Youth Sports - Baseball - 12U Dulles Mustangs Look to Make Their Mark

(Dec. 28, 2009) - A new travel baseball team in the area, the 12U Dulles Mustangs, will look to make its mark in 2010. The team, out of the Potomac Falls/Sterling area, features players that feed in Potomac Falls, Dominion and Park View high schools.



History
The 12U Dulles Mustangs Baseball Team was constructed by recruiting top tier 12U athletes who have participated in the travel baseball arena and, who live locally in the Potomac Falls/Sterling area and feed the local High School Programs (Potomac Falls, Dominion, Park View). Several characteristics were evaluated in constructing the roster:

*Baseball tools
*Hitting: Average
*Hitting: Power
*Speed, Quickness, Agility
*Arm strength and velocity
*Defense: Athleticism/Aptitude
*Desire to compete at the High School Level
*Family commitment

Differentiation
According to manager Kevin Cowden: "Our long-term strategy (lacking in most programs at the younger age groups) and relationship with our parent club, the Mid-Atlantic Mustangs, differentiate our club from others in the region. Not only is it our goal to identify, develop, and assist our local baseball athletes in securing roster spots on their High School Clubs but we also serve as a feeder program to our parent club, the Mid-Atlantic Mustangs (A premier showcase baseball club with teams competing at the 15U, 16U, and 17U levels). The Mid-Atlantic Mustangs look for the best players in the Mid-Atlantic Region who display the skill sets needed to play at the college or professional level.

We also seek out expertise within the community to assist in the development of our players throughout the season. This includes player development partnerships with Diamond Sports Training and Pinkman Baseball as well as the coaching staffs of the local High Schools. We are fortunate to live in an area rich with baseball expertise and do not hesitate to reach out and form relationships when we believe it will offer of team and players additional value."

Coaching Staff
Kevin Cowden
*Playing Career: Park View H.S., Radford University
*Coaching: William and Mary, Park View H.S., Lower Loudoun Little League, Travel 8U - Current

Charlie Brown
*Playing Career: Washington-Lee H.S.
*Coaching: Lower Loudoun Little League, Travel 8U - Current

Daryl Wieland
*Playing Career: Lincoln-Way H.S.
*Coaching: Lower Loudoun Little League

Christopher Cowden
*Playing Career: Park View H.S.
*Coaching: Lower Loudoun Little League

Here is the Philosophy of the new club:
Recreation and enjoyment are the two most important reasons to play baseball. Winning is a consideration, but not the only one and certainly not the most important one. The development of individuals as baseball players and people is far more important than winning games. The Mustangs Baseball Club exists to allow each player to reach their potential as a baseball player and as a person.

Winning is a byproduct of having other aspects in order such as solid coaching, solid work ethic, good game-planning, etc. Our commitment will be to operate the club in a manner that adheres to our Mission at all times. We are dedicated to building an environment with high ethical standards and values which will ultimately translate to the product on the field.

We will seek to keep the cost of the program in-line with similarly placed travel programs throughout the state and region. Development of corporate sponsorships and the creation of marketing opportunities will be important strategic initiatives to assist in subsidizing the program.

The Mustangs Objective:
Attract, develop, and retain dedicated and talented baseball players, in our community, who aspire to compete at the High School and Collegiate Levels

The Mustangs Vision:
To be a top tier Travel Baseball Organization within the Mid-Atlantic Region, in our age group

Mission

Provide a travel program focused on skill development and high-level competition while inspiring a commitment to sportsmanship, team, and community.

2010 Schedule
The Dulles Mustangs 12U Baseball Club competes in the Elite Championship Tournament Baseball’s (ECTB) Old Dominion Baseball League comprising teams from across Northern Virginia. The team will also participate in several National Qualifier Events sponsored by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) competing against the best teams in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

2010 Roster
No./Player Name (future high school)
No. 2 Justin Traenkle (Dominion)
No. 4 Adam Branch (Dominion)
No. 6 Brady Williams (Potomac Falls)
No. 7 Cole Gabriele (Potoamc Falls)
No. 8 Matt Gricoski (Dominion)
No. 9 Jordan Brown (Potomac Falls)
No. 11 Jack Shepherd (Dominion)
No. 14 Tyler Cowden (Potomac Falls)
No. 15 Jay Wieland (Potomac Falls)
No. 17 Tyrell Ricks (Herndon)
No. 34 Danny Cox (Potomac Falls)

For more information on the 12U Dulles Mustangs, visit their website.