TEAM SPOTLIGHT: THOUSAND OAKS BIG LEAGUE PROGRAM Submitted by John Short As the players and roster have changed over the last 7 years, the coaching staff and leadership of the Thousand “Feared by most on the field, loved by all off the field...” Oaks Big League program has stayed consistent. Ed Kitchen, Mike Sheehan, Ron Peters and Matt Ricatto have been on he return/reincarceration of the Thousand Oaks Big League the coaching staff, while John Short III (President of program all started on a leather couch in the Spring of 2002. Thousand Oaks Little League since 2000) and Connie Peters TSeeds of the team date back to 1998 when Steve Henson, have been instrumental in everything off the field (fund rais- Mike Sheehan, Nat Johnson and Ed Kitchen led a group of 16, 17 and ing, logistics, paperwork, support, etc). Kitchen and 18 year-olds to the Big League World Series title over a powerful team Sheehan’s coaching experience spans well over 30 years, from Venezuela. However, a few off-years (early tournament exits, no while Ricatto joined the staff in 2005 after his playing days for team fielded) at the end of the 90’s and early 2000’s set the stage for Thousand Oaks Little League were over. the infamous “couch meeting” in 2002. The meeting was between long- Both Connie and Ron graciously stayed on board with time Little League coach Ed Kitchen (winningest Little League coach in Thousand Oaks Big League long after their son, Brad, fin- the history of National Little League) along with players Matt Ricatto, ished playing in 2004. And this whole program would not be Cody Cipriano and Drew Saberhagen. They played together for Kitchen possible without John Short, Thousand Oaks Little League since 1995 and 1996 when as 10, 11 and 12 year olds they had visions President and ultimately the team’s biggest fan, supporter of Williamsport, PA (Little League World Series) and Taylor, MI (Junior and fundraiser. Without these six people, the program would League World Series) dancing in their heads. Every year the team from not be able to continue at the level that it has been at since Thousand Oaks Little League fell a few games short of the Western 2003. Regionals and the ultimate goal of a World Series. With 5 World Series appearances in 7 years, and 2 World The three Thousand Oaks players Cipriano, Ricatto and Saberhagen Titles in 10 years, the Thousand Oaks Big League program already having their college commitments, looked for “one last shot at has seen its fair share of players go on to successful college playing in a World Series” together. The couch meeting turned into a careers, and in some cases, successful professional careers. brainstorm on how they could put an 18U Big League team together to Kevin Howard (Blue Jays organization), Tyler Johnson (2006 try to reach a World Series for the first time. That’s when Mike Sheehan St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champions), Chuckie Fick returned to help coach with Ed Kitchen. Mike was a Coach on the ’98 (Cardinals organization), Cody Cipriano (Tampa Bay Rays team with Kitchen, but also one of the main catalysts to resurrecting the organization) and David Fonseca (Milwaukee Brews ’07 team in 2002. Draft) have seen their Big League careers launched off the While the team could not get the proper paperwork and documents back of the Thousand Oaks Big League program. filed in time to compete in the summer of ’02, the groundwork was com- Many other players – Brett Saberhagen, Adam Schneider, pletely set for a 2003 World Series title run. After a grueling year putting Eric Guillen, Chad Smith, Brett Fick, Michael and Stephen together a roster, figuring out the details and readying for Postseason Notaro and Kyle Jones enjoyed four years of high-caliber col- Tournament play, the core of the old Thousand Oaks Little League All- lege baseball. The Thousand Oaks Big League program has Star teams had their wish – one final journey together. And boy was it a really put itself on the map with high class individuals who journey.... excelled on the field, as well as off it. The year 2003 started a pretty impressive run for the Thousand The most recent TOLL team (2009) enjoyed a summer Oaks Big League program. A World Series Runner-Up finish in ’03 was that they will never forget. A 15-2 record, culminating in a followed by another Runner-Up finish in 2005, a World Title in 2006 (TO nationally televised game on ESPN2 versus the Dominican beat Puerto Rico 10-0), a U.S. Runner-Up finish in 2007 and the most Republic lead the team to a United States Championship. recent finish as USA Champions in 2009. Each year different players Team members Danny Leon, James Brady, Hayden from local high schools filled out the roster and competed to be the best Cronenbold, Tyler Karp and Tim Ginther had the opportunity 18U Big League team in the world. And each year various players got to to play on the Conejo Valley Little League team in the 2004 experience baseball memories that they never will forget – intense Little League World Series where the team came home with games on the field, playing with the best talent in Ventura County, a United States Championship title. Added to that nucleus California staying in college dorms with teams from around the world were Kody Kasper, Trevor O’Shea, Dustin Kahle, Austin and seeing different parts of the United States. Alvizo, Kevin Neely, Michael Coates, Matt Toczynski, John Page 74 • Baseball The Magazine • Issue 4 2009 LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD Editorial Courtesy of Premier Sports Management maha, NE: University of Florida infielder Brandon McArthur, a stu- Odent-athlete who helped his team to the NCAA Super Regional after overcom- ing a serious injury his freshman year, has been selected as the winner of the 2009 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in the baseball division. The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of coaches, media and fans, is present- ed annually to college baseball’s outstand- ing NCAA Division I senior student-athlete. The announcement and trophy presentation were made today by Lowe’s, an Official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, during the 2009 NCAA Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. McArthur ended his senior year with a .338 batting average, 41 runs batted in, 25 runs scored and three home runs. He led the team with 14 doubles. Florida finished the season ranked ninth in the nation with a 42-22 overall record. The Gators were eliminat- ed from the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship by Southern Mississippi in the Super Regional. McArthur received his bachelor’s degree in criminology and is work- ing towards a master’s degree in anthropology. He carries a 3.21 GPA and is a four-time selection to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He is one of only six Gator student-athletes to have been named to the conference honor roll at least four times. In the community, McArthur regularly donates his time to various local causes, including Special Olympics, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the March of Dimes. He recently received a President’s Volunteer Service Award, recognizing his contributions to the Gainesville community. In addition, he is a two-time selection to the SEC Baseball Community Service Team, highlighting one baseball player from each conference school for his superior service efforts. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award also names an All-Senior All-America Team each year based on voting results of the finalists. Joining McArthur on the 2009 first team are Scott Bittle, University of Mississippi; Jason Haniger, Georgia Institute of Technology; Ben Orloff, University of California, Irvine and Adam Warren, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The second team includes Brian Cloud, Texas Tech University; Grant Escue, Bradley University; Nick Faunce, University of Kansas; Nate Freiman, Duke University; and Matt Nohelty, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. This marks the third year for the baseball division of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. The University of Alabama’s Emeel Salem was the inaugural winner in 2007 and Rice University’s Cole St. Clair was the recipient in 2008. TEAM SPOTLIGHT: THOUSAND OAKS BIG LEAGUE PROGRAM Travnick, Dakota Fog and Nick Schmidt, all playing a key role throughout the summer journey. Even though the 2009 Thousand Big League team fell one win short of being crowned World Champs, they left Easley, South Carolina (the home of the Big League World Series) respected by all. It was not only their play on the field that won over hearts of fans across the country, it was their willingness to give back to the small community in South Carolina. Each year when the team travels to South Carolina the team gives a little something back to the community. This year was no different. The team spent 3 hours visiting two different hospitals for children, The Shriners Hospital and the oncology floor at Greenville Memorial where they visited many young children who were suffering and may never be able to play America’s favorite pastime, baseball. The team put many smiles on little faces, those faces that normally do not smile. They shared their passion, and their journey to the World Series Tournament. They listened to the little but impor- tant stories that the children wanted to share. Life is not a destination, but a journey. The team from Thousand Oaks had quite the journey, putting smiles on little children’s faces, traveling the country and coming home United States Champions.