17U Ruffnecks Outlook

TEAM ROSTER | TEAM SCHEDULE

The 17U season is considered the Ruffnecks “Senior” year.  The 17U roster is comprised largely of rising seniors, as defined for the summer of 2022, as players in the HS graduation class of 2023.  The “Senior” roster features and experienced pitching staff with 4 hurlers returning from this past summer.  The staff is led by Notre Dame commit Hagan Ward, Cornell University commit, Huxley Holcombe, and along with returning pitchers Eli Robbins, Gabe Fitzgerald, and Dagen Darnell.

For most players, the Ruffnecks  17U season culminates with a college destination prior to entering the senior year of high school.  Some pursue a post-graduate year at prep schools.  This year is no different as the 17U roster is populated by several 2022’s who plan to attend prep school.  The “Seniors” roster is traditionally a large one.  It is comprised of approximately 13-14 positional players for whom we allocate at-bats.  The remainder of the roster features pitchers who focus their summer efforts entirely as pitchers.  It is not unusual to have a pitching staff of 11 to 12 arms.  All get plenty of work.

The coaching staff works and manages the schedule (particularly the pitching schedule) with a professional approach.  There are up to four full-time coaches who work with the 17U roster.  Among them is a dedicated, professional, pitching coach in Ace Adams who also serves in the role of Pitching Coordinator for the entire program.  He is accompanied by a staff that includes former professional scout, John Brickley.  The 17U squad is managed by John Toffey and assisted by Brendan Casey.  Other staff roam in and out for instructive purposes.  The 17U team, more than any other in the Ruffnecks program, is collegiate in its approach and execution.  Stamina and focus are in high demand.

Schedule Released: Pre-Season & 2022 Scout Day

The 17U schedule begins in mid-June.  The program commences “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 Tuesday, June 14.  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 17U Ruffnecks plan travel to several highly competitive events outside our region again in 2022.  The travel season starts with attendance at the Super17 at Diamond Nation in New Jersey June 20-24.  The 17’s also plan to return to Arizona to compete in the Perfect Game 17U World Series.  They finish the season at the Tournament of Champions in Cincinnati, Ohio August 2-7.

Off Season Work & Preparation for 2022

The 17U Ruffnecks plan to make good use of the new indoor hitting Facility.  The “Facility” creates a clubhouse culture and environment for Ruffnecks to hit and train with greater access and flexibility.

Page Updated May 3, 2022 at 12:56 pm
2022 Season schedule is updated.  Summer practice times and hitting times may change.
17U Ruffnecks will attend all of Super 17 in New Jersey June 20-23

17U Ruffnecks Schedule 2022