SPRING 2013 BVA Varsity Baseball The Beginning - Forest Acres Classic, Columbia, SC BVA Varsity Baseball Team accepted an invitation to the 9th Annual Forest Acres Classic held in Columbia, South Carolina, April 1- April 5th. Although the team had made three previous trips to SC, this was the first time participating in this prestigious invitational tournament. Four South Carolina teams, AC Flora, Riverside, Sumter, and White Knoll, along with four out of state teams, BVA, Great Bridge, VA, West Carteret, NC and Westminster, FL completed the competitive brackets. While the southern teams were 15 to 18 games in to their regular season, the Leps were just getting started. BVA went 1-2, winning their final game 13-10 against Riverside High School, SC. For the past two years, Lt. Colonel Tom Fertia, father of senior centerfielder, Adam Ferita has made it possible for the team to practice on Hilton Field at Fort Jackson and visit the Military museum as part of their trip. The trip provided not only a competitive spring training, but offered an educational, motivating and team bonding experience as well. Kneeling; David Wurmlinger, Matt Bashioum, Adam Holliday, Jo Rufollo, Tyler Richard, Jim Amoroso, Parker Lynn Standing: Coach Dan Palm, Coach Charlie Bashioum, Adam Ferita, Dom Francia, Niko Tasser, Dylan Pietrantoni, Dylan Stark, Matt Callaway, Joe Simsic, Jake Hartman, Bailey Rowe, Tyler Frankel, Coach Craig Spisak and Coach Ryan Shetterly
Breakfast with Champions Baseball Skills Clinic - April 14th On Sunday, April 14th, the Varsity Baseball Team held their 1st Annual Breakfast with Champions, Baseball Skills Clinic. The event was open to all area youth, ages 5 to 12 years old and over 30 youth players participated. The skills clinic included warm-ups, infield and outfield drills, batting practice in the cages. Toward the end of the morning session, the participants enjoyed a pancake breakfast and concluded the event with a pick up whiffle ball game. The clinic was planned, organized and facilitated by the varsity players. Parents of the youth players were very impressed with the patience and care given to their players and asked when the next event would take place.
Youth Night - April 22nd The 2nd Annual BVA Youth Baseball Night was held, Monday, April 22nd when the Leps hosted West Mifflin. This event was open to all youth teams within the Belle Vernon Area School District and was implemented as a way to inspire and encourage youth participation in sports, promote community cohesion and pride within our school district. Teams and Coaches from Rostraver Youth Baseball Association and Washington Township Youth Association were in attendance. Teams were announced and proceeded to the field for the introduction of the Varsity team and singing of the National Anthem. Root Sports was present to film the festivities which will air prior to a Pirate game this season. The link to the Roots Sports video filmed at Youth Night h p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp8dbaodok4&feature=youtu.be
Military Appreciation Night - April 29th A little rain could not dampen the spirits of BVA Baseball on the 2nd Annual Military Appreciation Night, April 29th when the Leps hosted Thomas Jefferson. Military Appreciation Night was originated as a way to honor Lt. Colonel Tom Ferita, father of senior centerfielder, Adam Fertia who arranged for the team to tour the military museum and practice on Fort Jackson during their spring trip to South Carolina. The team wanted to thank Lt. Colonel Ferita for the experience and Military Appreciation Night evolved and expanded to include military personnel from the entire community. Our special guest of honor this evening was Captain Eric McElvenny, a 2001 graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School Eric was an all section shortstop for the Leopards baseball team and all conference defense of back on the Belle Vernon football team. Following high school, Eric went on to the United States Naval Academy where he played rugby and majored in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation from the academy, Eric was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. During six years and eleven months of service, Eric deployed three separate times and reached the rank of Captain. Captain McElvenny was injured during combat operations in Helmand Province Afghanistan in December 2011 and lost his right leg below the knee. Captain McElvenny recovered to run six triathlon races and a marathon. He will be competing in his first IRONMAN race in October as part of a team with Steelers great, Hines Ward. Eric was joined by his wife, Rachel McElvenny, a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and their daughter, Lupe. Also in attendance were his parents, Michael and Susan McElvenny, sister, Heather and husband Russ Carpenter and niece and nephew, Katie and Dilan Carpenter. Eric s other sister, Tech Sergeant Shawna Ceiply and husband, Dr. Ben Ceiply were unable to attend today. Captain McElvenny is truly an inspiration to our BVA Baseball Team.
Senior Night - May 1st Congratulations Senior Baseball Players #1 Bailey Rowe #8 Adam Ferita #9 Jacob Hartman #10 Joe Simsic #14 David Wurmlinger #18 Tyler Frankel #20 Matt Callaway #34 - Dom Francia
Volunteering & Donating On Saturday, April 27th, BVA Baseball players volunteered at the Trooper Kenton Iwaniec Memorial Race at St. Vincent College. The opportunity was arranged by Nancy Holliday, and allowed the players and their families to volunteer for a great charitable event. Play On It.Work On It! On behalf of BVA Baseball and in honor of Captain Eric McElvenny, a $500.00 donation was made to the Wounded Warrior Project from proceeds collected on Military Appreciation Night and Senior Night by underclassmen players and a donation made by BVA Baseball. BVA Baseball extends special thanks to BVA Athletic Director Jesse Cramer, Mr. Z., Administration and School Board Members for your support to the team during the year. To BVA Maintenance Department and to Don Lynn for constant field prep and to those who help whenever they get the fire call, including Tom Fertia, Phil Zilka, Darin Pietrantoni, Bob Stanger and others. Our thanks and appreciation to RYBA for a continued successful partnership and to the Press Box Gang for game day festivities. Most of all thank you to our team for your hard work, dedication and commitment to the program! A new season starts now.playoffs! We Want MORE!! (To be continued with the extended season!)