Team NuttyBuddy is a 12U baseball team managed by former major league pitcher and coach, Mark Littell. Mark played eleven (11) years professionally, including stints with the Kansas City Royals [four (4) seasons] and St. Louis Cardinals [five (5) seasons], and coached an additional eighteen (18) years in the ranks. He is also the inventor of the NuttyBuddy. Assisting Mark is Nick Enoch, the Manager of the Tempe South Little League (“TSLL”) Major League Rangers and Farm AAA Director for TSLL, as well as Dan Crawford, the Manager of the TSLL Major League Cardinals and Board Member for TSLL. Both Coach Nick and Coach Dad were assistant coaches for the TSLL 10U All-Star team this past summer.
During the fall and winter seasons, Team NuttyBuddy plays in the competitive “Club” division of Az Play Ball. (During the spring season, we disband to play in various youth leagues around the valley including, inter alia, TSLL.) Team NuttyBuddy plays its league games against a number of the top club teams in the State of Arizona including those from, inter alia, Ahwatukee, Chandler, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Prescott, Queen Creek and Scottsdale. Because Team NuttyBuddy play regular Pony rules (real baseball), we provide a perfect opportunity for our boys to develop real game experience in advance of the 2013 TSLL Major League and/or middle school season(s). In all, we expect to play upwards of forty-five (45) games, or so, prior to the 2013 TSLL Major League and/or middle school season(s) and you can follow our games live on the internet via GameChanger.
While our team is presently full, anyone interested in playing with Team NuttyBuddy during the fall of 2012 is encouraged to contact Coach Nick at 602/363-0464. If your son will be eleven (11) years old, or less, on April 30, 2012, he would be eligible to play on our team. The fees for the fall 2012 and winter 2012-13 seasons will be either $425 per season or $800 if you pay upfront for both seasons. Whichever option is chosen, however, the full fee must be paid on or before September 1, 2012.
Starting in the summer of 2012, it is our plan to add an occassional AZUSSSA, Nations Baseball Arizona or other sanctioned tournament to our “off-season” schedule as well. Those fees would be above and beyond the league fees set forth above.
The Team NuttyBuddy Philosophy
Our program is a highly competitive learning environment for player’s seeking quality professional development. Players will be exposed to former professional players who have a passion to instruct and coach. Once the season starts, there will be at least one workout a week and a doubleheader mostly every weekend. It will include intense fundamentals, hard work, dedication, and a proper mental approach to the game. It will be a fun, competitive place where players can grow but will learn how to compete and win as a team.
“Baseball at the higher level boils down to mental toughness. If you can make it through me you should be able to advance to the next level unless you decide to shut it down. Make-up, desire, character, all enter into the equation, ability is dead last.” - Mark Littell (August 17, 2011 e-mail to parents).
Names, Abbreviations, Addresses and Zip Codes of Fields
Big League Dreams (“BLD”), 4536 East Elliot Road, Gilbert, 85234.
Tempe Sports Complex (“TSC”), 8401 South Hardy Drive, Tempe, 85284.
Upcoming Schedule
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(Please note: The the times listed below are the starting times of the games. Players are expected to arrive one (1) hour before the start of the game.)
Sunday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. – first informal, open field practice with Coach Nick for the 2012 fall season @ TSC.
Saturday, September 1 – Last day to pay the fee for either the fall season ($425) or the fall/winter seasons ($800). Please make checks payable to “Mark Littell” and give or mail (255 W. Calle Monte Vista Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85284) them to Coach Nick so that he may record your payment.
Saturday, September 8 – estimated opening day for the fall season.
Saturday, November 1 – estimated end date for the fall season.
Saturday, December 1 – estimated opening day for the winter season.
Saturday, February 2, 2013 – estimated date for the: (1) end of the winter season; and (2) showcase for TSLL. (For purposes of games and practice, Team NuttyBuddy will temporarily “disband” until the 13U version arives in June 2013.)
Monday, February 11 – estimated beginning date for tryouts for middle school baseball teams.
Saturday, April 27 – In order to be guaranteed a spot on the 13U team, this is the last date for Team NuttyBuddy players to notify Coach Nick that they would like to return for the 2013 fall season. [Even if your son will be more than twelve (12) years old as of April 30, 2013, we will try to make room for him on our 12U team provided that he is a returning player. If your son is one of the players in that situation, see Coach Nick for details.] After this date, Mark and Coach Nick will start the process of inviting a host of new players to join the team.
