There are pitchers 82-84 committing D1 and pitchers 85-88 committing D3. There are 7.0 runners going D1 and 6.7 runners going D2. There isn't a metric that determines the level. You are either a college baseball player or you're not. Fit is everything.
Seeing summer baseball being played without a season of high school baseball, it is clear the impact a good high school baseball program has on players. From increasing baseball IQ to learning to support teammates. It takes everyone to develop a player.
Baseball has been influenced by technology, science, and data. We know more about how our body works, spin rates, on and on. However, baseball still remains a simple game. Score one more run than the other team and you win, every single time.
Baseball seasons are stories that are written by the players. All stories come to an end, sometimes sooner than one may like it to. But when you go back and re-read the story you will find way more than just outcomes of games. You'll find triumph, heart break, perseverance and..
A message to all freshmen joining a team in college: be the player that was recruited. A lot of times freshmen feel like they need to do more than what they are capable of. The coach that recruited you liked where you are, trust that they will get you to the level you need to be
Truly honored for this opportunity. We have a great group of guys with tremendous leadership who are hungry after missing most of their season last year! Can't wait to get started.
What a great honor! I set a goal of being a head coach by the age of 30 it wasn't always easy but if you want something, go get it. Ready to lead this program for years to come! It's official boys, I'm back
Our 2023 class is coming together nicely! We still have room available for pitchers! Great opportunity to develop as we added many new elements to our development plan backed by data!
Before reaching out, please make sure Widener is a fit academically and financially!
I know it may seem like roster spots are limited but there are still tons of quality programs with roster spots available. Like Widener, currently looking for arms for this Fall. Reach out if interested!
Today I was officially promoted to Associate Head Coach for
@WidenerBaseball
. I cannot thank
@CoachLaRosa
enough for the promotion and for taking a chance on me 4 years ago. I am very proud of the new title and can't wait to continue striving towards our program goals!
IMO this summer has been the most competitive in terms of players finding homes. Supply and demand. Less roster spots, more experienced options available like never before.. my best advice, bet on yourself. Forget the level and focus on fit. You'll be happier that way.
Love when players showcase their strengths. If you can run then bunt for a hit, if you have pull side pop show it off. All about consistency. Show us what you got because there's so many different ways to get recruited. Just be you!!
As we get into the heat of summer with guys playing multiple times a day.. appreciate your catchers and work hard for them. They are working their tails off in all that gear.
Aaron didn't start this game. Despite him playing extremely well. He said before the game he was happy his teammate was getting an opportunity. One injury later he is in the game and hits a walk off HR. That's what this is all about. The game knows. Hats off Aaron
Boom! Another commit last night. This time an LHH CIF from
@PcrestBaseball
. An alumni's son who can hit the ball to all fields! Could not be more excited! Who is next?
Coming Summer 2022:
@WidenerBaseball
will be hosting 16u and 17U tournaments. The purpose of these tournaments is to see guys compete to win in front of college coaches on a college field. A combo of striving to win while showcasing your team and players!
Since 1947, only 29 programs have won a D1 national championship (there are 299 programs). You have a much better chance to play in meaningful games at the D2, D3 level. Find the program that will give you that chance. Way cooler than getting "likes" for committing D1
There are no words to express how we feel. To make a finite decision for a fluid situation is irresponsible. The safety of our students and employees are first and foremost but to cancel a season nearsighted and wrong.
Parents: Investing $$ into a travel organization is a scary thing. You are investing in your son's future. At the 17U level, you are paying for exposure. Make sure those coaches bring rosters to every game, have a social media presence, communicate with you weekly about events.
Opening Day is finally here. Honored to be leading this group. They have exceeded our expectations thus far. Can't wait to watch the story unfold.
#RelentlessPursuit
@WidenerBaseball
Been on the recruiting trail now for 3 weeks. Typically we see guys out there simply "showcasing" so far I have seen guys out there competing. It is refreshing and great to see. So glad baseball is being played.
Playing time is not created equal. Neither is talent, neither is ability, neither is work ethic. We all only have so much talent. Displaying talent is "ability" and sometimes to show ability it takes a different work ethic than the guy next to you. Realize that and outwork em
.. plenty more. The lessons we learned will last us longer than any season will.
@WidenerBaseball
program is designed to develop men through the game of baseball and for those graduating we did just that.
To the next story to be written..
One of the more competitive schedules in the country. We will be playing the number 1, 2, 22, and 26 pre-season ranked teams in the country! Looking forward to the challenge!
Thank you to all that have supported the program this year. Obviously we did not reach our ultimate goal but being able to play the game we love and be together was something special. Huge sacrifices were made to make it possible. Thank you. See you next year!
It has been a pleasure watching this group grow as players and people. Set the standard each and every day. Proud is an understatement. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey. Not done yet.
Pumped for
@dylan_dylpeif22
kid worked his butt off. True example of trusting in yourself and understanding the big picture. He earned this opportunity. Do your thing kid!
#D3baseball
There is more to earning playing time than most think. The "best" will play. Best can include many things but for most trust is the most valuable piece. Can coach trust that you will do the right thing. We can see that in practice, how you show up, attention to small details.
HS Athletes and Coaches as well as Travel Coaches: Make it a point this year to get to as many college games as you can at all the levels in your area. It will be eye-opening and will help you make informed decisions when it's time to pick colleges.
I still truly believe BA is important in the recruiting process. It has its flaws (level of competition) but it can confirm or make you scratch your head about a player. I just wish there was an easy way for all of High School baseball to update their stats online.
Things I have noticed watching regionals: DBRs, situational hitting and bunting are huge. But mostly, the person who is most calm and confident in the situation will succeed. When we let the situation change our thinking it makes us do things we have not practiced.
Turning behind a brick wall.
Once your front heel is planted on the ground, imagine you have a brick wall you’re turning behind.
This allows you to have an efficient bat path, buy time, and transfer energy efficiently.
A pillar of our program is to serve. This Fall we did just that. Our players gave 200 hours of their time to the community around them. Grateful each and every day I get to lead this group!
Out of my realm but the Bishop Sycamore story really is unbelievable. A fake HS gets on ESPN claiming to have Power 5 commits and it turns out to be a bunch of college dropouts. So many questions...
Joey Norton of
@WidenerBaseball
details his journey from Type 1 diabetes diagnosis to his spot as one of Widener's top aces in this week's player spotlight.
Full Story:
#GoWidener
#PlayWithPride
Incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach the 13 players graduating from our program. They changed me as a person and as a coach. Forever in their debt. Season did not end with us reaching our baseball goal but they all leave better humans and for that I say job well done
Everything will work out. Sports will be played again. HS student-athletes will get a chance to get recruited and attend college. College athletes will get to compete and be seen. Control what you can control and trust in the process. Stay positive.
Wow!! First All-American since 1990. JC so proud of you!
Lessons to be learned here: work with purpose, stay locked in, and do it for your teammates because it means that much more.
Yesterday was something else. Players spent HOURS getting water off the field just to play. A guy who hasn't been playing a ton makes a top 10 catch to save the game then a pinch hit walk-off HR. A special group of guys.
Nothing like a walk-off HR in Chester!
Trailing, 7-3, the
@WidenerBaseball
team scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh, with Andrew Yates capping it with a two-run blast to right-center field to win the first game of its doubleheader 8-7!
#GoWidener
#PlayWithPride
A lot of excuses could have been made. It was not easy learning from a computer screen but yet they lived up to the standard in the classroom. Proud of these guys!
10 straight years with a team GPA over a 3.0 👋
28 players with a 3.0 or higher🦁
In-Person, Zoom, Lab, No-Lab... don't matter these guys just get it done.
Great start to the weekend with our first 2022 commit. This two-way is coming from the always talented
@LHSVarBBALL
and
@PA_Shockers
programs! Who is next?
Great start to the week with our third commit! This time a strong power-hitting corner from the always talented
@NeshaminyBB
and D1 Colts Program.
#Whoisnext
July is almost over. Uncommitted guys start to narrow your focus and identify which schools are interested and which schools are not. August is a great time to sign up for Prospect camps to get in front of the coaches you want to play for. Here is ours:
The sooner you realize that pressure is self-created the sooner you can overcome it. The game is consistently the same. The only variable is your thoughts about that game or moment. Find comfort in knowing the game stays the same.
Congrats
@g_elf27
on the accomplishment. Greg has come a long way throughout his 4 years. Wasn't always easy but he pushed through. It is clear that winning and this program means the world to him. Here is to 100 more!
Over the weekend a milestone was met.
@g_elf27
reached 100 career hits. Greg has grown into a leader and cares more about the success of this team than his own. A one hop off the 400 sign is a heck of a way to get it. Congratulations.
October is quickly approaching and couldn't be more excited:
October 5th: Mid-Atlantic Scout Day for
@liam_nihill
🔥
October 12: First Day of Fall Practice
October 16th: Homecoming
October 30th: Game Day vs
@FalconsBase
The work you put in over winter break is the true indicator of the player you want to become for the Spring. No peer accountability just you and time. You decide how to use it
Extremely proud of these 4 guys. They worked their tails off to prepare for this whacky season. What I think people need to realize, SO last played a full season as seniors in HS, true freshman last played as Juniors and they had to jump right into conference play. Hats off boys!
For those wondering: they are 45-pound water bags. Our goal is a strong front side. Stabilize through the swing. If you don't have a strong front side the weight of the water moving will swing you.
Big thank you to recent alum
@joeyzettlemoyer
for stopping by yesterday to talk about his career. He shared the ups and the downs and reminded us all of the importance of not taking anything for granted. JZ see you at the field soon!
Fantastic response this semester. We needed to get back to our standard and that is what we did! Looking forward to continued success in the classroom in 2023!
Great interview! Great opportunity to hear from a young coach with experience beyond his years.
@WidenerBaseball
is in great hands thanks to assistant coaches like
@CoachClement_
College athletics is 8 total semesters for most. 4 semesters to prepare for the season and 4 semesters to perform. Time is not on your side. Make the most of it
Morning after a tough end to the season our catchers made it out to support a local legion program. Wins and losses are cool but giving back is what it's all about. Thank you gentlemen!
@AustinMorgan_12
@WidenerBaseball
When looking at a school you need to see it as an investment. Why choose Widener and
@WidenerBaseball
? Because there is a very high chance you will be employed when you graduate. And you will be making money!
Skill and performance get you attention. Maturity, direction, communication gets you to the program you want to be in. It is a two-way street. Have a plan, know what you want, and don't back down from that. The right place is out there for you.
Could not have asked for a better weekend. Started with homecoming with our tremendous alumni supporting our current squad and ended with our 2nd scrimmage of the Fall. Something special about this program!
The guys are putting in the work, sacrificing their "normal" College experience for an opportunity that only lasts for a short period of time. Thank you to the University, the Athletic department for also sacrificing so much! We cannot wait to take the field.
#RollPride
The goal in the recruiting process should be fit. Academics, athletics, social, financials. These things should drive the decison. Simply making it based on division level leads to high transfer rates. Educate players on fit not level.
Hey
@MikeElf_6
remember when the bases were loaded and you were on deck and the ball got away from the catcher and you decided you wanted to be a nice young man and pick it up and hand it to him? I'd love to hear some other good
@WidenerBaseball
stories
The story began a few months back in the Fall. Continued through the good and the bad days. Now today starts a new chapter. Opening Day. Can't wait to watch these guys compete as a team today.
#RollPride
#GoWidener
It amazes me that coaches were able to recruit without a GPS on their phones. Just driving around with a paper map asking the local gas station where field 4 is.. remarkable. Scares me to think in 20 years what the younger generation will say about recruiting then!
RECAP: Back-to-back road wins for the Ducks over the
@BlueCrabs
clinches the 2021 North Division championship for the Flock!
@Shawesome24
's solo homer in the sixth inning was the difference in Long Island's 5-4 Game Three victory!
📰:
🗣”I’m not stupid...I’m not gonna play a D3 school when I know they can beat us. It’s as simple as that, there’s too much downside there ... There’s all different levels of D1 ... We’re all not vying to go to Omaha.” -Jim Penders HC
@UConnBSB
- Quote in clip ... Take a listen!👇
3- 1st Team
2- 2nd Team
2- Honorable Mention
1-Player of the year.
I had the best seat in the house all year. These guys were so impressive. Proud of them and looking forward to seeing how they respond next year!
7️⃣ All-
@gomacsports
selections for
@WidenerBaseball
Congrats to Anthony Boccio, Justin Costanzo, + Bryce Fremgen on being named to the 1st Team; Kyle Brex and Matt Samson on being selected to the 2nd Team + Nick Barenz and Kyle Laing being named HM!
#GoWidener
#PlayWithPride
The current situation we are in is a perfect time to really practice staying in the moment and controlling what you can control. Worrying about decisions you can't make will bring you down. Stay positive and carry on.
Resiliency. Matty was one of the best players in the conference his freshman year. Struggled to regain that form until now. Never once did he give up just put his head down and worked. Happy for you Matty! Keep it going.
Everyone falls in this bell curve. Those being recruited are closer to the 13.5% than they are the 34%. Once you are on campus, you are in a new bell curve of the 13.5%ers. Many fall back towards the mean. You want to be recruited & play in college? Be an outlier!