“It ain’t cheatin’ if you don’t get caught”
The above quote is from Lefty Gomez in an era when there was the spitball, guys betting on games, and other conniving ways to win games and money! Hmm, does not look like much has changed. It is a wonder why they just cannot play the game instead of trying to find ways to circumvent the rules and get an edge?? Let’s just play ball and throw a pitch with real skill involved rather than a foreign substance or other attached!
The “Back in the Game” tourney is coming up quickly. We play July 17-18th(NO Friday games) and need to be ready to PLAY KLOUTER BALL!! The 11Us will be playing at 50/70’ so we need to adjust our thinking and “inner game”. We have a short meeting/practice on Wednesday, July 14-(10am-11:30 or so)) at Medina Elementary to review leads and mound moves. Players on both the 9U and 11U must let us know if you will NOT be at the tourney. We realize A-S LL is inaction and will adjust accordingly.
IMPORTANT: We still need a 12U team and UMPIRES for this tourney…ANY HELP APPRECIATED!! TY and KWTP!!
The following tourney is “3 Earls of Everett” and will be July 31-Aug 1(NO Friday games). We are almost full but do need two 10U teams to complete the brackets…and again, we do need umpires!!
For both tourneys, we are having our FirstSwing booth and need “volunteers” to help us. The monies raised by the sales are instrumental in maintaining our giving programs and for helping need kids. PLEASE help in any way you can. We do need baseball cards, especially new ones. If you have access to these please do email Coach Phil.
The August tournament has been cancelled as both Nick and Phil are not available. We will still play the Labor Day and Fall Classic and have an Extra Innings on August 4th(see attached). The status of the July 21st Extra Innings is in limbo and will send information next week.
It is very important to understand that many youth umpires have quit as to the demeanor or coaches and parents/fans. It has become a real problem in that the loss of perspective is beginning to ruin the great youth game. I have been involved running tourneys for over 40 years and have never seen such a mess. I cannot blame the umpires as there is only so much abuse you can tolerate. Our tourneys have tried to keep out the teams with questionable reputations but now it seems as if it is rife among all programs and teams. I am very proud of the Klouters’ approach to games and ball, but sorry to say that we are in the minority and chided by some because we are not so aggressive and do not travel.
The intent and impetus to create Klouter teams was to keep the kids local and learn the game. We have been lucky to have Phil Johnson and to keep the game in perspective. Travelling is fine for some, but it should be looked at something that players/teams should have to earn. More importantly, youth players should learn the game and have fun without having to travel and practice all the time. Baseball is a rite of passage and an important environment in which to learn the game, life lessons, and appreciate childhood. We have never subscribed to “stealing a youngster’s childhood” and have encouraged doing the many things kids should do in the summer…Scouts, music, camps, reading, fishing, golf, art, etal!! LTD!!!
HEROES of the MONTH: The many interns, 14, that helped us with a very successful camp two weeks ago. These young men gave their time/efforts to teach the game and create a safe and fun learning environment for youngsters. To give back is the greatest reward of the game and they were stalwart. Proud to be a KLOUTER!!! WNM!!!
BOOK of the MONTH: Bomber Mafia, Malcom Gladwell. The author of The Outliers explains the change in war strategy with the advent of the airplane. It is one of the best dialogues explaining how war has changed over the centuries. Now if he can figure out a way to end wars….
MOVIE of the MONTH: “My Octopus Teacher”. One of the best(Oscar winner) documentaries in recent years. You can feel the cold of the water and the warmth of the octopus…..a MUST SEE! On Netflix and worth the watch!! 5 GLOVES
ADAGE of the MONTH: EAT the Rainbow..see attached and DO IT!!
MARINER of the MONTH: Hector Santiago..evidently it is cheating!
FOREIGN BASEBALL WORD of the MONTH: Lanzamiento salvaje(Spanish) is wild pitch!
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” GAGBTR!!
FREE ADVICE of the MONTH: Play more than ONE sport..duh!
CONUNDRUM of the MONTH: If 11 + 2 = 1 what does 9 + 5 =??
ANAGRAM of the MONTH: Gold and Silver = Grand old evils!!
QUOTE of the MONTH: “Hide your good deeds as well as your evil ones!!”
“It ain’t cheatin’ if you don’t get caught”
The above quote is from Lefty Gomez in an era when there was the spitball, guys betting on games, and other conniving ways to win games and money! Hmm, does not look like much has changed. It is a wonder why they just cannot play the game instead of trying to find ways to circumvent the rules and get an edge?? Let’s just play ball and throw a pitch with real skill involved rather than a foreign substance or other attached!
The “Back in the Game” tourney is coming up quickly. We play July 17-18th(NO Friday games) and need to be ready to PLAY KLOUTER BALL!! The 11Us will be playing at 50/70’ so we need to adjust our thinking and “inner game”. We have a short meeting/practice on Wednesday, July 14-(10am-11:30 or so)) at Medina Elementary to review leads and mound moves. Players on both the 9U and 11U must let us know if you will NOT be at the tourney. We realize A-S LL is inaction and will adjust accordingly.
IMPORTANT: We still need a 12U team and UMPIRES for this tourney…ANY HELP APPRECIATED!! TY and KWTP!!
The following tourney is “3 Earls of Everett” and will be July 31-Aug 1(NO Friday games). We are almost full but do need two 10U teams to complete the brackets…and again, we do need umpires!!
For both tourneys, we are having our FirstSwing booth and need “volunteers” to help us. The monies raised by the sales are instrumental in maintaining our giving programs and for helping need kids. PLEASE help in any way you can. We do need baseball cards, especially new ones. If you have access to these please do email Coach Phil.
The August tournament has been cancelled as both Nick and Phil are not available. We will still play the Labor Day and Fall Classic and have an Extra Innings on August 4th(see attached). The status of the July 21st Extra Innings is in limbo and will send information next week.
It is very important to understand that many youth umpires have quit as to the demeanor or coaches and parents/fans. It has become a real problem in that the loss of perspective is beginning to ruin the great youth game. I have been involved running tourneys for over 40 years and have never seen such a mess. I cannot blame the umpires as there is only so much abuse you can tolerate. Our tourneys have tried to keep out the teams with questionable reputations but now it seems as if it is rife among all programs and teams. I am very proud of the Klouters’ approach to games and ball, but sorry to say that we are in the minority and chided by some because we are not so aggressive and do not travel.
The intent and impetus to create Klouter teams was to keep the kids local and learn the game. We have been lucky to have Phil Johnson and to keep the game in perspective. Travelling is fine for some, but it should be looked at something that players/teams should have to earn. More importantly, youth players should learn the game and have fun without having to travel and practice all the time. Baseball is a rite of passage and an important environment in which to learn the game, life lessons, and appreciate childhood. We have never subscribed to “stealing a youngster’s childhood” and have encouraged doing the many things kids should do in the summer…Scouts, music, camps, reading, fishing, golf, art, etal!! LTD!!!
HEROES of the MONTH: The many interns, 14, that helped us with a very successful camp two weeks ago. These young men gave their time/efforts to teach the game and create a safe and fun learning environment for youngsters. To give back is the greatest reward of the game and they were stalwart. Proud to be a KLOUTER!!! WNM!!!
BOOK of the MONTH: Bomber Mafia, Malcom Gladwell. The author of The Outliers explains the change in war strategy with the advent of the airplane. It is one of the best dialogues explaining how war has changed over the centuries. Now if he can figure out a way to end wars….
MOVIE of the MONTH: “My Octopus Teacher”. One of the best(Oscar winner) documentaries in recent years. You can feel the cold of the water and the warmth of the octopus…..a MUST SEE! On Netflix and worth the watch!! 5 GLOVES
ADAGE of the MONTH: EAT the Rainbow..see attached and DO IT!!
MARINER of the MONTH: Hector Santiago..evidently it is cheating!
FOREIGN BASEBALL WORD of the MONTH: Lanzamiento salvaje(Spanish) is wild pitch!
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” GAGBTR!!
FREE ADVICE of the MONTH: Play more than ONE sport..duh!
CONUNDRUM of the MONTH: If 11 + 2 = 1 what does 9 + 5 =??
ANAGRAM of the MONTH: Gold and Silver = Grand old evils!!
QUOTE of the MONTH: “Hide your good deeds as well as your evil ones!!”