The 5th Annual Lion Youth Baseball Camp will be held this year after school from 4:30 to 6:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, April 23, 24, and 26th with potential weather make-up dates on Wednesday and Friday of that week.  The camp will be for any kids in Grades 1-6 and will cost $30 per participant, which includes a camp t-shirt and a variety of camp prizes and awards.  It will be held at the little league complex for Monday and Tuesday and on the high school field on Thursday.  The camp will consist of instruction from our Varsity coaches, players, and community volunteers as well for the 1st half of Monday and Tuesday and competitive games/prizes appropriate for the different ages for the 2nd half of those days.  Thursday will be a final game/award day at the high school field.  Participants will need to bring a glove, hat, long sleeves and long pants each day.  Brochures and forms will be available at Sunset and the Elementary School starting Monday, March 19th with the sign-up deadline Monday, April 9th.  Please feel free to contact Coach Thompson at sthompson@clearlakeschools.org with any questions.

We will be having a sign-up for our 8th and 9th Graders through the month of February in the Middle and High School offices.  The following are some commonly asked questions that parents have going into a season that is a new experience for most.

When does the season start and end? Practice will start for the 9th Grade Team on Monday, May 7th and is scheduled at this point to end on July 6th.

What can we expect for practice/game times? Practices before school is done for the year will be after school at Lions Field from approximately 3:30 to 5:15.  Once the summer starts practices are usually late morning/early afternoon on non-gamedays.  Games typically start at noon and last until 3:00.

What will I as their parent be expected to provide for them relating to equipment? We try to have our players at every level pay as little as possible for equipment .  They will be provided with a uniform (every player will get his own uniform top they will keep after the season is done), hats, and t-shirts that they need to play.  This is made possible through our Goldcard Fundraiser we do at the beginning of the year.  What players will need to provide for themselves is socks, a belt, a glove, and cleats/spikes.

Can 8th/9th Graders come hit Sunday nights with the JV/Varsity kids? They absolutely are invited to come hit and our coaches and older players will try to make them feel welcome and help them in whatever ways we can.

Any other questions can be directed to Coach Thompson via email at sthompson@clearlakeschools.org

Preparation for the 2012 season has begun as Lion hitters and pitchers grades 8-12 have begun hitting and throwing.  Hitting will take place on Sunday nights from 5:00 to 6:30 in the Middle School Gym and any player grade 8-12 is invited to come join us.  A special thanks to Jake Sorenson and other volunteers who have been and will continue to come help our kids improve their skills Sunday nights.  Also morning pitching has begun - our schedule for the month of Feb. is for the 9th Graders to come in on Monday mornings, Sophomores on Tuesday mornings, Seniors on Thursday mornings, and our Juniors to come in on Friday mornings.  8th Graders will be throwing with Coach Thompson every other Sunday night starting 2/19.

3 Lions were named to the 2 different All-State Teams released at the conclusion of the season. 

Iowa Baseball Coaches Association:

Elliott Neuberger (2nd Team Pitcher)

Ozzie Adams (2nd Team Utility)

Tanner Truesdell (2nd Team Outfield)

Iowa Newspaper Association:

Tanner Truesdell (2nd Team Outfield)

Ozzie Adams (3rd Team Infield)

7 Lions were honored with All-District recognition in the Class 3A Central District this year.  The following players were recognized:

1st Team

Elliott Neuberger (Pitcher)

Ozzie Adams (Shortstop)

Tanner Truesdell (Outfield)

2nd Team

Gavin Sheakley (Pitcher)

Colin Lobdell (2nd Base)

Zac Bendickson (3rd Base)

Tanner Tusha (Catcher)

9 Lions were named as All-Conference Players in the NCC this year.  The following players were recognized:

 1st Team

Ozzie Adams (Infield)

Tanner Truesdell (Outfield)

Zac Bendickson (Infield)

Elliott Neuberger (Utility)

2nd Team

Gavin Sheakley (Pitcher)

Colin Lobdell (Infield)

Michael Keeran (Outfield)

Jake Kockler (Outfield)

3rd Team

Tanner Tusha (Catcher)

The Lions concluded their 2011 season with an overall record of 28-10 and were District Champions after beating a Charles City team ranked #3 in the state in the District Final.  They finished the conference season at 15-3, good for 2nd place in the NCC.