April Recap
Dedication and hard work throughout the winter paid off with a successful and exciting first month of games for the Bobcats!
14u -- Made a rapid ascent into first-place of NH Select League Division 1, posting a 7-1 record. Right-hander Brady LaBier has emerged as the staff ace, going 3-0 with a perfect ERA. Luke Delia, batting .667 with seven RBIs, leads the team in hitting.
13u -- The defending champs are off to a 10-1 start in the Select League Elite Division, losing for the first time in 50 games last weekend. Right-hander Chase Philibotte (2-0) continues to impress on the mound, notching 26 strikeouts in just 14 innings. Caden Siraco (.480 average) and Aaron Masson (.455, two homers) have the led way for a relentless offense.
12u -- The 12u team posted an 9-1 record in April and won the NH Kickoff Tournament championship at Manchester Cal Ripken, led by starting pitcher Levi Locke. Aaron Parker and Nate Duquette each have two home runs. Covid-related issues led the cancellation of a trip to Cooperstown, N.Y. However, the team is heading to Branson, Missouri for the trip of a lifetime in August.
11u -- Injuries and a quarantine haven't stopped Bobcats Bernier from posting a 10-0 record and winning the NH Kickoff Tournament in Manchester. This team has already posted five shutouts. Big righties Jakoby Schoppmeyer and Nolan Lavigne have combined for six wins and 40 strikeouts! Bobcats Spooner (1-7-1) got into the win column with a complete-game effort by righty Sam Doemling.
10u -- It's been a thrill-a-minute with nearly every game being decided in dramatic fashion. The Bobcats are off to a 6-2 start, led by pitcher Cam Thompson (.692, four doubles, three triples) and a star-studded pitching staff. Yadiel Lebron hit a grand slam during the opening weekend as the Bobcat swept the defending champion NE Charge.
9u -- If the season were measured by attitude, determination and spirit, the Bobcats would be in the first-place. However, this team has lost several close games and continues to search for that elusive first win. Austin Noyes is off to a red-hot start, batting .600 with three extra-base hits. Sam Packard and Brody Stone have been a steady 1-2 punch on the mound.
Complete Catching Camp
Catchers, mark your calendar! The 4th annual Complete Catching Camp will be held April 6, 8, 13 and 15 at Ultimate Sports Academy from 6-8 p.m. The camp is led by catching guru Marc Pantazis, a former player and coach at both the University of Maine and Rhode Island Community College. The camp is highly organized with age-appropriate groups, covering:
-- Proper position for giving signs, receiving and blocking
-- Footwork and transitions for throwing to each base
-- Fielding bunts, tag plays and safety measures to avoid injury
-- Game management and tips for working with pitchers
All players must reserve a spot. E-mail Bobcats director Kevin Gray, info@nhbobcats.com. There is no charge for Bobcats players!
The Bobcats are taking winter training to the next level by invading the New Hampshire Sportsdome on Feb. 19 and Feb. 26! This amazing new facility is located at 11 Benton Road, Hooksett, NH 03106. Although parents are not yet allowed as spectators, the Bobcats will be rolling live video on the Bobcats Facebook page.
Lavigne Hitting Series
Serious hitters will love the personal attention and steady improvement of the Lavigne Hitting Series at USA. The next session will be a three-day clinic Dec. 28-30 from 12-2 p.m.
Location: Ultimate Sports Academy, 8051 South Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03103
This event has reached capacity.
Instruction is provided by Colorado Rockies prospect Grant Lavigne, Kevin Lavigne, along with New Hampshire Bobcats coaches. Learn from the ground up about how to create more power, stay on balance and on time! Player-to-coach ratio is 4-to-1. Cost is $150
Covid Safety Measures: The staff at Ultimate Sports Academy follows all NH Covid safety protocols and guidelines throughout the program including:
-- Participant check-in screening with infrared digital thermometer
-- A dedicated staff member will be present at all times to monitor social distancing and compliance with protective actions and use of cloth face coverings when physical distancing is less than 6 feet.
Winter training time slots
We are crushing the the 10th season of New Hampshire Bobcats winter training! Check out your team page on this site for all your upcoming workouts. Here is a master list of Bobcats indoor practices continuing through March.
9u -- Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Monday, 6-7:30 p.m.
10u -- Sunday, 1-3 p.m.; Thursday, 7-8 p.m.
11u Spooner -- Monday, 5-6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
11u Bernier -- Tuesday, 5-6 p.m.; Thursday, 5-7 p.m.
12u -- Sunday, 3-5 p.m.; Tuesday, 6-7 p.m.
13u -- Tuesday, 7-8 p.m.; Saturday, 9-11 a.m.
14u -- Sunday, 8-10 a.m.; Tuesday, 8-9 p.m.
15u -- Monday, 7:30-9 p.m.; Thursday, 8-9:30 p.m.
Covid guidelines and precautions
-- Enter through the lobby and exit through the side door on the turf side. This helps with spacing and distancing as sessions end and start up.
-- Players scanned upon entry with a no-contact digital thermometer.
-- All participants must wear a mask at all times
-- Players must pass through a sanitizing station before entering the practice area.
-- Only players are allowed on the practice side (turf area) at USA. Parents should drop off the player and wait in your vehicle.
-- Commonly touched surfaces will be frequently disinfected and wiped down.
-- A dedicated USA staff member will be on hand to monitor social distancing and safety protocols. As always, the health and safety or our players is the No. 1 priority. See you soon!
Four Bobcats join EBL National Teams!
The New Hampshire Bobcats are proud to announce Ismael Bautista, Nathanial Duquette, Michael Chirichiello and Dillon Gaudet have earned spots on EBL National Teams, joining the best players in New England for summer tournaments in 2020. Bautista will play in a 12u tournament at Cooperstown Dreams Park August 7-13. He will also make a Bobcats team trip to Dreams Park with the Bobcats Aug. 22-27.
After finishing with Bobcats, Duquette is headed to the Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach, S.C., July 19-24. Chirichiello will join the 10u EBL National Team and play in a tourney at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., July 5-10. Gaudet is heading to Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J., to join the star-studded 13u EBL team. This is a great opportunity and amazing honor for these hard-working and talented players. Congrats and well deserved!
Bobcats Throwing Program
Your throwing arm is your lifeline in baseball. In order to prepare for the season, it's essential to build a foundation for throwing with a steady progression and proper mechanics. Bobcats pitching coordinator Tim Viehoff will guide teams ages 10-15 with throwing sessions every week leading into the season. This is all part of the Bobcats package and our commitment to preventative care and longterm player development. Weekly sessions include:
- Dynamic stretch and warmup with resistance bands
- Grip, arm action and playing catch with a purpose
- Balance drills and directional movement toward target
- Throwing progression leading into long toss and bullpens
Established. Successful. Baseball Development.
We are an elite travel program with a mission to teach comprehensive skills and strategy in a challenging and healthy atmosphere. We instill the values of hard work, teamwork and sportsmanship and players learn to apply those skills to life. Founded in 2012, the New Hampshire Bobcats have already developed more than 40 players who have gone on to play college baseball. This is done with professional coaches who are committed to development with an emphasis on the longterm. If you love baseball and want to be surrounded by those who share your passion, play for the Bobcats and separate yourself from the pack!
Fall Ball Highlights
12u Division -- The defending champion Bobcats crushed the Prospects, 11-1 and 12-1, clinching first place in the division. Bobcats pitchers Chase Philibotte, Caden Siraco, Cole Eaton and Kaelen Williams combined to allow only two hits on the day. The Bobcats (13-1) won the championship, 5-4, over the Seacoast Cubs. The team has been powered by homers from Mikey Bebris, Liam Ireland and RBI-machine Daniel St. Germaine.
Middle School Division -- Bobcats Jones (6-4) has enjoyed solid pitching by Grayson Davis, Steele Lambert and Alex Shareiko, while Bobcats Curran (3-7) has relied on outstanding pitching by Kaeden Elmer, Brady LaBier and Luke Smithson.
High School Division -- Gunner Hagstrom threw a perfect game, retiring all 15 batters in a doubleheader sweep over the Dirt Dogs. Zach Mooers blasted a grand slam onto the rocks beyond the left field wall in Pittsfield. The Bobcats (7-3) also recorded back-to-back no-hitters as Hagstrom, Connor Haas and Peter Haas blanked Pembroke in a sweep.
9u-12u Season in Review
Success breeds success -- and that was certainly the case looking back on the 2019 season. The Bobcats celebrated six different championships from ages 9u-12u while compiling an overall record of 90-41-3. A look back at some of the many accomplishments:
12u -- The Division I team (also known as our Cooperstown team) played 30 games, beginning with a highly competitive tourney at New England Baseball Complex. One of our proudest moments came during the Mill City Spring Fling tournament when 12u Yerrington and 12u Jones each won their pool and met for an all-Bobcats championship! The Memorial Day Classic was another epic weekend in which the Bobcats D1 team won six consecutive games, culminating with a 10-2 championship victory over the Spinners Prospects.
11u -- Coming a Division II championship in 2018, this team moved up to Div. 1A and continued to enjoy success, posting a 19-7 record and winning the Memorial Day Classic. Highlights included a 12-game winning streak and championship game appearance in the Mill City tourney.
10u -- Just an incredible season for this group: three consecutive tourney championships, 26-5 overall record, a trip to the Gold Bracket EBL championship tourney. So much hard and focus that kept paying off.
9u -- Most Improved Team of 2019. Following a slow start, this team went on a hot streak and ended up hosting and winning the New England EBL Silver Bracket championship in Manchester. The overall record of 15-7-1 included a trip to Cape Cod and a playoff appearance in the Memorial Day Classic.
The first tryout for next season is June 30 at Ultimate Sports Academy. Click here to register for tryouts.
Weekend of Champions
Following a weekend of amazing weather and intense competition, the New Hampshire Bobcats emerged with three championships during the 7th annual Memorial Day Classic. In the 12u division, the Bobcats Division I team won all six games, eventually defeating the Spinners Prospects in the championship, 10-2. The 12u Division featured 14 teams from five states, including New York!
In the 11u Division, the Bobcats finished third in pool play before defeating the Gators in the semifinals, 9-8, and then defeating the Spinners in the championship, 5-4. Both games were back-and-forth and filled with thrilling plays and clutch hits.
In the 10u Division, the red-hot Bobcats won their third consecutive tournament of the season! This team has now captured the Mill City Spring Tourney, the Seacoast United Spring Fling and the Memorial Day Classic. The team owns a 21-4 record heading into the New England EBL playoffs.
Living the Dream at Cooperstown
COOPERSTOWN TRIP: The 12u squad enjoyed an epic trip to Dreams Park in Cooperstown, N.Y., winning five games and bringing home some incredible memories. Among the highlights:
- Nine players homered! Sam Meisner (four homers), Alex Shareiko (two) and others had one: Alex Comire, Conner MacNamara, Adam Lafond, Nolan Duval, Liam Cripps, Matthew Kellar and Brady Rickenbach.
- The Bobcats defeated teams from Massachusetts, New York, Michigan, Virginia and Pennsylvania. A back-and-forth slugfest against Team New Era of Buffalo resulted in a 16-15 Bobcats victory on Ian McDonough's walk-off double.
- We look forward to returning to Dreams Park in 2020!
All-State Honors
The New Hampshire All-State Baseball Team is once again loaded with members of the Bobcats family. These players all made a significant impact on the program and helped build what we are today. Thank you and congrats!
First Team All-State
Adrian Kennedy, Concord
Jack Fitzgerald, Memorial
Marcus Soucia, Keene
Second Team All-State
Jaken Pellerin, Central
Richard Marique, Pinkerton
Riley Elliott, Bow
Casey Jordan, ConVal
Matt Lamy, Bow
Reed Wilson, Newfound
Third Team All-State
Matt Hamilton, Bow
Nathan Innerfield, John Stark
Jake Mitchell, Bishop Guertin
Dan Sarmiento, Exeter
NH Bobcats News
Both 12u Bobcats teams swept through pool play, leading to an epic matchup in the 2019 Mill City Spring Fling Tournament last weekend. Bobcats Yerrington capped an incredible weekend for the organization with a 6-3 triumph over Bobcats Jones in the championship.
In pool play, Bobcats Yerrington defeated Team Boston, Hurricanes Salisbury and Hurricanes Nashua before defeating the Junior Spinners in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Bobcats Jones posted victories against Junior Spinners Prospects, Team Boston and Hurricanes Salem, leading up to a 7-6 walk-off victory against Northeast Baseball in the semis. Great job by everyone in this truly memorable weekend!
FORMER SNHU ALL-AMERICAN and Seattle Mariners minor leaguer Tim Viehoff has been named Pitching Coordinator for the New Hampshire Bobcats beginning in January 2019. Viehoff will provide a detailed three-month throwing program and oversee workouts along with other coaches during winter sessions.
Viehoff, a Pinkerton Academy graduate, program designed for the longterm health of young players. All Bobcats will receive this training as part of their tuition. The left-hander was drafted in the 12th round by the Mariners in 2016. He is currently available for pitching lessons on Monday and Wednesday nights at Ultimate Sports Academy. To schedule a pitching lesson, contact program director Kevin Gray at 716-4433 or email info@nhbobcats.com.
Bobcats Development Program
Can't commit to a travel team? Consider our new Development Program, a great option for growth as a player and skill development without all the spring travel -- and half the price. Featuring:
-- Professionals training twice per week ($500 value) from January through March. Learning proper baseball fundamentals takes a lot of work and attention to detail. The first 12 weeks of winter training are designed to develop good habits and refine fundamentals.
-- Players are taught by Bobcats coaches who have college and pro experience, including former SNHU All-America pitcher and former professional Tim Viehoff. All Bobcats have weekly throwing program led by coach Viehoff.
-- Four-week Catcher's Camp ($200 value) run by former college catcher Marc Pantazis. Catching is such a crucial position, yet often the most neglected when teaching kids. We bring in coaches with the best experience and coaching background to teach young catchers in this four-week January program.
-- Agility & Speed training ($300 value) at USA starting in November. This seven-week program focuses on footwork, core strength and agility drills and is led by St. Anselm college assistant coach Justin Sumner and Colorado Rockies minor leaguer Grant Lavigne of Bedford. These are 60-minute sessions in age-appropriate groups.
-- Bobcats practice shirt and hat.
-- Year-round membership ($300 value) at Ultimate Sports Academy, 201 Allard Drive, Manchester. Reach your goals with routine and repetition. You will have access to cages, mounds, free weights and can also use the basketball court.
-- Year-round membership to new "USA South," formerly known as Play the Game or Next Level Athlete, at 8051 South Willow St., Manchester, NH. Check out the new weight room!
-- One free birthday party ($200 value) at USA!
-- Receive priority care and from our corporate sponsor, New Hampshire Orthopaedics Center. We also have partnerships ConvenientMD Urgent Care and with Monkey Sports in Derry (all Bobcats receive 20 percent off). Click here for the Development Program registration. Total cost: $850.
