18 June 2010
Coaches Vivian/O’Hara/Wernick:
As our son Tom has graduated recently from Gwynedd-Mercy College, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank each of you and your staff for your efforts in preparing Tom to play and succeed in baseball at the college level. I know that he thoroughly enjoyed his time as a member of the All American Baseball Academy. The time each of you spent with him is greatly appreciated.
As a direct result of the lessons he learned at the Academy, he earned his degree in four yrs, with a 3.1 GPA, played four years of baseball, and competed in four league playoffs and two NCAA playoffs; he even shows up in a few spots in the GMC record book, most significantly as third all time in appearances, games finished and combined shutouts, as well as fifth all time in ERA. It was a wonderful experience for him [and us]; one that he was more fully able to appreciate due to his time at the Academy - where he also learned that it’s not all just about the baseball.
His induction into the All American Baseball Academy Hall of Fame at Cooperstown in 2006 was a very proud moment for us. He has not often had his individual talents/achievements recognized. As you know, he’s not a guy that really stands out in terms of athletic ability when you first look at him – he’s not real big, not real fast, doesn’t thrown real hard, but as Coach Vivian said in his speech at Cooperstown – he works real hard. He’s kind of like Novocain – you have to give him time to start working on you, and when all is said and done – you look back and say – “Hey – that was pretty good”. We are thankful that you showed him the value of hard work and practice.
We are sad to see his active time in baseball come to an end, but we agree that he got the most he possibly could from the experience; we are thankful that you each had a large part in preparing him for that.
Our heartfelt thanks,
Tom and Cindy Weiss
Well armed
By Joe Mason
For the Times
Kyle Levocz knew the Father Judge High School baseball team was going to need an ace pitcher this year.
So instead of worrying about who was going to fill that role, he decided to do it himself. Levocz is a senior righty from Torresdale, and when his junior baseball season came to an end, he dedicated himself to becoming a top-flight pitcher. Not because he wanted to, but because he needed to.
"We had nine seniors graduate last year, it kind of wiped us out," Levocz explained. "I played everywhere. I was a catcher growing up because I had a strong arm.
"But we really needed a pitcher and I wanted to do it," he continued. "I spent the entire offseason working out at the All-American Baseball Academy, and I learned a lot while there. I got a lot stronger, I learned a lot of tricks, and I had fun. I just put in the time to get better."
At the academy, Levocz learned from coaches like former Reading Phillies pitching coach Tom Filer. The academy, coupled with the hard work Levocz put in during workouts in the weight room, has certainly paid off for him this spring.
The inexperienced Crusaders have battled the top teams in the Catholic League Red Division and still remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Judge is 4-6 in divisional play, good enough for fifth place in the competitive league. The top six teams qualify for postseason play, and at this point in the year, that's exactly what the Crusaders are shooting for.
"We're still really young, so we make some mistakes that inexperienced teams make," Levocz said. "But we're so much better than we were when we started this year. The young guys have shown so much improvement."
A lot of the team's success is because the younger players have stepped up. But much of it is because their leader is performing so well on the mound. Levocz is 2-1 on the year, including a 4-3 victory over Archbishop Ryan on April 30. According to the hurler, he has pitched seven innings in each of his outings and has yielded only two walks. That's going to win games.
"Kyle has worked himself into becoming a very good pitcher," said Judge coach Tim Ginter. "He goes out and gives us very good pitching, and he's worked himself into doing that."
Even if he's not throwing rockets toward the plate, he's still punching people out.
"I don't throw that hard, so I have to spot my pitches, and I've been doing that really well," Levocz said. "My fastball hits about eighty (miles per hour). I'm more of a junk-ball pitcher . . . I just throw it up there and hope to hit my spots."
Levocz is just as successful in the classroom.
He ranks in the top 10 percent of his class at Judge, and next year he will continue his academic and baseball career at Ursinus College. He will major in biology, with future plans to attend medical school.
"The baseball coach up there contacted me and he was really great about everything," Levocz said. "It's a good school, it's not too far away, it's exactly what I'm looking for."
After all, selecting a college to continue your baseball career isn't brain surgery. But if it was, it would be good practice for Levocz.
"My goal is to become a neurosurgeon," he said. "I have (advanced placement) biology and I really like it. I think doing something like that would interest me, and I could also help out."
But before he's saving lives, he wants to hang a banner.
"Winning the championship is the ultimate goal, it's every team's goal," Levocz said. "We still have a lot of work to do; we're just going out and playing hard every day." ¥¥
Submitted by John Levocz on May 7, 2009. It appeared in the Northeast Times
My son has been to many different baseball facilities in the area and none have compared to the level of instruction he received at the Academy. Every coach who worked with him understood exactly how to help him make adjustments and corrections in his mechanics. We can't remember ever getting so much quality attention. Many Thanks, Neal N.
Coaches of the Academy,
Just wanted to drop you guys a line and give you a little update on things. My last couple years of college ball at Wingate has been great. It's my senior year and im gearing up for the most important year of my carreer. I went to Boise Idaho this summer and played in the Boise Collegiate Summer League. It was a great experience and really took my game to a new level. The last few years here I have had some upper classman ahead of me up the middle, but I have worked hard and played every inning on the jv level, 30 games a year and dressed for varsity games. I have a good chance to start this year at second base. After this year I have been offered a Graduate Assistant position......and I look forward to starting my coaching career. I always appriciated the help and instruction you guys have given me and it really helped me get to where I am today. I hope all is well and I plan to stop in over winter break to catch up.
Mark Crocco
Brett Hontz Named an All American!
To: Coaches, All American Baseball Academy
From: Duane Hontz
Re: Brett's success!
Date June 21, 2008
Dear Coaches,
Now that Brett has completed his college baseball career, we would like to, first of all, thank you again for all the positive impact your training at All American had on Brett! We wanted to pass on to you the success that he enjoyed during his senior season at Division II Carson-Newman College (TN).
As the ace of the staff, Brett compiled an 11-1 record with six complete games, 98Ks and only 13 BB in 100 innings. For this effort, he was named South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of The Year, All-South Region Pitcher of The Year, and was selected as an NCAA Division II First Team All American! If you're interested in the articles, pictures and stats visit C-Ns website at www.cn.edu or the Conference website at www.thesac.com
Thought you might like this update on Brett. Thank you again for all you did for him!
From:
Mr. and Mrs. Duane Hontz
Newtown Square, PA
The Hanes family wishes to thank the All American Baseball Academy for the recent induction of our son, Kevin Hanes, to the Academy's Hall of Fame. What an honor for Kevin to have played in this outstanding program for ten years and to receive this award. As a parent with two high school and collegiate athletes and physical educator/coach for thirty years, I have experienced many programs. The Academy's program is unsurpassed in its primary focus on instruction of proper mechanics, disciplined instructional drill and practice sessions and emphasis on respect for the game in work ethic, uniform and behavior. Beyond all of this, it is a place where coaches care and care for their players in the most personal way. Coach Bob remains a phone call away to celebrate, commiserate or get Kev in the cage to check out the swing! Thanks to all of you at the Academy.
Michele Hanes
I thought my son's coaches would teach him how to hit. I was wrong. He struggled through half the season before we heard about All American. We enrolled him in a hitting clinic and in four weeks he was tearing the cover off the ball. We can't wait for the next program! - Laura H
Hi my name is Joan Woltemate. My son Mark took hitting lessons two winters ago with Josh. I just wanted to say what an amazing person Josh is. Mark has been crushing the ball ever since he worked with him and he is so happy! Actually, Mark had always been used as a leadoff hitter and since working with Josh they are batting him third or fourth. It has really made such a difference. We will be back for more. You guys do such a great job! Thanks, Joan W
When our son told us he wanted to play college baseball we didn't know if he was good enough to be recruited. His high school coach always played his favorites and our son didn't get many opportunities. The coaches at The All American Baseball Academy evaluated him and designed a program to develop his skills. He now starts for his college team and his dream has come true. We are thrilled that he can get a great education while playing the game he loves - Bruce B.
Our daughter's softball coach teaches the girls to be slap hitters. At one point he even had her switch hit to bat left handed so she could be closer to first base. Some of her team mates were taking hitting lessons at All American and they were hitting over .500. We wanted our daughter to hit like that. Coach Vivian taught her the line drive theory of hitting and last weekend she hit three homeruns. Her coach doesn't tell her how to hit anymore! Thank you so much. - A happy softball dad.
My son Corey was in a car accident and the doctors thought he would never walk again. Thank you for the great job you did working with him. Because of your efforts, Corey walked on to the Florida A&M baseball team as a freshman. Thank you so much for all the encouragement and great instruction. B. Thomas
My son had so much trouble throwing strikes. He also complained all the time about pain in his elbow. My wife and I took him to many different baseball schools and he worked with many young instructors who couldn't seem to diagnose his problem with control or his nagging elbow pain. When we discovered The All American Baseball Academy we could see a world of difference. Everybody claims to have "qualified" instructors but this staff is extraordinary. They picked up immediately on mechanical flaws and not only did his control improve, he no longer has any pain at all! Thanks for all your help. We're convinced and we'll be back. - Paul W.
Matt Willard, Academy Hall of Famer, Credits All American Baseball Academy For His Success
Many people take credit for Matt's development as a player but, Matt started at the All American Baseball Academy when he was 13 years old and now that he's a professional player, he credits the Academy for being a large part in his life.
Matt Willard, an Academy Hall of Fame member, sent us the following testimonial, on May 3, 2005. Matt started at the Academy as a 13 year old player and was a member of our program until last year, when he graduated from Council Rock North High School. Matt trained at virtually every facility in southeastern PA at different times. He has a good idea of how we make the difference in helping players improve. Herewith are his comments:
Coach Wernick, Coach Vivian and Coach O'Hara,
It's Matt Willard, an academy member back in the good ol' days. I just wanted to write to you guys to thank you. I honestly believe that the instruction I received from each one of you was some of the most valuable instruction I've ever had. Working out at the Academy is a big part of why I'm here at Arkansas today. From you guys, I learned to play the game the right way. I feel like I developed my swing and was able to improve the defensive part of my game greatly. Baseball is a game of repetition and fundamentals. That's what each of you has always stressed to me. There is no doubt in my mind that the hours I spent taking ground balls and hitting at the Academy improved my ability level tremendously. We worked hard when I was there, and I gotta thank you for that. Hard work is vital, especially in this game.
Just a little update about how we're doing -- We're about three quarters of the way through the regular season down here at the University of Arkansas. As of right now, we have a 33-13 record, which is ok. We won all of our non-conference games except for one. The rest of our losses have been in SEC games. We started off the year hot, playing our way up to a number 5 ranking in the country for a while (not to brag, I hate bragging). But recently we've been in a funk, things just haven't gone our way the past couple weekends. I'm not worried though. Florida comes into Fayetteville this weekend. It's a big series for us. Every weekend in the SEC is a battle: everybody beats everybody. It's just gonna come down to who finishes the strongest. Playing down here is awesome. We've got the best field in the country. We've got great coaches who expect perfection. My teammates are all great guys. And we've got the best fans in the country by far. On a weekend game it's not unusual to have 7 or 8 thousand people there. Two weeks ago, against LSU, we had 9,500 people. Walking out onto a baseball field and seeing that is something hard to describe. I'm redshirting this year, which just gives me another year to work on my game and to get bigger. I still practice, dress, and travel, just don't get to play for now. We're gearing up for the final couple weekends and then hopefully another post-season run like last year.
I hope everything is going well and I hope All American continues to do the awesome job it has been doing for years. I said it before and I'm gonna say it again. I credit the Academy for helping me to get where I am now. Thanks. I will do my best to stop in this summer, but it's gonna be hard with summer ball. I wish everyone the best.
Matt Willard
UPDATE! Matt was drafted by the Cleveland Indians after his Junior year and he is rostered with The Lake County Indians, as of May, 2008
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