TSP: BASEBALL
What is the Hunter Sports High School Baseball Program?
The program has been operating since 1998 and provides a unique opportunity for talented baseball players (boys and girls aged 12 – 18 years of age) to effectively combine academic and sporting excellence. The program includes: 
• 2 x 1.5 hour sessions per week
• access to indoor training facilities in the event of wet weather
• dedicated baseball and sports theory modules
• ongoing fitness training
• skills development in both practical and theoretical aspects of baseball
• Fitness Assessments twice a year at Balance Health Club Proud Shield Winners 2008
How does the program work?
The baseball program has a strong emphasis on creating the all-round player. There is an emphasis on skill development and fitness training. Students undertake study in basic individual skills; group/team skills; structure and tactics; laws of the game; health and fitness, management and sports psychology.
Students have the opportunity to complete various accreditations, such as in coaching, umpiring and scoring, to further their knowledge of the game and their ability to participate in the sport in the future.
What has the Program Achieved?
• NSW Girls Baseball Knockout Champions 2007
• NSW Proud Shield Winners - 2008
• Jason Doyle – Australia U/17 World Championships and Australian Baseball Academy
• Chris Hook – NSW CHS and Schoolboys team and Australian Baseball Academy. Currently playing College Baseball in the USA
• Mathew Smith & Scott Harrison – U/17’s Australian Squad in 2007
• Stephen Hook – Most Valuable Player Proud Shield 2008
• Crew & Hohua Moanaroa being signed by Boston Red Sox
• Girls reached quarter finals of NSWCHS 2008
• Selection of Crew Moanaroa & Stephen Hook in the NSW All Schools Team
• Selection of Crew Moanaroa as Australian Representative
• Jay Andrews, Alex Thompson & Tyson Scott travelled to USA to play with colleges
• 7 Hunter Region Representatives in 2008, 8 Hunter Region Representatives for 2009
• Danny Smith and Dalton Dowden selected in NSW U/17 Squad to tour Italy in 2009
• Leigh Halpin named in Australian U/17 Softball Team 2009
• Melinda Latimer selected in Open Women's Australian Squad
• Boys Softball Knock Out – 2nd in the State
• Dalton Dowden and Danny Smith selected in the NSW Squad to tour Italy
• Girls Open Baseball – State Champions 2009
• 8 NSW Country Representatives 2009
• Scott Harrison, Stephen Hook and Jay Andrews NSWCHS Selection
How does it link to Association/Community baseball?
Students involved in the program are encouraged to participate in competitions and undertake regular training outside of school hours. Junior squad members are encouraged to trial for various representative teams, while senior members are expected to trial when and where possible.
The squad comprises members from both the Newcastle and Central Coast competitions. As these competitions operate at different times the Hunter Sports program looks to complement what the players are doing and achieving. Being aware of player’s representative commitments allows us to structure the program to best assist the players.
Who are the baseball coaches?
• Scott O’Neill – Baseball Coordinator
• Ian Hook – Head coach of the Country NSW under 18’s, Coach of Newcastle Junior teams and Belmont Junior and Senior teams. Coached Country NSW U/16’s (2002), U/14’s (2001), Claxton Shield team (2000) and the Hunter Eagles ABL Nationals (1998).
• Scott Harrison – Former student – former U/17 Australian Representative
• Guest coaching from Nick Zulomovski and Australian Olympians Ryan Rowland-Smith and Craig Anderson
• Senior students are assessed on their coaching ability. They complete coaching accreditation and will assist the coaches during training sessions and junior games.
What does the program provide?
• skills development in various aspects of baseball
• a focus on team development and cooperation
• opportunity to gain accreditation in various baseball fields such as coaching, umpiring and scoring
• introduction to various skills relevant to baseball
• access to a variety of qualified baseball practitioners
• opportunity to be a part of a successful schoolboys baseball team
• indoor and outdoor training venues
• Fitness Assessment twice a year at Balance Health Club
What do the players say about the program?
“The TSP Baseball Program has supported me in reaching both my academic and sporting goals. The extra coaching has been helped me enormously. This year I will join the Hunter Sports High coaching program which gives me the opportunity to pass my experience on to the next generation of elite sports students”.
Testimonial from Scott Harrison (pictures right) – Former U/17 Australian Representative
How do I apply?
To be part of this program prospective students need to obtain an application package from our web page. Students must participate in regular baseball competitions and undertake a trial, and provide supporting documentation as detailed in the application package. Note that students may be in any year, and acceptance and ongoing placement in the program is based on continued academic effort, acceptable attendance levels and an excellent behaviour record.
Students are supported by a school environment which caters for the academic and welfare needs of the talented athlete, allowing students to gain a quality education whilst still pursuing their sporting dreams.
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