The Great Black Swamp Baseball Classic got its start in 1997 in Bowling Green,Ohio, and has evolved into a premier amateur summer baseball tournament in the Midwest. A big thanks to Tim Dunn, Director of the tournament, for another well run tournament in NW Ohio.

The tournament has teams from all over the United States and Canada and as far away as Puerto Rico. In this we are taking a closer look at a few of the Michigan teams involved in the tournament.

By Dan Machovina
PBR Ohio Assistant Scouting Director

16u Motor City Hit Dogs

Drake Titus, 2B, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 2016

5-foot-9, 165-pound athletic body frame. Right-handed hitter had a good day at the plate. He starts with a very open stance getting back to even, doesn’t show much of a hands trigger. He singled to right-field staying inside the baseball nicely, walked, and singled to left-field.

 

16u Michigan Bulls

Jake Velisek, RHP/1B, Clarkston, 2015

Big 6-foot-5, 210-pound tall frame. He was the starting pitcher. Turns his upper body back to use as leverage before throwing the ball, he uses average armspeed from a high ¾ close to being over the top arm slot. Delivery requires regular effort, using a slight wrist wrap in the back of his arm circle.

 

16u Metro Detroit A’s

Troy Saruna, OF, Bloomfield Hills, 2016

Thin, athletic 5-foot-9, 150-pound body frame with room to fill. Played center field and hit from the leadoff spot. Right-handed hitter starts with a very open stance getting back to even, he shows some running speed and descent pop for his size.

 

18u A. Green

Trent Theisen, C, Saline, 2015

5-foot-11, 180-pound athletic body frame. The top uncommitted catcher in both Michigan and Ohio. His throws are very accurate in between innings and didn’t change in the game throwing out two base stealers. He stays low and compact on his throws, using a short arm action from a high ¾ slot.

 

18u College Connect

Ben Balgaard, MIF, Howell, 2014

6-foot-1, 180-pound middle infielder. Northwood commit. He was hitting seventh in the lineup and made some noise with his bat hitting against a good LHP in Michael Hendrickson. Right-handed hitter shows very good balance at the plate waiting on breaking pitches. He squared two balls up one was very close to being a homerun over the left field wall, and the second at bat he did hit a homerun on a curveball. He shows good bat speed, and the ability to hit for power.

 

18u Underwood Orr

Thomas Lindeman, SS, Milan, 2015

6-foot, 163-pound thing projectable body frame. Played shortstop and hit third in the lineup on this occasion. He showed soft hands and a good glove defensively.