TNJ TRAINING CAMP
SPY has not attended a training camp in recent years, believing most to be over-crowded, too expensive, and providing very little hands-on guidance to players.
The Team New Jersey training camp on Wednesday proved to be an exception.
About 90 players from throughout the Mid-Atlantic got a day of serious hands-on expertise – in pitching, hitting and defense – with strong emphasis on mastering fundamentals. Following a practice plan devised by Batbuster coach Gary Haning, the players were taught by Ernie Parker, the legendary pitching coach. Catching instruction was by Virginia head coach Karen Johns, a national and international star who is also an assistant coach on the USA National Team. The Batbusters brought six coaches, and almost a score of players. There were also area coaches. In all, there was a 3:1 ratio – a helping hand for every three players.
There was no roster, so SPY did not know individual players. Of those watcher, at ;least two stood out as solid Division 1 prospects – at age 14. Courtney Liddle of Manassas VA was very strong playing infield but excelled at catcher. Erica Cipaloni, comes with a pedigree – aunt Jackie played for the national champion Brakettes. Erica pitches and plays short. Both Liddle and Cipaloni – who are projected to move up to Fire and Ice and Pennsbury Gems, respectively, sent line drives deep.
As in every camp, many players showed the dividends of good junior coaching, but, a number displayed poor mechanics – footwork and throws. But, top prospect or not, each received immediate critique, repetition after repetition.
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