Each year increasing numbers of aspiring college athletes and their parents turn to Baseball Factory, the only college recruiting service endorsed by the High School Baseball Coaches Association, for guidance through the college recruiting process. This month several internal changes and new hires will help to maximize benefits for players in the Exclusive Program.

The Exclusive Program is the Factory’s most comprehensive program that is designed to lead players step-by-step through their college search. The revamped department will allow Baseball Factory to strengthen their relationships with college coaches, optimizing opportunities for its players at the next level.  

Kelly Kulina, former Exclusive Program Director, will now serve as the Executive Director of the Program. As the former Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Maryland, Kulina is extremely knowledgeable of NCAA regulations and the college recruiting process. The relationships that Kulina has maintained with college coaches across the country will continue to benefit players who are searching for the perfect fit athletically, academically and socially.  In his new role, Kulina will oversee and manage the entire program as it continues to grow.  He will work along with his staff to maintain a consistently high level of service for every player.

“Service is going to be at a much higher level,” said Kulina. “The added staff will help the Personal Recruiting Directors open up as many doors as they possibly can for every player.”

Jason Ronai, former Director of On-Field Sessions, will replace Kulina as Exclusive Program Director.

“Every player and parent needs to be educated as thoroughly as possible on every aspect of the recruiting process,” said Ronai, a former collegiate player at the University of North Carolina Asheville and former college coach. “My new role will allow me to use my knowledge as a former coach and recruiter in the Missouri Valley Conference to give each player in the Exclusive Program the tools and knowledge to make the best decision he can make.”

Two new positions, College Research Director and College Relations Director, have been added to the Exclusive department to maximize benefits for high school players and strengthen ties with an increasing number of college coaches. These positions will be filled by Jeff Brazier, General Manager of the Clark Griffith League’s Baltimore Pride and Justin Cronk, former college player and coach, respectively.

Brazier will begin researching colleges, of all levels, keeping an accurate catalog of information for the benefit of high school players who may be overwhelmed with choices. Brazier will also contact these schools in order to make them aware of the players in the Exclusive Program and to determine their roster needs. 

“This will help educate Exclusive players like never before. We will be able to inform them about the schools – what they offer, what their needs are, how the schools compare to others etc.” Brazier commented. 

Cronk will be working along with Brazier to enhance relationships with college coaches through regular phone calls and emails. He will be making phone calls to coaches on each player’s behalf in order to determine the program’s interest in that player.  Cronk will be making personal contact with college coaches at various showcase events throughout the year and an annual open house at Baseball Factory headquarters.

The feedback he receives from college coaches will allow him to serve as a liaison between college coaches and Baseball Factory’s Personal Recruiting Directors in order to help place Exclusive Players in a more efficient manner.

“My role will help players by expanding the number of college options and contacts that a player has to pick from,” said Cronk. “I will get more exposure for our Exclusive kids and try to get a higher number of schools to make contact with them.” 

Most importantly Cronk and the rest of the Exclusive team will help players to remain open to all opportunities and prioritize their options in order to make the most appropriate decision.

“Only an elite group of players go on to play Division I baseball. Unfortunately too many players have a very narrow college focus and only want to play Division I . . . many don’t understand that they could still go to a great Division III program and have the chance to play much more” said Cronk. “Our staff is trained to advise players on what is the best fit for them academically and athletically.”

Buddy Custer, Head Coach of the Clark Griffith League’s Baltimore Pride, will shift his duties slightly as he becomes the Underclassmen Exclusive Director.  Custer will focus his efforts on helping freshmen, sophomore’s and juniors through the various phases of the college recruiting process. He will serve as their primary point of contact until their senior year.

The recent changes within the Exclusive Department are only a preview of what is to come.

“The new structure will provide a strong foundation for the future of the ‘E’ Program,” stated Kulina. “We hope it will take on a similar structure to that of Major League Baseball. A regionalized ‘E’ Program with Personal Recruiting Directors in different regions will allow us to cross promote players to colleges across the country.”

Baseball Factory looks forward to reaching more and more players with its Exclusive Program. For more information, please contact Baseball Factory at 800.641.4487.