It's All-Star week for Major League Baseball and the home strech for both of our Jays teams ...

BACK TO TOURNAMENT PLAY -- Both teams return to tournament play this weekend, with the Indepdent team playing in the Dusty Diamonds Classic and the OPL team representing the Ohio Prospects League in the NABF (National Amateur Baseball Federation) regional competition.  Additionally, the OPL squad closes out its OPL season schedule tonight (Wednesday) with a home game in Streetsboro against the Demarini Longhorns.  Game time is 6 pm.

 END OF SEASON SOCIAL -- We are seeking one or two volunteers (ideally, one from each team) that can organize some type of informal end-of-season social for Jays players and families.  This can be pot-luck event, a dinner out at a local pizza place, or any other activity that will allow all of us to get together socially one last time as a group.  As it is typically difficult to get people together during the August vacation period, we are shooting to hold this event on a Sunday or Monday evening in September.  If you are interested in helping, drop me (Rich) an email or use the team mailbox, ohiojays@gmail.com.

PHOTOS AND MORE PHOTOS -- If you haven't checked the "Photo" section of the website lately, you may be surprised at the number of 2014 pictures that are there for your viewing and downloading.  The OPL team is still underrepresented (as there is only one of me!), so, if any OPL family member has game photos that you'd like to post, let me (Rich) know with an email to rgarber2@hotmail.com and I can set you up with a sign-in and instructions about how to post them on the website!

SUGGESTIONS -- At the close of the season, we will be distributing a short survey to everyone on the distribution list, seeking your feedback about the season, the organization and what we can do to improve going forward.  Look for that in your inbox during the week of July 28.  In the meantime, feel free to offer your ideas at any time using the team mailbox, ohiojays@gmail.com or by clicking the spinning mailbox on the left of this page.

THANK YOU!! -- for responding to our request for help with the two Rubber Ducks games over the 4th of July holiday.  While we weren't able to provide all the staffing for the booth those two evenings (the Ducks brought in an additional group and we will be splitting the proceeds for each evening with that group), we were able to provide enough people so that we won't endanger our ability to work with them in the future.  Revenue from fund raising with the Ducks is about 20% of our total budget for the summer!  

One more concession day to go with them this year, coming up on Wednesday, July 30.  That is a day game.

Let's have a great week, finish strong, and ... go Jays!

WEEKEND RESULTS -- Both teams competed in tournament play over the weekend.  The Jays OPL team went 2-1, with one run victories over the Stow Seawolves and fellow OPL team Lake Erie Warhawks.  The Jays INDEPENDENT Team went 1-2, with a 5-3 win over the SBA Aces but one-run losses to Jaxx Baseball, 2-1 score, and Team Cleveland, 6-5.

RUBBER DUCK CONCESSIONS -- Thanks to everyone for signing up for concession work at the Rubber Duck games.  We are fully staffed for tonight but still need help for our remaining dates, including this Wedndesday, June 11.  Although both Jays teams are playing this Wednesday, we could use help from parents, siblings, neighbors, etc.  We keep our team fees low by working these fundraisers, so we do need your help!  Details and sign-up are on the link to your left.  Thanks!!

TOURNAMENT LINKS -- As a reminder, all the most updated tournament information you could ever need is available on the Jays website by clicking "LINKS" to your left and then clicking on the following link for your team's tournament.  Remember to look there each tournament weekend for standings and schedule updates.

WEATHER UPDATES -- We've been lucky so far and have (mostly) avoided weather issues so far this summer.  For tournaments, schedule changes due to weather are available via the tournament info links (see above).  For games during the week where weather may be an issue, we will send out a team email and/or post updated information on the Jays website.  Same day changes will be displayed as a "Breaking News" banner on the website.

EMAILS -- We believe we have current emails for everyone on both teams.  If you are not getting the emails your teammates are receiving, please let me know with a email to the team's mailbox, ohiojays@gmail.com.

Have a great week and Go Jays!  

DID YOU KNOW ... Of the 13 games played so far this season by the two Jays teams, five have been decided by a single run.  

Now, think of all those little things that can turn a one run loss into a victory: 

• • • • one extra hustle play to turn an out into an infield single

      • one additional walk created by being patient at the plate

      • one extra catch made of an opponent's foul pop

      • one less error made because of an unnecessary throw

      • one run cut down at the plate because of a great cut-off 

Those little things can ... and do ... make a BIG difference.

The Jays swing fully into the 2014 summer baseball season, with both teams playing a full schedule:

• Jays OPL team will start its Ohio Prospects League schedule with a game Tuesday evening against the Lake Erie Thunder at Lutheran West High School in Rocky River.  Game time is 6:00 pm; please report to the field no later than 5:15 pm.  Directions to the field can be found by clicking on the venue name on the Jays calendar.  Wednesday evening, the OPL Jays will travel to Willoughby to play the Players I Bulls at Willoughby South High School.
• The OPL team will begin its tournament play on Friday in the Battle of the 330 tourney.  Tournament game schedules and brackets will be posted on the Jays website when provided by the tournament.
• The Jays INDEPENDENT team is off until it resumes tournament play this Thursday evening with a rematch with Jaxx Baseball in the Battle of the Border in the Youngstown Area.  The Jays will also play the SBA Aces and Team Cleveland in the tourney over the weekend.

TOURNAMENT INFO -- For both teams:  the most current and accurate results and schedule information for all tournaments this summer can be found by clicking on "LINKS" in the column to the left and then clicking on the link for the appropriate tournament.  Any tournmanent info posted on this site will come from these tournament pages, so by clicking here you are going straight to the most current and accurate source.  We'll keep the most current links towards the top of the page, but please make certain that you are clicking on the link for the tournament involving your team!

RUBBER DUCKS FUND RAISING NIGHTS -- If you haven't done so already, please us the "Rubber Ducks Sign Up" link on the left to choose the dates you will be working.  Each player and parent is expected to work three dates during the summer.  We still have space available on five dates, June 9 and 11, July 4 and 5, and July 30.

JAYS SCHEDULE -- Please continue to check the schedules posted here for any changes in date time or location for games.  If any change is made for a game within the upcoming 48 hours, we will also put that same information out in an email.   Changes made for games more than 48 hours away are noted on the website but no email is sent. (we want to get you timely info but not clutter your mailbox!)

HUDSON EXPLORERS -- Congratulations to the Jays players from both rosters that participated in Hudson's state tournament run.  After winning its sectional by beating previously undefeated and Division I top team Walsh Jesuit, the Explorers then beat Aurora in the Regional semi-final before losing to Massillion Jackson in the Regional final.

JAYS ROSTER -- Complete rosters for both teams are now posted.  Click "Rosters" on the left.

Go Jays!

Welcome to first edition of This Week with the Jays for the 2014 season.  The purpose of this weekly newsletter is to bring you a quick summary of the week just ended along with news of what is planned for the week ahead.  This will be published once a week, usually on Mondays.  During the week, watch for updates for your team either via email or posted on this website.  Rainout and other last minute information will be delivered with a breaking news banner at the top of the welcome page on the website.

Coming up this week ...

• The Jays Independent team will open its season on Wednesday, playing the Ohio Thunder at the University of Akron.  For directions to the field, click on "Schedules and Directions" on the left hand column of this page, then click on the field name shown for the game.  Game time is 6:00 pm;  be at the field by 5:15 pm.

• Over the weekend, the Independent team will play in the 965 Classic,  games at Ashland University and Wooster High School.  Check the "Schedules and Direction" link for game times and specific field locations.  Reporting times the each game will be 45 minutes before game time.

• The Jays OPL (Ohio Prospects League) team will begin play next week with a league game on Tuesday, June 3 against the Lake Erie Thunder.  Watch your email for news of practices this week. 

The Jays will open the season shorthanded, as State High School rules don't permit the Hudson players on either team to join their summer squads, for either games or practices, until Hudson completes its run in the State tournament.  Hudson opens its Regional play Thursday against Aurora in Canton.

During the week, be sure to check your email and this website for any last minute news or updates from your team's coaches.  

It is time for Summer Baseball!  Go Jays!