Create your own site

Newspaper Articles

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Green Hornets Launch Baseball, Softball Seasons with Opening Day Parade

April 9, 2009
 
By CHRIS TROXELL, For The Capital
 Assistant coaches Dave Ward, at left, and Brian McCormick, center back, stand with their Green Hornets Rookie-7 Royals baseball team during opening day at Kinder Farm Park. Each player rounded the bases when his name was announced.
 

Led by the Annapolis High School Junior ROTC Navy Color Guard, 75 teams in colorful uniforms marched through the park, where they were welcomed by Louie the Bowie Baysox mascot before taking to the fields in front of thousands of cheering fans.

Prior to announcing the players' names, members of the Naval Academy Glee Club sang the National Anthem followed by a few words from guest speaker County Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-Severna Park.
"We started this festival three years ago and the purpose of the parade is to create a memory for the kids," said Todd Frady, commissioner of Green Hornets Baseball. "We do that by having thousands of people - parents, coaches and sponsors - cheering for them."

This year, Green Hornets Baseball has a record number of registrations with about 800 players.

Frady gave recognition to Steve Monseu, director of fields and equipment. "He's worked really hard to improve our baseball facilities," he said.
Other volunteers helped with various fund raising activities at the festival including a summer camp raffle, and merchandise booths for retail of Under Armour apparel and Baltimore Orioles tickets.
"We sell spirit wear and other items to help offset the costs for equipment, field maintenance, and coaching clinics," said Sandy Savani, opening day chairwoman who organized the event.
In addition to fundraising, Green Hornets sponsors Athletic Performance Inc. and Frozen Ropes attended. Also, games were set up for the kids including a moon bounce. Team pictures were taken and then teams scattered to fields in Severna Park and Millersville for first pitch to start the official season.
"Our mission is to teach life skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and baseball while having fun," said Ron Schuh, assistant commissioner for Green Hornets Baseball.

The Green Hornets will also hold its 3rd annual Bull and Oyster Roast May 16 at the Earleigh Heights Fire House. Funds generated by the Bull Roast are used for player equipment, field improvements, uniforms and instructional clinics for both the players and coaches.

The Baltimore Orioles will host Green Hornets baseball teams at Camden Yards on April 24 (Fireworks Night) and May 30 to raise funds for the Hornets and build team spirit among players and families.
With each ticket sold, the Hornets U12 tournament team will raise money for equipment, uniforms, and tournament fees while Green Hornets Baseball will receive a portion for equipment, fields, and more.

E-mail ticket requests to carol_avery@comcast.net no later than 14 days prior to the date of the game(s).

County Rec Leagues Start New Season

April 8, 2009
By CHRIS TROXELL For The Capital
 
Arianna Teeple - For The Capital
The Yankees Little League team first baseman Cameron Jones, 11, of Severna Park, runs with the team flag across the field before the start of the parade.
 
With spring training under their belts, the county's young athletes were eager for their first regular-season games, with attentive coaches at their sides.

For the Severna Park Green Hornets baseball teams, the annual parade was held at Kinder Park, where 75 teams walked in a procession to be welcomed by Louie, the Bowie Baysox mascot, before taking to the fields.

"We started this festival three years ago, and the purpose of the parade is to create a memory for the kids," said Todd Frady, commissioner of Green Hornets baseball. "We do that by having hundreds of people - parents, coaches and sponsors - cheering for them."

The county has seen an influx of young players in all recreational sports this year, including baseball and softball, which have 100 teams and 40 teams, respectively, officials said.

"The numbers in our programs as a whole have gone up," said Franklin Chaney, recreation administrator for the county Department of Recreation and Parks. "We've increased in boys lacrosse, and we're anticipating an increase of about 30 teams in girls lacrosse.

With a limited number of fields in the area, the county has taken steps to accommodate the large number of teams by using high school fields for many organized youth sports.

"A good portion of our youth lacrosse games are going to be played on the turf fields at the high school stadiums," Chaney said.

The county has seven high schools with fully developed turf fields to make it possible, including Annapolis, Arundel, North County, Broadneck, Severna Park, Meade and Glen Burnie.

Another benefit of the high school turf fields is the county will have fewer game cancellations due to inclement weather. The turf fields include rubber pellets that have maximum grip for running, rain or shine. Also, the perfectly flat surfaces of the turf fields make for fewer injuries.

"We're not going to have many rainouts, which will enable us to stick to the tight schedule," Chaney said.

Chaney also mentioned that his department has been working with youth sports organizations throughout the county to better them overall.

In return, the county leagues have used funds raised to make numerous improvements in their programs.

The Green Hornets, for example, have put money toward coaching clinics and field maintenance.

"We're affiliated with Ripken Baseball, and we're working to get all of our coaches Ripken-certified," Frady said.

In addition, the Hornets have installed new dugouts and batting cages at Kinder Park, and purchased a tractor designed for grooming baseball diamonds.

"We have many fantastic recreation councils throughout the county, and the key to success is to work with these volunteers to make our programs run smoothly," Chaney said.

Navy Coaches Stress The Basics at Fall Clinic

November 6, 2008
By Chris Troxell
  
Green Hornets Baseball players gathered at Kinder Park on October 10 for a fall baseball instructional clinic that was led by Naval Academy baseball coaches and midshipmen.
 
The clinic was one of six Friday evening events conducted in September and October by the Green Hornets, which supports the largest youth fall baseball program in central Maryland with over 300 players divided among 23 teams from age 6 though high school.
 
Navy Lieutenant JF Jason Ronai, an assistant coach at the Academy, and several midshipmen players led the young HOrnets through a series of drills that teach kids baseball fundamentals including throwing, catching, fielding and hitting.
 
"The fall baseball program is designed for the kids to improve their basis skills while having fun," said Ron Schuh, Green Hornets Baseball assistant commissioner.
 
Fall Baseball is in its 6th season as an official Green Hornets sport. Teams play an eight game schedule in September and October in a mulitcounty league that has over 20 other youth organizations.
 
This year, the fall clinics have featured retired Orioles All-Stars Al Bumbry and Scotty McGregor and Orioles slugger Larry Sheets, Athletic Performance Inc, the BATT Academy and Frozen Ropes also worked the clinics.
 
"At all levels we must teach fair play and provide each child, regardless of ability, the opportunity to fulfill his dreams," said Baseball Commissioner Todd Frady.

Fall Baseball Friday Clinic Recap- 2009

October 31, 2008
The Capital by Jo Jones- October 30, 2008
Fall baseball clinic: The Green Hornets wrapped up their final baseball clinic of the fall season last Friday. During September and October, close to 1,000 players attended the six clinics the organization offered. That translated to 1,400 hours of instruction on basic baseball skills for the local Severna Park players. The impact of the instruction will show up with improved performance during the spring season.

Also on Friday, two lucky players were winners of the Athletic Performance Inc. raffle draw. Matthew Heuer and Mark Sanders each won 12 free, spring-training sessions at API, one of the organizations providing instruction at the clinics.

This year the fall program was fortunate to have an outstanding group of guest instructors work with the players. They included the Naval Academy coaches and midshipmen; BATT Academy; API; Frozen Ropes; the Severna Park American Legion coaches and players; retired Orioles players Al Bumbry, Scotty McGregor and Larry Sheets, along with current major league pitcher Eric Milton.

Severna Park High School pitching coach Joe Mayer and numerous high school players also assisted. Louie, the Baysox mascot, attended one clinic in September to entertain the younger players.

"We had our best fall season since the program began as an official Green Hornets fall sport," said baseball Commissioner Todd Frady. "More teams and players participated than ever before. It was exciting seeing the kids improve during the fall season and have fun in the process."

Naval Academy Baseball Coaches, Players Instruct at Clinic

October 16, 2008
By Jo Jones for The Capital
Naval Academy baseball coaches and midshipmen were guest instructors at last Friday's Instructional Clinic at Kinder Park. More than 170 players attended the three sessions at Kinder Farm Park.

The midshipmen worked with the players on fielding, hitting and throwing techniques. After each session, the midshipmen discussed their experiences at the academy and answered questions from parents and players.

Other guest instructors this fall have been retired Orioles all-stars Scotty McGregor and Al Bumbry, along with ex-major league slugger Larry Sheets. Athletic Performance, Inc., and the BATT Academy have also run stations at several clinics.

Record Crowds at Hornets' Baseball Opening Day

April 12, 2008
By Jones for The Capital
 
With a lucky break in the rainy weather last Saturday morning, the Hornets' baseball program Opening Day Parade and Ceremony went off on schedule. Several thousand fans attended the ceremony under sunny skies. "There were a record number of people attending" said Opening Day chairwoman, Lucille Listorti. This year, for the first time, girls' softball joined the parade and festivities. "Everyone really enjoyed themselves. We plan on coming back next year" said the Hornets' Softball Commissioner Bill Cunningham.

"We are really trying to make sure the kids in our program have fun in addition to playing baseball" said Assistant Commissioner Ron Schuh. "The expanded Opening Day Ceremony is part of that effort."

Saturday's activities started off with a parade of teams led by the Annapolis High School Junior ROTC color guard. After the parade, teams lined up on the Kinder Pony field for the national anthem sung by Bobby Minter.  During the ceremony, the Hornets honored long time coach and volunteer Joe Powers.  Afterwards, each league went to it's assigned field for team and player introductions.

Follow-on festivities consisted of carnival games, moon bounces and face painting for the younger children. API offered laser speed drills and vertical leap competitions while Frozen Ropes conducted pitching speed contests. Team pictures were taken throughout the day at Kinder.

The season started with the first games on Saturday afternoon.

2008 Ripken Coaches' Clinic

January 31, 2008
By Jo Jones- The Capital

Twenty-five Green Hornets' baseball coaches attended last weekend's Cal Ripken Coaches' Clinic in Burke, Va. Cal Ripken, Billy Ripken, and ex-major league pitcher John Habyan conducted the day-long clinic.

More than 500 coaches from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region attended.

"The clinic was superb," said clinic league Director Wes Adams. "I thought all three instructors really communicated well and were right on with the drills they presented and their analysis of how coaches should approach teaching their players."

Mark Muckelbauer felt Billy Ripken put on a great show. "I was very impressed with the quality of the instruction," he added.

Major areas of instruction were pitching, hitting and defensive fielding fundamentals. The Ripkens demonstrated youth-oriented drills for the coaches that have proven to be successful in teaching the basic skills that the players need on the field.

The Ripken Way was developed from the teachings of the Ripkens' father, the late Cal Ripken Sr,. and the playing experiences of both Cal Jr. and Billy.

"It focuses on four basic principles that we want to emphasize in our program," said Hornet baseball commissioner Todd Frady. "Keep it simple, explain why, celebrate the individual and, most importantly, make it fun."

"Our affiliation with Ripken will help standardize our coaching techniques for the players," said Ron Schuh. "All our coaches will eventually go through a Ripken certification process."

Attending the clinic were Wes Adams, Pete Blohm, Brian Caporlette, Mike Caruso, Art Ditzel, Brad Ehnat, B.B. Flynn, Todd Frady, Pat Green, Mark Key, Joe LaMore, Jo LaRocque, Dave Lewis, Brian McCormick, Steve Meany, Steve Monseu, Mark Muckelbauer, Mitchell Naimark, Ron Schuh, Greg Sears, Mike Shallue, Roger Simonds, Tim Stevenson, Bill Wareham and Ned Dwyer.

Starting this spring, the Hornets baseball tournament teams for ages 8-and-under through 12-and-under will be eligible to compete in the annual Ripken Tournament Trail. Depending upon the age group, the trail can lead to the Ripken World Series.

Tryouts for both the select and tournaments teams will be held around the first of March depending upon weather and field conditions.

Bumbry Helps Wrap Up Fall Clinics

November 1, 2007
By Paul Lacione- Severna Park Voice Newspaper
 
Overall, it was the most successful season since the inception of the Green Hornets Fall Baseball program in 2002. The primary purpose of the program is player development-not winning baseball games- which helps attract players from all over the county.
 
In addition to league games where scores and standings are not recorded for the purposes of focusing on fundamentals, the program recently wrapped up its sixth and final installment of the Friday Evening Instructional Clinics. Each week featured a special guest instructor who would lend his expertise. On the final week, former Orioles centerfielder, Al Bumbry, stopped by Kinder Park.
 
The 14 year big league veteran, who was named Rookie of the Year (1973) and an All-Star (1980), immediately took a group of anxious youngsters to the outfield where he showed them glove positioning and fielding techniques, before speaking about reading fly balls and getting an early jump by watching where the pitch is thrown. He then instructed the kids on charging groundballs before signing a few autographs.
 
"None of these kids ever saw Al Bumbry play, but just the thought of a former major league player wearing his Orioles hat and jersey draws them in," stated Fall Baseball Director Ron Schuh. "I can't thank all the guest instructors enough. They all did a great service for the kids."
 
Some other guest instructors included: Athletic Performance Inc, (API), Orioles All-Star pitcher Scott McGregor, Cincinnati Reds and former University of Maryland hurler Eric Milton, Severna Park High Pitching Coach Joe Mayer and several members of the SPHS baseball team. Select and Tournament team coaches who helped out were Joe Powers, Mike Shallue, Wes Adams, Steve Kowalski, Dave Lewis and Grant Millenburg.
 
At the last clinic of the season, the Fall baseball program gave away two scholarships to the US Naval Academy Spring Hitting or Pitching Development Camps and another six scholarships to the Spartans Preseason Baseball Camp. The winners of the USNA Camps were Jacob Hill and Andrew Avery; and the Spartans Camp were Tyler Sanders, Harley Millar, Nicholas Brown, Mark Newman, Sean Shallue and Jackson Paul.
 
This year the Fall Baseball program also offered its first ever parents' only clinic, which was conducted by Dr. Alan Sokoloff, one of the Ravens' team doctors. Dr. "Sok" addressed treatment of sports injuries and prevention of dehydration.
 
The season also included a Coaches Clinic directed by Naval Academy head coach, Paul Kostacopoulos, and his staff. They demonstrated teaching techniques and drills along with the best ways to structure a practice for young players.
 
"To have someone with 19 years as a Division 1 head coach work with our guys was a tremendous opportunity," said Green Hornets Baseball Commissioner Todd Frady. "What was learned will be passed on to the kids, and not only this fall, but in the upcoming spring season as well."
 
Assuming the new field lights are working next spring, the program is tentatively planning on conducting several Friday evening instructional clinics for spring players-a major emphasis will be on pitching and throwing skills.
 
For more information about Green Hornets Baseball, please contact Fall Baseball Director Ron Schuh at 410-262-2758.

Fall Baseball A Home Run

October 4, 2007
By Paul Lancione- Severna Park Voice
 
Now in its fifth year, the Green Hornets' Fall Baseball program continues to be a hit with the community's eager young players, who just can't get enough hardball. Competing in Anne Arundel County's fall instructional league, the 250+ players are getting an opportunity to improve their skill with out the pressure of winning.
 
For many of the fall baseball participants from the Green Hornets, the big draw continues to be the weekly Friday night clinics that were held at Kinder Park through the month of September. The clincs started six years ago and have been  a hit with players. Members of Severna Park's high school baseball team have helped out whenever possible as well as Cincinnati Reds and former University of Maryland pitcher, Eric Milton, along with former Orioles All-Star Scott McGregor, who is the pitching coach for the Bowie Baysox.
 
"We are fortunate to have this caliber of guests talk to the young Hornets baseball players," stated Fall Baseball Director Ron Schuh. "They did a wonderful job. We are trying to give the kids an opportunity to learn from the best. The kids kept Eric and Scotty busy with endless baseball questions."
 
To try and help develop the program even further was the addition of a coaches' clinic that took place on September 12 at Kinder Park. Roughly 30 Green Hornet volunteer coaches showed up to get such pointers as throwing progression, pitching basics, hitting faults and fundamentals and infield/outfield positioning. The instructors for this clinic were members of the United States Naval Academy staff, and they were: Head Coach Paul Kostacopoulos, Assistants Scott Friedholm and Matt Reynolds and Volunteer Assistant Jason Ronai, USNA.
 
"The coaching clinic was exceptionally well done, very professional," added Schuh.
 
The fall baseball program and its clinics continue to explode in popularity, so much so players from Broadneck and Lake Shore  have shown more and more interest. Perhaps that's due in large part to the Green Hornets being the "only organized baseball program around that offers the clinics, which simply astonishes other programs."
 
The bottom line is the maturation of the entire green Horetns Baseball Program will only make it a better feeder system supplying even more talented players to the high school. "It's a win-win situation for the community," concluded Schuh.
 
Commissioner Todd Frady and the entire Green Hornets Baseball program would like to thank all of its sponsors this season. They are as follows: Architectural Window Supply; Arnold Jiffy Lube; Athletic Performance Inc; Bay Country Painters; Bay Heating and Cooling, Ltd; Chappell Plastic Surgerty; Coastal Builders; Continental Flooring and Tile; Dick's Sporting Goods; Dr. Kendall Miller; DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen; Elevator Control Service; Executive Wireless; Gutter Helmet Systems; JNJ Improvements, Lantastic Extreme Inc; Ledo Pizza and Pasta; Pilli Custom Homes; Storage Village; The Sterling Brokerage-Chris Byrd; The Sterling Brokerage- Mike Mulvey; and Wright Orthodeontics.

"Where Nobody Loses"- Baltimore Sun

September 5, 2007
The Hornets' Fall Baseball program was featured in a major Baltimore Sun article by sports writer, Jeff Siedel. Where Nobody Loses -- Baltimoresun.com.