strong.  Our coaching staff has also changed a bit.  We are lucky to have Kristin Swartz ('10) on staff to work primarily with the infield. She joins Rilee and myself.

We also did something a bit different with the selection of our captains.  Any return player who was interested in being a captain had to 'apply' for the position and then interview with a panel of players and with the coaching staff (another idea I came up with behind the lawn mower).  I was a little apprehensive going into the process but when it was completed I feel we selected the best possible leaders for the 2011 Saints.  Senior Jenn Falk returns for her second stint as captain and she is joined by fellow senior Betsy Wehseler and junior Merryssa Tiedeman.  I have no doubt they will get this team to paddle in the same direction.

UPCOMING SEASON
As mentioned earlier we begin practice on January 24th.  This is an exciting year for the us and the UMAC conference as the much awaited Automatic Bid comes into the play for the first time.  As last years UMAC regular season champion we have won the right to host the conference tournament the first weekend in May with the winner to move forward to the regional tournament.  The intensity of the tournament will be surely be elevated.

I have stuck to my vow of never returning to the 'god forsaken' state of Texas for spring break.  This year, for something different, we will travel to the Orlando area.  I'm looking forward to the bus ride down, not so much to the bus drive back.  I'm also looking forward to checking out the competition in Florida.  I've heard there will be some great teams there and I hope we get to play some of them.  We will also add a doubleheader with Central (Iowa) and Division II power Winona State to our schedule.


CSS SOFTBALL APPAREL
Before I forget, our new order of softball gear has arrived.  I'll put pictures, prices and order information on the next blog.  (It will be posted tomorrow at the latest.)

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON
I think this should pretty much get me all caught up on CSS Softball news.  I wish everyone a HAPPY HOLIDAY season.  I hope you all will be able to relax and spend some quality time with your friends and family. 

P.S. Still snowing, by the way!