PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
’08 Team Turns Out in Droves for Weekend Warm-Up

West Hartford, CT (AP)—“I know it's important, I honestly do, but we’re talking about practice. We’re talking about practice man. We’re talking about practice. We’re talking about practice. I mean listen, we’re sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we’re talking about practice. We’re not talking about the game. We're talking about practice. When you come to the arena, and you see me play—you’ve seen me play right, you’ve seen me give everything I’ve got?—but we’re talking about practice right now. Hey I hear you, it’s funny to me too, hey it’s strange to me too but we’re talking about practice man, we’re not even talking about the game, when it actually matters, we’re talking about practice. How the hell can I make my teammates better by practicing?” This droll diatribe was delivered from the mouth of Allen Iverson on May 8, 2002 and has not only become a YouTube classic but has been included is several e-mails to and from Cannons management over the years, most notably and recently from “Prodigal Son” Leo Dionicio after his triumphant return to Cannon Nation. Yet as the weather warmed into the mid-70s on Saturday the Dominican Dreamboat and ten of his 2008 Connecticut Cannons teammates were indeed at Old Cannon Yards for the team’s first practice of the quickly approaching season (seven players participated in Sunday’s practice moving the team total to twelve of twenty 2008 roster invitees in attendance over the twenty-four hour period).

“There seems to be a lot of passion this season,” Manager Matt Celio told members of the media in a post-practice interview. “Drew [McDowell], Mike [Weber] and I have spoken a length over the past several weeks about establishing a culture of confidence on the Cannons, a belief that we not only are a solid ball club but one of the true title contenders in the CNMSBL. Having the opportunity to look at twelve of our guys gives management a much clearer picture of the hand we’ve been dealt. We’ve taken steps to solidify some offensive, defensive and pitching problems that we had last season while at the same time securing ‘team-first’ talent. We had guys driving an hour or more to be here for both practices and that speaks to an improved commitment level on a team-wide basis. I couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming season.”

The CNMSBL opener is approximately three hundred twelve hours away. In exactly thirteen days the Cannons will take the field against the Winsted Rifles at 10:00 a.m. at Fussenich Park in Torrington and the long climb to the top of the CNMSBL mountaintop will commence. The Cannons will be firing at near-full capabilities (SS Tom Luby and IF Adam Pallone are listed as “Out”; P/OF Bill Gills is “Doubtful”; P Scott Hurlbert, OF John Mancini and C Steve Markie are “Questionable”…the other fourteen roster invitees are in at press time). McDowell stated: “It’s important for us to come out strong and make a name for the ’08 Cannons. We don’t have to win every game though that’s a more likely scenario this season than in any I’ve been with the ball club. We just need to play solid baseball and walk away with wins in the games we are supposed to. 6-16 for two straight seasons with the guys we’ve got on the roster is unacceptable. Playing a better brand of baseball, allowing management to make a consistent line-up and stick with it while being more committed to the team’s success as a whole will translate to for fun on the field and Ws will undoubtedly follow. You always hear that it’s not about whether you win or lose but how you play the game. Well if we play the game like we are capable of there is going to be a whole lot more winning than losing going on in Newington this season. Simply stated, winning is much more fun than losing. Bring on the Rifles!” The team announced a similar Saturday-Sunday schedule for next weekend (weather permitting…mid-60s with the possibility of scattered showers currently in the extended forecast…1:00 p.m. on April 19 and 10:00 a.m. on April 20).

Cannons News and Notes: Free agents Bill Balcerzak, Tom Clark and Jack Vanasse each attended both practices over the weekend (Hurlbert made Saturday’s gathering); temperatures dropped approximately 25° between the two practices; Mike Patenaude and Clark have been tentatively penciled in as the Game One and Two starters on April 27; Dionicio was extremely excited to get back on the field with his Cannons mates: “Count me in…I really want to practice…and hold a bat other than the one attached.”; McDowell expects great things from the Gringo from Santo Domingo in 2008…at West Wings after practice the Ragin’ Cajun agreed to pay Dionicio $350 if he hits .500 or better with forty or more at-bats on the season (Clark thinks McDowell’s bet is a safe one…seven players were in attendance to talk baseball, ring up a $200+ tab and see the Sox beat the Yanks at the Hartford sports bar); Tom Luby will start the season on the 60-day DL retroactive to April 1; it has been rumored that former cannon Mike Calabrese has signed with the rival Bristol Metallurgists a P/3B; the first 2008 Tees & More order was picked up on Friday afternoon…another order will be placed in the middle of the week if anyone is interested…signs of the first phase of the team’s move from the “Get your RED on!” advertising campaign to “BLUE Ball!” were evident on Saturday and Sunday as players received their new caps (alternate navy with red brims) and management announced a return to navy belts and socks…“There are far too many red-based teams in the league,” explained Assistant Manager Weber. “We wanted to set ourselves apart from the pack. We won a B Division championship in red but we haven’t had the same success since making the move to the A Division. The time seemed right to shake things up a bit.”; John Mancini and wife Kelley are expecting the arrival of daughter Grace today (the Mancini’s checked into an undisclosed area hospital for inducement…Mancini also announced that he has a slight tear in his bicep that may require surgery)…Balcerzak announced his family is again expecting after recently having a son.