MAB MONTHLY. Coach Paddock Wins 150. Girls Sectional Preview. Football Hall of Fame. And more.

Transcription

1 MAB MONTHLY February 2014 FREE Coach Paddock Wins 150 Girls Sectional Preview Football Hall of Fame And more

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3 MAB ONLINE MAGAZINE I need to get a new computer...and a new car, but that s another story. This issue was completed before the end of January with the exception of one article. The article was not what held us up though, it was technology. The computer that we use to produce the magazine crashed and this issue had to be rebuilt. Some of what we had was lost to the ages. Other portions were able to be saved and that is what you see here! Thanks for your patience, we hope you enjoy this issue anyway! Contact Information MAB Staff Rich Sapper Staff Writer Broadcaster/ Host Sales Layout & Design Andy Wielgus Broadcaster/Host Staff Writer Brandon Vickery Broadcaster Brett Hill Staff Writer Sales Broadcaster Bob Potosky Broadcaster/ Host Staff Writer JT Hoyo Broadcaster/Host Staff Writer Sales Trisha Madura Staff Writer Sales Broadcaster Page 3 Phone: Website: Also find us on Facebook and Twitter

4 Page 4 Inside this issue: Athletes of the Month MAB IHSAA Girls Tournament Preview 8 IHSAA Announces Girls Sectional Draw 14 MAB Staff Girls Sectional Picks 18 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announces 2014 Class 22 Win Number One Fifty 26 Indiana Pacers/Fever Sponsor IHSAA Basketball Tournaments 30 Soft Toss Drill is Fabulous If You Use It Properly! 34 David Kay Joins RailCats 36 Did You Know? 36 January Broadcast Schedule 37 P. 22 P. 26 P. 30

5 You ve got that Hungry Feelin! Now Serving Chefs Choice Page 5 Chef s Choice Lunch Buffet Mon-Fri 11-2 Every day, the Lunch Buffet includes: Pizza, Salads, Anti-pasta Salads, Soups and all the Fixens! 211 South East St., Crown Point, IN DINE-IN * CARRY OUT * DELIVERY Daily Specials are as follows: Monday.Baked Chicken Tuesday Tacos Wednesday.Variety of Pastas Thursday.Sausage Friday Fish

6 Page 6 ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Written and Compiled by Andy Wielgus MAB Staff Writer Ashley Campbell Oregon Davis Oregon- Davis Lady Bobcat Senior Guard Ashley Campbell went over the 1,000 pt. mark and her team is 16-2 and no. 1 in 1A. The Lady Cats have not loss a regular season game at home since the season. Boy s and Girl s Basketball Bishop Noll Bishop Noll's Boys and Girls Basketball teams both won the GSSC Tournament. The Boys team with a victory over Lake Station Edison and the Girls with a victory over RF. John Boyd Michigan City Michigan City Wolves Boys Basketball Coach John Boyd won his 200th game over Valpo He also has won a IHSAA Boys Basketball State Title when he was the Head Coach at Gary West Side. Tye Wilburn Lake Central Lake Central's Tye Wilburn scored 7 of his 20 points in Overtime as the Indians defeated Valpo CLEARLY DIFFERENT

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8 Page MAB IHSAA GIRLS TOURNAMENT BASKETBALL PREVIEW By Andy Wielgus, MAB Monthly Staff Writer

9 Page 9 Coach Minix and the Oregon-Davis Lady Bobcats are expected to make some noise in the tournament this year 1A - Looking at the tournament this year will be an interesting experience. In that, Oregon- Davis [16-2} in 1A will be the closest team to the region, that will have a chance to win it all in Terre Haute. Especially with their nemesis Canterbury now in 2A. MAB will cover it pillar to post for you on and They are led by Senior Indiana All-Star Candidate Ashley Campbell. The Lady Bobcats have a talented roster of athletes to help her including Alicia Mcintosh, Haley Collings, Jessica Averone, and Lexi Minix under Head Coach Terry Minix. He is a state champion coach in his own right and he won his 300 th game this year. Teams up North to challenge OD will include 13-2 West Central, 19-0 Attica, 13-5 Lafayette Central Catholic, and 14-3 Culver. Culver plays in the same sectional as OD. I am predicting a 1A semi-state at Crown Point of LCC vs OD. This year the Bobcats will get to Terre Haute. LCC was in this semi-state last year as well. Sectional 49 at Kouts - Morgan Township led by Trina Coleman will win here. They beat Washington Township. recently Team Records - Morgan Township12-6, Kouts 12-8, Washington Township 13-5, Covenant Christian 12-5, Westville 0-16, Gary 21 st Century 3-12 and Michigan City Marquette Sectional 51 at Triton - Oregon-Davis will beat Culver and win this one going away. OD s only losses are to Benet Academy of

10 Illinois and South Bend Washington in the Texas Roadhouse Classic Championship Game at the Great Western Forum in South Bend. Team Records Oregon-Davis 16-2, Culver 14-3, Argos 10-8, South Central 12-7, Triton 12-6 and Lacrosse A Canterbury 14-3 will be the team to beat up North. Bishop Noll will get to the Regional, but that will be the end for the Warriors. Other strong teams up North include Tipton 12-4, Oak Hill 16-3, Wabash 16-3, Northfield 11-6 and Westview A big mega match up could be looming for Canterbury vs. Heritage Christian 20-1 in the State Finals. Ritter at 16-3 maybe the only team in the way of it. Look for Fort Wayne Canterbury to win the Northern semi-state by around 20 points or more. Head Coach Vanita Gary and the Bishop Noll Warriors are a favorite in Sectional 33 Sectional 33 at Whiting Hammond Bishop Noll is 5-0 this season vs. the teams in this sectional. None of those Page 10 teams have stayed within 20 points of Noll. Team Records Hammond Bishop Noll 17-2, Whiting 10-6, Hebron 6-10, Bowman Academy 7-11, River Forest 9-12, Lake Station Edison 11-8, and Boone Grove 2-13 Sectional 34 at Winamac- I like Winamac on their home floor. They have beaten Rensselaer and Delphi lost to Rensselaer in overtime this year A very even sectional though. Debbie Bolen s young Blue jays have played better as of late also. Team Records - Winamac 10-6, North Judson San Pierre 5-11, Rensselaer 7-13, Delphi 10-9 and North Newton A - Kankakee Valley and Griffith will make it to the regional and then falter to tougher teams. Look for Garrett 20-0, Concordia 16-3, and Luers 15-4 to be the favorites. Don t count out SBSJ who is 13-4 [and they beat Merrillville by over 20 points], 14-4 Norwell, and 15-5 Northwood. Benton Central from Oxford is 14-3 and Western is Any one of these teams in my view will be a significant factor up North in 3A. This reduces the chances of any region team getting to the semi-state. Down South No.1 Prince- mmadura@sportsworx.com

11 Page 11 ton is 20-0 and Evansville Mater Dei is Sectional 17 at Griffith- Griffith plays a superior Northwest Crossroads schedule to any of these teams and will win this Sectional going away with its defense, experience, and intensity. Team Records - Griffith 8-10, Gary Lew Wallace 8-7, Hammond Clark 5-13, Hammond High 5-11, Hammond Gavit 6-12, Gary Lighthouse CPA 6-7 and Gary Roosevelt Sectional 18 at Hanover Central - Kankakee Griffith is considered the favorite in Sectional 17 Valley is the favorite here but Knox only lost to KV by 11 this year. The Lady Redskins year in and year out have fared well vs. region teams. Without graduated Blayr Poston,

12 Page 12 Hanover is not as strong offensively on their home floor this year. Also, this sectional has two brothers coaching against each other in Hanover s Doug Nelson and Wheeler s Dustin Nelson. Team Records - Kankakee Valley 12-5, Wheeler 8-12, Hanover Central 10-9, New Prairie 3-14, Knox 8-8 and Calumet A - Super Strong teams down South will rule 4A again this year. Lawrence North is 20-1, Bedford North Lawrence is 18-1 and Columbus North is Homestead and 18-1 Penn will battle it out up North. With the dark horses being 18-2 Lake Central, 15-3 Gary West Side, 15-2 Logansport, 18-3 Mishawaka, 12-6 Merrillville, and 18-1 LaPorte South Bend Washington has wins over Oregon Davis and Merrillville also. I look for Homestead to defeat Penn in the Semi state up North. Jaclyn Heath is a big reason why the Slicers have a shot at a sectional title this year Sectional 1 at Lowell Lake Central is 5-0 vs. the teams in the sectional and West Side is led by 9 th grader Dana Evans and they will be the toughest foe for LC. West Side lost to LC this year. Look for Gina Rubino to lead the way for LC to win here with her 3 point shooting. Team Records - Lake Central 18-2, Highland 14-6, Gary West Side 15-3, Lowell 10-7, Munster 7-11, East Chicago Our bat is used by many Major and Minor League Players, along with College, High School and Youth League Players. We have the quality and service players expect. Baseball Bat Stools (1-800-BAT-ERUP) Hoosier Bat Co. Turning Batters Into Hitters Let Hoosier Bat Be Your Designated Hitter! We have what the players want. Custom Made Baseball Jewelry Visit Us On Line at: For our many Gift Shop Items

13 Central 4-14 and Hammond Morton Sectional 2 at Hobart - Could LaPorte win a boys and girls basketball sectional in the same year? The Boys team just beat Crown Point and the Girls team is 17-1 and 8-0 vs. the Sectional Field. Merrillville s Michigan State Bound Victoria Gaines is the X Factor here. If the Slicers can control her on both ends, they will win here. Look for the Lady Slicers to beat Merrillville with their strong guard depth. The Lady Pirates will need a big sectional from AJ Downs, {who was out with an injury] to control the guards of LaPorte led by Jaclyn Heath. Merrillville is 7-1 vs. the Sectional Field with its only loss being to LaPorte. America Broadcasting LLC and on Twitter Page 13 Thank You for reading this preview from Mid America Broadcasting, LLC. The heart of amateur sports. See Page 14 for the girls basketball sectional draw! Team Records - LaPorte 18-1, Merrillville 12-5, Crown Point 12-6, Valpo 9-10, Portage 10-10, Chesterton 10-10, Hobart 12-8 and Michigan City Good Luck to all teams in the tournament! Listen to the tournament action on and For Girls basketball team by team previews go to the MAB Monthly Nov issue on the website. Also, please join our Facebook page as Mid Interact with MAB on Facebook at Mid America Broadcasting LLC and on for scores, updates, and sports news! Us Highway 12 New Buffalo, MI

14 Page 14 IHSAA Announces Girls Basketball Sectional Draw

15 Page 15 Class 4A Class 3A 1. Lowell (7) Game 1: Hammond Morton vs. East Chicago Central. Game 2: Highland vs. Lake Central. Game 3: Munster vs. Gary West Side. Game 4: Lowell vs. Winner of Game 1. Game 5: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Ga me 3. Championship: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game Griffith (7) Game 1: Lighthouse CPA vs. Griffith. Game 2: Hammond Gavit vs. Gary Wallace. Game 3: Hammond Clark vs. Gary Roosevel t. Game 4: Hammond vs. Winner of Game 1. Game 5: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Ga me 3. Championship: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game Hobart (8) Game 1: Portage vs. Crown Point. Game 2: Hobart vs. LaPorte. Game 3: Michigan City vs. Chesterton. Game 4: Valparaiso vs. Merrillville. Game 5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Ga me 2. Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Ga me 4. Championship: Winner ofgame 5 vs.winner ofgame Hanover Central (7) Game 1: Wheeler vs. Knox. Game 2: Calumet vs. Andrean. Game 3:Hano ver Central vs.new Prairie. Game 4: Kankakee Valley vs.winner of- Game 1. Game 5: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Ga me 3. Championship: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5.

16 Page Whiting (7) Class 2A Game 1: Hammond Bishop Noll vs. Hebron. Game 2: Lake Station Edison vs. Bowman A cademy. Law Office Of Paul Barenie (219) W. Joliet Street Schererville, IN Game 3: River Forest vs. Whiting. Game 4: Boone Grove vs. Winner of Game 1. Game 5: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Ga me 3. Championship: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5. See a listing of every Indiana Boys Basketball All Star and the Colleges where they played at Class A 49. Kouts (7) Game 1: Covenant Christian (DeMotte) vs. Washington Township. Game 2: 21st Century Gary vs. Morgan Township. mmadura@sportsworx.com

17 Game 3: Kouts vs. Westville. Game 4: Marquette Catholic vs. Winner ofgame 1. Game 5: Winner ofgame 2 vs. Winner of- Game 3. Championship: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game West Central (6) Game 1: South Newton vs. North White. Game 2: Caston vs. Pioneer. Game 3: West Central vs. Winner of Game 1. Game 4: Tri County vs. Winner of Game 2. Page 17 Championship: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game Triton (6) Game 1: Oregon Davis vs. South Central (Union Mills). Game 2: LaCrosse vs. Triton. Game 3: Culver Community vs. Winner of G ame 1. Game 4: Argos vs. Winner of Game 2. Championship: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 Order These Great Products and many more at youravon.com/hsapper SportsJuice.com is the Internet s leading broadcaster of Minor League, Col- legiate and Amateur sports Listen to SportsJuice.com broadcasts online, on your iphone or Android

18 Page 18 MAB Staff Girls Sectional Picks

19 Page 19 JT Hoyo, Andy Wielgus and Rich Sapper take their turn at picking the girls sectionals winners as the tournament starts. Andy and JT were in agreement in each of the sectionals that we picked (1,2,17,18,33,34,49, and 51). Rich went out on a limb and picked a few upsets. JT Hoyo Sectional 1- Lake Central Sectional 2 - LaPorte Sectional 17 - Griffith Sectional 18 - Kankakee Valley Sectional 33 - Bishop Noll Sectional 34 - Winamac Sectional 49- Morgan Twp. Sectional 51- Oregon-Davis Andy Wielgus Sectional 1- Lake Central Sectional 2 - LaPorte Sectional 17 - Griffith To Advertise on our broadcasts or in MAB Monthly Contact Rich Sapper or rsapper@midamericabroadcasting.com Bob Potosky bpotosky@midamericabroadcasting.com Brett Hill bhill@midamericabroadcasting.com JT Hoyo kbhoyojr1@yahoo.com Sapper s Market and Greenhouses 1155 South Lake Park Ave, Hobart Single game and season packages available! Check out Region Sports Desk s Shows, Highlight Videos and Recruiting Videos on jtjrmoney8

20 Page 20 Sectional 18 - Kankakee Valley Sectional 33 - Bishop Noll Sectional 34 - Winamac Sectional 49- Morgan Twp. Sectional 51- Oregon-Davis Rich Sapper Sectional 1- Lake Central Sectional 2 - LaPorte Sectional 17 - Griffith Sectional 18 - Knox Sectional 33 - Delphi Sectional 34 - Winamac ROGER BROCK HAMMONDSPORTS.COM COVERING HAMMOND INDIANA SPORTS including Morton Hammond High Gavit Clark Bishop Noll Hammond Academy BROCKROGER@YAHOO.COM Sectional 49 Kouts Sectional 51- Oregon-Davis Join the Conversation on our Message Board! Talk about Football, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Track, Cross Country, Volleyball, Wrestling, Basketball, Boxing, MMA, Auto Racing, & Recruiting. Post scores and get news!

21 You ve got that Hungry Feelin! Now Serving Chefs Choice Page 21 Chef s Choice Lunch Buffet Mon-Fri 11-2 Every day, the Lunch Buffet includes: Pizza, Salads, Anti-pasta Salads, Soups and all the Fixens! 211 South East St., Crown Point, IN DINE-IN * CARRY OUT * DELIVERY Daily Specials are as follows: Monday.Baked Chicken Tuesday Tacos Wednesday.Variety of Pastas Thursday.Sausage Friday Fish

22 Page 22 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announces 2014 Class MAB Monthly Staff Report

23 Page 23 The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently announced it s 2014 class. The class includes four defensive players, two from the offensive side of the ball and the first punter ever selected. Among those selected was former Giants DE Michael Strahan, a seventime Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champion who played his whole career in New York. Derrick Brooks, an 11 time pro bowler, who also won a Super Bowl as a linebacker for Tampa Bay in his 14 year career joins him. Staying on the defensive side of the ball, Aeneas Williams, a DB who played for the Cardinals and Rams was an eight time pro bowler who appeared in a Super Bowl with St. Louis. Finally, DE Claude Humphrey, who split time between the Falcons and Eagles over 14 seasons was selected. The offensive players selected are headlines by WR Andre Reed of the Bills who ended his career with one season in DC. He was a part of four Clockwise from top right: Punter Ray Guy, Defensive End Claude Humphrey, Linebacker Derrick Brooks and Defensive End Michael Strahan all are new Hall of Famers AFC Champion teams with the Bills. Seahwaks OT Walter Jones was selected in his first year of eligibility becoming the third Seattle player chosen to be enshrined. The 9 time pro-bowler had his number retired by the Seahawks as well.

24 Page 24 From left: DB Aeneas Williams, OT Walter Jones and WR Andre Reed are among this year s honorees One notable special teamer was selected to the Hall of Fame when the Senior Committee selected former Raiders punter Ray Guy. Guy becomes the first punter ever enshrined in Canton. As the selections were made, some of the MAB staff made their picks of who they would have chosen for the hall. Hank Kilander Ray Guy, Morten Anderen, Jerome Bettis, Derrick Brooks and Tim Brown Andy Wielgus Ray Guy, Michael Strahan, Derrick Brooks, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, and Marvin Harrison Rich Sapper Ray Guy, Jerome Bettis, Marvin Harrison, Tim Brown, Michael Strahan, and Tony Dungy. To Advertise on our broadcasts or in MAB Monthly Contact Rich Sapper or rsapper@midamericabroadcasting.com Simply Better Storage SCALE.59 scalecomputing.com Bob Potosky bpotosky@midamericabroadcasting.com Brett Hill bhill@midamericabroadcasting.com JT Hoyo kbhoyojr1@yahoo.com Single game and season packages available!

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26 Page 26 Win Number One Fifty Davenport University s Burt Paddock has his 150 th career win. By, Trisha Madura, MAB Monthly Staff Writer

27 Page 27 It s the first of February. Davenport University Men s Basketball faces Madonna at 3pm in DU s home arena. After a long stretch of defense and hard work from the boys, Davenport fights for the win on this snowy Saturday afternoon. And overall, this has helped Burt Paddock, head coach for the Panthers, claim his career total of one hundred and fifty wins. I think the best part is thinking back to all the great student-athletes, coaches and families that are a part of our program. I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by so many quality people, says Paddock, after an exciting win this past week. In the end, no matter how many wins or loses we accumulate, it all comes down to relationships and the friendships that we forge as we take this journey each season. I owe a large debt of gratitude to all the players and families that trusted us enough to coach and guide these young men both on and off the Davenport University Head Basketball Coach Burt Paddock court. As for the number ten ranked Panthers, where can Coach Paddock steer the team from here? It s interesting - many ask if I feel pressure to keep up the pace (winning) that we've set in our first 6 years. In all honesty I do not. I am not sure anyone can put more pressure on me then we (our team, staff and myself) put on ourselves. We love the challenge of putting the greatest product we can on the floor while having the best studentathletes possible. We continually strive to put great people together. Paddock s confidence will be able to gear the team

28 Page 28 The Davenport University Basketball team who gave Coach Paddock his 150th Win for the WHAC tournament games coming up shortly. When you are able to get kids who are all driven and eager to be great - special things generally happen. In order to maintain a high level of production (wins) I think we will just keep doing what we do. We have a system, we recruit a certain type of student-athlete and require them to work as hard as they possibly can. If we can continue to do this - Worship Times Sunday 9:00 am Wednesday 6:00 pm Saturday 6:00 pm 900 Luther Dr. Hobart, IN Preschool 8th Grade NLSA Accredited Sports, Music, Clubs, Activities 891 Linda St. Hobart, IN Trinity Lutheran School is state approved to accept vouchers!

29 the wins will take care of themselves. The 21-5 Panthers will face Concordia this Wednesday for their final away game for the season. With limited regular season games left, DU men s basketball will play their final games Saturday, February 15 th at 3pm, Wednesday, February 19 th at 8pm, and Saturday, February 22 nd at 3pm for their final home games in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this season. For the team, the boys will continue to strive for success in the ending of their season this year, being led by such a motivational coach. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with these young people every day. I guess my only wish or hope moving forward is that I never have to do anything else! I am truly living a charmed life. Interact with MAB on Facebook at Mid America Broadcasting LLC and on Page 29 mmadura@sportsworx.com

30 Page 30 Indiana Pacers, Fever to Sponsor IHSAA Basketball State Tournaments Press Release Provided

31 Page 31 The Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. announced an agreement this evening with the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and the Indiana Fever (WNBA) to become the presenting sponsors of the IHSAA boys and girls basketball state tournaments. The announcement was made this evening prior to the Pacers Brooklyn Nets game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Fox Sports Indiana. The agreement begins immediately and continues through the 2016 state tournaments with the Pacers and Fever sponsoring and supporting both high school basketball state tournaments from the start of sectionals through the state championship games. The Pacers and Fever are believed to be the first professional basketball franchises in the country to partner with a state high school association and its tournaments. The Indianapolis Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the IHSAA state football tournament since The IHSAA is extremely pleased to join forces with the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever in the promotion of education based athletics in our state, said IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox. Our partnership with these two storied franchises bolsters our

32 Page 32 commitment to ensuring that basketball remains an iconic mark of our state. I salute the leadership and vision of these two outstanding organizations in making this sponsorship a reality. Around the nation, the state of Indiana is known for many things, said Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Jim Morris. Not the least of which is the sight of basketball backboards in driveways, on barns and in playgrounds. Basketball, on all levels, is so important to our state. And the Pacers are very proud to partner with the IHSAA to help make high school basketball as great as it can be. Women s basketball in the state of Indiana is as good as anywhere in the country, said Fever President/GM Kelly Krauskopf. On all levels; the state has produced NCAA titles, WNBA Champions and Olympians. We know that every champion s career begins with youth sports and we are proud of our partnership with the IHSAA. The girls tournament pairings were announced (Feb. 2) at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT with sectionals beginning Tuesday, Feb. 11. The boys pairings will be released on Sunday, Feb. 23 with their sectionals opening on Tuesday, March 4. Check out Region Sports Desk s Shows, Highlight Videos and Recruiting Videos on Follow us on jtjrmoney8

33 Page 33 Now Accepting Mid-Term Transfers and Students for

34 Page 34 The Soft Toss Drill Is Fabulous If You Use It Properly! By: Larry Cicchiello Special to MAB Monthly The baseball hitting benefits of the soft toss drill are incredible but this drill must be done properly. The soft toss drill is one of the best baseball coaching drills around and please don't ever sell it short. It is a great time saver to break a bad habit, get into a good habit or to simply maintain your baseball swing if you are in a good groove. Let's say you're into baseball coaching and you want to break a bad habit that one of your baseball hitters has suddenly gotten into. It may take about 300 swings for the baseball hitter's muscle memory to take over and break the bad habit. For you to throw this player enough pitches for him to get 300 swings would take a long time. Even if you went to the park every other day and threw 50 pitches a day to the hitter and they were all strikes, it would take a couple of weeks. Now you can see the major advantage if you can accomplish the same thing in only a couple of days. I would much rather have my player struggle for a day or two instead of a week or two. That's awesome. Remember, you don't have to be in a baseball hitting slump to practice your baseball swing. It is simply one of the outstanding baseball coaching drills and do yourself a favor and make very good use of it. Some Benefits Of The Soft Toss Drill: 1) It doesn't even require a baseball field or a glove. 2) You don't need someone to round up all the balls in the outfield. 3) The person doing the "soft tossing' to the hitter doesn't even have to have any baseball skills at all, so you can get anybody to "soft toss" to you. Please don't take this the wrong way but your grandmother can soft toss to you. I say that with total respect. 4) The soft toss drill only requires a bat, some baseballs, a fence and an optional plastic bucket or two. (One for sitting on and one for holding the baseballs) Here is one of the better baseball tips on hitting. I know more than one person, including my 17 year old son, who has a setup in the garage with thick carpeting fastened to the wall of the garage and that acts as a fence. You can then soft toss any time of the day or night. It can be ten degrees outside or even raining or snowing. You can still get your baseball swings in. Regulation balls are not necessary and you can use a softer type of ball to practice damage control in your garage or even in your back yard if you opt to soft toss there. (And you will remain on good terms with your neighbors if a batted ball should go over the fence and hit them or their house) If using non regulation baseballs, you will not detract from the benefits of the soft toss drill at all, as the swing is the same no matter what type of ball is being used for the drill. Many players, coaches and parents use this drill incorrectly. There are many variations and I've Follow us on

35 Page 35 tried lots of them. My Favorite Method: 1) You squat down or sit about 12 feet from a hitter who is about 8 to 10 feet in front of a high fence. 2) Be very careful. Make sure to avoid areas of the fence that have posts or the batted ball may come right back at the hitter. Make sure the fence you are hitting into is high enough! The person doing the "soft tossing" should make sure to be in a very safe position so they don't get hit by the batted ball. 3) Your angle to the hitter should be just about like he's in the batter's box and you're in foul territory just outside the foul line. In other words, if he's a righthanded hitter and you were soft tossing to him, imagine that you are positioned along the first base line, slightly in foul territory. Stay very safely out of the way so there is no chance that you can get hit by the batted ball. 4) Squat, kneel or sit down with as many baseballs as you want to use right next to you. A plastic bucket is very helpful to sit on and and an additional bucket to hold the baseballs is also very useful. Three Easy Steps Involved: 1) Holding the ball underhanded, show the hitter the ball. 2) Drop your hand with the ball in it down toward the ground and pause for about one or two full seconds. (At that point, the hitter should "load up," cocking his hips, hands and elbows.) 3) Softly toss the ball to the hitter, so that it has a slight arc up and then down. Aim for his back hip, or a different spot if desired and the hitter hits the ball into the fence. Repeat with the remaining baseballs. It's very important that this drill never be rushed. The purpose is to have a good swing repeated many times until the hitter can do it in his sleep. It is one of the best baseball coaching drills for getting a hitter to break a bad habit or to develop a good habit through repetition. Once again, be very cautious of several things. Be careful as to where you are when soft tossing the ball to the hitter. Make sure there is nothing in front of the hitter that can possibly have the batted ball come right back at the hitter, such as a post in the fence. Make sure the fence is high enough so the hitter doesn't hit it over the fence, which could be dangerous. The amount of time spent to break a bad habit will be at an absolute minimum because you can soft toss a hundred balls in no time at all! Larry Cicchiello is the successful author of Excellent Baseball: 30 Seconds Away. He unconditionally guarantees that ANY baseball player, coach or baseball parent who wants to help their child will be fully equipped! Some FREE tips at Baseball coaching on hitting, pitching, fielding and base running for Little League, High School, College and Professional players.

36 Page 36 David Kay Joins RailCats RailCats Press Release Provided Did you Know? GARY, Ind. David Kay joins the Gary SouthShore RailCats as Assistant General Manager and Director of Tickets for the 2014 season will be David s 9th season working in professional baseball. He most recently served as Director of Tickets for the Tulsa Drillers Double- A Texas League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies (2013). David knows his way around the ticket office as having served as Director of Tickets with the Arkansas Travelers ( ) and with the Carolina Mudats (2006). David was promoted to Assistant General Manager of the Arkansas Travelers in 2008 a position he held through David graduated from Hendrix College with a Bachelor s degree in Psychology and a minor in Photography. David, the son of USAF parents was born abroad in Wiesbaden, Germany. He and his wife, Sheriann, and daughters, Hayden and Parker, reside in Merrillville, IN. Season Tickets, Miniplans, and Flex ticket packages are on sale now for the 2014 season. For more information or to buy tickets call the RailCats at and ask to speak with one of our ticket specialists or visit Hall of Fame QB Johnny Unitas wanted to go to Notre Dame, but coaches said he was too small and he went to Lousiville instead. Four athletes have won both summer and winter Olympic medals: Eddie Eagn (boxing/bobsled), Jacob Tullin Thams (ski jumping/8-meter yachting), Christa Lunding- Rothenburger (speed skating/cycling) and Carla Hughes (cycling/ speed skating). Ice Hockey made it s debut at the 1920 summer Olympics, the first winter games was 4 years later. While Spring Training now occurs in Florida and Arizona, spring training has been held in Cuba, Mexico, California and even in French Lick Indiana, among others.

37 February Broadcast Schedule 2-1 GB Merrillville Show Broadcast Location: Page GB South Oregon- Davis 2-5 GB Andrean 2-6 GB Elkhart O - D 211 South East MAB Weekly Starts at 5:30 p.m. each week! 2-12 MAB Weekly 2-13 BB Portage 2-25 BB EC Bowman 2-28 BB Andrean Also Girls Sectional Coverage! Simply Better Storage SCALE.59 scalecomputing.com 5 Reasons to Advertise with MAB 1. Support exposure for high school athletes. 2. Low advertising rates. 3. Special packages available. 4. Your ad will run live and on our archive. 5. Option of game, web and online mag. Contact Rich Sapper at or rsapper@midamericabroadcasting.com for more infor- Check out our region basketball history pages at midamericabroadcasting.com

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