Welcome to the 20054 edition of the BHAC  men's fastball club.   The Pride has now made a full transition to a "club" approach to running the BHAC organization.   Three years ago, Boone County Pride and the Blackhawks of the Blackhawk Athletic Club combined to form one organization and one sponsor, similar to the approach used in Australian fastball.

This year the BHAC organization will field two teams, the Pride and the Blackhawks.   The Pride will play at the Major level of Men's fastball and the Blackhawks will play at the ASA C/NAFA A level.

2004 Recap

The Pride finished a great year with a 36-15 record and 7th place finish in the ASA Major National Tournament.  The Pride won the Rockford Men's League and Finished 2nd in the ISC Travel League.   The Pride welcomed the new addition of Utility player Bryan Lucas, from Henderson, KY, who made great strides in his first year of major fastpitch softball.   The Pride also welcomed the edition of Joe Crouch, who spent many years pitching for rival Dolan and Murphy in Aurora, IL.    Joe had a great first half season, but struggled with consistency down the stretch.  Joe had quality wins of The Bull/Townline, Dolan and Murphy, and Springfield Brandts.    Specific Stats for each player can be seen on the statistics portion of the Pride website.  Tim Hatten and Chad Maxon were named first team all-Americans at the ASA and Hatten broke a 25 year old record for leading hitter in the tournament.  

2005 Outlook

The Pride will look to build on its strong finish to the 2004 campaign, that concluded with a 7th place finish in the ASA Major Tournament in South Bend, In.    The Pride concluded the 2004 season 36-15 and look to improve their rankings in the ISC international club competitions.   In 2004 the Pride took a break from the ISC tournament, but will return for the 2005 campaign in Eau Claire, WI.   In 2002, the Pride went toe to toe in one of the toughest and most evenly matched brackets in the tournament to finish 2-2 in Eau Claire.  The Pride will be looking up on the return of Tim Jacobs and current Pride pitchers Joe Crouch and Ray Reynolds to rekindle the magic of 2002.   

The Pride will be adding three new players to this year's roster, to increase team speed and to get younger in certain key positions (see roster for new players).   The Pride will compete in the Rockford Men's League, the ISC Northern Illinois Travel League, and the ISC World Tournament.   The team will look to play a 50-60 game schedule, which will be beefed up from last years schedule in games and in the level of competition that the team will face.  

2005 Summer Roster:

Pitchers:

Ray Reynolds:

Arguably one of the top 5 American Pitchers in the United States.   14-6 record in 2005, 2.035 ERA,  215 K's and only 33 walks in 151 innings
pitched.  Has participated in USA developmental camps, won national championships in the ASA 18 and under.  Ray is the backbone of the team and looked upon to log heavy innings.

Tim Jacobs:

Tim returns to the Pride after after playing with QC Sox last year.  One of the top Lefties in the game, with a rich amount of ISC experience.  Played
for one of the top club teams, ever, in the state of Illinois a few years back with the Decatur Pride.

Joe Crouch:

Joe returns for his second year with the Pride.  Joe was 11-4 for the Pride last year with quality wins over Springfield Brandts, El Torro/The Bull
Townline and the Aurora Shamrocks.   The Pride look forward to Joe returning to the consistency he displayed the first half of last
season.   One of the few under 30 American Pitchers with tremendous amount of ISC and ASA Major level experience.

Catchers:

Phil Dobbs:

Led team with 6 HR in 2005 and also had .506 slugging percentage.   Phil's biggest game was in the ASA nationals against the Aurora Shamrocks where he connected for 2 HR and 6 RBIs.  Phil is a very good catcher with a strong arm and an iron man behind the plate.

Mike "Buck" Weldon *** New player***

This will be Buck's first full season of major fastpitch, after a couple of years playing part time with the Pride.    Buck is an up and coming young
player with a world of potential as a catcher and has improved his defensive abilities each year of play.     Buck can also fill in the
outfield and on the corners.   Buck will be relied on heavily to help take some innings off of Phil Dobbs.

Infield:

Justin Fudge 3b:

Justin now enters his 3rd season of major fastpitch and has shown great improvements at the plate.   Justin hit .281 in 2004 with a huge HR in the
Pride's win against the Winterset A's.   The Pride will be looking for Justin show the same improvements in the field that was seen at the plate
in the 2005 season.

Kraig Sommers SS:

Kraig enters his 8th year with the Pride and has numerous amounts of fastpitch experience at various levels in Northern Illinois.   By far one
of the most underrated players in the Illinois and probably the United States.  One of the most steady players around, makes all the routine plays
and often makes very difficult plays look routine.   One of the few switch hitters in the game of fastpitch and hit over .300 in the 2003 ISC World
tournament.   Hit .308 in 2004 and was second on the team with 16 walks.   Kraig might be the mentally and physical toughest players on the
team, who seldom misses games regardless of injury.

Nate Henke  SS/2B:  ***New Player***

At 19 years of age Nate is the youngest player on the team and the player with the biggest upside.   Nate got his first taste of fastpitch last
summer with the Rock Valley College club team.   Nate hit over .300 in his first year of fastpitch and stole 20 out of 21 bases.    Probably one of
the fastest players in Illinois and is currently a member of the RVC college baseball team.   Nate will provide needed support in the middle
infield.   Nate could, potentially, be a future ISC all world performer in the making.

Plays baseball at Rock Valley College

Jesse Fudge 2b:

Jesse is now entering his 4th year of major fastpitch with the Pride.   Hit .211 in 2004 and tied for 3rd on the team with 15 walks.  
Jessie is one of the many players that have come out of the youth leagues that used to be in existence in Rockford at the Kenrock Community Center.  Jessie is one of the most dedicated players on the team.

Tim Hatten 1B:

Tim another veteran of fastpitch circles throughout the United States.   Tim is also one of the few active players that is actively
involved in adult and youth development in men's fastpitch.   Tim has been named 1st team all tournament in the ASA B in 1989, NAFA AAA in 1993, NSA 1995 and 1997, and ASA Major in 2004.  In the 2004 ASA Major Tim won the batting championship and broke the all time record for average in an ASA Major tournament at .632.    Tim was the starting first baseman for Memphis Autozone who finished 2nd in the ASA C national tournament 1996 and 1998.  Tim was also the starting first baseman on the Memphis Autozone team that won the NSA National tournament in 1995, 3rd in 1996 and finished 2nd in 1997.

In 2004 Tim hit .403, led the team in runs scored with 31, Hits with 54, total bases with 76, doubles with 5, tied for lead in triples with 4, runs
batted in with 32 and in walks with 20.   Tim will again be relied on to provide punch in the middle of the Pride lineup.

Played college baseball at Quincy University

Outfield:

Matt Smith:

This is Matt's 3rd year with the Pride after years with Aurora Shamrocks and Elburn Richwrap (Formally Don's Hybrid).   Matt is probably the best
bunter on the team and had one of the most amazing games ever witnessed in 2004.   In the Dick Tracy tournament, Matt went 4-4 with all four hits
being bunts.   Matt hit .314 in 2004 and tied for third in walks with 15.   Matt has been slowed the last few years with a knee injury, but
coming off surgery looks forward to a more functional and productive season.   By far Matt has to be the player that displays the best attitude
and sportsmanship on the team.

Played soccer at Kishwaukee College

Chad Maxon:

Chad arguable might be the most underrated player in the United States.   Chad should be considered for USA National team in the next
cycle.  Was named first team All-American in his first ASA Major event this past summer and displays tremendous amount of power.   Led the team in
slugging percentage at .604 and hit .349 in 2004.    Chad is also a tremendous CF and has one of the strongest throwing arms in the
game.   Chad will again hit in the three hole, for the Pride, and be relied upon display the same power numbers displayed the last few years.

Played college baseball at the University of Miami at Ohio

Dirk Morgan:

Dirk enters his 5th year with the Pride and is coming off a series of injuries last year.   Dirk has improved each year has he has adjusted to
the major level of fastpitch.    In 2004, Dirk hit .426 last year in about a half season of play.   Dirk looks forward to a full season of play, with
a healthy and injury free 2005.  Dirk is a critical left handed hitter that provides needed bat control in the number 2 slot.

Utility:

Bob Lehmann:

Bob is entering his 3rd full year with the Pride and provides critical versatility for the team.  Bob can play both corner positions, catches and
players both corner OF positions.    Bob displays tremendous amount of power and hit .273 for the Pride in 2004.  Bob will be relied upon to play
multiple positions and continue his development as a hitter.

Jonathan Abott:  ***New Player***

Another new young player for the Pride.    Jonathan is a 23 year old player from Minnesota, who was a member of last years 23 and under ASA National Championships.   This will be Jonathan's first year with the Pride and will be playing multiple positions for the Pride.   Jonathan will help out
behind the plate, at 3B, and in the OF.

For further information about these events please contact
Timothy Hatten, Team General Manager
(815)-921-3816 (w) or (815)-874-1473 (H)

Home