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Helping High School Players Get To The Next Level

The Mid Penn Aces is a College Recruitment fall travel baseball team serving the Central Pennsylvania area. We are a 'not for profit' marketing service dedicated to assisting select high school junior and senior high school baseball players and their parents in their college search.

Experience:

• Since 1999, we have been promoting local high school prospects in the central Pennsylvania area for the last six years - we were the first to focus on 'showcasing' players
• Established relationships with college coaches and recruiters
• Have earned the reputation among showcase directors and college coaches as a team of college level players
• A schedule that puts the players in the right venues - showcases in regions where they are most likely to be recruited and showcases where most college coaches go in their search for players
• Knowledgeable coaching staff committed to helping those players who want to reach their full potential - not players' parents

Focus:

• We concentrate on getting players into college - not wins and losses
• Conduct practices twice a week to give individual instruction to players and to keep players prepared to play
• Use video equipment to help in individual player development
• Arrange for College Coach guest speakers at practices or at Showcases

Our Mission:

Provide a highly competitive environment for high school players who as juniors and seniors:

• Have aspirations to play at the college or professional level
• Possess above average skills
• Have the desire and proper attitude towards self-improvement
• Consider and commit to baseball as their primary sport

Provide a highly competitive game schedule that meets or exceeds the player's abilities.

Provide opportunities to showcase skills and promote players for college and pro play.

Provide an instructional practice environment that develops individual player's skills.

Provide information that assists and prepares players for executing their college search.

Philosophy:

• Believe there is a place at the next level for all players - DI, DII, DIII and Junior College for all players if they have baseball skills and are dedicated to the game
• Select players that are committed to the game – not just players that want play college ball but ones that have the ‘work ethic’ to become the best player they can be.

Team Selection for the Mid- Penn Aces is determined by try-out or via invitation from our coaching staff. To learn more about when tryouts are taking place visit our Tryouts/Selection page or contact the staff.

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THE PROGRAM WORKS

Each year, for the past ten years, Mid Penn Aces players have been seen by over 110 college coaches and professional scouts.

Mid-State NCAA Baseball Players 2009

In the Friday 4/3/09 issue of the Harrisburg Patriot News Sports section, they printed the following list of High School players along with their current college information.  The list was titled; COLLEGE BASEBALL; THE LOCAL LIST.  The 23 yellow highlighted names are past Mid Penn Aces players currently playing Division I or Division II college baseball.

Mid-State NCAA Baseball Players 2007

In the Thursday 4/12/07 issue of the Harrisburg Patriot News Sports section, they printed the following list of High School players along with their current college information.  The list was titled; MID STATE NCAA BASEBALL PLAYERS 2007.  The 25 yellow highlighted names, or  stated another way, 40% of the players listed are past Mid Penn Aces players currently playing Division I or Division II college baseball.

Over the past ten years, 90% of past Mid-Penn Aces have played or are playing at the college level.

The following is a list of colleges, by division, where they have attended or now attend:

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College Bound Aces
Thus far, the following 2009 players are headed to college:

Mid Penn Aces..."Helping High School Players Get To The Next Level."

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you select your team?

We select by position. We select the best 2 players for each position and approximately ten pitchers. While it is possible to be selected to the team as a position player and a pitcher, it is also possible that a player can be selected as a pitcher only or a position player only.

We also select by the position that best suits that player - the position that he is probably best suited at the college level. For example, a player may be the starting shortstop at his High School because that's where he is needed to best support the team. But his best position may be at second.

We select by grade. For example; if after try outs there are 3 shortstops that have equal ability and of the three, one is a junior - we will select the seniors. Reason is that the junior has another year.

How many players do you select?

We select 18 to 20 players. We need to be sure that each position player gets enough playing time. There are times we take more players. Because pitchers only pitch 4 to 5 innings each weekend we know we need at least 10 pitchers. Thus the final number of players selected is determined by how many position players also pitch and how many players are pitchers only.

How much playing time does each player get?

Playing time for position players is divided equally. This way each player is assured of sufficient showcase playing time.

How much will my son pitch?

Pitchers throw approximately 40 - 50 pitches each weekend. This is done because college coaches want to see as many pitchers as possible - in the least amount of time. So we use at least 3 pitchers each game. We know that a college coach can make a determination about a pitcher - IS INTERESTED IN THAT PLAYER - after 30 - 40 pitches.

Do you play weekend tournaments? In a Fall League?

We do not play in a league or tournaments. We play in showcases. Teams that play in Tournaments or Leagues are more interested in winning. We play in showcases because we know that the teams we play against have similar philosophy - show each player at the position that he is best suited for when he goes to college - not the position that will help the team win the game. College coaches don't go to a showcase to see who has the best team but rather which players have the college level skills for the positions they are looking to fill.

College coaches go to showcases because they have time restriction - usually 2 hours. They know they will see and can evaluate more players in the least amount of time. With time restirctions, more games are played between more different teams. And they also know that Showcase teams split up their players' playing time.

Where do you play?

We try to stay in the Mid Atlantic states area. We have found that the team gets some 'southern' exposure when we attend Virginia Showcases. And those 'southern' schools do attend the showcases held in the Mid-Atlantic area.

There are only 11.7 baseball scholarships available. The tuition costs for an out-of-state player are higher than those of an in-state player. Coaches get 'more for their money' by dividing up the scholarship monies for the in-state players. Unless you are a high end Division I player, we have found that the majority of the southern schools do not extend much interest.

What types of players do you select?

We are not a typical fall baseball team. First there is the commitment factor.  You are expected at each Showcase and to attend the practices during the 8 to 10 weeks. Second is the skill level factor. Since our inception in 1999, we have selected players that have recived recoginition such as "First Team" status from the local newspapers - The Patriot News Big 11 Selection, The Carlisle Sentinel All Sentinel Team, The York Dispatch and Public Opinion All Star Teams. For example, from the past two years:

MID-PENN ACES - 2009 PATRIOT NEWS BIG 11 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ALL-STARS

Sam Crater, Northern High School – Junior Infielder

• Second Selection (All-Underclassmen 2008)
• Mid Penn All-star 2009
• Colonial Division MVP

The unanimous MVP of the Colonial Division broke off sterling 9 – 0 record and recorded 79 Strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings.  Crater ripped 37 hits (.423 Batting Average) including nine doubles and four home runs.  He also scored 29 runs.

Joe Murphy, Cedar Cliff – Senior Infielder

• Second  (Honorable Mention 2008)
• Mid Penn All-star 2009

Murphy slammed 5 home runs and finished his senior year with a .442 batting average and 21 RBI’s.  He also banged 4 doubles and scored 20 times.  Murphy’s coach called him the division’s best position player.

Kyle Hollinsworth, Susquehanna – Catcher

• Third Selection (Fourth team 2008, All Underclassman 2007)
• Mid Penn All star 2009

After a near fatal injury during the Keystone Games, the Shippensburg recruit ended at .444 and drove in 18 runs.  He attacked base runners with his strong arm and quick release.  A certain all-PSAC pick in the near future.

MID-PENN ACES - 2008 PATRIOT NEWS BIG 11 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ALL-STARS

Sam Philips, Susquehanna High School – Senior Infielder

• Third Selection (Second team 2007, All-Underclassmen 2006)
• Mid Penn All-star 2008

Versatile and a thrill to watch,Phillips started to show superior defensive skills last season and hit nearly .400. This time, the sweet-swinging lefty went off the charts, leading the Indians (15-8) to their first PIAA Class AAA showing in quite some time

Great footwork and a strong arm made Phillips the best pure infielder in the region. Plus, coach Matt Rau’s top slugger popped a gaudy .593 batting average, a mid state best, with 24 runs, 10 doubles and a .898 slugging percentage. Phillips, bound for Division II Westchester, also cracked four home runs from his leadoff post.

Zach Seaman, Central Dauphin – Senior Infielder

• Third Selection (Second team 2007, All-Underclassmen 2006)
• Mid Penn All-star 2008

In the first few weeks, Seaman battles tendonitis while teammate Scott Buckwalter nursed a back injury, stripping the Rams of their top two pitchers. It’s a big reason why Central Dauphin’s anticipated season never really took off. But Seaman made pother contributions, most notably with his play at shortstop.

Showing good range and a sturdy arm, seaman worked confidently up the middle while chipping in a nice .353 batting average and 24 RBI’s. Seaman, who scored 25 runs for the 3-AAA entry, will toil at Shippensburg University next season.

Kasey Cooper, Cedar Cliff – Catcher

First Selection - Under normal conditions, quality backstops are not hard to find in this region. But only a few emerged this time, and Cooper made sure he landed at the top of the list. Moving from Central Dauphin, Cooper guided a developing staff and helped the Colts land a District 3-AAAA bid.

His technique, blocking skills and powerful toss to second are just a few reasons why Cooper earned this position. Another is his performance at the dish. Cooper, a showcase whiz, posted a solid .383 average with 27 runs batted in and six doubles. Not bad, considering it was Cooper’s first full season behind the plate.

MID-PENN ACES - 2008 YORK DAILY RECORD HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ALL-STARS

Dan Dierdorff, Northeastern: The junior right-hander went 6-0 with a 0.98 ERA for the Bobcats, who won the Division II title, qualified for the District 3 Class AA tournament and finished 15-6. Dierdorff struck out 46 batters in 42 innings of work and walked just four. "Whenever we faced him, we knew runs would be at a premium," New Oxford coach Scott Anderson said. "That's why we'd have our No. 3 hitter bunt against him trying to get a guy into scoring position."

Wickham Simonds, York Suburban: The junior outfielder hit .368 with 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored for the Trojans, who finished 10-9 before falling to Bishop McDevitt in a District 3 Class AAA play-in round game. Simonds had six doubles, a triple and two home runs to show for his 57 at-bats.

KULBACKI NAMED COLLEGIATE BASEBALL'S NATIONAL CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ex-Mid-Penn Aces players Kellen Kulbacki was named Collegiate Baseball’s National Co-Player of the Year. Kulbacki, who attended Hershey High School and is now at James Madison University, played on the 2002 Mid Penn Aces team.  

Here’s what he did to achieve this honor:

• Led NCAA Division I hitters with 24 Home Runs
• #1 in the USA in slugging percentage - .943
• #2 in the nation in batting average - .464
• He set James Madison records for home runs, Batting average, slugging percentage, total bases and tied the record for RBI’s.

Kulbacki was recently selected by the San Diego Padres in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.

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Mid-Penn Aces Professional Baseball Players

Jason Sugden - Anaheim Angels
Evan Englebrook - Houston Astros
Justin Wenger - Amarillo Dillas - United Baseball League
Corey Bachman - Chicago Cubs
Kellen Kulbacki - San Diego Padres

Players' and Coaches' Testimonials

"I have committed to Rider, and accepted a scholarship to play for them. I just wanted to thank you for your continued support, and everything that you have done for me and for my college search. I also wanted to praise the Mid-Penn Aces, as it has been one of the best things in my life, and it has given me the opportunity to play Division 1 baseball. Thanks again!"
--Mason Heyne, Player on Mid-Penn Aces 2006 team

"Mason verbally committed to Rider …he is happy with his decision …Rider will be the perfect fit for him. Thank you so much for all of your help, we really appreciate everything you did for him. Mason is tearing it up this season in high school ball. I think playing over the fall really helped his game. I think you have a great program and Mason would have never gotten Rider's attention had he not played for the Aces."
--Darla Heyne, Mother of Mason Heyne, 2006 Mid-Penn Aces player

"I come to your games because I know the talent level of the competition and on your team is what I am looking for."
-- Bruce Peddie, Former Head Coach of Shippensburg University

"The focus should change in the fall. Instead of wins and losses, fall is the time for the player to maximize his exposure to pro and college coaches as well as getting additional playing time. Coach Hobby and staff are to be commended for giving Central Pennsylvania baseball players this opportunity."
--Tom Burns, Area Scout, Toronto Blue Jays

"This has truly been an experience and an opportunity we will never forget. We thank you for providing our son the opportunity to demonstrate his pitching skills and for giving him an opportunity he may not have had."
--Parents of Jack Mascalus from Central Dauphin High School

"Jason's participation on the team was an excellent experience. It gave him exposure to many college coaches and professional scouts who had never seen him play."
--Parents of Jason Sugden, drafted by Philadelphia Phillies 2000 and Angels 2002.

"Your program is the next step parents are searching for to take their kids from high school to the college level. The reputation your team has achieved draws invaluable exposure from many college coaches and scouts. With both the on and off field guidance you provide, our son was able to receive a scholarship to Shippensburg University."
--Parents of Steve Pokopec from Northeastern High School

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The Aces organization is not for profit. The Mid-Penn Aces are not associated with AAU baseball.