In a tight, well played game at SUNY, the last place Shaskys beat the tied for second place Blue Jays to secure their first win of the season. The pitching was outstanding for both teams, but Todd McCurty of the Shaskys was especially effective, going five innings and giving up one earned run on five hits, and walking four. Mark Callahan came in to do a strong close - two innings, no runs, no hits. The Shaskys scored one in the bottom of the first with a single by Callahan followed by an rbi double from Mike Camoin. The Blue Jays came right back with 2 in the top of the second on a double by Caputo, a single by Celentrano, a walk to Marello, and a sac fly by Kravitz. The Shaskys came right back and scored again in the bottom of the second on a double by Chris Sanford and a two-out rbi single by Tony Grocki. The scoring was closed out by The Shaskys in the bottom of the third when a single by Chris Schiller, a single by Callahan, and a walk to Camoin led to their second run. After that it was all pitching, with Sheen and another pitcher for the Blue Jays, and the combination of McCurty and Callahan for The Shaskys keeping their opponents at bay the rest of the way. It was a very fun and very close game, with good play by both teams in the field. The Shaskys celebrated their first victory with an immediate blunder, as all The Shaskys congratulated each other without using the special "Shasky High-five" they had all been taught when they joined the team...
I'm reluctant to speak for Tony on this matter, but my understanding is that everyone on the Shaskys bats and plays in the field in every game. He tries to equalize inning totals among all of his players. I call it "player centered," for lack of better phrase.
This is the approach I'm taking with my team, the Cougars, as well--albeit without a win, so far. We endeavor to be competitive, but place somewhat less emphasis on our won-lost record than, perhaps, other teams. Our goal is to promote team unity by giving everyone who shows up a chance to play and improve.
Clearly, the Cougars are a work in progress. It is our hope that following our last game we will all agree that we made some new friends and had a productive and enjoyable season.
I don't know about what Frank said, but I would say the Shaskys "player-centered approach" has two main components. There is the on-field component and the off-field component. On the field, and I guess you would have seen this in action if you had made it to the game, we start each play as if it's a football play, with the team huddled around the pitcher on the mound as he prepares the pitch. Some of my guys are rugby players so this kind of like a "scrum". Right before the windup starts we dash out to our positions, thus not giving our strategic placement away to the batter, who has to swing without knowing where all the fielders are going to be. This is the player-center concept. We all start in the center. As for the off-field component, we believe the entire team revolves, or "centers" around each player. And that means paying special attention. So we pamper our players with full-body massages at DiCarlo's Men's Club before and after every game. So far we haven't any complaints - boy it's great having a sponsor!
Thanks for the explanation. I love the whole "scrum" idea.
First seasons are great. We went 2-19 our first year in 2001 and in many ways it was the best year we ever had, we were all so thrilled to be playing hardball again.
But I maintain that the majority of players are in this league to compete, and the best have a bone-deep desire to win. The thrill of "just playing" diminishes over time. It's a balancing act, and not easy, but my (unsolicited) advice is this: Don't disregard the importance of notching some victories along the way. Of course, to do that requires some hard decisions along the way. Every team is different. There's no right way or wrong way. Good luck charting your own course.
Your comments are measured, thoughtful, and even prescient, perhaps, as regards the future approach of the Cougars, at least. For now, we are proceeding with "plan A." Who really knows what the future holds? There is always the possibility of change.
Just a few observations, if I may.
One of my players made an interesting remark to me. He said, "If I were putting a team together, I would go out and find the 15 best guys available--the only problem is, I wouldn't want to play for that team."
Funny thing, as I was assembling my team of stragglers, wash-outs, and guys who haven't played since they were 9 years old, I kept hearing the same thing from virtually everyone: "I'm not so concerned about taking the title--I just want to play." It was hard to argue with an approach that just about everyone endorsed.
And, yes, having played on some losing teams, I can attest that losing gets old after a while. But I will say that some of that comes from not having the respect of other teams. And so I feel that it is my obligation to the teams we face to give them a competitive game, if possible.
I also tend to think that it wasn't the losing, so much, that was hard to take, but rather the 25-2 thrashings. Losing a 3-2 game to a good team is not the best outcome, but at least it preserves a bit of dignity.
We play to win. That goes without saying. There is no other way.
That's why I'm willing to train hard in the off season, practice endlessly, diet, learn as much as I can, miss my daughter's games, and try my best to run my team the right way.
What I'm not so willing to do is bench a guy who comes to practices, tries hard, and shows up for the games ready to go. Nor am I willing to tell a 55 year old guy who's only dream is to play baseball again that he has no place on my team.
