Category: Coach's Corner

Player Profile: Ryan Baldassaro

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Name:           Ryan “Baldy” Baldassaro
Hometown:  New Orleans, Louisiana
Height:          5’10”      Weight:   170 lbs.
Favorite AFL Team:   Fremantle Dockers

A third year veteran, and distinguished as the best on field for the Tigers in their recent matchup against Houston, Ryan Baldassaro sports the No. 5 jersey and can frequently be found flying around the midfield and causing havoc for opposing teams. An aggressive player who’s swift to the ball, Ryan is fearless at the point of contact, but can sometimes get caught up spectating as the play progresses.

When the mouthguard comes out, Ryan is busy finishing up his final year at LSU, where he will soon be graduating and pursuing a career in construction management.

 

 

Metro League Matchup – Part Deux

Metro League Matchup – Part Deux

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The 2017 Metro League season thus far for the Baton Rouge Tigers is proving instrumental in terms of mastering the elements. After opening the season in a torrential downpour, the Tigers were challenged by Mother Nature once again this past Wednesday with strong wind serving as a key tactical factor for both sides. The Tigers were once again paired off into their current and classic looks but with different groups from the week before.

The New Jerseys were made up of Brookes Guay, Michael Cussen, Josh Cartmill, Austin LeBouef, Shivaraj Kandhasamy, and Adam Mullavey, Matthew Heintze, Cole Hilgenkamp, and Neil Stebbing who alternated between playing and umpiring.

The Old Jerseys were made up of Rob Montanaro, Ryan Moran, Garrett Remson, Ryan Baldassaro, Lachlan McQueen-Miscamble, Duncan McLeod and Adam Mullavey and Neil Stebbing who alternated between playing and umpiring.

It was a tight contest featuring fantastic skills, effort, and remarkable toughness, most accurately demonstrated by Garrett Remson, who took a huge hit in the first quarter and came back later to finish the game without the use of his left eye. In the end, the New Jerseys once again walked away victorious with 4 majors in the last quarter of play.

1st Quarter (“Old Jerseys” kicking with the wind)

“Old Jerseys” 2 goals, 1 behind “New Jerseys” 0 goals, 0 behinds
Umpire: Matthew Heintze

2nd Quarter (“New Jerseys” kicking with the wind)
“Old Jerseys” 3 goals, 2 behind “New Jerseys” 2 goals, 1 behinds
Umpire: Neil Stebbing

3rd Quarter (“Old Jerseys” kicking with the wind)
“Old Jerseys” 5 goals, 4 behind “New Jerseys” 4 goals, 2 behinds
Umpire: Adam Mullavey

4th Quarter (“New Jerseys” kicking with the wind)
“Old Jerseys” 6 goals, 6 behind “New Jerseys” 8 goals, 4 behinds
Umpire: Cole Hilgenkamp

Following a short break for the Easter holiday, the Tigers begin their Home and Away schedule on April 22nd with the annual Ruggles Cup against the Houston Lonestars and this year welcoming the Tulsa Buffaloes. As always, friends, family, and anyone interested are always welcome to spectate or participate.

 

Metro League Matchup

Metro League Matchup

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March 25, 2017 marked the official start of the 2017 season with the Tigers’ first Metro League games. The teams were divided and sported the Tigers’ current and classic look.

The New Jerseys were made up of Matt Smith, Garrett Reason, Ryan Baldassaro, Josh Cartmill, Neil Stebbing, Rob Montanaro, and Lane Moran.

The Old Jerseys were made up of Stuart Johnson, Michael Cussen, Brooks Guay, Shivaraj Kandhasamy, Ryan Moran, and Tim Lala, with Adam Mullavaey, Cole Hilgenkamp, and Matthew Heintze alternating between playing and umpiring.

Although dark skies and thunder threatened the game, eventually the skies parted (for a time) and it went forward in true footy weather with the ground completely saturated. The game was eventually called early in the 4th quarter as small hail came in to accompany the waters that flooded several streets for a time, but the scores through then are as follows:

1st Quarter
“Old”: 1 Goal, 0 behinds “New”: 3 goals, 3 behinds

2nd Quarter
“Old”: 3 goals, 1 behind “New”: 4 goals, 4 behinds

3rd Quarter
“Old”: 6 goals, 5 behinds “New”: 4 goals ,6 behinds

4th Quarter
“Old”: 7 goals, 5 behinds “New”: 5 goals, 6 behinds

We wish to extend our thanks to all who came out in support of the event, and those who followed us at the Family Day Event after. And a special thanks also to Steve Guillory for his support and coming out to photograph the event (The full photo album can be seen online at https://marksteveguillory.smugmug.com/Footy/FOOTY-BRT-Metro-League-032517-Gold-v-Navy/ and all pictures are available for purchase), and Tin Roof Brewing Company to their hospitality for hosting the after party event on their patio.

After such a great weekend, the Tigers will look for a similar (but hopefully drier) result this Wednesday, April 5th at 6:00 p.m. at Westdale Middle School for their second Metro League match of the season. As always, friends, family, and anyone interested are always welcome to spectate or participate.

Interview with a Stebbing

Interview with a Stebbing

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<<Cue Ian Drury and the Blockheads, and the soothing crackling of a living room fire>>

I had a chance to sit and chat with the 2015 Baton Rouge Tiger’s Australian Rules Football Club Head Coach, or BRTARFC-HC for short. Who is the man behind the whistle?

Adam: Neilsy!!!

Neil: Adam, how ya goin?

A: You want a beer?

N: ****CENSORED****

A: So, what is your footy bio?

N: Played for Hadfield Primary school for 2 years and we were awesome. Won both the Football and Cricket grand finals. Went to Metro’s in both. Played for Hadfield Football Club U13’s and U15’s and we were crap. Mostly played as a midfielder. Played open age for St. Andrews Vic Amatuers FA as a wingmen and then Glenroy Football Club as a Full Back in the Essendon District FL.

A: Noice. What do you want from your footy future?

N: Want to see the BR Tigers get some consistent players. Want to teach football as I was taught which is getting the basics right.

A: That goes into my next question…what do you want from your players?

N: Hmmm good question. Get the basics down and to execute them well in a game. Make them believe in themselves build self confidence.

A: When we see you on the field, it’s obvious that you love the game,..what do you love about the game?

N: Gee wiz. Reading the play just love beating someone who I have out-read. The wide range of skills. The competition. Teammates who become friends

A: Let’s say someone actually reads this, what would you want to say to the players?

N: Be passionate about learning the basics this will hold you in good stead for your career

A: And what about the fans?

N: Enjoy watching us and come out. Get around us at the 3 breaks and pump us up. Enjoy the evening with us.

A: Thank mate. (To the waitress) Could we grab our bill? (Back to Neil) No…no…it’s on me.

Interview on Feb 26, by Adam Diaz

Fitness Suggestions

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If you have 45 minutes free, you can put in a decent workout to boost your fitness. As a team, we concentrate on basic fitness–building aerobic fitness and stamina. So here’s a workout you can do in 45 minutes:

12 minutes interval running: 30 seconds hard, 1 minute easy. Seguing into…
8 minutes interval running: 30 seconds hard, 30 seconds easy. Then finishing with…
12 minutes interval running: 30 seconds hard, 1 minute easy.

Then, moving quickly, 5 sets of 20 push-ups alternating with 5 sets of 20 (or so depending on exercise) ab exercises. Leg lifts, crunches, bicyling, accordians, those other hard ones I can’t remember…

See Aussie Rules Training for more information: http://www.aussierulestraining.blogspot.com/

Other footy-specific running you can do: hill sprints, shuttle runs, 400 meter sprints, in-and-out (20 meters between cones). You can also do intervals on your bike if your shins/joints are sore from training.

To build up long-running fitness, try intervals at 4 minutes hard, 4 minutes easy.