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Baseball U Programs
Baseball U programs are comprehensive programs designed to develop a high school players skills to play at the next level of competition. The organization will be taking both advanced players as well as players that might need more work in certain areas than others. Both types of players will benefit from a developmental practice program held at different facilities during various times over the summer and fall in 2008. The travel teams will be taking quality players, play against excellent competition, and compete in some of the top college and pro facilities around the country. Successful college programs require hard work and dedication. Our program is modeled in the same fashion. These experiences provided will familiarize future college players with what lies ahead of them in years to come. Opportunities come and go. It is being prepared to capitalize on that opportunity when it does arrive that will make the difference in one’s college career. It is our goal to help you capitalize on that opportunity.
Fall Baseball Tryouts
Baseball U will be holding Fall Tryouts for all of the organizational teams. Please fill out a prospective player form and a representitive from the organization will send you information on the tryouts in mid July.
BASEBALL U DOWNS CUST BASEBALL TO WIN BLUE CHIP PROSPECTS 16U CHAMPIONSHIP
Baseball U defeated Jack Cust Baseball Black 16U by the score of 7-2 to take the Blue Chip Prospects Great American Shootout Crown. The team outscored their opponents 49-5 over the three days and seven games going 7 wins with 0 loses.
The tournament MVP was Louis Clemente who hit two home runs and pitched a no hitter on the final day. The championship was a total team effort from the players to the parents. The final day was a long 13 hours at the ball field and everyone did a great job. Pat Egan started the day off with a shutout performance and ended with Brian Gilbert pitching a complete game to defeat Cust Baseball.
This is the first championship for Baseball U in 2009. The team finished second in the Perfect Game 16U Flag Day Tournament just two weeks ago. Pefect Game has the 16U ranked 22nd in the Country in their team rankings.
16U Select Runner Up in Perfect Game Flag Day Tournament
The Baseball U 16U Select Team lost to the Long Island Titans 16U White team on Sunday in the First Annual PG Northeast Flag Day Tournament by a score of 7-5.
The weekend was hampered by rain and Baseball U was 2-0 in bracket play and only gave up a total of 3 runs in bracket play while scoring 11. In the bracket play 6’3 Kurt Marut dominated the Staten Island Orioles on the mound. He was in control of the entire game and only allowed 2 hits.
With rain a factor in finishing bracket play the tournament took the top two teams from each bracket and played Quarter, Semi and Final games on the day at two sites. In the Quarterfinals North Shore gave all the U could handle. The Royals fought back to tie the game in the 6th after falling behind 5-1. The Perfect Game tie breaker rule came into play and with the bases loaded Nick Milliman hit a 2 RBI single up the middle. With two runs across it was time for Baseball U to hold the lead. A second pitch double play ball up the middle was all the U needed to move on.
In the Semi Finals the Team Connecticut 16U jumped out to a 3-0 first inning lead that did not last long. Baseball U bounced back with 5 runs of their own in the bottom of the first and the hitting did not stop with Baseball U ending the game early with the 8 run rule in the 6th.
The team was short on pitching but big on heart after falling behind 5-0 the team bounced back and made it 5-2. With the lead 7-3 in the 7th the team closed to 7-5 with two runners in scoring position before the Titans recorded the final out.
It was a total team effort and plenty of college coaches have added Baseball U players to their list of recruiting after this weekend.
We thank everyone that helped make this tournament happen and we look forward to making this an annual tournament.
Eight U Players Selected In 2009 MLB Draft
The 2009 MLB Draft is in the books and Baseball U had a big part in it. A total of 8 Baseball U players were selected this year. Over the past 3 MLB Drafts that brings the total to an amazing 16 players selected.
In the 2nd round Steven Matz a 95mph left handed pitcher selected by the NY Mets. The 6'2 left handed pitcher has an electric fastball that has hit 95mph. Steven has signed a letter of intent to play at Coastal Carolina.
In the 19th round Mitch Clarke also nicknamed "Big Canada" by his U teamates was selected by the Cincinnati Reds. Clarke a left handed pitcher is a smooth pitcher with an explosive fastball and a late breaking curve. Clarke joined Baseball U in the fall and pitched in two games at the WWBA NE Qualifier and gave up no hits in 8 innings pitched.
In the 21st round, Joe Talerico a former Baseball U player was taken by the NY Yankees. Talerico an outfielder has great speed and plus arm from the outfield. He was selected this year out of Brookdale Community College. Talerico started his collegiate career at Seton Hall but wanted the opportunity to be drafted as a sophomore in college rather than waiting till his junior year.
In my opinion the best pitcher that has ever pitched for Baseball U, Pat Light was selected by the Minnestota Twins in the 28th Round. The 6'5 right handed pitcher has plenty of upside and has natural movement on his fastball that makes him effective even when he does not have his best velocity. Pat has chosen to attend Monmouth University on a full scholarship.
In the 34th Round Camden Maron a left handed hitting catcher was selected by the NY Mets. Camden was a member of the Prospect team and was found at the NABF World Series while playing in the summer championships.
Fabian Roman a right handed pitcher from Marist High School in New Jersey was selected in the 36th round by the Kansas City Royals. Roman's velocity increased as the year went on and hit as high as 93mph last fall with a plus breaking ball.
In the 42nd round, Chris Zagyi was selected by the Chicago White Sox. Zagy a 6'5 right handed pitcher was a member of the first Baseball U team back in the summer of 2006.
The Kansas City Royals again selected another member in Anthony Howard in the 47th round. Howard is a left handed hitting outfielder with power and good speed. Howard was another member of the Prospect team.
The Baseball U family would like to congratulate all of the players and families of the selected players.
Super East Fall Baseball Scout Series Starts This Fall
Baseball U has announced yet another way for the organizational players to showcase themselves in front of college coaches from various regions this upcoming fall. The organization in a joint effort with three other top organizations, Team Connecticut, New England Ruffnecks and the South Troy Dodgers have formed The Super East Fall Baseball Scout Series.
The format will bring the players to the college coaches and pro scouts. The format will have each team host a weekend series over four weekends. On Saturday a team will play two seven inning games and on Sunday the team will play one nine inning game. Each team is in a different state bringing the players to various area colleges. For example when Baseball U travels to New England they will be playing in front of such schools as Boston College, Northeastern, Harvard and other area colleges. The same format will be repeated each of the four weekends and open doors to schools in each teams geographic region.
It is something that is really exciting and certainly brings more exposure than playing in a weekend legion baseball league. When you add the new Super Series format to the other showcase tournament events it will be hard for any other organization to compete with then it comes to strength of schedule and exposure. It is just another way Baseball U as an organization is continuously improving our program to stay among the elite teams in the country.
U Players Ranked By Perfect Game State / National Rankings
| Grad Year |
Player |
Position |
PG State Ranking |
PG National Ranking |
| 2009 |
Steven Matz |
LHP |
NY 1 |
50 |
| 2009 |
Fabian Roman |
RHP |
NJ 11 |
279 |
| 2009 |
Jim Stokes |
RHP |
PA 10 |
306 |
| 2009 |
Anthony Howard |
OF |
MD 2 |
313 |
| 2009 |
Dan Avella |
3B |
NJ 10 |
272 |
| 2009 |
Pat Light |
RHP |
NJ 18 |
399 |
| 2009 |
Kevin Needham |
RHP |
NJ 24 |
634 |
| 2009 |
Ryan Harvey |
RHP |
NJ 25 |
635 |
| 2009 |
Brian Schroeder |
C |
NJ 26 |
653 |
| 2009 |
Joseph Akel |
RHP |
NY 16 |
764 |
| 2009 |
Gavin Black |
LHP |
NY 24 |
1054 |
| 2009 |
Chris O'Hare |
LHP |
MA 16 |
930 |
| 2009 |
Bradley Runowicz |
1B |
CT 8 |
936 |
| 2009 |
Robert Smorol |
LHP |
NJ 37 |
1241 |
| 2009 |
Chris Oujo |
RHP |
NJ 51 |
1694 |
| 2010 |
Robert Aviles |
RHP |
NY 1 |
11 |
| 2010 |
Michael Bradshaw |
RHP |
NY 2 |
103 |
| 2010 |
Brian Gilbert |
RHP |
NJ 5 |
255 |
| 2010 |
Ryan Jacobs |
SS/2B |
CT 2 |
378 |
CLASS OF 2009 SIGNINGS
Baseball U has built a reputation of having quality players perform at a high level. This year is no different with 20 players giving written commitments and many more to come. In no way does Baseball U take sole credit for any of the players that have given their written commitment. It is a combination of hard work from the player as well as a commitment from both the player and parents. Baseball U is proud to announce the players that have worn The U and congratulate them on their accomplishment. To visit a schools website just click on the name of the college and you will be brought to the baseball webpage.
Baseball U Players Drafted
Baseball U has thus far been involved in two Major League Baseball drafts. In those two years eight players have been drafted. Listed below are the teams they have been drafted by along with the year.
| 2007 |
|
| Sean Giblin |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
| JC Menna |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Kyle Slate |
Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2008 |
|
| Mike Dennhardt |
Seattle Mariners |
| Keith Landers |
Baltimore Orioles |
| Richard O'Donald |
Seattle Mariners |
| Scott McGough |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Sean Nolin |
Milwaulke Brewers |
| 
