Arizona Grinders Club Baseball: Welcome

About the Arizona Grinders

Are you looking for information on the Arizona Grinders Club Baseball organization? Check out photos, watch videos, and read updates and stories about our teams on the Grinders website and on Facebook.

Do you know someone that may be interested in playing for the Arizona Grinders?

We are constantly improving, so if your family is interested and your son will be a 8U, 9U, 11U or 13U level player in 2012-2013, contact us. We are currently practicing in the East Valley.

Send e-mail inquiries to info@arizonagrinders.org. List your son's Date of Birth, City of residence, his preferred position, parents' names, your phone number and e-mail. We'll get back to you within 48 hours.

We prefer to initiate conversations with families that have already had club baseball experience, especially the older kids.

We may be able to conduct a private or small group try out within a week.  

*To calculate the age of your son for a club baseball team go to the USSSA site.

 

                                                                                                                                          


 



preview Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Tuesday, August 2
Questions & Answers

Q: How long have the Arizona Grinders existed?
“The Grinders, with teams at the 7U, 10U Major and 12U AAA or Major level in 2011-2012, were founded by Tony Tiedemann in 2009. A Chandler resident, Mr. Tiedemann relies on the support and contributions from parent volunteers, including several coaches, to ensure the organization is a success. In less than three years Grinders teams have won nine USSSA tournaments, including one in Southern California, and finished second seven times.
Q: What are some important changes for 2011-2012?
"In 2011-2012, we will try to carry 15 or more players on each 10U and 12U team. Only 10 boys will go to tournament games. More kids on the roster will allow us to scrimmage each other. Our goal is field a Grinders Blue and a Grinders Gray team for the 10U and 12U teams. Both the teams will compete in tournament games. Some kids will be on both teams. The 7U team will practice and play in the East Valley League.”
Q: How many games will my son play?
"Expect your son to compete in about 70 tournament games at the 10U and 12U level from September through the end of May."
Q: Do the kids play other sports?
"While we are a baseball organization, the Grinders encourage our boys to be athletes and compete in other sports, especially during August through late October and January and February."
Q: Who is the primary point of contact for the organization?
"Russ Christ is the Director of Operations for the Grinders. He manages communications, player rosters, coordination of practice fields, parent/player relationships, sponsorship and fundraising, publicity, advertisements, marketing, website, our Facebook page, calendars, uniforms etc."
Russ Christ
Director of Operations
Arizona Grinders Baseball Club
O: 602.278.6545 (day) C: 480.577.3698 (evenings)
Q: Where and when do the Grinders practice?
“We practice at several locations in the East Valley, including St. John Bosco Interparish School (SJB) in Ahwatukee, and also in Chandler, Tempe and Gilbert. Typical weekdays practices are from 6 p.m. to 8:15 at SJB unless the weather makes it a challenge or it conflicts with a holiday. Please park on the South side parking lot for easier access. We will also practice on Saturdays. Beginning in mid-to late August we plan to practice two nights per week and every other Saturday. In the fall we’ll practice either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Wednesday to accommodate “other sport” schedules. Please try to be as flexible as possible. Dates, locations and times are subject to change. Click on the “locations” tab for complete addresses and other information on fields. We will make every attempt to communicate as effectively as possible when changes occur."
Q: Where do the Grinders play?
“The Grinders goal is to compete against the best teams in their age group or older. In 2010-2011 the Grinders competed primarily in official USSSA tournaments in the Southwest. Both teams traveled to Las Vegas in 2011. The older team also traveled to Southern California. In the Fall of 2011 the 7U team will play in the East Valley Fall League (at Espee Park in Chandler). The 10U and 12U teams will enter USSSA tournaments or tournaments with similar organizations.They are typically three to five game tournaments and conducted at facilities like Big league Dreams in Gilbert, Rio Vista Park in Peoria, Snedigar Sports Complex in Chandler and Victory Lane in the Northwest Valley. Tournament schedules are usually announced the Tuesday or Wednesday before the tournament begins. Click on the “Links” tab for more information on baseball locations and organizations."
Q: Where do your families live?
“The Grinders, based in Chandler, have attracted families primarily from the East Valley. We have boys from Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Queen Creek on the roster.”
Q: Are club baseball rules similar to Little League?
“No. The rules are almost exactly the same as high school, college or Major League Baseball. Base runners may lead off and steal, pitchers pick off runners, and catchers must learn to block balls in the dirt. In short, the kids learn how to play real baseball sooner in club baseball.”
Q: How much are families expected to contribute monetarily?
A great majority of the expenses (tournaments, leagues, equipment, uniforms, and instruction) are fully sponsored. Tiedemann Globe, Inc., founded by Tony Tiedemann, sponsors the Grinders by budgeting $15,000 to $20,000 each season.To help offset a small portion of the expenses, we ask that families pay dues of $200 in the Fall and $300 in the Spring. The fees are strictly for the development of your son. No guarantee is made that they will play a specific position or in specific tournaments. In addition, there will be several fundraising opportunities in the future. We are hosting the 1st Annual Grinders Golf Classic this fall. Fundraising activities are not mandatory, and the program is not dependent on them, we ask that parents participate as much as possible so that the Grinders may become self sufficient. Let us know if you would like to be a team sponsor.”
Q: My son is a pitcher. What distances will he throw from the mound this season?
“In general, the 10U kids will pitch from 46 feet. The 12U boys will pitch from 50 feet.”
Q: Are the Grinders a travel team? Are tournaments played beyond Arizona's borders?
“The Grinders compete, for the most part, in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. However, in the past we have traveled to Las Vegas and Southern California. We may travel again in the future. Families pay for transportation, hotels and meals etc.”
Q: The coaches share a lot of information with the kids. Is any of it in writing?
“The boys are expected to keep a three-ring binder and do their "baseball" homework. Players should bring the binder to practice to store handouts from the coaches. At most practices, they will be given instructional handouts (about hitting, defense, pitching, base running etc.) to add to the binder. Having this information, as a reference point to supplement the verbal instruction from the coaches, will expedite everyone's learning curve and ensure all the kids are working as a team. The binder will also be used to take notes and keep track of their progress. In addition, parents can download documents from this website (see handouts, documents and articles) and insert them into the binder. They should keep the binder in their baseball bag along with their bat, glove, and other equipment."
Q: I think my son would benefit from private instruction.
What are our options? “John Whitman, the Grinders’ general manager, has 35 plus years of coaching experience with high school, college and youth baseball players. Extremely knowledgeable, positive and great with kids, Coach Whitman is arguably our most valuable resource. To schedule a private lesson send coach Whitman an e-mail: coachwhitman@yahoo.com. He will return to the Valley in the early Fall.”
Q: We have heard some teams have contracts for kids. Do the Grinders have something similar?
“The Grinders do not have contracts.”
Q: Is it okay for parents to watch practices?
“Yes. Parents may watch practices anywhere we practice.”
Q: What kind of parent participation do you need?
“We are always looking for help. If you feel you have something to contribute and would like to volunteer, please ask Tony Tiedemann or Steve Springborn, the primary coaches, or Russ Christ, director of operations."
Q: What should my child wear to practice?
"If we have an indoor practice they should wear shorts, cap, sneakers and a T-shirt (Grinders practice shirt if they have one). For outdoor practices they should wear gray pants, navy blue socks and belt, blue Grinders practice shirt, Grinders cap, and cleats. They should always wear a protective cup."
Q: How much of the uniform and equipment does the team provide?
"The Grinders provide high-quality home and away game jerseys, practice shirts and one fitted cap. All jerseys and vests must be returned at the end of each season. Parents are responsible for the rest of the uniform and equipment. Parents must provide one pair of Mizuno game baseball pants (gray #9191 style #350015) and one white Bambino style pant. You'll also need one gray practice pant, which does not need to be Mizuno. In addition, families should buy two navy blue belts and a couple pairs of navy blue socks; and black cleats, protective cups are required; sunglasses, batting gloves etc. are extras. We are looking into team helmets and bags. In club, or travel baseball, most kids use "big barrel" baseball bats. They are 2 and 3/4 inches in diameter. Ask the coaches for suggestions. *Beginning January 1, 2012 USSSA will implement new big barrel bat rules.