9er 2024 Spring / Summer Travel Program

9er BULLDOGS BASEBALL

The 9er baseball organization is committed to developing talented baseball players that are fundamentally sound and play the game the right way. We work with each individual player to help them maximize their specific skill set and abilities to become the best player they are capable of being. We believe baseball should be practiced and played in a positive environment, and that philosophy transcends the program.

A core prerequisite to the 9er baseball program is our players are taught by top tier coaches who are passionate about the game and instill that in their players. We are dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of the game of baseball and developing our players baseball IQ so they are prepared to excel as they progress in their baseball careers. We go beyond the scope of baseball specific training by incorporating strength, speed and flexibility conditioning, as well as integrating mindfulness and visualization learning into our program. We believe in enhancing a player’s baseball skills as well as keeping them strong and healthy throughout the entire year.

Team Programs:

Across the age groups our teams will play both in a local travel league (ex. GHVBL) and participate in local, regional and national tournaments.

9er Baseball founder and co-owner, Ted Lawrence, has been teaching and coaching baseball under the 9er name since the mid 1990’s. He brings a unique perspective with 30 years of teaching experience as a physical educator with a Masters Degree. He had taught at an elite private school for 25 of those years where he was also an academic advisor. During his 17 years as a HS varsity baseball coach his teams have amassed over 200 wins and numerous championships. Ted is currently the head varsity baseball coach at John Jay Cross River High School. Ted along with co-owner and college teammate Joe Kesselmark (played 5yrs of professional baseball reaching the AAA level, drafted in the 8th round by the LA Dodgers, currently a Division II college baseball coach at Pace University) are passionate about teaching the game of baseball to players that are determined to learn, work hard and improve. Ted and Joe share the same philosophies as to how baseball should be taught and played. Our program fosters constant striving for improvement and a growth of self-confidence and self-esteem. We believe these characteristics position our players for success on the field but more importantly for success in life.

Gwen Lawrence, Ted’s wife, is the founder of Power Yoga for Sports and is at the forefront of her field. She has taught her program which includes mindfulness and visualization learning to members of the NY Yankees, NY Mets, NY Giants, NY Knicks, NY Rangers, NY Red Bulls, and countless other professional athletes. Gwen has crafted a program for all of our age groups which we believe is another of many differentiators of the 9er Baseball Program.

2024 Spring/Summer Specifics (Including Winter Workouts):

The winter ahead will incorporate weight training and speed work as well as baseball functional movements and skills. We have various trained coaches who will all be involved with doing yoga for baseball and the mindfulness (including goal setting) program. We will also get into nutrition, sleep patterns, recovery time and visualization.

9er recommends that all players shut down their baseball skills practice for November. The body needs recovery time to heal and grow stronger especially in a sport that is player one side dominant. Know that over time if a player remains playing a sport year round that they are one side dominant on, the over development of that dominant side creates a muscular imbalance which often leads to injury and poorer performance. Our strength and yoga programs help keep our athletes body symmetrical, safe, and able to compete longer at a higher performance level. Other sports and training that involve the entire use of the body equally are encouraged, i.e. swimming, weight training, yoga, basketball, during the time of the baseball skills shutdown. Refresh, Rejuvenate, Recover !!!

Winter Training:

Starts the beginning of December and takes us through to the spring season. Our winter training will take place at Carmel Sports Club.

All ages, by teams, will start in December (2 times per week) with strength, speed, agility, and flexibility training ONLY.

Baseball skills training (and continued fitness training) starts in January and finishes towards the middle of March. Also 2 times per week per team.

Spring Season:

April to June will be the spring season for teams 10u to 13u, and possibly 14u. (14u to 18u players will be playing for their HS teams).

The spring season will include league play and 1-2 local tournaments (if teams are ready from a development point of view) as well as 1 practice per week. (Additional practices if required will be the decision of the head coach).

Summer Season:

June to early August for all ages (10u-18u).

Baseball activity 3-5 days per week.

League games during the weeknights and weekends.

1+ practices per week when schedule permits.

10u-13u will participate in 2 tournaments (if teams are ready for them from a development point of view).

14u-18u will participate in 4-5 tournaments and/or college showcase events.

Other Winter/Spring/Summer Travel Program Specifics:

October Tryouts – See dates below

Rosters will be announced shortly after the last tryout date.

Rosters limited to 13-14 players unless, due to special circumstances, it is necessary to carry 1-2 part time players or pitcher only players.

For the spring season, and possibly during the summer, we will have opportunities for all of our players to work on baseball skills and fitness with our organizational clinics.

Players will purchase their uniform and core practice/game gear through our online store. Additional 9er spirit gear is also available.

Players Code of Conduct, Parents Code of Conduct, & Commitment Level are required to be agreed upon before admittance into the 9er organization.

NO other organization in this area provides its players with the amount of diverse training, experienced coaches, and opportunities than 9er Baseball. Our commitment to your sons goals is unmatched. We pride ourselves in developing the best baseball player your son wants to be and we want to make your sons respectful, grateful, intelligent, hardworking, committed young men.

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Tryouts for 2024 Spring/Summer 10u-18u Teams

Note: Winter workouts are a part of our spring/summer team programs

Field Addresses for our Sessions:

Leonard Park/Mt. Kisco, 1 Wallace Drive, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549

Volunteer/Zimmer Field, 67 Zimmer Rd, Brewster, NY 10509

Tryout Days / Age Groups / Times / Locations:

10-18 Year Old Tryouts – Session III

Friday, October 13th – 5:30pm-7:00pm (At Volunteer/Zimmer Field in Brewster, NY)

10-18 Year Old Tryouts – Session IV

Sunday, October 15th – 9:00am-10:30am (At Leonard Park in Mt. Kisco, NY)

10-18 Year Old Tryouts – Session V

Friday, October 20th – 5:15pm-6:45pm (At Volunteer/Zimmer Field in Brewster, NY)

10-18 Year Old Tryouts – Session VI

Sunday, October 22nd – 9:00am-10:30am (At Leonard Park in Mt. Kisco, NY)

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All players must show up at the start time for each session

Players only need to attend one tryout session

Tryout fee – $25

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For travel team tryouts, register under the “Programs” then “Register for Travel Team Tryouts / Camps / Classes / Panel Discussions” tab or by clicking on our “Register and Login” tab, and then go to your “Schedule” option.

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