With the end of a great Fall/Winter season, we now prepare for the 2009 season.  The Patriots will again field two teams; a 16U team rostering players, aged 14 - 15, and an 18U team for players 16 and above.    Like many other coaches and program general managers, I am busy preparing team schedules, and processing player applications.   If the initial player applications are any indication of the quality of players coming out for the Patriots, then it looks like 2009 is going to be an exciting and successful season.

     Overseeing the program's tournament competition are Coaches Gary Caldwell and Todd Smith.   This will be Coach Caldwell's third year as manager of the 16U team.     We are happy to welcome Todd Smith as manager of the 18U squad.     Todd has coached at the high school, junior college, semi-pro and minor league levels, and played with the Pirates and Indians organizations.     Mike Murphy, Director of Player Development, along with his staff, once again will provide on-field instruction in all facits of the game, including position specific training, base running and batting instruction, while sharing with the players major league baseball insights into the game's finer points.    

    This year we are trying something new.    The 2009 Summer Season will begin in February for those players interested in participating in bi-weekly strength, conditioning and training sessions.     Coach Carl Morimoto, who joined the program as Manager of the 18U team for the Fall/Winter season, has returned to oversee this pre-season program.    

     Preliminary schedules for the 18U and 16U teams are posted.   As tournaments, scrimmages, and other events are added, these schedules are updated to reflect all changes and additions to each team's schedule.   You should make it a point of checking the on-line schedules frequently.

    The Diablo Valley Patriots program is now accepting player applications.   If you wish to be considered for the Diablo Valley Patriots 2009 Summer Season, please complete the on-line DVP Player Questionnaire or contact me.   I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Stephen Tamchin
General Manager
925.939.2222 x18