Welcome to Baseball U North 2018-2019
Baseball U North New Jersey launched in the fall of 2015 and is currently in its 4th year of operation. We run year round baseball training including middle school spring seasons, middle and high school summer and fall seasons, winter training, specialized clinics, and private instruction. Our teams participate in USABL or independent league play, tournaments, college showcases, and blue chip prospect tournaments. Additionally, we participate in several Perfect Game WWBA tournaments. This upcoming season will see our teams participate in PG tourneys in Georgia, Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
Dedication
The 2019 Baseball U North season will be dedicated to Michael Sot. Michael was the brother of Baseball U alum and current Harvard student athlete John Sot and current 17U and St Joseph High School Metuchen player Matthew Sot. Michael was tragically killed in an automobile accident in December 2018. Michael played baseball at Johnson High School in Clark and was a student at TCNJ. We dedicate the 2019 season in his memory.
Overview
Once tryouts are complete, the rosters are formed and offers are sent out to the players selected to be a part of our program. Once the player commits to play for us, he will begin the 3 month winter training program that we have in place. The winter training runs from early December and runs to the end of February.
The 2018 winter training will see an additional feature added to our program. We have signed on with Bio Pitch to help our pitchers and positional players increase their arm strength, exit velocity, and conditioning through effective and efficient exercises. Bio Pitch uses analytical data to help maximize a specific player’s potential. This training is completely optional and is a separate cost. It will run 8 weeks from 12/18-2/14.
All winter training and Bio Pitch sessions occur at The Express 216 Tingley Ln Edison.
13U
Our entry level age group enters its 2nd year of league play. This level is usually the player’s first experience on the “big field” and sees the game slowed down to allow for a more instructional and fundamental approach. This team plays both a spring and summer season. The spring season is league play, most likely USABL sponsored, with a couple of tournaments mixed in. The summer season is predominately weekend tourneys. This team’s travel is mostly NJ based. It’s league and tourney schedule competition will depend on the overall skill set of the roster. Meaning, if the team is more advanced than most, it will be placed into tournaments that will face stronger opponents. Jason Weisholtz and Glenn Guensch will coach the team.
Middle school aged players ARE encouraged to play for their school district teams in addition to playing for our program during the spring.
14U
This team will see a group mostly comprised of 8th graders who have experienced success on the big field and are preparing themselves for high school. Players at this age are a bit more advanced then the 13s and have begun the transition into solid players. This team will also play a combo schedule of league play and some tournaments in the spring and a tourney schedule in the summer. Jason Fiore will coach the spring team. TBD in the summer.
Middle school aged players ARE encouraged to play for their school district teams in addition to playing for our program during the spring.
15U
This level sees kids coming off of their first spring of high school baseball. Whether they played freshman, JV, or varsity on their respective high school teams, this collection of rising sophomores will participate in winter training and a summer season. They get going in early June and will play through the end of July. They will play in tournaments in the Mid Atlantic Invitational in Richmond County, Staten Island, A Perfect Game tourney in Woodbridge, the University of Virginia College showcase*, 2 Diamond Nation events, a Toms River USABL tourney,and a Rutgers University campus showcase. All venues designed to maximize a player’s college recruitment exposure. We also hold a bid for a future Perfect Game tourney for this age group. This team will be coached by Glen Ridge High School varsity coach John McAndrew and St Peter’s Prep High School freshman coach Pietro Sollecito.
*- University of Virginia tourney- this will be a tourney open for all Baseball U affiliate players only. A tryout to compete as one organizational team will occur in early February. It comes with separate fees and requirements.
16U
Managed by Kean University Hall of Famer and D3 National Champion Chris Carrano, the 16U team will be in the red zone of a critical recruiting time period. Therefore, the team has been entered into some of the best tournaments and college campus showcases around. The schedule for the 16s includes Diamond Nation events, specifically the Super 16 which is heavily college coach attended. College campus showcases are also lined up. They include trips to Boston College and George Washington University. This team will also have the opportunity to participate in the Perfect Game tournament in Savannah, Georgia* against some of the best players and teams in the country. In the fall, there is a college showcase tourney set up for St Johns University as well.
*- Savannah, Ga tourney- this will be a tourney open for all Baseball U affiliate players only. A tryout to compete as one organizational team will occur in early February. It comes with separate fees and requirements.
17U Riporti
Coached by Baseball U partner Jerry Riporti, this team will play a tournament schedule at some of the best venues available to maximize a player’s college exposure. This team will participate in the Northeast College prospect Showcase in Jersey City, the Super 17 Diamond Nation event, and 2 college showcase events. Coach Riporti’s team visits St Joseph University in Philadelphia and the University of Delaware. Additionally, the team will participate in the Baseball U Kickoff Classic at the University of Scranton. This showcase will see time at the NY Yankees Triple A Stadium. Also, this level will have the opportunity to play at the Perfect Game tourney in Savannah, Georgia*. The summer wraps up with the Diamond Nation Blue Chip Tournament.
*- Savannah, Ga tourney- this will be a tourney open for all Baseball U affiliate players only. A tryout to compete as one organizational team will occur in early February. It comes with separate fees and requirements.
17U Ward
Coached by former Division 1 coach Ed Ward, this 17U team will also visit some of the best venues and participate in the toughest tournaments around. They will begin their summer in the Northeast College Prospect Showcase in Jersey City. They also will be participating in a Perfect Game tournament in Richmond County, Staten Island. College campus showcases include trips to the University of Scranton for the Baseball U Kickoff Classic, Mansfield University (Pa), and Rider University. All designed to get the players to show their skillset to the many college coaches and recruiters that attend these events. Additionally, the players will participate in 2 Diamond Nation events. Players on this team also have the opportunity to play for the Perfect Game tournament team in Savannah, Georgia*.
*- Savannah, Ga tourney- this will be a tourney open for all Baseball U affiliate players only. A tryout to compete as one organizational team will occur in early February. It comes with separate fees and requirements.
Please note: Although there are two 17U teams participating this summer, this is not an “A” and “B” team set up. We were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming amount of 17U players trying out in November. Because of this, we decided to offer the 2 teams. The teams were formed with positional balance and pitching. They both will be attending college campus showcases and similar events.
18U
This team will be run by current head coach of St Joseph Metuchen High School and former Wake Forest University and San Francisco Giants minor league player Mike Murray. This team begins play a couple of weeks after the other levels get going. This allows for graduation, post season all star games, and other senior associated events to occur. This team will be a roster full of college committed players looking to get their reps in against quality competition that they will face at the next level. The 18U schedule includes USABL Frazier Invitationals, the Ed “Faa” Ford (legendary Chicago White Sox scout from Jersey City) tourney, and the Diamond Nation 18U Blue Chip World Series. The approximately 25 game schedule should be a good refresher for the graduating senior to begin his college career.
Roving Instruction
We are very fortunate to have some of the best instructors in the area be a part of our program. Ani Ramos has coached on the high school, college, and professional levels. Currently the assistant coach at New Jersey powerhouse St Joseph Regional High School Montvale, Ani will be visiting different age levels checking in on players offering advice and instruction. Ani also runs a renowned catching academy in Bergen County that has seen some of the state’s best talent attend.
We also have pitching coach Ralph Citarella in our program. Ralph has pitched professionally for the Chicago White Sox and the St Louis Cardinals. He was a two time 1st round draft pick. Ralph oversees all pitching aspects in our program. He offers group and individual lessons and is the current pitching coach at St Joseph High School in Metuchen.
Recruitment
This is a critical component of the high school player’s career. Baseball U North is dedicated to identifying and assisting in the player development and recruiting phase. We place teams in venues and on college campuses that are heavily attended and well respected by the college and professional coaching ranks. Furthermore, we carefully select which college campus showcases to attend. We do this geographically conscious of the ideology that the more placed we visit, the more people will see our players. After all, it is our principle to get these coaches to see our players. 17U Coach Ward can help facilitate any assistance in this area. He knows all of the coaches and contacts and can bridge any gap in the recruiting process that may arise.
We also utilize SportsRecruits (www.sportsrecuits.com). This is a program that is for Baseball U players only. It allows a player, parent, and coach to create a dialogue, send photo//video, and schedule meetings to enhance a player’s exposure. The fee is part of the player’s tuition.
Uniforms
Our colors are burnt orange, white, and black. Uniforms provided include hat, 2 jerseys, belt, and socks. The player is responsible for white pants. The uniforms will ne lettered and numbered. Measurements and uniform specs will be taken as the winter season progresses. Additional clothing can be found at our online store.
Equipment
Each player is responsible for his own gear. Batting helmet, bats, catching gear, etc are all the sole responsibility of the player. Baseball U North does not provide individual equipment.
GameChanger
The app is used for all announcements and correspondences during the winter. Additionally, the app is used to keep schedules, scores, and team/player stats during the season. The URL is http://gc.com or you can download the app.
Perfect Game Tournaments
Perfect Game has become the standard that all teams and players need to be associated with. They have become the measuring stick that college and professional scouts utilize when shaping their teams. Prospects attend PG tourneys and are visible by colleges from all over the country. These events are now held all over the east coast.
In addition to the team scheduled events identified above such as Richmond County and Woodbridge, our players have the opportunity to participate in tournaments in Georgia and Florida, Not every program can say that. These southern tournaments give maximum exposure to players to be seen. In this day and age of college recruiting, we see the younger player getting looks. Freshman are signing to play college baseball 4 years from now. Like it or not, this is the avenue the recruiting business has taken.The competition for the country’s best high school talent has gotten even tougher. Come play with us and be seen by the best.
College Campus Showcases
These events have proven vital to player development and have acquainted the player with the inner workings of the college program. Heavily attended by paid college coaches from a wide geographic region, these coaches observe and evaluate players based on game and clinical results. They converse and, in some cases,even offer the invitation to join their respective school on the spot.
Fees associated with these trips (flight, lodging, food, etc) are the responsibility of the player/family.
Some colleges visited by our program the past few summers include:
University of Delaware
University of Scranton
Rutgers University
Monmouth University
University of Pennsylvania
Lafayette College
George Washington University
University of Maryland
Indoor practices
Any winter training, indoor scheduled practice or drill, including inclement weather practice changes, and Bio Pitch sessions take place at The Express Athletic Center 216 Tingley Ln Edison.
Outdoor practices
All outdoor practices, program intra-squad scrimmages, or team events take place at St Joseph High School located at 145 Plainfield Ave Metuchen or Millburn High School 462 Millburn Ave Millburn.
From all of us at Baseball U North, we sincerely thank you for joining our program. There are many options to play club baseball these days. Programs are popping up all over the place. But we truly appreciate your support and being a part of our program.
Please email us at Baseballunorthnj@gmail.com for more information.
