ALYBF Girls Softball Toranto Blue Jays

Fall Softball League opening day SEPT. 9th, 2012

2012-08-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Attention Bluejays!

There is an opportunity to sign up for the Fall softball League which begins Sept. 9th

WHAT: ALYBF Girls’ Fall Softball Instructional League

WHEN: Sunday September 9^th, September 16th, September 23^rd and September 30^th. October 7^th and 14^th. Times are 5 pm to 7 pm each Sunday evening.

WHO: Girls age 8 to 13 (they will be split up according to Minors and Majors. Age as of April 30^th of 2013. That means PonyTailers are eligible.) Any younger girls still contact Ron.

WHERE: Instructional League will be played at Bleser and Vergei Fields. We have lights.

HOW: Cost - $30 checks made payable to ALYBF (cost covers insurance, umpires and t-shirts)

Contact – send email of interest to Ron Jantz at jantzes@aol.com please email your interest as soon as you can – to help with the planning of teams and overall numbers

WHY: To encourage the softball interest and development of girls in our community

Congratulations to the Blue Jays and A Special Thank You!

2012-07-20T11:28:00.005-07:00

Thank you Parents and Blue Jays for an amazing 1st year coaching! I appreciate all your help and support! I couldn't have done it without you ALL!

Special thanks to Sandy Bockelman, Erin Williams, Vic G, Bill and Margo Bondar and Zoe Cummings for helping coach the girls, especially with pitching!

Congratulations to Amelia, Katie and Courtney who represented the Blue Jays at the ALL Star game last night. All the girls did GREAT! Courtney was one of the only pitchers to have a girl hit off her pitching. Amelia had a great play at second base and Katie had a great hit! They each received a special medal.

Look out ALYBF, next year's Blue Jay's will be a force to be reckoned with. The Phillies team had 8 girls moving up to the minors. I believe we have 4, so the BJ team will be great! I will be moving up with Courtney next season! Good Luck to all of you! Think about coaching, it's a great experience all around! Thank you all for a wonderful summer. I had a blast coaching each of the girls. They ALL have come a long way!

Thanks to the girls that showed up last night to support the team and get their trophies! I still have 3 trophies out of 13 left. I will leave them on my front porch bench through the weekend if you would like to pick them up. Email me, lborlandcountry@gmail.com for my address. Thanks again!

ALL STAR GAME Thursday July 19th Blesser Park

2012-07-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar! The girls will have an ALL Star Game this coming Thursday July 19th @ Blesser Park either Vergei or Blesser fields. Warm up's start at 7:30pm.

I have lots of trophies! For those girls not moving up, please attend the all star game to receive your trophy.

The All Star game will only be for the girls that are 8 by April 30th. I thought it would be fun for all the girls to watch the game and cheer on their teammates!

In order to play, you will need to advise me that your daughter will be playing and makes the cut off. They will be put on a team with other players from other teams.

Thanks! Laurie

CONFIRMED JULY 3rd Game CANCELLED

2012-06-27T08:36:00.001-07:00

Just got word from Ron Jantz that there will not be any games on JULY 3rd.

"I just spoke with the city…there will be no games at Weiss next Tuesday. Avon Lake Fireworks festivities will begin at 6:30 that night at Weiss with a concert and such so there will be no activity on fields."

~Ron Jantz ALYBF

Team Photo Tuesday June 19th 5:45

2012-06-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

Due to all the travel during the Memorial Day weekend our Team Photo was rescheduled.

We will be taking our team photo June 19th Tuesday at 5:45 at Weiss Field prior to our game.

Parent volunteer coaches are welcome to join the photo. Bring your SMILE!

Photo Credit: Shutter stock

Pitching Clinic Sundays 6-7 Weiss Field #5

2012-06-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Below is an excerpt from Ron Jantz from the ALYBF Pony Tail League in regards to a pitching clinic that they are holding. We will use this as our training ground for pitchers. If your child wants to pitch, plan on attending these Sunday night clinics. We will use 15 minutes of our practice for the girl to use those skills and warm up. This will take lots of practice for consistancy. Thanks for your support.

"I would like to invite all of you and any players moving up to the Minors to the pitching and catching instructional workouts we hold on Sunday nights from 6 to 7 pm on Weiss Field #5.

WE WILL NOT BE DOING THEM THIS SUNDAY BECAUSE OF FATHER’S DAY.

Soon, you will start to have your older players pitch (three pitches per batter) in your games. Before you get to that point I would ivite you to come out ad learn the basics of windmill pitching and how to teach the girls some very simple and effective drills they can practice own with too.

Every Sunday night (except this Sunday) on Weiss #5 from 6 to 7 pm."

Tuesday June 12th Game

2012-06-12T09:17:00.001-07:00

*We mentioned an early practice for pitching this week, BUT we will not start til next week. Be at the field at the normal time 6PM.

*New Batting Order and Positions tonight!

*Snack is Cummings.

*We will begin pitching tryouts next week. We will need about 4 girls to effectively pitch in the last 1/2 of the season. With that said, I know that they all need to be taught. So....

*Mrs. Williams will be our pitching coach. We are working out the details as to when we were going to have the extra practice for pitching. These are the names of the pitchers that said they were interested:

Katie
Jane
Brynn
Natshia
Amelia
Courtney
Coryn

Let me know if there is anyone else that I missed.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS! Blue Jays

2012-06-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

We had a great HITTING game Thursday. Those girls should all be proud of themselves!

**EMERGENCY MEDICAL FORMS: I am still missing forms. We have had 2 (small injuries) at each game. Technically your child should not be playing without a form, ESPECIALLY if you will not be there. I will need them by Tuesdays game. Thanks for your prompt attention and understanding.

**DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE SNACK SCHEDULE (prior blog post links are listed below for your reference-it's labeled Snack Schedule)!!

**MONDAY JUNE 4TH 5:45-8:45 Concession Stand Duty @ Wiess:

One of the things our team is required to do is volunteer to work the concession stand. We have 3 hours on Monday to cover. I split it up into 1 hour increments. I still need volunteers. Please let me know if you will be able to cover 1 hour between 5:45-8:45. Thanks so much!

**INFIELD POSITIONS: If your child is playing an infield position on this rotation, please let me know if she will NOT be at a game. This way I will know for practice who will be filling in for her spot.

**Practice 6pm Tuesdays/Thrusdays
We will be using pre-game time to teach positions and making plays. Please make sure you daughter arrives at practice by 6:00 so we can avoid confusion (especially girls who are playing in the infield for this current rotation).

**THANK YOU to all the parents who helped out! I have received feedback from parents on who can help, but I would like to put a schedule out on who is helping on which days so as to avoid any confusion of who is in the field, coaching a base, pitching, or on the bench. Please let me know if you can help and specific dates that you can't help (it can only be for the next 2 weeks if you are unsure further out).

THANKS again for all your continued support!

L.Borland

MONDAY June 4th CONCESSION stand DUTY

2012-05-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents! AYBF team parents are responsible for manning the concession stand once during the season. Our date was just confirmed this morning as Monday June 4th.

I need 3 or more parents to man 1 hour from 5:45-8:45 Monday June 4th at the Weiss Concession Stand. You can stay the entire time, but I thought we could split it up. Your children are allowed to help, but you must be in charge in the stand.

Please let me know tonight or email me today who will be able to take a slot! Thank you!

Parental Guidance/Snack Schedule (see bottom)

2012-05-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Parents! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to all the parents who have helped in one way or another whether it was at practice, in the game or even just to help pack or to carry that monster bag!

I know that with this being my first year coaching (and Courtney's first year playing) it is somewhat of a learning experience for us. I am realizing that without having any more practices that having more help in running the team is needed. The girls still have so much to learn. With that said, I would like to add some helping positions to our team and ask for you to commit to certain dates. I would really appreciate it and I know the girls will benefit from it.

2 field managers are needed when on defense. Sandy Bockelman and I can cover that. BUT on offense we need 1st and 3rd coaches, a bench coach and a pitcher.

Sandy and I can handle the bench/batting and pitching. I will need coaches for 1st and 3rd. I also know that Sandy won't be able to make it to a few games (Sandy, if you can email me the dates you can't make it) I will post those dates and we will fill those spots as well. If you are interested in pitching, please let me know when you can help with that. I would love help in that area too. Please email me (lborlandcountry@gmail.com) the dates you can help out sometime this week. (I'll post them by Friday) I think it will best help make sure we can coach the kids while in the field. We were only able to cover so much in are few practices. FYI, All games our on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

SNACK SCHEDULE:

Game 1: Borland
Game 2: Beckman
Game 3: Bockelman
Game 4: Bondar
Game 5: Cummings
Game 6: Garldauskas
Game 7: Kerner
Game 8: Malbasa
Game 9: Ritt
Game 10: Sidloski
Game 11: Von Glahn
Game 12: Wheeler
Game 13: Williams
Game 14: Borland

FIRST Game Tuesday MAY 29

2012-05-28T17:17:00.001-07:00

See you at Weiss Field @ 6pm Tuesday!

We have more girls than we can use in the field so FYI, there will be girls sitting the bench. We will be shuffling them around as best we can.

THANK YOU to all the families that made it to the parade today! It was fun. Check out some of the fun we had......

BLUE JAYS in the PARADE on Monday

2012-05-24T13:11:00.001-07:00

The Memorial Day parade is a tradition in AL and with ALYBF.

The parade is Memorial Day (Monday) at 10:00 am
The teams assemble in the high school North parking lot in the drive by the Performing Art Center (auditorium) at 9:30 am.
Generally the younger kids march first by team.
Parents buy bags of candy for kids to throw to the crowd. You can get inexpensive candy at Walmart, Costco, etc.
Parents are welcome to walk with the team and assist.

PLEASE HAVE THE GIRLS WEAR THEIR FULL UNIFORM and BRING A decent size bag of candy.

Please reply in the comments below if you are unable to attend. Otherwise....I will see you all on Monday morning 9:30am.

ENJOY your weekend. It is a great time to practice! Our first game is next week!

REMEMBER: pictures are SATURDAY!

Thank you, L.Borland

TEAM PHOTOS

2012-05-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

WHAT: Picture Day

WHEN: May 26^th

WHERE: Avon Lake High School **not Troy as originally planned ** (Outside if it is nice. Inside the gym if weather is bad)

WHAT TO WEAR – your full uniform and visor. Bring your glove.

HOW: I will deliver forms to practice this coming Tuesday night.

PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY WITH THE FORM FILLED OUT AND IN THE HAND OF YOUR DAUGHTER. It makes the picture slot move efficiently.

8:40 am - Indians – Photographer Station “B”

9:00 am – Marlins – Photographer Station “A”

9:00 am – Blue Jays – Photographer Station “B”

9:10 am – DBacks – Photographer Station “A”

9:10 am – Phillies – Photographer Station “B”

9:20 am – Orioles – Photographer Station “A”

PRACTICE THROWING OVER THE WEEKEND!

2012-05-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Blue Jay Team has been working hard all week. We are learning everyday. It is a lot to take in.

Please work on throwing and catching the ball with your daughter. The most important thing our team will need to do will be to make plays. In order to make a play, we must be able to catch the ball and throw it (and throw it far). If you have trouble with the video, you may have to go to coachborland.blogspot.com blog directly.

Next week we will be working on throwing the ball from 3rd base to 1st. It's a long way. I am sure a little practice on this amazing weekend we are to have will do wonders.

Here are some video's to help you teach your daughter how to grip the ball and throw it. Every little bit of practice will help. We use a 4 finger grip across the seams.

Video filmed at University of Central Florida
http://www.ucfathletics.com/index-main.html

What Does a BLUE JAY look like?

2012-05-14T12:13:00.002-07:00

FIRST PRACTICE TUESDAY MAY 15TH @WIESS FIELD
*I will have coupons at practice for:
Dicks (misc. coupons)
Gymboree (30%, off shorts 5.99-13.99)

What does a Blue Jay WEAR?
Couldn't find light blue socks @ Dicks. Did find Blue and/or Pink tye-dye @ Dicks $8*Courtney is wearing the shoulder cinches. These are not required, but some girls wear them to stay cool during the hot summer. We got them @ Dicks for $3.99.

How does a Blue Jay FIELD A Ground ball?
*Knees bent. Bottoms up. Glove on the ground and free hand over top to stop the ball. SMASH it into the glove. Use that hand on the ball to throw it.

What does ready position look like?
*Knees bent. Hands on knees. Head up. Smile. Cheer your team on.

Did you say use TEA CUP fingers when lining up your bat with the ball?
*We will discuss at practice. Use tea cup fingers to point straight forward when hitting the ball. If the fingers are pointed down...wrong position. If the fingers point up....wrong position. They should be pointing forward. (Use a T to practice batting. It builds confidence and accuracy.

Is Your Daughter Interested in PITCHING?

2012-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

This league is coach-pitch, HOWEVER.....Mid-season we will be letting the girls who will be moving up to the MINORS begin pitching.

I would like to start working with some of the girls at the beginning of the season, so they feel confident when
it's their time to pitch.

If your daughter is interested and would like to try out pitching, please let me know. THANKS!

FINAL practice and GAME Schedule

2012-05-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

PRACTICE @Weiss (drop off 5-5:15 so that practice can begin promptly at 5:15 : )
Tuesday MAY 15TH 5-6:30 Field #11 (SKILLS: running/hitting)
Thursday May 17th 5-6:30 Field #11 (SKILLS: throwing/fielding)

Tuesday May 22nd 6:30-7:45 Field #10 (drop off 6:15-6:30) (SKILLS: based on need)
Thursday May 24th 6:30-7:45 Field #11 (batting/fielding)

BRING to EVERY PRACTICE:
*Please WEAR your Jersey to practice. *BRING your Softball MITT. *WEAR your Cleats. *BRING a : ) and a WATER BOTTLE.

UNIFORMS:
(on Monday the girls decided the team complimentary uniform color will be pink)
For each GAME please have your daughter wear her:

Team JERSEY
SHORTS/SKORT in LIGHT PINK
SOCKS in Powder Blue (same color as jersey) (softball socks can be bought at DICK's Sporting Goods
Team VISOR

GAME SCHEDULE: All games start at 6:30pm 5:45-6pm drop off so warm-ups can begin at 6pm)

Game 1-May 29
Orioles v. Blue Jays Field 10

Game 2-May 31st
D'Backs v. Blue Jays Field 11

Game 3-June 5th
Indians v. Blue Jays Field 11

Game 4-June 7th
Blue Jays v. Phillies Field 8

Game 5-June 12th
Blue Jays v. Marlins Field 10

Game 6-June 14th
Orioles v. Blue Jays Field 10

Game 7-June 19th
D'Backs v. Blue Jays Field 11

Game 8-June 21st
Indians v. Blue Jays Field 11

Game 9-June 26th
Blue Jays v. Phillies Field 8

Game 10-June 28th
Blue Jays v. Marlins Field 10

Game 11-July 3rd
Orioles v. Blue Jays Field 10

Game 12-July 5th
D'Backs v. Blue Jays Field 11

Game 13-July 10th
Indians v. Blue Jays Field 11

Game 14-July 12th
Blue Jays v. Phillies Field 8

All Star Game TBD

Practice Makes "Perfect"!

2012-05-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARENTS and BLUE JAYS who turned out for the meet and greet!

I am SOOOO excited to start playing ball! We have an amazing group of girls! I know, based off this meet and greet that we are going to have an amazing season!

We have a great group of girls who are excited to LEARN, give their BEST EFFORT and HAVE FUN! (these were the answers I got from your girls)

WITH THAT SAID.....we will only have a few practices before our 1st game. I want to get as much practice in as possible. I am going to see if we can add another one if possible.

SO...If I can enlist ALL of you parents to work on some hand eye coordination catching and even hitting. ABSOLUTELY use a wiffle ball and bat! or any ball to get the girls moving and coordinating their eyes and hands.

Like I said...it is all about "FUN"damentals. We are going to be focused on learning and having fun! If we win...all the better...if not...we learn about losing...it is all good.

I heard the practise schedule and game schedule will be out later this week. I will keep you up to date.

(I can't believe I missed a picture opportunity with the girls today....next week. Please make sure you all comment advising if your daughter's picture will be publishable on the website) Thanks! Coach L.

Update on tomorrow's meet and greet!

2012-05-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

It was just brought to my attention that someone was unable to leave a comment. One of the settings was incorrect. It should be fixed now.

I would like to get a head count for tomorrow. If you could comment (if still having trouble--just email me) on if you will be there.

I am only able to stay for a short time. I have a PSR picnic to attend (I'm a teacher and my kids attend as well)....some of you may need to go as well. Tomorrows game looks like it was the only home one this week, so I wanted to just get us together to say hello and hang out.

MEET and GREET Tuesday

2012-05-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

Blue Jays social Tuesday @ 4:30! Jerseys and hats will be distributed. Bring your smile!

High School Girls Softball Sectionals start tomorrow. The game will be at home at 4:30. We will plan to meet at 4:30 at the girls softball field (use the entrance off 83--the fields are off to the right)

I know this is early. Please reply in the comments if you will be attending at 4:30 with your child's name and the words attending on Tuesday.

I am so excited to start the season! We really are going to have a great time!

Welcome Parents and Players!

2012-05-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

We are the TORONTO BLUE JAYS!

I am coach Laurie Borland.

Team Roster

Courtney B. Erieview
Maddie B. Erieview
Coryn C. Menlo
Sophia K. Erieview
Natasha G. Menlo
Hannah M. Eastview
Amelia V. Menlo
Katherine W. Eastview
Jordan W. Eastview
Caroline S. Eastview

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

NEXT WEEK TBD We will have a team gathering for a MEET AND GREET at the girls high school softball game. Jerseys and visors will be handed out. Come out for a FUN get to know you good time!

PRACTICE 1 begins May 15th 6:30-7:45

PRACTICE 2 May 22nd 6:30-7:45

GAME 1 May 29th Time TBD

Practice locations will be updated when further details are available.

HELP WANTED/NEEDED:

Assistant Coach: I need a committed parent that would be willing to help at practices and games with fundamentals and logistics during the game. It will be once a week practice and at the games. Our team is about having FUN, but also about learning "FUN"damentals. Shoot me an email (address below) if you are interested.

Cheerleaders/At home coaches:

Our goal is to have fun playing softball. However, we do not have much practice before our first game. Our girls are young and will need lots of coaching at home with love and support to cheer them on as their skills grow. I will be posting "how to" blogs (possibly videos) on the proper fundamentals of throwing, hitting, pitching, running and catching. Any help that you can pass along to your daughters will be wonderful. It brings about a happy player and a closer bond with your family. Go Blue Jays! (no need to contact me...but you knew that! ; ))

PHOTO RELEASE:

I will be posting pics of the girls at practice and in games. Please reply in the comments section at the end of the post with "Photo release confirmed for (your child's name)" You do this for your children for school each year. If you do not wish to participate, you may email me separately or just list "Not participating in photos (your child's name)"

CONTACT INFO:
Laurie Borland
Phone: 937-407-5315
Email: lborlandcountry@gmail.com