"COLLEGE CORNER".... with Steve Van Note

Steve Van Note
All Star Baseball Academy

SET YOUR GOALS AND KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL!
Most schools start a 6-8 week fall season the first week in September. You will be expected to play 6 days a week. Most teams will practice two or three days a week and play 3 to 4 games per week. Be ready to go as soon as you get to campus. Just because baseball is a spring sport doesn't mean you take it easy in the fall. Your starting spot will be won or lost in the fall, and you will  need to arrive for school in great baseball shape. Please do not take the entire summer off and expect to have your arms and legs in baseball shape. This could cause an injury. 

As you already know, it is very important to have a great first semester in the classroom. When selecting your fall class schedule you will have a tight window to complete your 12-15 credits. On average, a fall practice starts anywhere from 2:30pm to 3:00pm. This means you will have to schedule your classes from 8am to 1pm. 
 
Once classes are done, you will have just enough time to grab a late lunch and head to practice. Once practice and weight lifting are over, it will be close to 6 or 7pm. At that point, you will be heading to dinner and then you will need to focus on studying and course work at 8 pm. Please understand that this is what is expected of the college baseball player in the fall-- a busy, demanding schedule.

After the fall ends, small individual workouts begin with groups of 4 or less practicing. At that point, you will begin your weight lifting program that will be 3-4 days a week either before class in the morning or after practice at 5 or 6 pm.  This program will go to the first semester break and pick back up when the second semester begins.

In the spring, you can expect 3-4 weeks of practice prior to the first game. An average D1 schedule will be 56 games, plus the conference playoffs. Academic conferences and D2 and D3 schools will play anywhere from 36-45 games, plus playoffs.  Mondays are usually days off, but some players will hit on their own anyway and pitchers will work out. 
 
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually mid-week games against a school within a 2-3 hour drive and Thursday is typically a travel day. Conference games are played Friday, Saturday and Sunday or Saturday, Sunday. If you are on the road, you can expect to arrive back home anywhere from 10pm to 2am Sunday night. Remember, no teacher will cut you slack because your game went into extra innings on Sunday. You will be expected to be in class Monday morning.
 
Most academic conferences and D2 programs will have a shorter season-- around 36 to 45 games. Most seasons will run from  the end of February to the beginning of May.  Some programs will not have as rigorous a schedule as what is listed above, but then you have to ask yourself what commitment you want to make.  Some student-athletes may look and say this is too much.  If so, then you have to ask each program about the time commitments with their game and practice schedules. 
 
But if a heavy game and practice schedule is what you want, and the schedule is something you can handle, then double-check that college program's expectations of their players.   You should ask questions and take a close look at the team schedule, because the last thing you want is to go to a school that carries a light winter schedule and shortened season schedule. 
 
Know what type of commitment you want to make to college baseball, and know the details of the commitments that the college programs expect of their players.  When you clearly set your goals and know what the colleges expect of you as a student-athlete, then it becomes easier to find the right school for your specific goals and talents.

Steve Van Note is Director of Special Events for All Star Baseball Academy in West Chester, PA.  He starred at the University of Delaware and later with the champion Lancaster Barnstormers in the independent Atlantic League.  Steve is an excellent source of information for players and parents on how to best prepare for baseball at the collegiate level.  Look for "College Corner" columns as a regular feature on the ASBA Blog.

I'm reading: "COLLEGE CORNER".... with Steve Van Note

"THE HOT CORNER"..... Sports Shorts with Ken Leidheiser

West Chester Henderson grad Mike McCardell throwing for the Class AA New Britain Rock Cats

All Star Baseball's Trivia Test of the Week:  Who has the major league record for most consecutive foul balls hit in one at bat?  Bonus:  What year did this occur and what did this player do on the last pitch of the LONG at bat??  Send your answers to Ken@allstarbaseballacademy.com.  Winners to be announced next week.

Winner of last week's Trivia Test:  Ed Crenny of Wayne, PA, who correctly answered that Jim Bunning was the last Phillies' pitcher before Roy Halladay to toss a perfect game.  Bunning did the amazing feat on Father's Day in 1964, against the New York Mets.  Bunning and lefty Chris Short were the Phillies' aces back in those days.  Hopefully, this season will turn out much better for the Phils than that ill-fated one back in 1964!!.......

Mike McCardell has really turned his season around with the New Britain Rock Cats, the Minnesota Twins' AA team in the Eastern League.  After going through a tough 0-12 stretch with the last place Rock Cats, Mike has now won 3 in a row!  He is 2-0 as a reliever with both wins in the past week.  In 19 innings as a reliever, he has allowed only 7 walks while striking out 13 batters..... MIke has been a popular instructor with ASBA for many years during his off-seasons..... How bad are the Rock Cats?  They are 39-92 and 38 games out of first place in the Eastern League.  Reading, the Phillies' AA team, is at 63-66 in the same division..... McCardell graduated from WC Henderson High before starring as a pitcher for Kutztown University....

ASBA Fall Programs and Instructional Leagues--  Go to the ASBA website for full details on our Fall programs for younger players.  Sign up now, as these programs are starting to fill up.  West Chester and Warminster both have Fall Instructional Leagues for players in the 9U to 12U age groups.  Warminster also has a Fall Hitting League that will start September 5, so get ready to show your stuff now and sign up.... See the Fall Programs link under ASBA Academy News.....

Fall Showcase at Glen Mills School--  ASBA is hosting a super Fall Showcase at the Glen Mills School in Glen Mills, PA on October 2-3, with 7 top college programs participating.  Penn State, Temple, Pitt, Coastal Carolina, West Chester, Millersville, and Brown will all have assistant coaches attending to check out the local talent and give tips on skills.  Cost of the comprehensive, 2-day Showcase is $350.  Fall is a great time to showcase if you are now a high school soph or junior......

Virginia Showcase at Regency Furniture Stadium, Waldorf, MD--  The rating service DigitalBallparks.com has named Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf the "2010 Stadium of the Year" in its awards published 2 weeks ago.  The Southern Maryland "Blue Crabs" of the independent Atlantic League play at this beautiful new stadium, which is in its third year.  The Blue Crabs are owned by Hall of Famer and former Orioles star Brooks Robinson.....  This Showcase is for players ages 15 to 18 years of age.  Colleges at the Showcase:  James Madison, William and Mary, VMI. Richmond, UNC-Wilmington, and Virginia Commonwealth University..... Registration for area players is now open at www.allstarbaseballacademy.com.

Regency Furniture Stadium named Stadium of the Year, see:  http://www.somdbluecrabs.com/news.cfm?newsID=710

Tri-State Showcase at Blue Rocks Stadium, Wilmington, DE--  Check out the great list of  Tri-State colleges coming to the ASBA Showcase at Blue Rocks Stadium, October 23-24.  This is a comprehensive 2-day Showcase for area players, ages 15-18.  Colleges include:  Stockton, Arcadia, Immaculata, William Paterson, Elizabethtown, Moravian, Susquehanna, Rutgers-Camden and Gettysburg.  Super list of colleges coaches and recruiting coordinators to evaluate local, talented players!.....Our 2 Showcases this summer at Blue Rocks Stadium drew nearly 100 players each, so sign up now and reserve your spot... 

            

I'm reading: "THE HOT CORNER"..... Sports Shorts with Ken Leidheiser

ASBA AND BABE RUTH LEAGUE TEAM UP FOR NATIONAL SHOWCASE EVENT---

Showcase at Babe Ruth's National Complex in Ohio Draws Nearly 90 Players

 

All Star Baseball Academy and the Babe Ruth national organization partnered for the sescond straight year to host a successful National Showcase Event at Babe Ruth's complex in Newark, Ohio last weekend.  A total of 86 players showcased their hitting, pitching and fielding talents in front of college coaches and recruiting coordinators.  The players also got the chance to play in games on Sunday, with two college coaches in each dugout, interacting and instructing the players.

(pictured left) Coach Kenny Smith of UNC-Asheville (left) reacts with both a "thumbs up" sign and a "fist bump" with Florida Southern Coach Jim Tyrell, during a game last Sunday at Babe Ruth's National Complex in Newark, Ohio.  College coaches were in each dug-out, giving instruction and game strategies to the players at the Babe Ruth National Showcase last week, run by All Star Baseball Academy.

 

"All Star Baseball Academy had another successful showcase this year for Babe Ruth participants," said Creighton Gubanich of ASBA.  "The National Showcase brought in players as far away as Alabama, and 16 of the top Division 1 baseball programs were in attendance. 

"Over the course of the 2 day event, players participated in a defensive showcase, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to each attending recruiter.  Players were broken down into 2 groups, one older and one younger.  The younger players had the added benefit of an instructional-based game where they could showcase their talent while receiving top-notch instruction from the college recruiters after each 2 innings of play.  Players benefitted from this instruction by reviewing their plays over the two innings with the coaches present.  Then, those players had the chance to make adjustments and improve their skills," said Gubanich.

Gubanich served as the On-Field Coordinator for the 2-day event.  He is a former Major League catcher with the Boston Red Sox and the Manager of the ASBA facility in Downingtown.

"The Babe Ruth Showcase proved to be a successful event.  The players got excellent instruction and also got very good exposure to some of the top college baseball programs in the Mid-Atlantic states," summed up Gubanich. 

FOR THE FALL SERIES OF ASBA SHOWCASES,  go to www.allstarbaseballacademy.com or call ur sales staff at 610-399-9356 for full details.

I'm reading: ASBA AND BABE RUTH LEAGUE TEAM UP FOR NATIONAL SHOWCASE EVENT---

SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS AT WCU PROVE TO BE A BIG SUCCESS!!

CHECK OUT THE SLIDE SHOW OF WEEK 3 OF THE WCU YOUTH CAMP BELOW!!  SEE YOURSELF IN ACTION??! AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ASBA BLOG FOR REGULAR TIPS AND UPDATES...

ASBA West Chester Youth Camp- Week 3 from stacey bonnell on Vimeo.

All Star Baseball Academy hosted 3 weeks of instructional Youth Camps at West Chester University this summer, with nearly 150 area players attending the sessions at the Serpico Athletic Complex.  The area youngsters (ages 7 to 14) improved their baseball fundamentals in hitting, fielding, and baserunning.  They also got the chance to play in a "World Series" of games on Friday of each week.


"We'd like to thank all the players and families who participated in this summer’s West Chester University baseball camps," said Mark Freed of All Star Baseball Academy's West Chester facility.   "For the second year running, it was a successful summer of training and developing baseball players through our camps." 

"The key to any of our programs or camps is the players’ efforts, and it was excellent this year,"  noted Freed.  

"They battled through the summer heat and worked very hard to better themselves for their baseball futures.  It is a wonderful atmosphere to be a part of—being on a college campus around knowledgeable baseball instructors, and growing on and off the field.  The camps are not only designed for baseball instruction but group interaction and social development—aspects that baseball provides more than other sports."

"Again we want to thank everyone who took part in this year’s summer camps at West Chester University.  We look forward to working with these same players through our fall and winter programs, as they get ready for their 2011 seasons."

 FEEDBACK ON THE CAMP, FROM PLAYERS AND PARENTS:

"I liked the fact that we got to play games instead of just drill all day!"

"You were having fun but learning at the same time...."

"The full day was very nice compared to other camps."

"We liked the structure and the balance of baseball activities with recreational activities such as lunch and swimming."

"This camp was great.  I can't wait to come back next year!"

I'm reading: SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS AT WCU PROVE TO BE A BIG SUCCESS!!

ASBA Tip of the Week: Slow the Game Down....and Win

This week's tip is from Phil Kelly, Assistant Manager and one of the top instructors at our Warminster facility.  Phil starred as a pitcher at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School and later at Neumann University.  

There’s an old saying in baseball that speed never goes into a slump.  Not true.  In fact, the saying is completely backwards…it’s SLOW that never goes into a slump!  Regardless of the level of competition, from the Big Leagues to Little League, the most important factor for producing baseball players who can perform under pressure is the ability to slow the game down.

Slowing the game down is not a new concept.  It’s a key component to what many people describe as “being in the Zone,”   Indeed, when many athletes in all sports describe their best performances, they talk about everything moving at a slower pace, their opponents being in “slow motion,” and feeling like they had all the time in the world to make their moves.

This concept directly relates to pitching. The pitcher is the only person on the field who has the ability to control the pace of the game. You determine how quickly you step back up on the rubber and throw the ball towards home plate. The main focus as a pitcher is to maintain proper mechanics for every pitch, and this becomes much easier when you slow yourself down. After each pitch, take the ball from the catcher, take a deep breath and gather yourself before making that next pitch.

You never want to feel rushed out there, or feel like you need to work at the hitter's pace. The more you can make a hitter start thinking about what you're doing, whether it's what pitch you're throwing, or what you're doing walking around the mound so often, the more likely it is that he will lose focus and you gain a decided advantage.  So, as a pitcher, slow the game down and focus on the task at hand.  Good results will follow!

To schedule a series of lessons with Phil Kelly, contact our new Warminster facility at 215-672-1826 or send Phil a note atphil@allstarbaseballacademy.com.  Lessons can also be scheduled by calling West Chester at 610-399-8050, Broomall at 610-355-2411 or Downingtown at 610-518-7400.

For FALL PROGRAMS AND BASEBALL TRAINING options, go to our website for full details:  www.allstarbaseballacademy.com.

 

I'm reading: ASBA Tip of the Week: Slow the Game Down....and Win

Pierce Greenleaf's ASBA 14U Team BLOG-- Week #7 (Final One of the Season)

Hey everyone, my name is Pierce Greenleaf. I play for the 14U All Star Baseball Academy team. I have been playing for ASBA, summer and fall, since I was 11, but we were called the Blue Claws then.  I was given the chance to write about our ASBA Downingtown summer team and report about both the serious and funny events of our season. 

Here is my seventh, and final, weekly report on our summer ASBA team:

As our summer season came to a close in early August, Coach Keith Falcone had some fun trying to find players because our Wood Bat League ran a week late and people on our team were on vacation.  I was on vacation for a week, so this is my final report for the summer and it will serve as a way to bring everyone up to date on our last several games...

On Monday, July 26, we played the EBYA Black Team.  It was a slugfest and no matter what, every ball found a hole.  We lost 22-16.  On Wednesday, July 28, we played the Crawdads White.  We got out to an early 4-0 lead, but it went downhill from there.  We walked tons of batters and made at least 1 error an inning.  The final score was 16-8 Crawdads.  Then, on Friday, July 30, we played the Octorara Senior Legion team, again.  The game started off like every other time we played them-- we walk a bunch of people then they get one hit and it is already 5-0.  They won 12-3.  Our final game on Monday, August 2, we played the Crawdads Black for the fourth time.  Other than our “meltdown"  in the fourth inning, the score would have been 4-3 us, but it ended up being 12-4. 

This season has been about trying to get all the gears meshing at the same time.  Either we pitched very well or hit very well, but not in the same game. 

In the EBYA league, we were somewhat outmatched, but overall we played well.  We thought that when we went into tournaments we would just crush teams and it didn’t end up that way at all.  For most of the season we struggled with hitting. If we hit during the span where our pitchers gave up 2 or 3 runs a game, we would have easily won half of our games. 

Keith helped many of us improve on our approach at the plate, such as looking for certain pitches to hit and knowing what pitches to hit in different situations. Keith was also great in helping me, and all of our pitchers, with our off-speed stuff.  It was a long summer season but a fun one as well.  We improved and learned a lot from the coaching staff.  I am looking forward to my ASBA Fall Season.

Thanks for following our team this summer through my weekly Blog reports!

I'm reading: Pierce Greenleaf's ASBA 14U Team BLOG-- Week #7 (Final One of the Season)

ALL STAR BASEBALL'S TIP OF THE WEEK......

All Star Baseball Academy now features a Tip of the Week, so that our readers can continue to take their games to the next level.  This week's Tip is from Todd Davison, popular instructor and Manager of our Broomall location:

FOOTWORK AND QUICK RELEASE ARE KEYS FOR TOP INFIELDERS!

Infield Tips for middle infielders:  The key to taking your infield game to the next level consists of two major plays in a game:

1. The backhand play in the hole plays a major role in both high school and college baseball. This play involves arm strength and footwork that coaches look for at the next level. When the speed of the game increases, there is no room for error in your mechanics. Runners get down the line much faster at the higher levels of baseball, therefore players with weaker arms and bad feet get exposed.

To work on the backhand play,  players must perfect the transfer from the glove to the hand. This will allow a better grip and a quicker release. When a player doesn't have to worry about catching the ball and the transfer of the baseball, he will be able to concentrate on the next step-- quickly setting his feet.

2. The charge play is also a key area for infielders to master.  All players at the next level can make the routine play so we must work on the charge play to stand out from the average player. Footwork for the charge play should be a routine drill  for every infielder at practice.  Angles are so important in the completion of the charge play, so players must learn proper body control and arm angles to have success.

While players warm up, they should use several different arm angles to become comfortable with their release points.

Summary--  By working on the proper infielder techniques and practice reps, these two plays will take your game to the next level! 

To schedule a lesson pack with Todd or one of our other top instructors at Broomall, call 610-355-2411.  Ask about Lesson Pack savings with our Big League (20 lesson) or All Star (50 lesson) packages!

Lessons can also be scheduled at our other locations:  West Chester-- 610-399-8050, Downingtown-- 610-518-7400, Warminster-- 215-672-1826.  Lesson Pack savings are available now-- save up to $700. with the All Star package.

Next week's Tip of the Week will be from our Downingtown location.

I'm reading: ALL STAR BASEBALL'S TIP OF THE WEEK......

ALL STAR BASEBALL PLAYER/TEAM OF THE WEEK

All Star Baseball Academy is pleased to announce our Player of the Week Award, and also recognize the players who have been nominated by their coaches:

PLAYER OF THE WEEK—Dan Brogan, 15U Elite Team, ASBA Broomall

Dan threw a no-hitter for the ASBA Elite team in the first game of the 15U tournament at Diamond Nation last week. He also came through with a few clutch hits during the weekend, helping the Broomall Elite team finish with an excellent 2-1 record at Diamond Nation.

“Dan is a hard-working kid who has improved his game throughout the season,” said Broomall Manager Todd Davison. “The coaches and I are very proud of his accomplishments on and off the field. He has been a team leader for us.”

Also Nominated :

Thomas Carey, Gardner Nutter, Reggie Williams, Steffen Romando, and Cameron Cook, ASBA 15U Elite Team.
All contributed with key hits and top fielding plays during the squad’s 2-1 record at Diamond Nation last week.

TEAM OF THE WEEK – ASBA 15U Elite Team, Broomall

The All Star Team of the Week is the 15U Elite Team coached by Javi Rodriguez. The team finished with a 2-1 record in bracket play against top competition at Diamond Nation, Flemington, NJ.

“Javi and I are really proud of this team and their winning efforts last week,” noted Todd Davison of the hard-working Broomall squad.

“Dan Brogan did a super job for us with his no-hitter,” said coach Javi Rodriguez. “And Gardner Nutter also was a real horse on the mound for us at Diamond Nation. He was a key contributor at pitcher and also in the outfield. Overall, our team kept getting better and better as the season wore on. Up and down the line-up, we really improved. I’m very proud of this team.”

Congratulations to all of our weekly winners! Look for Player and Team of the Week updates every week on our ASBA Blog!!

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MIKE MCGUIRE EARNS ANOTHER SAVE FOR PHILLIES' MINOR LEAGUE TEAM!

Mike McGuire

Mike McGuire, popular ASBA instructor during the off-season, signed a minor league contract with the Phillies' Lakewood (NJ) farm team  in mid-July.  Over the past month, he has fit into the bullpen committee and helped the Lakewood squad keep a stranglehold on first place in their division.

A 6-7 righthanded pitcher who pitched for Ridley High and then the University of Delaware, McGuire is being utilized as a bullpen specialist by the BlueClaws team.

So far, Mike has done very well for the BlueClaws in relief, with a 1-1 record and 2 saves.  On Sunday night, he saved his second game for Lakewood with a scoreless ninth inning.  He notched a strikeout and saved the 5-2 win without a lot of suspense or drama.

Overall, he has a 2.79 ERA with 25 K's and just 6 walks in 19.1 innings pitched.

"It was great to get the call from the Phillies and it was a total surprise," said McGuire by phone.  "I got the phone call from the Phillies' scout when I was with Sussex (NJ) in the Can-Am League, so I wasn't far away.  It was only a 1 1/2 hour drive to go from Montclair to Lakewood, NJ so that was no problem at all.

"Now in the South Atlantic League, there are lots of 9 and 10 hour bus rides but that's OK," chuckled McGuire.  "I was thrilled to get the call from the Phillies and I am happy to be helping out their bullpen in Lakewood.  We won the first half league title and we have already clinched a spot in the playoffs.  I've gotten a lot of calls from friends and family after joining the Phillies' organization and I really appreciate the support from the home front.  Things are going great!"

The BlueClaws are on top in their division of the South Atlantic League with an excellent 72-46 record.  Lakewood, NJ, in case you are wondering, is north of Toms River and east of Trenton.  If you'd like to follow Mike McGuire and the BlueClaws the rest of this season, go to:  www.blueclaws.com

Tom Cochran

EXTRA BASES-- Other ASBA instructors are also doing well in the Minors and in Independent Leagues around the country.  Tom Cochran has a 2.93 ERA and a 7-5 mark as a starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds' AA team, the Carolina Mudcats.  Tom is a lefthanded pitcher and has racked up 93 K's in 126 innings so far this year..... Meanwhile, Mike McCardell has earned his first W of the year for the Minnesota Twins' AA team, the New Britain (CT) Rock Cats.  Mike threw 5 strong innings on 7/31 and gave up just one earned run vs. Bowie in the Eastern League win.  He is 1-12 on the year for the Rock Cats, who have struggled this season with an overall mark of 34-87.  McCardell has recorded 68 K's in 131 innings of work this season, tops on the team in both categories.  Last year, Mike was 14-8 for the  Rock Cats..... Over in the independent Atlantic League, Scott Grimes is still tearing it up for the York Revolution team.  Grimes is hitting .292 with a .409 on base percentage.  He has 13 HR's and 21 doubles, and also has piled up a total of 22 stolen bases, showing he has both power and speed.  Grimes has scored 102 runs this season, tops on his squad by far.  York has struggled a bit in the second half of the season with a 17-19 mark, but Grimes has continued to be a force for the Revolution at the top of their line-up.....

ALL STAR TRIVIA--  Earlier this season, new acquisition Roy (Doc) Halladay pitched a no-hit perfect game for the Phillies.  Trivia Question of the Week:  Who was the last Phillies' pitcher before Halladay to toss a perfect game and what was the year and the opponent?  E mail your replies to ken@allstarbaseballacademy.com.  Answers and another trivia test coming next week....

I'm reading: MIKE MCGUIRE EARNS ANOTHER SAVE FOR PHILLIES' MINOR LEAGUE TEAM!

SIGN UP NOW FOR THE ASBA FALL SHOWCASE SERIES......

Players sprint to the finish at the recent Academic Showcase in DE

Coaches clock the 60 yard dash and take notes on top players

All Star Baseball Academy has an outstanding Fall Showcase Series of events with top college coaches participating.  Registration is now open.  Sign up on our website at www.allstarbaseballacademy.com or call our Sales Staff at 610-399-9356 for full details and to register by phone.

 

OUR FALL SHOWCASE SERIES INCLUDES--

 

** Fall Showcase at Glen Mills School, Glen Mills, PA-- October 2-3

** Fall Showcase Virginia at Waldorf, MD-- October 16-17

** Fall Showcase at Blue Rocks Stadium, Wilmington, DE-- October 23-24

 

We look forward to seeing your All Star showcase his skills this Fall!

I'm reading: SIGN UP NOW FOR THE ASBA FALL SHOWCASE SERIES......

ASBA Player/Team of the Week

All Star Baseball Academy is pleased to announce our Player of the Week Award, and also recognize the players who have been nominated by their coaches:

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK


Luke Alicknavitch and Derek Prucnal, 17U Prospect Team


Luke threw 7 innings for the ASBA 17U Prospects Team in the Blue Chip Prospects National Tournament at Diamond Nation. He gave up just 1 hit, with 1 walk, and no runs allowed. Teammate Derek Prucnal was a terror on the basepaths for the ASBA team, reaching base 10 times in the tourney, with 4 hits, 5 stolen bases, and 5 runs scored. He also threw 11 excellent innings as a pitcher.


Also Nominated :


Sean O’Keefe and Taylor Wright/ASBA 17U Team—Sean and Taylor starred on the mound, combining to pitch a no-hitter in a big win for the 17U Prospects team at Diamond Nation.

TEAM OF THE WEEK 


ASBA 17U PROSPECTS TEAM


The All Star Team of the Week is the 17U Prospects Team coached by Mark Freed. At the Blue Chip Prospects National Tournament at Diamond Nation in Flemington, NJ, the team won their bracket and went 3-1 in pool play. The ASBA squad advanced to the quarterfinal round before losing in extra innings.


“We played great and the team’s energy was contagious,” said Freed. “We hit very well and came through in the clutch. Our pitching staff did a tremendous job with Sean O’Keefe and Taylor Wright combining on a no-hitter. Luke Alicknavitch and Derek Prucnal did a super job of pitching for us against very good competition.”



Congratulations to all of our weekly winners! Look for Player and Team of the Week updates every week on our ASBA Blog!!

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AREA PLAYERS SHINE AT ASBA SHOWCASES AT BLUE ROCKS STADIUM!

All Star Baseball Academy hosted two successful Showcase Events at Blue Rocks Stadium in late July.  Nearly 100 local players (ages 15 to 18) attended each event.

The Academic Showcase (July 20-21) and the Mid-Atlantic Showcase (July 22-23) gave players the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of top college coaches.  Great exposure and visibility to multiple coaches and recruiting coordinators!

"The Academic Showcase was a hit again this year.  We had 10 colleges work the Showcase and 3 others came to watch and evaluate the talent," said former Major League catcher and On-Field Coordinator Creighton Gubanich of ASBA.  "Many of the top academic schools in the East were in attendance and participated in the Showcase event."

The Mid-Atlantic Showcase was held later in the same week as the Academic Showcase, and was also conducted at beautiful Blue Rocks Stadium in Wilmington.

"The Mid-Atlantic Showcase was also a big success," said Gubanich.  "The college coaches did a great job of instructing players in the outfield and infield drills, and also with base running skills during the game situations.  Both players and coaches were excited to be there at Blue Rocks Stadium and the talent level was high."

For a closer look at the action during the 2 DE Showcase Events, please see the slide show below.  Check it out!



All Star Baseball Academy Delaware Showcase  from stacey bonnell on Vimeo.

To sign up for ASBA's Fall Showcase Series, go to www.allstarbaseballacademy.com or call our Sales Staff at 610-399-9356 today.

I'm reading: AREA PLAYERS SHINE AT ASBA SHOWCASES AT BLUE ROCKS STADIUM!