It’s not often a newly formed sports team does well in its first season, but Haddonfield’s Hammer 9U baseball team is an exception.
Haddonfield’s first travel baseball team, Hammer Baseball 9U, received first and second place in every tournament it joined, recently finishing its inaugural season by winning the Ripken Highlight Reel Tournament in Aberdeen, Md. The team faced a pool of 16 teams from several states. Hammer completed the tournament with an 18–2 victory over the White Marsh Warriors of Maryland in the championship game.
The Hammer’s roster included Trey Martin, Matt Kouser, Bruce Parker, Patrick Ryan, Ian Talty, Jack Subramanian, Raffaele Rogers, Matt Morris, Jack Petrillo and Sam Carlson, all of Haddonfield, and John Sheehan of Haddon Township and Luke Hinkle of Gibbstown. The team was coached by Bruce Parker, Joe Martin and Blair Talty, all of Haddonfield.
The Hammer 9U travel baseball team is Haddonfield’s first youth travel team. Parker, who has been coaching in town for years, started the team because he felt kids shouldn’t have to join a travel team outside of town, which often conflicts with local Little League games. Having their own travel team provides fewer conflicts and also 20 games in which to play.
They wanted the young players to concentrate on learning the fundamentals as well as having fun. The coaches worked to create an atmosphere where it was OK to strike out or drop a ball, as long as the players put it in the past and keep giving the best effort they can, keep playing and stay focused.
“I kind of stressed to play every pitch and every out. And to never give up and believe in themselves. We wanted them to focus and build a team around that,” Parker said.
As for obstacles, the team couldn’t play on its own field, as it didn’t have one. It had to learn to adapt to all different kinds of fields.
“I was so proud of them and it is a huge accomplishment for them. They exceeded my expectations,” Parker said.
The team started practicing in January and did so through March until its first game. From there, it played about once a week, often two or three games in a day.
“They went from rec and Little League players to these tournaments where they played two to three games a day. They were able to overcome their mistakes and were physically and mentally able to stay in the game. They really stayed focused and they did a terrific job,” Parker said.
The Hammer went undefeated in Tri-State Elite Baseball League play and advanced to the championship game in every tournament it played. The team’s only two losses came in tournament championship games. The Hammer took home first- or second-place hardware in every tournament it entered, including champions of the Youth Elite Sports Diamond Classic, second in the 9th Annual War in the Woods Memorial Day Tournament, second in the Tri-State Elite Spring Invitational, and their most recent and last win as champions of the Ripken Highlight Reel Tournament,
“The two we lost were really good teams. They put in the great effort,” Parker said.
When they came in second place for the past two tournaments, the kids were pretty upset. But they still had the Ripken Highlight Reel Tournament in Maryland. According to Parker, the players were really focused and gave 100 percent, which ultimately led to victory.
“Our strategy was always the same, to go out there and do our best. We just wanted them to perform well and build better baseball players. They rose to the occasion and played really well,” Parker said. “We couldn’t be prouder and parents couldn’t be prouder.”
Those interested in joining or learning more about the team can email Parker at bruceparker @verizon.net.
