The NJ Mariners are considered by many as one of the Top 3 teams in all of New Jersey at the 11U level and the #1 Club team in the Northern New Jersey area.  The nucleus of the team has been together for two years now under the direction of Head Coach Mark Welch (who also serves as a High School Varsity Assistant Coach at Paramus Catholic High School) and Assistant Coaches Ron Regan, Marty Picinic and John DiMeglio. 

Our goal as a Coaching staff is to provide quality instruction, instill self confidence, teach sportsmanship and increase the knowledge of this great game of baseball to our student athletes.

Although we live in the Northeast part of the Country, the team has a very aggressive schedule, as evidenced by our 2008 record of 62-13-1.  Playing on the Mariners Club team is a major commitment, as the team normally practices 2 times per week and plays anywhere from 3-4 games a week as well.  The majority of the team stays together year round, playing games from March through November, and then training together indoors from December through February at the Giants Stadium indoor practice facility, at All Pro Academy in Lyndhurst and in Edison and at Pro Players Academy in Hawthorne, NJ.

The Mariners compete in various leagues such as Cerbo, AAU, ECTB, USSA and AABC. Our Teams also compete (traveling out of state at times) in various tournaments such as Ripken, Sports At The Beach, Delaware, Cooperstown, Myrtle Beach and many other local tournaments.

Note* All of our athletes are trained by professional instructors, Major League associate scouts, college coaches, HS coaches, and on occasion a former or current professional, major league or minor league players. All instructors are insured and certified and are selected by NJ Mariner management.

One of the highlights of the 2008 season was being selected as the feature team to work an infield clinic with Cal and Billy Ripken as the Instructors as part of All Star weekend at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan, NY.  The 11U Mariners team had an impressive clinic and received positive feedback from the Ripken’s for their fundamentals and mechanics that they displayed during the hour long infield clinic.

 
TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS:
The Mariners record for the 2008 season now stands at 62-13-1, with the following 2008 Tournament finishes:
 1st Place finish in the Cal Ripken Ocean Breeze National Tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC
 2nd Place finish at the Cal Ripken Father’s Day Tournament in Aberdeen, MD
 2nd Place finish at the Firecracker Open at SATB in Rehoboth Beach, DE
 2nd Place finish at the Bergen County Classic Charity Tournament in Emerson, NJ; and, a
 2nd Place finish at the 1st Annual NJ Mariners Elite Tournament in Lodi, NJ

PLAYER PROFILES:
1.    Antonio Velardi – Shortstop, Pitcher, Third Base
Appeared in 5 of the 9 games in the Ocean Breeze Myrtle Beach Tourney and wound up throwing a total of 19 innings.  After a small correction in his delivery at mid-season, Antonio really stepped it up in the Tourney and could just as easily received the Championship game MVP for his efforts on the mound.  Antonio threw strikes against the West Pines Cobras in the Championship and he had the confidence to let his defense make plays.  The Coach of the Miami Enforcers had some nice things to say about Antonio's play at SS as well.  Smooth hands, excellent footwork around 2B and a very strong arm.  Nicknamed “Jetes” for his love of the Yankees and because of his impressive play at Shortstop.  Teams leadoff batter who has surprisingly good power for someone of his size.

2.    Anthony DiMeglio - Anthony is my utility player who can be very effective behind the plate, in the infield, outfield and on the mound.  He is also my extended Coach on the field and in the Ocean Breeze Tourney when the Mariners were forced to play with 8 players, Anthony was my Short Fielder and he excelled in that role.  He was a ball hawk in those two games and chased down everything, even a ball that was hit over the SS's head in to shallow LC field.  In the semifinal game, Anthony made an outstanding catch in LF on a ball that was hit so hard that I thought it was really going to take his glove off his hand.  Tremendous hustle running in from LF to get himself involved in rundown between 2B and 3B and eventually to make the put out and a solid job on the mound as well.  Anthony is an excellent bunter, has tremendous instincts for the game and plays the game with a fire and passion that is unsurpassed. 

3.    Justin Picinic – Justin has tremendous power for an 11-year old player and is approaching 40 Home Runs on the season.  Always in the tops statistically in batting average, slugging percentage and RBI’s.  In the Ocean Breeze Ripken Myrtle Beach Tourney, Justin was 2nd on the team in batting with a .576 average and played some very good defense at SS and at 1B.  Also a very effective Pitcher who closed in the Semifinal game versus the Miami Enforcers in the Ripken Tourney and shut them down.  Justin has become a true leader on this team and it's nice to see the rest of the boys following his lead!

4.    Sean Regan – Sean is an extremely talented ballplayer and in most Tournaments (as was the case in the Ocean Breeze Ripken National Tourney in Myrtle Beach, SC, he was the best Pitcher in the entire Tournament.  As the Maryland Orioles Coach told me during the week, he said, "Coach, we just don't face any Pitchers that throw close to your lefty".  And from the Quarterfinals on, Sean played the game with a fire and passion that will surely bring his game to new heights!  He led the team in hitting with a .583 average and hit outright bombs in the Tourney – an HR in the Finals versus the West Pines Cobras to tie us at 1-1, a 3 bagger against the Carolina Forest Storm and another tape measure shot (HR) against the Miami Enforcers in the Semi final game to put us ahead 2-0 early.

5.  Brett Kelly - Brett is the most consistent hitter on the NJ Mariners team.  He’s an excellent 1st Baseman, Center Fielder and Pitcher and has been a tremendous addition to the team.  Brett once again had a very steady bat (hitting .500 in the Ripken Myrtle Beach Tourney) and was one of our most consistent hitters who along w/Sean and Nicky, just had some unbelievable at bats.  Pitched a great game in the Semis against the Miami Enforcers, allowing just 6 hits while walking only 3 batters.  Probably Brett's best moment in the entire Tourney was when I called on him in the quarter final game versus the Miami Angels with the bases loaded and two outs after Antonio had tired and Brett struck out the #7 batter to end the rally and to put the Angels to rest for good.  Brett’s a  very good teammate and he is always willing to do what’s best for the team.

6.  Josh Shaw – Josh plays the game of baseball exactly how you would want your Catcher and one of your team leaders to play – with a fire, passion, confidence and determination.  Josh was a late season pick up and will develop over time into a team leader, on the field with his play and style and in the stats.  I love Josh’s aggressive style and all that he brings to our team.  Josh showed up for Day 2 of the Tourney and he paid dividends immediately, hitting .470 with 6 runs scored for the Tourney.  He was a monster behind the plate and he effectively shut down the running game of the South Florida teams with his blocking of the balls and with his throwing arm. Also a very good Shortstop and Third Baseman with an extremely strong arm.

7.  Troy Andrew – Troy played against the NJ Mariners during the Spring of 2008 with a Club team from the Bronx, NY.  Was a great pickup for the Tourney and he was a vacuum cleaner over at 3B throughout the Tourney.  After watching him closely at Ripken camp in Aberdeen where I served as one of the Instructors, I knew that Troy would not only be a great teammate, but, would be a tremendous addition to our team.  Troy started out the Tourney going 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored versus the Dons from San Francisco and finished the Tourney with a .470 average.  He also made what probably is overlooked by many, a huge play in inning 1 of the Championship game versus the Cobras by leaving his feet, fielding a hard hit ground ball with two runners on base and no out and throwing out the runner at 1B.  In the semis, he was tested early as well by the Enforcers, who hit two bullets at him to start the game and again, Troy's defense was flawless. 

8.  Tyler Welch – One of the best fielders on the team who also at times is able to give the team some important innings on the mound.  Has excellent footwork around 2B and has good mechanics and fundamentals at second base.  Tyler’s hitting has continued to improve throughout the season and in the Ripken Myrtle Beach Tourney, Tyler finished with a .363 average at the plate which would have been in the 400's were it not for some fine plays made in the field against him.  Played a big role in the quarters versus the Angels with a double in the 2nd inning to increase the lead to 2-0.  He was also 2nd on the team to Sean in runs scored with 9 for the Tourney.  Tyler is the best bunter on the team and leads the Mariners in squeeze bunts during the season.  Plays the game at times with a passion and a determination and along with Anthony DiMeglio, led the team on the bench from inning #4 on versus the Cobras with the "Fired Up" chant.   

9.  Nicky Liaci - Nicky played his best ball for the Mariners in the Ripken Myrtle Beach Tourney, having some excellent at bats and coming up with some huge hits for the team.  Had a big hit to start the 3rd inning versus the Cobras to eventually stretch our lead to 3-1 and in the semis, Nicky went 2 for 3 and played a big role in the team’s success.  Nicky also laid down a nice squeeze bunt versus the Grizzlies in a hard fought game to start the Championship bracket play on Thursday.  Nicky also came up huge on Championship day, as he patrolled CF and caught every ball that was hit in the air and in the quarters versus the Angels, he made a highlight reel sliding catch on a sinking line drive that took the win out of the Angels sails.  Nicky is the best overall outfielder on the team and once his confidence returns, he will once again become one of the best and most effective Pitchers on the team.

10. Connor Maupai - Connor has come on to be one of our steadiest and most consistent players and the Ripken Myrtle Beach Tourney was no different.  He laid down some excellent bunts and had 2 doubles and a triple in the Tourney, two of which would clearly have been HR's on a smaller field.  Connor's triple came versus the Jr Dons from San Francisco and drove in 3 runs and against the Orioles, Connor bailed me out as Coach, as I made some blunders with my calls on the bases in one inning and Connor picked me up by hitting a double and knocking in two runs.  Against the Frozen Ropes team, Connor was once again in the middle of two rallies and against the Grizzlies to start the Championship round, Connor had a huge double to start the scoring in the 3rd inning.  In the semis versus the Enforcers, Connor was tested in RF and responded flawlessly on some hard hit balls his way.  Connor is also a very effective Pitcher who when called on, comes in and throws strikes.

ORGANIZATION HISTORY
The Organization as a whole prides itself on giving ballplayers an opportunity to compete, learn and most importantly have fun. While taking to heart the words game and fun, all of our players are trained to act and carry themselves as professionals. We believe in excellence and professionalism, on and off the field. All of our players must maintain academic excellence in the classroom in order to remain eligible to play.

The Mariners are dedicated toward player development and preparing our players for the next level.  Although this program is geared toward player development, The Mariners take their ballgames very seriously. We are a “No Non Sense Ball Club” that tolerates absolutely “No Parental” Input!
 
The Mariners intense and unique training program starts in the winter months at indoor training facilities such as Pro Players Academy, Hawthorne, NJ, All Pro Baseball Academy in Edison, NJ, All Pro Academy in Lyndhurst, NJ, Giants Stadium Indoor Practice Facility, in East Rutherford, NJ. 

All of our athletes go through a vigorous strength and conditioning program, speed training program, pitching instructional program, hitting instructional program, catching instructional program and intensive class room theory courses. Starting in 2007, The Mariners (all ages) was the 1st and only team in the Country to be trained by Ripken Baseball.  This is an extensive two day training program conducted exclusively for Mariners personnel by Ripken Baseball.

TravelBallSelect is excited about the growth of Travel Baseball in the Northeast and the Mariners are an example of doing right (well planned and communicated).  TBS hopes the program and its players can continue to develop and grow in a positive way that will benefit all.

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