One Great Group

Ray,
Congratulations to you and all the Titans. We had some great games and you always had class players and team...

I am curious when you list a player that is going to Columbia as signing when there is no guarantee he will pass admission until after the ED period results have been sent.. How can you write he will be attending.

The coaches in the Ivy League can make no guarantee of admission only a probability. There is no NLI at Ivies

I know this first hand my son was recruited by several Ivies including Columbia

Not at any time did a coach guarantee admissions

TKD,

I don't think an NLI guarantees admission. After my son signed last November, he still had to be approved by the Clearinghouse and the University before he was admitted. Final approval wasn't until last June when his final transcripts were approved.

More to your point however, I think people listing kids that are going to Ivy's is an announcement of an achievement just like signing the NLI is. Of course there is no guarantee of admission, but these kids are more than likely academically qualified to matriculate along with having the requisite baseball skill to satisfy the coach. Otherwise, why say or announce anything?

Notice the word COMMITTMENT--- a player can commit to a school that does not have a NLI situation--players commit to Division III schools all the time around here

TKD

Perhaps the boys grades are such that he is a "shoo in" for an IVY school

Ok I understand, but I will not announce my son’s commitment until he is in. I think, way to many times things can change. Yes my son has verbally committed to an Ivy but the school will go unnamed until they send out the admission approval in December.

I think it is premature unless the admission office says your in. What an embarrassment to kid if you do not get in. Then what, he has start all over with another school.

I do not like the way it done in the Ivies but I guess they have their reasons..

TKD,

That makes sense to me as well. I don't like to announce things and then back-track. Plus, getting admitted to an Ivy is very difficult indeed. Lets hope your son's basball puts him over the top in addition to his fine academic credentials or we wouldn't be having this conversation in the first place.

BTW, here is a preliminary congrats to your son and hopefully you can make a full announcement in December

TKD,
I completely understand how you feel.

However TR is correct, these are all commitments, whether you sign an NLI or not, and most of us know until you step foot on campus, nothing is guaranteed. Student has to pass admissions and the clearinghouse.

It is also a very exciting time for many who like to share.

Good luck and let us know when you are ready.

TDK,

It baffles me how some people only look for "untruths" and opportunities to ramble on about items they consider to themselves experts. Look at the original post. Do you see the terms "sign", "NLI", or "guarantee"? I simply wished to aknowledge a group of men who are the epitome of selfless "team first" guys that worked hard and earned these opportunities. Should I have left off an incredible young man who will be atending Columbia? When you announce the SIGNINGof your son, rest assured I will not post a message as to why it is so late in the process. By the way, I am sure you know that Columbia and many other fine academic institutions need admission's approval before they even recruit a young man. Trust me...Derk is in!
Once again, read carefully before attempting to educate the rest of us.

Titan Coach

Great post

Titantcoach,

"fine academic institutions need admission's approval before they even recruit a young man”

This is my point, there is no guarantee period. Until such time that the admissions sends the letter your not in and a coach can not make any statement to signify this..

The first level of admissions approval only signifies that he is candidate to enter the school and not that he will pass his interviews or that his records do not have any blemishes on them. The first go around in admission is for the coach to know how the young man SAT I, II and GPA Rank fit into his Academic Index..

TO: Students Interested in Ivy League Intercollegiate Athletics
FROM: Ivy League Deans and Directors of Admission and Directors of Athletics
Quote

“Recruitment of students who want to compete in Ivy intercollegiate athletics may involve substantial contact with coaches as well as admission officers. Ivy coaches are both expert in their respective sports and interested in and sensitive to the academic and social issues that concern college students. They are encouraged to be knowledgeable about institutional admissions and financial aid standards, and to be able to discuss those standards with prospective students.

* At each Ivy institution, however, only the Admissions Office has the authority to admit an applicant and only the Financial Aid Office has the authority to determine financial aid precisely and to notify students officially of their actual or estimated awards.

* Admissions Offices at each Ivy school may offer some athletic and other candidates a "likely" letter, which has the effect of a formal letter of admission provided the candidate continues to have a satisfactory secondary school experience. Coaches may initiate the requests for these letters, but only the office of admission can issue a"likely" letter.”
End quote

And by the way since I am on the Island I know the members of your team some personally. They are a great group of players who have accomplished a tremendous amount over the years. And can be considered one the most talented group of players The Island has assembled on one team in a very long time.

I hope the young man (DS) being recruited by Columbia gets in. It is a tremendous opportunity. I wish him and his family my prayers and support.

Try to not be so touchy, I did criticize what they have accomplished, I only criticized the announcement of something (Columbia) that may or may not be.

I never said I was an expert only that I am going through the process and have worked very hard to research it.

As for my Son if and when he has been admitted, I will decide to announce. Oh by the way since there are two signing periods (November, April) there is really no late announcement only opportunity..

Your right, my foolish attempt to state the facts.

Good luck Ray

My son had the priviledge of playing for TitanCoach for 2 years. (Poor Ray - LOL)

Coach B is a first rate baseball coach and a first rate guy IMO.

Tough as nails - and a winner who helps kids get the most out of their abilities.

The rest of the stuff posted here is just negative garbage IMO.

His record of success over the years speaks for itself. Thats the bottom line. All the bs posts in the world wont change that.

Great job again Coach B!

HEY "it's in the Game."I used to be heavily involved with the AABC in the Northeast and just learned recently that Ray Babinski(TITANCOACH) was named National Coach of the Year in 2005. Got a chance to meet him up in Rhode Island at a tournament in August, I see what you mean in that he handled his team in a professional manner.How long has he been doing this? Did he coach your son down in Carolina or in New York? He mentioned he coached th LI tigers in the past.

Coach B was my eldest son's coach when he was with the LI Tigers in 2001 and 2002.

He is a great guy - and a no-nonsense winning coach.

Any parent should wish they had a coach like this young man - and I am glad to see him getting the recognition he deserves.

My only question is - when will he start coaching college teams.

Regards

Titan Coach (Ray)
I guess the Super East Baseball League that we competed in this summer looks pretty good for prospects. Not too many leagues here in the Northeast can come close. These are only the players that I am aware of:

Titans;
Brian Kemp OF St. John's U.
Glenn Gibson LHP U. of Central Florida
Mike Belfiore OF/LHP Boston College
Matt Petiton LHP U. of North Carolina
Lou Picconi SS Penn State U.
Derek Squires LHP Columbia University
Matt Prokopowicz 3B Hofstra University
Josh Valle INF (as of last week was deciding between Marshall and Stony Brook U.)

Clippers;
Joe Mercurio C U of Illinois
Ryan Powers SS Miss State Univ
Mike Imbriale OF Savannah College of A&D
Kevin Jackson OF Univ of Maine
Jesse Johnsom LHP LIU
Joe Miller RHP High Point Univ
EJ Smith 3B/SS Virginia Tech

LI Cardinals;
Mike Anderson RHP East Carolina Univ
I'm sure there are more

Team Ct
Kevin Nolan SS Winthrop Univ
Matt Howard OF Univ of Maine
I'm sure Dan has a few to add

South Troy Dodgers;
Always have 5 or 6 sign

Hello Coach Merc,

No doubt that there is an abundance of talent in Dan's league. We di not get to see the Philly team but I am sure they have a few top notch guys too. It is an impressive list of young men indeed when you step back and look at it...especially from the northeast.

Be well and give my best to Joe,

Ray

itsinthegame,

Sorry you are in such murky waters with one or two on this site. I appreciate all the kind words albeit a bit embarrassing. I cannot figure out who you (or your son) are. I just looked at my 2001 NABF World Series picture and can't seem to find a pitcher i had for both 01 & 02 seasons. I ask you...Who are you?..lol Please include info on your son as well please.
Goodnight and be above the pettiness,
Ray

Ray - I have been on this site for years - I have made alot of friends - continued to learn things about the game - and fought alot of cyber battles - (Probably lost more than I won - LOL)

Its Darin's Dad!!!

And you shouldnt be embarassed - IMO - you deserve all the good things you are now getting because I know what you have done to help so many young men.

I am way older than you Ray - so I can say that I am proud of what you continue to accomplish and glad that Darin played for you.

Best regards - Paul

Hello Paul,
wHAT ARE YOU DOING DOWN IN NC? Is Darin still in school down there? Give him my best, please. The rest of the family as well. Amazing coincidence...I started a strength and conditioning center for athletes a year ago and I was in a conversation with a client's (baseball) father this evening. he talked of the commitment to hos son's baseball pursuits and i told him how Darin's om would pick him up at school way up there at Fox Lane and drive all the way to the island, paying tolls and all while he ate and changed into uniform in car. On way home he would do his HW. Always marveled at those types of parents and it genuinely does my heart good to be around them. Gotta say goodbye , but sure we will talk again.

Ray

Ray,

I will send you a Private message (PM) so we can catch up.

We moved here about 2 years ago - and love it.

The little guy is playing alot of BB as well.

Speak to you soon - Paul

TitanCoach, Ray,

My son two had the opportunity to be coach by you and I also applaud you and the Titans program. Ryan Pitched for you down in Fort Myers againts The Juice and enjoyed the experince very much. He then continued to play for the Titans fine organazation the follwing summer (2005) for Eric J. I can't begin to Thank you guys enough for what all of you did for him and many other fine young men along the way. I would also like to thank Jim C for everything he did for us and many others. His efforts were amazing and always completely professional. If it was not for you guys, My NH son might not had the success that he is enjoying know over at the Q.

Thanks again to Paul, Jim, Ray, Eric and everyone else thats works for your outstanding Program!

A Very Thankful Parent, Craig