Hello National Parents,

Good game today with our first win againts the Americans 7 to 6 in a competitive match up. We comitted a few more errors than necessary on offense, but the kids were able to maintain the lead after the second inning for a well deserved win. Our next game is on Sunday at at 1:00 PM at South Ardmore park - field D.

PLEASE let me know if your son CAN NOT make the game. Coach Steve and I work on the positions and line-up before hand, and it puts us and the rest of the team at a disadvantage if we do not hear from you to find out last minute that your son can't make it. It is simple as sending me an e-mail at jckandemir@hotmail.com or texting me at 484-432-2782. 

Lastly, if your son wants to play a specific position different than what he plays during the games, please let me know, and I will do my best to get him in that position as long as it is safe. Coach Steve, and I are trying to make sure the kids get a chance to play positions they enjoy while being competitive, and having fun.

See you Sunday and please let me know if you can't make it.      

John 

484-432-2782

 

Hello Nationals,

Please note that we have our second game tomorrow at Welsh Valley Middle School starting at 5:30. Try to get there by 5:00-5:10 for warm ups. Please e-mail (jckandemir@hotmail.com) or text me (484-432-2782) if your son can't make the game. I want to make sure we have the line up complete to avoid last minute scramble. Thank you and let me know if you have any questions.

John

 

Hello Nationals,

The boys played a great first game yesterday and although we lost 3-2, I hope they enjoyed the opening day against Giants. Giants is one of the better teams with solid pitching, catching and great hitters. We were missing a few players, and I was impressed how well we held up, and competed. I am sure we will reduce some of the defensive errors, continue to improve our batting, and playing as a team throughout the season. 

Our practice time today shows 5:30, but since there is a game that will likely go until 5:45+ we will not begin practice until after 5:45. Hope to see the team this afternoon.

John & Steve 

 

Hello Nationals,

Please note that our first game day changed from Saturday (4/10) to Thursday (4/8) starting at 5:30 PM at South Ardmore Park (field D). So, we have the first season opener game! Also, we have a practice on Tuesday and Friday starting at 5:30 PM. 

Since we are still assessing positions, and not all the players were able to make it to the first practice, it would be great to see the complete team on Tuesday. I suspect our practices will be very limited (if any at all) once the season starts since there will be 2 games per week. Please let me know if you have any questions or if your son can't make the game. 

So far we have 2 catchers (William and Matthew) and several pitchers identified. We will mix up the fielding positions throughout the season to give exposure to all as long as they are safe and feel comfortable. I am forwarding some of the other relevant information that was sent by the commissioner below (sorry for the long e-mail).

John and Steve

Pitching: Note that each kid in our division is old enough to throw 95 pitches in a game.  Also, you can take out a pitcher and bring him back later in the game, as long as he has been "in the game" the whole time -- i.e., not benched for a substitute in the interim.  This rule should ensure that no team ever runs out of pitchers.   The regular rest-day requirements are still in effect.  So, any pitcher who throws more than 20 pitches must have a day's rest before his next day pitching. 36-50 pitches requires two days rest. 51-65 days pitching requires 3 days rest. Anything over 65 pitches requires four days rest.  There is an exception if the pitcher reaches a threshold number while facing a batter; that pitcher can finish pitching to that batter without exceeding the threshold.

Safety Considerations

I suspect Wally may soon send out a league-wide reminder of our safety protocols for the pandemic, but here are some highlights to remember:

a)    Everyone should be masked.  It's possible that this rule may be modified to distinguish between when a kid is the field and when he's on the bench (which would be my preference), but until you hear otherwise, assume it's all masks all the time.  If someone needs to take off a mask, make sure that person is socially distant from any non-family members. Kids on the bench should keep their social distance.

b)    Nobody should share equipment -- especially catcher's masks.  Each team should have picked up at least two sets of catcher's gear from the shed.  Hopefully, each team also has players who are bringing their own catcher's ger.

c)    Nobody should play or coach sick

d)    No carpooling among non-family members (except for the Philadelphia trio on the Yankees)

e)    Each team should supply its own game balls

f)     No team snacks post-game

 

Hello Nationals,

Please note that our first game day changed from Saturday (4/10) to Thursday (4/8) starting at 5:30 PM at South Ardmore Park (field D). So, we have the first season opener game! Also, we have a practice on Tuesday and Friday starting at 5:30 PM. 

Since we are still assessing positions, and not all the players were able to make it to the first practice, it would be great to see the complete team on Tuesday. I suspect our practices will be very limited (if any at all) once the season starts since there will be 2 games per week. Please let me know if you have any questions or if your son can't make the game. 

So far we have 2 catchers (William and Matthew) and several pitchers identified. We will mix up the fielding positions throughout the season to give exposure to all as long as they are safe and feel comfortable. I am forwarding some of the other relevant information that was sent by the commissioner below (sorry for the long e-mail). 

John and Steve

Pitching: Note that each kid in our division is old enough to throw 95 pitches in a game.  Also, you can take out a pitcher and bring him back later in the game, as long as he has been "in the game" the whole time -- i.e., not benched for a substitute in the interim.  This rule should ensure that no team ever runs out of pitchers.   The regular rest-day requirements are still in effect.  So, any pitcher who throws more than 20 pitches must have a day's rest before his next day pitching. 36-50 pitches requires two days rest. 51-65 days pitching requires 3 days rest. Anything over 65 pitches requires four days rest.  There is an exception if the pitcher reaches a threshold number while facing a batter; that pitcher can finish pitching to that batter without exceeding the threshold.

Safety Considerations

a)    Everyone should be masked.  It's possible that this rule may be modified to distinguish between when a kid is the field and when he's on the bench, but until you hear otherwise, assume it's all masks all the time.  If someone needs to take off a mask, make sure that person is socially distant from any non-family members. Kids on the bench should keep their social distance.

b)    Nobody should share equipment -- especially catcher's masks.  

c)    Nobody should play or coach sick

d)    No carpooling among non-family members 

e)    Each team should supply its own game balls

f)     No team snacks post-game