Nick Lawrence Signs with High Point University

January 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Nicholas Lawrence is a senior at Wellington High School  in Wellington, FL.  At 6’2”/190lbs, the RHP is dominant from the mound with a near 90mph fastball.  Needless to say, his talents have definitely not gone unnoticed over his high school playing career.

As only a sophomore, Lawrence was named to the USSSA High School Varsity National Team by ABR.  He later traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, with the team competing in the prestigious “Prague Baseball Week.”

Most recently, Lawrence has committed to High Point University to further his baseball career.  ABR had the chance to catch up with him and ask a few questions.

Q. Tell me a little bit about how last season went and what you’ll be focusing on with your training this off-season.

Last season for me went very well. And I am focusing on my legs, shoulders, and core muscles. The three main are concerns for a pitcher to stay strong and healthy. These are my main concerns in the offseason

Q.Where did you first hear about ABR?

I first heard about ABR summer of going into sophomore year. That’s when I was chosen to be on the international team. Before I had no idea who they were

Q. Who do you play for in the summer?

In the summer I play for a team known as The Atlanta Blue Jays from Atlanta, Georgia.  

Q.   Tell me a little bit about your process of visiting colleges and the selection process.

I visited two colleges. High Point was my second visit.  I knew right then and there when entering the campus this was the school. It was a friendly atmosphere, had everything on campus, and just the whole feel of the campus was unbelievable.  

Q. What made you finally choose High Point University as your school?

The education you receive while there is astonishing and everything above your expectations for a d1 college. Also the baseball program there is taking small steps forward but well worth helping the school and myself out. Last the campus is the most beautiful campus I have ever seen. Your jaw literally will drop when you look at the structures and setting. 

Q. You are pretty versatile athlete.  What will be your primary position at High Point?

My primary position at High Point will be to only pitch for the team.

Q.  Are you interested in signing pro out of high school or going right to college?  If so why/ why not?  What circumstances will it take to sign?

I am not 100% interested in signing pro out of high school because that means I have to put my education aside. But that is always an option and right now I can keep all options open.  

Q. How did the USSSA All-American Games and the International competition you gained through Prague, help your high school baseball experience?

It helped my experience by the different cultures of the world and the different talents around the world helped me realize I was taking my talent for granted. So I started working harder and it all paid-off  

With the culmination of Lawrence’s work ethic and raw abilities, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his name in a future MLB Draft.

ABR wishes him the best of luck as he furthers his baseball career!

Filed Under: Baseball, College Commitments

17u “National Player of the Year”

December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The 2012 17u ABR “Player of the Year” was recently named.  Clayton Gelfand of West Linn, OR was selected based upon his athletic production and impact in the 2012 season.

Gelfand is a MIF/RHP out of Wilsonville High School in West Linn, OR.

The switch-hitting senior was named the 2012 NWOC (Northwest Oregon Conference) “Pitcher of the Year” and was selected to the All-NWOC Baseball Team after finishing the season with a .390 BA and 1.3 ERA.

Brian Wabick of the Amateur Baseball Report (ABR) and USSSA All-American Games Scout first caught a glimpse of Gelfand at the 2011 USSSA Winter Nationals Super NIT in Arizona last December.  Gelfand helped lead his team, Capital City Select, to a 2nd place finish.

“Clayton is an advanced pitcher with an advanced approach. I was really impressed with his ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes low in the zone. He had the tools I was looking for in a player to invite to the USSSA All-American Games,” explains Brian Wabick who is also a former pitcher for the Astros organization.

It was not only Gelfand’s arm that caught the attention of many.

“Clayton is a two way threat that has great instincts and good hands at short. He has a sneaky 88 – 90 mph fastball that explodes on hitters. Gelfands high leg kick makes it difficult for hitters to pick up the ball,” explains USSSA National Team Head Coach, DJ Wabick, who is also a former NCAA DI All-American and 2009 Mets AA All-Star.

“He showed that he can handle the bat against top pitchers and hit for a high average with his line to line approach. He has a bright future and we can’t wait to see more of him,” further adds Wabick.

Gelfand did nothing less than impress scouts and coaches at the USSSA All-American Games this past August.

He was named a 2012 USSSA First Team All-American and selected to the 2013 USSSA High School Varsity National Team who will travel internationally.  The 2010 team traveled to Osaka, Japan while the 2011 and 2012 teams traveled to Prague, Czech Republic.
Although it seems Gelfand is a seasoned USSSA and ABR veteran, he is actually only a rookie on the scene.

“The first time I heard of ABR was at the USSSA All-American Games, and then again in North Carolina for the NTIS.  Only being on the USSSA circuit for this past year I have already gotten so much, and couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given,” explains Gelfand.

“Being able to receive the player of the year award was amazing.  I’m really looking forward to the international experience, receiving some great coaching and play along players I will make lifelong friends and hopefully getting drafted with the exposure I get playing with USSSA and through ABR. “

Gelfand has certainly received some exposure as well.  He recently committed to St. Mary’s College in California, a NCAA Division I program.

“I have chosen St. Mary’s because the coaching staff along with the education is a school that will give me the best chance to succeed after baseball is over.  I believe I will come out a better player and also a better man.  I haven’t signed yet. But next signing period I will.”

If he has another year like 2012, Gelfand is sure to be a threat on the international level and a possible name in the 2013 MLB draft.

Filed Under: Baseball, College Commitments, Featured Post, MLB Signing, Uncategorized

USSSA National Team Member, Colby Fitch, Commits to Louisville

October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Rocheport, MO is home to junior phenom, Colby Fitch of Hickman High School. The left-handed hitting catcher is known for his quick and explosive swing and is considered one of the best high school hitting prospects in the country.

Fitch did nothing less than impress this past season.  He was named to the Missouri All-State Team and concluded his summer season with a .408 BA, 9 HR, and raked in 48 RBI’s helping lead the 17u Mac-n-Seitz Indians to a 35-5-1 record.

A pinnacle point for Fitch this summer was being part of the USSSA 16u National Team who captured the Gold Medal amongst 8 other countries at the USSSA Gold Medal Games.  It was Fitch’s second year on the USSSA National Team roster.

Fitch was named to the 2011 USSSA National Team roster after his performance at the 2010 USSSA All-American Games, where he received an invite by an ABR Scout who watched him at a local tournament.

“I was lucky to play on both the 15U and 16U USSSA National Teams. These tournaments were my first taste of playing international competition. I really enjoyed getting to play and know the players on my team. ABR does a very good job of selecting top players from around the United States.  I have made many lasting friendships from these events.  Playing with these great players ultimately made me want to improve my skills even more, so I can continue to play at the top level of baseball,” explains Fitch.

The competition and experience from this past summer has really helped Fitch develop even more as a player.

“I feel, personally, that I gained a lot of strength physically and mentally throughout the summer.  The power in my bat got stronger as the summer went on and has continued this fall in play with the Kansas City Royals Elite team in KC.”

Fitch’s improvement and talent definitely have not gone unnoticed.  After numerous schools had been contacting Fitch in hopes of adding them to their 2015 rosters, Fitch narrowed down his visits to 6 different schools.

“When I was on the visits I was thinking about what school would best fit me academically, baseball program-wise, socially, and which school I believed would help me grow as a person,” explained Fitch.

After giving it much thought, Fitch chose the University of Louisville where he will be one of their key catchers.

“I chose Louisville because I believe they give me the best shot of playing at the next level past college. I really like the coaching staff.  I feel they hold their players to very high standards which can only make them better people. I believe that the University of Louisville gives me the best and soonest chance to play, which is big for me. I want to be able to go into a program and know that I have a shot to fight and battle it out for a starting job. Louisville has all these components.”

Fitch is wasting no time in getting ready for the 2013 season.  Since the conclusion of fall ball, he has been focusing on overall body conditioning and improving his receiving skills.

Although his name is already set to be on the 2015 spring roster for Louisville, don’t be surprised if you see it sooner on the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft.

Filed Under: Baseball, College Commitments, Featured Post Tagged With:

ABR/USSSA Host Player Development Clinic in Barcelona Spain

September 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

USSSA and ABR staff traveled to Barcelona, Spain to conduct a three day player development clinic September 2nd-4th.  The event was held at the Barcelona Olympic Baseball Stadium and marked the 20th anniversary of the Barcelona Olympics thus gaining tremendous international recognition.

The ABR/USSSA Player Development clinic served as a development program for Spanish baseball players from around the country and was hosted by former MLB players including:

  • Jeffrey Hammonds (12 year MLB veteran, 2000 NL All-Star) 1992 Olympian – Barcelona
  • Charles Johnson (11 year MLB veteran, 2× All-Star selection, World Series champion, 4× Gold Glove Award winner )
  • Michael Tucker (11 year MLB veteran, 1992 Olympian-Barcelona)
  • Luis Alicea (14 year MLB veteran, 3 year MLB coach, World Series  Champion)
  • DJ Wabick (Mets AA All-Star, NCAA DI All-American)
  • Davide Dallospedale (2 x time Olympian and 2 x World Baseball Classic for Italy)
  • Andrea D’Auria (General Manager of the Italian professional      baseball league, USSSA International Director-International

Each day of the clinic was broken into two parts.  The mornings consisted of base running and defense, which was led by the MLB players at their primary positions.  The group then broke for lunch and returned in the afternoon for the offensive routine.  During the offensive portion of the clinic, each player took part in multiple hitting stations which were geared towards specific fundamental flaws that were discovered by the ABR development staff.

USSSA/ABR has made a major push to help develop baseball on an international level.  It is this push that has led to numerous baseball development opportunities around the world.  The goal of all these opportunities is the reinstatement of baseball back into the Olympics.

“Teaching baseball in Barcelona was one of the best experiences of my entire life. I was fortunate enough to go to a developing baseball country with former major league players such as Luis Alicea, Jeffrey Hammonds, Charles Johnson, and Michael Tucker. We were able to combine all of our knowledge and experiences and teach a country of players all about the different aspect of the game we love. It was an honor to be asked to go over there and an experience that I will never forget. I cannot wait to go back and continue where we left off.” – DJ Wabick (ABR Player Development Staff)

 

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USSSA to host Japanese Interns

September 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ABR and USSSA will be hosting two Japanese interns from Ritsumeikan University at the Chicago, Illinois offices.

Hiro Akagi and Kaz Hirai arrived in Chicago on September 2nd and will be staying until September 14th. Their goal during their stay is to learn more about the ABR and USSSA programs within the United States and implement the same programs in Japan, thus growing USSSA globally.

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2013 USSSA National Teams Posted

August 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

National Teams Posted

 

First and Second National Teams

Thank you to everybody who participated in this great event. We had a great time seeing everybody play and we walked away impressed with all the talent. Congratulations to the First and Second Team USSSA All Americans. With the amount of talent in Kissimmee, it was very hard to choose a National Team and a Second Team. We are already looking forward to the 2013 USSSA All American Games.

USSSA First Team & Second Team All-American Honors were awarded to the top individuals at each of the 14u, 15u, and 16/17u divisions for the USSSA All-American Games. The First Team All-Americans automatically earn a spot on the 2013 USSSA National Team who will compete in International competition next summer.

If a current National Team Member is unable to attend, a member of the Second Team, who matches the position, will be called to fulfill the roster spot.

 * The 2012 USSSA 1st Team All-Americans at each age are automatically named to the 2013 USSSA National Teams.

2012 USSSA 14u 1st Team 2012 USSSA 14u 2nd Team
Jacson McGowan Kyle Brana
Nathan Gonzales Michael Melichar
Zane Gill Lantz Trisler
Tyler Fagler Kevin Nichols
Nick Neville Nick Ultsch
Bailey Champagne Adam Weekley
Kalib Clark Sam O’Brien
Tanner Graham Christian Millan
Kristian Franklin Zach Prystash
Simon Landry Dante Brammer
Paul Benitez Andrew Howard
Landon Seymour Kragen Kechley
Joseph Standley
Derek Wells
Alan Harrison
Alexander Dixon
Vinnie Benvenuto
Patrick Fennell
Matt Ellmyer
Zach Walsh

 

2012 USSSA 15U 1st Team All American      2012 USSSA 15U 2nd Team All American
Roy Thurman Kyle Gibbs
Ray Hernandez Tyler Yardley
Jeremy Vasquez Zach Cook
Nathan Montgomery Isiah Cullum
Logan Wiley Elijah Sanders
Austin Ferguson Bailey Ward
Grant Shotnik Kyle Morton
Kyle Marman Cole Edwards
Hector Morales Josue Montes
Matthew Heeble Hunter Hart
Christian Smith Mike Bauer
Joshua Baumgardt Sam Swartz
Chris Reed Vinny Hubli
Logan Soole Joshua Baldwin
Luis Oliver Paxton Ketchum
Carter Brown
Ruben Garcia
Darren Hasch
Jordan Barchus
Justin Reaves

 

2012 High School Varsity 1st Team All American
 2012 High School Varsity 2nd Team All American
Clyaton Gelfand William Hunter Durham
Dalton Horstmeier Lucas Schauer
Kyle Corbin Chandler Mullins
Nathan Diamond Reed Fell
Khalil Denson Jonathon Ward
Daytona Bryden Jason Frederick
Andy Teolken Trent Masih
Zach Marshall Gordy Taylor
Jake Turley Jonathon Brown
Brandon Nania Trenton Gantt
Jacson Scofield Ronnie Grant
Bobby Dalbec Tyler Coleman
David Peterson Bradley Francisco Ramon
Jacob Niggemeyer Alex Gross
Cre Frinfrock
Cole Mears
 Max George
Derek Deler
Cameron Williams
Jared Tobey
Congratulations are well deserved for everyone in attendance as the talent this year was very competitive!

 

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USSSA Takes GOLD & SILVER in the USSSA Gold Medal Games

July 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

16u USSSA National Team

15u USSSA National Team

 

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Prague Week Day 5

July 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Team USSSA vs. AIST

Team USSSA played the collegiate AIST team for the second year in a row in the semifinal game of Prague Baseball Week.  Joseph Camacho started on the mound for Team USSSA and looked great early on.

“Camacho did a great job the first two innings against college hitters.  He lost his feel for the strike zone in the third and AIST was able to capitalize on a few mistakes.” – USSSA HS Varsity National Team Coach DJ Wabick

The third inning was one in which USSSA wish they could have back as AIST was able to produce ten runs on six hits, four walks, and two hit batters.

“It was one of those innings where we couldn’t seem to get an out.  Every close call went their way, every ball seemed to find a hole, and we had no remedy for it until Emilio came into the game.” – DJ Wabick

Emilio Gonzales was able to come into the inning and stop the bleeding for USSSA.  Gonzales pitched 3 innings and was able to keep USSSA within striking distance by allowing one run.  Adam Bleday followed Gonzales and threw 2 1/3 innings of shutout baseball.  Combined, Gonzales and Bleday were able to hold down the potent AIST offense to one run over 5 1/3 innings of relief.

“Emilio and Adam did an outstanding job and were able to at least give our offense a chance.  You can’t ask for much more after what AIST was able to do in the third.” – DJ Wabick

The AIST pitching staff was able to hold the USSSA offense to 2 runs on four hits.

“AIST’s starter had some good stuff.  He threw three pitches for a strike and was able to keep our hitters off balance the whole game.  There is a reason he is playing Division I Baseball right now.” – DJ Wabick
Unfortunately USSSA could not mount a comeback and fell to AIST by a score of 11 – 2.  USSSA will play the Czech Republic U21 National Team in the Bronze Medal Game for Prague Baseball Week.  The first pitch is scheduled for 1 pm (6 am central time).

AIST vs. USSSA
Starting Pitcher: Joseph Camacho
Score: AIST 11 – USSSA 2

Bronze Medal Game

USSSA vs U21 Czech National Team

Team USSSA faced the U21 Czech Republic National Team in the Bronze Medal Game of the 31st Annual Prague Baseball Week.  Team USSSA brought left hander Cole Hybner to the mound who threw four innings giving up one unearned run.

“Cole was able to change speeds well and had tremendous command of his fastball.  He consistently pitched ahead in the count and shut down a very good hitting team.” – USSSA National Team Coach Jaime Bluma

USSSA got on the board in the first inning when Aaron Palmer led the bottom half off with a walk.  After a passed ball, Derek Deler executed a perfect sacrifice bunt that Palmer advanced to third on.  Andres Rizquez knocked in Palmer with an RBI single up the middle.

USSSA was ahead 1 – 0 going into the top of the 2nd when Sucha walked with one out.  After advancing to second on a ground ball and moving to third on a wild pitch, Sucha scored on an overthrow back to the pitcher to knot the game at one a piece.

In the top of the sixth with Cre Finfrock on the mound, Matt Godinsky made a diving play on a bunt attempt to keep the runners at first and second and preserve the 1 – 1 tie.

The score remained in a deadlock until the top of the eight.  With two outs and nobody on, Sykora drove a fastball the other way for a solo homerun to take a 2 – 1 lead.

The bottom of the eight brought plenty of controversy when Derek Deler led off with a single.  Andres Rizquez followed and squared around to bunt.  The ball struck Rizquez in the helmet, but the umpires gathered and declared a foul ball.  On the next play Rizquez popped the bunt up and the Czech first baseman laid out and was able to catch the ball on a fly and double off Deler a first.

The eight inning momentum swing proved to be too much as the U 21 Czech Republic National Team ended up winning the Bronze with a 2 – 1 score.

“Our guys played great and I truly feel they learned a lot.  They were by far the youngest team in the tournament and besides for one bad inning against AIST, they played fundamentally very well.  It was a pleasure meeting each and every one of them and I look forward to following all of them through their college careers.” – USSSA National Team Coach DJ Wabick 

Starting Pitcher: Cole Hybner
Score: U21 Czech Republic National Team 2; USSSA 1

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Prague Week Day 5

July 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

USSSA vs. Belgium Senior National Team

In their final game of pool play, Team USSSA faced another experienced opponent in the Belgium Senior National Team.  With both teams being one and one in pool play, this was a must win situation.

The game started out as a pitcher’s duel with Nathan Woodruff starting for Team USSSA and a former New York Mets farmhand starting for Belgium.    With the game knotted at zero in the fourth, Andres Rizquez led off and laced a triple down the third base line.  Connor Crile displayed excellent situational hitting with a sacrifice fly to center which gave USSSA the 1 – 0 lead.

The offense continued to roll into the fifth when Aaron Palmer led off with a single to right.  After a sacrifice bunt by Derek Deler, Palmer stole third.  Belgium, playing for the out at home, drew the infield in.  This did not affect David Garza as he was able to drive the ball through the infield to make the score 2 – 0.  Donnie Dewees immediately followed Garza with an RBI triple to right and scored on a base hit to left field by Matt Godinsky.

With Team USSSA ahead of Belgium by a score of 4 – 0, the pitching staff continued to excel.  Starting pitcher, Nathan Woodruff, threw five scoreless innings.  Chris Elander followed Woodruff’s lead and continued to stifle the Belgium hitters.  Elander threw four innings of shutout baseball while striking out six.

Team USSSA, though much younger, got the much needed win by a score of 4 –0.  With the win, Team USSSA secured the two seed in their bracket and will move onto the championship round scheduled to start tomorrow.  The official game time and opponent will be announced after the completion of the pool play games today.

Starting Pitcher: Nathan Woodruff

Winning Pitcher: Nathan Woodruff

Winning Score: 4 – 0

Please check back for game times as Team USSSA tries to bring home the Gold!

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Prague Week Day 4

July 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Both 1-0 in the 31st annual Prague Baseball Week, Team USSSA and the Czech Republic National Team faced off in a highly anticipated game.  Cre Finfrock, the youngest player in the tournament at the age of sixteen, started against this very experienced Czech National Team.

“Cre has an extremely live arm and was unbelievably composed on the mound.  He threw a lot of strikes and is an exceptional talent.” – USSSA National Team Coach DJ Wabick

The Czech National Team jumped out to a quick 2 – 0 lead, one of which was earned.

“You have to take your hat off to the job Cre did against that team.  They were much older and more experienced and Cre was able to keep them to two runs on a couple of hits.  Mix in a few unfortunate plays and we found ourselves down 2 – 0.” – USSSA National Team Coach Jaime Bluma

USSSA was still down 2 -1 in the top of the seventh when David Garza hit a hard line drive to the left centerfield gap.  The Czech left fielder misplayed the ball and Garza found himself on second.  Attempting to steal third, the Czech pitcher ended up balking and Garza was able to walk into third with nobody out.  After a pop out by Crile and a walk to Galik, Andres Rizquez came to the plate with one out.  Rizquez, trying to drive the ball into the outfield, popped a shallow fly ball to left.  Garza tagged from third and was dead at the plate, but somehow was able to jar the ball loose and score the game tying run.

The momentum had clearly shifted to Team USSSA when it was time for the bottom of the seventh and just when it looked like USSSA was going to go into the eighth inning in a tie game, a horrific bounce off of the shoulder of Aaron Palmer allowed two Czech runners to score.  The Czech National Team would tack on one more run that inning to make the score and eventually the game 5 – 2 Czech Republic.

“It’s a shame that such a well-played game was lost on a bad bounce, but that is unfortunately how baseball goes.  Our team played phenomenal and we are hoping to get a second chance at those guys in the next round.” – USSSA National Team Coach DJ Wabick

Team USSSA plays its next game tomorrow morning at 10 am (3 am central time) against the Belgium Senior National Team.

 

Starting Pitcher:  Cre Finfrock

Score: 5 -2

Winner: Czech Senior National Team

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