The Great Outdoors

The Blue Devils had their first outdoor workout today. Fly balls, pop ups and pregame routine. Temperature was in the low 40's, but no wind. Will we go outside tomorrow? Be over-prepared.

Here Dan Fetes is interviewed by Dillon Lowe and Ian Gallagher. As usual, Dan was positive. He described it as "hot" out.

Following practice, we checked out the infamous Brian Roberts video. Hoping it sets the tempo for the next two weeks and gets us going in Florida.

Live pitching/hitting continued in the cage. Had a couple local umps stop by. Minor League arbiter J.J. Bilinski called the pitches on Monday. He'll be heading south for Spring Training in Tampa. Will be doing a bunch of Yankee organization games. He's been assigned to the New York Penn League this summer following his southern swing. Interesting to hear him talk about umpire expectations at the different professional levels. Hope he makes the big time some day!

Team photo

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Wellsville, Sutherland, Maryvale, Lockport, Arlington, Brighton wrestling ... some of the finest HS programs in New York State represented at Saturday's practice. State Champs in the front!

Vote on the poll in the right-hand menu for the best HS gear.

Josh Gascon in Livonia throwback gear

Tommy Morris knows something we don't

Maryvale Flyers -- strike a pose

High School Spirit Day

Today was our annual High School Spirit Day. Players donned gear from the Glory Days when they were all big-time stars. Myself, I was a two-time Second Team All County player back at Harborcreek. A high school star.

Here are a couple of players recalling the good old days.

Dillon Lowe 

John Bennett

The last two days were productive and got the team focused.

Friday, Zach Hugg took home the Hammer. He has been diligent about improving his game in several area and worked on some things when he threw live. He gave a great speech about not taking his opportunity to play lightly and what it means to him to have the opportunity to keep playing after two seasons at Corning C.C. He got a rousing applause afterwards.

John Bennett opened Saturdays practice with a pre-practice Hammer. He canceled his dental appointment to keep his 7-year streak of not missing anything alive. He spoke about a little talk he and Connor had around the batting cage recently. Playing is great, but championships create memories.

Zach Murray took home the Hammer after practice. He has been helping his teammates a lot the past week -- everything from change ups, to pickoff plays -- he's taken time for some other guys. A happy-go-lucky guy, but a tenacious competitor.

Also, a big shout out to Al Schoeneck who stopped by today. Made my day. Al played for the Devils a few years back and is assisting at his H.S. alma mater, West Genesee in Syracuse while teaching as a long-term sub at Central Square.

Happy Birthday, lil' fella!!

Guess who's 1 today? Future slugging firstbaseman?

Pickin' things apart

We've had some good practices and determined some areas we need to work on the past few days. Thursday Tommy T took home the Hammer. Tommy saw some things in our pitchers mechanics that were giving away some things. We'll make the adjustment as a team and be better for it. Tommy has his head in the game as much as anybody and does a great job of picking up other team's tendencies, etc. He'll be back next year as a member of our coaching staff after he uses up his eligibility this year.

Ronnie Mannella and Brian Sheehan got thier first Hammers this week. Sheehan has been taking control of things behind the plate -- running the show. Ronnie has been "Executing the Routine" consistently. Nothing special, just getting the job done.

We also worked in some PFP (pitcher's fielding practice). On Wednesday, coach Sully got fed up with the pitchers and ran them. Thursday it was my turn to chew out the staff. I spoke to coach Benim over at Penn State Behrend on Thursday night. He was all over his pitchers the same day. "Must have been the full moon," he said. If anyone sees a pitcher today -- remind them fielding is a big part of the game.

To cure this, Saturday's practice will be two hours worth of boring pickoffs, boring fielding and other boring things.Can't wait!!

Thursday also saw our pitchers throw live in the cage vs. our hitters. Lars and Zach Jordon threw first. Next was a couple of freshmen lefties -- Ramsdell and Tommy Mo. Making progress. First up Friday will be Murr-dog and Joey Tingue, followed by a couple more lefties -- Grey and Ace. Time permitting, we'll get a few more arms rolling.

I'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of "The Kid", Gary Carter. The Hall of Fame catcher was one of the most popular players in all of the MLB in the 80's. He was known for his enthusiasm and being a big part of the powerhouse Expos team and the catcher on the '86 Mets. RIP, Gary.

Ending the week on a good note

Due to home basketball games in the afternoon (Saturday), the team was limited to practice in Dods Hall. That usually means a lot of ground balls, conditioning and pitchers finding something else to do (throw of the mounds in the corner of the Fieldhouse).

Prior to practice, freshman Adam Bronson attempted his run at the dips record. His form was ruled improper when he put up 71 in an earlier practice. Using proper form, he was able to pump out 47 dips -- a few shy of the record 57 Conor Lorenzo put up this winter, but something to shoot for.

Check out his form here.

Atta boy, Bronson!

Jake Nowak took home the Hammer for the group in Dods Hall. He won the ground ball tournament and competed strong in the conditioning. Second Hammer in about a week.

Evan Carmello took home the Hammer from the pitcher's practice. According to coach Sullivan, he had another outstanding bullpen session and is shwoing that he will be a very effective arm on our staff this year. He is also getting some work at second base and swinging a good stick.

Swinging away in the new cage

Tuesday's practice was a lot of hitting. After a couple of weeks, some of the players are making some adjustments. Adam Bronson and Justin Burns took home the co-Hammer Tuesday for making hitting adjustments from the fall.

Afternoon pitching sessions began this week. A strength of the team will be the deep quality of our staff -- which also makes it competitive for each pitcher. We have added three more lefties to go along with 'Ace' this year in addition to 14 quality hurlers overall.

We are looking at beginning hitters throwing live to hitters a little earlier this year. Usually we wait until about two weeks before we go to Florida. Late next week we'll roll out the mounds in the new batting cage.

Here junior catcher Brian Sheehan speaks to Jake Nowak about the new cage.

A big THANKS to A.D. Greg Prechtl and Assistant A.D. Megan Valentine for making this happen. New bleachers last year, new press box (replacing the 'O'Dell Hotel') this summer. Things keep getting better!

Time to catch up on some Z's

The team finished its final 6 a.m. workout today (Friday). We have a number of early games (9 a.m. starts) in Fort Myers during Spring Break, so hopefully this helps our players compete that early in the day. A 9 a.m. game means up at 6:30 or 7 a.m. We also have some early departures for some afternoon road trips.

 

Here, senior captain Josh Greco talks with sophomore Conner Lorenzo following the two weeks of morning workouts. With Tommy Dee and Joe Kephart graduated, Lorenzo hopes to battle for a starting spot in the middle infield.

Making the best of things

It's Monday and the Devils are back to work. For Ryan Fitzgerald, its a little bittersweet. A sophomore, Fitz was one of the most improved players this fall and was planning to compete for a starting position at catcher and DH. Unfortunately, he won't be playing this year. During the winter break, he tore his ACL and is done for the year.

However, Fitz has made every practice and has participated to any extent he can. He spent this morning coaching the other catchers and throwing balls for blocking drills, etc. standing on his good leg. He has also been to the trainer everyday and is doing what he needs to do to rehab the injury.

Today, he was given the Hammer for his positive outlook. Congrats, Fitz.

Practicing

The last few days, we began to work in our first and third defense and bunt defenses a little earlier than usual. For the first time in a while, we really don't have anyone that has been a starter in the program in the infield. Third baseman Dillon Lowe has a bunch of starts under his belt, and Brian Sheehan returns behind the plate, but other than that, we have a new group that will be starting.

We are still focusing on conditioning, too. Overall, we need to improve as a team significantly. We have 14 games in nine days to begin the year. Conditioing is important. The delinquent milers will be at it for extra wok Saturday morning.


Friday we will have part 1 of the Olympics, with the finals coming on Monday. By next week, FSU's Fittest Man will be named.

Congrats to Ryan Carmody and Ian Gallagher for picking up the Hammer the last few days. 


I want to give a 'shout out' to the Rooster (2008), All Decade DH. He's kind of upset about the IQ Test. " I wouldn't put too much stock in that, its a simple game." he wrote.

Day 1 in the books

The first day of 6 a.m.s is complete. We did our strength test and mile test and found some time for conditioning.

Congratulations to Connor Lorenzo for setting a new bench press mark. He hammered out 47 reps of 75% of his body weight. He wipes Vinnie VanAuker, Jon Messina and Josh Melquist (43 reps each) off the top of the chart. When reached for comments, Vinnie texted "Love the off season focus, team has a lot to prove and it sounds like they intend to do so." Josh Melquist texted "It's only because he has short arms." Thanks, Vinnie.

Dan Greco set the pace in the mile with a 5:33. It is tied for the fifth-best all time mark. Josh Greco and Donnie Kirsch finished together in 2010 with the same time.

The players also completed their baseball IQ test. We will review those in the days to come. It was a written test that reviewed NCAA rules and different situations. This is the first time we have done this.

We also worked in some bunting -- today's results were not where they should be. Kenny Johnston (new this semester) was able to get four straight bunts down to cut out some extra conditioning. Good impression for his new teammates.

Connor took home the Hammer today. He turned in an outstanding mile time in addition to his work in the weight room.

Snubbed again!

Jack Morris, a great competitor.

Once again the Hall of Fame voters overlooked one of the best competitors of the past 30 years. Jack Morris was snubbed by the voters, receiving only 67 percet of the vote, 48 votes shy of the 75 percent needed for induction.

Morris is a three-time World Series Champ with three different teams and was the ace and innings eater of those staffs. He tossed a no-hitter in 1984 and threw arguably the best game in the history of baseball -- a 10-inning shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. He was the best pitcher of the 1980's and had 254 career wins. He always threw the big game.

You've got my vote, Jack. A true winner.

From 'Everyday Andy' to 'Double Duty Dlugosz'

Andy tracking timeouts and looking sharp.

When Andy Dlugosz played for the Blue Devil baseball team, he appeared in more games than any other pitcher in the history of the program earning him the nickname 'Everyday Andy'. He finished his career with team records for wins, games, strikeouts and innings pitched. This year, he joined the baseball staff.

He also joined the basketball staff. Andy was a solid high school hoopster at Bishop Timon. His father, Nick, was a long-time basketball coach. Andy was very involved in the sport helping his dad with coaching and camps over the years. Working with two teams earns him the nickname 'Double Duty'.

Andy has been looking to make coaching a career, and has expanded his experience to include working with coach Kevin Moore and the hoops team. Andy had been the team's official statistician the previous four years. Andy has also done a great deal of work with the sports information staff, covering soccer in the fall, and has worked a number of hockey and volleyball games over the years.

Where are they now? Stu Gardner, Class of 1979

Stewart Gardner, ('79)
President and Founder
of Charlotte Wealth
Management, LLC

Our first a segment of “Where Are They Now” comes from Stuart Gardner.  Stuart Gardner played from 1977 to 1979 under Coach Ludwig.  Stuart mentions that as a team they were very successful in the years that he was here at Fredonia State.   

Just as we do now, Stuart and the Blue Devils took an annual trip down to Florida for spring training.  This is where he recalls some of his greatest memories.  One of his best memories during a game was when they were playing a Florida school and lost the first game 9-2.  In the night cap of the double header, then teammate Billy Nolan was the starting pitcher.  Early in the game, Nolan suffered an injury that was a result from a hard line drive that hit him in the throwing hand.  He finished the inning and when he returned to throw the next Nolan began to pitch with his opposite hand.  Gardner notes that Nolan actually threw better with his off hand.  

 Another vivid memory for Gardner also came from Florida.  They were sitting in their hotel room and one of the players dared Bart Carruth to do something somewhat not intelligent. Carruth ate an entire light bulb in the hotel room of Florida. Gardner says this was one of the funniest things he has witnessed.

Not long after graduation, Stu hooked up
with Charlotte O's Farm team (1980).

          Gardner's favorite personally memory is when he was yanked from the game after hitting a grand slam.  Gardner recollects, “It was a 2-0 count, Coach Luddy gave me the take sign, I couldn’t believe it, so I decided to hell with him I’m swinging, and sure enough I go and hit a grand slam.”  Gardner says that in the same exact game, Billy Nolan hit a grand slam as well but remained in the game.  Maybe you shouldn’t listen to the coach more often.  

He earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in psychology from Fredonia State University in 1979. He is President and Founder of Charlotte Wealth Management, LLC, and has worked extensively in the field of Financial Management since 1983, and currently resides in Charlotte, N.C.

Stuart and his wife, Gail, have been married since May 1984. They have two sons, Christopher and Chad. Stuart is a player, coach and a director for the Charlotte Adult Baseball League and enjoys playing ice hockey in the winter.

A sit-down with George Brett

Here is an excerpt from Peter Gammons writing about his interview with George Brett near the end of George's career. This has been referenced a time or two a practice.

GAMMONS: In September 1992, ESPN sent me to the home of one of my all-time favorite players, George Brett, for a Sunday Conversation as he edged closer to his 3,000th hit. "What do you want for your last at-bat?" I asked George.

"I want to hit a ground ball to second," Brett replied, "bust my butt down the line and be out by an eyelash."

---

I was a big fan of George's when I was growing up, even though the Twins were my team. Rarely has there been a player that has played as hard as George Brett while enjoying the game as much as he did.