Clements / Milby

1/13/2012 H5AB.COM

With the 2012 NFHS mandate to BBCOR bats many teams will quickly realize that fundamental baseball will be the rule of the day. Those who excel fundamentally on the field will be those who make the deep play-off runs in 2012. From the parents to the students, and coaches, the successful teams in 2012 will be those who possess the best combination of these qualities. 

1. BASE RUNNING WILL BE PREMIUM IN 2012 – The ability to steal, take the extra base, get the proper lead, execute the hit & run, will be key to 2012 success.

2. PITCHERS MUST THROW STRIKES; WALKS WILL BE DEVASTATING – In 2012, pitchers must throw strikes! With the emphasis on high quality base running, now more than ever, walks will turn into runs. 

3. FUNNDAMENTALS; BUNTING, HIT & RUN, WILL STAND OUT – The ability to get a bunt down on any count at any spot in the order will be a necessity for any team to be successful in 2012. 

4. UP THE MIDDLE DEFENSE WILL BE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL TEAMS – Catcher, SS, 2B, & CF will once again be the prime positions on the field. The positions where you will likely find some of your best players in the game. To be successful, teams will need smart, athletic, catchers who possess above average arm, footwork, throwing, & leadership. The SS of 2012 will have to possess above average footwork, glove work, range, and arm. At 2B teams will need an above average glove man as well as good speed, and superior communications skills with fellow team mates. The CF will once again be the true captain of the outfield! He will possess above average speed, footwork, arm, & glove. Will have a take charge mentality. Solid at the corners; 1B & 3B will be required to excel at defensive skills on the field now more than ever. 1B will require above average glove work, & leadership qualities. 3B will require above average instincts, footwork, & arm. 

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL; WILLINGNESS TO PLAY UNSELFISHLY – The willingness for players to play as a team, put down the bunt, make the perfect slide, accept your role, and the overall willingness of players to incorporate “what’s best for the team’ in their decisions and game play. Unselfishness at home; willingness of parents to except what the best roll for player’s particular team is as designated by his coach.

In 2011, the Tigers fielded a young team in spots and Coach MPherson was awarded for his ability to blend youth with experience as Katy was able to give eventual District Champion Memorial all they could handle in their two head-to-head contests.  Unfortunately, the Tigers finished a step shy of another District Championship but were able to secure yet another play-off appearance with a second place finish in District 19-5A. 

In 2012 they return three committed players in Cameron Friess (San Jac), Dylan Gaffney (Angelina) and Ivan Garcia (San Jac).  Combined with a strong returning underclass, it should surprise no one if the Tigers are in the play-off hunt again in 2012.

KATY TIGERS

District: 19-5A

Head Coach: Tom McPherson

Assistant Coaches: Mike Langan, Michael Barrow, Terry Jaimes

Previous season record: (District 12-2, Overall 22-6)

Previous season play-off accomplishments: Loss to Westside 2-games-to-0 in bi-district

Graduated starters/key losses: Colt Atwood, Kyle Thompson, Will Wadas, Dillion Mazzoccoli, Christian Ramsey, Tyler Holsey, Angel Montoya, Jordan Thompson

Returning starters & honors/lettermen/others: Quinn Atwood, Cameron Friess, Dylan Gaffney, Ivan Garcia, Caleb Thompson, Colton Asheim, Dylan Sutton, Ryan Phillips, Austin Frick, Zane Garcia, Gerard Montez, Travis Wiley, Zach Wilson, Jonathan Martinez, Jason Jones

- Courtesy of Houston 5A Baseball (www.houston5abaseball.com)

Dear Katy Tiger Baseball Fans, Family, and Friends:

The 2012 baseball season is upon us and our players and coaches are very excited about the great opportunities to have another successful season.  We would like for you to be a part in helping the Tigers achieve their goals.  As we have done in the past, the Katy Tiger Baseball Program will raise money to help fund the cost of equipment, supplies, and projects to improve our facilities and maintain it's rating as one of the top high school baseball programs and facilities in Texas.  Due to the expense of these items, we are asking for your support.

There are three ways individuals may donate to our program:

1st - Player Pledges:  Each player will get 5 swings to see how far he can hit the ball.  We will then measure the distance to where the ball landed in the air.  In advance, each player will have obtained pledge forms filled out by family, friends and supporters.  Each pledged amount will then be multiplied by his longest hit.  For example, if a players gets 2 pledges, one for $0.30 per foot and one for $0.10 per foot, and the longest ball he hits at the Hit-A-Thon is 300 feet, then the  $0.30 sponsor would donate $90.00 and the $0.10 sponsor would donate $30.00, for a total of $120.00 for the Katy Baseball Program.

2nd - All-Star Guest Pledges:  In addition to each of our Tiger players taking a turn at bat, we will have two guests, former Tigers (TBA), collecting pledges for each home run they hit during the Hit-A-Thon.  They will be given 10 swings and you can pledge a specific amount per homerun by one or both of them.

3rd - Straight Donation:  You can take all the guesswork out of it and donate any amount of money you choose to the program.  The amount will not be determined by the hitting distances or home runs.

With your help and the hard work of these young men, we can make our 2012 season the most successful baseball season ever and help these young men make memories that they will treasure for a lifetime.  Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the ballpark often!

Yours in Baseball,

Coach McPherson

Baseball tryouts are just around the corner!  Tryouts will begin on Friday, January 27th at 4:30pm and continue on to January the 29th, when final cuts will be made.  There will be another tryout for the basketball players when their season is over.  You need to bring your own gloves, bats, cleats, and work out clothes.  You also need all your paperwork turned in and your physical on file before you will be allowed to try out.  You can pick up the physical packet and UIL forms from Coach Mac's office.

Practices begin after school on January 27th.  The sub-varsity players will workout during fifth period and will practice after school from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.  The varsity players will start their practices during seventh period and continue on until 4:30pm.  Teams WILL workout on Saturdays!

There will be a parent meeting for the parents of the players that made the teams on Tuesday, January 31st in the West Campus cafeteria.  This is a MANDATORY MEETING for all parents.  We will pass out schedules and maps to games as well as go over all rules and regulations.

THE WEIGHT ROOM AND THE BASEBALL FIELD WILL BE OPEN FOR YOUR USE AFTER SCHOOL.  THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME LEFT, SO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.  GET YOUR ARMS AND LEGS IN SHAPE!!!

2012 Baseball Dates

January 27               First Day of Practices

February 6                First Day of Interschool Scrimmages

February 20              First Day of Interschool Games

May 1                        District Certification Deadline

May 5                       Bi-District Deadline

May 12*                    Area Deadline

May 19                      Regional Quarter-Finals Deadline

May 26                     Regional Semi-Finals Deadline

June 2                      Regional Playoffs

June 6-9                  State Tournament

* No games in this series shall be played prior to Friday of that week due to STAAR tests. No travel is allowed in association with this series until at least the end of the school day on Friday, May 11. If there are any conflicts between an Area baseball series and the state track meet, it is recommended that schools schedule only a one game series.

2012 Baseball Alignment - District 19-5A

Katy

Taylor

Cinco Ranch

Seven Lakes

Mayde Creek

Morton Ranch

Houston Memorial

Houston Strake Jesuit