Baseball Hawks swing for the fences with elite approach

by John Cudmore Newmarket Era

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The Newmarket Baseball Association (NBA) is upping its game.

It doesn’t really have a choice.

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The organization is beefing up its rep program for 2019 to provide an alternative to private programs that have proliferated on the youth baseball scene over the years. 

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The intention is to go from two current elite level teams to four for next season and provide a clear pathway for players from 14 years of age to the junior level.

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It is part of the Elite Baseball League of Ontario mandate to provide a quality baseball experience to players to combat private programs and keep players playing at home. To not adhere would be to lose its best players to other centres.

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At present, Newmarket fields a 15-and-under and a 16-and-under team in EBLO which was founded in 2015 with four Baseball Ontario affiliate associations fielding programs at the 18U level. Newmarket, an original member, failed to field its 18U team this season after three seasons of operation. That makes it more one-off than defined program.

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One of the key reasons for that decision is the migration of players to private programs and centres with competitive teams in the EBLO. Would those players leave if a viable option had been in place?

Chicken-versus-egg argument

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However, when those things happen a look inward is required.

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The aim is to offer players from Newmarket and area development, competitive and showcase opportunities through a structured and collaborative organization.

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Rather than stare down the upper echelon of the top private programs, including the Ontario Blue Jays and Toronto Mets which are securely entrenched, the initiative will focus on players targeted by secondary level programs and other existing EBLO programs.

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It is estimated that at least 20 eligible Newmarket players play for other programs this season.

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Rob Hums, an assistant coach for the 16U Elite Hawks, is hopeful top players will give the hometown program consideration.

“We want to give Newmarket kids a truly viable option to stay home to play high-level baseball their entire careers,” said Hums, the Hawks’ elite program general manager. “We’re not trying to poach players but this is for kids that want to take a step up.”

The concept received approval from the NBA earlier this month. Open tryouts are expected to start in mid-July.

The concept means costs will increase within those teams but the organization would also provide enhanced programming, including a spring training trip to Florida and access to college recruiting services. 

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“If we don’t participate in the time frame (set out by the EBLO) we will be left behind,” he said. “It’s the beginning of the end for your program if you start losing your top players.

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“We would argue if the best kids stay in Newmarket we’ll be fine. But (we) also want to recognize kids in other communities that want an option of their own.”

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Not every player aspires for an NCAA scholarship or career in the pros. However, Hums believes families and players place premium value on service and opportunities in a quality program. With a strong structure and collaboration within its own house, he argues there is no reason NBA cannot retain players.

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“When you look at this vision, maybe in five years we’ll see more Newmarket kids staying home and getting a quality program whether it's playing (local) high-level ball with their friends or (preparing to play in) college,” he said. “We want people to know not only are we open for business but that there is more collaboration between our teams and bringing in quality people. I’m confident we’ll come up with a good plan. We want to mimic what the top programs do and recognize a certain price point (limit).”

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The elite program is developing a website to complement the NBA website at newmarketbaseball.com.