Dear Astros Parents,

My name is Mike Picha, and I will be coaching the Astros Minors team this year. I am looking forward to a fun-filled season where the kids will learn and improve their skills as well as the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play. My goal is to create a positive, supportive environment so that every player, regardless of ability, has a great experience.

This letter is lengthy, but please read it through.

Our practices will be held Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 7:15 PM at Skyview 4 (https://www.oaaonline.com/fields). To be honest I'm not exactly sure where this field is yet, so if anyone does, please feel free to reply-all and let us know. Our first practice has yet to be determined. As soon as Oakdale approves us to play on the fields, we can start. I will be sure to pass this along. Hopefully within the next couple of weeks. Games are all scheduled to be on Tuesdays starting May 10th. Wednesdays are the makeup day if there is a game that is cancelled.

Being on time is critical. Please try and arrive at games 30 minutes before game time so we have ample opportunity for a team meeting and warm-up. Be at each practice 5-10 minutes prior to start time. If a child will not be at a game or practice, please notify me. Email is preferred.

Equipment and Apparel: The league provides each player with a shirt and cap. Your player should also bring a glove and water bottle. Please be sure your child has long athletic pants, (available at any sporting goods store) and rubber cleats, (prefer baseball cleats but soccer cleats are OK if you already have them, no metal cleats) (no shorts or jeans please). The league has provided us with a bat. Please be sure if you have your own, it is approved as described in the league rules. Please label all items. Batting helmets are not provided, make sure your child has a double ear-flap helmet. Please place your child's name on the front of their helmet too.

We will have the option to have names put onto jerseys and on hats. More information to come, as soon as I receive it.

If there are any positions you would not like your child to play, please let us know.

Team Parent: I am looking for a Team Parent (or parents) to assist this season (snack parent / coordinator). Tom Ehrenberg and Jake Hand have graciously accepted and have been approved by Oakdale to be assistant coaches. There will be a lot of ways that everyone can help get involved, so please feel free to ask:) Certainly open to ideas as well.

What we’ll work on: At practices and games, we will be working on a few things:

Skills: Obviously we want them to all improve at fielding, catching, throwing and hitting by the end of the season.
Rules: We’d like them to know more about the rules of the game so that they can play more effectively at the next levels.
Safety: Baseball can be a dangerous game if safety rules are not followed. We all will be diligent in making sure no one puts another player at risk.
Expectations: The emphasis in this division is not on winning as much, but on player development and having fun. My primary goal this season is to make sure every player wants to come back and play again next year. With that said, all players will play all positions and bat in various positions in the lineup. Your child may be the most skilled player on the team, or may be the least skilled. I plan to treat all players fairly and reward positive attitude, hustle and improvement over natural ability. And remember that being best player in Minors usually doesn’t mean automatically being the best player in high school, and vice-versa.

Information is all posted on the OAA Website: https://www.oaaonline.com/page/show/6968071-minors-grade-3-5-2022-
2) PRACTICE SCHEDULES:
The City of Oakdale has to open fields for practices to start, so I will keep you posted when I get the notice.
Please sign up for Field Status updates. https://www.rainedout.net/team_page.php?a=fbb92fcc64c30a7a71d4
3) PARKWAY TOURNAMENT:
The Parkway Tournament will be on June 4th and 5th. The cost is about $15/player.
I have already told the Commissioner that we are interested. PLease feel free to share your thoughts, or if yours child will be unable to attend.

4) End of the Season Tournament:

Please plan for our End of Season Tournament on July 29-31st. Once we finalize all games, teams will be seeded accordingly to fill in the bracket. Our Tournament will be held on the Walton 1-4 Softball Pinwheel.

4) EQUIPMENT:
If anyone needs a Left-Handed Throwing Catchers glove or any other equipment needs, let me know.
I am expecting to have a great season and know I will enjoy coaching your children! My contact information is as follows:

Mike Picha

pichaam@gmail.com

612.214.3153

If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know. Otherwise I look forward to meeting you all at our first practice!