|
The South Oakland A’s organization is based near Madison Heights, Michigan, which is located about 14 miles North of the Detroit City area. This organization, which spun from a single team - which at the time was a 10U team - is now moving into its 8th season. As this team grew, it amassed an outstanding record. At 12U, this team was #1 in many national rankings with a 97-3 record while winning 13 of the 14 tournaments in which it competed during that year. The success of this team lead to more success and more teams being formed as the organization grew into what it is today.
Today, the South Oakland A’s organization is respected as one of the top, Elite travel baseball organizations, not only throughout the Great Lakes States, but also nationally. They have developed a reputation for developing outstanding catchers that take the running game away from their opponents. With the number of D1 caliber catchers that they are producing, they may soon be known as “Catcher” U.
 It is interesting to note that the founding team, which is now the A’s 17U team, still has eight of the original players from the 10U team back in 2001. This fact speaks volumes for the stability of this organization. From this original team, players such as; Mitchell Kozlowski, Greg Fettes, and AJ Dokey, have amassed such national honors as; being named to TravelBallSelect’s “All America” teams. These players are now being recruiting by prestige D1 schools such as; Stanford, Michigan, Louisville – just to name a few.
Traditionally, the A’s field teams within the age groups from 9U all the way up through 17U. The A’s draw the vast majority of its players from locations within a 15 mile radius of Detroit Metro areas. They work hard to adhere to the philosophy of developing the players they have - rather than recruiting players from remote areas. Quote Buster Saunders, of the A’s organization, “We require all players that participate to attend all practices”. While this limits players from far distances, it represents the policy that forms the A’s organization. Still, the A’s have found a way to produce proven winners.
During the 2009 season, A’s teams won many tournaments. The 10U and 11U teams each won at least 3 tournaments. Their 13U team played an Elite national schedule with good success. Their 14U team also played an Elite national schedule, winning 4 tournaments. The A’s 15U Green team won 5 of 7 tournaments including the CABA National Championship held near Nashville, TN. And their 16U team won 4 tournaments.
In 2010, the A’s will field 9U, 11U, 12U, 14U, 16U, and 17U teams. Here’s a look at each.
9U team is a first year team with very good local players. playing only local tournaments.
11U team will step into a national schedule including such venues as Kansas City, Ohio, East Cobb, and several Triple Crown events in Mt. Clements and Mt. Pleasant, Michigan areas.
12U team will be a competitive national team that will play in the Battle of the South, East Cobb, and the Michigan Triple Crown events. Players consist of essentially the same group as last year’s 11’s, while adding 2 new players. Returnees include a core of players lead by:
- Kyle Cattreysse, a smooth fielding middle infielder that swings a great bat.
- Andrew Furno, who hit 11 home runs as a 2009 11U
- James Colvin, a solid pitcher who threw a perfect game and won 7 games in 2009
- Joey Vyskocil, who won the home run contest in Chicago last year
- Griffin Green, who is a unbelievable defensive catcher with a strong arm.
With this returning line-up, clearly this year’s 12U team is expected to emerge as solid national competitor. In addition to a rigorous national schedule, you can expect to see this year’s team returning once again to Cooperstown with the goal of matching the tradition of two of the A’s 12U teams that have won this event in prior years.
14U – This team has been together for 3 years. They played a solid national schedule during 2009 and won 3 tournaments. In 2010, these 14U South Oakland A’s will be playing in several Triple Crown events, including the Triple Crown World Series. This team has added 4 new players, including 2 excellent new pitchers. These new additions will compliment their solid roster of returning players that are lead by: Billy Malak, a great defensive catcher that hits left handed with power, Ian Kobernick, a center fielder with speed to run down the deep fly balls, and also hits with high averages. Finally, leadoff batter, Brad Baldwin, a 13 year old smooth fielding 2nd baseman. who is playing up again this year. With this core of returning athletes, and their new additions, this 2010 14U team is ready to complete with the best.
16U Green – This team will complete in a host of national tournaments including the Triple Crown Nationals. The 2010 16U edition of the A’s will be much better, as several players, who were injured last year, will be returning healthy. This list includes Connor Smith, Jerod Doss, and Scotty Taylor who missed a good part of 2009 due to injuries. In addition, this team has added 2 new players that will add to their solid line-up of pitchers who are being recruited for the next levels of play. Other top players on this team include: Brett Sunde and Nico Gonzales, who are playing up an age level. Both of these athletes will catch and pitch. They will complement the hard throwing Andrew Marra and Daniel Zuhowski, who will join Jeff Schalk and Brad Schalk as the A’s starting pitchers. One can expect great things from this team during the 2010 season.
From 9 years to 17 years, you can count on a very touch match-up, when you play any of these South Oakland A’s during the upcoming 2010 season.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
| 