"And It Begins..."

Well Rascal fans, we opened our first practice Wednesday night and I had a chance to meet a vast majority of our parents and players. The kids were a bit nervous, most of them anyhow, and just as anxious to get started and get in the game, were the parents.

It was nice meeting everyone and it seems we are going to have a great little squad. As is expected, the first few practices are nothing more than a feel-out process, something to get the players accustomed to following one set of rules from the coach and mimmicking one another towards what will eventually become, team play.

I have to admit, I was just as nervous as the kiddos, worrying that I might offend someone (a parent mostly) with my tenacity and intense approach to gettin' dirty and playin' ball. Lost within my anxiety, it seems I got so caught up in focusing on the players and parents I met prior to opening practice, that I missed a child--little Evan. He was out there on the field, chasing balls with the rest of the players and he didn't get a chance to hit. When I realized what I did wrong, I offered him a chance at the plate and we all took turns, his brother and my daughter included, in taking cuts on the Tee.

I look forward to this season, in seeing the children grow as would-be players on the field into something we all can be proud of--ball players.

It seems we have a few happy volunteers, those who would help organize a list of parents willing to bring snacks for the kiddos after each game and (what I believe) is a grand-parent who will help direct me and my assistant and keep the kiddos in line within the dugout.

We will be meeting this Saturday morning at 10AM for a second round of practice....the uniforms will be ordered today and sometime between now and next Saturday the 22nd, we will have what they call a team...

Until next time....

Coach Ozuna | www.MySpace.com/ThisFieldThisGame