2026-2027 JR SEAWOLVES BASEBALL TEAM details

---

Our organization team is committed to delivering the maximum value in a college pathway program. We are transparent with families about costs and design our training and competition offerings to be as all-inclusive as possible with no hidden fees.. This includes:

• Year-round training - Wolves hunt year round. Registration includes a full year of training!
• Weekly team trainings at Erie Strike Zone. Team trainings include strength and agility, fundamental training in hitting, base running and fielding (for position) and specialty training for pitchers and catchers. Sessions are structured differently by age to focus on 1) development of athletes and 2) being highly competitive teams. Sessions are designed by directors and our experts to maximize time efficiently and provide a positive and fun environment for the athletes.
• Outdoor practice fields (in season late May to beginning of August)
• Academy training from September to February with college athletes and lead instructors. This provides fundamental training for individual athlete skills in small group settings. (Described below)
• All teams have technical oversight by our leadership team.
• All coaches are certified through the Strike Zone Academy and required background checks.
• Travel tournament budget
• Jr SeaWolves tournaments and events depending on age and team. 
• StrikeZone Unlimited Membership - including SZ annual cage bookings, PowerZone (weight room (10u>), Hit Trax Access and exclusive discounts.
• Jr SeaWolves members exclusive discounts on the hottest gear including the latest bats like Easton the Dub, Rawlings Icon, Easton Hype Fire, Louisville Slugger Supra, DeMarini the Goods and many more! 
• Rawlings and Easton Brand game uniforms including: 4 button down jerseys, 3 pants and helmet and bag. 
• 2 hats (Richardson PTS 50 or equivalent). 1 primary design and 1 alternative design.
• Practice jersey and pants, 2 pairs of socks (red and black), 2 belts (red and black).
• 2 team banners. (1) hung at the Erie Strike Zone and (1) to travel with the team
• Pack attack team programs 
• 10 Erie SeaWolves 2026 vouchers (provided in spring 2026)
• Local billboard with team photo run during  July/August time frame 
• Organization end of the year team party 
• Organizational Christmas party

Our goal is to help players become the best version of themselves on and off the field and in that process we develop athletes for varsity and collegiate levels through our youth teams and college pathway teams.  Every age of this pathway develops the team for the next year of their training to eventually prepare them to play at high school and become part of the 7%. This is not an exact science and every players path is different. However the core philosophy is developing the players in a 70/30 model in the following order:

1. Development: Developing fundamentals, strength, speed and individual and team skills (practice, SeaWolves academy, private instruction, weight training, etc).
2. Competition: Competing against equal or better competition to develop game speed and awareness along with mental resilience. This builds GRIT. Gritty players find ways to win!
3. Exposure: Athletes are exposed to bigger stages and in front of college and professional athletes and coaches as they get older. It is important they are ready for this EXPOSURE so they DO NOT GET EXPOSED!

Through this process we develop MEN that will be the future leaders in our society and help lead our community as all of us get older. Developing good values may be "old school" but this will make players stand out amongst their peers in a generation focused on themselves. 

There is a reason only 7% of players make it to college to play in their sport, but we take pride in teaching what it takes to be in that 7% and that is why we say WE ARE THE 7%!

NOTE: We target 1 team per age group and the 2026-2027 season will be limited to a maximum of 8 teams in any of the following ages. However under special circumstances a 2nd developmental team of the age may be added but the maximum teams will not exceed 8. These 8 teams will consist of the first team ages (from the below list) that fill up with players and leaders that meet our culture.

 It becomes crucial for players to strengthen their pitching and catching skills at the 9U level. It is crucial to establish a solid foundation of basics at this age, and this is accomplished by constant practice. In order to teach pitchers and catchers the foundations of the higher level game, including leads, stealing, pickoffs, fielding principles, and defensive positioning, our program begins training as soon possible in the fall. 65' bases and a 46' pitching mound are used for games. 

COMPETITION GOAL OF THE AGE - LARGE MARKET TOURNAMENTS: Play some local tournaments and introduce the team to regional competition by traveling to player pitch regional tournament within reasonable driving distance (Pittsburgh or Cleveland) area. It is important to see a faster speed to the game at the young age to develop the athletes properly.

Players must learn signs, defenses, and various pitches at the 10U level, which makes the game more difficult. We keep improving the players and teams knowledge and abilities through position-specific drills, stations, and team exercises.  Games are played on 65' bases/46' pitching mound. 

COMPETITION GOAL OF THE AGE - SPORTS FORCE SANDUSKY: Play mostly regional tournaments to challenge the team based on their skill level within reasonable driving distance (Pittsburgh or Cleveland) area and overnight stays will be required. Add in a larger "national" level tournament like Sports Force Sandusky. This introduces the team to the next "stage" of the game.

At the 11U level the field is extended to 70' bases and a 50' pitching mound because players are growing. This makes it critical for defenses to be in proper position, focused on the play and communicating amongst each other.  Additionally, it enables our SeaWolves teams to be aggressive on the base paths through "small ball" and enables experienced players to take advantage of defenses that are not in the right position.  

COMPETITION GOAL OF THE AGE - RIPKEN/SPORTS FORCE: Play mostly regional tournaments to challenge the team based on their skill level within reasonable driving distance (Pittsburgh or Cleveland) area but overnight stays will be required. Continue to challenge the team at  "national" level tournament like Sports Force Sandusky or a Ripken tournament. At their 2nd year at this level the team should have more confidence.

At the 12U level the field is still 70' bases and a 50' pitching mound but players are growing and getting used to the larger base paths. This makes the game exciting and players have to be aware of other teams pick moves, defensive schemes and ability to be thrown out. This is crucial to prepare them for middle school level.

COMPETITION GOAL OF THE AGE - COOPERSTOWN: 12U is the only age a team can play at Cooperstown. This is a large national level tournament with over 80 to 100+ teams participating each weekend. This is a week long experience for athletes and is one of the most memorable baseball experiences an athlete can have. 

Our 12U team leads our Howlers programs to offset cost to go to Cooperstown.  In addition to Cooperstown this team will play both regional and national tournaments. Coaches will work to keep the majority within reasonable driving distance area but overnight stays will be required.  

At the 13U level the field expands to 80' bases and a 54' pitching mound and in some tournaments teams may have to play on 60'/90'. This makes it critical for defenses to be in position and focused on the play. It also allows experienced offenses to take advantage of defenses that are not in proper position and our SeaWolves teams to be aggressive on the base paths through "small ball". The goal of this age is to start to get athletes prepared for larger stages of competition and faster speeds of the game and the bigger field.

COMPETITION GOAL OF THE AGE - Tournaments that challenge athletes at the faster speeds of the game on 54/80 fields to prepare for 60/90 and varsity/college pathway tournaments. Teams will schedule regional USSSA, Perfect Game, No Offseason or equivalent tournaments to challenge the team based on their skill level within reasonable driving distance (Pittsburgh or Cleveland) area but overnight stays will be required because the team will travel to play at  "national" level tournaments like Ripken and other tournaments,

At the 14U level the field expands to all 90' bases and a 60' pitching mound. Developing the skills and instincts for the large field is critical . The goal of this age is to push athletes against large stages of competition and faster speeds of the game to be successful for College Showcase level tournaments when they are at High School age.

COMPETITION GOAL OF THE AGE - 60/90 and varsity/college pathway tournaments. Teams will schedule regional USSSA, Perfect Game, No Offseason or equivalent tournaments to challenge the team based on their skill level within reasonable driving distance (Pittsburgh or Cleveland) area but overnight stays will be required because the team will travel to play at  "national" level tournaments like Ripken and other tournaments,