Tryouts: How to be considered for the Ruffnecks

Inquires for new candidates are welcome throughout the Fall and Winter.  Prospective players and families may contact the office directly by phone or by email.  Our Tryouts are conducted through direct involvement with our activities such as Fall Baseball, Winter Workouts, or other events or clinics.  While we do not hold schedule Tryout Dates, we will discuss an appropriate evaluation opportunity with any serious candidate.

College Development and Track Record

Former Ruffneck Sean Reilly & Atlanta Braves' Jayson Heyward in 2006 Ruffnecks game

The Ruffnecks were among the very first to establish a College Prospect development program in Massachusetts and Eastern New England.  Since 2006 we have earned a distinguished track record that spans five years of college development and placement of our players.  Players who have matriculated through our program are currently playing at Division I schools that include: Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Holy Cross, William & Mary, University of North Carolina, Florida International, Georgetown, Binghamton, Kennesaw State, Stanford University, the University of Massachusetts, among others.  Division III schools such as Amherst College, Bates, Bowdoin, Curry, Dickinson, Endicott, Trinity, Williams are represented by former Ruffnecks.  Other outstanding baseball schools including Ithaca College and Franklin Pierce University also have Ruffnecks on their rosters.  Ruffnecks players in the Class of 2011 are currently committed to Boston College, Brown University, Vanderbilt University, Coastal Carolina, Bryant University, University of Connecticut with additional commitments still pending. This is a proven track record and one we stand by.  In fact, close to 90 percent of our players who play on our prospect teams have gone on to play at least some college baseball.

Selection to Teams and Openings

We field five teams: One each at 13U, 14U, 15U, and two College Prospect  Teams.  Our two College Prospect rosters are skewed by age and graduation class.  In 2011 the 17U/18U is comprised primarily of 2012 high school grads, while the 16U team is primarily 2013 grads and some younger 2012 grads.

13U Tryouts and Other Entry Points

Many of our players to return and advance through our developmental system.  Nonetheless, we experience some attrition, albeit a small percentage each year.  The best point of entry is the 13U Ruffnecks year.  We encourage players and families to consider the program at 13U.  More information is available on the 13U Team Page.  We encourage participation in Fall Baseball for 13U candidates.  At every other level we accept new candidates and add good players to our rosters.

Candidates for Ruffnecks High School Teams 15U and Up

Serious candidates for our summer travel teams for high school players are welcome to inquire at any time of the year prior to the summer season.  However, our goal is to assemble our roster by positional needs at each level.  We work out as a program, not individual teams during the fall and winter for high school aged players.  Our Fall program and Winter Workouts are the best evaluation mechanism for selection to one of our advanced travel teams.

Ruffnecks at Clemson University

All five of the Ruffnecks teams traveled extensively during the summer of 2010.  Each attended World Series events throughout July.  The 13U Ruffnecks finished their season of over 50 games in Westfield, Indiana at the CABA World Series.  After dropping the first two games by one run the team simply could not bounce back during the week long tourney.  While it was a disappointing finish, the team came together nicely and made significant strides in their four month long season.  Nonetheless, each Ruffnecks squad made its mark during the summer of 2010.

14U Finish In Championship Bracket

The 14U Ruffnecks finished in a hot and muggy Nashville, Tennessee by making the Championship bracket only to lose two games in the double elimination round, each by one run.  In fact, one-run games were the hallmark of the tournament for the Ruffnecks.  The team played in 8 games and all but one of the contests were decided by one run.  Justin Smith had an outstanding tournament with the bat as he belted two home runs and hit close to .500 for the event.  Kevin Cuneo also hit a game winning homer in one of the contests decided by a run.

13U Pete St. Lawrence Squares Ball

15U Ruffnecks Finish 3rd at Charleston, SC and in Final 16 at CABA World Series

The 15U Ruffnecks made the Championship round in Charleston, South Carolina at the first ever CABA Wood World Series.  They defeated a strong Diamond Devil team twice, before falling in the third game late in elimination play.  It was another very successful tournament for the team in Chicago, Illinois at the metal bat CABA World Series.  The Ruffnecks marched successfully to the #12 overall seed among over 50 teams.  The team did well in double elimination play before dropping a second game to a strong Indiana Bandits squad.  Over the course of week-long play, the Ruffnecks went 6-3.

Ruffnecks “Blue” (16s) Travel to Memphis and East Cobb

The Ruffnecks “Blue” (16U) enjoyed considerable success this summer.  In addition to winning the Fourth of July Select Six Tourney, the team has traveled to Memphis, TN to participate in the CABA Wood World Series.  It was a successful tournament in Memphis, and Coach Fredericks’ team continued its success in East Cobb, GA for the metal bat CABA World Series in one of the toughest tournaments in the country.  The squad opened the tournament with a thrilling 1-0 victory over NorCal behind a determined pitching performance from Dan Dymecki.  The Ruffnecks won the game in the bottom of the 7th on an RBI single by Eric Oberg.  Regrettably, the team lost SS Dan Cellucci with a broken ankle.  The Ruffnecks made their way to the final 12 before dropping a one-run decision that would have continued their season.

Ruffnecks “Red” Continue to Show Grit

The Ruffnecks “Red” team, comprised of 2011 grads, showed they were the class of CABA at Euclid, Ohio and continued to distinguish themselves as they did all summer.  In the 52 team 17U CABA World Series the Ruffnecks finished first overall after Pool Play with a 6-0 record.  Pitching continued to establish the tone for the Ruffnecks as starters Jordan Cote, John Gorman, Adam Ravenelle, Matt Luppi, and Carl Anderson have done a tremendous job.  The bats have also helped with AJ Zarozny contributing three home runs in one game!  Carl Anderson hit a grand slam and Will Smith contributed at solo shot in a thrilling come from behind win.  Unfortunately, the team headed into the playoff bracket without the services of the “Big Three” pitchers… Cote, Gorman, and Ravenelle.  All three were selected to the Yankees Northeast Area Code team and traveled to Lakeland, Florida and Long Beach, California.  We congratulate these three Ruffnecks selections to the Northeast Area Code team.  The 18U Ruffnecks put together a final superlative effort at the Blue Chip Prospects tournament in New Jersey August 2-6 where they handily won their pool with the assistance of several 16U and 15U players from the Ruffnecks.  The end of the season came when the squad had no pitching left to proceed to the playoff round.  Coaches Dan Brookes, Kevin Casey, and Matt Blake were profoundly proud of this, the most successful and focused Ruffnecks College Prospect team ever.