From Sunshine to Snow .... Opening day Around the Corner

Coach Sliwinski & Coach Tomc recently returned from their annual spring training baseball trip to sunny Arizona.  Daily temperatures were in the 80's as major league camps opened. The coaches had a front-row seat watching the Indians, Rangers, and Dodgers throw bullpens sessions, take batting practice, and field ground balls for the first time in preparation for the upcoming season. The coaches also had the chance to see the beginning of the college baseball season. On opening night they watched the # 1 team in the country, TCU, play the # 17 team in the country Arizona State.

While at the Texas Rangers camp the coaches had a chance to spend a few minutes with Rangers All-Star pitcher Matt Harrison & catcher Chris Gimenez.  Both players were amazed at the fact that we actually have to practice indoors and that when our season opens there is a good chance the temperatures will be lucky to be in the 40's - the life of a major league baseball player !!!

On February 23rd the Bengals opened their spring training.  They didn't have sunshine and green grass but indoor batting cages and the gym will get them prepared for the season.  Seventy-five student-athletes participated in the first week of practice.  Once again the Bengals will field three levels of play, participate in the North Coast League, and compete against a tough non-league schedule.

The Bengals are looking forward to a successful 2015 season.  Looking forward to seeing everyone at a ballgame this spring.  Put your winter coats and sunglasses on and join us for a game. The Varsity team opens their season on April 1 vs Trinity at Nobby's Ballpark.

Nobby's Ballpark

Luke Easter Park

Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Home of ASU

Goodyear Stadium

Tigers and Lions First Up in 2012

The 2012 baseball schedule is starting to take shape.  The Bengals will open the season at Nobby's Ballpark on Monday, March 26th vs the Twinsburg Tigers.  The following week the Bengals play their first game as part of the North Coast League vs the Lions of NDCL.  Please follow the calendar at the bottom of the page for schedule updates.

BBCOR Bats

Just a reminder to all baseball players that in 2012 all bats must have the BBCOR stamp to be used in games. We have negotiated a discounted price with Steve's Sports on a few of the new bats; we have been offered a discounted price on Demarini and Easton model BBCOR bats. If you are interested in purchasing a new bat please contact Coach Sliwinski for an order form or see Coach Ryzner.

The bats that we will have a discount on will be the Demarini CF5 Composite & Voodoo. We can also receive a discount on the Easton S1 and S2 Balance Composite along with the Easton XL1 and XL2 Long Barrel Composite.

Please keep in mind that local sporting goods stores and online companies still have the old bat models in stock and are selling them at huge discounts. These bats will not be permitted for use in a game.

Updates for Friday March 25th and Saturday March 26th

The scheduled scrimmage with Cuyahoga Hts. today has been cancelled.  JV and V teams will hold practice at school from 3-4:30.

The scrimmages at Olmsted Falls for Saturday have been cancelled due to field conditions.  JV and V teams will instead practice at school from 8:30-10.  Freshman practice has been moved up to 10-noon.

As a final reminder the 4th Annual Wing Night is tomorrow from 6-9.

Youth Camp a Hit

The 12th Annual Spring Youth Baseball Camp was a huge success.  Forty 5th-8th grade boys attended; they learned new skills and improved on their game.  Thanks to all who attended and volunteered.

Spring Camp '11 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Coaches Clinic Announced

The clinic will cover the following subjects:
1. Practice Organization
2. Hitting Drills
3. Pitching Mechanics
4. Catching
5. Outfield
6. Infield

Contact Coach Sliwinski to register.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Camp a Success

Thirty-four fifth through eighth grade boys joined the Bengals coaching staff and players on Monday afternoon to learn the skills of pitching and catching.  The kids learned the proper mechanics of the positions and ended the day with various drills to improve their game.  Special thanks to Bengal alumnus Matt Thomas ‘09 and Ryan Kovar ‘10 for returning to school and providing instruction for the day.

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Christmas Camp Announced

The Benedictine Baseball Program will be hosting a skills camp for pitchers and catchers this holiday season. The camp will be held on Monday, December 27th from noon to 2pm. This is for boys in grades 5-8 who would like to hone their talents. We will be teaching the mechanics of pitching and catching as well as putting theory into practice. As a bonus, camp All-Stars will have the chance to win autographed items from the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns.

Cost of the camp is only $10. To register contact Coach Sliwinski or Mrs. Reilly. You may also register with Mrs. Reilly by phone at (216) 421-2080 x156.  Mrs. Reilly will not be available after the 17th, contact Coach Sliwinski at that time to register.

Thanks for supporting your Benedictine Bengals.

Player Meeting Scheduled – Off Season Conditioning Program to Begin

All students in grades 10-12 interested in playing baseball this spring must attend a mandatory meeting with the coaching staff on Monday November 22.  Please meet after school in room 318.  For those who need to schedule transportation the meeting will end at approximately 4:30pm.   Winter sport athletes who have a scheduled practice at that time need to see Coach Ryzner to pick up and complete paperwork. 

Freshman interested in playing baseball have the option to attend.  Information about the upcoming season and paperwork will be distributed in class by Coach Farrell.

Our off-season conditioning and weight program will begin on Monday December 6th.  All baseball players not currently participating in a winter sport should report to room 318 at 3:15pm.   Information regarding the off-season program regarding dates and times will be discussed at the meeting on November 22.

2011 Coaching Staff and Schedule Complete

I am pleased to announce that Coach Woody Smith has been promoted to the Varsity staff where he will continue his duties as the programs pitching coach.  He will also add to his duties catching instruction as well as first base coach on game days.  Coach Woody replaces Brian Nolan who retired this past spring after 40 years in education and coaching; his last 29 at Benedictine.

Bios for all the coaches have been updated and you may view them by clicking on their names over to the right.  At the bottom of the page you you will find the calendar with the completed schedules for all three levels.  By clicking on the date you will find information on our opponent, date, and location.  Check back frequently as we will update this with 2011 fundraising events as well as trivia contest questions where you can win Bengal Baseball prizes.

Nobby’s Classic Schedule Set

All six games for the 2nd Annual Nobby’s Classic have been scheduled.  This year will be a two-day event sponsored by the Case Western Reserve Baseball Team and all proceeds benefit the Spartan Baseball Program.  This event features six games with eleven high school teams; your Benedictine Bengals will make two appearances.  Further details will be posted as we get closer to the season.  Below is the game schedule.

April 30th, 2011

10:00am	Mentor	v. Solon
1:00pm	Mayfield	v. Benedictine
4:00pm	Avon Lake	v. Bay Village

May 7th, 2011

10:00am	Brecksville	v. Brush
1:00pm	Lake Catholic	v. Benedictine
4:00pm	University School	v. Willoughby South

Coach Tomc Honored

Varsity Assistant Coach Tim Tomc was recently honored by the Parma Recreation Department and the Parma Amateur Athletic Federation for his outstanding contributions to the youth softball program.  Coach Tomc is the Parma Recreation Youth Softball Coordinator.

2011 Schedule Taking Shape

The countdown to the 2011 season has begun.  The Cuyahoga River Conference games have been finalized and the independent portion of the schedule is taking shape.  Double-headers with Orange, Cleveland Heights, Bedford, and North Ridgeville are a big part of the season.  We also have single games versus Elyria, Mayfield, Eastlake North, Firelands, and our home-opener versus Cleveland John Hay are apart of our schedule.  We even have a couple of scrimmages set.

Many of our players are currently participating in fall baseball leagues and preparing for our off-season weight and conditioning program.  Keep an eye on the calendar at the bottom of the page for updates on the upcoming season along with other team related events.

2010 South Euclid Fall Baseball League

Registration will be held on Sunday August 8th, 15th & 22nd at Quarry Park – North from 2:00pm-5:00pm. 

• COST is $90 per player (for 6 weeks – 12 game schedule, plus a play-off)

• SEASON BEGINS TUESDAY, AUGUST 24^TH – ENDS OCTOBER 9^TH

• Each team will play a Single Game on either Tues., Wed., or Thurs., AND a Single game on Saturdays

• Weeknight games start at 6:15 PM and no inning will start after 8:00 PM

• Saturday games will be played at 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:00 PM

• Players must be a High School Student in 2010 – 2011

• Individual Players Only – No Teams

• Fee includes: T-shirt, socks and cap (players provide own pants)

• Please bring check made out to “SEBBL” with your Registration

NOTE: League organizers will assign individual players to teams. Teams will be coached by volunteers.  Only 4 Players from the same high school program allowed per team (incoming freshmen and players not on a high school roster do not count towards the total of four).  Organizers will attempt to make the rosters as fair and balanced as possible.  Players may request to be on the same team as a high school teammate or friend, but this may not be possible.

For more information:

Call either Ross (216) 990-3860 or Scott (216) 382-4675

Six Bengals Named to News Herald All-Star Team

The Lake County News Herald announced their coverage area All-Star Team this week.  Congratulations to the Bengals who were named to the team.

First Team

• Taylor Branisel

Second Team

• Jake Marinelli

Third Team

• Ryan Kovar
• Tim Szalay

Honorable Mention

• Joe Bova
• John Hromulak

Directions to Jefferson Little League Complex

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1250 N. Market St., Jefferson, OH  44047

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Matt Thomas ‘09

Matt Thomas ‘09, is currently attending Div I Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.  The Griffs are 35-18 and 17-4 in conference play.

As a Bengal Matt was the recipient of the Nobby Lewandowski Pitcher Award in 2008 and 2009 as well as named Mr. Baseball in 2009.  We wish Matt continued success in the future.

Bengals Hit Their Way to the Districts

The Bengals defeated Cleveland John Hay 19-0 in the Sectional Final to advance to this weeks game vs Lake Catholic in the District opener.  The team scored the 19 runs on 18 hits.  John Hromulak, Jake Marinelli, Ryan Kovar, Tim Szalay, Justin Bonchek and Joe Fisher each had two hits.  Marinelli and Kovar added three RBI and Szalay scored three times.

Hromulak pitched three scoreless innings for the win, striking out five and giving up two hits.  Jordan Durham and Taylor Branisel each pitched an inning of scoreless baseball.

The game vs Lake Catholic is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:30pm at the Jefferson Little League Complex.

Sectional Final Re-Scheduled for Saturday

The Sectional Final vs John Hay will be played on Saturday May 15th @ 4:30.  We will play the game at Hawken High School.  Our JV team will also play a 2pm game tomorrow at Hawken.

Today's Freshman game vs Medina along w/the origianlly scheduled Varsity & JV games tomorrow vs Firelands have all been canceled.