Training with Nunez 10U

Back in November 2022, it all started with me, and Rocco Robert knocking baseballs around at the All Stars Sportsplex. Just the two of us, no big plans—just having a blast playing the game we loved. Then one day, Rocco got this brilliant idea. "Coach," he said, "can I bring a couple of buddies from my rec team to hit with us?" "Heck yeah, bring 'em over!" I replied.

In came Sawyer Caldwell and Wolfy Anderson, and from that December on, the three of them were inseparable at the batting cages. Just kids having fun, gearing up to rock their spring rec ball season. Little did they know, they were laying the foundation of something truly special.

As summer rolled in, our little group grew as the boys invited five of the top players from their rec league—Matthew Zachry, Joseph Miguel, Walker Armstrong, Ishaan Awasthi, and Logan Abt. These guys were the cream of the crop that year, so you can imagine, the energy was electric and the competition fierce! I knew right then we needed more hands on deck. That’s when Coach Jorge came into the picture—a dynamo, a former ballplayer and PE coach with a knack for channeling wild energy into something phenomenal. When he joined, it was magic; the boys’ synergy reached new heights.

By fall 2023, these guys weren’t just teammates; they were brothers. They had formed a bond too strong to break. The parents saw what was blossoming, trusted Coach Jorge and me, and we all decided it was time to go big. We set our sights on January 2024 to kick off our travel ball journey. Finishing their last rec season with an 8-3 record, they were more than ready.

Starting 2024 as TTP—Trust the Process—became our rallying cry. Sure, the first few months tested us. Loss after loss, the doubt crept in. Yet, the boys kept grinding, building a natural trust during those daily training sessions. Success during the week wasn't initially mirrored on game days, but a shift happened just two weeks before our first summer tournament. The boys decided to just have fun, rely on each other, and play their hearts out. That weekend, they ignited a spark that carried into the summer season.

We even added a couple of new faces that summer Elli Bencivenga  and Colton Constantine—who brought fresh fire to our squad. With a renewed spirit, they trained intensely and competed even harder. They weren’t just playing; they were fighting, enjoying every minute of it. By July, we had completely turned the tables. From being the team that everyone beat, we became the team everyone feared! Winning 10 out of our 12 games and collecting trophies along the way, we rolled into our fall season and dominated the competition.

Once fall came around, we found the missing piece to our puzzle—Maximiliano Salazar, a fiery kid whose energy ignited a spark everywhere he went. Max's vibrant spirit and relentless drive were exactly what the boys needed to push and motivate each other to a new level, fueled by their love for the game and each other's spirits. With Max joining, our team felt complete.

Ending the year at 39-40 and clinching the last tournament trophy before Christmas was a monumental feat! One full year together, and these boys truly showed everyone what it means to trust the process!