Frogs make splash in LaMoille
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| The 2009 LaMoille Frogs tournament team was a combination of both of LaMoille’s Little League squads. Team members are (front row, from left) Andrew Lopez, Colin Brown, George Stuepfert, Max Lucas and Josh Gross; (middle row) Allan Stamberger, Tracer Mills, Jake Lucas, Damian Heber, Griffin Kozeal and Zack Billhorn; and (back) coaches Dick Gross, Bill Kozeal and Jeff Lucas. |
LAMOILLE — While summer is the time for baseball, other things also accompany the warm months of the year like barbecues and vacations.
With 10 of the members of the two LaMoille Little League teams enjoying their vacations and other summer pursuits at the start of the Western Bureau Valley tournament, the two squads joined together for tournament time.
The Frogs of LaMoille were able to rally together to defeat their opening round opponent of Annawan. Unfortunately they dropped their next two contests, but with a roster filled with unfamiliar teammates and young players brought up to bolster the numbers, coach Dick Gross said the tournament was a success.
“We did the best we could do,” Gross said, adding that it was hard for the newly combined team, consisting of players from the two LaMoille squads, to play as a unit without having enough time to develop a familiarity with their new teammates.
“Everybody likes to win, but we’re there to have fun too. We emphasize that. It’s not only about winning. If you play your best, play your hardest, and you lose, that’s OK.”
Gross said the Frogs’ coaching staff, which included Jeff Lucas and Bill Kozeal, focus on basic baseball skills in practice.
“This year we had a lot of young kids. You’re teaching the fundamentals, and some of it’s hard for them because they’ve never learned it before.”
One of the key fundamentals Gross and the other coaches stressed has nothing to do with laying down a bunt or swiping second base.
“Teamwork, like in any sport,” Gross said. “You have to rely on your teammates.”
Gross said they worked hard to make sure everyone on the team was involved and getting better during practice.
“Some kids aren’t very athletically inclined, but there’s things that they can do. So you try to bring that out in them, try to bring their potential out as best you can.”
It is important to keep things light when working with Little Leaguers, Gross said.
“We try to make it fun. We try to make it interesting without harping and yelling. You just can’t do that especially at that young age,” Gross said. “The more praise you give them, the better they’ll do.”
The results that come throughout the season with the young players are a reward in themselves.
“When they start to get better and do what they’re supposed to do, you can see it in their faces.”
Gross said with a lot of young players on the team, that next year should be another good year for the LaMoille Little Leaguers.
“I know a lot of them are looking forward to next year again, and I am too.”
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