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kevin.vandiver@gmail.com
34 Posts |
 Posted - 07/22/2021 : 19:31:40
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16u GAXL (Georgia Excel) is a professionally coached 5th year travel team that will be holding open no fee tryouts for the Fall/Spring/Summer 2021-22 season.
We believe in running two teams with average size rosters to maximize development and playing time. This strategy has proven to be very successful for many tournaments and allows us the flexibility to combine rosters for larger tournaments as needed. We also have the flexibility to offer a variety of options for players to not only make our teams as competitive as possible but to also make roster adjustments as needed to benefit the players.
We are looking for players and parents that will fit into a team first culture where we enjoy having fun and working hard to improve. Players are expected to be committed to putting in the effort on their own for the development of themselves. The program and player development will rival any major academy. Our facilities are top notch, and we have access to an indoor facility as needed.
All players will be evaluated for general baseball skills including hitting, throwing, fielding, and running. Players desiring to play as a pitcher or catcher will be evaluated for these skills. We will also be observing for effort and attitude.
Both 16u GAXL teams will play in the highest-level tournaments in the Fall and Summer we can play such as Perfect Game/PBR and occasionally smaller tournaments if the level of team playing is high enough.
We will combine rosters into one team for the spring season for those players not playing High School baseball to play in the Academy Prospect League at East Cobb Baseball Complex. We believe in pushing our players to ensure maximum development.
Tryout Location Info:
Fullers Park
3499 Robinson Rd
Marietta, GA 30068
Pony Field
Dates and Time:
2 night tryout. 2nd night is invite only following the 1st night and will be live work.
Monday August 2nd 6:30-9:30pm & Tuesday August 3rd 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Arrive 30 minutes before start time for quick discussion and warm up.
We will also be sizing players so we can place uniform orders ASAP
Facilities:
We will practice (East Cobb Area) at Mt Paran North (Allgood Rd) and Fullers Park on Robinson Rd and occasionally at Sprayberry High School
Schedule Expectations:
Fall – 5 tournaments or approximately 20 games. We will play at least one tournament in Hoover, AL.
We support playing multiple sports and are flexible in the Fall. We expect GAXL baseball be the priority for the Spring and Summer season.
Winter - Arm care, strength, speed & agility workouts along with indoor workouts.
Spring – We will put together a single team of all players from both rosters that do not play High School Baseball for the Academy Prospect League. 2021 we played 45 games.
Summer – We pick up after high school baseball season and will play 10 tournaments ending with the WWBA PG National Championship. Approximately 40+ games.
Registration:
To register for tryouts, follow the link:
https://GAXLtryoutregistration.formstack.com/forms/gaxl_tryout_questionnaire_2122
Please contact Kevin Vandiver kevin.vandiver@gmail.com or 770-712-2515 with any questions regarding tryouts or to find out more information about our teams
Roster Sizes
Position Players – 12 to 14 based on number of pitchers
Pitcher Only or Pitcher Mostly - 2 to 5 players based on how many position players are pitchers
We believe in smaller roster sizes that walk the line of maximizing playing time as well as allow proper depth for rest and arm care.
For tournaments that require a larger roster size to compete the coaches will select a group of players from both rosters. Expectation is for this to occur in 2 tournaments during Summer season.
Uniforms
We work with Better Baseball and will utilize Wilson Baseball Ordering Site for players to get uniforms other than fall jersey and hats.
Our families will be able to get 15-20% all Wilson items through us which includes Wilson, Evo Shield, Louisville Slugger. i.e. the Louisville Slugger Meta Is $100 of retail for us.
We will require purchase of our jerseys, hats, and batting helmet (new players only). Additional team logo gear will of course be available and encouraged.
Cost
Fall, Winter, Summer Seasons: Position Players $3200, Pitchers Only $1600, Pitcher Mostly $2400
Spring Academy Prospect Season: Final Cost will depend on # of players. 2021 cost $600 per Player.
Recruiting
Ultimately the recruiting process is up to the parents and players. We are fortunate to have both coaches and player parents who have experience with the recruiting process. Coaches are available for contact from interested college coaches and will work with both you and college coaches to help with the recruiting process.
Coach Bios:
Rick Elder – Director Baseball Operations GAXL, Head Coach GAXL-Elder
Rick was a 1st round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 1998 and spent 8 years in professional baseball, 4 years he spent with the Orioles and was picked up in the December 2002 rule 5-Draft by the Cleveland Indians where he spent the remainder of his professional playing career. After his playing days, Rick got into Coaching as a player/coach for the Fullerton Flyers, where he had the opportunity the learn from Greats like Gary Templeton, Tony Gwynn, Gary Carter, and Ricky Henderson. After developing a philosophy, he found that he had a knack for developing players of all ages and ability levels into better ball players. Currently, Rick is also the Assistant Coach and Hitting Coordinator for Sprayberry High School.
London Lindley – Head Coach GAXL-Lindley
London is father of one son and is currently engaged. London graduated Sprayberry High School in 2014. London has a true passion for baseball and is dedicated to using his tremendous experience to help his players develop and reach their goals. London is a true players coach and works to create a positive and instructional environment.
London has 6 years of professional experience. London played in the Texas Rangers organization for 3 years. London was named the fastest player in his draft class in 2015. He went on to play 3 more seasons in the Frontier Professional Baseball League where he was a part of the 2018 Frontier League championship team with the Joliet Slammers.
Chris Crawford – Director Pitching Development GAXL Baseball, Asst Coach GAXL-Elder
Chris is a husband and father of 2 boys and 1 girl ages 11-15. Growing up in Marietta, GA - Chris played baseball, basketball, and football at Wheeler High School. Chris attended UGA on a baseball scholarship and was a two-way player outfielder/pitcher and continued his baseball career with Tampa Bay Rays playing 5 years in the organization as a pitcher.
Graduate of Wheeler High School 95’ - Wheeler Hall of Fame / Drafted NY Yankees 95’ / University of Georgia Baseball 96’-99’ OF/P - MVP 97’, Team Captain 99’ / Drafted Tampa Bay ‘99 - Tampa Bay 99’-2004
Kevin Vandiver – GM GAXL Baseball, Asst. Coach GAXL-Lindley
Kevin is married with two kids ages 13 & 15. His family is his priority. Kevin is a high energy straight shooter with a passion for coaching and development. His best trait is being able to find the uniqueness in each player and cater his coaching style to best suit the player.
Kevin played Baseball, Basketball and Football through High School. He elected to not pursue college athletics as his abilities we clearly not at that level. Kevin has been coaching baseball for 11 years and started this travel team in 2016 and expanded to 2 teams in 2020. Kevin has held many leadership positions in baseball organizations including many years as Head Coach. Kevin has also coached youth football with Head Coaching experience up to 6th grade.
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16u GAXL Tryouts 8/2/21
