Lex Kaplan, Ladue Baseball: Patch "Athlete of the Spring"

Will he go pro or onto the University of Miami. Check back after the amateur draft June 6.

Athletics have always been a big deal in the Gary and Jody Kaplan family of Ladue. John, 33, a Parkway Central grad played for Tulane University then got drafted by the Diamondbacks, was traded to the Cardinals  and is presently in the Independent Baseball League. Courtney, a sophomore at MICDS plays basketball and elite club soccer for Scott Gallagher. Lex, 18, is headed to the University of Miami-Coral Gables on a full baseball scholarship. Kaplan is one of the premier players in the St. Louis Metro and top producers and is the Ladue-Frontenac-Olivette Patch Male Athlete for the spring. The dream is just getting started He’s dreamed of being a major leaguer almost forever. Every day, he’s either in the cage taking swings; shagging balls …

• Photos (3)

Variety of Camps for Ladue Students This Summer

Everything from math to football to volleyball, baseball and more.

Ladue elementary, middle and high school students have a variety of choices for camping experiences in town this summer. Here’s what families can take advantage of: Here is a link to register for these camps. Kid’s Camp Ladue Three sessions: June 3-14; June 17-28 and July 1-12 (no camp July 4). At Ladue Middle School This is for children entering grades 1-6. Registration for kids camp Ladue Summer Fitness/Weight Training For students entering 6-12th grade. June 3 through July 19, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday $60 for all six weeks. Location Ladue Senior High. Dockery & Anderson Basketball Camp Coaches Cord Dockery and Chad Anderson teach future players how to have fun while improving their court skills. Open to girls and boys entering …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Big Sports Schedule, In and Around Ladue Today

Two track meets, baseball and lacrosse matches highlight Saturday play.

The weather looks promising as many of the local sports team have a full schedule of games Saturday. Here's some of the highlights: Boys baseball Burroughs, back from a swing around Florida has a double header at Lutheran South. The first pitch will be thrown at 10 am. A big rivalry on the local scene as unbeaten Ladue swings by MICDS for a high noon showdown. Boys lacrosse Pembroke Hill of Kansas City is in town and plays at John Burroughs at 4 p.m. Girls lacrosse Villa Duchesne has a late match, 4 p.m. at Ursuline Academy in Kirkwood. Track and Field Two classic meets on Saturday. The small schools will compete in the 13th annual Skippy Keefer meet at John Burroughs. Prelim's at 8 a.m. with final events starting at 1 p.m. Find the …

• Photos (6)

No Hitter: 2nd of the Spring for Ladue

James Dunger, sophomore fired a no-hitter in a 10-0 win over Whitfield.

According to St.L Today, the Ladue Rams are the 4th ranked team in the area. Coach Rob Garrett would tell you that's pretty lofty stuff. The win over Whitfield was a no hitter, but a tick short of a perfect game. One base runner reached and was quickly picked off by the starting pitcher James Dunger. But the Rams are 5-0 this season and off and running in the 2013 campaign. Lex Kaplan went 2 for 3 at the plate and drove in four runs in the route of the visiting Warriors. Gabe Grand was also 2 for 3 at the plate in the 5-inning shortnened game. Ladue hosts Normandy today; then Thursday they go for a rematch at St. Charles West. Saturday at noon, they host the rival Rams from MICDS then Monday, they have a game at University City. "St. …

• Photos (7)

Ladue Baseball Ready to Build on 19-8 Finish

Rams beat Hancock 10-0 and McCluer 11-1 to start the season.

Editors' note: Meant to say Lex Kaplan, not Lex Drum. Mental lapse. There was a Lex Drum who played basketball at Mizzou many moons ago. The Ladue Rams are off to a 2-0 start to the season. Friday, Rob Ewald pitched a perfect gem, a five inning no hitter over Hancock 10-0 .The Rams went on a third inning five-run rampage, and added four more in the fifth to polish off the Tigers in a rule abbreviated game. The Rams host McCluer North today, weather permitting. On Sunday, you can come back and hear from the coaches and Ewald on Patch. On Thursday, the Rams brought out the heavy lumber to open the season.  They beat the McCluer Comets, 11-1 in the home-opener. Rob Garrett’s Rams were rebuilding last year, and the 2013 model wants to build …

• Photos (1)

Coach's Corner

MICDS' Baseball Coach Welcomes Spring & Some Better Weather

Peter Jans has a new field; now he hopes to build a playoff team.

The MICDS Rams have a new playing field with synthetic turf; a new attitude and  goal of topping last year's 10-14 mark. Veteran skipper Peter Jans goes on camera to talk about his lineup; practicing in the gym and the opportunity to go for the state playoffs which conclude at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon this spring. Go one-on-one with the Rams' Peter Jans.

• Videos (1)

MICDS Gets Some Work Done In the Batting Cage

Spring sprinkles of rain, snow and cold won't stop the Rams from getting ready.

Veteran MICDS baseball coach Peter Jans has his team inside these days, working out in the expansive McDonnell Center on the south end of the campus. There's enough room inside for basketball practice, track workouts and the baseball team hitting in the cage. Jans has his players working on their hitting skills. Hands up; eyes ahead, level swing, he's going through all the paces. This is no easy task to get ready. This is Spring Break week, and most of his starters are out of town on vacation. But when the starters gets back, Jans will have Clayton Buddeymeyer, Trey Baur, Brandon Klar and a bunch of other veterans to try and improve on a 10-14 record. The state tournament moves this spring from Springfield to T.J. Hughes Park in O'Fallon …

• Videos (1)

St. Louis Cardinals Season Ends in San Francisco

The Giants beat the Cardinals 9-0 in Game 7 to end the Redbirds' 2012 season.

There will be no World Series in St. Louis this season.  There will be no parade down Market Street, no 12th world championship and no rematch of the 2006 Fall Classic. Monday night in San Francisco the Cardinals hopes of a repeat of 2011 were ended at the hands of the Giants.  Just like in 1996, the Cardinals, with a new manager, had a 3-1 lead in the National League Championship series. And, just like in '96, the Cards failed to get win No. 4, losing in Game 7 in a blowout.  The Cardinals were done in by a series of miscues and the inability to get a big basehit. But, credit the San Francisco, the Giants had to play perfect to come back and did just that.  The loss in California closes the book on an interesting season for the Cardinals…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Greg Gannon: Ladue Hurler, MVP for Week No. 2

Right-handed pitcher threw first perfect game in Ladue's 58-year history.

In week No. 2, Greg Gannon of Ladue Horton Watkins High School prevails as the MVP of the Week. Congratulations are in order. This senior righty became the first pitcher in 58 years to throw a perfect game. He faced the minimum 15 batters in five innings in a 20-0 win over Jennings last week. In that game, he struck out 13 of 15 batters. The lead off batter lined to center and the only other batter to get ball on wood rolled out pitcher to first. His teammates call him “Gannon the Cannon.” He can throw the ball some 80 miles per hour. Next year, he plans on attending the University of Missouri, but will not walk on the baseball team. Patch caught up to Cannon for a question and answer session: What do you like best about playing for the …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

James Baer

6:44 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012

Oh my, I meant Greg Gannon. not Cannon. my error.   more ›

Moms Talk Q&A

Moms Talk: Can Cardinals and Kids' Classwork Coexist?

How should St. Louis parents manage baseball madness internally?

This week, we're asking parents to tell us how they'll manage St. Louis Cardinals fever among their youngsters. The World Series games start at 7 p.m. each night, but first pitch doesn't occur until around 7:20 p.m. or later. And your elementary school-age children want to stay up on school nights and watch the games. So onto this week's question: What are your rules for the road? Must all homework be done first? Can they do homework while watching the games?

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Haines

2:33 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I can't stay up that late. But seriously: the Cards in the World Series is a very big deal, so we will make exceptions to our usually very consistent bedtime routine. Go Cardinals-we love you!!!   more ›