OKLAHOMA CITY — The USA Softball Junior Men’s Fast Pitch National Team Development Camp is underway this week at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America announced today. With over 30 athletes in attendance, the camp will focus on fundamental skills and game situations all the while focusing on preparations for the 2012 International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Men’s World Championships in Parana, Argentina.
Team USA will be led by head coach Tim Lyon (Milford, Conn.) and assisted by Gary Mullican (Yorba Linda, Calif.) and Scott Standerfer (Ashmore, Ill.). “The coaching staff has been scouting and gathering information for the past two years and we are excited to finally get onto the field and begin preparations for the 2012 World Championships,” said head coach Tim Lyon.
The camp kicked off on Monday and will continue through Friday with scrimmage games scheduled for every afternoon session. The following athletes below are involved in the pool of players considered for the World Championship team.
Marcus Alcaraz (Las Cruces, N.M.)
Matthew Alcaraz (Las Cruces, N.M.)
Daniel Allen (Springfield, Va.)
Anthony Aresco (Stoneham, Mass.)
Ky Bobeldyke (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Gunnar Bouvy (Reese, Mich.)
Danial Centeno (Salem, Utah)
Chayce Christensen (Bonney Lake, Wash.)
Jake Dalton (Lake Crystal, Minn.)
Brandon Gilman (Lake Crystal, Minn.)
Michael Gonzalez (Mesquite, N.M.)
Christopher Hansen (Murray, Utah)
Colin Hopkins (Bloomington, Ill.)
Tyler Johnson (Union, Mo.)
Zachery Lach (Frankenmuth, Mich.)
Michael Lewis (Amboy, Minn.)
Jonathan Lynch (Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Lorenzo Melendez (El Paso, Texas)
Jordan Mellen (Payson, Utah)
Brent Meshke (Lake Crystal, Minn.)
Mauro Olivarria (San Diego, Calif.)
Jerlin Rutt (Ephrata, Pa.)
Jake Rutt (Bernville, Pa.)
Colton Sheriff (Pleasant Grove, Utah)
Austin Smith (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Nicholas Serrato (Corona, Calif.)
Drew Thurston (Roscommon, Mich.)
Austin Tuttle (Payson, Utah)
Matthew Williams (Geneva, Ill.)
Justin Wurtz (New Haven, Mo.)
Spencer Yackel (Lake Crystal, Minn.)
Anthony York (Chula Vista, Calif.)The ASA is also pleased to announce that Tim Sonnentag of Marathon, Wis., has contributed significant financial support for the USA Softball Junior Men’s Fast Pitch Team for training camps and the development of players. Along with his commitment to develop the Junior Men’s program, he and his family have also established the Sonnentag Family Scholarship. The scholarship was established in order to promote educational opportunities for members of the USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team Players Pool and to encourage good citizenship and volunteerism.
“I am glad to I can help support the USA Junior Men’s National Team. I have worked with Tim and Scott before and know their dedication to getting the boys team back where it belongs,” said Sonnentag. “This is a great game and I know this will help develop young players and pitchers.”
Below is a schedule of events for the Junior Men’s Fast Pitch program through the 2012 World Championships. For more information, log on to www.usasoftball.com.
June 20-25, 2011
Training Camp
Chula Vista, Calif.July 24-30, 2011
Training Camp featuring six exhibitions against Argentina
Chula Vista, Calif.August 4-7, 2011
Training Camp and clinic
North Mankato, Minn.
November 1-10, 2012
ISF IX Jr. Men’s World Championships
Parana, Argentina* Other events to be announced.