Six Tool Baseball News and Updates

1. Ethan Robinson, 2023, Donelson Christian, 6-5, 193, RHP  (*****)
2. Joseph King, 2022, Ezell Harding, 6-2, 190,  LHP (*****)
3. Miller Green, 2023, Lipscomb Academy, 6-5, 207,  LHP (*****)
4. Christian Lim, 2023, Montgomery Bell, 5-10, 178,  LHP (*****)
5. Jaxon Walker, 2024, Loudon, 5-11, 175, LHP (*****)
6. Dylan Loy, 2023, Pigeon Forge, 6-1, 158, LHP (*****)
7. Luke Payne, 2023, Goodpasture, 6-2, 183,  LHP (****)
8. Will Dugan, 2022, Lipscomb Academy, 6-4, 233,  RHP (****)
9. Andrew Behnke, 2022, Donelson Christian, 5-9, 175, LHP (****)
10. Austin Hunley, 2022, Mt. Juliet, 6-3, 178, RHP (****)

1. Andruw Jones, 2022, Wesleyan, 6-3, 180,  OF (*****)
2. Jared Jones, 2022, Marietta, 6-4, 230,  C (*****)
3. Carter Holton, Benedictine Military, 5-11, 197,  LHP (*****)
4. RJ Austin, 2022, Pace Academy, 5-11, 183,  SS (*****)
5. Dylan Lesko, 2022, Buford, 6-3, 192,  RHP (*****)
6. Antonio Anderson, 2023, Tri-Cities, 6-3, 190  SS/RHP (*****)
7. Termarr Johnson, 2022, Mays, 5-10, 175,  SS (*****)
8. Josh Tate, 2022, Starrs Mill, 5-11, 165,  SS (*****)
9. Cam Collier, 2023, Mt. Paran Christian, 6-2, 208,  3B (*****)
10. Saamy Leis, 2022, Denmark, 6-2, 175,  C (****)
11. Jax Phillips, 2024, East Cobb, 6-3, 182,  3B/RHP (****)
12. Jake Lanke, 2023, Blessed Trinity, 6-1, 182,  RHP (****)
13. Mike Mullinax, 2024, North Cobb Christian, 6-2, 180,  OF (****)

Western New York (Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Livingston Counties) has seen an increase in talented Student-Athlete baseball players over the past few years.  This season will be no different.  Potential Division 1 level players include 

1.  Max Hall, 2022, McQuaid Jesuit, RHP (****)
2.  Michael Salina, 2022, Webster Schroeder, RHP  (***)            
3.  Will Taylor, 2022, McQuaid Jesuit, LHP (***)                     
4.  Carter Clark, 2022, Hilton, 1B, RHP (**)                               
5.  Alex Wootton, 2022, Palmyra Macedon, SS (**)
6.  James Capellupo, 2023, Hilton, RHP, INF (**)
7.  Julian Mendoza, 2022, Fairport, OF (**)
8.  Cooper Romich, 2023, Churchville-Chili, C  (**)
9.  Rob Consaul, 2022, Fairport, RHP (**)
10.  Jeremiah Havens, 2022, Wellsville High, RHP (**)

We need for our student-athletes to make sure that they are using common sense.  It's important, for your future, to stop and remove all the dumb shit that is being put on Social Media websites.  Everyone in our program is better than that.  It's not just your "friends" looking at your social media posts.  College Coaches, Professional Baseball Clubs, and possible future employers take a look and when they see y'all drinking, smoking, or acting like a dumbass they are likely to make an assumption that we know is inaccurate.  Think about it guys!!!!!

While most parents are trying to do what's best for their child, there are a few things we'd like you to consider.  Playing for multiple teams can be a good idea unless your son is a Pitcher that pitches for more than one team.  If a player is pitching for multiple summer baseball teams the chances for over-pitching and potential arm issues increases greatly.  Parents are also encouraged to place their child in a program that will provide a lot of practice and playing time at multiple positions.  While a season of 18-0 with constant blowout victories is a fun experience, is your child really being challenged enough to develop their skill base.  Constantly losing usually results in a decrease in passion for the game of baseball among participants.  The goal should be to find the highest level of competition that your child will get a lot of playing time to participate in.  A 3-2 loss develops an athletes skill base more than a 15-0 victory.  Also, keep in mind what is more important to your childs baseball journey, to win a little league championship or win a sectional title or go to the college world series.  This is a development verse performance scenario.  In regard to academics, they are even more important for the student-athlete baseball player.  Keep in mind while Division 3 baseball programs cannot offer baseball scholarships, they can offer ACADEMIC scholarships that assist in paying the tuition of a college baseball player.  We require a 3.0 GPA or B average to participate in our programs.  The most important thing to do is ENJOY the journey toward your childs baseball goals.  Have fun along the way, don't simply focus on a final baseball goal.

Adults may remember the "special basketball shoes" that were designed to improve the vertical jump of basketball players.  While they looked like some kind of space shoes elevated in the front and supposed to increase calf strength, they eventually found out that they may have led to numerous knee injuries.  I was once told that "They wouldn't sell them if they hurt people".  This individual must of never heard of cigarettes or beer.  Businesses will sell anything that they can legally make money from.  Weighted baseballs have been made popular lately.  If utilized correctly, by an adult, they have some benefit if you follow and complete the active recovery duties that come with it.  I have seen numerous arm injuries when they are utilized by high school Pitchers and student-athletes as young as ten years old.  I have also seen, on several occasions, someone gains 1 or 2 MPH, but then has a reduction in velocity.  84 MPH as a sophomore and then 79 as a senior is not the results anyone is looking for.  Long term arm issues after your baseball career need to be also considered.  Another recent "fad" is the concept of the launch angle which usually results in an upper-cut type swing.  Pitchers are learning to utilize high fastballs is zone 7, 8, and 9 to counter these results.  Also, think for a moment about a student-athletes size.  If you are 6-4, 225 pounds, launch angle may result in an increase homeruns.  However, what about the majority of baseball players that are 5-8, 140 pounds or even smaller?  Are you teaching yourself to fly out consistently?  When something new is introduced to baseball players and coaches common sense and understanding the "fad" is crucial.  What does the science say?  What studies have been completed, if any?  The bottom line question each individual baseball player should be asking themselves is, WILL THIS WORK FOR ME when I become a Varsity level or Collegiate student-athlete?