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C.J.
Rhodes is in his first summer as head coach of the New Market
Rebels in the Valley Baseball League. He is as assistant coach
and recruiting coordinator at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland,
Va. Rhodes helped the Yellow Jackets win the Old Dominion
Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship and advance to the NCAA
Division III Championship.
Rhodes spent two years on the staff of the late Paul Keyes at VCU, primarily
working with the hitters and catchers as well as assisting with daily
administrative duties. He was also director for the Rams Baseball Camps. While
with the Rams, Rhodes served as an assistant coach for the Wisconsin Woodchucks
of the Northwoods League.
A
native of Williamsburg, Va., Rhodes played four years at Virginia Wesleyan
College, earning All-Conference and All-Region honors as a catcher.
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July 22, 2013
The Grind
The summer
baseball grind. The Valley Baseball League over time has proven itself a league
that will help open doors for players and open their eyes to what is expected of
them when it comes to playing at the professional level. “The Gateway to the
Majors” is a phrase that fits the mold when it comes to the level of competition
players will face night after night, to the experiences off the field that will
help turn boys into men. For so many years, the challenges that players face
here in the Valley League and other leagues across the country helped prepare
those that have the privilege to play professionally one day. And with the
pressure of success in order to reach that common goal and progress in this
game, the “grind” is ever more evident than before.
A traditional
spring college season in which most of my players are accustomed to involves a
conference weekend series as well as a game or two during the week. With a
minimum of four games a week, some teams have the option to play more depending
on the time of year. The days in between involve practice, strength and
conditioning sessions and/or a day off to let their bodies recover. A
traditional Valley League summer schedule involves playing 5-6 days a week with
one off-day per week. This schedule reflects that of a professional baseball
season. And with this schedule, players will grow and mature in this game in a
manner that they are not commonly used to. They will have to adapt to the daily
grind of summer baseball.
We have reached
the All-Star break for the Valley League, and it is exciting to say that we are
sitting in second place, one game back of the Harrisonburg Turks, who are in
first. The Rebels were excited to announce that six members of the team had
earned the opportunity to participate in the All-Star Game. All of them key
factors for us to be in the position we are in right now in the standings. This
opportunity allows each player to showcase his skills in front of everyone in
the Valley League, as well as associate and birddog scouts from around the area.
Whether they are an All-Star on the mound or at the plate, they have been able
to rise to the occasion when opportunity presents itself and they have been able
to execute when called upon. They have conquered the grind.
GO REBELS!
CJ
(photo courtesy of R-MC Media Relations) |
