13U Ruffnecks Learn During First Season
TEAM ROSTER | TEAM SCHEDULE
Each year a new class of 13u Ruffnecks assembles and prepares for the first step in the journey of a New England Ruffnecks player. As usual, our roster hails from a range of towns. As we enter our 22nd year, the Ruffnecks program continues to consider what approach to take with 13 year-olds as they navigate and learn on the big diamond. We do some events other programs do, and we decline to do others. For instance, we do NOT play in a spring league. We have found that there is plenty to teach without week-to-week league constraints. We have found that League play at 13u, especially during the spring, is inconsistent and distracts from our mission of development. We divide the 13u year into a “tale of two seasons.” The spring is at a time when weather conditions, experience, and new concepts require a focus on measured, yet competitive, opportunities to practice and play. Our March, April, and early May schedule features a combination of weekend doubleheaders and single 9 inning games. There are opportunities for our 13u players to join in combined rosters with the 14u players to play against prep JV squads. Once Memorial Day Weekend arrives, we shift to a tournament focus for the remainder of the summer. We prepare our 13u players with off season work that begins in November with team hitting sessions (weekends only). 13u players are taught hitting routines that they can use on their own, with teammates, and with older players from within the program. Unrestricted access to “The Facility” provides virtually unlimited use of batting tunnels in a clubhouse atmosphere at no additional expense to players or families. Players hit on their own and bond together in a culture that is energizing and beneficial to their development.
Roster Composition & Selection
Our 13u team is comprised of solid, committed, players. This does not mean that we select the most “talented” players. We look for committed players and Baseball IQ. We find success in attracting players who know about us, seek the Ruffnecks, and are willing to let the process play itself out. We do not conduct tryouts or personal evaluations, though we use Fall Baseball as an opportunity to experience how we teach and to experience our staff. We will meet with families and players who are interested in the Ruffnecks program prior to Fall Baseball to answer questions and to see how things work in our systematic and programmatic approach to Club Baseball. Occasional “Open House” events help provide information to prospective families. We attract players who want to be here. We assemble our new 13u class slowly and deliberately. Our goal is to serve young Ruffnecks who aspire to reach the high school level successfully. Beyond that, collegiate careers beckon for those who make the appropriate commitment. Practices play an important role in the 13U year. We encourage players to be multi-sport athletes, and during the winter months we expect players to honor their commitments to their “in season” sports and teams.
The 13U Ruffnecks 2024 roster remains posted. The roster is populated by players from a wide range of communities. The Ruffnecks are NOT a “local” team. The 2024 roster featured players from 7 different communities throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We keep room on the roster to consider late additions. More detailed information and our perspective are provided on this website on the tab titled “Selection Process.”
2024 Schedule & Time Commitment
Following the completion of Fall Baseball, the 13u “Off Season” officially begins in November. From November to March we conduct NO Mid-Week team activity. Again, The Facility is always open for players to work on their own (and they do!). Team hitting sessions during the November to early March period are defined by station work and classroom work at the Facility. These sessions are conducted exclusively on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). None are mandatory. We understand conflicts. Once March begins, we consider ourselves “in-season,” with outdoor practices (usually Thursday nights) and team hitting sessions taking on greater importance. Indeed, we prepare for our opening games, which are usually scheduled in mid-March.
The 13U game schedule challenges players through a mixture of competitive opportunities. We do NOT play in many 13u events. We do not believe it is beneficial to play with the excessively lively metal bats sold to 13u players. We use wood or -3 BBcor bats. In terms of volume (number of games), we believe the cumulative “wear and tear” affects players at this age. It is, quite simply, not advisable to play the massive schedules many players experienced at the 12U level. Accordingly, while the schedule is built to address the capacity of what a 13U player can withstand, we design it in a responsible manner. “More” is not always more! Especially when players are vulnerable to overuse injuries. During late March through May, the schedule features weekend series and several tournaments. It also includes opportunities for 13U players to play on combined rosters (with 14U Ruffnecks) in mid-week games against high school JV and Frosh opponents. Mid-week rosters are built around availability, pitching, and positional needs. We insist on short, measured, outings for pitchers. Accordingly we do NOT often play 4 game weekends in the spring. While this may surprise some, we have found it a successful, healthy, developmental approach. Most of our tournament play is actually in 14u events. We find it more productive.
Season Highlights
The 13U Ruffnecks season traditionally opens with a 14U tournament in late March in New Jersey. We enjoy getting on the road right away. It is a great opportunity to learn about each other. By May, the team participates in some tournament play. From Memorial Day Weekend to the end of July, the 13U season shifts almost exclusively to tournament baseball. We play in many 14U events. Much of the activity is at the NEBC and in the New England region. The Ruffnecks’ founders and directors built the New England Baseball Complex, which provides a “home” of sorts for tournaments and practice (Fall Baseball). The Ruffnecks indoor “Facility” in Needham, Massachusetts provides an indoor hitting home exclusively for Ruffnecks. The 13U Ruffnecks program provides a thoughtful and purposeful approach to baseball for players this age and level of development. We are competitive, but the primary objective is experience and development.
13U Roster
#
Last Name
First Name
Positions
School
Grad Class
Hometown
12
Byrne
Thomas
OF
Parker Middle
2029
Reading, MA
10
Chakravarty
Rai
IF, OF
Roxbury Latin
2029
Weston, MA
50
Crean
Tyler
C, OF, IF
Wellesley
2029
Wellesley, MA
13
Dickie
Johnny
IF, OF
Weston
2029
Weston, MA
3
Dubuc
Nathan
C, 3B, 1B
Old Rochester
2028
Mattapoisett, MA
11
Guden
Ryan
OF, 1B
Roxbury Latin
2029
Needham, MA
8
Hamlin
James
IF, OF
Wellesley
2029
Wellesley, MA
33
Heller
Buster
OF, C
Fessenden
2029
Wellelsey, MA
31
Hirsch
Trevor
C, 1B
Weston
2029
Weston, MA
9
Kim
Caleb
OF, 1B
Catholic Memorial
2029
Chestnut Hill, MA
14
Kim
Jimmy
IF, OF
Dover-Sherborn
2029
Dover, MA
7
Malin
Jacob
IF, OF
Bird Middle
2029
Walpole, MA
2
Mock
Tyler
1B, OF
Wellesley
2029
Wellesley, MA
24
Pope
Will
IF, OF
Wellesley
2029
Wellesley, MA
Coach
Last Name
Position
Years
Eric
Chase
Mgr/Pitching
9th Year
Stephen
Zerdelian
Coach
14th Year
Schedule Updated August 27, 2024 at 9:37 am
Season is Complete. Thank You
13U Ruffnecks Schedule 2024
March | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
Saturday | March 2 | 9:00 to 10:30 | Hitting Optional | Pens with Coach Chase | Facility | ||
Sunday | March 3 | 12:30 to 2:30 | 13U/14U Practice | Practice | NEBC Field 3 | ||
Thursday | March 7 | 5:00 | 13U Practice | Team Hitting | Facility | ||
Saturday | March 9 | 12:00 to 3:00 | 13U/14U Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Sunday | March 10 | 10:00 to 1:00 (Time Change) | 13U/14U Practice | Scrimmage | Roxbury Latin | ||
Thursday | March 14 | 5:30 | 13U/14U Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Friday | March 15 | Travel Day | None | 14U Spring Invitational | Diamond Nation Flemington, NJ | Diamond Nation Link | |
Saturday | March 16 | 8:00am | Diamond Jacks 14u Gold | 14U Spring Invitational | Diamond Nation Flemington, NJ Field 1 | L 0-10 | |
Saturday | March 16 | 12:15pm | Maine Guides 14u | 14U Spring Invitational | Diamond Nation Flemington, NJ Field 1 | L 5-8 | |
Sunday | March 17 | 10:00am | Sportika 14u | 14U Spring Invitational | Diamond Nation Flemington, NJ Field 1 | L 4-12 | |
Thursday | March 21 | 5:00 | 13U/14U Practice | Practice | Facility | ||
Saturday | March 23 | 9:00 to Noon | 13UPractice | Practice | Facility | ||
Sunday | March 24 | 11:00 | US9 Prospects | 9 inning Game | Roxbury Latin | T 9-9 | |
Thursday | March 28 | 5:00 | Practice | Practice | Facility | ||
Saturday | March 30 | 2:30 | GBG Hawks | 9 inning Game | Roxbury Latin | W 10-8 | Directions to RL |
Sunday | March 31 | EASTER | EASTER | EASTER | EASTER | EASTER | |
April | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
Thursday | April 4 | 5:00 Report | Indoor Practice | Practice | Facility | ||
Saturday | April 6 | 2:00 | GBG Hawks | 9 inning Game | Xaverian Bros. Westwood, MA | L 2-12 | Xaverian Directions |
Sunday | April 7 | 10:00 | SE Elite | 9 inning Game | Roxbury Latin | L 4-5 | Directions to RL |
Wednesday | April 10 | 3:45pm | Roxbury Latin Frosh | Combined 13u/14u Roster | Roxbury Latin Varsity Field | L 4-8 | |
Thursday | April 11 | 5:30 | 13U Practice | Team Hitting | Facility | ||
Saturday | April 13 | Postponed | Eaglebrook | Combined 13u/14u Roster | Eaglebrook School Deerfield, MA | Postponed | |
Sunday | April 14 | 10:00 | US9 Prospects 14u | Game 1 | Roxbury Latin | W 7-4 | |
Sunday | April 14 | 12:30 | US9 Prospects 14u | Game 2 | Roxbury Latin | L 1-7 | |
Monday | April 15 | 2:30 | Eaglebrook | Combined 13u/14u Roster | Eaglebrook School Deerfield, MA | W 9-4 | |
Wednesday | April 17 | 3:00 | Roxbury Latin JV | Combined 13u/14u Roster | Roxbury Latin Rappaport Field | W 9-5 | |
Thursday | April 18 | 4:00 | Dexter JV | Combined 13u/14u Roster | Dexter School Brookline, MA | Rained Out | |
Saturday | April 20 | Canceled | Team Boston Braves | Canceled | 14U Spring Shootout Doyle Field, Leominster | Canceled | |
Saturday | April 20 | 6:00 | Energy Ice 14u | 14U Spring Shootout Bracket Play | Shaw Field Millbury, MA | W 14-6 | Directions to Shaw Field |
Sunday | April 21 | 2:45 | NEB NH (Gold) 14u | 14U Spring Shootout Bracket Play | Shaw Field Millbury, MA | L 6-7 | |
Sunday | April 21 | 5:00 | Show Baseball 14u | 14U Spring Shootout Bracket Play | Shaw Field Millbury, MA | W 17-1 | |
Thursday | April 25 | 5:30 Report | Practice 5:30pm to Sunset | Practice | Facility or Roxbury Latin | ||
Friday | April 26 | 3:45pm | Roxbury Latin Frosh | Combined 13u/14u Roster | Roxbury Latin Rappaort Field | L 2-12 | |
Saturday | April 27 | 9:00 | Practice | Team Hitting | Facility | ||
Sunday | April 28 | 10:00 | US9 Prospects | Game 1 | Roxbury Latin | L 3-5 | |
Sunday | April 28 | 12:30 | US9 Prospects | Game 2 | Roxbury Latin | W 10-0 | |
May | Date | Time | Opponent | Event/Round | Site | Score | Directions |
Thursday | May 2 | 5:30 | Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Saturday | May 4 | 10:00 (Time Change) | Practice | Team Hitting | Facility | ||
Sunday | May 5 | 10:00 | CT Bombers | Game 1 | Roxbury Latin | W 4-2 | |
Sunday | May 5 | 12:00 | CT Bombers | Game 2 | Roxbury Latin | W 5-0 | |
Thursday | May 9 | 5:30 | Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Friday | May 10 | 4:00 | Roxbury Latin JV | Combined Roster w/ 14u | Roxbury Latin Varsity Field | L 13-14 | |
Saturday | May 11 | 10:00 | US9 Prospects 14u | Game 1 | Chandler Field Duxbury, MA | L 8-7 | Chandler Field Directions |
Saturday | May 11 | 12:00 | US9 Prospects 14u | Game 2 | Chandler Field Duxbury, MA | W 9-7 | |
Sunday | May 12 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Monday | May 13 | 4:00 | Roxbury Latin Frosh | Combined Roster w/ 14u | Roxbury Latin Rappaport Field | W 11-5 | |
Wednesday | May 15 | 4:00 | Dexter JV | Combined Roster w/ 14U | Dexter School Brookline, MA | W 9-7 | Directions to Dexter |
Thursday | May 16 | 5:30 | Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Friday | May 17 | 5:30 | NEB Guerrero | 13U Border Battle: Bracket Play | NEBC Field 2 | L 4-6 | Tourney Schedule Link & Directions |
Saturday | May 18 | 8:00 | Antonelli Gold | 13U Border Battle: Bracket Play | Winchendon School | W 10-0 | |
Sunday | May 19 | Canceled | Team Boston Rams 14u | 14U Border Battle | Nichols College - Dudley, MA | Canceled | |
Thursday | May 23 | Canceled | Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin Unavailable | ||
Saturday | May 25 | 10:45 | Nokona Chiefs 14u | 14U Memorial Day Classic Pool Play | 14U Memorial Day Classic Univ. Of RI | L 1-9 | Firecracker Tourney Link |
Saturday | May 25 | 3:15 | CT Cadets | 14U Memorial Day Classic Pool Play | 14U Memorial Day Classic Univ. Of RI | W 15-7 | |
Sunday | May 26 | 8:30 | Middlesex Reds 14u | 14U Memorial Day Classic Pool Play | 14U Memorial Day Classic Sprague Memorial | T 5-5 | |
Sunday | May 26 | 1:00 | Ocean State Outlaws 14u | 14U Memorial Day Classic Pool Play | 14U Memorial Day Classic Sprague Memorial | L 4-5 | |
Monday | May 27 | DNQ | DNQ | Playoffs | 14U Firecracker Rhode Island | ||
Thursday | May 30 | 6:00 | Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Friday | May 31 | No Game | No Game | 14U PG Super25 | NEBC | ||
June | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
Saturday | June 1 | 3:00 | CT Grind Carolina | 14U PG Super25 Pool Play | NEBC Field 1 | L 0-9 | PG Tourney Link |
Saturday | June 1 | 7:40 | BaySox American | 14U PG Super25 Pool Play | NEBC Field 1 | L 0-3 | |
Sunday | June 2 | 12:40 | MWS Devils - Everett | 14U PG Super25 | St. Bernard's HS | L 0-11 | |
Thursday | June 6 | 5:30 | Team Hitting (Rain Plan) | Practice | Facility | ||
Friday | June 7 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Saturday | June 8 | 10:00 | US9 Prospects | Single Game | Chandler Field Duxbury, MA | L 0-2 | Chandler Field Directions |
Sunday | June 9 | 2:30 (Time Change) | US9 Prospects | Single Game | Chandler Field Duxbury, MA | L 2-6 | |
Monday | June 10 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Tuesday | June 11 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Wednesday | June 12 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Thursday | June 13 | 6:00 | Practice | Team Hitting (Moved from Wed) | Facility | ||
Friday | June 14 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Saturday | June 15 | 9:30-10:00 Report. 11:00 Practice | Practice | Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Sunday | June 16 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Monday | June 17 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Tuesday | June 18 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Wednesday | June 19 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Thursday | June 20 | 6:00 | Team Hitting | Practice | Hitting Facility | ||
Friday | June 21 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Saturday | June 22 | 9:00 | Bases Loaded Bulldogs 14u | 14U Lighthouse Classic Pool Play | Deering Oaks Park | Rained Out | Lighthouse Classic Tourney Link |
Saturday | June 22 | 11:15 | PEAK Grizzlies | 14U Lighthouse Classic Pool Play | Deering Oaks Park | Rained Out | |
Sunday | June 23 | 7:00pm (Time Change0 | Cape Cod Chaos | 14U Lighthouse Classic Pool Play | Deering Oaks Park | Rained Out | |
Monday | June 24 | 5:30 | CT Mayhem - Black | 14U Lighthouse Classic Pool Play | Ballpark at the Beach | Event Canceled | |
Tuesday | June 25 | Must Qualify | Must Qualify | 14U Lighthouse Classic Playoffs | 14U Lighthouse Classic | Event Canceled | |
Wednesday | June 26 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Thursday | June 27 | 6:00 | Team Practice | On-Field Practice | Roxbury Latin | ||
Friday | June 28 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Saturday | June 29 | 11:15 | Dirt Dawgs Select | 14u Firecracker July 4th Pool Play | Slater Park - McConnon Field | W 7-6 | Firecracker Tourney Link |
Saturday | June 29 | 1:30 | CT Capitals Blue 14u | 14u Firecracker July 4th Pool Play | Slater Park - McConnon Field | L 1-7 | |
Sunday | June 30 | 9:00 | Bases Loaded Bulldogs 14u | 14u Firecracker July 4th Pool Play | Slater Park - McConnon Field | L 5-6 | |
July | Date | Time | Opponent | Event | Site | Score | Directions |
Monday | July 1 | 2:00 (Time Change) | East Coast Eagles 14u Blue | 14u Firecracker July 4th Pool Play | Slater Park - McConnon Field | L 3-7 | |
Tuesday | July 2 | TBD | TBD | Playoffs | 14U Firecracker 4th of July Classic, RI | ||
Wednesday | July 3 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Thursday | July 4 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Friday | July 5 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Saturday | July 6 | 9:00 | US9 Prospects | Single Game | Roxbury Latin | L 1-3 | |
Sunday | July 7 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Monday | July 8 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ||
Tuesday | July 9 | Travel Day | See Trip Itinerary | 14U CABA World Series | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | ||
Wednesday | July 10 | 2:30 | Cincy Flames Black | 14U CABA WS Pool Play | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | W 8-6 | 14U CABA WS Link |
Thursday | July 11 | 10:00 | Terriers Baseball | 14U CABA WS Pool Play | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | W 7-2 | |
Thursday | July 11 | 4:45 | Landsharks Black | 14U CABA WS Pool Play | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | W 5-2 | |
Friday | July 12 | 8:00 | Michigan Bulls | 14U CABA WS Pool Play | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | L 6-10 | |
Saturday | July 13 | 10:00 | Landsharks Black | 14U CABA WS Playoffs | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | W 2-0 | |
Saturday | July 13 | 4:45 | Ohio Heat | 14U CABA WS Semi Finals | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | L 1-13 | |
Sunday | July 14 | TBD | TBD | Championship | 14U CABA WS Cincinnati, OH | ||
End of Season | End of Season | End of Season | End of Season |