Alumni
From (L) to (R): Will Headean, Joe Claver (Toronto Blue Jays), Coach Rooney, Cam Verbeke, & Dan Savas (Arizona Diamondbacks). Rob Rooney visiting Illinois State Redbirds while hosting Longshots Baseball sophomores at ISU in 2014
With over 200 players having gone on to play in college, Longshots Baseball has an alumni network that spans much of the country.
The program maintains a close relationship with our alumni, as most of our former players understand the value of what they got out of their time as Longshots. Our alumni regularly come back during their college or professional careers and work out with current players, often during holiday, class, or season breaks.
We annually have alumni at a number of the schools that many of our current players are interested in playing at. Each of our alums understands what makes Longshots players different. Our alumni network is such that former players are always ready and willing to help out current Longshots interested in their school through:
- Talking to the players about what the school / coaching staff / baseball program is really like
- Taking kids aside on recruiting visits, game visits, or other school visiting and showing them the school
- Vouching for current Longshots to their college coaching staff if the alumni has seen the current player in a workout and believes he can play there... this goes a long way!
The Longshots name goes along way, and our alumni understand this. They enjoyed the benefits when they played, and they are always glad to help current players. Current players should always wear Longshots gear when visiting a campus, because you never know who may be ready and willing to help.
We have had a number of alumni come back and coach in the program. A few are coaching currently. More will be coming back in the next few years as their own careers wrap up. Our alumni have made great program coaches, as they understand what the Longshots philosophy and program is all about. They also relate really well to current players, as they have played the game at the level our current players aspire to.
