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2020 Scout Day Spotlight: The Strike Zone

This is part of a series of stories on summer baseball organizations that "partner" with Prep Baseball Report. The PBR Scout Day is scheduled for March 15.

Organization Name: The Strike Zone
Year organization started: 2002
How many current teams and what levels (15u, 16u, etc): 10U, 11, 12, 13, 14, College Development Teams (2)
Influential coaches past and present: Bill Cather, Bob McClaughlin, Rich Gedman, Bob Sterner, Ty Sterner, Ron Sylvestri, Mike Alberts

Top Prospects 

• Coleman Picard, Auburn HS 2020, Hartford
• Nigel Belgrave, Auburn HS 2020, Maryland
• Ricky Rushton, Doherty Memorial High, 2021, Naval Academy
• Connor Walsh, Bridgewater, 2020, CCSU
• Sal Iaconi, SJ Shrewsbury, 2020, AIC
• Mike Breen, Auburn, 2020, Salve Regina

Notable Alumni 

• Ryan Ward, Bryant/Dodgers
• Ty Sterner, URI/Reds
• Dylan McNary, Villanova
• Billy Cather, Umaine/Nationals

Goals/Philosophy 

Our goals, as always, are to provide the tools where players can develop to their full potential and achieve their athletic and personal goals.

How has the program grown?

The Strike Zone opened in 2002 within the same four walls as occupied today. To be in the industry this long is a testament to the coaches, players and families that have walked through the doors and allowed us to continue providing baseball instruction. We started out with one team and cage rentals, when traveling for an AAU game meant a two-hour drive each way, to the current status of eight teams, 100 players, and with currently 60 percent of our graduating seniors already committed. 

How has PBR been helpful?

PBR has put our players in a position to be seen on a larger scale where their talents can be seen by more schools that fit the academic and athletic goals our players are pursuing. The days of coaches trekking to high school fields or Legion games are far and few between.  Having PBR assist our players in getting their athletic resumes in front of the right people has made our jobs easier and the families in our organization have seen this firsthand.

Plans ahead

We play along the East Coast from North Carolina, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. We choose tournaments based upon where our players hope to play in college, and tournaments where we know those schools will be in attendance. The past few seasons we have also sent players to the PBR National Showcase and those players have undoubtedly enjoyed that experience.