15U Ruffnecks

15U Ruffnecks Welcome Talented Additions in 2022

TEAM ROSTER | TEAM SCHEDULE

Coach Kevin Graber frequently says that the 15U Ruffnecks season is the year in which players jump from “Kid’s Baseball” to “Men’s Baseball.”  Historically, about one-third of the 15U Ruffnecks enter the summer with varsity high school experience garnered from the spring season.  Those expectations remain consistent for the summer of 2022.  The 15U season is an experience playing against 16, 17, and even 18 year old competition. It is a summer with a significant leap in the level of competition.  For players with sub-varsity experience it takes a little longer to adjust to the speed of Ruffnecks baseball at the 15U to 17U level.  The schedule begins in mid-June.  Since we are still affected by the impact of Covid 19 on high school schedules, the program will commence “Pre-Season” training on June 8th at the NEBC.  Daily workouts  include batting practice, skill work, and pitcher side sessions to recalibrate pitching arms for the busy summer.  The 15U team is challenged early with competition in events such as the 17U PG Super25 and the 16U PG Super25.  Indeed, most of the tournaments are against older competition.  This is in keeping with our goal to set the tempo and the pace of play at (or above) the level of high school or prep varsity baseball experience.

The 2021 edition of the 15U Ruffnecks features a group of talented players.  Roles become more defined, with pitchers focusing on pitching and positional players (especially infielders) concentrating on the faster tempo of the game against older competition.  The 15U season is highly instructive, challenging, and physically demanding.  We play almost every day in a schedule that transitions quickly from one tournament event to the next.  Seldom are there days off in between.

Pre-Season and Scout Day

15U players commence “Pre-Season” training the week of June 6th at the NEBC.  These sessions are designed to be daily workouts to include batting practice, skill work, and to recalibrate pitching arms for the busy summer.  The Pre-Season culminates with a SCOUT DAY on Thursday, June 16.  The Pre-Season workouts create an opportunity for players who have finished their spring seasons to recalibrate and get preparatory work done with instructive supervision.  The primary objective is development and preparation.  The 16U Ruffnecks will travel to several highly competitive events outside our region again in 2022.  A return to the Tournament of Champions in Cincinnati, Ohio is among the schedule plans.

Off Season Work & Preparation for 2022

The 15U Ruffnecks join the rest of the organization in celebrating the opening of a new indoor hitting facility in December 2021.  The “Facility” creates a clubhouse culture and environment for Ruffnecks to get their off-season hitting and throwing done with greater access and flexibility.