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posted 07/27/2020
2021 Danville Upper Division Gold Tryouts – Respond by 7/18
We are very excited to present the details for our 2021 Upper Division Gold Program. The strengthened program will focus on high level baseball players coming out of our local 12U/Majors division and includes programs for players through 16U. The program will offer player development and competitive play as athletes transition from Little League to a High School athletic environment.
The Gold program is intended for highly committed 13U, 14U and 15U/16U players with appropriate skill level to develop, practice and play at a high level. Targeted players for the Gold program are generally District or high performing tournament players. Athletes from Danville, San Ramon Valley and Tassajara Valley Little Leagues are invited to participate as well as players that have participated in other competitive baseball programs and reside or attend school in the appropriate league boundary.
The recreational House program for players 13U, 14U & 15U/16U will run in parallel, with a less intense schedule perfect for players with other activities. Assessments for the spring 2021 season will be in the winter with games March - May. More details on this program will be available in the fall.
All Gold level players will participate in consistent professional training led by TPD BASEBALL along with a complete game schedule March - May. Development will include advanced technique, skill acquisition, movement patterns, mobility, and motor skills that are necessary to succeed at the next level. Team workouts will be organized and efficient while offering a relaxed and fun learning environment. We will deliver competitive games played locally for Gold Players so they are prepared for international competition, high school baseball, and beyond.
All Gold Division players will be eligible for SUMMER ALL STAR selection. The Selected 13U All Star team will have the opportunity to advance to the INTERMEDIATE DIVISION WORLD SERIES TO BE HELD IN LIVERMORE which will be televised on ESPN. As in Majors & below, managers for the ALL STAR teams will be selected in late spring and player rosters will be announced by June 1. Player selection will be based predominantly on player performance during the regular Spring season.
The 14U & 15U/16U All Star teams will also pursue District, Section, State & Regional Tourneys on the way to the Juniors (14U) & Seniors (15U/16U) World Series.
Action Items for those wanting consideration for the Gold program:
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Tell us you’re coming by Saturday 7/18 Click here to register!
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A follow up email with additional detail will come to those players that register for the tryout.
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Attend Tryouts:
13U Have been completed.
14U will be Wednesday, August 12.
15U/16U Gold tryouts will be held in late winter.
Meet TPD Baseball:
Steve Friend - 29 years as Head Coach at Chabot College in Hayward. Steve is nationally recognized for his highly successful program and for helping develop and promote players to the college and pro ranks. Danville Little League Alumni & SF Giants World Champion, Nate Schierholtz, is one of many talented players to have learned from Coach Friend. Brady Raggio, Tony Festa, and Tim Gilhooly took similar paths through DLL, SRV, and Chabot to college & the pros. Steve played collegiately for Chabot College and San Jose State University.
Adam Ricks - local product that spent 14 years as a player and coach in the Chicago White Sox organization, including 6 years on the MLB staff. Coach Ricks has a team first mentality evidenced by a PONY & American Legion World Series Championship; NCS Title; two CA Community College Final Fours; and two College World Series appearances with the Miami Hurricanes. Adam is a volunteer coach at SRVHS in the fall.
Luke Cherry - former Kinston HS (NC) Varsity Coach and Tampa Bay Rays Associate Scout before moving back home to run development programs for the Danville Hoots and Mike Murphy Baseball. Two sport athlete at SRVHS and NCS Baseball Player of the Year. Luke was an All-American under Coach Friend at Chabot College before making two regional appearances as the SS for the East Carolina Pirates. Coach Cherry also volunteers at SRVHS.
The TPD Staff embraces transparency and the sharing of information to build trust throughout our organization. The Gold Program will be a collaboration that involves our dedicated coaches and parent volunteers. Teams should expect development and team practices in January and February and then a full schedule of 3 games per week + development and team practices from March-May.
Player selection for the Gold program will occur shortly after tryouts and teams will be formed in the fall/winter. Program costs will include DLL fees, development costs and team specific coaching/training anticipated to total approximately $1,750 for the January-May program. Final costs and timing of payments will be outlined for families at the time of player selection.
It is also expected that GOLD players will have the opportunity to work with TPD in a FALL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM from September – November 2020. Details to follow. We support multi-sport athletes, and players will NOT be penalized for not participating in the optional Fall program.
