Apply for the 2012 EBCA Coach Exchange Program

In 2011, 4 coaches, from 4 different nations and different levels were awarded a spot for the 2011 EBCA Coach Exchange Program.

Germany's Benjamin Kleiner went to Indiana with coach Steve Farley's Butler Bulldogs.

France's Bertrand Rue, spent 2 amazing weeks with Caliendo Sports International in Chicago and was exposed to all levels of baseball, from youth to professional levels.

England's Pietro Sollecito was headed to Florida to attend coach Vodenlich's Wisonsin Whitewater Warhawks' Spring Training in Florida.

And of course, Belgian academy coach Filip Vandermeiren, who just got back from Arizona and has been spoiled with the Milwaukee Brewers.

All of them had a great experience and all host organizations have really enjoyed the chance to spread their knowledge and share their love of our game.

It is now time for you, to apply and possibly become one of the 2012 EBCA Exchange Program ambassadors in the US.

Become a member of the EBCA, apply and YOU may one of the lucky coaches to be featured on this blog in a few months and the experience related here as early as January may be YOURS.

Last day (11) in Chicago's aera

Last day in Chicago which ends this amazing EBCA coache's exchange. It could be assumed that it would be quiet. But not! Until the end (leaving at 9.45 pm) Pete and I organized a busy day. First back to Hooters for lunch with those pretty waitresses ! I think my teammates will like the photos!... After this Pete wanted to show me Wrigley Field. Normally, it was impossible to visit it. But I was so lucky ... Pete met Mary Kusmirek (Cubs Exterior Stadium Operations Coordinator)walking on the sidewalk behind the left field. 1 minute later I was taking inside a special tour with her. Thank you so much Mary !

Next step was a stop downtown and arroud the lake. It was a great moment especially at St Patrick's Day. To close this exchange program, we scheduled a practice to see at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC Flames), Pete's team when he was student. I discovered the best (all in turf) field I ever seen before. There, the players did a strong practive. No time to stay, Coach Sean Mc Dermott made them work hard and we saw a lot of new drills. Thanks Sean for this awesome moment.

Now, a 3 hours before leaving I think how lucky a was to be there. So many people to thank: particularly the EBCA (and Christophe Dassy) for this first and huge program, all the coaches and players who wellcome me so friendly ! Finally my biggest thanks need to go to Al Budding, Beverly and Pete "GPS" Caliendo for hosting me so well. I had a lot of fun ! Hope to see you soon in France....

Day 8, 9 & 10 in Chicago's Area

Monday morning nice to stay home after this busy week-end... Afternoon we were going to Maine West High School. There we met Nelson C. Cord, Head Coach of the freshmen's team. The practice was scheduled outside. A lot of outfield routines to see. Despite the cold those young players were enthusiastic. But after 2 hours, we were totaly frozen !

We drove immediatly to Play Ball USA, the office and baseball facilitie of Nelson. There kids and girls can have private practices and lessons. This is the club housetoo for differents travel teams that Nelson is managing. After closing the office, I could had a BP practice with the objective to analyse my batting motion. A great moment especialy when he put the the film of my BP on the computer to see in details all my mouvements. Very rewarding.

Tuesday was a new big day too. First, Pete and I met Al Budding and Tom O'Connel (Vice-President of International Sports Group & Former President of the ABCA) at US Cellular Field Home of the White Sox. Due to Pete Catizone (WS Tickets Manager) we've got an unforgettable private visite of this huge field. A great time!

Later, back to St Charles High School for my last time with the North Stars. One part of this meeting was to analyse the pitcher's motion with me throwing. A good exercice to correct live the incorrect mechanics and a better way to adjust it for my future teaching. For myself, I would like to stay a little longer with this team a coaching staff for the opening day. Thanks to Tood, Terry, all the coaches and players for this amazing time with you. Have a succesfull season...

In the evening, we went to Professional Sports Performance in East Dundee. There Pete an d I had a private lesson to give. A nice facilitie for a very efficient infield practice. As often we drove back home late.

Today first quiet day. A little shopping, a nice tour in Chicago's suburds and country. In the evening I had a dinner whith Pete and Beverly Caliendo. The end of this trip sounds like to come...

Day 5 , 6 & 7 in Chicago's Area

Friday, Pete and I went to St Charles High School (North Stars). Here we could saw an infield- outfield practice. It was my first sunny day but cold and windy too... There, I spended a very good time with the coaches who run one of the best high school's program. Head Coach Todd Genke (Milwaukee Brewers AAA pitcher and Terry Ayers ABCA Hall of Farmer) introduce me during the coaches time. I had the possibility to present the goals of the EBCA exchange and more generaly the baseball situation in my french's area. After this, Pete had a seminar with Leattle League coaches from Huntley's aera. A very interesting time to discover the volunters baseball program in a nice place (Pro Player Academy).

Saturday, It was the biggest schedule that Pete organized. At 6 am ready to roll !

Day 3 & 4 in Chicago's aera

At Lincoln Way North High School I discovered some amazing sports facilities I ever seen before. This school has, beside other, a huge gym with separation nets and a track arround.

The practice was organized in 2 groups for infielders -outfielders and 2 others for pitchers-catchers. Each ones had to rotate during the stations at batting cage and other for BP exercices. After finishing their work, the pitchers stopped in the weight room for cardio excercices. The practice ended with a dynamic infield pratice. Coach Joe Skerbek makes here a great job and thanks to him for his disponibility.

Later in the night, Al droves me in Chigago downtown. A nice tour in the city by night. Like the other days I had to discover a new speciality: the famous Uno's Chicago Dip Dish Pizza. Nothing else to say than big and tasty. I've met there Aaron a funny waiter who memorize all names of the clients ! A restaurant to advise...

Day after, I've got whith Al and Pete a VIP card for the official presentation ceremony of Joliet's Slammers new logo and uniforms. This team will play this season in the Frontier League (Professionnal Independant Baseball). A big event at the Joliet Rialto Theater. I've met there some old time Negro League and recent MLB players.
After those 4 days, I would thank a lot Al Budding for his kindness, hospitality and sharing of his baseball knowleges.

BP-2 at Joliet Collège

BP at Joliet College

Practice at Moraine Valley

Practice at Moraine Valley College

Day 1 & 2 in Chicago's area

After being wellcomed at the airport, I went to Al Budding's house where I will stay during 4 days. Al is a 1966 NCAA Ohio State College World Series Champion and well known coach with a huge international experience.

2:30 hours after landing, I will have my first experiance here: an indoor practice at Moraine Valley Community College. Al was Head Coach there for 18 years. We meet Coach Dave Murray and Tom Rads for a dynamic practice. A lot of different stations wheer the work to do is well divided: infield / outfield, pitcher defense routine, pitcher / catcher, BP... At the end, it was a good practice to see and a good experience for me (a lot of ideas to reproduce myself in France because we practice indoors too).

Day after, big program. In the morning we drove to Joliet Junior Collège. Cold and rainy weather, but to come an outdoor practice. Once there I found a nice and dry baseball field, home of the Wolves. Then I meet Coach Wayne King. He is known in the area to be the coach who practices and plays the earliest in the season. At the program today, a lot of BP and an inersquad game. Here all runs perfect and each player knows what to do.

Later in the afternoon, Al and I went to Sandberg High School. we met their Coach Jim Febianski and Anna Olson. Here too, was a very interesting softball practice to see. A lot of different indoor stations (pitching/ infield-outfield) and game situations. But here the most interesting was the BP: 2 batting cages (1 for live BP / 1 with 2 pitching machines high fast balls and change-ups) + 3 stations (1 outside pitch / 1 batting tees / 1 conditionning). During all this practice, all runs fast and simple and girls have fun.

Thank you all for this first 2 days.