The Valparaiso Americans baseball organization is getting ready to kick off its 2012 season with a bang.
The league, with over 500 players forming over 40 teams, is designed for kids from ages 4 through 18, split up amongst seven age-range leagues.
“It’s a robust program,” explained Rob Zborowski, Director of Baseball Operations of Valparaiso Americans. “We field enough teams so there isn’t much travel involved. We will occasionally visit other Little League teams, but we have so many kids involved we can play many games amongst ourselves. It’s pretty nice. “
All of Valparaiso Americans coaches, who by the way are 100%-volunteer-based, are certified by the Positive Coaches Alliance, a national nonprofit organization “committed to provided all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience.”
“Our coaches do a great job of teaching fundamentals,” said Rob Zborowski. “Our overall goal is to improve the quality of youth baseball in Porter County. We like to be competitive, but we are all also cognizant of being fun and fair. You can have both, and we do a good job of that.”
There is still time to register for the 2012 baseball season if you’re interested. The final official registration is February 11th from 4-6pm at the Valparaiso High School Field House, with an open gym for Valparaiso American players. If you can’t make it then, you can email Rob at boilerrmz@aol.com before February 25th, when the league will host mandatory evaluations.
“One of the things we’re really excited about this year is a free coaches clinic we’re having this year with Tracy Woodson, the Valparaiso University baseball coach,” he said. “He spent some time in the Major Leagues and has a World Series ring, so it will be a great opportunity for us to gain some great knowledge.”
Other upcoming events for the Valparaiso Americans baseball organization include “VA Day” at the Valparaiso University baseball game on April 21st, a White Sox FUNdamentals Clinic on April 22nd, and practice begins as early as April 1st.
For more information on Valparaiso Americans, visit www.valpoamericansbaseball.org or contact Rob Zborowski at boilerrmz@aol.com.