Short Night for the Rangers

Indeed it was a short night for the Rangers. The beautiful sun-filled day turned dark and ominous as the evening progressed. The Rangers were poised and ready to take their third win of the season, but fickle Mother Nature would have none of it.

The Rangers took the field to start the game.

Fowler took the mound and prepared to face the Cardinals.

As the umpires took the field and shouted, "Play Ball!", the announcement came over the ball park that all games had been cancelled. I thought it was a bad call at first, but the rain clouds opened and a marvelous thunder and lightning storm ensued that that would not have been safe to play in.

I guess that is what happens sometimes when playing baseball in the Spring in the Great State of Oklahoma. Beautiful days go south in a hurry, but they also turn back beautiful very quickly. You know what they say, "If you don't like the weather around here, hang around a minute -- it'll change."

Don't forget practice on Tuesday and Thursday at 6:15 at the field. The place may change on Thursday so watch your emails. We also have a tournament this weekend at Hafer Park. I will send out the brackets as soon as I get them.

Cady Dominates in Season Opener!

Mother Nature held off just lomg enough last night to squeeze in the season opener for the Edmond Rangers. With some valuable experience under their belts, the young Rangers entered the season with great confidence and high expectations of the season to come. High winds and intermittent rain showers would make it difficult to stay focused on this evening.

The visiting Rangers jumped on top of the Rattlers by 3 in the top of the first. It wasn't quite the offensive exhibition they had hoped for, but given the conditions, was certainly a good starting point. Cady held the ball for the opener and took the mound searching for his second career victory and hoping to get the Rangers off on the right foot this season. Even though he pitched very well in this 1st inning, the defense behind him was struggling. After a brief meeting on the mound with the infield, their heads were back in the game and the defense held for the last two outs. The Rattlers, however, would muster 4 runs to go up by 1 entering the 2nd inning.

The Rangers came out and quietly scored 12 runs in the next two innings punctuated by a stunning defensive 2nd inning. Cady would only be asked to throw 11 pitches on his way to a 3 up 3 down inning. He struck out 2 and retired the third 1-3. Fowler was prepped and ready to come in and close out the game, but his services would not be needed as the game would be called due to time limitations in the middle of the 3rd. Rangers 15, Rattlers 4. Good way to start the season, boys.

Performances not to be forgotten: Phillips had a great game at 3rd base and came up with some key plays on the corner. Treat made his 1st appearance after coming off of injured reserve, and is recovering from his surgery very nicely. Cady had a nice night on the mound.

Overall, it was a very successful night for the Rangers. Until next time, I'm outta here!

Next game: March 30 at 7:30

The Schedule is Here and some more pictures

Here is the schedule for this season. I will get a new one posted with practice times shortly. I also got some more pictures for you to check out.

Edmond Rangers
All games will be played on Field 11.
Rainout Number 340-8998

Monday 23-Mar Edmond Rangers vs Gissy 7:30pm
Monday 30-Mar Abeln vs Edmond Rangers 7:30pm
Friday 3-Apr Coke Challenge Tournament at Hafer Park thru Sun
Monday 6-Apr Toombs vs Edmond Rangers 7:30pm

Monday 13-Apr Couture vs Edmond Rangers 6pm
Monday 20-Apr Edmond Rangers vs Grigsby 6pm
Tuesday 28-Apr Edmond Rangers vs Jones 6pm
Monday 4-May Piatt vs Edmond Rangers 6pm
Tuesday 5-May Edmond Rangers vs Smai 6pm
Tuesday 12-May Gissy vs Edmond Rangers 7:30pm
Monday 18-May Abeln vs Edmond Rangers 7:30pm
Tuesday 26-May Toombs vs Edmond Rangers 7:30pm
Thursday 4-Jun Edmond Rangers vs Grigsby 7:30pm
Friday 5-Jun Biagini Benefit Tournament at Hafer Park thru Sun
Monday 8-Jun Edmond Rangers vs Grigsby 7:30pm

Tuesday 9-Jun Edmond Rangers vs Jones 7:30pm

Upcoming dates

Sun 3/15 2:00 Practice
Thurs 3/19 6:15 Practice
Sun 3/22 2:00 Practice
Mon 3/23 Opening Day
Fri 4/3-4/5 Coke Challenge at Hafer Park
Fri 6/5-6/7 Biagini Benefit at Hafer Park

I will post a schedule as soon as I have it in my hand.
All practices will be held at the practice field and are subject to change if weather should be prohibitive.

ErSPN Sports Center

You are tuned in to the ErSPN and this is Sport's Center.

Ladies and gentlemen, get autographs now while you can...

The Edmond Rangers participated in a hotly contested pool play tournament at Hafer Park last weekend. It was difficult at times, but all in all a very rewarding weekend. It proved to be a good time for the team to come together and learn to play as a team. The first game of the day was against the Nighthawks, also of Edmond. The Rangers ran in to a buzz saw with a baseball jersey on.

Fowler had a valiant starting effort on the mound, but the Nighthawks would prove far too much for the Rangers to handle this time around. Dodson is set and ready to go should he be called on to make a play. However they would need much more then his services as the Hawks plated 23 runs and ravaged through 3 pitchers while allowing the Rangers only 2.

The evening game would prove to be much more successful for the Rangers. Henry kept things going as the Red Sox were hit early and often by a constant barrage of Ranger offensive fire power. They would jump out to an early lead and never look back as they capped off the week end with a mighty confidence builder, paying back the Sox for a defeat earlier in the weekend by drumming them 15-4. Jones (left) would also contribute to the firestorm supporting his own cause. He would go on to pitch a game that will live in infamy for these Rangers who backed up this great pitching with good solid defense. Jones would chalk up a win in his first ever start of his young career. High (lower left) and Matlock (lower right) would break out of slumps with great offensive games as well.

Cady (left), Dodson (lower left) and Fowler (lower right) made offensive contributions as well.
So much could be said for the improvement seen from the Rangers this weekend. Let's just say it looks like another fun year covering the Rangers.

Matlock and Treat teamed up to play great games behind the plate. They worked hard and will be sore for a few days after being tested greatly.

Thanks for tuning in to the Edmond Rangers Sporting Network (ErSPN). 'Til next time, I'm outta here!

More from the weekend

I am still really amped about last weekend. The boys kept it going with a GREAT practice tonight. Here are a few of the pictures I have (of course they are of my boy) but I do have a slew of others to post from the evening game. I will post a schedule of the coming weeks leading up to the start of the season.

Look for more to come

Thanks, Coach Fowler

Progress!!!

Wow! I never thought progress could feel so good. After a tough weekend, I was questioning my ability and coaching process. I knew we could play better than we were, but for some reason, we weren't getting it out of them. What a joy to see the light switch finally switch and see our boys come out and play good, hard nosed, fundamentally solid baseball. I am so proud of how hard we played. We were talking, backing each other up, and playing well together as a team. Every single kid out there this weekend has something to be proud of -- no exceptions.

Thanks for a great weekend. I will have some pictures to post in the next day or two.