Hi,   This is an important email -- players please read it entirely. The 2013 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 High School Mini-Camp on May 18 and 19 and about what you need to be doing to prepare for the summer season. First, here is the mini-camp schedule (all events at Maryville University): 15u - Saturday 5/18 from 8am-1pm 16u - Saturday 5/19 from 12:30-5:30pm 17u - Sunday 5/20 from 8am-1pm 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 EXPECTED TO BE AT THE MINI-CAMP (except out of town players that we have already talked to).   This is where we put in team defense plays (bunt defense, 1st & 3rd's, Cutoff/relay, defensive signs, etc...) that you be expected to apply immediately in games. If your varsity HS team is still alive in the state baseball playoffs, you cannot participate in the mini-camp.  But, you are expected to be there, out of uniform, on the sidelines, watching the instruction.  If your 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 per weekend schedule.   At the end of mini-camp session 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 recovery time. This is not an easy test.  You can train for this on a track.  The distance is about 190 yards, which is about 3/8's of a lap on a track. Please make sure that you are in shape and ready for this.   Players that do not participate in mini-camp will be tested the following week, or when they are finished with high school baseball. 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 400+ 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 (100+ swings), 5x per week, then you need to start immediately to get prepared for the summer season.  Pitchers in Nashville  are not going to show 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. We are very excited about the summer and look forward to seeing you soon. Thanks for being part of the Gamers program,     Coach Gallion