More coming . . sites added 6/16 . . . keep checking back!

I wanted to give you the first in-season update of the year.  Hopefully you Cubs fans are aware that we are in first place in the National League Central Division.  We beat the Houston Astros tonight by a score of 3-2 and we now have a record of 27-21.  That gives us a one and a half game lead over both the Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals.  It's early yet, but we have to be pleased with our start since we have missed the injured Sammy Sosa over the last couple of weeks.

Our strong point early on has been our pitching with Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, and Shawn Estes all off to strong starts.  The bullpen has been solid despite the fact that closer Antonio Alfonseca missed the first month of the season.  Joe Borowski has stepped into the closer's role and done a great job.  Mike Remlinger, Kyle Farnsworth, and Mark Guthrie have helped to back him up.

The hitting has been led by Corey Patterson and Moises Alou who have really picked up the pace with Sosa out.  Mark Grudzielanek has been solid in the leadoff role while Alex Gonzalez has help to win three games in extra innings with home runs.  Hee Seop Choi has gotten off to a good start with the bat in his rookie season and Eric Karros has been a fine mentor while stepping it up with the bat himself.

As we move past the fifty game point, the hope is that the pitching continues to be strong while the hitting picks up the pace prior to the return of Sammy.

I spent part of my off-season involved in something new and different. I worked at the first annual Pro Ball Clinic which was held from December 5-8.  Twenty-five aspiring players from age 25-65 convened at the spring training home of the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Arizona for four days of instruction mixed with game action.  I was joined by Leo Mazzone (Braves), Duane Espy (Rockies), Joe Maddon (Angels), Rob Picciolo (Padres), and Merv Rettenmund (Tigers).  

Players came from the MSBL, the NABA, the Roy Hobbs league, and various fantasy camps.  Each morning, we did the same hitting, fielding and pitching drills that the Major League teams do. Next, we concentrated on one-on-one instruction from the hitting coaches to improve swing mechanics using hitting tees, soft toss drills, and live BP.  Each afternoon, we practiced what we had learned in live action games.

Camp organizer, John Rubinow, feels the clinic is a great way to tune up for your next camp or league action.  The cost is about half that of a traditional fantasy camp and comes at a time of year when little baseball activity takes place.  Get your questions about the clinic answered at http://www.pro-ball.com/.  Tell John you heard about his clinic from this site!

During the course of the year, I hope to do a few updates on how the Cubs are doing. If time permits, I will also add new entries to the "You Be the Coach" and "Coach's Tip" areas.

Visit the Coach's Box to review the archive of "You Be the Coach", "Coach's Tip", and "Ask the Pros" to your left whenever you like.

Take care and keep your head in the game!

WK