|
Published: April 08, 2008 12:17 am
HS BASEBALL: Bulldogs look to take the next step
By Dave Ricci
Good teams win their share of ball games. The truly special teams find ways to overcome adversity and win when nobody thinks they can.
The Kenmore East Bulldogs want to show that they are a special baseball team, and overcoming roadblocks is on their things-to-do list.
“It appears like we have the desire to win. We’ve had very few mediocre practices. I feel like we’re practicing like a team that wants to win. The biggest thing for us is that we have to prove we can deal with adversity,” Bulldogs coach Les Simon said. “That’s what I have to see. What happens the first time we get a dropped third strike or the first time someone makes an error or (we) lose a close game or a tough game, how will we bounce back? That will be the litmus test for us to get to where we hope to be.”
Having made strides in that area last season, Simon hopes that maturity will help them progress even more.
With their core players having two-to-three years of varsity experience the Bulldogs boast experience and depth on both offense and defense. They’re also very strong up the middle with brothers Scott (pitcher) and Kevin (catcher) Whitehead, Frank Briandi (shortstop), Chad Moser and Cory Martin alternating at second base and Cody Novo in center field.
“You always build your defense from the middle on out and we feel that’s one of our strengths,” Simon said.
With eight returning starters, the Bulldogs look strong on paper, but they’re well aware that hard work is the only path to success.
“Everyone is working hard. Everyone is determined. We all want to win. We’re working hard because we want to be successful. Hard work and sacrifice equal success like it says on the back of this hoodie,” third baseman Jacob Kirbis said as he turned to show those very words on the back of his sweatshirt.
“That’s what we go by.”
The Bulldogs are also preparing for their annual spring training sojourn to St. Augustine, Fla., over spring break. Beyond getting in game action and sharpening skills it will give the Bulldogs a chance to become one.
“Team bonding is very important in any sport,” Simon said. “The kids stay together in rooms, we’re together pretty much 24/7 so you go from (being) 17 individuals to being a team.”
The Bulldogs will open their NFL season April 22 at cross-town rival Kenmore West.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
Recreational Aide
Recreational Aide - Full/part time. Performs hand on activities to include crafts, cooking, recreational and social acti...>MORE
Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES
Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
Used Car Lot Helper
USED CAR Lot Helper misc. duties, valid driver’s license, great work environment. For details 731-2319 ask for Mr. Dan...>MORE
EEO Compliance & Workforce Diversity Coordinator
Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance
& Workforce Diversity Coordinator
City of Niagara Falls
Immediate...>MORE
Dietitian
Dietitian with duties to incl. cooking & ability to give direction in a health facility's dietary dept. Benefits incl. 4...>MORE
SHIPPING CLERK
Shipping Clerk, p/t, 30-35 hrs. wk., exp. in warehouse environment, knowledge of Word/Excel, data entry, UPS, freight ch...>MORE
DRIVER
Driver, light pick up & delivery, need own car, know WNY, valid NYS driver lic., good pay 694-1251...>MORE
Driver
DRIVERS – CDL A
TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR
DEDICATED RUNS
No touch freight............Good miles
...>MORE
Nurse Practitioner
NURSE PRACTITIONER-CARDIOLOGY. Full time. NYS license with one year of recent coronary care or cardiovacular care experi...>MORE
See all ads |
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
Nissan 1993 4x4
NISSAN 1993 4x4, extended cab, bedliner cap, $1200 or best offer, 715-2450...>MORE
Chevy 1995 Pickup
CHEVY 1995 Pickup truck, 4WD, 5 speed, must see, never had plow on it, $2800 bo, 804-5579...>MORE
Yamaha 1982, 750
YAMAHA 1982, 750, runs perfect,
low mileage, $895.
716-525-2889...>MORE
Ford 1998 F150
FORD 1998 F150, standard cab, 4wd, excellent shape, $3495.
716-525-2889...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
1996 Saturn Sport Coup
SATURN 1996 Sport coup, 4 cyl, auto, exc cond in & out, loaded, CD, no rust, 97k orig. mi, $2195. 523-7102....>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
