Dear Baseball Factory :

For over twelve years my son Brad has played Little League, Club ball, on Scout teams, attended MANY different types of showcases and even traveled to Puerto Rico to compete.  He has made unimaginable scarifices i.e, dedicating himself to the sport, hitting in cages while its snowing instead of being inside, leaving the house at 6 AM on Saturday morning making a 160 mile round trip to see a personal trainer when he was six, giving up bike riding, fishing trips, camping trips and just being a kid to attend tournaments, training sessions and showcases from coast to coast.
 
Needless to say, we as many parents do, have spent THOUSANDS to see his dream come true.  They say hind sight is twenty - twenty.  Boy is that so true.
 
After overcoming incredible adversity the past two years, I am proud to say, Brad is expected to sign April 13th with a Division II college. He is able to play his senior year with the huge weight of "Where am I going" off his shoulders.
 
The college coach saw his video on the Baseball Factory website.  Not at a tournament, not a high profile showcase, not anywhere but what you included in your program for your athletes.
 
We cannot thank you enough.  If I could tell all the baseball parents one thing it would be, see that your athlete gets good fundemental training at a young age and do NOT waste your money and ever so precious time with any other program!  Again, we cannot thank you enough and we would be honored if you could attend his signing.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jerry Damron

Andrew has been accepted and has told coach he will be attending Lenoir-Rhyne and playing baseball.  Thanks for all your help and all of the help Baseball Factory has done for Andrew.  I believe one of the reasons the coach is giving Andrew a chance on the team is because of his [personal] player web page.   
 
Thank you, Kim Hawkins

Hello Woody and Dave;
 
Dave, David and I want to thank you for your effort and assistance in fulfilling David's dream of college baseball. He has received 60% of scholarship and grant money towards all four years at Earlham College. He is very excited to play for Coach Sakostis.
 
We appreciate all that we received in the training and education with The Baseball Factory. You are a first class operation and it would be my husband and my hope that David can someday work for The Baseball Factory.
 
Thanks so much,
Leslie May
 

Hey Patrick,

I just wanted to get in touch with you and let you know the news of my college decision myself.  I know my dad already told you but I wanted to tell you that I am very excited that I am going to Willamette University and I wanted to thank you for everything you did to help me through the process.  Baseball Factory was a great help to me and I had a blast at the events I attended.  I will definitely let people I know that are interested in baseball during their college years that Baseball Factory is awesome and well worth everything.  I also am glad that I made a great friendship with you and you will soon be hopefully guiding my younger brother through this same process.  Once again thank you for everything you did for me and I will make sure to keep in touch with you through my college career.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Shea Harrison
 

Dan,

Tyler signed his letter yesterday for Hesston College. It is a good deal for him and us. Athletic and academic money are covering 2/3 of total cost. He is very excited. Tyler applied and was accepted to 16 colleges and universities. He had over $100,000 in total offers before he picked Hesston.

Let me say that we are very pleased with our experience with Baseball Factory and especially with the commitment you made to Tyler. He enjoyed and benefitted from his learning experience at Pirate City and in Omaha. The staff did a great deal to help Tyler improve is baseball talent. I wish I could remember the former pitchers name (from Astros that had Tommy John surgery and was out for awhile) that took the time to work with Tyler one on one at Pirate City. Those few minutes were a tremendous confidence builder for Tyler.

We look forward to staying in contact and appreciate any input moving forward. Again, thanks and Baseball Factory can take a lot of credit for having another player moving on and moving up.  Please let me know any suggestions for this summer.

Terry Bratton
 

Good afternoon Dan,
I would like to thank you for all that you and the Baseball Factory did to help us throughout the recruiting process for my son Jacob Hoyle.
 
Thought I would drop you a line to let you know how he is doing.
 
Jacob is playing his first season with the Western Carolina Catamounts. He loves college ball and is playing well. He has started all of the games so far at either DH or RF and even pitched part of an inning. He is leading team in BA, RBI, doubles, TB and HR (Tie), he is second in the team in hits. He is also in the top 5 in the Southern Conference in most of these areas. His Catamount team upset #8 Georgia yesterday.
 
Once again thanks for the help.
 
Terry
 

Hi, Patrick:

Thanks for your message.  Graham had a great experience in Arizona.  Got off to a slow start, but he finished strong.

The college search has been very successful. You may remember that he wants to play football and baseball in college, so he's targeted DIII schools fairly close to home.  He's received five acceptances out of six, still waiting on two others, with two academic scholarship offers.

However, it looks like he's decided on Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, about 45 minutes from home.  He's been recruited to play both sports.  Their baseball program is very strong--ranked 17th in pre-season DIII nationwide rankings.  

I couldn't be happier with our experience with Baseball Factory.  The tournaments at Pirate City and in Tucson were extremely well run.  The facilities were great.  The coaching staff and support staff were outstanding.  As a high school coach of 31 years now, I'm much more attentive to things than the average parent, and I have to say that everything was superb.

I'd also like to thank you, Patrick, for your great communication with us over the past year.  You've been very attentive and helpful, and you've offered us honest and timely feedback.

Since I'm Graham's high school coach, I wanted him to have an objective assessment so that college coaches would not think I'm swayed by the fact that he's my son.  I couldn't be happier with the thoroughness of the assessment and the attention from you.

Thanks again.

Dave Wick

Hello Woody,

Last weekend, an old journey ended and a new one began. On Monday, Cal U traveled south to play Mars Hill. It was the Vulcan's season road opener, and the first college game for Will. Driving to Asheville, NC, I thought about all of the great advice we received from the Baseball Factory staff, the priceless experience Will gained at Dodgertown, and the ongoing support that you, Dan Forester, and Dan Mooney provided.  Will might have never realized his dream of playing college baseball without your help.

Catching game two, Will stepped to the plate and doubled off the top of the right-centerfield fence in his first at bat.

It was a very special moment for Janet, me and, of course, Will.  We wanted to share this with you and say thank you for teaching us the Baseball Factory method and for being so supportive and helpful.  If the link below does not work, please go to Jon Kaufman Facebook.  It is posted on my homepage.

Sincerely

Jon Kaufman, Janet Hamrick and Will Kaufman

Hi Patrick -  I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your assistance and guidance through the whole recruiting process. The entire experience with Baseball Factory was fantastic, and the trips to Arizona were definitely a highlight for both Christian and our family alike.  The Under Armour Pre-Season All-America tournament was undoubtedly one of the best experiences Christian has had to date. He stays in touch with many of the players he met, and they all seem to follow each other’s progress.
 
Christian is a senior now at Lake Stevens HS.  We were contacted by several schools thanks to the Baseball Factory program and video package we sent out, and after weighing several options, Christian has decided to stay local. He is going to start out playing for Everett C.C. and was offered a nice scholarship package to play for them. He will hopefully transfer to a D1 school following his stint at Everett CC.
 
The college recruiting seminars were very helpful, and the experience with Baseball Factory was very memorable and purposeful. Thanks to you personally for answering questions, and updating his profile when it was necessary.  We appreciate all your work, and everyone’s contributions at Baseball Factory.  (Incidentally, I noticed another signee for Everett CC also went through Baseball Factory, but I can’t recall his name right away). Thanks again, and all the best !
 
Sincerely,
Storm Shouman
 

Hello Dave,
 
This is Karl's mom writting this note to you.  He asked that I do this as he is crazy busy this particular week, but we both wanted to share his good news with you. Karl signed with Concordia University on Monday!  He is so excited.  This coach really seemed to conect with him.  
 
We both want to thank Baseball Factory for helping us understand the process and how to make college ball happen for him. You have been a great advocate for him.  
 
Thanks again
 
Maureen Murphy
Karl Schneider's mom
 

As many of you know, Kevin has committed to Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and Coach Falcon has assured him of a spot on the team.

Thank you all for your involvement in his development, both as a young man and as a baseball player. I believe that Kevin is headed to a school that is a great fit in every way. For Kevin, you have accomplished the goal of "building the most complete student-athlete both on and off the field by providing world class instruction, life changing experiences and new opportunities that springboard student-athletes to the right college fit."

Kevin has been on an upward trajectory, both academically and athletically, throughout high school and I give a large share of the credit to you because of how you stress thinking ahead and encouraging the boys to strive to fulfill their potential.

All of you have had a role in Kevin's development, but I want to especially thank Dave, Woody, Schil, Joe and Rick Sofield.

Dave and Woody have given us expert guidance - Dave since Kevin was in 8th grade and Woody for the last year.

Schil and Joe gave Kevin instruction that he didn't get up here. Until high school, Kevin never had instruction at playing middle infield, but when he tried out for an AAU team run by the coach of Curry College's team, the coach saw that Kevin had the right footwork. The coach told me that if kids didn't have it by that age (15 - 16), they likely never would get it. He got it from working with the Baseball Factory and was recruited as a middle infielder for Clark. Likewise, Schill deconstructed and reconstructed Kevin's swing in a couple of superb lessons.

Kevin's player page was critical to Kevin being recruited by Clark. I don't think Coach Falcon ever saw Kevin play or perform at a showcase, but he said that he and his assistant's studied the video, stats and evaluations on Kevin's player page.

Finally, please also let Rick Sofield know what a powerful and positive impact he had on Kevin. One time we were at an AAU tournament in Connecticut. The team was to play mid-Sunday morning and the coach wanted the team at the field an hour before the scheduled game time. We went to bed fairly early Saturday night, but his teammates were running the halls and knocking on our door well past midnight. In the morning, as we were headed to the car to get to the field on time, his teammates were in the restaurant eating breakfast and the coach was just entering the restaurant for breakfast. We were, of course, the only ones from the team at the field until just shortly before the game was to begin. At one point, Kevin asked why we had to be on time when we knew everyone else would be late. I responded by asking "What would Coach Sofield do when all but one of the players is late?" Kevin smiled and replied: "He would forfeit the game." I think Kevin still asks himself "what would Coach Sofield expect of me" and acts accordingly.

I will always be grateful.

Thanks and best regards,

Kevin Mawe

Woody,
 
    I have been accepted and will be attending Gallaudet University as an incoming freshman in the fall of 2012.  Growing up hard of hearing from the age of four as well as being a cancer survivor from the age of 12, I am no stranger to hard work and persistence in overcoming many challenges and road blocks.  Despite the hurdles, I feel very blessed and fortunate to arrive at a point where I will be playing with the Gallaudet Bison Baseball Team under Coach Curtis Pride.  His own life and accomplishments inspire me and reinforces the notion that all things are possible.
 
    I want to thank you, Dan, Dave and Bernadette for all of the help and support Baseball Factory has provided over the past few years.  Your program has made the College process along the way much easier and the events I have attended in the past have always given me a broader perspective in areas where I needed to improve as well as where my own strengths lie. Your support and the Baseball Factory Program has been instrumental in arriving at a place that I would not have thought possible just a few years ago.
 
    
Sincerely,
 
Peter LoDuca
 

Hi Adam!

Nick is doing well. He has made a definite choice to play for LSU Eunice - which is a division II Junior College about three hours from home. It has a great academic curriculum with 100% of it's credits directly transferring to one of five Division I schools. They have won their World Series three of last five years.

He decided on the Junior College as opposed to holding out for a better offer to one of his dream division I schools. He knew he would be redshirted freshman year and probably on the practice squad second year, given the strength of the bench on the roster. It all boils down to playing time. He wants to play now.

I'm thrilled he's chosen a strong program with a serious work ethic. The coach has been there 8 years. He focuses on accountability, academics, and tolerates little partying! He has an impressive scholarship record of getting 100% of his performing players a full ride for their last two years with strong Division I schools. Nick's thoughts are...I can only get better with playing time.

Adam, thanks so much for all your support over the last two years. Baseball Factory offered a full range of support and education for parents. The instruction offered to the players allowed for a national measuring stick, and a realistic view of ball play at the next level. I think Nick now has a realistic goal and a plan to get there!

Take care and I will keep you posted on his play!

Lisa Flair

Dear Dan,

I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for your support and knowledge during this college process with Nick. I am happy where he has ended up. But most importantly you gave me a gift that I think you are unaware of. You helped me to put aside my own needs and to step back and to see what my son wanted. I will never forget the phone call when you asked the simple question of why did I not want to go too far from home? The way in which you asked opened my eyes to be more sensitive and to listen to Nick's dreams and desires. I have repeated that conversation often with other parents who are in the college process.

I realize I have done all that I can do and the rest is up to Nick. Thank you for being instrumental in helping his dream of playing college baseball come true. Hopefully he will work hard. I appreciate your time and professionalism. You were a complete pleasure to work with.

Wishing you all the best and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Brenda DeMattio

Dear Woody,

I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me over the past three years. Your guidance throughout my college process was second to none. I am extremely excited to be attending Tiffin University next year and your guidance led me to make that decision which I feel is a perfect one for me. Thanks to you and the Baseball Factory I am in a great position to do well both athletically and academically. Thank you again for everything.

Sincerely,
Nick Calandra

Good afternoon Patrick,

Will, 

Dear Rob and Steve,