Baseball academy begins a New Era
Posted By BERND FRANKE , TRIBUNE STAFF
2010-01-20

If clothes make the man, two teams with players as young as 11 will look like major leaguers when they step on the diamond to play baseball this year.

Under 16 and under 12 squads at the Bullett Proof Baseball Academy in Welland will be outfitted "from head to toe" by New Era, the official hat supplier to Major League Baseball.

Former National Leaguer Scott Bullett, who owns the baseball development program and serves as its chief instructor, said two teams will take the field as Team New Era Welland when they compete at tournaments in the United States this summer.

"They will be playing for Welland as a Welland team," he said yesterday in unveiling the partnership with New Era Cap Canada.

Bullett, who played professionally in Mexico, Japan and Taiwan as well as with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in an 18-year career, said he is pleased to have one of the few programs recognized by New Era under the sponsorship program.

"It's great to be recognized like this, and it feels good just to get the opportunity to develop these young players," said Bullett, who for the past 15 years has taught players as old as 18 in a lineup that now features five teams.

A New Era representative said the "partnership" is well deserved and that the company was glad to include the Welland-based academy in its New Era Parks program.

"It's all about getting back to the grassroots of baseball and being associated with a top-of-the-line academy," said New Era Caps Canada marketing manager Pam Litt, who is based out of Mississauga.

Like the older teams in the Bullett Proof lineup, the under 16 and under 12 squads will play four weekend tournaments in the United States this summer. While playing winning baseball is important, the No. 1 priority is development.

"It's all about development, it's all about taking the game to the next level for these boys," said Bullett, whose program operates year-round out of an indoor facility at the Niagara Regional Exhibition grounds on Niagara St.

"The kids are being taught the proper way to play as far as hitting, fielding and pitching -the whole nine yards."
Catcher Drake Nadeau is looking forward to his third year training at the academy. A Notre Dame student who wants to attend university on a baseball scholarship, the 15-year-old said preparing to face top competition at U.S. tournaments has improved his game.

"You're pushed more and you work harder because you're going against the top teams," he said.

It also offers players north of the border a yardstick on what they need to do to improve.

"It gives you a better outlook on your future in baseball."

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Seniors are moving on to College

It is with great pride that Bullett Proof Baseball has once again placed their 2009 team's senior players with colleges in the United States. It has been the organization's goal to gain scholarships for all of their senior players.
This year follows that tradition as four of our 18u team members are moving on and fullfilling thier dreams to play baseball at the next level. We at Bullett Proof Baseball are extemely proud of these young men and know that their hard work will continue and each of them will excel at the college level.

• Matt Spillman will be attending Walsh University in Ohio this fall. Matt has been both a defensive and offensive force with the Prospects since our inception. Matt played with the 18u team since he was 15 years old and has led the team both off and on the field. A "lifer" at Bullett Proof he will be missed by the staff but we know that his college experience will be top flight. Matt is an outstanding student.
  
• Paul Somerville will be attending Niagara County Community College this fall .Paul started with our 16u team and moved up to the 18u squad for the last two years. Paul was our go to guy from the left side every weekend since his arrival at the 18u level. His domination on the mound gave the Prospects  a 'sure thing' . Paul is also a very sure handed first baseman. His dedication to his pitching has really paid off and we are certain he will do well at the college level.
  
• Josh Butler will be attending Denison University this fall. Josh came to Bullett Proof three years ago and never left the field. Josh and Matt Spillman were our mainstays up the middle. Josh can play all three infield positions equally and we have used him when a catcher emergency arose. He was at home there as well! Josh is an accomplished musician and an outstanding student. We know this well rounded gentleman will do well at university.
  
• Chris Pickles will be attending Niagara County Community College this fall. Chris has attended classes at Bullett Proof Baseball since he was 12 years old and played with the Senior team for the past three years. Chris has parlayed his big bat into a scholarship and will join his team mate Paul Somerville at Niagara. Chris is a third baseman and firstbase man. He also was a starting pitcher for the 18u team.

We wish all these young men the best of luck at their schools, we know they will work hard to continue on with their baseball career.

2010-01-20 - New Era For Baseball in Welland

2009-05-29 - Welland native Joey Mihaljev, 16
Welland native Joey Mihaljev, 16, pitches for both the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Bullettproof Baseball Academy....

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