15u-17u Gamers, This is an important email -- players please read it entirely. The 2011 summer season is right around the corner.  We have great schedules at all age levels, getting kicked off on Memorial Day weekend. This is a reminder about Mini-Camp on May 21-22 and about what you need to be doing to prepare for the summer season. First, here is the mini-camp schedule (all events at UMSL Baseball Field): 15u - Saturday 5/21 from 8am-1pm 16u - Saturday 5/21 from 12:30-5:30pm 17u - Sunday 5/22 from 8am-1pm. Directions to UMSL's baseball field are at: http://www.umsltritons.com/information/directions.html Obviously, you need to bring water and a snack to the mini-camp.  Wear winter workout t-shirt, gray practices pants, Gamers hat,belt, socks. Any undershirts or sleeves need to be royal blue. ALL PLAYERS ARE REQUIRED BE AT THE MINI-CAMP (except out of town players).   If your varsity team is still alive in the state baseball playoffs, you need to be out of uniform, on the sidelines, listening to the instruction.  If your varsity team has been eliminated from the playoffs, then you are expected to fully participate in the mini-camp. Please arrive at mini-camp in shape and prepared for a 4-5 games/weekend schedule. At the end of mini-camp for each age group, we will have a fitness test, which will consist of 10 timed poles (foul pole to foul pole along the warning track).  Each pole needs to be completed in 30 seconds, with a 30 second break before the next pole.  The UMSL field is 330 down the lines and 400 to center.  This is not an easy test.  Please make sure that you are in shape and ready for this.  We expect you show up in shape. Second, please make sure that your arm is in shape, this includes position players and pitchers. As a position player, If you have not been throwing enough in your high school program, start playing long toss today, and throw everyday between now and mini-camp. For pitchers, each team needs to be ready to throw approximately 420 pitches during Memorial Day weekend.  We need every pitcher prepared to go to his pitch count limit.  If you have not been throwing 50+ pitches in games or bullpen sessions, you need to immediately start throwing extended bullpens to get ready. Similarly, if you have not been swinging the bat (50-100 swings), 5x per week, then you need to start immediately to get prepared for the summer season.  Pitchers in  are going to show no sympathy to rusty hitters. If you have schedule issues with mini-camp, or have an injury that may impact your ability to play, please notify your coach immediately. Thanks again for being a Gamer and we look forward to working with you soon. Mark Gallion