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!

Picture from Coach Chandler

2010-02-19T10:18:00.002-05:00

Brian Chandler (Mt Mansfield) sent this one in from the University of Maryland. Now this is determination! Adam

Spring Clinic 2010

2010-02-19T09:45:00.002-05:00

Clinic & Annual Meeting

Site: Essex High School

Date: March 6, 2010

Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00-9:15 UVM Club Baseball

- Jim Carter & Don Picard

9:15-9:20 Tip of the Day/Raffle Drawing

9:20-9:50 How to Avoid Coaching Pitfalls

- Ed Hockenburry, AD, Essex

9:50-9:55 Tip of the Day/Raffle Drawing

9:55-10:30 Building A Winning Program

- Steve Ferreira, Essex Baseball

10:30-10:35 Tip of the Day/Raffle Drawing

10:35-10:55 Umpires and Rules

- Bruce James

10:55-11:30 Inside Essex Baseball

Steve Ferreira, Essex Baseball

11:45-1:00 State Meeting

VBCA State Meeting Agenda:

March 6, 2010

11:45-1:00pm

11:45 Communication

VBCA website

Coaches contacts

11:50 Championship Weekend

Get people to Montpelier

Organization

12:10 North-South Senior All-Star Classic

North Staff

Tom Perry & Vince Buttice (year two)

Tim Albertson & Wayne Coursey (year one)

South Staff

TBA

Game Site and Dates

Colchester H.S.

June 26, 2010

Tryout Dates and Sites

Discuss selection process

Coaches will set dates and sites

12:10 Anything for the good of the group?

TBA Adjourn to league meetings

New Web Site Address and Direction

2009-10-05T23:04:00.002-04:00

To: The VBCA Membership, Athletic Directors and VT Press

From: Adam Provost

RE: New VBCA Website Address and Academic Project

Hi Folks,

We've just shifted the Vermont Baseball Coaches Association over to a new domain (web) name:

vermontbaseball.org

The website should be viewable at all locations throughout the world over the next 24 hours.

We are introducing one new item to the site today.

This new site will feature stories about baseball in Vermont.

Here are some examples (in no particular order):

All our State teams, personal milestones, articles of interest: Little league, Middle School, High School Basebal, Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken, Senior Babe Ruth, American Legion, Collegiate, NECBL, Minor and Major League Baseball.

- Individual player and team features: Outstanding game events, winning streaks, personal performances: Good baseball press!

- Vermont baseball alumni: 'Where are they now' type stories

- Legends, legendary games and legendary moments: Those remarkable stories.

- Collegiate baseball updates and announcements

- Field renovation / community projects

- Tryouts and baseball camp information for your area

- Coaching milestones

- Tributes: Remembering those who have passed on

- The history of Vermont Baseball

- Important events / milestones in Summer collegiate leagues, Minor, Major League Baseball

Please note: This new site is not meant to be a communications center for individual teams regarding practice schedules or game cancelations etc.

Here's where you come in! We are looking for authors across Vermont to contribute stories to our site. We are taking ideas for written and short video features. If you are a player or student as part of an academic or extra-curricular project, a Vermont Baseball Alumni, Active or Retired Coach, Athletic Director or member of the Press and would like to submit articles, please forward stories on to the following address:

vbcaupdate@gmail.com

The articles can be short, long, include pictures or just factual information on the topics above. Your perspective, your stories.

Submission guidelines:

1. Submissions should be sent in via email, cut and paste style with pictures as attachments. No documents please.

2. Submissions should contain no profanity.

3. No slanderous articles will be considered.

4. The VBCA reserves all rights regarding postings, content and related posting decisions.

Hearing many voices, speaking to our current events and our dynamic history... now that's good baseball.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for tuning in, Adam

2009 Championship Weekend Schedule

2009-06-09T20:51:00.001-04:00

DIII: Friday 6/12, 6pm Northfield vs Leland and Gray

DI: Saturday 6/13 2pm Mt Anthony vs Hartford

DIV: Sunday 6/14 3pm Blue Mountain vs Black River

DII: Monday 6/15, 6pm Lyndon vs Mt Abraham

Further schedule updates can be found at vpaonline.org

North South Senior All-Star Game Tryouts and Game Day Information

2009-06-08T09:10:00.002-04:00

VBCA Coaches and Fans, Here is the North South All-Star game information.

North / South Senior All-Star Tryouts:

North try-out schedule: The tryout is at South Burlington High School
on June 18th at 5:00. The coaches are Eric Degree, North Country,
Mitch Casey, Harwood, Tom Perry, Colchester, Vince Buttice, Lake
Region.

South Schedule: Players are invited by invitation only. Practice at
4pm June 14th at Woodstock High School. Contact Head Coach Bob
Lockerby with questions at 802-463-3944 x274.

Game Day: Saturday June 27th at Woodstock High School. Doubleheader
starting at 12pm.

Reminder to all VBCA coaches that we need your support for this
weekend. Please try to pencil in the day to help out and see our
Seniors play.

Thanks, Adam

Championship Weekend - Help Needed

2009-06-05T18:33:00.001-04:00

Championship Weekend:
- HELP NEEDED -

Championship weekend at Centennial Field begins next week on June 11,
June 12, and June 13. Similar to last year, a three day set of games
at the ball park will stretch our capacity as an association. We need
your help. The VBCA is the lone organization working to create a
championship atmosphere for the players, coaches and fans. We provide
the amenities one would hope to see at a championship venue. Public
address announcer, music, 50/50 raffle, t-shirt sales, and of course,
the concession stand. None of these things would be possible without
the contribution of time by our membership manning these posts at the
ball park.

Please make every effort to attend the games and to work a variety of
shifts during championship weekend. The concession stand is critical
because it is the primary fund raiser that covers a variety of VBCA
expenses including the North-South Senior All-Star classic. The North-
South All-Star game will be played later this month on June 27 at
Woodstock High School.

Thank you to all of the familiar faces that we expect to see at the
ball park working the games. We hope to see new faces this year as
well. The more coaches in attendance available to work the better.
The three day event is a grind and we need all the help we can get.

Contact me soon if we can assist you as an organization by reserving
you a hotel room in the Burlington area. Let me know if there is
anything else we can do to support your willingness to work the games.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to seeing you at Centennial
Field next week. Good luck and good skill to the teams that will play
for the championship of their respective divisions.

Sincerely,
Mike Brown
VBCA President

Vermont Baseball Overview: High School, Semi-Pro, Collegiate and American Legion

2009-05-16T15:38:00.007-04:00

Here is an overview of High School, Semi-Pro, Collegiate and American Legion Baseball in Vermont.

Vermont High School Baseball:

Four divisions: I, II, III, IV

Leagues:
Captial, Marble Valley, Metro, Mountain

Tournament Governing Organization: Vermont Principals Association: vpaonline.org

The VPA Baseball Page includes:

Baseball Guide
Calendar
Committee Meeting Minutes
Pairings
Updated Rankings
Past Champions

The VPA is also the governing body for middle level school baseball. Bylaws and policies are also listed there.

Semi-Professional:

Vermont Lake Monsters: Based in Burlington, VT. Major League Baseball Short A affiliate of the Washington Nationals)

Vermont Mountaineers: Based in Montpelier, VT and play in the NECBL)

College Baseball

Castleton
Lyndon State
St. Michael's College
Southern Vermont College

American Legion Baseball (Ages 15-19)

Many American Legion teams exist in Vermont and serve a large geographical region to offer players ages 15-19 opportunities.

http://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/vermont

UVM Baseball Reinstatement Petition

2009-03-21T10:25:00.002-04:00

Dear VBCA Members, Jeff Stetson contacted me and asked me to send on this message:

>>>
Adam- Could you get out an urgent email to all coaches asking them to
send their signed petitions to Ian Boyce asap. There is a chance some
new discussions are going to take place soon. Timing is everything
now. Stets
>>>

Here is a link to the petition so you can print it and have your team sign it.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dqzrrv2_4f9khtxff

Please mail the signed petition asap to:

Ian Boyce
12507 Chapelwood Place
Fort Wayne IN 46845

I have also included the syntax for the letter below if you'd like to
print your own copy on your own letterhead, have trouble reaching the
link above or printing from the page.

It's very encouraging that we could be making progress in restoring
these sports at UVM. We ask for your diligence and support on this
matter. Thanks for your time. Adam

<<<

We; by signing this petition are requesting the University of Vermont
to reconsider the decision to cut Varsity Baseball and Softball. We
are discouraged, disappointed, and frustrated that the only Division
one School in the State of Vermont has chosen to take away our ability
to pursue College Baseball and Softball at its highest level. We
realize these are economic hard times but feel the process was flawed.
Vermonters are known for finding away to support their own. We were
given no chance to find a way to be fiscally responsible and save the
game we love. Please give us that chance.

Signed,

Date:
High School:

2009 Spring Coaches Clinic

2009-03-03T18:45:00.001-05:00

This 2009 VBCA coaches clinic and state association meeting is
scheduled for Saturday, March 7 from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Essex High
School. The registration fee, including VBCA membership, is $40.
Make checks payable to VBCA.

The St. Mike's baseball coaching staff will be the clinicians this
year.

Here's the agenda:
8:30-9:00am Registration
9:00-9:40am St. Michael’s Staff on Preparing Your Pitching Staff for
the Season
9:40-9:45am Announcements/Raffle Drawing
9:45-10:25am Infield Drills and Skills for the Indoor Space
10:25-10:30am Raffle Drawing
10:30-11:10am Hitting drills and Mechanics
11:10-11:30am Umpires and Rules
11:30-12:00pm State Meeting
12:00pm Anything for the good of the group?

See you Saturday.
Mike Brown

2009 Spring Coaches Clinic

2009-03-03T18:43:00.000-05:00

Conference Registration / Membership Form

2008-02-12T14:07:00.001-05:00

Here is the link to the Spring conference / reg form.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=djr65cm_6fv44p7dz

VBCA Spring Clinic Feb. 17, 2008

2008-01-29T18:23:00.001-05:00

Dear VBCA Member and/or Coach,

Our annual Spring Coaching Clinic and State Association meeting will be held on Sunday February 17, 2008 at Essex High School, in Essex VT from 9am-1pm. The registration fee is $40. This includes membership into the VBCA. High school membership is mandatory for senior baseball players to receive All-Star consideration. Make checks payable to VBCA.

The Keynote Speaker this year is Brian Cain, of Brian Cain Peak Performance. Brian is one of the top peak performance consultants in the country and specializes in working with athletes and coaches to get the most out of their ability through mental skills training. Brian has worked extensively with some of the nations top athletes having worked in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, and with major universities including Vanderbilt University, The University of Tennessee, Cal State Fullerton, Texas Christian University, The University of California, Irvine, and The University of North Carolina, to name a few. Brian also works with individual Minor and Major League baseball players as well as with youth, high school and collegiate athletes and coaches of all sports. A frequent guest on XM Radio, and a renowned speaker, Cain has addressed national audiences all over the world. An instructor of Sports Psychology at UVM and the athletic director at Mount Mansfield Union High School, Cain will challenge you and will teach you the mental skills used by champions all over the word.

The baseball clinicians are Kris Doorey, Plattsburgh State Head Coach, and Ed Hockenbury, South Burlington Legion Head Coach and Essex High School athletic director.

Coach Kris Doorey resurrected baseball at Plattsburgh State in 2002 after a 26-year hiatus from the sport. Coach Doorey has built the Cardinals from club status into one of the top NCAA Division III teams in the New York region. Doorey started his career in 1995 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Stony Brook. He became one of the youngest head coaches in the nation in 1999 at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Doorey came to Plattsburgh State in 2002 and was voted 2003 SUNYAC Coach of the Year.

South Burlington Legion head coach Ed Hockenbury rejoins the VBCA clinician docket. Hock is a highly respected athletic administrator at Essex High School. Before arriving at Essex, Ed was a baseball assistant at UVM for six years. Widely regarded as one of Vermont’s finest baseball talents, Hock was the leader of three state championship teams for legendary coach Frank Pecora at Northfield High School, a 3-year starting catcher and All-League performer at Princeton University, and had a brief stint as a free agent with the California Angels in 1991.

There are significant rule changes in store for the 2008 high school baseball season. Bruce James will review the new rule changes and changes to the VPA’s baseball guidelines. Bruce has been umpiring baseball for over 22 years and currently serves as the VT High School Umpire’s Rules Interpreter and High School Baseball Commissioner.

I strongly encourage you to invite your area Youth League and Sub-Varsity coaches to attend. Attending the clinic with some of your youth league coaches makes for a good opportunity to gain knowledge of skill and program development, and helps to build relationships.

State and League meetings will follow the clinic. During the State Association meeting we will continue to discuss the Senior All-Star series and other issues concerning future activities of the VBCA. Your ideas and assistance is greatly appreciated.

It is suggested that leagues have a pre-season meeting after the clinic. Many leagues met last year to great effect. League discussions, dates for all-star selection meetings, Senior All-Star nominations, and league specific discussions will take place at that time.

As always, we will need your help during Championship Weekend at Centennial Field. It is a great time working with fellow coaches, watching the championship games, and talking the game of baseball. Championship Weekend is our major fundraiser each year! The continued health and stability of the VBCA is dependent upon membership help, support and participation.

If any coaches need reimbursement for clinics attended, please contact outgoing Treasurer Steve Ferreira for reimbursement.

The spring season is fast approaching. We have a great clinic planned for you next month to help you prepare for opening day. I am looking forward to seeing you on February 17th.

Think spring!!!

Mike Brown
President, VBCA
802-849-2967 (home)

Free Clinic on Dec. 19th, 2007

2007-12-05T22:43:00.000-05:00

Put this date on your calendars. A free coaches clinic by UVM head baseball coach Bill Currier sponsored by the VBCA is scheduled for December 19, 2007 at the University of Vermont. This is a free opportunity to get advanced instruction from Coach Currier and his staff:

Topics : OF Skillls & Drills, Hitting , Pitching , Catching

Speakers : Bill Currier, Head Coach UVM and Anthony DeCicco, Assist. Coach UVM

A free buffet dinner featuring lasagna, garlic bread, salad and beverages will be provided beginning at 5:30pm. The clinic will follow at 6:15pm. The dinner and the clinic will be held in the Bostwick room located behind section 16 near the ice hockey rink. As an added bonus, clinic goers may attend the second half of the UVM men's basketball game versus Delaware free of charge.

To help out with transportation we'll run a van or two round trip from Southern, VT up to the event if there are enough folks interested. Southern coaches can meet at Staples / next to the 99 Restaurant on Rt 7 in Rutland, VT at 330pm on the Dec. 19th. If we skip out of the game a bit early the van should arrive back in Rutland by 11-1130pm.

IMPORTANT: Please RSVP via email by Dec 12 at 3pm to Mike Brown at mike.brown@mac.com to reserve a meal or a spot on the van/s. We need an accurate head count for this so your cooperation is essential.

Thanks to Bill and his crew and to UVM for making this possible.

Mike Brown and Adam Provost

Baseball Conference

2007-10-30T09:01:00.000-04:00

From the World Baseball Conference Web Site:

http://baseballcoachesclinic.com

The 2008 Mohegan Sun World Baseball Coaches' Convention - January 10 - 12 - at the spectacular Mohegan Sun features another blockbuster presenter line-up this year, including Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, Cleveland Indians Manager Eric Wedge and National Champion Collegiate Coach George Horton. The World Baseball Coaches' Convention has always offered baseball coaches the opportunity to learn from some of the best baseball minds from all levels -professional, collegiate, high school and youth baseball. You'll learn from the best!

Welcome

2007-09-07T13:45:00.001-04:00

We've relocated the VBCA web page to Burr and Burton Academy. Many thanks to South Burlington for hosting this site for the last 8 years. The new site has been constructed to be easier to update for all the officers.

We'll be posting updates for the 2008 season as they become available. Borrowing Jim Carter's quote, "think Spring!"

Adam

About the VBCA

2005-10-05T18:59:00.002-04:00

The Vermont Baseball Coaches Association Inc. is a registered Vermont domestic non-profit corporation and was incorporated March 15th, 2005.

The VBCA assists the Vermont Principals Association in running High School Championship Games and organizes the North vs South All-Star Game for recently graduated high school Seniors. The VBCA also organizes a Spring clinic for it's membership and guests to start the high school season.

The VBCA is a non-profit Corporation. Officers and members of the Executive Committee are elected positions by the VBCA membership. No officer or board member receives any compensation for the participation.

If you are a high school, youth baseball or collegiate coach in Vermont and would like to join, please contact one of the officers.

Our Sincere Thanks

2005-10-05T18:56:00.000-04:00

Our sincere thanks fo the following individuals and businesses for helping to promote our sport and association initiatives:

Sponsors:

- Farrell Distributing, South Burlington VT: 802 - 864 - 4422

- Sports and Fitness Edge, Williston, VT

- The Vermont Lake Monsters

- Burlington Food Service, Burlington VT

- Hawthorn Suites - South Burlington

401 Dorset St. S. Burlington VT US

Tel: 802-860-1212

- Vermont Mountaineers

Individuals:

- Chris Baker.

- Jim Billings, Twin State Co-Founder. (Retired).

- Jim Carter: Baseball Committee. (Retired).

- Bill Currier, UVM Head Baseball Coach, All-Star Scout.

- Steve Ferreira: Former VBCA Treasurer, Baseball Committee.

- Bob Fredette: Sports and Fitness Edge, Williston.

- CJ Knudsen: VT Lake Monsters.

- Frank Pecora: VPA / Baseball Committee.

- Don Perry: Twin State Selection Committee (Retired).

- Pat Phillips: All-Star Selection Committee (Retired).

- Don Picard: All-Star / Centennial Field Coordination, Baseball Committee (Retired).

- Al Plante: All-Star Selection Committee.

- Adam Provost: Former President, All-Star Selection Committee, Web Designer, Baseball Committee.

- Tim Root: Former President, Centennial and All-Star Programs, Baseball Committee.

- Dave Saddlemire: Former President. (Retired).

- Jeff Stetson: Former President, Centennial Concessions, Baseball Committee.

- Peter Wright: Former President, All-Star Selection Committee, Baseball Committee.

- Vermont Mountaineers: Brian Gallagher, Don Lorinovich, and the City of Montpelier, VT.

- Thanks to all the coaches and families who offer a helping hand to run Championship, and All-Star weekends !

VBCA North vs South All-Star Game Guidelines

2005-10-05T17:23:00.005-04:00

In 2011 the VBCA will be hosting a Junior Talent Showcase and North vs South Senior All-Star Game at Castleton State College on June 25.

Coaches and Contacts:

North:
Jeff Stetson: jstetson@anesu.org
South:
Kevin Bellomo: coachbemo@myfairpoint.net

Game Information:Detailed Junior tryout and Senior game information will be posted shortly.

Here are the VBCA Guidelines for the event posted below.

To: Vermont High School Head Baseball Coaches, School Athletic Directors, Vermont Principals Association

From: Adam Provost

Original post date: October 19th, 2004

Updated: March, 2008. All guidelines apply to our selection process in our transition from the Vermont vs New Hampshire game to the new North vs South format. AP

It has come to my attention that clarification is needed on the policies and selection criteria of the Vermont Baseball Coaches Association (VBCA) in reference to the North vs South Game. The following is a reminder of policies and selection criteria that have been in place since 1992.

North / South Selection Policies and Selection Criteria:

1. Players nominated by their Head Coach / School must be Seniors, and must have completed the Varsity Baseball season in good standing with their local school policies.

2. It is the mission of the VBCA to provide this All-Star opportunity / tournament to the selected players and coaches involved at little to no personal expense. The VBCA distributes information to selected players and coaches in Vermont that travel expenses to and from Twin State sanctioned events, and personal spending money are the only personal expenditures they are expected to incur during the event. Car pooling to All-Star events is strongly encouraged with others in your geographical region to reduce personal expenses. Lodging, meals, and game related expenses are provided for participants during the event.

3. It is the responsibility of each schools Head Baseball Coach to nominate players whom they feel are All-Star candidates. If a player is not nominated by their respective Head Coach, it is the assumption of the Coaching Staff, Selection Committee, and League Officers that the player has not been deemed eligible / worthy of consideration for All-Star selection. To clarify completely, please be advised that players who are not nominated by their Head Coach / School will not be considered eligible for the North South All-Star Game.

4. Players must be nominated via written ballot, email online form, or via phone to the Selection Committee, League Representatives, or to the VBCA President by submission dates published for the given year. Selection information will be distributed to VBCA members via email and mailings; however, it is the responsibility of each Head Coach / School to check for submission dates if they do not receive the information by contacting a VBCA Officer, League Representative.

5. Coaches are reminded that players so nominated must be willing to commit to the entire All-Star event for that year. Of course, incidents may occur as in family illness etc that may need special consideration. Please contact the VBCA President with all cases that may require review and / or special consideration.

6. With the time frame available for All-Star Coaches, Selection Committee, and League Officers to choose and assemble the Vermont All-Star team, it is imperative that accurate contact information be submitted for each nominated player. It is the responsibility of each Head Coach / School to provide the following information for players submitted for the All-Star selection process:

6a. Players full name.

6b. Position/s played.

6c. Accurate contact information: Mailing address, phone number/s.

6d. Statistical information from the baseball season / career to aid the selection process. Offensive, Pitching, and Defensive statistics. Biographical information examples: Team captain, team leader, notes on foot speed, throwing, power hitter, arm strength etc is extremely helpful.

Having accurate contact information aids the selection process and greatly reduces the time of the individuals who volunteer to help select and coach the team.

7. Head Coaches are encouraged to provide names on ballots referencing other All-Star talent in their local area. Head Coaches are not expected to provide accurate contact information for players in other schools, but names and any play oriented information is of great value to the selection process. As examples, if a single player shows up on all coaches ballots from a certain area, that player will naturally be given greater consideration for selection. Having all the coaches in a region nominate a player as "the best pitcher in our league" obviously helps the selection process.

8. All-Star selection is based on the needs of crafting a baseball team to represent Vermont. Of course, a team of power hitting first baseman or a cast of 18 pitchers does not comprise a team fit for All-Star play. Careful consideration of each players talent and position/s is given by the All-Star Coaches, Selection Committee, and League Officers to bring forth the best baseball team to represent Vermont in this event.

9. Strict regulations for the week prior to the All-Star event are issued to potential pitchers upon selection. Additionally, said regulations will be posted on the VBCA web site year to year. Violations of stated pitching guidelines issued to players is strictly prohibited and failure to adhere to these pitching regulations could result in an players dismissal from the All-Star team. Violations of All-Star pitching regulations should be reported to the VBCA President.

10. It is the expectation of the Vermont Baseball Coaches Association that players participating in the All-Star event will demonstrate exemplary behavior as they represent the State of Vermont, Community, and respective school. Behavior problems that surface with players during the All-Star event will be reviewed by the Coaching Staff and the President of the VBCA at the time of the incident, and players will be dismissed from the event if deemed necessary. All decisions by said review committee as to the players continued participation in the All-Star event are final.

Contact information and dates relevant to the All-Star selection process will be posted via email (VBCA listserv), mailings to registered VBCA members, and via the internet at the VBCA Web Site.

Hopefully this will clarify any confusion.

Thanks for your attention,

Adam Provost, Executive Director

Vermont Baseball Coaches Association

Subcribe to our mailing list (listserv)

2005-10-05T17:13:00.003-04:00

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Use the box below to subscribe to our listserv (mailing list). Please make sure that you type in your email address correctly. If you have already subscribed you do not need to do this again. Type in your email address and then click the 'subscribe' button.

Directions will be mailed to you when you subscribe. Once you've subscribed to the list, send a message to vbca@googlegroups.com and it will go to everyone who has signed up.

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Officers

2005-10-05T17:12:00.005-04:00

President: Mike Brown, BFA Fairfax: mbrown@bfafairfax.com

Vice President: Richard 'Doc' Suebert, Middlebury: rseubert@acsu.k12.vt.us

Treasurer: Jeff Stetson, Mt. Abraham: jstetson@anesu.org

Board of Directors:

Adam Provost, Executive Director and Webmaster

Burr and Burton Academy

Steve Ferreira, Essex

Frank Pecora, Northfield

Peter Wright, St. Johnsbury Academy