2010 Braves vs. Titans "Where Are They Now"
Where are they now – Oakland Braves vs. Teaneck Titans?
The 2010 14u Oakland Braves Baseball Team
By Marty O'Brien (Oakland Baseball Commissioner, 2011-2014)
Date: Aug. 23, 2014
Preface
The IHHS Class of 2014 is about to start college, and a small collection of them were once members of the outstanding class of 2010 Oakland Travel Baseball team as 14-year old middle-school students. At about the time of HS graduation, an article was published in The Record about their rivals, the Teaneck Titans (a "club" team), and where their players are now – four years after publishing a series of controversial articles about "the professionalism of youth sports" – especially baseball. The article was not a commentary or opinion. Instead, it provoked thought around whether or not the sacrifice & pressure (hardcore coaching, constant travel, extreme expense, controversial training, reduced social life, no sports variety, etc.) on these adolescent boys and their families actually paid the desired baseball and life dividends.
I am not attempting to persuade any parent away from doing what they believe is in the best interests of their son(s), nor am I trying to dissuade anyone from setting lofty baseball goals. I acknowledge there are many baseball outlets at a variety of prices available in the market; and Oakland Travel Baseball is not a right fit for everyone. So here's some information to help you determine what’s best for you & your family. I'll share my opinion at the end.
First, please read this article and the original articles from 2010 – all available by clicking this web link.
Then, read about our class of 2010 with a focus on its outstanding final season as 14U. Thank you to the former manager of this team, Mike Guadagnino for the contents of this "then and now" segment.
Oakland Braves Travel Baseball – Class of 2010, "Then & Now"
Over twenty boys played on this team over its 7 year run. But we'll focus on their final season – the 14u 2010 North East Bergen County Championship team – as compared to the Record article on the Teaneck Titans.
During the Braves 7 year youth baseball reign, these boys played in 6 championships and won 3. Their most successful seasons included a 26-3 record at the 10u level and 30-9 record at the 14u level; they enjoyed a record of 4-4 at Cooperstown in 2008; and the team's personal satisfaction of holding a 9–1 all-time record versus the Wyckoff team. On a particularly rainy and humid night in June 2007, the Braves team as 11 year old ball players had a game against that Titans team written up in the Record.
Folks who have a long history of Oakland travel baseball will be hard pressed to find a better team and collective group of baseball players ever turned over to IHHS than these 2010 Braves. As high school sophomores they won the only JV County Championship in the school's history. And this past season as seniors, the current members were Varsity League Champions who held the #1 spot in Bergen County for a period of time.
So with high school graduation behind us, let's look at where our boys are now and where they are going. Feel free to compare with the Titans and consider what's best suited for you and your son(s) from a baseball & "life" balance perspective.
In alphabetical order:
– Disclaimer: The Oakland Recreation program is very proud of all of them, as we are proud of all Oakland graduates.
Jonathan Andrade – Jonny played ball for 4 years at IHHS as well as a few years of soccer and basketball. This year he was the baseball team's centerfielder and hit 2 HR's. Jonny is also the President of DECA, the Business club at IHHS and will be attending Vanderbilt University in Tennessee this fall.
Billy Campbell – Billy played 4 years of baseball and enjoyed this season as the team's DH and pitcher; while being named 3rd team All-County as DH. Billy hit more triples in his 4 years at IHHS, them anyone can remember. Billy will be attending York University in Pennsylvania this fall (and plans to earn a roster spot on its baseball team).
Brennan Cotter – Brennan is the only member from this 14u travel baseball team that did not attend IHHS. Brennan played football and baseball with the Don Bosco Ironmen. He will be attending & playing baseball at Catholic University this fall.
Michael Guadagnino – Guad played 2 years of ice hockey and 4 years of baseball. He played almost every position during his high school baseball career while this season as a pitcher he had a 0.88 ERA. Michael too is an officer of DECA and won the NJ State Championship in the business law and ethics competition this spring. Mike will be attending Elon University in the fall.
Matthew Jensen – Matt was a 3 year letterman in baseball and a 4 year letterman in basketball, while being named 3rd team all County in baseball. Matt was the shortstop during his baseball tenure and always batted over .300. Matt will be attending The College of New Jersey this fall where he has his sights set on playing Basketball.
Matt Johnston – Matt played baseball his freshman year and moved to his favorite sport basketball, where he lettered. Matt is very popular and a leader amongst his fellow students, being found at many sports events leading the student body with Hills pride and laughter. Matt will be attending the University of Rhode Island in the fall.
Ryan Levis – Ryan had a stellar baseball career in high school, achieving 3 varsity letters. He was an outfielder who was proficient in all 3 positions. Ryan's hard work and dedication to baseball was very apparent as he is someone who always gives 100% in everything he does. Ryan will be attending Roanoke University in the fall.
Michael Maurer – Mike was the travel baseball team's catcher for many years, being the "rock" behind home plate. Although Mike didn't play baseball in high school, he lettered 4 years in both Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. Mike will be attending Rowan University in the fall, and taking those athletic talents onto the club hockey program.
Jake Morgan – Jake did not play baseball in high school, opting for Ice Hockey where he lettered 3 times and Lacrosse where he letter 4 times. Jake's athletic ability is incredibly strong as he did not play ice hockey until his middle school years or lacrosse until he was in high school. This is a tribute to Jake's hard work and natural athletic abilities. Jake will be working towards his Associates Degree this fall at Bergen Community college.
Graham Mulligan – Graham only played one year with the travel baseball team, but was an important part of that 3rd championship season. Graham did not play baseball in high school rather he was the leader of one of IHHS best bowling teams ever. Graham was named honorable mention All Bergen County in bowling. Graham will be attending the University of Maine in the fall.
Ryan Warnet – Ryan played one year of baseball, where he excelled at anything asked of him by his freshman coach. Ryan is best known as a 4 year letterman in basketball, and is one of only 5 players to reach the 1,000 point mark. Ryan was highly scouted for basketball and will be attending and playing for Wilkes University in the fall.
Honorable mentions — Two long time players from that travel team that graduated high school in 2013.
Bobby Matts – Bobby attended Don Bosco Prep and played baseball for two seasons. Bobby had a stellar academic career and will begin his sophomore year at the University of Virginia in the fall.
Ryan Kennelly – Ryan played one year of baseball at IHHS, and 4 years of football, receiving 3 varsity letters. Ryan now attends and plays football for Gettysburg University in Pennsylvania.
Conclusion
We return to the original reflection about this team and the Record article as to whether these Oakland boys would have been more fulfilled (as young men and as baseball players) if they followed the Titans path. This Oakland team accumulated the victories that labeled them as one of the most successful teams in Oakland Travel Baseball history. It is an achievement they can tell their children or grandchildren one day. And they're all on track as fine, young men in the game of life.
So what is the lesson of that game between the two 11u teams in 2007? On that humid rainy night the Oakland Braves did lose the battle, but as we reflect on history we find perspective; and believe we won the war. These are children who we nurture through their high school years and onto college. All we wish is for them to be healthy, happy, and to go on in life to be independent and successful adults – instilling these same values to future generations. Therefore, I contend Oakland’s approach is the best. Why? Because if a kid is that talented – regardless of a town travel or club program – he will stand out in HS. And then the player will find the right baseball experts or they will find him (colleges, scouts, etc.); and then maximize his potential. I say this from experience as I progressed from one of the top 3 or 5 players in my hometown (Bergenfield) from ages 8-15, to the #1 pitcher in my HS class (Paramus Catholic), to a Rutgers University (D1) walk-on who eventually earned a scholarship as the "closer" playing with and against eventual MLB players; and finally in the semi-pro Met League throughout my 20's. Many of my life relationships stem from baseball and I’ve tracked the progress of the best players I've known and seen since my youth, with only a select few making it to "The Show." Finally – like many of you reading this – I'm a parent who loves his two children. My wife and I leveraged Oakland Rec & Travel sports as life enrichment vehicles for each child. We also love Oakland's personality and culture, and want to expose it to more children and families. That's why I continue to reinvest in Recreation and Travel Baseball although my kids have long graduated from it. So, I believe I'm qualified to offer an opinion on the role of sports in Oakland's youth worth consideration.
My conclusion is that since:
- Childhood is very short, and
- The chances of achieving baseball stardom are very rare – even for the most talented youth players,
Then parents should encourage their grammar & middle-school age sons to achieve life balance by:
- Prioritizing what's really important in life (i.e.: family values, religion, education, etc.), and
- Having fun & building relationships by playing a variety of sports with their friends & classmates here in Oakland Recreation.
That's my opinion. Feel free to formulate your own.
Addendum
Click the below URL to learn more about the Class of 2010 and see their history as Oakland Braves in retrospect. Whether you're the parent of a current 14U player preparing to enter HS in September, an 8U player or any age in between, you will see some similarities between your boys and these boys who just graduated HS and smile.
*If anyone is a parent of any player mentioned in this article we misspelled anything, left anything out, or stated any inaccurate information, please click here to send me an email and I will correct it ASAP. Thank you.