Pirates take BP

John Denney, Rich Mills and David Stierle took batting practice and threw at John's batting cage Saturday afternoon.  The warm, nearly 50° temperature and John's new pitching machine (thanks to John's wife) permitted each of them to get in 50+ swings apiece.

The Pirates open the 2013 season on June 3.

Latest From Leo - 2/19

Hey Guys -

I want to let you know that on Saturday February 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at John Denney's indoor facility the Pirates will hold their first of many batting and throwing sessions!  Check the blog for address and direction to John place in Jeffersonville.  

[539 Champion Road
Jeffersonville, IN
(next to the Bowles Mattress Co.)]

Now, usually you would have pitchers and catcher report first but in this case everyone is welcome to be there.  I will not be able to participate.  I will be in lovely OK City!

 

Grab your lumber (easy Doc, I know what you're thinking) and glove and come take swings in the cage and start warming up the arms.

Leo

Latest From Leo - February 16th

Good Morning -

Folks it's that time of year where we start the process that leads us to another run towards winning the title in the Louisville MSBL baseball league!

Who is with me?  Hold your hands up.  Higher!  Oh, sorry forgot this is via the interweb!

I'm contacting all of you so we start to put together our team, get in a few practices and get ready to play baseball.  Last year is over and so 2013 gives us a clean slate.  There are some changes that will happen within our league this year.  Here are the highlights that came out of the recent manager's meeting.

Our season starts Sunday June 2, 2013!  That means we have 14 weeks or about 105 days to get our- selves in playing shape, meaning getting our arms loose and legs stronger.  Guys we can't wait until the week before the season starts to get ready to play baseball.  Now is your time to do a little each week to get ready.

This year the 45+ league is beginning.  Like it or not it is happening.  What does this mean?  It means you all are getting older and like it or not you have to realize that and start playing guys our own age.  All the teams from last year are committed to playing again this year.  The exception may be the Red Sox, they're sorting through their issues, duh.

This year it was decided to start the transition to the 45+ age league.  So the league is going to be a combination of the 38+ and 45+ league.  There will be two division just like last year.  The Bluegrass (38+) will be four teams, made up of players 38 and over (can be 37 with birthday this year) and the Fluer De Lis division is four teams, with players 45 and over (can be 44 with birthday this year).  In the 45+ all returning players will be grandfathered in.  However, those under 45 will not be allowed to pitch.

I think with the age of the teams right now, the Bluegrass division will be made up of the Thunder, Orioles, Red Sox and Jets and the Fluer De Lis division will be made up of the Senators, Colonels, Dodgers and Pirates.  We will play teams in our division 4 times and other division 3 times.  So that means a schedule of 22 to 24 games for the season.

Yes, you saw it!  We will remain the Pirates again this season.  Though there was no real animosity to changing the team name it was decided to hold off for another season.  So hopefully you haven't been using your jersey to wax the car or clean up oil spills in the driveway.

Rule changes. 

All games will be wood bats.

No courtesy runners!  It was decided if you can swing the bat you can run the bases.  The exception is running for catcher with 2 outs.  Bat 10 in batting order (if 10 are present).  If injury occurs and can not bat - no penalty.  However, if player has to leave for work or other reason, an out the first time his turn comes up. If player is ejected - out every time that player bats.

Min. 8 player to start game - Forfeit fee is 115.00.

12 run rule after 4 1/2 innings all games.

Time limits - Tuesday/ Thursday (7 innings) no new inning after 2 hours 30 min.

                   Sunday (9 innings) no new inning after 2 hours 45 min.

Player fee - $ 190.00

Roster - min of 15 players max is 20 players

We have a new venue this year!  Thanks to Bobby Blair we have worked out an agreement to use the field at Germantown (next to St. X) this year.  This will be where we will play a majority of our weeknight games.  Sunday games will still be at Memorial and some at Clarksville.  The weeknight games other than Germantown will be at Shawnee and Memorial.

Guys, one of the reasons we got the use of this field was a promise that we would not consume alcohol on their property.  They were adamant about this!  Now I'm as guilty as anybody having consumed beer after the games.  Heck sometime I need that beer after putting up with you guys!  But this is being told to us at all of the facilities including Memorial, Shawnee and Clarksville.  We'll just have to find someplace off their property.  

Guys it time to get the gear out and start oiling up the glove, find some lumber to swing, start stretching and getting the legs in shape.  I'd like a response from you as to whether you are playing again this year with the Pirates.  Please let me know asap.

Too, I've been in touch with John Denney about using his facility for batting practice.  He has informed me that anytime anyone wants, call him he is ready and willing.  John has a new machine that will save arms.  I will be looking to set up a schedule with him for various nights and times.  Once the weather warms we will have Des Pres and Germantown available for practice.

That's all for now.  Let me know if you have any questions and please let me know of your intent to play or not.  Thanks!

Leo