From Dodgertown to Wrigley

Dave Lax: Tip of the Week

The old saying “practice makes perfect,” which has been modified through the years to “perfect practice makes perfect,” is still 100% accurate. I was recently in Chicago for the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory and got the chance to meet one of the many Baseball Factory success stories. Every year Baseball Factory sees thousands of players and has had over 25,000 go on to play college baseball, yet every time we hear about another success story we get just as excited as if it were the first player we helped over 15 years ago. In Chicago, the top 36 high school players from across the country and Canada played at Wrigley Field in front of scouts, college coaches, family and fans. One of the participants was Davie, FL native Nick Castellanos.

Nick came to Chicago as a highly touted third basemen and power hitter. He has been compared to five-time Major League All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner, Scott Rolen. Nick, who should one day make an impact for some Major League Team, worked very hard to make it where he is today. He is also the epitome of a Baseball Factory success story. Not because he has been so highly recruited or even looked at as a top pick for the 2010 First Year Major League Draft. Rather he is considered a success because of the player development that he has gone through during his years of working with Baseball Factory culminating in his verbal commitment to the University of Miami to further his baseball and academic career. The prestigious Under Armour All-America Game in Chicago was just icing on the cake for Nick.

Nick realized early on that player development was the key to improving his game and his career. Nick attended one of Baseball Factory’s National Tryouts in 2006 to see where he graded out and what he needed to improve. After going over his evaluation with his Player Development Coordinator he was selected and attended the Dodgertown World Series (now Pirate City World Series) in Vero Beach, FL. Nick had just finished 8th grade when he attended the camp. At the camp he was immersed with baseball from dawn till dusk. Nick took advantage of the training and coaches at the event as he continued his baseball career into high school.

During the summers Nick plays for the All-American Prospects, one of the elite travel baseball teams in the country. Nick’s development continued with his play with and against some of the top players in the country. Nick’s team has played in the Under Armour Southeast Wood Bat Tournament, operated by Team One Baseball since the tournament’s inception. This tournament attracts many of the top travel teams and in turn some of the best high school players. Some of the Under Armour Southeast Tournament Alumni include Tim Beckham, #1 Overall Pick in the 2008 Draft, Bobby Borchering #16 Overall Pick in the 2009 Draft and Mychal Givens teammate of Nick’s and #54 Overall Pick in the 2009 Draft. Being surrounded by these top players allowed Nick to keep getting better even as he became one of the highest rated players in the country.

In August, Nick traveled to Chicago to play in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game. Nick had a game to remember. After taking home the hardware in the Mattingly Sports Home Run Derby Contest, he went on to go 4-4 at the plate, all doubles, and had 3 RBI’s and 3 runs scored. Nick added a stolen base and a walk to round out his day (Check out the Under Armour All-America Game Recap). He proved that he not only deserved the MVP honors that he received but that starting player development early and continuing to work hard pays off. When I spoke with Nick out in Chicago, he told me his ultimate goal was to win the College World Series followed up by a World Series Championship. With the work ethic, dedication and desire to play the game it seems like Nick will be able to make his dreams a reality.

Finally I wanted to congratulate Nick on his selection and subsequent performance in the Under Armour All-America Game along with his commitment to further his baseball career and education at the University of Miami. Everyone at the Baseball Factory is proud of the baseball player, and more importantly the person, Nick has become.


Dave Lax is the Assistant Director of Marketing at Baseball Factory. Dave started with Baseball Factory in June of 2006 having earned his degree in Business from the University of Maryland, College Park. He majored in Marketing and minored in Communication. At Maryland, he played on the Scout Basketball Team for three years, where he was part of the National Championship team in 2006. In addition to his marketing responsibilities Dave serves as the administrator for Baseball University and helps design and maintain the website.

Farewell to Dodgertown

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

On December 30, 2008 the last baseball event was held at the hallowed grounds of Dodgertown, the Spring Training home of the LA Dodgers. The final event happened to be Baseball Factory’s Christmas Camp and Tournament. Dodgertown has hosted Spring Training for the Dodgers since they resided in Brooklyn New York. Dodgertown holds a very special place in the history of baseball and it is sad to see the facility coming to an end due to the Dodgers moving their spring home to Glendale, AZ starting in 2009.

Baseball Factory has been calling Dodgertown home for its Player Development events since 2000. Dodgertown’s door opened to us based upon a personal relationship I had with Kevin O’Malley. Kevin was my teammate at the University of Pennsylvania and is the son of former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley. I told Kevin that Baseball Factory wanted to hold a Pre Season All America event to showcase the best players we had seen throughout the calendar year and we needed a premier facility to host the event. He introduced us to the General Manager of the complex and the relationship grew from there. Fast forward to December 2008, and we have held 24 similar events at Dodgertown over the past nine years including our August World Series, November Select Training and Competition, and our December Camp and Tournament. Thousands of players and parents have traveled to Dodgertown to participate in Baseball Factory programs and left with such positive feelings and emotions for this iconic facility.

Here are my Top 10 most memorable Dodgertown moments, from these past nine years and 24 events, that I will always cherish:

1. The Dodgertown Staff. What a pleasure they were to work with (especially our contact Vicki Hahn). The whole staff made us feel at home and worked hard to provide our players with the best baseball experience of their lives. The grounds crew, conference center staff, and dining room workers treated our kids like big leaguers and they will be missed by our staff.

2. The Dodger Memorabilia and Nostalgia. Dodgertown was like a baseball museum. It was amazing to see the photos of Gil Hodges, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, and many, many others. As a baseball fan, you couldn’t help but get chills thinking about staying in the same hotel rooms as these former great players. The Dodgertown staff would always remind me that the room I stayed in each time was Tommy Lasorda’s favorite.

3. In January 2000 during our All America event, watching a young Galvin Floyd (current White Sox pitcher) toe the rubber at the bullpen strings mound as a HS Junior and light up the radar gun for the fifty plus college coaches and pro scouts in attendance. Anyone who was there that day knew we were watching someone who was going to be pretty special at the MLB level.

4. In January 2000 and 2001 at our All America events, watching in awe of a young 3B from Virginia as we moved through the defensive workout and batting practice rounds like a polished veteran. He was also the most respectful player that I have interacted with over my many years of running Baseball Factory. I knew that not only would this player excel at the MLB level, but he would be the type of personality to build a franchise around. This player was David Wright, perennial All Star and the face of the NY Mets.

5. In January 2000 at our All America event, watching a relationship build between a young RHP from NJ that I knew intimately over his development, and a scout for the Baltimore Orioles. This RHP from NJ had participated in Baseball Factory events going back to his 7th grade years. He was a diamond in the rough that nobody knew about besides Baseball Factory. The scout from the Orioles took a liking to him and drafted him out of college. The big RHP grew into his body, developed a devastating fastball, and exploding off-speed pitches. He made his debut in the Oriole bullpen in 2006 and is named James Hoey. The scout was Dean Albany, who was just recently named National Crosschecker for the Baltimore Orioles.

6. In January 2001 and 2002 at our All America events, watching the three best HS athletes I have ever seen in person, Lastings Milledge, Delmon Young, and BJ Upton. Lastings hit six consecutive home runs in his batting practice round at Holman Stadium, Delmon jumped on the mound in a joking manner and touched 92 mph with his first pitch, and BJ glided all over the field as a young HS shortstop. These three guys were all 5 tool players with incredible upside.

7. In January 2000 and 2003 at our All America events, watching two HS arms from Florida that were destined to excel in the bullpen for any MLB club. They both made their debut in 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals (Mark Worrell and Chris Perez) and should have fine pro careers. Those guys were bulldogs in high school with a ton of competitive flair.

8. Hearing the incredibly moving and motivational speeches from Clint Hurdle and Rick Sofield. These guys can really get you going and know how to push players to achieve greatness.

9. Seeing former legendary college coach, Jim Spooner, share his knowledge of the game with thousands of players. Spoon was the Baseball Factory’s version of Don Zimmer. Sadly, Coach Spooner passed away this year after a long battle with Leukemia.

10. Watching countless high school players learn, attack their weaknesses, improve their game, and develop into fine college players with great careers due to the great programs that Steve Bernhardt, our EVP of Baseball Operations, put together for these boys.

Thank you for the memories Dodgertown! Although Baseball Factory has some very exciting plans for new events in 2009 that will be released shortly, Dodgertown will always be remembered fondly in our hearts.

Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 13 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.

What did Parents think of the Dodgertown Christmas Camp?

My nephew took part in the Dodgertown Christmas Camp last week and I felt I had to let you know how I feel about your program. This program is by far the most amazing program for young boys that I have ever seen. I am so impressed by what you all do, your values and your staff! All you see on the news are the dregs of teenage boys. No one ever shows programs such as yours. I love the fact that you stress three areas: the first-education; the second-education; the third-education. It is imperative, in my mind, that these young boys have a Plan B should their dreams of playing ball professionally not come to fruition. I was also impressed by the how the participants behaved, their 'clean cut' appearance and their sportsmanship and that you will not tolerate anything less. People rise to expectations so if you lower the bar, that's what you'll get.

My nephew enjoyed the camp despite the fact he was exhausted at the end of each day! Good job, coach! :o) He felt he'd received a lot good pointers to improve his game, i.e., things he could take back home with him so that he could improve his skills. He faced a level of pitching he hadn't seen before which, although at first he couldn't hit, by the last day he could get a hit. Good for his development and confidence.

Lastly, every one of the staff that I either had direct dealings with or observed were superb! They are obviously very dedicated and caring men. As the kids say, 'You done good!'

Sincerely,

Virginia M. Carson


(Thank you very much Mrs. Carson for your kind letter. We greatly appreciate your feedback)