01 August 2010

Members,

In our coaching clinic this past season, the Ashland High School Coaches gave the advice “to make baseball fun.”  The following idea from one of our new members is about developing skills while also having fun.  Many parents in our League over the years have suggested having pick-up games with our players as well as their parents, both men and women and boys and girls, for the fun of it.  The Wiffle Ball and Stick Ball are just that— pick-up games for fun during our summer off-season.

WIFFLE BALL AND STICK BALL COMES TO ASHLAND

Hello,

My name is Sean Gallagher and I moved here to Ashland just over three months ago and have been privileged in this short time to Coach little league, as well as the 12u All-stars.  I have been fortunate enough to play baseball at all levels and travel around the country teaching the game that I so love.

My love for the game of baseball started as far back as I can remember just having a catch with my father in New Jersey.  From there, wiffle ball and stick ball, became an every day event for myself and the kids in my neighborhood.  As long as the weather was good enough, I was out with my friends playing wiffle ball or stick ball.

The games we played started as just a few kids playing off the front stoop of my house, then in no time at all, it transformed into a loose league with stadiums being the different homes of the kids within the league.  As more and more kids joined, we branched out and designated tennis courts as our stadiums and each one we played on was designated a professional stadium name (Shea Stadium being the best).   We would keep stats and the lineups were the real lineups of our favorite teams.  I would watch the Mets play ball after school and then set up my wiffle ball lineup as it was in the real life game i had just watched.  During the games, I would imitate all the swings of my favorite players.

These two games, wiffle ball and stick ball, were the biggest influence on my choice to be a baseball player over anything else.  Although the game was just for fun and not much thought went into my future baseball experience, I can remember thinking about what an advantage it was for me to play wiffle ball and stick ball.  I was able to sit back on curveballs and off speed pitches at a very early age because of wiffle ball, stick ball developed the fast twitch muscles I needed to get my hands through the zone quick enough to hit the inside fast ball.  My peers were way behind in the hitting department and I cant help but think that there was a correlation between my success in baseball and my youthful experiences playing wiffle ball.

I have never stopped playing wiffle ball and still love it too this day.  That being said, I have fallen in love with Ashland and its community and aside from giving lessons and coaching I want to give the future ball players of Ashland the edge they will need to be successful in the game of baseball, but most of all inject the fun factor necessary to keep them on the playing field.   I am going to volunteer my time to start and play in the Ashland Wiffle Ball/Stick Ball League.  The league will go throughout Aug and probably into the beginning of Sept.  All ages may play, both boys and girls, men and women.  Depending on the turn out of players we will divide into teams and play games on Sunday and Monday afternoons/evenings.  We will alternate days with Wiffle Ball and Stick Ball.  Games will most likely be played at hunter park but once registration is set game locations will be scheduled.  Teams will be most likely teams of 3, but all that is needed to play wiffle ball or stick ball is 1 on 1 (right now it is myself against all comers).  There will be no cost to the join and play; however I will take contributions of $25 if you can afford it.  The money raised will go towards funding Ashland Tournament teams this fall, (Aug, Sep, Oct).  Please do not make money an issue, I would just like to see a good turnout of kids/adults ready to have some fun.

The rules will be set before the games begin.   Please if interested, email me the Name and age of the participating player and also the best contact number or email.  Email will be necessary to give updates, stats, and locations of games.

To register, please email me at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you are able and willing to contribute the $25 dollars, also include this in the email; it will help me to know if an august tourney team on the 28th will be possible.

Play Ball,

Sean Gallagher