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OPTIONAL OFF-SEASON STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PROGRAM
Strength and Conditioning Waiver and Release
Those boys interested in trying out for the Hatters Baseball Program in the Spring of 2012 have optional workouts that they may attend in order to help get them ready for the upcoming season. Players are encouraged to attend workouts with our Strength & Condtioning Coach, Coach Barry Weidner, at his Cross Fit Generation Gym in the Babylon Business Campus across from Simmons. The address is 417 Caredean Drive, Unit D, Horsham, PA 19044. These workouts are during the months of December, January and February on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Players who attend these workouts must complete the waiver and bring it with them to their first workout. These workouts are paid for from our fundraising efforts.
OPTIONAL OFF-SEASON BASEBALL WORKOUTS
ASBA Waiver Form
Players may also choose to participate in workouts every Tuesday and Thursday night in January and February from 9:00 pm - 10:30 pm at All Star Baseball Academy on Campus Drive off of Mearns Road in Warminster. The fee for these workouts is $100 and checks must be written out directly to "All Star Baseball Academy." Players attending these workouts, must print out the attached waiver, complete it, and send it in with their money. There will be optional pitchers and catchers workouts on Tuesday, February 28th and Thursday March 1st outside at the Varsity baseball field from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
HATBORO-HORSHAM BASEBALL TRYOUT INFORMATION
Hatboro-Horsham Baseball JV & Varsity Tryouts: Monday, March 5th - Friday, March 9th
Hatboro-Horsham Baseball Freshmen Tryouts: Monday, March 12th - Friday, March 16th
Making cuts is the most difficult part of being a coach. We have more than 60 players interested in coming out for the HH Baseball Program this year. I take pride in the interest that we have in our baseball community. However, it is a fact that we can't keep everyone. Too many players making the teams creates issues because of a lack of playing time.
In order to try out for any team, you must have a physical completed and turned into the trainer, Stephan Lipinski. You can pick this form up from the Athletic Office or the Trainer's Room, or you can download it from the link below. You also must have the Impact testing completed during the times offered at the link below.
As of March 5th, all JV & Varsity Players must attend every tryout, practice and game. As of March 12th, all freshmen must attend every tryout, practice and game. Unfortunately, the weather in the spring is unpredictable and at times we are forced to change our scheduled practice and/or game times at the last minute. Sometimes we are forced to workout at night. Players are expected to be flexible and able to attend all tryouts, practices and games regardless of changes in time. Work schedules, vacations, doctor's appointments etc. must be scheduled around the high school baseball season. The JV & Varsity teams will also practice on Saturday mornings during the season.
In addition, anyone who pitches for the HH High School program is not to pitch for any other team AT ALL until their high school season is over. This is for the safety of the players and in the best interest of the team. If you wish to do a strength maintenance program while we are in season, I'm okay with that.
The high school baseball program is for those players who are COMPLETELY committed to the game of baseball and our team. The amount of time and effort it takes to be a part of this program is deep. We are looking only for those who are totally committed to making themselves and the team the best possible.
What to wear:
Upon arrival at the first tryout on Monday, all players will be given a Hatters Baseball T-Shirt with the a number on the back. These t-shirts should be worn everyday at tryouts and practices until told otherwise. Each player has been given a specific number and I ordered the size t-shirt as you indicated on the form that you filled out for me in the fall. NO PLAYERS CAN SWITCH T-SHIRTS WITH ANOTHER PLAYER. We must be able to coordinate our numbers to the tryout list that I have composed.
All players should wear a baseball hat (the HH beanies are acceptable when we are outside and it's less than 40 degrees). If you already paid for an HH baseball hat, then you either received it already, or you'll get it first thing at practice. If you have yet to purchase your HH baseball hat, you may purchase yours after the tryouts are over if you have made one of our teams.
All players should wear baseball pants (if you don't have any, then wear sweatpants...NO SHORTS)
Bring clothes and sneakers/cleats to be both inside and outside. If we are outside, you'll be expected to wear your numbered shirt on top of whatever else you are wearing underneath of it. Your numbered t-shirt must be exposed at all times. Do not cut the sleeves off or alter the t-shirts in any way.
HATBORO-HORSHAM HATTERS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN OUR PLAYERS???
The information below gives parents and players an idea of what our coaching staff is looking for while evaluating players who are trying out for the Hatboro-Horsham Baseball Program.
Character: For as long as I can remember, the Hatboro-Horsham Baseball Program has earned the reputation of being a program consisting of players who conduct themselves in a positive manner both on and off of the baseball diamond. We have had a number of players go on to play at high levels, and the character that they have demonstrated on and off of the baseball field plays has paid a part in their successes. We expect this type of character to continue to be a part of our program.
When student-athletes connected to our program make inappropriate decisions, these actions are almost always brought to the attention of our coaching staff. In these rare instances, the coaching staff and Hatboro-Horsham Administration have dealt with each issue on an individual basis. It is of the utmost importance to our coaching staff that the players connected to the Hatboro-Horsham Baseball Program act with good character and integrity by doing the right thing in and out of school. Every action taken by players in our program is a direct reflection on our program as a whole. In order for players to be a part of our program, they must meet the academic standards set forth by our school district and they must be good citizens in and out of school. Please refer to the link to the Code of Conduct on the left for more information.
Discipline: In a team sport you need team discipline. Discipline is tied in with individual responsibility. Responsible individuals put the team first. Responsible individuals are at practice every day, on time, prepared to work hard. Responsible individuals don't make excuses for their failures. Responsible individuals hold themselves accountable to themselves and their teammates.
Work Ethic: Our SOL Continental Conference is one of the, if not the, strongest high school baseball leagues in the state of Pennsylvania . In order to compete with the teams in our league, we need players in our program who have a strong work ethic. We look for players who demonstrate good hustle, the ability to outwork other teams, push their teammates in a positive way to become better, and who won't back down under pressure. Teams of high character with strong work habbits usually find themselves with a strong record at the end of the year.
Baseball Skills
Defense: Often, the team who makes the fewest mistakes in baseball, both physical and mental, ends up winning the game. We are looking for players who are consistent in the field and who demonstrate strong and accurate arms. Another skill we look for on the defensive side of the game is footspeed and the ability to cover a lot of ground. In order to give a player the best chance to make the team, they should be as versatile as possible. The ability to play multiple positions gives players the best chance to find themselves on the field. In the past we’ve had several players who have grown up playing one position, but they’ve moved to another position to make our team stronger. Each position requires different skills and players are judged based on their ability to play their position.
Hitting: Hitting is more than simply hitting the baseball. We look for players who have a good knowledge of the strike zone, make consistent contact, hit the baseball hard to all fields, and are able to consistently get on base. We also place a high value on players being good situational hitters. This can be demonstrated by players who are able to bunt, hit & run, hit behind the base runner, and are good situational hitters. We are not concerned with how well a player hit in lower levels of baseball, but rather how their swing projects for their success at the higher levels. Hitters with good bat speed and solid mechanics are those for whom we are looking.
Pitching: Traditionally, at HH we have had a depth of quality pitching. The success of our pitchers is based on more than just velocity. We believe that there are other factors that are at least as important as velocity for pitchers. A hard thrower may be able to get some hitters out with velocity alone, however being able to locate the fastball and being able to throw off-speed pitches for strikes in any count will determine the success of pitchers at the Varsity level and beyond.
Speed: The higher the level of baseball, the more important speed of players becomes. Unfortunately, this is not a skill that can be taught. Speed isn’t just how fast someone can run, but it also refers to how quick a first step is, quick hands, bat speed, and quick reactions. When we time players in the 60 yard dash or 77 foot run (average distance from 1st base to 2nd base after a lead is taken), we are looking at the player’s overall athletic ability. We are looking for players who have speed that makes them better baseball players. Using their speed to make plays in the field, steal bases, and having good instincts on the bases are all important factors.
Throwing: A player’s ability to throw a baseball is one of the things that jumps out at coaches during tryouts at any level. Arm strength can be developed, but only to a limited point during a short high school season. If a player has a weak arm or lacks accuracy, it makes it difficult for him to play a position at the high school level. In this case, the player would need to be a phenomenal hitter in order to make him a valuable asset to the team.
HATTERS WHO HAVE GONE ON TO PLAY COLLEGIATE BASEBALL
Many former HH Baseball players are currently competing at the collegiate level. While many players grow up with aspirations to play beyond high school, it takes a special student-athlete with a special level of commitment to the game in order to fulfill that goal. Below is a list of former HH baseball players who are playing collegiately along with the websites where you can follow their progress. Many of these players have started their seasons already.
Conner Crookham (HH 2012 Class)
Old Dominion University
Infielder/Pitcher
Eric Heaney (HH 2011 Grad)
Gwynedd Mercy
Pitcher/Catcher
Matt Hollenbeck (HH 2011 Grad)
Georgetown University
Pitcher/First Base
Ben Vitelli (HH 2011 Grad)
Albright College
Outfielder
Nick Hinkson (HH 2010 Grad)
West Chester University
Pitcher
Nick Riccione (HH 2010 Grad)
Gwynedd Mercy College
Infielder
Matt Schoettle (HH 2010 Grad)
Burlington College
Pitcher
Nick Vitelli (HH 2009 Grad)
Penn State - Berks
Infielder
Mark McCouch (HH 2008 Grad)
Penn State - Abington
Pitcher/Infielder
Corey Crispell (HH 2007 Grad)
University of Delaware
Pitcher
Andrew Donofry (HH 2007 Grad)
Chestnut Hill College
Catcher
Justin Wiercinski (HH 2007 Grad)
Chestnut Hill College
Pitcher
Sam Spuhler (HH 2007 Grad)
Seton Hall University
First Baseman
Nick Torresani (HH 2007 Grad)
Chestnut Hill College
Infielder/Pitcher
Mike Boyland (HH 2006 Grad)
Saint Joseph's University
Infielder/Pitcher
Nick Chiaverelli (HH 2006 Grad)
Penn State Abington
Infielder
Bryan Siegfried (HH 2005 Grad)
Bloomsburg College
Pitcher
Mike Gers (HH 2005 Grad)
Saint Joseph's University
Infielder
Jamie Abercrombie (HH 2004 Grad)
Temple University
Outfielder
Jaesha Benjamin (HH 2004 Grad)
Cecil County College
Infielder
Erick Goodwin (HH 2004 Grad)
Montgomery County Community College
First Baseman
Doug Brown (HH 2003 Grad)
University of Pennsylvania
Pitcher
Nick Fasano (HH 2003 Grad)
Temple University
First Baseman
Mike Gargiulo (HH 2002 Grad)
Delaware Valley College
Outfielder
Steve Johnston (HH 2002 Grad)
Millersville University
Pitcher
Bryan Torresani (HH 2002 Grad)
Penn State Abington
Elizabethtown College
Catcher/First Baseman
Josh Wernick (HH 2002 Grad)
Drexel University
Temple University
Infielder
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