CAL v. Ballard (8/1/09)

I just want to follow-up and confirm tonight’s game times.

The Freshmen game will be played at the previously scheduled time of 5:30 p.m.

Varsity will play one-half hour later than previously scheduled; that game will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Go CAL!!!!!!

JV Game Schedule

Here is the game schedule information for the JV/Freshmen team.  There are two links because of the dual nature of the team.  Please consult both links, but note that we will not be playing in the Pumpkin Tournament.  Instead we will participate in the JV Stick Tournament at Ballard (dates TBA).

http://www.highschoolsports.net/defaultcal.cfm?ct=s&schoolid=KY402456259&spt=10&lvl=4&division=-1

http://www.highschoolsports.net/defaultcal.cfm?ct=s&schoolid=KY402456259&spt=10&lvl=2&division=-1

Varsity Schedule

Here is the updated information for the Varsity schedule.  It appears that the following website has the most up-to-date information.  Who knew?  (Apparently everyone but me).  Sorry for any confusion.  But, to add insult to injury, we may have to alter times with regard to the upcoming Ballard game.  I will let you know when I know.

 http://www.highschoolsports.net/defaultcal.cfm?ct=s&schoolid=KY402456259&spt=10&lvl=1&division=-1

Practice Attendance

By now, I am sure many of the parents have heard about my rant yesterday.* I want to be perfectly clear on this point.  Practice is mandatory.  The reason is simple: Team and individual improvement is dependent on each player’s personal application of the principals and skills introduced in the instructional time in practice.

 I also desire to be clear on a second point.  My intent was not and is not to single any player out.  Some players have been absent in the past (for a variety of reasons) and others may be absent in the future.  Attendance is expected for players at practice, just as attendance is expected for a student at school or an employee at work. 

 I’ll make my third point and I am done on this issue.  With regard to practice attendance, I have made every effort to be accommodating.  I understand our July 15 start date was a surprise to some of you; a different date was announced by the previous coaching staff.  To that end, even I had a previously planned vacation that I could not change.  But, at this point we are four days from our first JV games and six days from our first Varsity game.  This is especially concerning on the JV level as we have only 11 players. 

 (New paragraph, but still on topic number three – indulge me)   Going forward, for as long as I am the coach, field hockey will begin on July 15.  Please make every effort to plan summers accordingly.  I understand that this may not be possible, but – I reiterate – please make every effort. 

 (New paragraph, but still on topic number three – indulge me, again)  I also understand there are circumstances that warrant absences, ex. family emergencies, serious illness, etc.  But I am of the position that most other absences involve choices and for some players and families field hockey will come second.  I accept that and applaud players who are involved in other activities, but I have a duty to provide playing time to those players who are present at every practice.  This is also applicable in cases of illness of injury.  Unless a player is highly contagious with an airborne illness or is just too ill to stand on the sideline, she needs to be present to at least hear the instruction.** 

 I apologize if the tone of this is harsh, that is not my intent.  I simply seek to create the most competitive team of players possible and that is dependent on improvement and improvement only comes through practice. 

 *It was a low key rant that involved little humor and much seriousness.  Alas, my face may have been red – equally attributable to the heat index as well as my displeasure – but my tone remained even.  And, rest assured I didn’t single anyone out because the message was intended to be globally applicable. (If you didn’t notice I like multi-syllabic words.  Not because they make the user sound clever, but because they are fun to say and even funnier to hear in my head…I digress.)

 **It should be stated that one very good reason to be at every possible practice session is that no one knows when she may be required to miss because of an emergency or illness.  By way of example, if a player misses on Monday because she just doesn’t fell like going, but then has no ride on Tuesday because of family transportation issues she has missed two practice instead of one.  Pretty simple math, even I can do.

Varsity Captains/Chaplains

Captains and Chaplains have been elected for the Varsity team.  But, due to some voting irregularities, the likes of which have not been seen since the 2000 Presidential election, the final results have been delayed.  That said, there were a number of ties.  So, in the interest of accommodating the teams’ desires, multiple Captains/Chaplains will be appointed from those players receiving the most votes. The leading vote recipients and 2009-10 team leaders will be (in some form or fashion):

Maddie Petit
Meghan Williams
MacKenzie Masters
Jaclyn VanNevel
Brooklyn May

The initial intent was to have two or three Captains with a Chaplain, but…ties and voting irregularities.

Junior Varsity Roster

Junior Varsity Roster

…And here is the JV roster.  As you can see, we are in need of some players.  The coaches are abundantly aware of this circumstance and are looking into a few possible solutions. Stay tuned.

1. Kaitlyn Blacketer
2. Jamie Brewer
3. Allie Davis
4. Avery Depaso
5. Hannah Franke
6. Kristen Herner*
7. Taylor Jackson
8. Shelby McMullan
9. Jessie Ogburn
10. Darby Ragsdale**
11. Hope Steinforth*

 *Co-Captains
**Chaplain

Varsity Roster

Many of you have likely heard, but for those who haven’t, below is the Varsity roster as of today.  JV players may be added to this group, if necessary.  Ideally I would like to have 18 players on the roster, but I am reserving judgment. 

1. Maddie Lewis
2. Cara Martinell
3. MacKenzie Masters
4. Brooklyn May
5. Kayla May
6. Sam Neat
7. Karli Neutz
8. Maddie Petit
9. Mary Proctor
10. Lauren Rossenfoss
11. Christy Sitlinger
12. Jaclyn VanNevel
13. Rachel Veith
14. Meghan Williams