Vermont Baseball Coaches Association

North South Game Canceled

2011-06-25T10:38:00.001-04:00

Due to the weather thus years North South game gas been canceled. No makeup date us available for the event. Thanks to all those who put in the time and effort and to the players who were nominated. Our congratulations on an excellent high school baseball career.

-- Posted from batphone

Junior Showcase Canceled, Senior Game Update

2011-06-16T11:07:00.000-04:00

We've made a decision to cancel this years Junior Showcase. We'll need more time to prepare to do this correctly. Please notify any Juniors who planned on attending and we'll look forward to creating a stellar event next year.

As for the Senior Games:

Location: Castleton State College

June 25th, 2011

Players should report at 1230pm.

2 seven inning games will be played. The first game will begin at 2pm. Lunch will be served to all players in between games and the second game will begin 30-40 minutes after the first game.

Games postponed Monday

2011-06-13T15:16:00.001-04:00

Division I and II championship games have been postponed until Wednesday.

North tryouts

2011-06-12T12:13:00.001-04:00

North tryouts are canceled due to the weather. Moved to Monday June 20th at Rice. 5:30 pm

-- Posted message from Tim Albertson

Astros Make Lamothe's Draft Dream Come True

2011-06-10T20:52:00.000-04:00

Former Lyndon Institute graduate Buddy Lamothe (2009) was injured in a swimming accident in Texas earlier this year in May. Lamothe's long standing dream of being drafted came true in a kind gesture from the Houston Astros. Here's a great story on the event.

Southern Vermont Senior All-Star Tryouts

2011-06-09T09:20:00.002-04:00

Attention Southern Vermont Coaches: Please contact Kevin Bellomo, Varsity Coach at Rutland, Cell 345-9240 or e-mail coachbemo@myfairpoint.net to nominate players for the South All-Stars.

Tryouts will be on June 14 and June 15 - 6:00-7:30pm at St. Peters Field in Rutland.

The game is JUNE 25^th – PLEASE CONFIRM WITH YOUR ATHLETES PRIOR to TRYOUTS that they are available to play on that date.

2011 Junior Showcase and North South Senior All-Star Game at Castleton State College

2011-05-30T12:05:00.000-04:00

The VBCA will be hosting a Junior Showcase and Senior North vs South All-Star Game this season at Castleton State College on June 25th, 2011.

The Junior Showcase has been designed in a professional tryout format. Players will be asked to demonstrate arm strength, hitting, foot speed, and positional tryouts. This format will be followed by an open scrimmage format where players will be assigned roles. College coaches will be in attendance to view this tryout. Registration information will be posted here shortly.

The North vs South Senior All-Star Game will be played following the showcase. Senior players must have finished the season in good standing, wear their high school uniform, and be committed to represent their school and community. Players must be nominated by their coaches. Details will be posted shortly with tryout and contact information.

Including a Junior showcase this season is an exciting step for the VBCA and for baseball in Vermont. Save the date! Again, all respective details will be posted shortly. Adam

More Than Baseball

2011-03-26T12:53:00.003-04:00

Photo courtesy of the SDSU Athletic Dept.

Tony Gwynn has always been one of my favorite players in the history of the game of baseball. I've taught many, many kids how to hit over the years and Gwynn's swing, approach, and work ethic has always been a source of inspiration and teaching.

I watched along over the years as Gwynn worked himself to 8 batting titles and over the 3000 hit milestone and on to 3141. Such accomplishments don't come without a diligent work ethic and a love for what you do. A love to play the game of baseball. I celebrated Gwynn's election to the Hall of Fame, and when I heard he had ventured into coaching at San Diego State.

I've enjoyed countless hours of reading the accounts of other folks along the way too on Gwynn's legendary work ethic, what a great teammate he was, and about his charismatic demeanor and his infectious laugh.

And I still get goosebumps when I think of that All-Star Game at Fenway in 1999, with Gwynn, Mark McGwire... and the rally around baseball legend Ted Williams. Goosebumps.

With all these accomplishments and accolades, the 'human factor' of Gwynn's story was an important piece of the puzzle to follow too: His battle with his weight and his addiction to 'dip' aka smokeless tobacco.

Then one day last October I remember feeling... very, very cold when I heard that Tony Gwynn had cancer.

It was another reminder that time is fickle. At any moment our youth, our heroes, and we ourselves can be taken. I guess I tucked the hope that Gwynn would recover, went about my business, and hoped for the best.

With another busy Spring of baseball prep, and the project based work in the rLab at Burr and Burton I hadn't checked in on how Tony Gwynn was doing, if he was back at San Diego State for the Season or if he was still recovering... or the grim alternative that he wasn't doing well at all. I was thrilled to see this story from ESPN this morning, a sign that Spring is once again upon Tony Gwynn. It's a good tale of the trials of addiction, and the strength and love of people to support you through the tough times, and once again of Gwynn's work ethic.

As I prepped up some breakfast this morning, celebrating the news on Tony Gwynn, cancer survivor, I conjured up thoughts of a blog post from Chris Lehmann, the Principal and Founder of the Science and Leadership Academy in Philadelphia (and quite a Phillies fan), called 'What I Ask of SLA Teachers.' In the post Lehmann says:

Understand that your class is but one of five or six or seven classes that kids have. Understand that school is one of many things in a teenager's life. And while what goes on in your class is important, I ask that teachers remember that, at any given moment in time, there are pressures on their kids' lives that makes what goes on in our classes seem powerfully inconsequential.

Remember that we teach students before we teach subjects. I ask that all SLA teachers understand and live the profound difference between the statements, "I teach history," and "I teach kids history." Children should never be the implied object of their own education.

Good coaches don't just coach baseball. They coach kids.

Enjoy coaching the kids on your teams this season. Get to know them. Help them understand that you are not simply invested in teaching them the game of baseball but are interested in helping them understand their place in the world, and that you and the family of your baseball team, and the history of your program is going to help give them strength along the way.

I'm celebrating today for Tony Gwynn, his family, for the kids at San Diego State, and all of us really... because we get to hear the infectious laugh of Tony Gwynn again this Spring.

Enjoy the day. Enjoy the season. Hope to see you around the diamond. Adam

Reposted from: http://creativestir.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-than-baseball.html

Spring Clinic: Sunday March 6th, 2011

2011-02-15T11:45:00.001-05:00

2011 Vermont Baseball Coaches Association Clinic

Sunday March 6th, 2011: 8am-2pm

Location: Mt Mansfield Union High School

211 Browns Trace Road

Jericho, VT 05465

Here is a link to our Registration Form

Keynote Speaker: Aaron Izaryk

Aaron Izaryk spent nine seasons at the University of Maine as a player and assistant coach. He spent the last two seasons as head coach of the Sanford Mariners in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, and was recently named head coach at Brighton Academy.

Izaryk served as a full-time assistant and pitching coach, and catcher instructor for the University of Maine and in the Summer of 2006 was an assistant coach for the Keene Swamp Bats on the NECBL. Izaryk also served as an assistant coach with the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod league in 2007.

Izaryk is one of the top young baseball minds in the country and brings an enthusiasm and energy for the game that is truly contagious. At this VBCA Clinic Izaryk will speak on the fundamentals and drills for catching, pitching, infield, base running, hitting, and outfield play designed to help coaches better prepare athletes for the fundamental execution necessary for baseball success. Izaaryk will then hold a FREE 1 hour seminar on playing college baseball and what coaches, parents, and players need to know about the recruiting process. Please speed the word that all players and parents are welcome to attend. Izaryk will highlight the NCAA Clearinghouse and various showcase style camps around New England. This information session will be very beneficial for any players looking to the next level of competition after high school.

Agenda:

8-8:45: Registration and Social

8:45-9: Welcome

9-9:25: Catching

9:25-9:30: Catching Q & A

930-9:55: Pitching

955-10: Pitching Q & A

10-10:25: Infield

1025-1030: Infield Q & A

10:30-10:55: Baserunning

10:55-11am: Baserunning Q & A

11am-11:25: Hitting

11:25-11:30: Hitting Q & A

11:30-11:55: Outfield

11:55-12pm: Outfield Q & A

12pm-1pm: State Association Meeting

1-2pm: Playing College Ball

"What you need to know."

This presentation is for all coaches, parents, and high school players who have an interest in playing baseball beyond high school. Learn about recruiting, the NCAA Clearinghouse, Showcases, and everything you need to know about playing baseball at the next level.

Hope to see you there!

UVM Baseball Club Update from Coach Carter

2010-11-08T06:52:00.003-05:00

Fellow Vermont baseball coaches: The VSBCA was so supportive both financially and with the equipment for our inaugural UVM Club season that we thought we would give you an update on how our season went. We had an informal team in the spring in getting organized and played a limited schedule of high school teams and local "semi-pro" teams. Over 50 players came out for tryouts and we kept 26 (too many). Things went well and the players were excited about playing in the New England Club Baseball Association this fall. The NECBA is a 16 team league of college-affiliated teams throughout New England. We kept 21 players for the fall team of which 8 were products of your coaching. We had an excellent season and won the regular league title and 2 weekends ago played in the NECBA championship. On Saturday we beat the UMaine 4-3 with Shane Tansey (Windsor) hitting a tieing home run in the 5th and Tom Jackson (Wells) scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 6th. Owen Ozanich (South Burlington) pitched the complete game victory. On Sunday we beat Boston University 9-6, Tom Kelly (Milton, MA) getting the win. Sean O'Neill (Kingston, RI) and Owen had key hits in the win. Owen came in with bases loaded and preserved the win with a 2 out ground ball in the 9th and earn the save. At the conclusion of the game you would have thought we won the College World Series with a big pile on the Lynn, MA field. To find out more about the team members, photos and game summaries go to http://www.friendsofuvmbaseball.com. As you will see T-shirts commemorating UVM baseball are for sale. For you folks in the WVMT (620am) radio area Jim is going to be on the Ernie and Charlie show Wednesday, the 10th, to talk about the team and the future of UVM baseball at 8:40 in the morning. Listen and call in (802 655 1620) if you are able. Thanks to the VSBCA and to all of you that gave us such great support. THINK SPRING.

Jim Carter and Don Picard

Harman Agrees With Cubs

2010-08-17T15:34:00.002-04:00

With 6 hours remaining before the MLB baseball signing deadline [12:01AM ET, August 17, 2010] Casey Harman (South Burlington) and the Chicago Cubs agreed to terms. Congratulations to Casey! Here are more details from the Burlington Free Press.

-- Posted from batphone

Editorial: 2010 All-Star Game Summary, Some History, and Some Thoughts for the Future

2010-06-28T15:22:00.001-04:00

Many thanks to Tom Perry (Colchester Head Coach and North All-Star Coach), and Doug Couchon (Grounds Crew) for their support of the 2010 Senior All-Star game at Colchester on Saturday. We survived steady rain and saw some great performances from the players on the field. Our thanks to the players for representing their schools and communities, not only for the All-Star games but through their high school career. We had a great turnout of parents, siblings, relatives and friends to support the All-Stars as well. For the players families it's the culmination of countless hours of dedication supporting their children to play high school sports. In all it was a great tribute to our departing Senior class and we wish them great success in the future.

All-Star games draw much criticism from our association and the Legion circles over the last five years. Bluntly, many of us have wondered if the North South All-Star game is worth continuing. Here's are some thoughts beginning with a quick synopsis of All-Star baseball classics in Vermont.

The North South All-Star Doubleheader evolved from the Twin State Classic. Twin State was a three game series where the best 18 players were selected in Vermont and they squared up against the best 18 in New Hampshire. We designed the games to rotate by State year to year, one year in Vermont and then off to New Hampshire the next series the following year. For the players it was all expenses paid: Practices, hotels, meals, snacks... a minor league experience. A match-up of the best 18 in Vermont vs the best 18 in New Hampshire made for some outstanding competitive baseball.

Two times in the year-to-year rotation the VBCA was called on to keep Twin State alive as New Hampshire could not afford the event. The financial burden on the VBCA was substantial but the events went off successfully in 2001 and 2002. The discussions escalated in the VBCA about Twin State folding and what could possibly be the next step. New Hampshire rejuvenated it's effort primarily through leadership of BJ Neverett (Nashua) and Bill Dodd (Souhegan) and the games resurfaced for two more years in 2003 (Holman Stadium, NH) and 2004 (Montpelier, VT).

All along there was one consistent problem. High School Spring sports season carries one important variable: There is no break when the season ends. Fitting in events after high school championships and rounds of graduations is a challenge. Folks have zillions of things going on. Seniors have already committed to colleges or the workplace. Many have moved on to jobs and other ventures. Legion has evolved significantly in Vermont over the last eight years and along with Babe Ruth (and that's a good problem to have), and Summer seasons crank up immediately following the high school season. Twin State not only became cost prohibitive but both States struggled to gather their premier players. When you select 18 of the State's best to match-up with another State, it's essential that your premier players show up. With all the avenues for players after the high school season it became clear that grabbing the premier talent in Vermont or New Hampshire for the series was unreliable and after the series in 2004 (hosted in Montpelier, VT), both the Vermont and New Hampshire coaches associations decided to part ways.

The North South Senior game was created and it's first run was in 2005. We just completed our fifth year and the event is still not without controversy. Like Twin State, some of the State's premier talent bows out every year for a wide variety of reasons I spent a good deal of time walking about the sidelines this year speaking to parents and also with players from both teams. One thing rings true though... the Seniors who do play, the coaches who participate and the families who attend all have fun. The North South games create opportunities and rekindle our sense of nostalgia. It's a chance for our players, coaches, families and fans to celebrate their high school baseball careers. For the Seniors, it's a chance to see their peers. It's a chance to see a rival or that kid who's name you see in the paper game after game as a teammate... and then square up against the best from another region in Vermont. The MVP of these All-Star games might come from any division. Ultimately, it's a higher caliber of baseball. For a coach and supporting families, it's a chance to see one of your players, your sons in a high school uniform one last time. It gives us a chance to do something we all say we should do more often: Get together and celebrate.

I believe the Senior game is good for baseball and that we should continue the effort... until it's time for another adjustment. When the players and fans stop enjoying it, then it'll be time to adjust. If we continue the Senior game though, there's no doubt it should be our best effort.

It's not to say that we shouldn't entertain new directions. There's a glaring need in our sport now, a new thread for our association to answer: A Junior Talent Showcase.

There were many discussions brewing this last weekend about creating a Junior Talent Showcase along with a Senior game in 2011. We'll be hammering out the details over the next few months and announcements on this new event will be coming out in late Summer.

With exciting new directions in the future... a few notes about this past season:

Out best wishes to Steve Ferreira, the retiring Essex Head Coach, for his dedication to the VBCA, the Essex Baseball program and Vermont baseball. The Essex Hornets sent Steve off with a Division I title this season, a great way to end Steve's storied coaching career. We're excited that Steve will continue to work with us here at the VBCA.

We saw former South Burlington ace Casey Harman (Clemson) and St. Johnsbury Ethan Paquette (Hofstra) get drafted! Harman helped pitch Clemson deep into the College World Series and it was thrilling to watch all his hard work and dedication over the years pay off. Congratulations as well to Clemson Coach Jack Leggett (a South Burlington Alum and former UVM Coach) as well.

Many thanks to everyone for crafting up another excellent high school baseball season. We have a lot to celebrate and new adventures to look forward to.

Here's the writeup from Rutland Herald writer Chuck Clarino below on this years North South game.

Feel free to leave a comment here for all to see or to contact me with your thoughts on the All-Star games. See you around the diamond if not before, Adam

North, South settle for All-Star split

By Chuck Clarino Staff Writer - Published: June 27, 2010: Rutland Herald:

COLCHESTER – As a general rule, all-star games have all the allure of watching paint dry. With all the substitutions and the crunch to parcel out playing time, with guys playing out of position and teams running out of pitching, the games usually degenerate into blowouts, or something worse.

But Saturday' s North-South Senior Baseball Series was a happy departure. The North rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the opener 5-4, while the South got outstanding relief and a key hit from a pair of players from Leland & Gray to capture the nightcap 9-4 in a pair of crisply played contests at the Colchester High School diamond.

For the rest of the article:

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100627/SPORTS/6270438/1007/SPORTS

2010 North All-Star Roster

2010-06-24T08:47:00.004-04:00

Players:
Alec Zullo --CVU

Mark Rexford -- Harwood

Michael Riccardi -- Harwood

Devon Hathaway -- Rice Memorial

Greg VanKleeck -- Rice Memorial

Sean Rugg - Rice Memorial

Mike Cartularo -- Lyndon

Nick Barton - Colchester

Shawn Place -- Colchester

Kasey Small -- Peoples

Adam Daley -- Northfield

Brendan Curtis -- North Country

Cody Gage - North Country

Jordan Lieberman -- South Burlington

Deven Savage -- South Burlington

Taylor English -- Spaulding

Cam Cummings - Spaulding

Sam Fuller -- Spaulding

Coaches:

Tom Perry-Colchester

Vince Buttice-Lake Region

Tim Albertson-CVU

2010 South All-Star Roster

2010-06-23T10:43:00.001-04:00

Players:
Justin Godzik- Rutland
Will Cole- Mt. Anthony
Devin Rhodes- Brattleboro
Kyle Whitworth- Brattleboro
TJ Oliver- Burr Burton Academy
Alex Miskovsky- Burr Burton Academy
Danny Favreau- Burr Burton Academy
Blair Demetroules- Fair Haven
Adam Harrison- Vermont Academy
Devin Ciley- South Royalton
Derek Osborne- Springfield
Justin Pierce- Woodstock
Jon Ferrero- Woodstock
Gavin Calihan- Windsor
Alex Drost- Windsor
Joey Massores- Otter Valley
Tyler Russell- Leland & Gray
Gabe Pozzi- Leland & Gray
Will Bergen- Poultney

Coach Kevin Bellomo- Rutland

Coach Rick Battles- Rutland

Coach Ed Lewicki- Arlington

Coach Al Plante- Mt. Anthony

2010 North South All-Star Game Tryouts Update

2010-06-16T08:45:00.000-04:00

North tryouts for the 2010 Senior North/South Game will Thursday June 17th at Colchester High School begining at 5pm.

South tryouts are Friday, June 18^th at 5:00pm at St. Peters Field.

Reminder that you must be nominated and contacted by one of the All-Star coaches to tryout.

If the athlete makes the team the games will be played on June 26^th at Colchester High School – double header – first game 1:00pm, second game at 4:00pm. Lunch will be served to All-Stars in between games.

Coaches are reminded to contact their league representatives to nominate Senior All-Stars as soon as possible. Please provide them with home phone / cell phone (best way to contact the player), address, position/s and some statistics.

Please note: Only Head Coaches may nominate players. Nomination guidelines are listed here.

North:
Jeff Stetson: jstetson@anesu.org
Jason Tarleton: jatarleton@wcsu.net

South:
Kevin Bellomo: coachbemo@myfairpoint.net
345-9240
Game Information:
Friday, June 25 golf, dinner, and lodging for coaches.
The Senior All-Star Game doubleheader are scheduled for Saturday, June 26 at Colchester High School. Time TBD.

Southern Vermont Senior All-Star Tryouts

2010-06-15T15:26:00.001-04:00

Tryouts are Friday, June 18^th at 5:00pm at St. Peters Field.

Please contact Kevin Bellomo at 345-9240 with questions or problems.

Championship Schedule Updates

2010-06-14T11:26:00.001-04:00

D2 Mon June 14 6:00 Mt. Abraham vs Burr and Burton

D3 Tues June 15 at 430 Leland and Gray vs Oxbow

D4 Tues June 15 at 7:30 South Royalton vs Blue Mountain

Directions to the Montpelier Rec Field can be found here:

http://thevermontmountaineers.com/directions.htm

Additional Information from the VPA:

Ticket Prices

Adults: $7.00

Students $ 4.00

Family $20.00 up to six people

Parking $2.00 per car

Championship t-shirts will be on sale $16.00 each

Concession stand will be available

Championships Postponed on Saturday

2010-06-12T13:47:00.001-04:00

The division II and III championship games have been postponed today.
New dates will be announced tomorrow morning.
Sent by Adam Provost (mobile).

Championship Game Broadcasts Online

2010-06-11T21:24:00.001-04:00

Check the Northeast Sports Network for championship broadcasts online:

http://www.nsnsports.net

Former ST J Slugger Paquette Selected in MLB Draft

2010-06-09T18:20:00.000-04:00

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Communications

Congratulations to Ethan Paquette for being selected in the 35th round of the MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners. Paquette wrapped up his senior year at Hofstra after transferring from UVM. Paquette graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 2006.

Click here to visit the Hofstra web site for the full story and Paquette's player bio.

Thanks to St. J coach Peter Wright for sending on the information.

Former SB Ace Harman Selected in MLB Draft

2010-06-09T18:15:00.002-04:00

Photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications

Former South Burlington High School ace Casey Harman, now a Junior at Clemson University, was selected in the 29th round by the Chicago Cubs. The Tigers and Harman head to the NCAA Division I Super Regionals vs Alabama this Saturday. More draft details on the selection can be found here along with Harman's player bio.

Thanks to Shane Bufano at VermonScoreboard.com for posting the information.

2010 Championship Schedule Announced

2010-06-09T17:02:00.002-04:00

The 2010 High School Baseball Championship Schedule has been announced. All games will be played at the Montpelier Recreation Field, home of the Vermont Mountaineers.

D1 Friday June 11 at 7:30 Essex vs BFA St. Albans

D3 Sat June 12 at 3:00 Leland and Gray vs Oxbow
D4 Sat June 12 at 7:00 South Royalton vs Blue Mountain

D2 Mon June 14 6:00 Mt. Abraham vs Burr and Burton

Directions to the Montpelier Rec Field can be found here:
http://thevermontmountaineers.com/directions.htm

Additional Information from the VPA:

Ticket Prices

Adults: $7.00

Students $ 4.00

Family $20.00 up to six people

Parking $2.00 per car

Championship t-shirts will be on sale $16.00 each

Concession stand will be available

Coach Steve Ferreira

2010-05-23T13:37:00.001-04:00

photo by Shane Bufano

Hi Folks, Here's a great article from Shane Bufano on http://www.vermontscoreboard.com/2010/05/features-saying-goodbye-to-a-legendary-coach/ on our friend and colleague Steve Ferreira.

Where Have All the Catamounts Gone?

2010-05-16T09:58:00.007-04:00

Jeff Mongeon (Colchester Cannons American Legion Head Coach) forwarded an excellent article written by Shane Bufano for VermontScoreboard.com called Where Have All the Catamounts Gone?

Bufano (a graduate of CVU) provides a synopsis of the history of the program and great updates about where some of the former players and Coach Bill Currier landed when UVM abandoned their baseball program.

My thanks to Jeff for sending it on and to Shane for providing such a great update. Adam

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Shane Bufano shane@shanebufano.com

Date: Tue, May 11, 2010 at 3:12 PM

Subject: Vermont Baseball

Hello All,

Below is a link to an article I wrote, and supplied more than half the photography for on the Former UVM Baseball Players and where they are now. Please read if you have the time and pass it along to anyone you may now interested in Vermont Baseball, UVM Sports, or Baseball in general. Thanks!

http://www.vermontscoreboard.com/2010/05/uvm-catamounts-baseball/

Shane

Post Clinic Update

2010-03-08T08:27:00.004-05:00

Many thanks to Essex High School, Ed Hockenbury and Steve Ferreira for hosting the VBCA Spring Coaches Clinic Saturday March 6th, 2010.

Essex Head Coach Steve Ferreira announced his retirement after this, his 43 season coaching Hornet Baseball. Coach Ferreira gave some spirited speeches to the group about the dynamics inside Essex Baseball to send the membership into the Spring.

Rule Reviews for the 2010 Season:

- When thunder is heard or a bolt of lightning seen play will be suspended and teams will take shelter immediately. Teams and officials will follow a '30 Minute Rule:' Once play is suspended the game will be suspended for 30 minutes. Any subsequent thunder or lighting will reset the 30 minute clock.

- Assistant coaches may not dispute calls with umpires.

- Spaulding TF500 baseballs are mandatory for State-level playoff games. No playoff game shall be started unless this ball is used.

- Reminder to have all pitch count charts available for the opposing team prior to the start of the game. Both teams will report pitch count to the home plate umpire between innings.

- This years North vs South Senior All-Star Game will be played at Colchester High School. Details will be posted as they become available.

Major change for the 2012 Season:

Effective January 1, 2012 all bats must be a "smooth cylinder implement from the top of the cap the top of the knob" and must be 'BBCOR Certified.' Beginning in 2012 BESR bats will no longer be legal. Wooden bats are exempt from this rule. This rule change will have a major financial impact on baseball programs so please plan accordingly.

Pitchers and catchers start today, March 8 and full practices begin March 15!