|
|
|
|
|
|
Bull Pen NewsCory Harrilchak receives NCAA pre-season attention Cory Harrilchak (03-04) was recently named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Preseason All-American 2nd team. from the Cary News: Cory Harrilchak, now playing for Elon, has been named to the preseason 2009 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List. Harrilchak becomes the fourth Phoenix player put on the list in the past three seasons. The Wallace Award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The 2009 award banquet will be held July 2 on the campus of Texas Tech. Harrilchak, an outfielder and pitcher for the Phoenix, became the first Elon player to bat over .400 since 1988. He finished the year with a .410 batting average, ranking 27th in the nation. Harrilchak was named the 2008 SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player after hitting .591 with three homers, 11 RBIs, 13 runs scored (tying a tournament record) and a 1-0 record on the mound in the tournament.
Cade Holiday named Florida Special Teams Captain Cade Holiday, from the Bulls 2003 team, has been named Special Teams Captain for the University of Florida football team. He and the Gators will play for the National Championship January 8. Drew Woodall selected to play in USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars Drew Woodall was selected this morning to play for the American Legion team in USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars in June 2009. The Tournament of Stars (TOS) is made up of 144 of the nation's best ballplayers that are international age-eligible. They are invited by 8 youth baseball groups (AABC, American Legion, Babe Ruth, Dixie, PONY, NABF, RBI, and USA Baseball) and compete on 8 teams under the same names. Generally speaking, official invites for the tournament will be sent from the USA Baseball office in late April. These players form the pool of talent from which USA Baseball will select its 18U National Team to represent our country in international competition. The 18U National Team program has a storied history with alumni including superstar Major Leaguers Paul Konerko, Mike Mussina, Alex Rodriguez, and John Smoltz, and recent #1 Overall Picks in the Major League Draft - Joe Mauer (2001), Delmon Young (2003), Matt Bush (2004), Justin Upton (2005), and Luke Hochevar (2006). Additionally, 2005 AL Rookie of the Year Huston Street played in the 2001 TOS. Typical TOS players are highly motivated to be the next person added to this esteemed list.
|
Where Traditions are born
Home of the N.C. Jr American Legion State Champions 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 |
||||
|
Bulls Make College Baseball Commitments Several former Bulls have committed to play college baseball over the last couple of months.
6 Bulls Named to All-Tournament Team 6 players from the State Champion Cary Bulls were named to the All-Tournament team for the 2008 NC Jr American Legion State tournament held in Kinston.
Grant Shambley, tournament MVP Grant “set the table” for the Bulls batting .450 (9/20), with an OBP of .521. The Bulls counted on Grant to command the opponents’ attention and he did so by executing great bunts, slash hits and even driving the ball in the gaps, driving in 3 runs. While on base Grant also contributed 2 SB. Grant scored 9 runs in the tournament, none bigger than reaching home safely on a dropped 3rd strike against Rocky Mount. The Bulls trailed by 1 run late in the game when Grant avoided the tag in the top of the 6th inning. The Bulls went on to win and move to Championship day. Grant continued his strong anchor in Center Field throughout the tournament.
Nolan Poythress Nolan batted .333 (6/18) with an OBP .454. He led the Bulls in the tournament with 6 RBI, while also scoring 3 runs and stealing 1 base. Nolan was a key to the Bulls pitching staff, pitching 6.2 innings, many of which came in critical situations to stop a rally. Nolan faced opponents’ toughest hitters and shut them down, allowing only 1 unearned run and recording 7 Ks on his way to an ERA of 0.00.
Jake Milinichik Jake led the Bulls pitching staff with 11 IP and 13 Ks, allowing only 1 run on his way to an ERA of 0.63. Jake came up big on Championship day, throwing a complete game against Cherryville, propelling the Bulls into the Championship final. Jake shutdown a Cherryville squad, who had previously not been shutout all season. The next to the last pitch of the game was an 87 MPH fastball, low in the zone for a strike. The final pitch of the game was a fly ball to center field to end the game. Jake also contributed 1 RBI for the tournament.
James Todd JT continued his hot hitting in the tournament with two key hits on the way to batting .500 (2/4), with an outstanding OBP of .777. He drove in 1 run, while scoring 2 more himself. During one stretch, JT reached base 7 times in a row. JT pitched 6.1 strong innings for the Bulls, striking out 8 batters and allowing only 2 unearned runs, while compiling an ERA of 0.00.
Blair Betts Blair provided 10 strong innings on the mound, in important situations. He struck out 13 batters and allowed only 2 runs, with an impressive ERA of 1.40. Blair was able to get batters out when it counted most. He also scored a run, batted .200 (2/10) with an OBP of .333.
Wade Woodworth Wade elevated his game on the biggest of stages. He came through with hits in key situations, batting .454 (5/11), scoring 5 runs and driving in 2. Wade compiled a very impressive OBP of .600. While his bat was important, his solid defensive play at 3rd base was key to the Bulls success.
Bulls recapture Jr. Legion title Read at The Cary News
Cary Legion Legend pitches in 2008 MLB HR Derby
I saw Clay around the ballpark when Raleigh Post 1 played Cary Post 67 in the 70's. I didn't give it much thought, until I joined the Bulls coaching staff in 2004. There again was Clay. The man was amazing. He was throwing batting practice almost every day, but what struck me was his dedication to baseball and his desire to give back to the game he loves through countless hours of advice to kids. Clay not only works with the ones who play in the Cary legion program, but any who want to listen. The numbers are too great to count.
Cary, Post 67 Senior Legion coach, Clay Council got another big "thank you" 3 weeks before the 2008 MLB HR Derby, when Josh Hamilton called. The Cary Legion "family" was thrilled. The anticipation was akin to Super Bowl Sunday. Many gathered together around television sets to watch Josh, but the focus was again on Clay. Clay, once again "pounded the zone". I will never forget the group's emotion for Clay at our gathering . Many an eye was misty for Clay's reward that night. There was no more deserving man. Clay, from all your Cary Legion family and the countless young men you helped along their way, THANK YOU!! Harold Kelly, Coach, Cary Bulls Read more at DugCentral.com and The Cary News.
Tim Federowicz the College World Series' first grand slam since 2001 for the game winner. Read more at Tarheelblue
Former Bull Drafted in 2008 MLB Draft Former Cary Bulls, Tim Federowicz (UNC-Chapel Hill) was drafted in the 2008 MLB Draft. Tim was the 5th-ever Bull drafted at # 232 by the Boston Red Sox.
Former Bulls set for NCAA Regionals
Twelve former Cary Bulls players will participate in this
weeks NCAA Regional Baseball tournaments. These Bulls will play for six
different teams in three different regionals. Elon’s Harrilchak: This guy picks his spots — everywhere Read at TheTimesNews.com
The Cary Bulls began their 12th season by earning the 350th win in program history. After sweeping a doubleheader from the Cary Colts the Bulls have now won 351 games against 96 losses for a winning percentage of .785. The 3-time state champs are also the winningest team in NC Jr. Legion history. Scrimmage moved to Monday, May 12 at 5PM, due to weather @ Green Hope HS Cary Jr American Legion's scrimmage, originally scheduled for Sunday May 11 has been rescheduled due to weather. The scrimmage will now be held Monday, May 12 at 5 PM at Green Hope High School. Players should be prepared for the first pitch of the scrimmage at 5 PM sharp. Cary Jr American Legion announces 2008 schedule and Information Meeting Cary American Legion Post # 67 will be fielding summer baseball teams for young men for the 35th consecutive year. These programs are fully funded by the American Legion and there are no costs to the players. This year will be 12th season for the 3-time and 2007 State Runners-Up Cary Bulls. They will be joined the Cary Colts. The Bulls will be made of players born in 1991 and later and the Colts will consist of players born in 1992 and later. Both of these teams focus on the development of the individual player and play aggressive schedules beginning in mid-May and ending with the State Tournament in mid-July. Any player who resides in Wake County and was born in or after 1991 is eligible to participate on these teams. If you feel you have the ability and desire to play a demanding schedule at the highest level, we encourage you to consider these programs as a summer baseball option. Interested players and parents are invited to attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30 pm at the Cary Legion Post Home located at 8523 Chapel Hill Rd. in Cary. The coaches will be on hand to meet the prospective players and answer questions. Refreshments will be served. There are many options for baseball players during the summer. Players and parents should weigh these options carefully and choose the one that is best for their personal development. Cary American Legion Post # 67 is committed to the development of young men through the sport of baseball.
Cary Jr American Legion Try-outs May 10 & 11 @ Green Hope HS Post # 67 will be holding tryouts on Saturday May 10th at 10:00 AM at Green Hope High School. Sign-up begins at 9:30 AM at the field. This will be a testing session where players will be timed and evaluated. This tryout should last approximately 2 hrs. The tryout process will continue an Sunday May 11th at 2:00 pm with a scrimmage. This year the Bulls will be made up of players born in 1991 and later and the Colts will consist of players born in 1992 and later. The Bulls will carry a roster of 17-20 players and the Colts will carry 14-17. The amount of pitching will be the main difference in the team rosters. Both teams will follow a predetermined process for player selection. DO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. Every year there are several players selected that are surprises. We are selecting teams not individuals. Both teams, the Colts and the Bulls, will practice on May 13, 14 & 15th and will open their seasons against each other on May 17th. The selection process will be:
Colts:
In order to be considered for the first six spots on either team the player and his parents must be willing to make a 2-year commitment to the Cary American Legion Baseball Program. These spots are dedicated to development and we implement a 2-year process. This is a big commitment from our program and we expect the same from the player. If you are not comfortable with this commitment, DON'T make it. Both of our teams will offer outstanding opportunities for individual development. We are aware that there are several summer baseball options for area players. We feel both our teams are outstanding options. We encourage you to make the choice that is best for your personal development. Your best chance for future success is to become the best player you can be. Our program is committed to assisting you in this process.
Whole lotta Bull on the College diamond
The Cary Bulls had six former players take the field in last
night's game between Elon and UNC-Wilmington. UNC-W started three former
Bulls, Rhett Miller, Michael Rooney and Matt Holt, and they combined to go
4 for 10 at the plate and scored all of their team's 4 runs. All three
collected hits with Rooney getting two and Miller scored two runs for the
Seahawks. Elon countered with Cory Harrilchak who collected two hits,
including a 3-run HR, and scored two runs for the Phoenix.
Oakland A's Prospect Q&A: Landon Powell, C
The injury news has rarely been good when it comes to players in the Oakland A's organization over the past few years. Good news may be in the offing for one of the A's best catching prospects, however. Landon Powell, whose break-out 2007 season was interrupted by an ACL tear, is making good progress in his recovery from the injury. We spoke to Powell while he was en route to Phoenix.
Landon Powell's 2007 season should have ended with
accolades. Instead, it ended with surgery. The Oakland A's catching
prospect was in the midst of an eye-opening campaign when he was felled
by a torn ACL in early July. At the time of his injury, Powell was
batting .292 with 14 homers and a 910 OPS in 64 games, mostly with
Double-A Midland. Powell, a switch-hitter, was playing his fourth game
with Triple-A Sacramento when he injured his left knee. He had homered
three times in those four games, his first stint at the Triple-A level.
OaklandClubhouse: First of all, I wanted to see how the rehab was going
and how your knee was feeling?
My goal is to be ready for Opening Day of Spring Training on
February 13th and have no restrictions. I’m sure the A’s will want something
different. I’m guessing that they will want to take it slow with me and make
sure that everything is alright, but I’m hoping to prove them wrong in that
regard.
|
||||||
I
did not personally interview Clay for this article, I left that to others. I
have seen and been around Clay for 30+ years, since I played American Legion
Baseball. The following are just a few of my experiences. 
Clay never relishes the spotlight and many times players forget to say
"thank you". Former Bulls' alum and current Oakland A's top catching
prospect, Landon Powell presented a big "thank you" to Clay when he gave him
new Ford Explorer in 2005. "It is the nicest vehicle I have ever had"
Clay said before being overcome with emotion.
This site was last updated 12/30/08