Entry #2 - 9/9/03

Today will complete our first week of fall practice and I have witnessed many positive things and also witnessed many areas in which we need improvement. The first week is always tough because your returning players are adjusting to their new roles as veterans and the new players are just trying to adjust. Our practices are very fast-paced, we like to keep things moving, so it takes our new players a few days to get used to them. I'm sure this week things will be more comfortable for them. The thing I am most encouraged about is this group's work ethic. There is a strong desire to work and a strong desire to make themselves a better baseball player and athlete. These guys are really getting after it on the baseball field and in the weight room.

During last week's intersquad scrimmages I saw some very encouraging signs. First and foremost offensively we are so much better right now than we were last year. The baseball was flying all over and out of the park last week. Last year we had to be one of the worst offensive ball clubs in the country, so it was vital that we improve ourselves in this area and I think we have. Some of the individuals who had a great weeks for us were: Josiah Glafenhein, Steven Douglas, Justin Clear, Richie Billings, Blake Church, Ryan Spriggs, Greg Roberts, Caleb Moore and Matt Traylor. Speaking of Matt Traylor, I can't tell you how nice it was to see him out on the field again. Matt has had a long rehab from a serious knee surgery and I know he has eagerly anticipated getting out there and competing again. Although he is only about 75% he looks better than he did before and has a chance to be one of the best players in our league. When Matt is healthy he can dominate a game. In our three games last week the "Players of the Game" were Justin Clear, Josiah Glafenhein and Ryan Spriggs.

Surprisingly our hitting was ahead of our pitching, but we still had some solid performances on the mound. This first week was a nice eye-opener for some of our young pitchers as they learned rather quickly that if you make a mistake over the center of the plate it is going to hurt you. These young men are very talented and will only get better each time they compete. Tim Turner, Jeremy Hall, David Yates and Trevor Smith all had good outings last week. I assume our pitchers will be a little better this week as they learn a little more about our hitters.

We will again be scrimmaging this weekend and these scrimmages are a great evaluation tool for our coaching staff. The negative about intersquad scrimmages is that one player's success comes at the expense of another player's failures. But it sure is nice to finally have some players out there competing for spots in our lineup. If we stay healthy, depth should not be concern for our program this season.

Speaking of our coaching staff, we have had a change. David Shelton has taken a job at Walter's State Community College. We are definitely going to miss Coach Shelton and we appreciate everything he has done for ETSU and our baseball program. David is a bright young star in our profession and I wish him the very best. Right now the vacant position on our staff will remain open for the time being. I want to make sure I can bring in the right guy. Currently there are alot of variables concerning that position and I want to make sure that we can make an attractive offer to someone. The opening has drawn alot of attention as over 30 coaches have already inquired about the opening.

Also a special thanks goes to Mr. Robert Clear for his generosity in the renovation of our clubhouse. His guys did a tremendous job and it is first class all the way. Our players are really enjoying there new environment and it really adds to our entire program.

On a sadder note, our condolences and prayers go out to Trevor Smith and his family. For those that didn't know Trevor's father, Mike Smith passed away a couple of days before Trevor was to return to school. I did not get to know Mike very well because his illness made it difficult for him to get to Johnson City very often. But as I stood in line to pay my respects I was able to listen to some of Mike's friends and acquaintances share stories of some of the times they got to spend with him. There is no doubt he was an amazing man who was very loved. I'm not sure how many people live in Newport, Tennessee, but I guarantee the entire town was there that evening to pay their respects. It was an amazing outpouring of love. Please keep Trevor, his mother and brother in your prayers.

Driving to Mr. Smith's funeral it gave me time to think. Fathers are supposed to grow old, watch their children grow up and then spoil their grandchildren. Some things just don't seem fair. I have always been a big believer that everything happens for a reason and the big man upstairs has a plan for all of us. But times like this make me wonder. As a parent your children are your most prized possessions. I never thought I could love something as much as I love my two boys. But sometimes we are all moving at such a fast pace that we tend to take the "little things" for granted. A good example is every morning I get to spend about 15 minutes driving my boys to school. This is such a great time for me and my conversations with my four year old are priceless. But sometimes I catch myself rushing to get them dropped off so I can get to the office. I'm quite sure that when I look back, rushing to the office will not be as nearly as important as the time I get to spend with them. In the end isn't it always the little things which are the most important. I always ask my players before the start of practice if they have ever been bitten by an elephant. Obviously they say "no". Then I ask them if they have ever been bitten by a mosquito. They all answer "yes". See it is always the little things that get you, not the big things. Maybe we all should put a little more emphasis on the "little things" in our lives. Until next time...

Coach Skole