14s Continue to Develop

With over 30 games under their belts prior to Memorial Day Weekend, the 14U Ruffnecks look forward to the summer season with excitement and a challenging schedule.  They also look to an expanded roster that will include four high school freshman who will rejoin the team as their school seasons come to a close.  Cameron Garfield, Henry Ennen, Jack Kingman, and Chris Lanzilli have participated very little, or not at all in some cases, during the April-May NEBA schedule.  Their return should bolster a roster that has shouldered the burden of the 30-plus games with 12 eighth grader 14U Ruffnecks.  Coach Novio has prepared the squad for the transistion that begins with the Memorial Weekend tournament and continues through the NEBA Championships and a two month schedule of tournament play.  The additional players add depth to the squad, more pitching, and the ability to play more games once the school year ends and the long days of summer lend themselves to mid-week baseball along with the weekend tournament schedule that faces the 14U Ruffnecks.  The team takes on some new challenges as they head to Missouri for the Premier World Series June 26 to July 1.  This is the first experience for the ‘Necks in a venue situated west of the Mississippi River  Of course, the CABA World Series in Nashville is on the radar as well.  Several additional local tournaments will also challenge the 14U Ruffnecks as they look to compete well over the second half of their season.

Bryce Reagan Starts a DBL Play

As the pages of the calendar turn from April to May the youngest two Ruffnecks teams, the 13s and 14s, find themselves with a significant foundation of game experience.  As of the first weekend of May, the 13s had logged 27 games in the 2013 season, while the 14s had logged one less.  The early spring weather has been cooperative.  The weekend NEBA series, along with the scheduling of several high school JV level mid-week games (played with a combined roster of 13s and 14s), have provided ample game experience for all players on both rosters.  With only two weeks remaining in the NEBA Spring League, the 13s and 14s begin to prepare for the tournament season which commences with the Memorial Weekend Classic in Bristol, CT.  Following Memorial Weekend, there are the NEBA Championships, several Cape Cod Wood Bat Invitationals, along with other regional events.  The 14U Ruffnecks head to Springfield, Missouri on June 26th to compete in the Premier World Series.  Much of the competition in that event comes from the Texas-Oklahoma region of the United States.  Meanwhile the 13s will be traveling to Diamond Nation to represent the Ruffnecks in the 14U Diamond Nation World Series.  Both teams participate in the July Classic and then head to Nashville, TN for the 14U CABA World Series.

13 Squad Developing Depth

Depth is the key for the 13U Ruffnecks in 2013.  Nine different players are contributing to the pitching staff.  Led by Jamie Hauswirth, the pitching has been consistent all spring.  Hauswirth, Jake McOsker, Billy Seidl, and Kai Marcos have comprised the starting rotation.  They have been supported in a variety of roles by Jake Miller, Joe Simourian, Spencer Brown, Bryce Reagan, and Jack Tishman.  The catching duties have been split by Connor Bowman and Danny Cooke.  Both contribute strong bats to the lineup.  The middle infield has been anchored by Spenser Smith, Brown, and Brodie Carey.  Carey has returned strong from an off-season injury.  Cal Sullivan and Darrald Webb are both returning from the DL as is Jack Steele.  The team features a strong offensive lineup to support its pitching corps, and the defense continues to improve.

14s Develop for Long Run

The 14U Ruffnecks showed early season strength at the opening weekend tournament in New Jersey.  Since that time the team has been handcuffed by a limited roster (five of the players are participating in high school), and a lack of pitching depth.  Nevertheless, the experience gained by the 8th graders on the roster is important to the foundation needed for a tough summer schedule.  Owen Batchelder and Robby Cerulle have led the pitching staff as starters.  Brendan Dolan is developing nicely as both a potential starter and a reliever.  Justin Vandervelden and Taylor Beckett continue to provide reliable innings in either role as well.  Unfortunately, LHP Bryan Gotti has landed on the DL.  He has looked good in early season outings.  The middle infield has been shorthanded with Robbie Cronin on the DL for most of April.  Mariano Ricciardi has been stalwart at both 2B and SS.  Jack Waisel has filled in capably at 2B.  Beckett has anchored 3B.  The catchers have been solid with Bennett Psyhogeos and Mike Doyle sharing time.  Doyle has also been a reliable pitcher.  Jared Shuster has contributed innings on the mound and has been a fixture in the lineup as an outfielder and one of the squads leading hitters.  As summer approaches, it will be nice to have the 9th graders return to the fold.  Jack Kingman, Henry Ennen, Cam Garfield, Chris Lanzilli, along with the full time services of Mike Doyle who is playing high school ball, round out a roster ready to tackle an aggressive summer schedule.

College Prospect Teams Ready for Intensive Travel

On Sunday, May 5th the Ruffnecks held their College Prospect Organizational Meeting at Noble & Greenough School.  Numerous equipment and administrative issues were covered.  Along with those details, a comprehensive presentation of the schedules for all three College Prospect teams was provided.  The oldest Ruffnecks, the 18s (comprised of 2014 graduates) will be traveling to events in Connecticut; New Jersey; Nashville, TN; Marietta, GA; Joplin, MO; and Syracuse, NY.  The 16s will attend several of the same events along with a trip to the University of Virginia; USA Baseball in Cary, NC; and the CABA World Series in Marietta, GA.  The 15s (a roster of 2015 and 2016 grads) will be off to the WWBA in Marietta, GA; the University of  South Carolina; The Premier World Series in Texas; and the CABA World Series in Springfield, Illinois.

The entire program is committed to 36 tournaments and trips for the 2013 season traveling across the United States to more destinations than at any time in our program’s 10 year history.  Summer is quickly approaching!  We continue to wish all our high school athletes the very best in success and health over the next month as they compete for their schools.