|
BEREA BASEBALL ASSOCIATION TRAVEL 'BRAVES' 2005 SEASON 13U Team |
2005 13U Braves
|
|
BEREA BASEBALL
PROMOTING NORTHEAST OHIO TRAVEL BASEBALL FROM YOUTH THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
|
 |
COACHES CORNER
MEET THE 2005 BEREA 13U TRAVEL TEAM
The 2005 Berea Braves 13U team is a solid bunch with veteran leadership even though they had some turnover this season, including losing co-captain Ian Sauer, who will bolster the Strongsville Stingrays of the Puritas league. The team acquired some talented roster additions though that ought to allow the coaching staff the versatility that they hoped for in preparing all for high school ball in just a few short seasons. Patrick Smith might have been the biggest fall/winter training surprise. "Smitty", who bats right and throws left, will bring hustle on the bases and outfield, and has proved to be a valuable alternative at second base and as a relief pitcher. Patrick possesses a pick-off move that has caught his teammates attention during early base running drills. Smith played travel ball for Brook Park last season and fills the roster spot vacated by Nick Druso. Smitty, is no stranger to baseball in Berea, he came up through the Berea Baseball Association and has returned with travel experience. Andre Reinhart came to us from Strongsville and played for Parma last season. The 6'-1" Reinhart will settle in as a first baseman and the Braves hope that he will fill the void on the mound that the departure of Sauer left. Andre is a quick learner who has adjusted to the team well. Kirk Olesick, who made the trip to the Dreams Park tournament in Cooperstown with this group last season, will play with the team in addition to playing with the 12U Berea Travel team. Olesick fills the void of the departed, Justin Pulling, who opted for a single season of travel ball. Kirk Olesick alone added depth to at least six different positions for the 13U ball club, including adding depth as a pitcher & catcher. Olesick also brings a solid bat to the table, finishing the Cooperstown tournament with the 3rd highest batting average playing with this team. Another late acquisition for the Braves this season was to lease the services of Zach Bauer once again. Bauer originally signed exclusively with the Strongsville Puritas team, but came back to his roots to partner up with many of his friends on the Braves. Bauer brings the consistent bat that any team would desire to have. A smart player that will bring veteran experience at first base and the outfield, Bauer will also be groomed to bring a left handed presence to the mound as well. Zach lead the 2004 Braves in batting almost wire-to-wire last season and is penciled in as the Braves lead-off batter this season as well. The Braves will ride the arm of veteran leader, Luke Beehler once again. The fire ball throwing Beehler will try to be converted to a closer. Beehler is a kid who craves the ball and wants the game in his hands as much as possible. Luke desires to be the featured starting pitcher in this line-up, but Coach Aten believes that Beehler will understand his role of closing out many ball games for the Braves as the season progresses. If winter training is any indicator, Beehler will provide the power at the plate from the clean-up position. Beehler will see time at all the hot spots, including center field, short stop, third, first, catcher and of course at Pitcher. 2004 co-captain, Nate Miceli will add to the threat for the Braves. Miceli, the teams quickest and most experienced shortstop, will make a case for the best center fielder in the CVBA. The Braves hope that Miceli's teammates can fill in when he vacates the infield, because as an outfielder - Nate will make many plays that just weren't possible in 2003 & 2004. Miceli is also the Braves biggest threat on the bases and possibly from the plate as well. In 2004 Miceli hit himself out of the leadoff spot, by combining for multiple extra bases. This season, we would like to turn those doubles and triples into an RBI machine. Miceli also brings an arsenal of pitches to the pitching rotation and will be included in the Braves starting pitching rotation. Kevin Siloy will become more of a factor in the Braves scheme then ever before. Siloy will be asked to shore up the shortstop position, spelling Miceli to take over the outfield. Kevin was one of the CVBA's smartest and most sure handed second basemens the past few seasons, and will bring his services to both positions up the middle this year. Siloy will also bring the "stuff" to the mound, as his collection of off-speed pitches and benders have prolonged his hurling career into a viable starter and excellent change of pace relief pitcher. If Siloy has a consistent bat from the 2-hole this season, the sky's the limit for the Braves. Alex Bockmiller will once again be relied on to bring the most consistent arm to the pitching rotation and most likely will receive the most starts for the Braves in 2005. Alex should have the bullpen help to relieve the coaching staff from over using the accurate thrower. Bockmiller has great control of his pitches and has many years left in the tank. When Alex is between starts on the mound, he will add depth to the corners of the infield. Coach Aten believes that Alex has more to show from his bat in 2005. Bockmiller proved in the previous season that he has the strength to take the ball deep - with another year under his belt, the Braves are banking on Bockmiller to move base runners and drive in some runs from the bottom half of the order. Tevon Rease is another key to the Braves success in 2005. Rease who was shelved early last season with a stress fracture to the growth plate of his throwing elbow, never really regained form platooning at catcher as he did in 2003. Rease is at 100% this year, and has looked surprisingly well not only regaining his experience at catcher, but in fighting for a middle infield position as well. If the season were to start today, Coach Aten believes that Rease could fill in just about anywhere - not even ruling out pitching. Where Tevon may help us out the most though, is providing power from the plate and a prowlness on the base paths. Perhaps the teams fastest runner, Rease was often his own enemy in previous years, not so this season - as winter training has proved that Rease is hungrier to steal some bases and score some runs. His heads-up play in the drills this winter has brought a sense of aggressiveness to the Braves offense. Allen Peterkoski will debut as the starting catcher for the Braves, although Peterkoski has emerged as a force at third base as well and will be used to bolster first base too. Peterkoski has been the Braves ironman behind the plate in previous years. With the addition of Olesick and a healthy Rease to take off some of the load and Beehler and Bockmiller in training to get some experience at catcher, the Braves have many other options to utilize the services of Peterkoski and at the same time develop a well rounded set of skills for Allen's high school playing career. Peterkoski has always had a beautiful swing with the bat, but this season he has sought the services of an area batting school and the Braves are banking on Allen to add to an explosive offense, even more so than in previous seasons. Cole Macosko will bring a veteran appeal to both Left and Right field, but don't be surprised if Macosko debuts at second base to start the season. Macosko has great ball handling skills that are always impressive in the gym, but translating it to the diamond infield will be a work-in-progress through April and May. Macosko has handled the bat well this winter, coming off a strong finish to close the 2004 season. Cole also will be asked to take some chances on the base paths and move runners with directional hitting. Patrick Hopp has been getting a lot of work at first base, and will continue to do so from here through high school. Patrick is a physical player that can bring some real toughness to the roster. Hopp has a cannon arm, he's "Ebby LaLoosh" from the Bull Durham movie ... which translates into ungodly heat on his fastball with less control. Hopp is in the process of being developed and should debut on the mound at some point this spring. Hopp will also build on his experience in right field and will be asked to bring power to the plate. David Seagle took Cooperstown by storm. Seagle had an excellent trip to the Dreamspark tournament, earning defensive accolades for his play filling in for Siloy at second base. David also can play any position in the outfield, as his glove is among the best on the team. Seagle has been off to a slow start through the Winter workouts, but is expected to be a major player in the versatility up the middle, defensively. David will be asked to perform many of the same batting elements as Macosko, which is prolong innings by moving runners and loading the bases for larger bats to follow. The Braves will be coached by first year travel head coach, Stan Aten. Coach Aten has been coaching in Berea for the past seven seasons and spent the 2003 post season with this team and served as an assistant with the Braves last season. One of the first orders of business for the new head coach, was to retain the services of assistant coach Doug Siloy. Siloy is the key to it all. A savvy coach all his own, Siloy is a great instructor and will co-manage the game - commanding the infield, pitching staff and coaching third base. Jack Peterkoski will join the staff for his first season. Coach Peterkoski is the best equipment guy that volunteer time can buy. Peterkoski's coaching duties will include overseeing the catchers, first basemen and outfield. Most of all, Peterkoski is a major asset to many of the off-field organizational items that come with travel baseball. Ron Hopp has put in the time and provided help manning batting stations and various drills during the winter workouts. Hopp is a dedicated contributor and a helping hand that is greatly appreciated. The 13U Braves open the season in Brook Park at the USSSA Great Lakes Early Bird Tournament April 8th, 9th & 10th. The team will play two tournaments in April and a couple of non-league games before opening up their CVBA season at Home against Garfield Hts, April 27th. The goal is to play in the last game of the season, which will take place in Independence at the League Championship July 31st. Thanks to the families and the supporters of the Braves - here's to another great season of youth baseball!
