| My
son, Sam Murphy, has been participating in--and benefiting
from Strike Zone-sponsored lessons, leagues, and activities
since he was 8 years old. Over the past 10 years, The Strike
Zone has provided Sam the opportunity to receive instruction
from players and coaches ranging from Hall-of-Famer Bob Gibson
to Texas Pitching Coach Tom Holliday and, most important, from
Bill Olson, Tony Pane, and other members of The Strike Zone
Staff. Our Strike Zone membership has been one of the best
investments we’ve made in Sam’s baseball future.
For
the past two fall seasons, Sam has participated in The
Strike Zone’s Elite Program, teaming up with some
of the area’s best high school players to face a
variety of college teams, including nationally ranked UNO
and Iowa Western C.C. While the Elite Program provided
exceptional instruction, it also gave Sam the opportunity
to get to know and make friends with kids he’s played
against for years.
In
terms of direct benefits, The Strike Zone Elite Program
made Sam more visible to college coaches and resulted in
his recruitment by the University of Arkansas, whose pitching
coach, Dave Jorn, drove to Highland Community College to
watch Sam throw. Creighton Coach Ed Servais took time out
from his schedule to watch Sam pitch against Iowa Western,
an exceptional junior college program. University of Kansas
Coach Ritch Price made the trip to see him throw against
UNO, where he also was observed by Coach Bobby Herold,
who runs one of the best college programs around. Of course,
the point is not that these coaches saw Sam play, but that
The Strike Zone Elite Team draws interest from some of
the best college programs in the region, of not the nation.
From
a parents standpoint, other benefits of the Elite Program
are the equal playing time and individualized instruction
that every player receives. For a kid who’s really
serious about working year-round on his sport, the opportunities
and competitive advantages presented by The Strike Zone
Elite Program are too good to pass up.
Dan Murphy
Father of Sam Murphy
Westside High School
Committed to the University of Arkansas |
| “I
just returned from Central High School where my son David signed
today to play baseball for Creighton University
next year. I want to thank Coach Olson, Coach Siwa, Coach Kupfer,
and Coach Shanahan for all that you guys did for him and all the
players on your Fall Elite Team. It was a great experience for
him (and me too) to get a chance for him to work with you as well
as to get the chance to get exposed to all the college coaches
you played against, and also the ones that came to the games. If
you ever have a parent that would like to speak to someone who
had a kid on your team, feel free to send them my way. I have nothing
but the utmost respect for you guys and your program.”
Ted Cleveland, Father of David Cleveland
|
HOME
The
Strike Zone Elite Team was created to provide elite high school
players the opportunity to compete against some of the area’s
college teams. The purpose is to provide players with first-hand
exposure to area college teams, and the experience of playing
at a higher level. Participating on this team will improve
a player’s overall level of play, and will demonstrate
what it takes to play at the college level. The Elite
Team plays a fall schedule while the college teams are involved
with fall baseball. Games will be throughout the week and
on Saturdays, so it does not conflict with the 16-Up Wood
Bat League.