April 2010        13u Travel Baseball to begin play in Fall 2010

Make your plans now! Brian Justine's Heat Travel baseball program is organizing a 13u travel team with plans on competing beginning August 2010. Twelve roster spots are available. Players will not be allowed to compete on any other travel baseball team but are allowed and encouraged to play for their school teams and to participate in other sports. Practices will be held twice a week from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the field and once a week from 6:30-7:30 for batting practice in the cages. Location is TBD. The team will compete at the 14u level and the goal is to keep the team together for two years in order to prepare them for high school baseball. The team will be affiliated with USSA and AAU and we will use the AAU age guidelines. Games will be played three weekends per month in addition to entry into local tournaments. We will try to stay away from doubleheaders as much as possible. A parent committee will be formed to assist with scheduling, purchasing, collection of dues, paperwork and making travel arrangements. Coaches fees will be paid up front (every 4 months) and all other expenses will be billed as they occur. This is, without a doubt, the premiere team to become a part of for families looking for professional instruction, a positive and enthusiastic role model, no father's involved in coaching and an overall positive experience! Email Brian to schedule an appointment and tryout, brian.justine@manhattan.edu.

“Many coaches at this level are trying to put together “All Star” teams because they do not know how to teach or develop talent. They hide behind a stacked roster, rack up a bunch of wins, and consider themselves coaching aficionados. Year after year, I assemble a roster of players that did not fit into these types of teams and develop these players to become better than the players these other coaches did not give an opportunity to. People who are really paying attention understand just how special this program is.” A former college and professional player, Justine has learned from some of baseball’s all time great players and coaches. He played under University of Florida Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan for four years and structures his practices using the material he learned from the Gators skipper. Justine recently had the pleasure of co-operating the Mike Schmidt School of Hard Knocks, an advanced hitting school taught by the HOF third baseman. He also played for legendary pitching coaches Mark Calvi and Bob Shaw, both of whom are considered to be among the most knowledgeable pitching instructors on the planet. Former Major Leaguers Chico Walker, Ron LeFlore, Al Gallagher, Wally Whitehurst, and Carlos May all coached Justine during his college and minor league playing career. He also co-produced an infield instructional video with Perry Hill, the former Florida Marlins Infield Coordinator whose system has produced 10 gold glove winners. Justine currently assists Hall of Famer Gary Carter at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

March 2010     THBA now offering advanced camps and training

In response to the to the high demand, the Tommy Hutton Baseball Academy will be offering two new programs beginning in June 2010. To meet the demands of the local baseball community, a high school preparation camp and advanced individual instruction has been added to the 2010 summer schedule. The high school preparation camp is geared for players 12 and older who need more sophisticated and intense instruction to prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead. WT Dwyer Head Coach Frank Torre and Jupiter HS Assoc. Head Coach Andy Mook will oversee the program. It will be a great opportunity to for area high school coaches to preview players they will ultimately be coaching. The advanced individual training is being offered for players who want to use the summer to improve dramatically. One on one and small group instruction will be available on, two, or three days per week for the duration of the summer and don't require players to spend an entire day at camp. THBA Executive Director Brian Justine will be running the advanced training and is also available for travel team workouts to prepare them for upcoming tournaments.Click here to register for advanced training.

February 2009  Enrollment fees lowered for summer '09

January 2009   THBA partners with Roger Dean Stadium's Knothole Gang Kids Club

Two of the area’s most popular youth programs have joined forces. As of January 2009, the Tommy Hutton Baseball Academy and Roger Dean Stadium’s Knothole Gang Kids Club will work collaboratively to provide a one of a kind baseball experience for participants. For starters, as part of this new partnership, all THBA campers will be automatically enrolled in the Knothole Gang (a $17 value). Additionally, a free week of camp will be raffled off at every Knothole Gang night during the FSL season. Finally, a series of free baseball clinics and exciting promotions sponsored by the THBA will be added to the already action-packed Knothole Gang program.

Click here to learn more about the Knothole Gang Kids Club.

January 2009   Standards Based Assessment to be added to award winning program

If you’re tired of washed up jocks arbitrarily instructing your child with no point of reference beyond their own playing career, the THBA has a new initiative you’ll be very excited to learn about. It’s called Standards Based Assessment, an educational philosophy used by some of the nation’s most sophisticated and well-known schools and school districts.                

“We want to do everything possible to promote a well-rounded educational experience. Myself and Andy are tired, even disgusted at times when we see former players calling themselves educators when all they do is hide behind cliché and rhetoric. We take pride in our roles as educators and have created standards that drive our instruction. These standards are comprehensive and have been created using the knowledge we’ve gained through our work with nearly 10,000 players of all ages. The language used in our rubric is referenced during instructional time throughout the week. Standards based instruction holds the instructor and student accountable and gives all stakeholders something tangible and transparent to use as a reference. Based on the observations of students’ abilities to achieve different levels of mastery, a weekly, detailed standards based assessment is assembled and given to every player that comes through our program,” commented Brian Justine.

Click here for a sample rubric

December 2008   Volstad's visit inspires local players

Former Palm Beach Gardens High School pitcher Chris Volstad visited with THBA campers on December 30th as part of our holiday camp. Volstad, now starring for the Florida Marlins, interacted with local and out of town players for nearly two hours. His words on hard work and believing in yourself inspired all who were on hand. All of us at the THBA would like to thank Chris, a local kid who has made it to the top, for his giving spirit and willingness to give back to the community in which he was raised. Thank's Chris, we'll all be pulling for you!

 

September 2008   Despite economic woes, Summer ’08 a huge success!

In spite of a struggling economy, the THBA had another stellar summer! Thanks to the hundreds of players ages 5-14 who participated, the THBA was able to continue their tradition of providing a well-rounded baseball experience in a fun environment. Major league personalities such as Hanley Ramirez and Fredi Gonzalez made guest appearances to compliment the THBA’s award-winning program. Thank you to all who participated and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Andy Mook, Director of Operations for the THBA, has recently joined Jupiter High School’s coaching staff. Mook, who recently served as the Head Coach at Palm Beach Lakes High School, re-joins the staff at Jupiter where he formerly assisted Doug Ferguson in the 1990’s. One of the area’s most respected and talented coaches, Mook will oversee Jupiter’s hitters and outfielders and be heavily involved in personnel decisions. Jupiter is not only one of Palm Beach County’s most talented programs but also acknowledged nationally as a baseball powerhouse.

The THBA has been recognized for its outstanding contribution to the local sports community as a nominee for the Palm Beach County Sport’s Hall of Fame. Since 1999, the THBA’s charitable donations have helped to raise over $15,000 for local schools, charities, and youth leagues.