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Our condolences...

 The Pitch and Hit Club would like to extend its condolences to the family of our board member Dave Cook on the loss of Dave's father, Charles Cook, who passed away recently at the age of 97 1/2. Our thoughts are with you. 


Mark your calendars


The date has been set for the next Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago Awards Dinner. It will take place Sunday, January 30, 2011. Check back here frequently for more updates on guests, honorees, ticket information and other exciting announcements regarding the dinner. 
 


Pitch & Hit Social Outing in Joliet


Members of the Pitch & Hit Club enjoyed a beautiful night for baseball  on June 17 in Joliet as they saw the Jackhammers in action at Silver Cross Field.
View photos from the evening. 



Congratulations!

The Pitch & Hit Club would like to extend a special congratulations to coach Jeff Moeller and Westminster Christian for winning the class 1A State Championship (pictured right, holding trophy).

They defeated Goreville by a score of 15-5 in the championship game.

Moeller is a member of the Pitch & Hit Club. 



 


Get to Know Your Board Members: Bridget Venturi Veenema

 Bridget Venturi Veenema is a two-time IBAF World Cup gold medalist as a captain (2004) and an all-tournament selection (2006), and as a bronze medalist (2008) on the USA Baseball Women's National Team. 

 
She was the first and only woman voted to the USA Baseball Board of Directors in 2005. Bridget was also a modern-era pioneer for women's professional baseball as one of the inaugural members of the 1994 Colorado Silver Bullets, managed by Hall-of-Famer, Phil Niekro. The Silver Bullets team photo and memorabilia hang in the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, NY in recognition for their accomplishments in women's baseball history. 
 
Bridget's other accolades include a two-sport career as a basketball and All-Big Ten softball athlete at the University of Michigan, and her 1990 Grand Championship on the classic television show, American Gladiators. 
 
She served as athletic director at her alma mater Regina Dominican high school in Wilmette for several years.  Bridget also presents educational seminars to high school student-athletes and families about the college athletic recruiting process.  
 
In February 2010 she became the first woman elected to the board of the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago.

 

Longtime Naperville Central coach dies
Phil Lawler's impact went beyond serving as Naperville Central's pitching coach for 29 years alongside Bill Seiple. Lawler, the director of the PE 4life program and a former physical education teacher at Madison Junior High, passed away from cancer on April 23 at the age of 59. 
 
The Redhawks honored Lawler last May with the retirement of his No. 29.Last year, the IHSBCA renamed its summer state baseball tournament the "Phil Lawler Summer Classic."He was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame in 1997.
 
Lawler was honored Jan. 31, 2009 with the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association's President's Award for contributions to the sport.
 
He was recognized for his career achievements by the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago in 2007.

Courtesy, Naperville Sun
 

Open Letter from Pete Caliendo
Dear Pitch and Hit Members:
 
By now, you’ve probably heard about the results of our recent election of officers and board members, as well as the decision we, as a club, have made on the order of succession to the President’s position. All of the recommendations of the board and officers and voted upon at the February members’ meeting reflect our feelings on what is best for the club. 
 
Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as President of the club for the last eight years. But I also know that change is very important to the vitality of the club. I want to thank you all as members for your support and I look forward to seeing you at upcoming Pitch and Hit functions.  A special thanks to the board and officers who have served with me for all their support and hard work in making the club a force in Chicago Baseball.
 
I have known John Dittrich since 1998 when he hired me as Director of Baseball Operations for the Schaumburg Flyers and have considered him a great friend for all those years because of his character and professionalism. As I stated at our last meeting John is not a good choice for President, but a great choice. He is a man with extreme passion for the game.  His great experience, professionalism and knowledge make him a perfect choice for President of the Pitch and Hit club.

A protege of former major league player, manager and executive Bobby Bragan, John has been in professional baseball for nearly 40 years.  He has worked at every level of the game including the front office of MLB.  John has been in Independent baseball for the last 15 years and his teams have consistently been at the top of the indy leagues in attendance as well as the standings, including 3 consecutive championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007 in Fort Worth.  His resume includes numerous awards and recognitions, including being named Minor League Executive of the Year four times.  I am extremely honored to have him as our new President. 
 
As immediate Past President, I will continue to serve on the board for the next two years to do anything John needs at anytime. I believe that great things will continue to happen with the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago and I look forward in being a part of it. I hope that you will all join me in supporting all of our officers and board members in making the Pitch and Hit club better than ever.
 
Looking forward in seeing everyone soon,
Yours for Better Baseball
Peter Caliendo
Past President
Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago
 

DiForte receives award from IHSBCA

DiForte receives award from scout Steve BreenLong-time Pitch & Hit Club member Len DiForte was honored recently by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association at the organization’s 32nd Annual Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame Dinner.  

 
Len was the recipient of the Mike Herbert Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime of dedication and work with youth and amateur baseball.  The award is named after the late Mike Herbert, a pro scout and long-time member of the Pitch & Hit Club.
 
The I.H.S.B.C.A. presented the award to Len in recognition of over four decades of work with Pony Baseball, Collegiate Summer Baseball, Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA), Classic League, Glen Ellyn Boys Baseball, and Western DuPage Colt League among others. 
 
In honor of Len’s award, the Pitch & Hit Club has made a cash donation in Len’s name to the Mike Herbert Cancer Research Fund at  Rush University Medical Center.  

 

Pitch & Hit Club Officers for 2010-11
Pete Caliendo (left) and John Dittrich (right)Officers and directors for the 2010-11 Pitch & Hit Club year were elected at the February meeting.
 
Congratulations to all…. and a special THANK YOU to our Past President Pete Caliendo (pictured left) for his years of dedicated service to the club.  

Pete remains a member of our board for the next two years as our immediate Past President.  John Dittrich (pictured right) has been named the club's new President.  The members also passed a change to our bylaws, which insures smooth leadership transition. The Presidency shall change every two years and the Vice-President will ascend to the Presidency.  

Here is the updated list of our board and officers for the upcoming year.
 
Officers
John Dittrich, President
Ken Miller, Vice-President (President Elect)
Terry Ayers, Secretary
Bill Motluck, Treasurer*
Pete Caliendo, Past President
 
Directors
Bill Campbell
Dave Cook*
Jack Gallo
Nelson Gord
Jim Hall
Jeff Halter
Eric Maleski
Justin Stringer *
Bridget Venturi *
Dan Wachowski
 
*Asterisk indicates new officer or director

Connect with Pitch & Hit Club on Facebook

Now, you can become a fan of the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago on Facebook. Keep in touch with the latest information regarding meetings, events and other news.

Plus, you can connect with other Pitch & Hit Club members. Click here to see the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago's Facebook page.
 


ABCA to honor Hall in 2011

For the second consecutive year, a member of the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as Jim Hall will be honored in January, 2011. 

Last month, Terry Ayers received the honor. 

Hall most recently coached at Lockport High School, winning two football state titles and one baseball state championship in 2005. He is currently the Team Illinois Under 18 coach for the Great Lakes National Teams.


 


Ayers joins ABCA Hall of Fame

Pitch & Hit Club secretary Terry Ayers was recently inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was part of the 2010 Hall of Fame class which was enshrined at the annual ABCA Convention in Dallas, Tex. on Jan. 8. 

Ayers was the baseball coach at  Fenton High School in Bensenville, Ill. from 1972-1981 and produced over 300 wins during that span. In 2009, he was honored with the Pitch & Hit Club's Charlie Hum Club Service Award. 
 


Jenkins, Sandberg honored at 64th Annual Banquet


Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins was the featured speaker and Ryne Sandberg (pictured above) joined Fergie atop the list of baseball royalty at the 64th Annual Awards Banquet held by the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago on Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. Photo by Cliff Doll. More photos.

Click here for a list of this year's Award Winners and Presenters. The event was emceed by Dave Kaplan of WGN Radio. 

To purchase photos from this year's dinner or past dinner, click here. Thanks to Cliff Doll at Action Sports Photos for his great work. 


Award winner Gigeous featured on MLB.com

 
Henry Gigeous, who was honored with the Bo Jackson Courage award at this year's Pitch & Hit Club Awards Dinner, was featured recently in a story on MLB.com. He is a pitcher and infielder for H.D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill.

Gigeous is the younger brother of Nick Adenhart, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident last April following a great pitching performance for the Los Angeles Angels.
 


Gleason passes away

Longtime Chicago sportswriter and talk show host Bill Gleason died on Sunday at the age of 87. The Pitch & Hit Club's Sportswriter of the Year Award is named for Gleason, who emceed numerous Pitch & Hit Club dinners throughout the years. 

Gleason wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times for 60 years and later hosted the talk show "The Sports Writers" which began as a radio show in 1975 and later became  "The Sports Writers on TV" from 1985-1997. 

Rick Telander from the Sun-Times remembers Gleason.
 


2010 Pitch & Hit Club Membership

Its time to sign up for membership for the Pitch & Hit Club for 2010. With your membership, you can:

- Rub elbows with the likes of current professional players, coaches and management as well as other local baseball personalities. 
Attend meetings at Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field and other local ballparks (food included). 
- Have a chance to nominate players, coaches, scouts, front office staff and others for annual awards. 
- Receive monthly newsletter about club events and general announcements. 
- Work with the best high school players in the state at our annual showcases. 
- Know the area scouts and college coaches in a social setting. 
- Opportunity to network with other club members. 
- Gain special privileges at club's High School Showcases. 
- Receive discounts on club wearables

And now, you can sign up for membership online here.


P&H Showcase Participants in All-America Games

 Kevin Kozial and Justin O'Connor, both of whom took part in the Pitch & HIt Club showcase last fall will play in All-America games this summer. 

 
Kozial (Brother Rice) is playing at the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game which is being held at Wrigley Field August 8th.  He participated in our showcase last fall as a Junior.
 
O'Conner (Cowan) is playing at the AFLAC All-American Classic which is being held at PETCO Field August August 16th.  He participated in our showcase last fall as a Junior.
 
 

1st Annual CPL Showcase

 
Click here for more photos of the 1st Annual Pitch & Hit Club Chicago Public League showcase. Scouts, click for 60-yard dash times for Red team and Grey team.  

 


Former Showcase Players Selected in MLB Draft

Seventeen players who at one time participated in the Pitch & Hit Club Showcase were taken in last week's Major League Baseball first year player draft. 

2008 Showcase players drafted - 9

#168  Seth Schwindenhammer - Red Sox
#230  Blair Springfield - Cubs
#740  Gerardo Esquivel - Cubs
#920  Dan Sheppard - Cubs
#1068  Matt Milroy - Red Sox
#1076  Scott Firth - Orioles
#1093  Ryan Crowley - White Sox
#1222  Dane Opel - Nationals
#1435  Blake Brown - Pirates

Previous Showcase Players Drafted: 8

#213  Ian Krol - Athletics
#337  Connor Powers- Dodgers
#481  Dom Altobelli - Rockies
#487  Michael Pericht - Dodgers
#606  Adam Worthington - Diamondbacks
#692  Scott Kelley - Royals
#853  Robert Cummings - White Sox
#1393  Grant Monroe - White Sox


Pitch & Hit President Caliendo talks global baseball


Pete Caliendo, President of the Chicago Pitch & Hit Club pictured here with baseball legend Minnie Minoso, recently addressed the state of baseball around the world, developing young ballplayers and coaching.
Click here to read the Q&A article. 
 


Longtime club member John Vrablik passes away

John Vrablik, former minor league catcher and longtime member of the Pitch & Hit Club, has died.

A graduate of Schurz High School, Vrablik signed with the Cubs in 1942 and at one time caught his brother, pitcher Steve Vrablik with Janesville. The two are pictured in the newspaper photo to the left.

After serving in the Army, Vrablik was a catcher in the Cleveland Indians organization in 1947 and 1948 before joining the White Sox organization in 1949.

Visitation for John Vrablik is at the Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

John's son Tom Vrablik remembers his father and the time they spent together at Pitch & Hit Club dinners through the years. 


 


Pitch and Hit Club Links Page

2009 Awards Dinner Photos

Photo by Cliff Doll
The Pitch & Hit Club held its 63rd Annual Awards Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. Among the award winners were White Sox slugger Jim Thome (above) and Minnie Minoso. The emcee for the evening was Chicago Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes. More Photos 

Click here to view and purchase photos from the 2009 Awards Dinner.

 


Award to honor Charlie Hum

Charlie Hum, a fifty year member and someone who epitomizes the club passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charlie’s family. Many Pitch and Hit Officers, Board members and members attended the wake and funeral.

An award will be named in Charlie’s name, the Charlie Hum Pitch and Hit Service award. It will be presented  the evening of the 63rd annual dinner.


State Representative Patricia Bellock


Club Member Len DiForte and Peter Caliendo meet State Representative and Member of the Pitch and Hit Club Patricia Bellock at her Hinsdale office to discuss club business.

 


Hoosier Bat Company visit


Club member Len Diforte, who went through a quintuple bypass surgery nine months ago, visits the Hoosier Bat Company along with President Peter Caliendo and members Ron Kittle and Herb Forkenbrock.

They took a guided  tour given by owners Debbie and Dave Cook, two of the club's biggest supporters.  Visit the Hoosier Bat Company web site at: www.hoosierbat.com.

 


Click Here For 2008 Showcase Results

2008 Olympics

Club President Pete Caliendo with US President Bush at the 2008 Olympics


2008 Illinois High School Coaches Association Clinic


Coming Soon...Purchase Apparel Online

Check back often as we will be setting up our online store where members can purchase club apparel (hats, shirts, jackets, etc) as well as tickets to the annual dinner.



CONTACT BOARD
Click here to contact our Officers and Board of Directors.


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