NORTH FOND DU LAC - In case you missed it, the North Fond du Lac sixth grade boys recreational baseball team went undefeated this summer - a perfect 24-0.
The success of the program didn't happen overnight, of course; its accomplishment comes nearly a decade in the making for the up-and-coming Orioles.
"The real story of our team is fundamental development over the past seven years," said manager Daniel Baldauf.
"We start our offseason in January at an indoor facility made available to us by Jim and Sarah Price, and Airtech Inc. This is important to understand as without this option we cannot begin (training) until the gym frees up for us in March at the school district. The boys work very hard on hitting and pitching twice per week. The combined team batting average of .468, this season, shows that not one or two kids are hitting, but all are doing their job. The pitchers average 1.8 strikeouts per inning with eight players sharing the workload, and we are developing two more for future use."
Baldauf applauded the loyalty of the kids, and their parents, to the rec league program instead of opting to play for other area travel league clubs.
"The commitment level of the team is unmatched in the rec ball world, and we wanted to develop the program this way as we were seeing talent get lost due to many players opting for travel ball," Baldauf said.
"Oftentimes this leaves players with greater fundamental growth behind due to financial obligations or time constraints of the family. Our kids were presented the program seven years ago and they committed to the work we put in to develop their skills. We have three players on our team that play up a league, but zero travel ball players."
The key to success for any team can be attributed to a quality coaching staff. Baldauf credited how there are plenty of additional hands on deck to help share the workload.
"Our first base coach, Justin Bader, has been with me since tee-ball and is the rock of our pregame motivation; He has a great rapport with all of our boys," Baldauf said.
"Our third base coach, Jacob Huempfner, is fantastic at helping me break down mechanics, developing PDP`s (Prospect Development Pipelines) for each player along with keeping the kids upbeat and positive. I also have another two coaches - Matt Merwin and Andy Rushing - that share time with me, and another team, that helps me run the dugout and equipment along with running stations for practice developments."
Assistant coach Matt Logan, father of Kameron Logan, said it was a special summer for everyone involved.
"The baseball season for our sixth graders was really special because these young men put the time and effort in during the winter and spring months to get prepared," Logan said. "Our team is not only blessed to have a group of kids that are coachable and hungry to win but are also blessed to have a great coaching staff who put countless hours in the off season - getting these boys ready both physically and mentally ready for the competitive summer season. It was awesome to watch as a parent, and a fan of watching solid fundamental baseball!"
Highlights from the boys' undefeated season include:
- PLAY FOR CADE tournament champions on Mother's Day weekend
- 11-0 in Dual County League Play
- North Fond du Lac Home Tournament Champions: Winning by a run differential of 50-3 against three very well put-together and coached teams
- Champions of the (rain-shortened) Oakfield John Ryan Memorial Tournament
- Dual County League Tournament Champions
Baldauf noted the depth of the team's pitching staff in the Dual County tournament after using six pitchers the Monday night after the previous Oakfield tournament.
"Laconia and NFDL are always hard-fought games with much respect for each other's programs," Baldauf said.
"The crowd size was unmatched at Village Park, at least in the nine years since I have been involved. The boys fought hard against a rallying Laconia team, led by our solid pitching performance and outstanding defensive plays. We had 12 all-stars that day with contributions either in the field, or at bat, or both. It is hard to single out players as they all played their respective role in a true team effort. That game will be remembered by many in our community as it completed an undefeated season and a league championship against our rivals (who run) a very highly respected program."
Colby Whittaker, one of the boys on the team, said going undefeated was "one of the greatest feelings" he's ever had.
"Winning every single game was very difficult for the entire team, but we were able to do it and had a lot of fun too," Whittaker said. "The championship game vs. Laconia (was my favorite) because it was a close game. I got a little nervous, but winning the game as a team was great. I'm more confident with my pitching, which will help in future seasons. Also, the Play for Cade tournament was a great tournament because we were playing for a good cause, and I was able to see my friends very happy as it was the first tournament we won this season."
Whittaker also said he enjoyed the coaching he received, particularly from his dad.
"He would play catch with me a lot, which helped me with my pitching. Coach Dan (Baldauf) was a great coach that helped me if I was doing something wrong and helped me get better. He was also very nice to me. Coach (Justin) Bader also gave me confidence because he warmed up with me before the games and during games we would have a special handshake; he would talk to me and make me laugh which helped give me confidence and calmed my nerves."
To contact Lance LeQue, email him at LLeQue@gannett.com , or follow him on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, @LanceLeQue .
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This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: A look back to the future: North Fond du Lac sixth grade boys rec baseball went undefeated this summer
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