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 2012 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).
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 next year. While the exact fees for the fall 2012 and winter 2012-13 seasons are yet to be set, we presently anticipate that the fee will be $425 per season. Starting in the summer of 2012, it is our plan to add an occassional USSSA or other sanctioned tournament to our “off-season” schedule as well. Those fees would be above and beyond the league fees set forth above and it is expected that we will play at the level of 13U AA.
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).
Upcoming Schedule
(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.)
Saturday, April 28 – In order to be guaranteed a spot on the 12U team, this is the last date for Team NuttyBuddy players to: (1) notify Coach Nick that they would like to return for the 2012 fall season; and (2) pay a $100 deposit to hold your roster spot. [Even if your son will be more than eleven (11) years old as of April 30, 2012, 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.
Saturday & Sunday, June 2-3 – AZUSSSA Bring the Heat Classic @ Big League Dreams.
Saturday, June 9 – first informal, open field practice with Coach Nick for the 2012 fall season @ Tempe Sports Complex. This will also start our “tryout” process for new players interested in joining our team for the fall season.
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.
Monday, February 11, 2013 – estimated beginning date for tryouts for middle school baseball teams.
