Switch Pitcher

CLICK HERE to view an interesting video that shows pitcher, Pat Venditte, thowing both right and left-handed in a Spring Training game between the Yankees and the Braves. Venditte is the only professional pitcher capable of throwing with either hand.

Warriors Announce Preliminary 2010 Schedule

The Warriors have announced its preliminary schedule for the 2010 season. CLICK HERE to view the current schedule. We will most likely be adding some games as the season goes along.

Sam Marc Wins Final Indoor Fielding Contest

Sam Marc edged out Robbie Maxfield in this morning's ground ball fielding contest. This was the last fielding contest which will be played on indoor turf.

Grant Lewis Pitches in Sandburg Opener

Click on photo to enlarge (photo by Glenn Nagel)

I had the pleasure of watching Grant Lewis pitch for the Carl Sandburg Eagles in its opening day game at Marist High School. Grant was impressive in his High School debut--throwing just 56 pitches to complete four scoreless innings!

Grant played two (2007 and 2008) seasons with the Warriors. He led the 2008 team in batting average, on-base % and runs batted in. Grant also led the pitching staff that season in earned run average as well as WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched). More importantly, he was one of our team leaders and was always a positive influence for the team. Grant continues to make significant progress as a baseball player. The Warriors are proud of Grant Lewis and wish him the best of luck in his High School career and beyond.

Other notable players on the Sandburg roster include two other former Warriors--Matt Hellmich and Brendan Conlon. Additionally, Omar Aqel, an OYA Pony League player last season, is on the Sandburg roster. Jimmy Smith, another OYA Pony League player from last season, appeared in the game for Marist High School. And, Jimmy is scheduled to pitch for Marist this afternoon.

Pick Off Move to 3B

Although we rarely attempt to pick a runner off third base, I think this pickoff move would be an effective one for our pitchers.

Jason Waner Wins Fielding Contest

Jason Waner edged out Ryan Knightley in this morning's ground ball fielding contest. This is Jason's second time winning the fielding contest during the Megaplex workouts.

Paco Lauciello Wins Ground Ball Challenge

Paco Lauciello was this morning's champion of the ground ball fielding competition. This was a notable achievement for two reasons. First, he competed against both of the 14U Warriors teams in the contest. Second, it's not easy for a catcher to win this challenge.

The Wilbur Wood Story: "Old School"

In my view, telling a player that he is "old school" is a high compliment. To me, it means that the player is strong enough to overcome adversity. Nearly every player on the Warriors is "old school." For example, Paco Lauciello exhibits an "old school" attitude when he resists resting an inning after catching six innings on a 90 degree plus day. Ryan Novak demonstrates his "old school" attitude by coming back to pitch the second game of a doubleheader after getting knocked out of the first game on a line drive back through the box. There are many examples of this mental toughness from our players.

When I was a kid, Wilbur Wood was a professional player who regularly exhibited this attitude. While pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 1973, Wood pitched five innings for the win over the Cleveland Indians in a suspended game. He then started the regularly scheduled game that same night and went on to win another game after pitching a four-hit shutout!

Two months later, Wood became the last pitcher in the history of baseball to pitch BOTH games of a doubleheader! He had a ridiculous 44 decision in 1973 (posting a record of 24 wins and 20 losses). He did this at the age of 42 (although the fact that he was a knuckle ball pitcher helped his endurance a great deal).

When Wood was 45 years old, his knee cap was shattered into a billion pieces after a line drive was hit directly back at him. Nearly everyone assumed that his career was over. Yet, he recovered enough to play two more seasons--although he lost his effectiveness on the mound after that injury. Wilbur Wood was definitely "old school".

We don't expect our Warriors to play while injured. But, we also do not expect them to give up easily--or to use excuses such as a hot day as a reason for not hustling. One of the lessons to be learned as a player on the Warriors is how to overcome adversity.

Jack Lebert Wins Ground Ball Challenge

Jack Lebert is now the reigning champion of the team's ground ball competition. Jack edged out Sam Marc in the finals of Saturday morning's competition at the Megaplex.

Warriors Enter a Fourth Tournament

The Warriors will be returning to the Oak Lawn Westside tournament this summer. The Westside tournament runs from June 24th through June 30th. The Warriors are now registered for four tournaments in 2010: Metro Memorial Weekend, Oak Lawn Westside, Lombard and Palos. The dates for all of these tournaments is documented in the "Schedule" link on the right side of the team's website.

Depending upon our budget situation moving forward, the team may register in a fifth tournament during the second week of July (potentially Frankfort, New Lenox or Worth).