2018 ADVANECD SKILL DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Each individual camp will be targeted to improve individual skill. Pitchers and catchers will receive fundamental and mechanical instruction just as we teach our own Division 1 athletes. We will demonstrate drills and have live pitching/catching sessions as well.

The hitting and baserunning camp will be specific fundamental instruction to help each camper enhance their current ability level. This camp will include stationary and progression drills to give the camper detailed information on how to become a better player.

Medical Waiver & Concussion Information Forms MUST be completed prior to participation. Please bring both signed documents to registration. Campers will not be permitted to participate without completed paperwork.

FACILITIES
Camps will take place in our state of the art, $ 22 million dollar Seelye Indoor Center. Contains six drop cages and 8 indoor mounds.

LOCATION - SEELYE INDOOR CENTER
Kalamazoo, the home of WMU’s main campus, is located midway between Chicago and Detroit, approximately 2 hours (140 miles) from each, on Interstate 94. Seelye Center located off of Stadium Drive just past Waldo Football Stadium. GPS intersection of Stadium Dr and W. Main St in Kalamazoo.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Bat, helmet, turf/tennis shoes, molded cleats and baseball pants. An athletic trainer will be present.

WMU COACHING STAFF
BILLY GERNON - HEAD COACH
Coach Gernon enters his ninth season as head coach of the Broncos. Gernon has led the team to the post season six of his eight years and has a post season record of 9-10 including the programs 1st ever MAC Tournament Championship in 2016. The 2018 season was capped off with juniors Nic Laio (20th/Rangers RHP) and Connor Smith (30th/Indians SS) being selected in the MLB draft. Smith was the 3rd shortstop to be drafted in the last five years. Connor was selected 1st Team All MAC and Nic Laio and slugger Nate Gys were selected 2nd Team All MAC. The Broncos defeated Michigan State and Northwestern while finishing 12-13 in conference play. Four Broncos earned MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete Honors in Andrew Stone, Jack Szott, Andrew Reisinger and Jesse Forestell. The Broncos posted a team GPA above 3.0 for the 15th consecutive semester under Gernon.

In 2017, Tanner Allison became the first MAC Player of the Year since 1991 and was drafted in the 19th round by the Atlanta Braves. He was also honored with All American distinction making it the first time WMU had back to back All Americans since 1994-1995 with Keegan Akin earning the same honor in 2016.

Western Michigan won the MAC Tournament in 2016 for the 1st time in school history earning a berth to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 1989. Junior LHP Keegan Akin was a second round draft pick and the 54th selection overall to the Baltimore Orioles, making him the highest drafted player since 1970. Akin was also named an All-American, the first to receive the honor since 2001. Akin was recently selected as the AA Eastern League Pitcher of the Year as well as the Baltimore Orioles Jim Palmer Co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

BLAINE MCFERRIN - PITCHING
Blaine McFerrin is entering his ninth season at WMU. Junior Nick Laio paced the Broncos as the Friday night starter and was selected in the 20th round by the Texas Rangers for his efforts. Senior Jacob Piechota set the career record with his 87th appearance while leading the staff with a 3.26 ERA. The Broncos had the best K/9 since 2002 and the lowest batting avg against since 2006. In 2016, McFerrin coached junior LHP Keegan Akin to First Team All MAC honors as well as being named the MAC Tournament MVP. Akin finished the season third in the nation in K’s and was a second round draft pick to the Orioles. Akin was recently selected as the AA Eastern League Pitcher of the Year as well as the Baltimore Orioles Jim Palmer Co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

ADAM PIOTROWICZ - HITTING/CATCHING
Piotrowicz enters his sixth season as the Broncos hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. Connor Smith was named All MAC for the 3rd year in a row and was the 3rd shortstop drafted in the last five years having been selected in the 30th round by the Indians. Slugger Nate Grys moved into the top 10 for RBI’s and doubles in a single season. The offense posted the most walks since 2008 and had the most stolen bases since 2014. In 2017 his offense posted the 20th best batting average in the nation (.308) and the 26th best OB% at .390. Outfielder Tanner Allison not only broke the single season record for RBI’s in a season, but he was also selected the first MAC Player of the Year since 1991. The .308 mark was the highest average posted since 2002 and the 99 doubles was the second most since 2002.

MEMBERS OF THE BRONCO BASEBALL TEAM
Will be on staff to assist with the camp.