Network Notes
(updated 04/02/2008)
Purpose of the FCA Baseball National Network
To link together like-minded coaches, players, parents and programs who desire to use baseball as a way to impact their communities and baseball worlds for Christ's Kingdom. It can be done in many ways, through competing teams, camps & clinics, tournaments, chapel & bible study programs, and individual players, to name a few. FCA Baseball has been on a mission for the past three years, slowly setting up a national network strategy, allowing all of us with similar visions to lock arms and begin to make youth baseball better. Lord willing, in the very near future, we would like to transition from a national network strategy to a national baseball association called the FCABA, complete with our own World Series in Memphis, TN. Stay Tuned for more in the future!
FCA Youth Baseball
Relocates To Memphis
After a year and a half of planning and preparation, FCA Baseball's Youth Division has finally relocated to Memphis, TN. At this point the entire FCA Youth Baseball Staff consists of one person: Ron Hobar. However, the strength of FCA Youth Baseball is not in the quantity of staff, but rather in those who have signed up as youth teams or individuals in the FCA Baseball National Network. It is through this National Network that FCA Baseball is making its presence known throughout the U.S. Currently, there are over 4o teams in the network, spanning 18 different states. In addition, there are many individual player members who have signed up to wear the name of FCA Baseball as they play on their teams. FCA Baseball would like to thank all of you who are part of the National Network. Remember, FCA Youth Baseball is only as strong as the impact that all of our teams and players are making in their specific areas. Let's continue to have a Christ-like influence through the game of baseball, and help grow the FCA Baseball National Network.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Major League Baseball Interviews
Jake Peavy (STV Interview)
Jake Peavy (pitching)
Jeff Francoeur
John Smoltz
Dayton Moore
Website LINKS Alert
Stayed tuned for occasional websites we will be recommending. Following are two sites you need to bookmark and visit often:
Sports Spectrum-The Daily:
http://www.sportsspectrum.com/daily/
Baseball Chapel:
http://www.baseballchapel.org/
* Checkout These Baseball Chapel Pages:
The Podcast iVotional Page
The Player Testimonies Page
The News Items Page
The Materials Pages: (Use pulldown menu on left side)
FCA 14u Tigers - Gray TN
The FCA Tigers 14U team played this past weekend at Domtar Park in Kingsport and went 4 - 0 in the USSSA Tri-City Fall Bash qualifying them for the 2008 East Tennessee USSSA State Championship for 14U teams.
In early September they played 5 games at the USA Baseball complex in Cary, NC. This is part of the new USA Baseball Champions program for 2007 – 2008. They finished 2nd to the Orlando Reds, qualifying for the USA Baseball East Regional Championship, Nov 3 -5 at Cary, NC.
FCA Tigers 14u Team Members:
Nathan Milsap (Dobyns-Bennett), Ryan Lockhart (South), Glenn Evans (Colonial Heights), Peyton Taylor (Colonial Heights) Conner Gunn (Robinson), Adam Bentley (Tennesee), Chase Hopkins (Colonial Heights), Chase Cunningham (Tennessee), Ian Ollis (Tennessee), Josh Starkey (Daniel Boone), Joe Saulsbury (Home School), Cory Franklin (Gate City), Ryan Smith (Gate City), Erick Brizendine (Tennessee), Micheal Hall (Stuart, VA) and Michael Ratliff (Stuart, VA).
They have been extended invitations to:
1. Georgia Triple Crown State Championship, Oct 27 - 28 at East Cobb, Marietta, GA - this they have accepted
2. ETCB Winter National Championships in Kissimmee, FL, Dec 26 - 30.
3. Triple Crown Omaha Slump Buster, June 16 - 19, during the College World Series - this one they have accepted.
They are 9 - 2 this fall and when all is done they will play about 25 games in 4 different states
Earlier this fall, the FCA Tigers 14U team participated in the USA Baseball Champions program in Cary, NC. Team finished 2nd and qualified for the USA Baseball Eastern Regional Championship, November 3 – 5, 2007 at Cary, NC.
Team Prayer in front of USA Baseball Stadium prior to the Champions Program Championship Game
True Sports Baseball Leagues
& Program Curriculum
FCA Baseball is excited to partner with True Sports Baseball in reaching young people for Christ. FCA Baseball highly recommends the model that True Sports Baseball has developed for churches that are interested in developing church-sponsored baseball league. True Sports Baseball developed their model in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and I hope that churches throughout our country will be challenged to reach youngsters for Christ through the format that has been developed.
For more information on True Sports Baseball Leagues and the Program Curriculum & Materials they offer, use the following links:
True Sports Baseball Leagues
Larry Forsberg, Executive Director
info@truesports.com
http://www.truesports.org/
FCA Baseball
September 2007
National Network E-Newsletter
(a ton of news, so please read in its entirety)
Dear FCA Baseball National Network Member and Interested Partner
This summer ended our second season of officially fielding FCA Baseball Youth Teams and Projects under what we have labeled the FCA Baseball National Network.
.... Click the following PDF link to download and read the entire 4-Page E-Newsletter ...
2007 September E-Newsletter
FCA Power Baseball (Updated on 9/12/07)
To our knowledge, FCA Power Baseball is the first-ever youth baseball program that FCA has initiated. In 2002 the program started with 9 players and has been growing ever since. They now have 5 teams competing in the Northern Virginia Travel Baseball League (12u-18u). At the end of the 2006 season they were recognized in the Washington DC area as the Home Plate Club's Youth Program of the Year. Congratulations FCA Power Baseball for being salt and light in your community, using the platform of baseball for Christ's Kingdom. For more information on FCA Power Baseball, you can visit their website at www.fcapowerbaseball.org/ or contact George Murdock at 703.278.3970 or email him at george.murdock@fcapowerbaseball.org.
Click the following PDF link to read more about how FCA Power Baseball started in DC and how God has been using the program ...
FCA Power Baseball Story
Diamond Starz
Baseball & Softball
Training Academy
Rich Newport, one of the first FCA Baseball National Network Members, is using his facility in Douglasville, GA (The Diamond Starz Baseball & Softball Training Academy) to impact his community for the Lord. Affiliated with FCA Baseball by joining the network and by partnering with Atlanta FCA Staff, Harold Jones (Atlanta's FCA Baseball-Specific Ministry Director), Diamond Starz is seeking to minister to the baseball world in a variety of ways: Training facility programs for players, coaches & parents; youth teams in various age groups; baseball camps, clinics & team workout sessions, and character & leadership development, and other FCA baseball ministry strategies as well.
For more information go to the Diamond Starz website www.diamondstarz.com/ or email Rich at rnewport@diamondstarz.com.
Diamond Starz FCA
Baseball Camp
A Huge Success
Last season’s Atlanta backup catcher visited the FCA baseball camp at Boundary Waters. Todd Pratt played 15 seasons in the major leagues mostly with Philadelphia and the New York Mets. Pratt, who retired after the 2006 season, now resides in Douglas County.
The Diamond Starz FCA baseball camp took place July 17 - 20th from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The camp’s mission was “to share with the community this new camp where we combine baseball skill training with character training through the FCA.”
Campers split time between the Diamond Starz complex and the Boundary Waters baseball fields. Former Montreal Expos catcher Mike Day also visited Boundary Waters. Day currently presides over Hiram Hornets baseball as head coach of the varisty squad
Each camp participant received top notch baseball skill instruction from professional and college players as well as relevant biblical based character lessons from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff. Each player took home a FCA Athletes Bible, an annual subscription to Sharing The Victory Magazine from the FCA and a FCA and Diamond Starz T-shirt.
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War Stories
Send us your FCA Youth Baseball War Stories throughout the year so we can post them here and on our photo page. Send a brief email description and attach photos to rhobar@fca.org  |
FCA Baseball 18u Astros
To View Photos Of The 2007 FCA Astros, Click The Following Link: 18u Astros Photo Page
The Cincinnati FCA Astros made it to the semi-finals in the Buckeye Elite 18u Showcase Tournament, finishing as one of the final 6 teams out of a field of 60. The FCA Astros lost in extra innings, ending their run to the finals. It was a nice way to end not only this summer's baseball season, but also many years of being involved with the FCA Baseball Program (since 2001 for several of the players). Many of these young men are going on to play baseball in college and hopefully carry with them the biblical-based principles of character, leadership and life lessons learned while being involved with FCA Baseball. Congratulations Cincinnati FCA Astros. Following is a list of the team members and the campuses they will be attending this fall:
Brian Conner - Georgetown College (KY)
Philip Dickerson - Miami-Middletown University (OH)
Tyler Fugate - Wooster College (OH)
Josh Grahl - Taylor University (IN)
Kyle Hobar - Greenville College (IL)
Tyler Hogan - Georgetown College (KY)
Josh Howard - Ohio Domiican (OH)
Tim Martin - Ohio Dominican (OH)
Derek Reese - Tri-State University (IN)
Nick Rumpke - Rose-Hulman Institute (IN)
Brian Shrimpton - Georgetown College (KY)
Conor Thomas - University of Kentucky (KY)
Adam Tucker - a college yet to be detemined
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FCA Power Baseball Update:
Baseball And The Lord's Work
In Brazil
To View Photos Of This Mission Trip, Click The Following Link: FCA Power Baseball - Brazil 2007
We would like to thank everyone at NOVA FCA for your prayers and support for our FCA Missions Trip to Brazil this past June. Your prayers were felt and heard, even though we were over 8,000 miles away. The FCA Power JV Baseball team consisted of eleven 15 year old boys and three adults, most of which had never been on a missions trip before. These boys made everyone proud by the way in which they presented themselves both on and off the field.
The boys exemplified the life of Jesus in everything they did on this trip, which was evident at our stop in Navirai. While we were getting ready to leave Navirai, a Mayor of another town came up to us and asked us to bring "Jesus and baseball to their town next year." The people there want our teens to bring the Christian values to their teens and would even like us to stay with them in their homes.
Everyone on the trip had the opportunity to give their testimony to groups throughout the week. The testimonies ranged from each person reading and explaining a favorite scripture to telling about their walk with Jesus. It has been very touching to see the spiritual growth of these boys over the past three years.
The team had the privilege of taking Jesus and Baseball to the people of Campo Grande, Navirai, and Corumba, Brazil. Throughout these cities, we played baseball, held baseball camps, gave our testimonies, and read the Bible. One event that stood out was a young adult worship and praise service at First Baptist Church of Campo Grande. We prayed over each seat before the service, and later that evening 800 to 900 young adults came to sing and worship together. After the singing, the movie "Facing the Giants" was shown. Then an altar call was given and 30 to 40 young adults accepted Christ for the first time, and 200 to 300 believers totally surrendered their lives to the Lord. The presence of the Lord was very evident.
George Murdock,President
george.murdock@fcapowerbaseball.org
www.fcapowerbaseball.org/
703.278.3970
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Atlanta West Metro Area
FCA Baseball Leadoff Banquet
On February 20, 2007 the first annual Atlanta West Metro Area FCA Baseball Leadoff Banquet was held at Central Baptist Church in Douglasville, GA. Seven Varsity High School Teams and their coaches came to the event, making up a large portion of the 145 people in attendance. Scott Fletcher, former Major League player, was the featured speaker. The DVD, "Reversing The Curse", was shown during the program, featuring testimonies and comments from players on the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox, as well as a Gospel presentation at the end. Click this link www.reversingthecurse.org/ to go to the Reversing The Curse Website to find out more about how you too can use this effective baseball ministry resource. Also, for more information on FCA baseball-specific ministry in the Atlanta area, contact the following FCA Baseball National Network Members:
Harold Jones, FCA Staff - Atlanta Baseball-Specific Ministry Director:
hjones@fca.org
678-776-5011 c
Rich Newport, FCA Baseball National Network Team Leader:
rnewport@diamondstarz.com
www.diamondstarz.com/
678-313-6283 c
FCA 16u Tigers Baseball- Gray, TN
The FCA Tigers also have a 16u team that has been playing together this fall. Following is an update from the team:
The 16U Tigers hosted the Knoxville Yard’s World Wood Bat 16U National Championship Team at Virginia Intermont College field in Bristol on Saturday, September 29th. Coach Swain of Virginia Intermont College continues to be a very gracious host. We lost to the Yard 11 – 5. This gives the 16U team a 5 – 5 record this fall.
We were allowed by Coach Swain to take BP at their facility. This BP session was concluded with "Reflection, Thanking and Prayer" time all conducted by the players. Coach Swain remarked, "I really like the character emphasis and it’s something we all really need."
Coach Swain has graciously allowed us to use the Virginia Intermont baseball field on Thursday evening’s beginning at 6:00PM. Additionally, he has given us the go ahead to plan some weekend games using this facility with his approval.
Here are some follow-up comments from Coach Brian Hopkins on the team's Kent State trip earlier in the fall:
* "Thanks for making the trip to Kent State!"
* "I'm glad the rain held off on Saturday. I tell the players on our team about how important it is to play the game the right way and be professional - it's great to play your two teams that do the same."
* On Labor Day weekend we played 9 games at the Southeastern Baseball Complex in Jefferson County, TN. Our FCA Tigers A team was 1 – 4 and our FCA Tigers B team was 2 – 2 this weekend at Jefferson City, TN. Some of the game highlights were:
- Michael Hall of Stuart, VA throwing a complete game against Honaker of Virginia in a 3 -1 win
- Cody Read of Virginia High hitting a solo shot against Honaker. This came in the 7th and broke a 1-1 tie.
- Brandon Nave of Virginia High hitting a home run
- Alex Reynolds of Daniel Boone High turning 3 double plays and having two diving catches in the field
- Last game vs Central Virginia out of the Lynchburg area was a 4 – 3 lost on a bang-bang play at the plate in the 8th inning.
- We introduced the usage of the stat software program which was donated to the club. Chelsea Hopkins of South High is our Sports Information Director and is using the software to keep stats for the club.
- Sunday morning chapel was Mark 10: 17 – 21.
For more information about the FCA Tigers Baseball Program in Gray, TN, contact:
Richard Jordan
423-426-2441
CoachJ15@aol.com
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