Machine Pitch
About Machine Pitch
Machine pitch is the first time players get to swing at a real pitch. Although we use a pitching machine, the principles of timing and bat speed combined with good swinging techniques are taught in detail as coaches are continually watching and critiquing the players. Along with a better swing, they are also drilled on fielding techniques that were taught in tee ball and that they will use for the rest of their baseball playing years. This league obviously plays at a more competitive level than tee-ball. As these 7-9 year olds become older, more coordinated with batting, and used to throwing a good deal, they are encouraged to play in the Player Pitch league when they reach the right age and ability.
Equipment needed
Glove, shoes, and belt.
Equipment provided
We provide bats, helmets, catchers gear, bases, hats, and shirts.
Optional equipment
Bat, helmet, and baseball pants (light gray).
When we play
Saturdays in the morning from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Price
$65
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News
End of Year FHSB PicnicNext weekend, May 20-21, will be the last weekend of the 2011 FHSB season. The last games will be played on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Once again, we have planned a picnic for Saturday May 21 at noon using the picnic tables under the trees next to the fields. We tried to reserve the pavilion this year but learned it had been reserved back in Nov. 2010 to get it for this coming weekend.
The format will be Pot Luck and the FHSB League will supply plates, flatware, napkins, cups and drinks. The setup will begin at 8:00 for those that arrive for the first game and can help move the picnic tables together and claim them for our use during lunch. We’ve typically started eating around 11:45-noon after the Machine Pitch games and awards are complete and possibly after the second Player Pitch game and awards are complete. The whole family, extended family and friends are welcome.
We’ve been blessed with some great baseball weather and good company through the 2011 season as we’ve witnessed our sons and daughters learn life lessons through the game of organized baseball. I hope you will be able to join us for this opportunity to visit, encourage one another for one last time in 2011 in the context of baseball.
Tradition is, that the older sons (typically 9-16) invite their fathers to a fun baseball game after the eating is over around 12:30. We plan to give every player a chance at bat and to score against their fathers and like wise for the fathers. So fathers, plan to bring a glove or plan to borrow one for the game. We’ll have plenty of bats and other equipment. It can be quite a challenge to get a hit with about 15-20 players in the field.
Don Zeek
President
The date is set for team and individual photos: Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23.
How this works:
Pictures will be taken before your game begins. Friday night teams will need to arrive early in order to take pictures before the evening games begin. Likewise, Saturday morning teams will need to arrive early to be taken before their games begin.
- Wash your kids uniform Thursday.
- Download and fill out this registration form before you come: FHSB Photography - FORM
- Show up to your game early (about 30 minutes early) to get individual and then team pictures completed.
- Parents can register and pay at the white table in between the fence.
- Pictures will be printed and then given out at the games 2-3 weeks after the pictures are taken.
Please direct any questions to Jonathan Zeek at jzeek88@gmail.com
2011 Skills Training Day - Sat. Feb. 12There is a great opportunity that has been given our league members for this coming Sat. Feb. 12 from 9-11 am. Coaches and players from the HCYA Eagles homeschool baseball team will direct skills training in small groups for 8-15 year olds. Parents and coaches are invited to listen in on the training and glean anything they can reinforce throughout the season. Feel free to bring younger children along with their older siblings. They can play on the other field or watch the older children learning warm up exercises, practice throwing, fielding ground and fly balls, pitching and batting skills.
All you need to bring is a glove and clothing suitable for playing baseball. Balls and equipment will be provided.
In the event of inclement weather we will try to reschedule at a later date before the start of the first game of the season in March.
Don Zeek
713-264-1682
2011 Registration ReminderThe registration deadline for the 2011 season is coming up in about a week. Please remember to go online fhsb.org to register, preferably before next weekend. We will then use the registration information to set up and anounce teams, schedules and to order uniforms so they will arrive before the first games.
Also, feel free to pass on information about Family Homeschool Baseball to your homeschool friends and homeschool groups in the area.
Thanks,
Don Zeek
713-264-1682
2011 Parents Meeting - Jan. 29th 10:00 AMThe FHSB parents meeting for 2011 will be held Jan. 29th at 10:00 AM at Trinity Fellowship Church in Friendswood. You can meet the league leadership and ask, in person, any questions you may have. The meeting will be informal so you can spend time asking questions, one on one if you prefer, after a brief group session. We have reserved the meeting room for two hours but we typically only take an hour to an hour and a half. You can bring your registration check if you want to save having to mail it to Barry Barnes. We look forward to meeting with you.
301 Leisure Lane
Friendswood, Texas 77546
The church is located near the intersection of FM 528 and FM 518 on the same corner as the Polly Ranch subdivision. Directions to the church are on the church website link below. We will be meeting in the large meeting room in the north end of the smaller of the two church buildings.
http://trinityfellowship.net/welcome_maps.htm
2011 FHSB ScheduleSeveral have asked about the 2011 FHSB Schedule. Here is the current schedule.
Registration Deadline February 7th
Parents Meeting January 29th 10 AM
Coach/Player Development February 12th 9 AM
1st Practice March 4th & 5th
2nd Practice March 11th & 12th
First Regular Season Games March 18th & 19th
Games every Friday and Saturday March 18th – May 21st
Family Picnic May 21st
Family Homeschool Baseball - 2011 Registration is now openThe New Year has arrived and it’s time to begin thinking about baseball. Even the weather today was already a perfect spring day to be outdoors and exercising. I know the weather will change back to “winter” at any moment but my family enjoyed the dry air and comfortable temperatures for the day.
The Family Homeschool Baseball (FHSB) website http://fhsb.org/ has been updated and the registration for the 2011 FHSB season in now open. The cost will be the same as in 2010 ($65 for Tee Ball and Machine Pitch and $75 for Player Pitch and Advanced divisions) and we’ll plan to practice and play games for each division during the same times on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings as last year.
The registration is only online using the link on the FHSB website http://fhsb.org/ or you can click here to register http://www.sportssignup.com/Family-Homeschool-Baseball-Online-Registration.start . Parents should also register (at no cost) to let us know that you will be available to help coach , assistant coach, etc. If you don’t see a category that you would like to help out in, but would still like to help, please choose a category, register and then contact me about where you can help. We can use someone who can help as an equipment manager, coordinate ordering and distributing uniforms, manage a division, order trophies, plan and implement the player skills day and also the end of year picnic.
I’m looking forward to another great season. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me by either email or by phone.
Don Zeek
President
713-264-1682 Cell
2010 FHSB Season - Thank YouI want to thank all of the coaches and parents that helped make FHSB enjoyable this year. Tomorrow is fathers day and this league would not be possible without the dedication of fathers to help their children grow not just with physical abilities but to love God and one another through the team sport of baseball. Be sure to look for the anouncement of the start of registration for the 2011 season. You can alwayss use the web site to get current information and remember to keep your email address current so you can receive league news.
We still have a few gloves and a few unclaimed trophies that were left at the field during the last weekend of the season so give me a call if you are missing a glove or anything else.
I’d appreciate if the coaches, that kept team equipmen,t would drop me a brief note to let me know which equipment they will be storing during the off season.
We hope to see each of you next seeason.
Don Zeek
713-264-1682