2017 Wheeler Baseball Mendia Guide

Dear Wheeler High School Fans,

On behalf of Wheeler I would like to welcome you to Dave McDonald Field for the 2017 Baseball Season! We are excited to be under the leadership of our new coach Mark Collins! Coach Collins is

praised throughout the baseball community for his ability to develop players and get the absolute most out of his teams! All of our coaches and players have put in a tremendous amount of work throughout the summer and showed perseverance in competing against one another.

Thank you for supporting Wheeler High School and recognizing the fine athletes on the field. We feel that participation in athletics is an important aspect of the educational process. Athletic participation provides the opportunity for student athletes to develop knowledge, leadership skills, and positive attitudes so they may become productive citizens of our community and society. We are committed to promoting the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play at all athletic contests.

As a spectator, you represent the school as much as those on the field. Please show your support enthusiastically and keep our tradition of showing good sportsmanship towards players and fans.

In closing, I want to thank all of the coaches, players, booster club and parents for all of their time and energy throughout not only the summer and fall, but the entire year to provide a baseball program that makes the whole Wildcat Nation proud!

Go Wildcats!Peter R. Giles, Ph.D

Principal

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Welcome to WheelerHigh SchoolA N D T H E 2 0 1 7 B A S E B A L L S E A S O N

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HOME AWAYSchedule subject to change. For updates please visit: www.wheelerbaseball.org

DATETE VISITING TEAM HOME TEAM TIME LOCATION

2/2/131313/1/1/17 Marietta Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

2/15/17 Wheeler Marietta 5:55pm Marietta

2/2/1818/17 Roswell Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler

2/18/17 Roswell Wheeler 2:00pm Wheeler

2/22/17 Heritage Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

2/23/17 Wheeler North Cobb 5:55pm North Cobb

2/28/17 Wheeler Westlake 5:55pm Westlake

3/1/17 North Cobb Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

3/3/17 Westlake Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

3/6/17 Wheeler McEachern 5:55pm McEachern

3/7/17 Pebblebrook Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

3/8/17 McEachern Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

3/10/17 Wheeler Pebblebrook 5:55pm Pebblebrook

3/14/17 Newnan Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

3/17/17 Wheeler Newnan 5:55pm Newnan

DATE VISITING TEAM HOME TEAM TIME LOCATIONON

3/21/17 East Coweta Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

3/24/17 Wheeler East Coweta 5:55pm East Coweta

3/25/17 Wheeler Kennesaw Mtn. 12:00pm Kennesaw Mtn.

3/28/17 Wheeler Campbell 5:55pm Campbell

3/29/17 Osborne Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

3/31/17 Campbell Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

4/7/17 Wheeler Woodstock 2:00pm Woodstock

4/8/17 Kennesaw Mtn. Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler

4/10/17 Wheeler Westlake 5:55pm Westlake

4/11/17 Pebblebrook Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

4/14/17 Newnan Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

4/15/17 Wheeler Roswell 12:00pm Roswell


4/18/17 East Coweta Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler

4/19/17 Wheeler Campbell 5:55pm Campbell

VARSITY SCHEDULEVARSITY SCHEDULE VARSITY SCHEDULEVARSITY SCHEDULE2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

8 9

“We are super excited about our new Head

Coach, Mark Collins.”2017SEASON PREVIEW

DEAR WILDCAT NATION AND VISITING GUESTS,I would like to formally welcome you to Dave McDonald Field and the 2017 Wildcat Baseball Season. Nothing is better than a Wheeler baseball game on a beautiful spring day in North Georgia. Wheeler has a rich baseball history land marked by a state championship and professional baseball

players. Our coaches, players, and parents are working very hard to make this season exciting and entertaining for the Wildcat Nation.

Wheeler Baseball is currently in transition and going through many new challenges. McDonald Field has gone through many noticeable improvements. A new score board, fi eld house, press box, and concession stand are already serving our program needs. Upgrades have been made to the fence, batting cages, and fi eld. These improvements have been made in very short order and this is just the beginning of an exciting era of Wildcat Baseball.

We are super excited about our new Head Coach, Mark Collins. His proven track record and coaching experience will play a noticeable role in your son/daughter’s skill level. He is committed to winning and developing a competitive baseball program. We have high expectations for our young team this year.

I can’t wait to experience the facility upgrades and cheer our Wildcats on to victory. Thank you for your support of our baseball program.

For the latest news on Wildcat Baseball follow @Wheelerhigh_bb and @Wheeler_high on Twitter

Chase StroemplAthletic Director

A Message from the Athletic Director

Mark Collins // VARSITY HEAD COACH

Coach Collins is in his fi rst season as Head Baseball Coach for Wheeler High School. He is a graduate of Morristown West High School in Morristown, Tn. where he played baseball for Hall of Fame Coach Brumley Greene. Coach Collins played one year at Walters State Community College and fi nished his career playing at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA where he was a career .320 hitter and voted Team Captain his senior year. After college, Coach Collins worked for the Atlanta Police Department where he received the Blue Star Medal (injured in the line of duty) from mayor Bill Campbell and two commenda-tions for drug enforcement from Garfi eld Hammonds, head of the DEA. Coach Collins has spent the last 14 years as Head Baseball Coach at South Cobb High School as well as serving as Head Fastpitch Softball Coach for the past 6 years. He was named Metro Coach of the Year by the Marietta Umpires Association in 2011 and Softball Coach of the Year by the MDJ for 2016.

Coach Collins is married to Janice Collins (26 years) and has two kids. His son David is the pitching coach at Martin Methodist College in Tennessee. His daughter Becky is on softball and academic scholarship at Emmanuel College in Georgia.

V

Hector Villalobos // VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH

Coach Villalobos is in his fi rst season as an Assistant Coach with Wheeler High School. He is a graduate of Grady High School where he was All State in 4 Sports - Baseball, Track, Football and Soccer. Coach Vil-lalobos attended Chattanooga State on a football scholarship. He has been coaching high school baseball for the past 14 years.

V

Keith Fitzgerald // JV ASSISTANT COACH

Keith Fitzgerald is the Physical Education Specialist at Sedalia Park Elementary School. He has been with the Cobb County School System for 14 years and is the Head Coach for Wheeler’s softball program. A father of two, Keith has been coaching youth sports for 16 years. This is his third season as part of the Wheeler Baseball program. Coach Fitzgerald received his undergraduate from the University of Dayton, (OH) and his Master’s from the University of Scranton, (PA) He and his wife Liz, have been married 23 years and have been active volunteers in various extra-curricular programs at Wheeler High School.

JV

Jordan Hawkins // VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH

Coach Hawkins is in his fi rst season as an Assistant Coach with Wheeler High School. Coach Hawkins was an Assistant Coach at South Cobb High School for the 2016 season where they made it to the 6A Elite Eight. Coach Hawkins, a native of Virginia, brings with him a combined 5 years of high school coaching experience as a JV Head Coach and as a Varsity assistant. Coach Hawkins is also a 16U and 18U coach for the Nelson Baseball School, Coach Hawkins is excited to be a part of Wheeler Baseball and anticipates an exciting 2017 season.

V

Tyler Jones // JV HEAD COACH

Tyler Jones is a 2007 graduate of Social Circle High School in Social Circle, GA, where he was a 3 sport letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia. Tyler played baseball for the club team at UGA, where he served as the Head Coach for a season. He is in his fourth year of teaching and third at Wheeler High School, serving as JV Head Coach. He is also the quarterbacks coach on the varsity football staff, as well as 9th grade offensive coordinator. He is mar-ried to his beautiful wife, Whitney, since June 2014. He enjoys playing fl ag football, basketball, and golf, and attends Passion City Church.

JV

V Evan Koch // VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH

Coach Koch (pronounced COKE) is born and raised here in Cobb County, GA. He graduated from Kell High School in 2010 and then attended Chattanooga State Community College to play baseball until shoulder surgery ended his playing career. After his playing career, he transferred to and graduated from the Univer-sity of Alabama Birmingham with a degree in business management. Coach Koch played summer travel baseball for Nelson Baseball School and is currently their 15U Head Coach. He is a die-hard sports fan of all things Atlanta and enjoys fi shing and golfi ng in his free time.

COACHING STAFF COACHING STAFFCOACHING STAFF2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

11

# NAME YEAR POSITION B/T

1 Jeff Norman 10 P, INF R/R

2 Robert Brooks 12 C R/R

3 Vinnie Lammie 10 C R/R

4 Isaiah Moon 12 P, OF R/R

6 Nathan Richardson 11 OF R/R

7 Michael Musser 10 OF R/R

8 Luke Simmons 11 SS R/R

9 Gabe Magerkurth 12 OF, DH R/R

10 Brian Yapkowitz 10 2B, C R/R

11 Noah Aaron 12 OF R/R

12 Gage Vailes 10 P, INF R/R

13 Nick Stiles 9 P, OF R/R

14 Gabe Ahn 11 INF, DH R/R

15 Arya Mevada 10 P, OF L/L

16 Noah Welkis 10 P, OF R/R

17 Michael Convery 10 P, 1B L/R

20 Caden Felton 10 P, 1B R/R

21 Leo Giannoni 9 P, INF R/R

22 Nic Petrucci 12 3B L/R

VARSITY ROSTER VARSITY ROSTERVARSITY ROSTER2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

12 13

02

22

Nic Petrucci SR. 3B, L/R

09

Gabe Magerkurth SR. OF, DH, R/R

04

Isaiah Moon SR. P, OF, R/R

11

Noah Aaron SR. OF, R/R VARSITY SENIORS

Robert Brooks SR. C, R/R

VARSITY SENIORSVARSITY SENIORS VARSITY SENIORSVARSITY SENIORS2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

14 15

06

Nathan Richardson JR. OF, R/R

08

Luke Simmons JR. SS, R/R

14

Gabe Ahn JR. INF, DH, R/R

01

Jeff Norman SOPH. P, INF, R/R

12

Gage Vailes SOPH. P, INF, R/R

17

Michael Convery SOPH. P, 1B, L/R

03

Vinnie Lammie SOPH. C, R/R

13

Nick Stiles FRESH. P, OF, R/R

20

Caden Felton SOPH. P, 1B, R/R

07

Michael Musser SOPH. OF, R/R

15

Arya Mevada SOPH. P, OF, L/L

21

Leo Giannoni FRESH. P, INF, R/R

10

Brian Yapkowitz SOPH. 2B, R/R

16

Noah Welkis SOPH. P, OF, R/R

VARSITY JUNIORSVARSITY JUNIORS VARSITY UNDERCLASSMENVARSITY UNDERCLASSMEN2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

16 17

VARSITYVARSITY VARSITYVARSITY2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

18 19

DATE VISITING TEAM HOME TEAM TIME LOCATION



2/21/17 Wheeler Hillgrove 4:00pm Hillgrove






3/16/17 Wheeler North Cobb 5:55pm North Cobb

3/25/17 Kennesaw Mtn. Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler

# NAME YR POS B/T

1 Dwight Blanchard 9 IF R/R

2 Jack Vargo 10 OF R/R

3 Caden Felton 10 P, 1B R/R

4 Jeremy Payne 9 1B R/L

6 Arya Mevada 10 P, OF L/L

7 Kylen Davis 9 IF R/R

9 Leo Giannoni 9 P,IF R/R

10 Ashton Lansdell 10 P,OF R/R

16 Evan Jameson 9 P, IF R/L

22 Campbell Wellham 10 C,IF R/R

JUNIOR VARSITY SCHEDULE

JUNIOR VARSITY ROSTER

JUNIOR VARSITY

01

Dwight Blanchard

03

06 09

16

02 04

07 10

22

Jack Vargo Caden Felton Jeremy Payne

Arya Mevada Kylen Davis Leo Giannoni Ashton Lansdell

Evan Jameson Campbell Wellham

FRESH.

SOPH. FRESH. FRESH. SOPH.

FRESH. SOPH.

SOPH. SOPH. FRESH.

JUNIOR VARSITYJUNIOR VARSITY JUNIOR VARSITYJUNIOR VARSITY2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

20 21

ALUMNI AT THE NEXT LEVELCOLLEGENoah Cole // ‘16 / University of Texas – Permian BasinIsaiah Swann // ‘16 / University of Texas – DallasDerek Hurt // ‘15 / Maryville CollegeKyle Allen // ‘13 / Cumberland UniversityKevin Anderson // ‘12 / Southern PolytechnicJohn Malcom // ‘12 / ArmySam Bragg // ‘11 / Georgia Perimeter CollegeDale Carey // ‘10 / University of MiamiEvan Mitchell // ‘10 / Mississippi State UniversitySam Agnew-Wieland // ‘10 / Georgia State UniversityDrew Davis // ‘09/ Grinnell CollegeDrew Jerdan // ‘01 / Duke UniversityJoey Monahan // ‘99 / Liberty UniversityChris Crawford // ‘95 / University of GeorgiaJ.J. Thomas // ‘94/ Georgia TechRyan Ritter // ‘92 / Georgia TechDanny Nash // ‘92 / StetsonJohn Hill // ‘90/ University of GeorgiaChris George // ‘89 / Mississippi State UniversityJohn Brackett // ‘86 / Kennesaw State University

Jon George // ‘85 / Georgia Tech

Dale Carey // ‘14 / Washington Nationals – 7th Round

Evan Mitchell // ‘13 / Cincinnati Reds – 13th Round

Sam Bragg // ‘13 / Oakland Athletics – 18th Round

Sam Agnew-Wieland // ‘13 / New York Yankees – 24th Round

Michael Schlact // ‘04 / Texas Rangers – 3rd Round

Jeremy Hermida // ‘02 / Florida Marlins – 1st Round

Joey Monahan // ‘02 / Chicago Cubs – 7th Round

Josh Burrus // ‘01 / Atlanta Braves – 1st Round

Chris Crawford // ‘99 / Tampa Bay Devil Rays – 20th Round

J.J. Thomas // ‘97 / Houston Astros – 15th Round

Shane Monahan // ‘95/ Seattle Mariners – 2nd Round

Ryan Ritter // ‘95 / Milwaukee Brewers – 8th Round

Rex Stevens // ‘93 / Texas Rangers - 47th Round

Chris George // ‘91 / New York Mets – 30th Round

Steve Romine // ‘75 / St. Louis Cardinals – 15th Round

Randall Bonner // ‘74 / Los Angeles Angels – 31st Round

Larry Keener // ‘67/ Philadelphia Phillies – 2nd Round

PROFESSIONAL

ALUMNIALUMNI ALUMNIALUMNI2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L

22 23

JOSH BURRUS

MICHAEL SCHLACT JEREMY HERMIDA

DAVID MCDONALDHEAD COACH / 1979 - 2010

2017 Hall of Fame GameWho will be the honorees?

Join us Friday, March 31stWheeler vs. Campbell

24 25

SCOR

E CA

RD //

HOM

E TE

AM

SCOR

E CA

RD //

AW

AY T

EAM

SCOR

ING

ABBR

EVIA

TION

SWAYS TO GET ON BASE

SINGLE

FIELDER’S CHOICE

DOUBLE

ERROR

TRIPLE

WILD PITCH(3RD STRIKE)

PASSED BALL(3RD STRIKE)

HOMERUN

BASE ON BALLS

CATCHER’SINTERFERENCE

HIT BYPITCH

GROUNDRULE

DOUBLE

WAYS A BATTER MAKES AN OUT

STRIKEOUT(SWINGING)

LINE OUT(TO 3RD BASE)

STRIKEOUT(SWINGING)

GROUNDOUT

STRIKEOUT(CALLED)

UNASSISTEDPUT OUT

STRIKEOUT(CALLED)

FORCED OUTOR TAG

(3RD THROWS TO 1ST)

FLY OUT(TO LEFT FIELD)

INFIELD FLYRULE

FLY OUT(TO RIGHT FIELD)

RUN DOWN(CATCHER TO 2ND

TO 1ST TO 2ND)

CAUGHTSTEALING

(PITCHER 3RD)

fORCE OUTor TAG

(3RD TO 2ND)

WAYS A RUNNER MAKES AN OUT

31

Adam Yapkowitz // President

Kent Simmons // Vice President

Dave Musser // Treasurer

Hugh Norman // Secretary

Mark Collins // Head Coach

THANK YOU!2016 - 2017 Wheeler High School Booster Club

* Pitching diagrams based on a right handed pitcher (RHP). For a left-handed pitcher (LHP), the fl ight path of the ball would be mirrored.

Successful baseball pitchers use a variety of different baseball pitches, pitch speeds and movements to gain a competitive advantage against the batter. Here are eight different types of baseball pitches and the fl ight path of the ball when thrown correctly.*

The four-seam or two-seam fastball is the fastest and straightest pitch. There is little to no drop, and the maximum velocity yields the best control. This is the most important pitch in baseball because everything else works off of it.

The splitter, also known as the split-fi nger fastball breaks down suddenly before reaching the plate. When thrown correctly, the splitter’s last second drop causes many batters to hit the top half of the baseball, therefore inducing a ground ball.

The cutter breaks away from a right handed hitter (RHH) as it reaches the plate. It is faster than a slider but with more movement than a fastball, and it is usually a few mph slower than a four-seam fastball. Good for jamming hitters.

The screwball, also known as the screwgie breaks in the opposite direction of a slider or curveball. When thrown correctly by a right-handed pitcher, the screwball breaks down and in on a RHH and down and away on a LHH (left-handed hitter).

The curveball, commonly called a 12-6 refers to the top to bottom movement (a clock with hands at 12 and 6). The ball dives down as it gets to home plate. The velocity is as effective as the movement, because it’s usually much slower than a fastball.

The changeup is the staple off-speed pitch. It is usually thrown to look like a fastball but it arrives to the plate much slower. The changeup’s reduced speed coupled with its deceptive delivery is meant to confuse the batter’s timing.

The slider breaks down and away from a RHH. A mix between a fastball and a curveball, the slider has a smaller break with a tighter spin. This tighter spin can produce the look of a small dot in middle of the baseball as it’s coming toward you.

The palmball is a type of changeup pitch. This pitch is slower than a fastball but thrown with the same arm motion. This takes some of the velocity off the pitch, intending to make the batter swing before the ball reaches the plate.

FASTBALL

splitter changeup

cutter

screwball palmball

slidercurveball

2017 Wheeler Baseball Mendia Guide

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Transcript of 2017 Wheeler Baseball Mendia Guide