Two Cancellations

The varsity game has also now been cancelled. In place of today's games, both teams will work out in the old gym until no later than 5:00 p.m. according to Coach Gallo.

One Cancellation

The JV game scheduled for this afternoon at Malibu High has been cancelled. There's no word as of 11:45 a.m. on the varsity game at Notre Dame High.

(For an up-to-date look at where the rain is falling in our area, go here.)

Tomorrow's Forecast

The Malibu High varsity and JV teams are scheduled to play a practice game against Notre Dame tomorrow (JV at home and varsity away). However, a significant storm bringing heavy rain is expected to move into the area tomorrow.

If a cancellation occurs before the varsity team leaves for Notre Dame High early tomorrow afternoon, that information will be posted here. Also, please check for an e-mail message from Coach Gallo.

Schedule Change

The Oxnard game scheduled for Monday, March 6, has been changed to Tuesday, March 7. The varsity game will be at Malibu and the JV game will be at Oxnard.

Food and Fun

There was a great turnout and beautiful weather for the baseball/softball cookout yesterday afternoon. Thanks to Coach Gallo and Coach Silva for organizing everything and thanks to all who brought food and drinks. Special thanks go to Coach Gallo and Robin Perrin for cooking dozens of hamburgers, hot dogs, and--just for Colbie Bell--strips of bacon. (Why, Colbie?)

Baseball/Softball Cookout

The baseball and softball teams will be joining forces for a cookout tomorrow at about 1:00 p.m. All players and parents are invited.

Practice for the baseball team will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the cookout to follow immediately after.

An Intrasquad Game?

Weather permitting,* the Sharks will have an intrasquad game tomorrow afternoon. In the event of rain, practice will be held in the gym.

*Tomorrow's forecast calls for showers in the morning with a 40 percent chance of light rain in the afternoon.

The Captains

Coach Gallo has named seniors Colbie Bell, Brooks Fitch, and Michael Gwyn captains of the Sharks baseball team for 2006.

Meeting Tomorrow

The parents' meeting with Coach Gallo and Coach Jacobs will be tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 6:15 in the classroom between the old gym and the outdoor basketball courts at Malibu High. Coach Gallo will introduce his staff and provide some essential information about the baseball program.

The transportation fee for all players will be $125 ($50 for those who have played another sport this year). Spirit packs (containing gear for practice and games) will be $150. Coach Gallo will gladly accept payment from those ready to pay these fees at the meeting.

Last year's T-shirts ($5) and sweatshirts ($20), along with baseball caps ($20 fitted, $10 adjustable) will also be available for purchase at the meeting.

A New Season Begins

Workouts began today at Malibu High for the Sharks. Head coach Paul Gallo was conspicuously absent, having been stranded in Connecticut by yesterday’s snowstorm.

In spite of Coach Gallo’s absence, what appeared to be a record number of players (and coaches) were present for the first day of practice. Among the coaches back for another season are Jason Cavnar, Dave Buss, and Jeff Solny. Ari Jacobs, head coach of the JV team, made his debut, along with Jeff Drobman and Bobby Lehmkuhl.

Malibu High is coming off a 15-8 (10-2, Frontier League) season in 2005. Ten seniors (including six starters) graduated in 2005 leaving plenty of spots for returning players to fill.

Returning for their senior seasons are Colbie Bell, Ross Ellis, Brooks Fitch (a first-team All-Frontier League selection in each of the last two seasons, Michael Gwyn, and Wesley Semkin. Senior Bennett Sherman, who played quarterback for the Sharks football team last fall, is making his return to baseball after wasting the last several years of his life.

At the other end of the spectrum, a large group of freshmen--including Monty Biglow, Trevor Bourget, Sean Conrad, Michael Galate, Tony Gwyn, Justin Hale (looking lean and mean–well, lean anyway), and Travis Vititoe--is expecting to have an impact on the baseball program at Malibu High right away.

Missing: Matt Hale. (Where were you, Big Dog?)

Oxnard, Tomorrow

There will be one last game before the real coaches take over on Monday. Malibu plays at Oxnard tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. For directions to Oxnard High, go here. (The baseball field is behind the school.) Players should arrive for warmups at 9:30 a.m.

Brooks on Practice

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job."

--Brooks Robinson

A Pre-Season Meeting

A meeting for parents of all Malibu High baseball players will be held on Wednesday, February 15, at 6:15 p.m. in the classroom closest to the outdoor basketball courts at Malibu High. Coach Gallo will provide information about the upcoming season and introduce his coaching staff.