Weekend Wrap-Up | March 2-4, 2012

TCA Field #1 Infield Turf Done
First Use - March 4, 2012

Eleven teams in tournaments, Field #1's Maiden Voyage and High School players workout.

Triple Creek Field Update

Over the last two weeks, there have been many improvements made to the Triple Creek Complex - walkways, bullpens and fields. One of the main projects that has been worked on over the last couple weeks is Field #1. Field #1 was completely skinned (all existing grass from the infield area removed), the infield edge that connects to the outfield was cut deeper into the outfield and then . . . new grass on the infield, pitchers mound and home plate cut perfectly and new grass down the lines. Sunday, March 4, 2012 was the maiden voyage for Field #1 and all teams that played - couldn't stop talking about how great the infield grass and dirt were to play on - the boys felt like professionals - Big League field for a big league feel.

Tournament Summary
The eleven (11) TCA Twins teams played in two tournaments this weekend - Triple Crown Sports North Texas Season Opener (#ntxseasonopener) and Triple Creek Academy Clover All Over (#cloverallover).

Triple Crown Sports North Texas Season Opener (#ntxseasonopener):

• 9U Benhardt (#9UBenhardt)
• 10U Varner (#10UVarner)
• 10U Zarbaugh (#10UZarbaugh)
• 11U DeButy (#11UDeButy)
• 12U Findley (#12UFindley)
• 12U Mitchell (#12UMitchell)

Triple Creek Academy Clover All Over (#cloverallover):

• 8U Constantine (#8UConstantine)
• 8U Springer (#8USpringer)
• 11U Wiesner (#11UWiesner)
• 13U Thielepape (#13UThielepape)
• 14U Pierce (#14UPierce)

Across the two tournaments, TCA Twins had two (2) teams play for championships and four (4) teams play in semi-final games.

11U DeButy players
Sitting in the Semi-Finals

The following two teams played in the championship games, but came up short and finished second:

• 10U Zarbaugh | North Texas Season Opener | 10U D1
• 14U Pierce | Clover All Over | 14U AA Division

The following teams made it to the semi-finals, but got knocked out:

• North Texas Season Opener
• 10U Varner | 10U D2
• 11U DeButy | 11U D1
• 12U Mitchell | 12U D1
• Clover All Over
• 11U Wiesner | 11U AAA

It is still early in the season and all teams played well and represented TCA Twins with class and respect when winning and losing. Keep up all the hard work boys!

High School Workout

This past Sunday, some of the high school players got together for a light workout - some infield, outfield and situational hitting. We also had some of our 14U-Majors players join the group to get a little extra work in and provide some live pitching. As we progress through the spring and high school players are playing mostly league games, we look forward to seeing more players for light workouts and get closer to ensuring players are slotted for the right teams.

As usual, there was a lot of things going on this weekend and more coming this weekend.

Triple Creek Make-Over

Curb Appeal - you got it!!

Triple Creek Academy is getting a make-over and it's starting at the curb. A new entrance, with walkway, garden area - gets you to Fields 1 & 2.

The main highlight is the crushed granite pathways. Two pathways from the parking lot to the 'clubhouse' and a winding pathway from the 'clubhouse' to Fields 1 & 2.

The make-over doesn't stop there - Field 1, used for 13U & 14U has got a new infield 'skin'. New bermuda grass turf has been laid down in the foul territories from infield/outfield edge - from 1st base to 3rd base. Not only that - the infield got cut back a bit deeper - so now the shortstop and second basemen can play in the right spot and get better angles to balls in the hole and up the middle. Wait for it.....the infield grass has also been renewed with the same bermuda turf that is laid in foul territory.

Field 1 is still having final touches done - so it won't be ready for this weekend's tournament - however it is targeted to be ready for next weekend's tournament - "Clover all Over".

The following are more photos of the pathways - photos of Field 1 coming soon. 

Link to images.

A New Way

Excitement @ TCA

The Triple Creek Academy Twins (TCA Twins) select baseball organization is taking a new approach to teams, practices and organization.

After kicking off their season with a uniform fitting and team meetings, the TCA Twins introduced shared practice times, an organizational culture and extra workouts. For over a month now - teams have adapted to working together to leverage practice facilities - even during rainy days - to ensure their players are getting 'deliberate workouts'. Not just 'reps', but deliberate reps that are focused to increase muscle memory and instill great fundamentals.

The 'extra work' program has been extremely well received with families and players taking full advantage. Extra work programs are 30-90 minute workouts focused on various aspects of the game: pitching, catching, middle infielders, outfielders, corner infielders, speed & agility, base running and much much more. This is a way the organization provides focused work on areas that is sometimes difficult to work into a 'team' practice. Sometimes the workouts occur before practices, sometimes on the weekend and sometimes in the evening during other team practices.

The TCA Twins organization is promoting a new culture for youth sports - encouraging their coaches, players and parents to 'ENJOY' the game being played. With experienced leadership from Ross Powell (ex-major league player) who knows what it takes to get to a high level of baseball, but more importantly the characteristics of what makes a successful person - Ross takes an approach to youth baseball that is unfortunately - way to uncommon. Coaches and players are encouraged to push the limits during practice and build solid fundamentals. Parents are requested to 'enjoy' - practices, workouts, scrimmages and games.

The 'TCA Twins Way' is not so much 'New' - but just uncommon amongst most youth sports organizations. Just like anything that is a bit new or different - it will take time, however we are very excited. The staff, coaches, families and players for this 2012 season are great and just the right folks to make this happend and be the beginning of something great!