15U Ruffnecks 2022

15U Ruffnecks Face Challenging Schedule in 2022

TEAM ROSTER | TEAM SCHEDULE

Coach Kevin Graber 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 to 50% of the 15U Ruffnecks enter the summer with varsity high school experience from their spring seasons.  Those expectations remain consistent for the summer of 2022.  The 15U season is devoted to playing against 16, 17, and even 18 year old competition. For players with sub-varsity experience it takes a little longer to adjust to the speed of Ruffnecks summer baseball.  Fortunately, we have focused and committed players, regardless of the experience they have during the spring.

Pre-Season and Scout Day

The schedule begins in mid-June.  In 2022 the program continues its successful “Pre-Season” training with every day workouts that begin on Monday, June 6th at the NEBC.  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. Workouts include batting practice, skill work, and pitcher side sessions with pitching coordinator Ace Adams.  SCOUT DAY is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14 at the NEBC.  This is the first opportunity for most players on the 15U roster to experience evaluation from Professional Scouts and college recruiters in a true, Scout Day format.  It is far more comprehensive than a typical showcase.  Position players take full rounds of BP.  A Red vs. Blue Game enables players to play in combined rosters with Ruffnecks of all ages and classes.

2022 Schedule Update

The 15U team plays its only 15U event in mid-June at the NEBC.  Due to the late release date of public school schedules we will not attend the 16U Music City Classic in Nashville, TN.  Instead, the 15’s will compete in the 16U Perfect Game WWBA New England Chamionships at the NEBC.  The Ruffnecks stay at home to compete in several local events, including the 16U Boston Open.  On July 15th the Ruffnecks travel to Marietta, Georgia to compete in the 16U Perfect Game WWBA National Championships.  This event presents a challenge on a national stage.  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.  In place of the Music City Classic, the 15U team will join the 16’s and 17’s at the Tournament of Champions in Cincinnati, Ohio August 3-7.  This is a highly competitive event.  It will bring all three of the Ruffnecks “recruitable” classes to one location for the final tournament of the 2022 summer season.

The 2022 edition of the 15U Ruffnecks features several additions.  The 15U year is when rosters expand to meet the challenges of “every day baseball.”  Roles become more defined, with pitchers focusing on pitching and positional players (especially infielders) concentrating on the faster tempo 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. The new Ruffnecks Hitting Facility will be a centerpiece for regular team and individual practice sessions.  Coaches will incorporate BP at the Facility on game days when the team plays locally.   The “Facility” creates a clubhouse culture and environment for Ruffnecks to hit and throw with greater access and flexibility.