This tryout is being held in conjunction with the tryouts being held for the New York Mets Fall scout teams and will be conducted by coaches and scouts from the Mets organizations. While 2014 graduates are eligible to participate, if invited, with the Mets teams, Coach Kevin Berry will be evaluating all 15U-16U players for participation with our own Fall baseball team. Coach Berry plans to hold weekly practices and participate in several events this Fall. If interested please register for the NY Mets event. On site registration begins at 8AM on 8/27. We expect the tryouts to be completed by noon. For information please contact Mike McDorman at 850-685-7090 or via email at mike@mcdorman-construction.com

After playing poorly in pool play, going 0-1-1, the Florida Mustangs 13U got things going in bracket play. The Mustangs played a very tough Chain Yankees team to a 3-2 victory stay in the winner’s bracket of the double elimination tournament. We then handled the Chain Braves for our second win in a row. The Texas Bandit proved to be a very scrappy opponent for the game at the top of the winner’s bracket. After being tied 3-3 at the end of six innings, the Mustangs scored four in the top of the 7th inning and held on for a 7-6 victory. Our team came back the following day to play the championship and had an opportunity to avenge our pool play loss to the Frankinton Doctors. We took the lead early and never looked back winning 14-0. Congratulations on another Mustang win!

The Mustangs went 2-0 in pool play by outscoring two quality opponents from Texas by totals of 32-3. Our team handled the Texas Fire Red 10-0 and returned the following morning to beat the GC Venom 5-1 to advance to the championship. We faced another tough Texas opponent in the Pearland Lightning however, the outcome was never in doubt as we cruised to an 11-2 victory. While hitting well, this week was dominated by great pitching and fantastic error free defense. Congratulations on another Mustang win!

Southern Baseball Academy and the New York Mets provided this great opportunity last year where some of the best players in the nation played on this Elite Team and many were 2011 MLB Draftees. This year the New York Mets will put together two separate scout teams which increases the opportunity for more players to be chosen.

If you are a future 2014, 2013, or 2012 High School graduate and are interested in trying out for this ELITE New York Mets Scout Team coached by New York Mets Minor League Coaches and Scouts, please make plans to be at Pensacola Junior College, Pensacola, FL on Aug 27th at 8:00 to 8:30 AM to register and be ready to be on the field by 9:00AM.

These two teams will be selected by New York Mets Scouts. Southern Baseball Academy and its faculty will have no input in the player selection process as we serve only as administrators for this program.

Southern Baseball Academy request a $25.00 donation from each player who would like to try-out in order for us to cover facility expenses and fees. Water will be provided on the field/Dug-outs. Please make all checks payable to: Southern Baseball Academy.

This try-out will last until 12:00 to 1:00PM. If you are selected by phone call, email or mail for one of the New York Mets Scout Team you will participate in real baseball games coached by real New York Mets Minor League Coaches against College Teams in a special scouting event scheduled for Oct 8-9th located in the Panhandle on college fields.

Due to last year’s overwhelming response for try-outs we must limit the number of players we can accommodate for try-outs.

Therefore, if you would like to pre-register you may send your donation of $25.00 in advance to:

SOUTHERN BASEBALL ACADEMY, 5713 HWY. 85 N., Crestview, FL 32536-9964.

Additional Directions:

• Please put the player’s full name in the “FOR” section of the check
• Attach a player information sheet with name, age, phone number, and email address
• After you have allowed 5 business days, please send email to: rgunter@supremeteams.com and request status of registration.
• Once payment is confirmed, you will receive via email a registration form and waivers allowing you to fill out at home and be ready to submit and go straight to the field on the 27th.

If the player is less than 18 years of age at the time of the try-outs a parent or legal guardian will be required to sign a hold-harmless agreement and consent to provide medical attention in the event of parent or guardians absence from the New York Mets and for Southern Baseball Academy.

We look forward to seeing each of you there on 27 Aug 2011.

Any questions should also be addressed to Russ Gunter at rgunter@supremeteams.com . Thank you.

All of our players are now on the radar of these colleges and several have been offered scholarships. More exciting news to follow these kids in the future.  The 17-U Marucci Florida Mustangs fell short in the 18-U WWBA Championship in Atlanta, GA.

The Mustangs led every game they played in at the WWBA Championship, however could not finish the games with the bats or due to errors in the last inning.

Overall, our predominantly 16 and 17yr old team competed well in the 18-U event which had many college bound players and 2011 Draft Picks participating.

We are proud of this 2011 Mustang group and their efforts.

This year’s 17-U WWBA tournament was declared full in November of last year with no more spots preventing the Mustangs from competing in the event and leaving this year’s 17-U group to wonder what might have been.

The Mustangs will compete next in the UWF Invitational 21-24 July.

For those interested in playing on the 16 and 17 yr old Fall Mustang Team please continue to check the website for the Try-out dates.

The four other teams participating were: The Wiregrass Storm, the Xroads Xpress, the STK Dirtbags 13U, and the JunkYard Dawgs.  In Sunday playoff games, the 13U Mustangs won their semi-final, championship qualifier, in a shut-out against the Wiregrass Storm 8 – 0. The Mustangs then went on to trump the XroadsXpress in the final game 11-3, all-in-all, allowing only 3 runs on “Championship Sunday” or the road to the Grand-Slam, 6-foot, super-trophy.

This tournament will be played at 3 locations: LSU High on LSU Campus, Southern University and LSU Jr College. The Mustangs will kick of their 2011 season at 4:30 PM at LSU High on 3 June 2011. The championship game will be played on Sunday in the LSU Stadium.  The Mustangs have been preparing for the summer season and are ready to get started.

Kyle McDorman a 2011 graduate of Niceville High School and a 2 year member of the Florida Mustangs has committed to Northwest Florida State College.  Kyle has been an integral part of the football, basketball and baseball programs at Niceville High School for four years.  Kyle pitched, played first base, OF and DH for the Mustangs and has been a big part of our success.  We wish Kyle and his family the best of luck and the Raiders have a very talented player.

Brandon Tyler a 2011 Graduate of Pace High School and 2 year member of the Florida Mustangs has committed to the University of West Florida.  Brandon was a pitcher, outfielder and first baseman on the 2009 WWBA National Champion runner up team.  We are very proud and wish Brandon good health and good luck at UWF.  He will be a great addition to the Argonauts.

Gabe Gunter 2012 Graduate from Crestview High School and a 3 year member of the Florida Mustangs has committed to the University of Virginia Tech. Gabe is a 6’5″ RHP who had velocities topping 89 MPH this Fall. Congratulations to Gabe and his family. We are proud of Gabe and his accomplishments and wish him well at Virginia Tech.

Mikel Belcher a 2011 Graduate from Niceville High School and a member of the 2010 16-U Florida Mustangs Team has committed to Chipola Community College in Chipley, FL.  Mikel is a 6’5″ RHP who had velocities up to 91 MPH this Fall. Congratulations to Mikel and his family. We are proud of Mikel and we are fortunate to have had him play with the Mustangs over the past few years and wish him well at Chipola.

Devante Taylor a 2011 Graduate of Navarre High School and member of the Florida Mustangs 17u team has verbally committed to Alcorn State University.  Alcorn is a division I University located in Lorman, Mississippi.  They participate in the Southwest Athletic Conference.  Alcorn’s baseball stadium and coaching have had upgrades and renovations over the past year.  Devante won the Nations Fastest Man competition in 2009 and has been a fixture at the top of the Mustangs lineup for 2 years.  The Mustangs family is proud of all our players and their decisions to extend their playing careers at the next level.  Good Luck Devante and good luck to the ASU Braves!

Alex Jones a 2011 Graduate of West Florida Tech High School and member of the Florida Mustangs 17u team has verbally committed to Northwest Florida State College.  Alex caught and played corner infield for the Mustangs during the 2009 fall and summer of 2010.  Alex Jones has impecable recieving skills and hits for power.  He will be a great addition to the Raiders!

Trent Higginbothem a 2011 Graduate of Pace High School and member of the Florida Mustangs 17u team committed to Tallahassee Community College.  Trent batted 3 hole for the 2010 Pace High School ESPN National Championship team and Florida state championship team.  Trent was also the MVP of the 2009 16u WWBA National Championship at East Cobb.  Congratulations Trent! TCC has a great player.

Addison Russell a 2012 Graduate of Pace High School and member of the 2009 Florida Mustangs team that finished #2 in the Perfect Game national rankings has committed to Auburn University.  Addison played SS and pitched for our team.  He is a great player and Auburn will be excited to get him on campus.  Congratulations to Addison and his family.

JD Little a 2011 Graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School and member of the Florida Mustangs 17u team committed to the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.  The Citadel Bulldogs are located in Charleston, South Carolina and coached by legendary Fred Jordan, who was Coach of the Year for the Southern Conference in 2010. The Bulldogs finished 24-6 in conference play and won 43 games on the season winning the Southern Conference Tournament for the 8th time and getting an NCAA birth to the University of South Carolina Regional in which they went 2-2.  Congratulations and good luck to JD Little.

2010 Grads who are at college playing baseball this fall include AJ Gomez at Birmingham Southern.  Chris Krenek and Michael Coehlo are at Northwest Florida State College.  Nick Miller and Michael Wells are at Gulf Coast Community College.  Austin Farrell is at Pensacola State College.  Jake Wright is at Enterprise Ozark Community College.  Daniel Bick is at Georgia College.

This premier team put on a great show hitting 3 Home-runs in the first game and going undefeated over the weekend with a record of 3-0-1.

Florida Mustang Catcher Alex Jones put on great show for the scouts with many hard hit balls giving him several doubles and triples and helping the Mets to victory.

Other Mustang players contributing to the success were Devante Taylor who had a lead-off triple in Game 3 and displayed his great speed in CF, while Dakota Dean and Mac Seibert provided great performances at SS and 2nd base this weekend and had great at-bats crossing the plate numerous times for the score.  Mustang pitchers, Miller, Gunter and Junger gave great performances on the mound to keep the other teams bats a bay for the weekend.  Coach Tommy Jackson (New York Mets Regional Scout Supervisor) and his staff did a great job preparing the boys for the games, coaching, and sharing information with the parents and players about the expectations of players from a scout’s perspective.

The NFBA thanks the New York Mets for this opportunity and we look forward to continuing this Scout Team Program in the future.

This tournament was the largest in history having over 215 teams from around the world in one age division.

The Mustangs started the tournament vs. the NOVA Patriots from Virginia.  Their pitcher was 83-86 and snuck the ball up on alot of our hitters.  Their catcher showcased a great arm.  The Mustangs were in control of the game from the 1st inning on, scoring at least 1 run in 5 innings.

Sam Bass pitched another fine game going 5 innings, 4 hits, 4 k’s.  Logan Hill was 1-1 with  2 runs scored.  JD Little had a 2b and 1 rbi. Mustangs win 8-1.

In the second game, the Mustangs played the highly touted Diamond Devils from South Carolina.  They have 13 div-I commits and several pro prospects.  The Mustangs had an early deficit and could not overcome.  The Stangs lost 9-4.

The Diamond Devils won the whole event and we very well could have beat them.  Drew LaBounty went 2-3 with a run and a SB.  On Thursday the Stangs played their 3rd game against the East Cobb Blue Jays.  JD Little got the win and threw 6 innings giving up 3 hits, 3 earned runs and 12 k’s.  The Stangs won 7-5.  Mitchell Peterson was 1-2 with a walk, SB,2 runs, RBI.

In the 4th Game, the Stangs played the ABD Warriors from Hawaii.  They had a crafty LHP that really had a good game.  Will Thompson threw 4 2/3 innings of 1 run ball.  The Stangs tied this game 1-1.

On Friday the Stangs played at Marietta HS against Mac-n-Seitz Indians.  This team boasted a roster full of physical athletes that really know how to hit.  Their coaches are former MLB Veterans Mike Macfarlane and Kevin Seitzer!  Mitchell Peterson pitched great and went 4 innings giving up 1 earned run and 2 k’s with only 3 hits.  JD Little and Logan Hill each went 3-3 with runs scored to lead the attack.  The Mustangs won 8-3.

In the final game on Saturday, the Mustangs played the South Oakland A’s from Michigan.  Dylan Turman got the start and went 4 innings giving up 3 hits and 2 runs, while striking out 3.  Cameron McNabb had a nice hit.  The Stangs dropped the final game 2-1.

Overall, the boys had a good week and they played hard.  There were over 100 scouts total that followed our team over the past two weeks.  I handed out close to 100 copies of rosters and recommeded all of our boys to programs throughout the country.  Thank you all for your continued support.  We could not do this without the committed parents and players.