Nazareth Summer State Champs!

A meeting with my good friend, and long time hitting coach at Nazareth Academy, John Sime today reminded me of a overdue post. John's Nazareth Academy squad won the IHSBCA Summer State High School Championship this year. This is quite a feat especially considering how small of a school Nazareth is. For the past 3 years, I have gone to Nazareth to help implement their in-season hitting program. John is a big believer in our system, and it has really paid off for their hitters. Under John's tutelage, Nazareth consistently has a team batting average over .350 and sends many players on to Division I schools. They are a fun group to work with because there isn't one group that is more respectful and hungrier for knowledge than Nazareth. Probably not a coincidence why their so good, huh?

John and I were putting in his hitting analysis system today, so he can help guide Nazareth to another state championship.

Back to the Cayman Islands this October

I will be heading down with some of my White Sox collegues to the Cayman Islands to put on an instructional series for players in their league. The White Sox started a relationhip with the Cayman Island group shortly after the Sox won the World Series in 2005 and it will mark our 5th time going there to instruct their kids. The week long trip is a great 5 days of baseball. Their 4 back to back field-turf fields provide an excellent setting to teach. The beach, sting rays, iguanas and Carribean Drinks aren't bad either!

Halas makes Team USA 40 man roster

Tyler Halas, who I had the pleasure of coaching at the USA Baseball NTIS in North Carolina has been selected to the USA Baseball 14U 40 man roster. Tyler will compete in the USA Trials next summer as one of the few representatives from the Midwest. The roster, predominantly dominated by talent from Texas, California and Florida has had few Midwestern athletes represented in past years. Halas, joins Andrew Owen (Chicago) as making the 40 man roster in the last two years. Andrew has taken lessons with me since I moved to Chicago 6 years ago.

Tyler was a pleasure to coach and has a bright baseball future. His game intensity will represent the Midwest well during the USA Baseball Trials.

USA Baseball NTIS

Another step in choosing next year's USA Baseball Team was completed last weekend with the NTIS tournament. Along with Nelson Gord of Playball USA, I coached the 13U Great Lakes team. A first class operation, USA Baseball did a phenomenal job putting the event together. The competition and baseball in general was outstanding. Players on our team that excelled and deserve consideration were Connor Enochs (Iowa), Tyler Halas (West Chicago) and Jake Millosch (St. Charles). These players were among several I defined as true "baseball players." To me, the ultimate compliment. The Great Lakes staff, put together by Pete Caliendo was outstanding. I enjoyed talking the game with them all weekend. Hall of Fame coaches Jim Hall and Terry Ayers, along with St. Charles North coach Jim Richardson and Playball USA coach Marc Besterman were great leaders of their respective staffs. A special thanks to the people of Cary, and especially those at Lake Johnson for their hospitality.