New Lenox, IL

The 13U Pastime Prospects, a Lincoln-Way area high travel baseball team in New Lenox, opened their 2008 season with a roar! Fittingly, as their 2008 logo revolves around a bear.

The Prospects traveled to Lombard, IL April 19th and 20th for their inaugural tournament and brought back the Championship trophy as the 2008 Lombard Lightning Tournament champions. The tournament was hosted by the Lightning, inviting teams from more than 14 communities at 13U and 14U.

The Prospects defeated the Lightning 13-3 in the finals. The Prospects defeated the Woodridge Bulldogs 11-3 in the semi-finals earning the berth to play for the title. Earlier in pool play, the Prospects battled the Illinois Crush from Palatine for an 11-6 victory, posting five runs in the last inning.

The new Prospects program is a joint effort between veteran local youth coaches Mark Williams and Steve Korbel. The team trained at Pastime in New Lenox for their winter training; working on strength, conditioning, knowledge and fundamentals. Players are instructed using many high school strategies and techniques so that the boys develop good habits when trying out for future teams while having fun playing the game! Coach Williams emphasized fun in the mission for the team, so that players enjoy the
game and stay interested and excited as they age. Players are also required to maintain good grades, and submit report cards regularly before and during the season. After review, the academic performance is entered on-line by Coach Korbel.

All players completed the national Character Counts program initiated during the off-season. "We're focused on developing student athletes and good young men on and off the field while enjoying the game of baseball.

Each of our boys completed the six pillars in their community for Respect, Responsibility, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Fairness and Caring," Coach Korbel stated. He added, "That accomplishment is just as important as the championship we won in Lombard."

The team is a member of the Northern IL Metro League and is sanctioned with CABA, USSSA, BPA, and AAU. The team is a 2008 Ripken Experience team, preparing for their national tournament appearance in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in July.

The 2008 roster includes eleven boys: Devin Williams, Matt Murray, Mitch Vejvoda, Nick Larson, Matt Williams, Austin Korbel, Robbie Kashin, Derek Bangert, Kyle Parker, Jake O'Leary and Grant Bartell. The team has two ASEP, IHSA certified coaches in Mark Williams and Steve Korbel plus assistant coaches Brian Murray and Mike Kashin. All coaches are NYSCA baseball certified.

For upcoming events, the team website is www.pastimeprospects.com