BEREA TRAVEL BASEBALL

The Braves return a core group from the 2005 team that finished with the 4^thbest record in the CVBA Non-Bid Division. With a record of 18-5 in the regular season, the Braves found themselves a #2 Seed in the National League Year-end Tournament. However, the Braves didn’t last in the tournament as long as they would have liked, and that brings them into the 2006 season with something still to prove. The theme of this season was set early by Head Coach Stan Aten, focus will be set on success in the tournaments.

The Braves are bolstered behind the leadership of veterans Nate Miceli and Luke Beehler. Miceli a #1-3 hitter will once again be on the prowl at the shortstop position. Miceli in addition to sharing time in Center Field will also be the Braves opening day starter in the USSSA NIT Great Lakes Early Bird Tournament on April 7^th. The right-handed Miceli looks to be the most ready for the early start. Miceli has lead the Braves in swiping 76 stolen bases the past two seasons, including 41-steals in 30-games last season. Luke Beehler hit clean up wire-to-wire for the Braves, leading the Braves in batting (.560), with 47-RBI’s on 51-hits in just 30-games! Beehler, a flame-throwing right-hander will be used as a closer and see action in many games. Prior to coming in to close-out ball games, Beehler is a golden glove from third base and will spell Miceli at shortstop and also get reps in center field. Zach Bauer, a late blooming left-hander has grown into himself and bodes with confidence that he had to earn last season from experience on the mound. Bauer has been effective during his winter routines and has worked himself into a bonafide-starting pitcher. Bauer made the most of opportunities down the stretch in 2005, appearing numerous times in late June, early July and through the tournament. His added experience coupled with his physical size, strength and endurance – gives the Braves a left-handed threat that they never had in their arsenal. Bauer, the teams starting first baseman, hit (.463) in 2005 and will hit third in the Braves line-up. Newly acquired, Troy Brouse brings the lightening to the team from his hometown of Avon. Brouse, a spunky relentless second baseman is just what the doctor ordered to fill the void of veteran second baseman, Kevin Siloy who has put baseball aside to hone his golf skills this season. Kevin and his family will be greatly missed, and will leave the coaching staff wondering what could have been had Siloy and Brouse resided on the same team. Almost identical players in physical size, intelligence, heart and character – if you think the Cleveland Cavaliers pick-up of Flip Murray to replace the injured Larry Hughes was a great acquisition, the Troy Brouse to fill Kevin Siloys shoes is 10x better. Brouse covers ground at second base well, having forced ‘Ohhh’s & Ahhh’s’ from his teammates as he sacrificed his body to make a catch or stop a batted or thrown ball. Perhaps the smallest player on the Braves in height and size, numerous players have labeled Brouse ‘A Beast’ on more than one occasion. Brouse has enough bat to drive the ball into the gaps, and he plays hard, and most of all –smart. Brouse is the leading candidate to hit leadoff this season. Catcher, Allen Peterkoski came to camp this winter leaner and quicker. Don’t expect to see the Braves use a courtesy-runner for Allen this season, as his foot speed is no longer a liability but perhaps an asset. Peterkoski has met the winter workouts with a great attitude and with great work habits, displaying veteran leadership. Peterkoski hit (.439) in 2005 and will flirt with batting 3^rd thru 6^th in the line-up. When Allen is taking a rest from catching, he will see time at third base and the outfield. Tevon Rease will also spend time batting among the first six, and will open the season playing left field. Rease a catcher in his own right, has seen limited time this winter to rest a pair of knees that have shown signs of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Rease batted (.472) last season recording 31-Steals, 31-RBI’s, and 32-Runs Scored on 42-hits in just 30-games played. Rease will also be called upon to play middle-infield and third base. Tevon is in his fourth year with the team. Mitch Tocarchick was also brought in to provide depth to the catcher position. A first year Travel Ball player out of the Berea Baseball Association, Tocarchick was an avid attendee of all winter workouts and clinics and has showed much promise and improvement because of it. Tocarchick could see some time at third base and looks to be a schooled hitter only needing to apply his honed smooth swing into actual game experience. Right-handed ace, Alex Bockmiller is back healthy after suffering a broken hand in mid-June. Bockmiller made it back for a critical start against Bay Village near the season finale, and he looks forward to getting handed the rock in some of this seasons first big tests. Bockmiller was 5-0 in five starts with 4 consecutive complete games pitched and leading the Braves with a (.600) batting average when the injury occurred. He finished batting (.529) on the year with a no-decision in his last outing. Bockmiller’s quick delivery of fielded ground balls will earn him time at third base and he can be used as a reserve catcher if need be. Bockmiller is consistent at everything he does, which is a coaches dream from any player. Patrick Smith is back for his second year. Smith, who bats right and throws left, has been handed the starting centerfield position. Smith doesn’t provide a ‘big bat’, but he churns out successful key at-bats that are needed to prolong innings and begin huge scoring innings. 'Smitty' has a great glove and is smart, had he not been fitted with being a lefty without the commanding frame that is stereotypical in baseball, he would surely be flirting with much more time in the middle of the infield. Patrick Hopp brings the punch to the team. A tough competitor, Hopps speed and arm strength will be utilized in the outfield more this year. Patrick was the teams most-improved-player in 2005, pounding out over three times as many hits, and stolen bases and scoring four-times as many runs as the season prior. Hopp has also gained a ton of experience at first base and because of his cannon-arm, he can never be ruled out as a pitcher. Patrick has also seen a little time at third base this winter as he rounds out his skills eyeing a high school baseball career. Hopp is an aggressive batter and base runner with a frame that will allow for even more size and strength. Speaking of size, Andre Reinhart might be the tallest Brave at nearly 6'-3". Andre made it through last season’s winter workouts and Spring Tournaments and non-league games, but was shutdown early requiring medical attention for heart irregularities. Surgery lead to Reinhart being shelved for the season, however Andre is tough and made it back to finish out a season of basketball this winter and has remained strong. Reinhart comes to us with great determination at whatever position that we play him at. A first basemen by first choice, Reinhart will see plenty of early action in the outfield. The Braves will, also utilize his size and presence on the mound. A line-drive hitter, Reinhart could be the key to tie the batting order together. If he hits well, as expected, the Braves will put up a ton of runs this season and have many big innings. Henry Delventhal was called up last season from the Berea Baseball Association, and saw limited time at second base and out field. Having gone through a full winter at second base, Delventhal knows what is expected if him at the middle infield positions. Now a fulltime player with the Braves, and playing among many close friends, the stage is set for Henry to have a very memorable summer of youth baseball. Also newly acquired, is the athletic; Michael Lewis. Having not played baseball since living in California a few short years ago, Lewis possesses the athleticism to help the team in many areas. What was first noticed of Mike was that he had the desire to study the game. Lewis first attended practice as a spectator and he made his observations to the best of his advantage. In his first official practice, the team was surprised by coach Aten with a written test and Michael aced it. The team was clocked often in 80’ sprints this winter, and Lewis recorded times that ranked him as one of the fastest on the team (which is a major feat considering that Miceli & Rease swiped 73-bases between them last season). The Braves will use Mike’s speed to get him into the game as a pinch runner first, and bring his batting and fielding skills along this Spring. Don’t be surprised if this kid is among the best ball players in Berea in years to come.

The Braves will begin play in the USSSA NIT Great Lakes Early Bird Tournament April 7-9th, then after the Easter break, they will play non-league games against the Northern Ohio Hurricanes of the Diamond League, a double-header the following day against Bay Village in game #1 and the Cage Club Yard Dogs of the Great Lakes Baseball League (GLBL) in game #2. The Braves first CVBA League game will be against Independence on April 26th and then they will face another GLBL team, the Southeast Cougars, the final day of the month. The Braves will play 23 regular season games in the CVBA. In late June, the team travels to Sidney Ohio for the Sidney Fire Summer Bash June 23rd-25th. The Braves are considering other tournaments for mid-July.