The Rhode Island Baseball Community Speaks – Can A Rec Baseball Player Make It Up The Ladder Without Travel Ball?

Before I get to the responses by the Rhode Island Baseball Community, I wanted to take a quick detour and acknowledge Classical High School’s and current Houston Astros Jeremy Peña, who became the first Rhode Island High School alum to record a base hit in a World Series game in over 40 years. The last one to do it? La Salle Academy’s Davey Lopes, Los Angeles Dodgers, recorded a hit in the 1981 World Series against the New York Yankees. Technically, Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox in 2005 (Baseball Reference shows him born in Providence, RI) was the last Rhode … Continue reading The Rhode Island Baseball Community Speaks – Can A Rec Baseball Player Make It Up The Ladder Without Travel Ball?

RI Rays Fall Champions, ATC Looking For Players, The ALCS MVP, MSBL Father/Son Tourney News and More

As the fog continues to blanket the view out of my baseball office window, I thought I would shed some light on some recent Rhode Island Baseball News. Not bad for a baseball writer huh??? Fall championships were competed in and champions were crowned. A few AAU teams are looking for players to complete rosters for 2023. And a group of Rhode Island Father/Son teams competed in Arizona against other Father/Son teams from around the USA. Oh and we may have a Classical High School Baseball alumni hoisting a World Series trophy in about a week or so. (Harper, Wheeler, … Continue reading RI Rays Fall Champions, ATC Looking For Players, The ALCS MVP, MSBL Father/Son Tourney News and More

Can An Above Average Youth Rec Baseball Player Make It Up The Baseball Ladder Without Travel Baseball?

Happy October Saturday Morning everyone. I wanted to pose a question to the Rhode Island Baseball Community this morning and start a dialogue about a topic I am very curious about. In today’s youth baseball world, can an above average baseball player, who plays only recreation (Little League, Babe Ruth, Cal Ripken) baseball make it to and through high school and into a collegiate program, possibly professional baseball organization without the benefit of ever playing AAU, travel, showcase baseball growing up? Wow, that was a long winded question so let’s break it down so we can analyze and discuss it … Continue reading Can An Above Average Youth Rec Baseball Player Make It Up The Baseball Ladder Without Travel Baseball?

RHODE ISLAND’S GREGORY FLEURY SELECTED FOR 15TH ANNUAL WORLD POWER SHOWCASE HOME RUN DERBY

I am so thrilled to share this news and press release with the Rhode Island Baseball Community. Narragansett’s Gregory Fleury has been selected to represent Rhode Island in the 15th Annual World Power Showcase Home Run Derby next month. Here is the official press release and Gregory’s player profile, courtesy of the Fleury Family: For Immediate Release: 10/06/2022The 15th Annual World POWER SHOWCASE Home Run Derby and All-American Classic is being held in Miami at the Loan Depot park – from November 19th through the 23rd. The event features the most prolific amateur players from around the country/world and provides the perfect … Continue reading RHODE ISLAND’S GREGORY FLEURY SELECTED FOR 15TH ANNUAL WORLD POWER SHOWCASE HOME RUN DERBY

What Would You Do If You Caught A Historic Home Run Baseball?

Picture this…Your local Little League baseball field, for time purposes let’s use Wilson Park’s Cooney Field, is abuzz one particular Saturday night in June. The local press is there (probably Will from the Independent Newspaper in the press box) along with yours truly. Youth baseball players from other teams are crowding the backstops, lining the perimeter of the foul lines and outfield fences. Parents have called in family and friends from out of town to the game. By the time, the lineup cards are announced, the stands around Cooney Field are packed and there is literally no “seat in the … Continue reading What Would You Do If You Caught A Historic Home Run Baseball?

Weekend Update – Fall Classic, Scott Grace, Battle of the Badge, Island Baseball Championship

Happy First Weekend of Fall everyone. I hope you found the sweatshirts and blankets and handwarmers and are ready to head out to see some awesome baseball games this weekend here in Rhode Island. The summer sun and 90° temperatures of June, July, and August are now in the rear view mirror and we can all look forward to those crisp Autumn 48° mornings there on the bleachers of some of Rhode Island’s best baseball fields. The sun is shining brightly this morning out of my window, which is closed shut (it is actually 48° this am) and here is … Continue reading Weekend Update – Fall Classic, Scott Grace, Battle of the Badge, Island Baseball Championship

Anchor Sports Fall Programming Schedule Updates, Clinics, and Live BP Sessions

South County has always been associated with amazing recreation options. Growing up (some would say I never grew up) and then raising a family here, I would head to Narragansett and East Matunuck Beach, the driving range on Boston Neck Road near my sister’s house, Ocean Skate Roller Rink, Sprague Park and Old Mountain Field for baseball games and more recently Christofaro Park for home run derby with some HS buddies. And now for the past year or so, South County has added another amazing recreation option for families and athletes of all ages – Wakefield’s Anchor Sports. Having visited … Continue reading Anchor Sports Fall Programming Schedule Updates, Clinics, and Live BP Sessions

Rhode Island’s Jeff Diehl Now Offering Hitting & Catching Instruction at Hops Athletic Performance

One of the coolest things I get to experience as a baseball blogger and fan is interviewing Rhode Island baseball players who play or have played at a very high level. I have been lucky to have met and interviewed players who play/played at the collegiate levels, amateur summer leagues here in Rhode Island and on the Cape, and even a few that were drafted into and played professional baseball. A few years back, I was introduced to Cranston’s Jeff Diehl, who I interviewed back in 2019 (The RIBBE Gets To Know Cranston’s Jeff Diehl – From CLCF To The … Continue reading Rhode Island’s Jeff Diehl Now Offering Hitting & Catching Instruction at Hops Athletic Performance

Why Parents Are The Worst Judges Of Athletic Talent – Coach Wayne Mazzoni Advises On The Subject Of Recruiting

Throughout my day, I receive tons of great emails from parents, leagues, players, former players, schools, and organizations on a wide range of baseball subjects. I love reading about what’s happening in the baseball industry top to bottom, in the professional leagues, amateur leagues, local Rhode Island and New England based organizations, and college recruiting. This morning, I received an email from former Sacred Heart University Baseball Coach Wayne Mazzoni (random, I’m not affiliated with him, probably on his newsletter email list) with the attention grabbing title, “Why Parents Are The Worst Judges Of Athletic Talent.” Pretty good hook, if … Continue reading Why Parents Are The Worst Judges Of Athletic Talent – Coach Wayne Mazzoni Advises On The Subject Of Recruiting

Johnson & Wales University Baseball News – Casey Baseball Camps, Golf Tournament, Alumni Game Coming Soon

The Johnson & Wales University Baseball Team has a number of awesome events happening this fall. I follow JWU-PVD Baseball on social media and have seen a flurry of event posts. These events support the JWU-PVD Baseball Program and feature prospect baseball camps, a golf tournament, and some alumni weekend activities. Here are some snapshots from the JWU-PVD Baseball Instagram account: According to the Casey Prospect Camp registration page – “Casey Baseball Camps are dedicated to providing an experience that is both instructional and informational. Participants at all camps will have the opportunity to be evaluated and instructed by the … Continue reading Johnson & Wales University Baseball News – Casey Baseball Camps, Golf Tournament, Alumni Game Coming Soon