Big Week for SFA Baseball
1/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 29, 2007
NACOGDOCHES - With opening day just a few days away, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks had a big week last week starting with the Meet the 'Jacks dinner last Wednesday night and concluded with an alumni game Saturday morning. Approximately 450 people from the Nacogdoches, Lufkin and East Texas area attended the annual event to meet the 2007 Lumberjack baseball and Ladyjack softball teams and to hear guest speaker Dr. Tom House.
The Wednesday Rotary of Nacogdoches sponsored the hour-long event that included a hot dog dinner with popcorn and peanuts as a snack. House, the co-founder of the National Pitching Association and a long time friend of head baseball coach Donnie Watson, was the guest speaker and held a clinic after the dinner and then reported to baseball and softball practice Thursday to reiterate what is taught by their head coaches.
"Tom said exactly what we say in practice," said Watson, "but since his audiences involve the likes of Randy Johnson and Drew Brees, it made such a big difference."
"It was great that the athletes got to meet Tom House in person," said head softball coach Jenifer Wells. "He just tied in everything we put our kids through in practice."
Lumberjack baseball concluded their week with an alumni game Saturday morning. It was SFA's first alumni game in 12 years, since the baseball program was cancelled after the 1995 season. After six innings of play were completed, the score was SFA Alumni 6, the rain, 7 (the game was called on account of rain).
"It was our first alumni game in years, since last year's event was cancelled because of the weather," said Watson. "It's a very humbling start to rebuilding the bridge between a great past and a promising future."
Watson would like to extend a special thanks to all those who were involved in putting together such a successful Meet the 'Jacks for the second straight year.
"I want to thank Polly Ritterskamp, Keith Grogan and Stacy Irwin who were a tremendous help in the planning of this event," said Watson. "I also want to give a special thanks to the people of East Texas, Lufkin and Nacogdoches who made the trip to SFA to be a part of this event. East Texas is big baseball and softball country and I knew they would support this great event.
"And the biggest thanks goes to Tom House who brought us the science behind the new teaches in baseball and showed the big-ness of SFA in the baseball and softball arenas," said Watson.
The Lumberjacks open the 2007 season Friday at Texas Tech. The game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start from Dan Law Field.
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