West Michigan High School Baseball

2012 Player to Watch: Dylan VanPutten of Middleville

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:12:30 +0000

A three sport star at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville, Dylan VanPutten has developed into one of the area’s best baseball players.

As a sophomore, VanPutten had a good year at Middleville:

.330 BA .525 Slugging 30 RBI’s 3 HR’s

An All-Conference honor was granted to VanPutten after that season.

VanPutten came back for his junior season in 2011 with an even better [...]

2012 Player to Watch: Ryan Peninger of Mattawan

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:22:35 +0000

Mattawan Wildcats Senior infielder Ryan Peninger has been around baseball most of his life and has a great love for the game.

Entering his Senior year “Penny” as he is known by teammates is clearly the leader and clutch performer for Coach Cory DeGroote’s 2012 Wildcats.

The term ‘clutch performer’ was never more evident than last years District semi-final game vs. Loy [...]

2012 Player to Watch: Matt McCready of Forest Hills Eastern

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:17:56 +0000

When you think of what a baseball player should look like and act like, you’ll see all those qualities in Matt McCready, senior outfielder/pitcher at Forest Hills Eastern high school.

Swinging a bat and throwing a baseball since he could start walking, Matt has dedicated his life to becoming a successful baseball player and has emerged as a strong leader on all teams [...]

2012 Player to Watch: Jaden Nozicka of Portage Central

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:54:05 +0000

His business sights are set on a career in forensic accounting, but Jaden Nozicka has been crunching outstanding numbers throughout his high school baseball career.

After spending his first two prep seasons playing for crosstown rival Portage Northern, Nozicka transferred last year to Portage Central and had an immediate impact during a storied spring for the Mustangs.

Unbeaten in four decisions [...]

2012 Player to Watch: Tony Dileo of Rockford

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:22:59 +0000

A key component of the Rockford Rams state title run in 2011 was junior catcher Tony Dileo.

A strong defensive catcher, Dileo had a great year at the plate where he hit .416 on the season. He added 10 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs, while knocking in 36 runs.

Among the many highlights of the championship season was Dileo’s 2-3 day in [...]

North Muskegon’s Warren Kent, Jr Honored as an Assistant Coach of the Year by the MHSBCA

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:25:13 +0000

Warren Kent Jr., the assistant varsity coach at North Muskegon High School, has been selected as an Assistant Coach of the Year from the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA).

The award was presented Jan. 14 at the annual MHSBCA Clinic at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort.

Kent Jr. has been the assistant coach at North Muskegon, where his oldest son Warren III [...]

Four Top Coaches to Speak at the West Michigan Baseball Coaches Clinic

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:14:24 +0000

Mona Shores High School will be the site of this year’s West Michigan Baseball Coaches Clinic on Saturday February 25, 2012.

The event is hosted by Mona Shores Head Coach Walt Gawkowski and Shelby Head Coach Brian Wright.

The speakers this year include four of the best Head Coaches in the state:

Chris Andrews Portage Northern

Chris LaMange East Grand Rapids

Mike Ott Holland [...]

2012 Player to Watch: Coby Herriman of Charlevoix

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:59:09 +0000

Coby Herriman of Charlevoix has quietly become one of West Michigan’s top high school pitchers over the last two seasons – but the word is starting to spread.

As a sophomore, Herriman threw a no-hitter against Ellsworth and was named to the All-District team.

In 2011 as a junior, Herriman really broke threw as the ace of the Rayders staff.

The righthander went 71 [...]

2012 Player to Watch: Tyler Baar of Hudsonville

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:44:21 +0000

Tyler Baar (photo copyright Matt Philpott Photography)

Growing up in a baseball family has certainly helped Tyler Baar of Hudsonville to learn what it takes to play at the highest levels of the game.

His father, Bryan Baar was a standout at Western Michigan University and reached AAA for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a catcher.

While experienced as a catcher, Baar capped [...]

Extra Innings to Host a College Prospect Camp in Muskegon

Jeff Vander Ark (admin) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:00:59 +0000

Historic Marsh Field in Muskegon will be the site of a College Prospect Camp on July 10th and 11th. The camp is being hosted by Extra Innings, a training facility in Spring Lake.

This camp already has 15 college’s set to attend including schools from all levels (D1, D2, D3 and NAIA).

The two day camp will include evaluations, instruction and live [...]