74 High School Ruffnecks gather for Winter Workouts

The Ruffnecks baseball program commenced Winter Workouts at Harvard University on Sunday, January 22nd with 112 players in uniform taking their repetitions.  The morning began at 6:45am with the arrival of 74 high school players ages 15U to 18U.  While many of the players are returning Ruffnecks, they were joined by a number of talented candidates vying for the remaining roster spots on the three oldest college prospect teams for summer 2012.  Two full diamonds were in action, along with catchers, pitching stations, speed work, and outfield drills.  The talent and focus were evident throughout the crisp two hour session.  18 Coaches worked with the 74 players.  There was little down time, as preparation began for spring and summer.  The Winter Workouts serve two purposes for high school age Ruffnecks: First, they are preparatory for the upcoming school season.  The Winter Workouts run until the last week in February, leading high school players into their school pre-seasons.  Second, the workouts provide an opportunity for Ruffnecks coaches to evaluate and plan for the summer season which begins in June.  Among the coaches in attendance were professional scouts, former and current professional players, former Red Sox great Rich Gedman, and the Ruffnecks staff of coaches.  Following the high school workout, the 13U and 14U Ruffnecks arrived at 9:00 to conduct a similar session of repetitions and work.  In the coming weeks the 13s and 14s will be preparing for their opening tournament at the end of March.  It was a fine start to the last stretch of the “off season.”  Ruffnecks Winter Workouts continue until March 4th.

Oil Can Boyd speaks to 13s

Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, one of the most flamboyant pitchers in Boston Red Sox history, and a member of the 1986 Red Sox World Series team, visited the workout of the 13U Ruffnecks on Wednesday, January 18th at the Facility.  Mr. Boyd came to the Ruffnecks Facility to help one of the 13U players on a school project about the Negro Leagues.  His own father and several uncles were players in the Negro Leagues when baseball was segregated.  The “Can” also participated in the hitting session, even throwing batting practice to the Ruffnecks players.  He featured his memorable flash and brilliance as he mixed breaking balls with challenging fast balls to the young Ruffnecks hitters.  Yet it was not all about giving the kids a thrill, as much as it was an opportunity for Mr. Boyd to communicate his passion for the pitcher-hitter matching of wits.  He took time to speak at length with individual hitters about approach, what he tried to do as a pitcher, and how to manage an at-bat.  At the end of the session Oil Can spoke for about 10 minutes to the boys about the game in a heartfelt manner.  We thank Mr. Boyd for being a part of the Ruffnecks program for a day.  He is playing the role of the great Satchel Paige in the upcoming movie “42″ which is about Jackie Robinson and breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.  Always opinionated, it was an honor for our young players to be in Oil Can’s company!