Staff of former Major Leaguers scout and develop players attending
.jpg)
The Freedom League’s
inaugural winter program was successful for the players attending as well as
the Freedom League itself. Players from Arizona, California, Louisiana, New
Jersey, North Dakota, and Venezuela reported February 12th for
instruction at Chandler’s Snedigar Park. League President Joe Sperle commented,
“I am very pleased with the amount of talent we had turn out”. The winter
program provides opportunities for players to get exposure with not only the
Freedom League, but Major League clubs as well.
Freedom League instructors
included Arizona Centennials managers Ben Johnson, hitting coach of the Arizona
Centennials Rafael Melchione, and league president Joe Sperle. Pittsburgh
Pirates scout and former big league player Jamie Brewington spoke to players
the first day about what scouts look for in players and his experience in
professional baseball. Dr. Raymond J. Petras presented on injury and pain
management using mental training. Manny Mota Jr. taught players exercises to
strengthen their core and worked with players on their conditioning.
Scrimmage games were played
on Saturday and Sunday mornings to give players game experience and an opportunity
to expand on their training during the week. Freedom League staff constantly
reminded players that they had multiple opportunities to showcase their skills
to those connected to both Major League baseball and the Freedom League. With
such personal instruction the Freedom League can make decisions on whether to
sign these players based on a 2-week evaluation instead of a traditional 1-day
tryout.
Although rain and even a
rare flurry of snow disrupted baseball elsewhere in the valley, the Freedom League pushed on with the help of North Scottsdale indoor sports facility Play at Eaze. Players worked on hitting and pitchers took advantage of the dirt
mound by throwing bullpen sessions to keep on track.
Scott Hanish, 2012 Freedom League pitcher and owner of Zinger Bats, opened his doors to players to provide
insight on wood bats. Winter League players watched a square block of wood turn
into a finished Zinger Bat before their eyes, and even assisted with the
sanding and custom lettering process.
The Winter League concluded February 26th
with all players invited to the front office to discuss goals and their future.
A majority of these players signed a 2013 Freedom League contract or were given
invitations to the league’s spring training in May.
A spring session will be
held April 3-17 in Goodyear, Arizona and interested players are encouraged to
contact the Freedom League for more information.
About the Freedom Pro Baseball League
The Freedom Pro Baseball League was founded in 2012 by former pro baseball player and baseball
instructor, Joe Sperle. The Freedom Pro Baseball League is focused on
providing high quality, affordable, family-friendly baseball entertainment in
Arizona. Their goal is to make our games exciting by recruiting some of the
best professional athletes for the community to watch. They plan to embed their teams into the communities where they play, and contribute to local
organizations and charities through their athlete outreach program. As a business
in the community they are certainly looking for opportunities for partnerships
to assist us in sustainability, and providing affordable local entertainment to
Individuals, families, military and the retired section of the communities.
Baseball fans may very well have an opportunity to see a future Hall-of-Famer,
or personally witness the excitement of Major League scouts actively pursuing
one of their outstanding athletes. Probably even more important to local athletes
is the opportunity to be signed by a professional baseball team right in their
own community.
For more information about the Spring League click here.
