| More helpful, first-hand information shared by a friend of Doug's, for Cooperstown. Lots of little things that will help out big:
Doug,
First, from the airport, try to reserve a big cargo van that seats all the boys, or 2 minivans. You focus will need the space for the gear and bags from the airport, and if you guys go into Cooperstown for activities (i.e. Baseball Hall of Fame), they can take one or two cars. There are lots of "baseball" shops up and down the main drag as well, so allow for some shopping time for the boys. It's kind of fun one time.
Staying on the baseball grounds...
Designate someone, or a couple people driving in from Albany to stop at Wal-Mart. There is one about 20 minutes before they turn off the highway towards Cooperstown. At Wal-Mart, get 4’ish cases of bottled waters, the cheaper the better, I think some are 4 bucks for a case, keep these in the bunk area. Get 2 or 3 box fans, 14 bucks each if I remember right, you will end up leaving them behind so don't get expensive ones. Get some snacks for the boys in the bunk area, nothing that will melt, maybe granola and such, keep in a locked chest (they have those there) because you are not supposed to have any in the sleeping area. Just keep it hidden, but get some for sure. Get 2 cheap power strips, there are only 2 plugins in each bunk area. Have the parents pick up some cheap whiffle balls and a bat or 2, maybe a couple Frisbees so the boys can get some games going with other teams during down times. Make sure all the boys have sandals to wear to the showers; they can be a hike depending where your bunk is. Also, pick up a couple 3 of the cheap styrofoam coolers to keep the water cold in the bunk areas. Small first aid kit doesn't hurt either.
Logistics stuff. Make sure the parents know that the most they will see their son is during game times, or on designated trips away from the campus. Coaches have to sign in and out kids at the checkpoints if parents want to see their kids and it is a pain in the ass, because the checkpoints to get in and out are a hike, so have times the team checks out together and meets all parents for dinners or trips, that works best, but taking Johnny alone to sign out and then back, and then Tommy becomes a huge pain.
If some of the parents rented a house outside of town or something schedule a team dinner out there one night, it's great for the boys to get off property for a bit.
Make sure all the boys’ pants are all knee highs, they are sticklers. There are drinking fountains in every dugout, so the boys do not need to take bottled water. Also, there is a snack shack at each field so make sure the boys bring a little money for snacks.
From a coaching perspective, the way to win games in Cooperstown is to play a game of singles. The fields are really short, so a double here, 90 percent of the time there is a single, so it's better to take the sure single and steal, don't give away the free out. I know that's weird but once you guys get there you will understand. There are warm-up cages/area in the middle of campus to use prior to the games and such. But just remember, as hot as it is, keep the warm-ups as short as possible right before games, it's hot and they are 12, they will lose it before the 2nd game if they have been outside for 3 hours already.
If I can think of anything else I will send it over. |
