The Dugout Club

XMAS COMES EARLY TO R.O.O.T. 4 BASEBALL SUPPORTERS – AND NOW PERHAPS FOR MANY OTHERS!!

It’s been an exciting week for those of us that have been utilizing the “RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL” for BASEBALL TRAINING…..Richmond City Council voted this past Monday to keep “Batting Cages” in the mix for the “Conversion To Community Legacy Mode” (Adjustment of Priorities). $175,000 remains committed to the project for now. That bodes well for us, as many other projects were dropped from the conversion list.

In the meantime, If you’re looking for a “unique gift” this XMAS SEASON for the ballplayer in your family, (ranging from possibly as low as $72 to $330) you might –  like many of the rest of us 70 or so past participants – may consider taking advantage of it while it last. Nothing is forever, as they say.

v     JAN – MARCH TRAINING SESSIONS (MOSQ – JR. MEN): They’re filling up fast once again from players from Van to Chilliwack. Should you want to give your child “AN OUTSTANDING XMAS GIFT”, that perhaps will KEEP ON GIVING FOR A LIFETIME, send me an email at serj@dugoutclub.ca and I’ll forward you the information. Note: For those “tight on funds” at this time of year (or in general for that matter), please feel free to discuss with me “In Confidence”.

v     PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FOR THOSE IN TADPOLE and/or 1^st YEAR MOSQ – 1 ½ HR SESSIONS

In spite of our desire to begin a BASEBALL ACADEMY one day, we fully realize that it’s the “Grassroots Development” that will sustain this “vision”. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to book some times AT THE OVAL for players in that age group….Times presently available are TEN Weds Nights (5:15 – 6:45 p.m. from Jan. 26^th to March 30th) and/or SIX Sunday Nights (2 separate sessions from 6:00 – 9 p.m.-) from Feb. 20^th – March 27^th…If there’s a TADPOLE / MOSQ Cord that would like to consider developing this program along with us, please get in touch with me at serj@dugoutclub.ca. Failing any interest in this, we’ll look for other uses or return the time to the Oval in a timely fashion. (Nobody can then say they “didn’t have the chance”, right?)

NOTE: Approx cost would be between $12 – $17 / session depending on participant interest and numbers!! (About the price of a movie with popcorn, etc….Only thing is “THIS OVAL EXPERIENCE” will be with you a lot longer!!!)…There would also be a “Free Introductory Open House” on Jan.23^rd to introduce you to the facility, should the appropriate coordinators help to bring this about.

v     JR. MEN REGISTRANTS “SHORT ON CASH” – Should the above “TADPOLE OPPORTUNITY” come to fruition, we’ll look to those Jr. Men aged 18 – 24 years old to help run these sessions in return for “registration dollars” provided by “TDC”. (You’ll need to get your CRC done….There may also be opportunities from the associations and/or the Dugout Club to take courses in order to get your NCCP qualifications in the event you’d like to carry on coaching into the season.)….If you’re interested in this opportunity and have registered/plan to register to play Jr. Men’s, send me an email.

FACTS AND FICTION ABOUT THE OVAL

FALSE – “It’s only for the “privileged” - The strength is in the numbers….If 60 TADPOLE / MOSQ players wanted to get involved – over 3 separate sessions –  we could help them to do that  for about $15 / session with Jr. Instructors….IN THE OVAL….Read that over again…….slowly.

TRUE – We’re looking into adding a PERSONAL TRAINER COMPONENT for any parents waiting for their children. (It’s in the works).

FALSE – “You can’t get up there unless you’re a member” – Like any member facility (Steve Nash, YMCA, Pools, etc), it has it’s limitations BUT if you really want to come up there, just head my way on the Sunday Night sessions OR drop by the XMAS CAMPS this weekend and I’ll show you what “we’re all about”.

TRUE – “It’s Serj’s Place” -  ABSOLUTELY!!…. Just like “CHEERS” was Norm’s and Cliff’s place!!!….I love “THE VIBE” of walking into that building on any given day…There’s a reason that Volleyball, Hockey, etc have come on board there….Not to mention Baseball Canada’s Girl’s Program, NW LL, etc…..Heck, if it’s MY PLACE, and you guys are paying the light bill through your taxes, etc….that’s even better!!

FALSE – “Serj likes to talk a little” – No Way!!!!…..I like to talk A LOT…… when it comes to BASEBALL!!….I’d go all day and all night given the chance..(Ok, some of you already think I do!!….It’s been both my “curse” and my “BLESSING” for 49 of my 55 years!!!….There’s worse addictions, yes??))

If you’d like to partake in “Talking Baseball”, you can send me an email at serj@dugoutclub.ca or call and LEAVE A MESSAGE at 604.275.6988 (Hit 1 for “Baseball Matters For Serj”) and I’ll get back to you asap should you require any further information on these opportunities.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

WINTERBALL 2010 SESSIONS AT THE RICHMOND OVAL – “R.O.O.T 4 BASEBALL”

The first FULL training sessions went “pretty well” by all reports last week.

Having said that – just as with the players – we want to make sure we’re just “a little bit better” in our approach here each and every time out. To that end, the Dugout Club has had some great dialogue this week, both with the Oval and amongst ourselves. Hopefully you’ll see those changes take place this coming week. One thing that will remain constant for now, is the usage of the ENTIRE area for our groups. Something, as we move further into this, I believe we should really try to do.

We’ve also had a few more players wanting to join the mix. To that end, we’re taking steps to add instructors, as well as reviewing the way we use our “core instructors”, Jeff and Derran.

See you all this weekend..(Or most of you!!!). PLEASE vote on the Poll Question before leaving the site…I can use the help with my “picks”!!

Serj

Mosq / Pee Wee – 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Jr. Men / Out of Town Midgets (Unless those advised otherwise)- 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Richmond Midgets - 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Contact serj@dugoutclub.ca if you’d like to enroll your son OR daughter amongst the 40+ that have already enrolled!!

Play Ball!!!