ALL STAR BASEBALL ACADEMY TIP OF THE WEEK

This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Tip of the Week comes from Edwin Cieslak, an instructor at ASBA’s West Chester facility. Edwin played collegiately for Wilmington University, and gives lessons on hitting and catching. Ed’s tip for this week is on the importance of having a good long-tossing program.

Ed says that “Long tossing strengthens the smaller muscles in the shoulder, which in turn will help develop a stronger arm.”

Long tossing is started by a normal pregame throwing routine where you and your throwing partner will gradually move back stretching your arms out. As you start to move further and further apart, make sure you throw the ball properly (removing the ball from your glove, dropping your arm down past your hip, reaching back as far as you can, and releasing the ball at a point where the ball is thrown with no more than 35 feet of space between the ball and the ground) until you have reached your maximum long toss distance. Your maximum distance is achieved when you can’t reach your partner with more than one long hop. At this point, you and your partner should work closer together, throwing the ball head level to your partner. This process should be repeated 2 to 3 times per week during the off season, and before every game or every third day during the season. Here is an example of a typical long toss program:

45-60 Feet Throwing for 5 minutes

80-90 Feet Throwing for 5 minutes

110-120 Feet Throwing for 3 minutes

140-150 Feet Throwing for 2 minutes

Get as many throws in as possible during your time frame.

Stay tuned for our next Tip of the Week. If you have any questions about pitching or want to schedule lessons, please contact your local ASBA facility.

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INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: Ben White

Featured in this week’s All Star Baseball Academy Instructor Spotlight is Ben White. Ben is an instructor at ASBA’s West Chester Facility. Ben specializes in pitching lessons, and has been working at ASBA since October of 2011.

Ben, a local product, played high school ball at Coatesville High School. In high school, Ben received several honors as a starting pitcher, including being selected to the All-Ches-Mont, All-Area and All-Southeastern PA Teams. In high school, Ben had the opportunity to play in the Keystone State Games in 2005, where he won a Gold medal. After graduating from high school in 2007, Ben went on to play collegiately at Temple University, where he was eventually an All-Big 5 selection. After graduating from Temple in 2011, Ben signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent, and is still with the organization. He played for the Blue Jays’ Short Season A team in Vancouver and will be placed on a team when he reports for Spring Training.

When asked about giving lessons, Ben said that he enjoys the opportunity to pass on the knowledge he gained from his coaches.

“Nothing is better than helping players improve their skills and achieve their goals, just like my coaches did for me.”

To schedule lessons with Ben, please call our West Chester facility at 610-399-8050.

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ALL STAR BASEBALL ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Evan Longino

This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Player of the Week Award goes to Evan Longino. Evan is a first baseman and pitcher for ASBA Warminster’s 13U Team. Evan is in 7th grade at Germantown Academy, and hopes to make the school team in the Spring. Evan is coached by John Bellis.

Evan did very well at the plate for the weekend of the 19th and 20th, but his biggest accomplishment came with one swing of the bat. Evan hit a towering home run that traveled an estimated 350 feet.

Coach Bellis was in awe of Longino’s shot, saying “It was the farthest I’ve seen a ball hit by a kid his age.”

Coach Bellis also added, “The main thing I’m looking forward to seeing is how his swing develops. He’s already a big, strong kid for his age, and once he gets his swing down, it’s going to be fun to watch him play. I’m excited.”
Mrs. Longino was thrilled to hear of Evan’s selection as Player of the week, and has enjoyed her son’s experience with All Star.

“It’s been a very positive experience. He’s learned a lot of the fundamentals from Coach Bellis. Coach Bellis has done a wonderful job of making sure the kids learn those fundamentals. Evan has been challenged in a good way and has had fun with the team. Overall, it’s been a very positive and rewarding experience.”

For the season, Evan said, “It was a great experience, I got to make new friends, and I learned a lot about the fundamentals of the game. Coach Bellis was a great coach. He gave me confidence and helped me learn to be aggressive at the plate. He really helped me make the transition to the big field.”

Evan and his teammates are done playing for the year. Be sure to keep an eye out for them in the Spring!

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INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: Marc Brown

Featured in this week’s All Star Baseball Academy Instructor Spotlight is Marc Brown. Marc is an instructor at ASBA Downingtown, and gives lessons in all aspects of the game. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar. Marc has been with ASBA since August 2011.

Marc attended Conestoga Valley High School, where he was a 4-year starter for the Varsity team. While there, he received a number of honors, including Lancaster-Lebanon League Pitcher of the Year in 2003 and Lancaster-Lebanon League Offensive Player of the Year in 2004. Along with these awards, Marc was named to the All-League and All-Section 1st Team’s in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He was a team captain in 2003 and 2004, and was named the Keystone State Games MVP in 2003, where his team won the Keystone State Games Championship.

After high school, Marc attended Coastal Carolina for a year, after which he transferred to Stony Brook University of the America East Conference. At Stony Brook, Marc had a very successful playing career. He is currently 5th on the all-time appearances list, and was a member of the school’s 2008 Conference Championship team, which made it to the NCAA Regional’s that year. In 2009, he was named a team captain, and his best performance came against Fordham University, where he racked up 10 strikeouts in 5 innings. He also received an Academic-Athletic Award, which is given to 4-year starters who maintain a GPA over 3.0. Marc was a double-major in Biology and Health Science. After college, Marc played for the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League in 2011.

On top of giving lessons, Marc coached Downingtown’s 14U Middle School Team. When asked about giving lessons and coaching, Marc said “The most enjoyable part about giving baseball instruction is seeing/hearing the player(s) not only grasp the concepts but consistently utilize them. They quickly understand that what is being taught is tremendously practical in their everyday game.”

To schedule lessons with Marc, please call ASBA Downingtown at 610-518-7400.

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ALL STAR BASEBALL ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Shawn Moffitt

This week’s All Star Baseball Academy Player of the Week Award goes to Shawn Moffitt of the ASBA Prospect Team. Shawn is a senior at Downingtown East, and is currently coached by Steve Van Note. Shawn is an outfielder for Downingtown East High School.

On Saturday, November 5th, Shawn’s team played ASBA Broomall’s 18U Team for a variety of college coaches. Coaches were invited based on player interest. At the plate, Shawn was 3 for 5 with 2 singles and a triple and 2 runs batted in.

“I was very pleased with the opportunities that Shawn got with this team,” Shawn’s dad said. “I think the main benefit for him was the chance to play against a high level of talent around the country, and he was able to gauge where he’s at for playing at the next level. Steve was always willing to do extra work with him outside of practice, and he was very accommodating. He went the extra mile with the little things for Shawn, and overall it was a great experience for him.”

“Shawn played very well over the weekend and has played very consistent all summer and fall,” Coach Van Note said. “Shawn takes pride in each at bat. You will never see him give up an at bat. Some players like to swing for the fences or give in easily with 2 strikes, but Shawn battles every time he’s at the plate. He swung the bat for power this weekend, as well as clutch hitting with guys on base. To go along with his bat, Shawn also has a very strong arm which makes him a solid, all around outfielder.”

Shawn enjoyed the opportunity to play in front of college coaches, saying “The overall experience was great and every player got a good look from college coaches.”

Shawn is done playing for the fall, but be sure to keep an eye out for him in the spring.

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