Report to Will’s Summer Coach

I’m a slow planner, but I’m working on what we’ll do for the Nashville trips. Ceil would like us to go on at least one of them, which would probably be the first one. I’m trying to talk my parents into going to Nebraska with me…my dad has relatives in NW Missouri and SW Iowa, which would be convenient. We could then return through Nashville for those games…Will could return from Nebraska on the bus, then catch a ride up to Nashville to meet us.

Will’s season is going well. He’s having a typical season of frequently reaching base, by hit, error, walk, or HBP. He’s hitting second or third in the order, giving him plenty of plate appearences. He leads the team in runs scored, and is among the team leaders in hitting, stolen bases, OBP, and total bases. He’s working on his hitting harder then ever, but I still hope your son can help him hit line drives more consistently…he’s hitting too many (hard) grounders to short and third. He is hitting curveballs better than last year. Yesterday at ECB Will hit his second home run of the season, to center.

Will is pitching about once a week, about three innings (+/-60 pitches) per appearance. He is often brought in with runners on base. In years past he walked too many batters, but this spring (& last fall) he’s been throwing 60-70% strikes, walking only one or two per game, if any. He’s had to face mostly juniors and seniors, on the better teams they’ve played…and few have hit it hard off him. Will’s curve has been sharp, and the coaches have called for it often. In McDonough he struck out 8 in 3 innings, thanks in part to sloppy defense. He’s had some elbow soreness, so the infrequent pitching appearances have been good.

His team has a freshman shortstop that’s played well, which has allowed Will to play catcher, center, second, and third. Last night he ran down several deep fly balls in center, and also made several good plays catching - turning a wild pitch into a double play. He seems more comfortable playing second than short, but even his shortstop play has been better this spring than last year.

His team has several freshmen, and appears to be in a rebuilding mode, hovering around .500. Will does get to play every inning of every game, and get lots of at bats. This school team is basically getting him ready for the Rays season.

NOTE: An hour later, the coach responded with several batting tips. Now THAT'S a good coach!