INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: Dennis McKimm

Featured in this week’s All Star Baseball Academy Instructor Spotlight is Dennis McKimm.  Dennis is an Instructor at ASBA Downingtown, where he gives lessons on hitting and fielding.  Dennis has been working for ASBA since December of 2011. 

After a successful high school career at Cameron County High School in Emporium, PA, he went to Mansfield University.  After a year there, he transferred to Penn State Altoona, where he excelled from 2002-2005.  He started all 3 years at second base, and batted .363 for his collegiate career.  In 2003 he was a 2^nd Team All-AMCC selection, and was a 1^st Team All-AMCC selection in 2004.  After graduating college in 2005, Dennis went on to work at The Glen Mills Schools, where he also coached from 2006-2011. 

When we asked Dennis what he enjoys about giving lessons, he said “I believe in improving minor details to the mechanics of a hitter or fielder for the best overall results.  I enjoy being part of the mechanical and physical development of a player. It is always great to see the final result of a player having a successful career in baseball.”

Off the field, Dennis is an avid outdoorsman.

To schedule lessons with Dennis, please call ASBA Downingtown at 610-518-7400.

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ALL STAR BASEBALL ACADEMY TEAM OF THE WEEK: ASBA Warminster Mayhem 14U

This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Team of the Week Award goes to ASBA Warminster Mayhem (14U).  They were 5-0 for the weekend of April 28^th and 29^th, winning the DB Inferno Summer Warm-Up Tournament in Douglassville, PA.  They are coached by Danielle Byrne and Jessica Russ.

The 14U squad came out swinging in the opening game of the tournament, walloping the PA Fusion in a 12-2 win.  Their next two wins would not come as easy, as they had to come from behind to beat the Chester Stars 11-10 and DB Inferno 10-9 in the last inning of each game. The team rode the momentum from their come from behind wins to beat the Berwyn Firecrackers 15-5 to advance to the championship game.  Pitted against UM Synergy, the 14U squad was able to close out the weekend with a solid 9-4 win to bring home the championship trophy.

Offensively, the team scored a whopping 57 runs in just 5 games.  The top offensive performers for the weekend were Taylor Marinelli, Emily Cosgrove, Sophia Kent and Morgan Seader.  Marinelli led the team with 9 hits in 15 at-bats, while scoring 8 runs and driving in 7.  3 of her 9 hits were for extra bases.  Kent, Cosgrove and Seader all had 6 hits apiece, and each had multiple extra base hits as well.  Kent led the team with 4 extra base hits, including a home run.  Cosgrove drove in a team high 8 runs for the weekend.

The team got stellar pitching from Jen Hammons.  For the weekend, she pitched a total of 20 innings, allowing just 3 earned runs the entire time.  Hammons racked up 29 strikeouts while scattering 7 hits. 

Coach Byrne was very pleased with the way her team played in the tournament, saying “I was so proud of our team this weekend. The girls fought hard and never gave up.  We had two come from behind wins in the last inning and executed all of the fundamentals of the game.  We hit, we moved runners over and were aggressive on the bases. Defensively we fielded all the routine plays and pitched well.  I am very excited to see what else these girls can do this summer.  It was a great way to start out the season with our first tournament."

ASBA Mayhem plays again the weekend of May 19^th and 20^th at USSSA May Madness in Quakertown, PA.  

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ALL STAR BASEBALL ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jonah Frankel

This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Player of the Week Award goes to Jonah Frankel for his performance the weekend of the 21st and 22nd at Diamond Nation in Flemington, New Jersey. Jonah plays for ASBA West Chester’s 11U Select Team. He is coached by Brian Rorick.

In a 6-1 win over Pro Skills Baseball Academy 11U, Jonah took control early on the mound, and kept his foot on the gas pedal for the entire game. He allowed just one run and one hit to earn the complete game win. He tallied 9 strikeouts in his 6 innings of work.

 At the plate, Jonah was just as impressive, going 4 for 5 with 2 RBI’s in a rain shortened weekend.

Coach Rorick has been impressed by Jonah’s performance all season long, saying “He’s been one of the most consistent pitchers throughout the spring. He shows very good poise at a young age. He has the ability to command the zone with an above average fastball and a very good changeup.”

Jonah’s dad was thrilled to hear of Jonah’s selection as Player of the Week, as well as the improvements Jonah has made. “Our family really appreciates everything All-Star has done for Jonah. He has been a part of the All-Star program for about 2 years and has participated on the 10u & 11u teams. He has also taken private lessons during this time. We have seen a huge jump in his baseball development. Special thanks to Brian Rorick for everything he has done to help mentor and coach Jonah. I would also like to thank Joe Harris for his help developing Jonah as a pitcher.”

“All-Star is amazing,” Jonah said. “I'm thankful to my coaches and great defense that day. They all helped me pitch my best game.”

Congratulations to Jonah for being named the ASBA Player of the Week. ASBA West Chester 11U is done playing for the spring season. We wish Jonah and the rest of the team the best of luck with their respective Little League seasons.

To schedule lessons or for more information, please contact your local ASBA facility or check out our website at www.allstarbaseballacademy.com

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ALL STAR BASEBALL ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ryan Gerenser

This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Player of the Week Award goes to Ryan Gerenser for his performance on the mound the weekend of the 14^th and 15^th at Diamond Nation in Flemington, New Jersey.  Ryan plays for ASBA West Chester’s 12U Select Team.  He is in 6^th grade at Avon Grove Intermediate.  Ryan is a pitcher, outfielder and 2^nd baseman, and is coached by Ed Cieslak. 

In his only start of the weekend, Ryan was dominant.  In a 5-2 win over Pro Skills Baseball Academy, Ryan threw 6 innings for the complete game win.  He allowed just 2 hits and one walk, along with 2 unearned runs.  He tallied 5 strikeouts as well. 

Coach Cieslak was very impressed by Ryan’s performance on the mound, saying “He threw the ball well, and he was around the zone the whole time.  The boys were making plays behind him the whole time.  His biggest pitch of the game was a 3-2 changeup to strike out a big lefty in a crucial situation.”

Ryan’s father has been very impressed with Ryan’s coaches and All Star Baseball Academy.

“The interaction between the coaches and the kids has been phenomenal.  The coaches do a tremendous job of talking to the kids.  This is the best coaching I’ve seen thus far at this age.  They teach more than just baseball, they teach baseball etiquette.  The coaches gave Ryan a lot of confidence, and he’s thoroughly enjoyed his experience with ASBA.”

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Ryan said.  “I really like Coach Ed and Coach Jason.  They’ve helped me out a lot with my pitching.” 

Congratulations to Ryan for being named the ASBA Player of the Week.  We wish him and the ASBA West Chester 12U Select Team the best of luck with the rest of their season.  They are back in action the weekend of April 28^th and 29^th at Sports at the Beach in Georgetown, Delaware. 

To schedule lessons or for more information, please contact your local ASBA facility or check out our website at www.allstarbaseballacademy.com

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