About Headfirst
Developmental Leagues

A Note From Headfirst Co-Founder & Executive Director Brendan Sullivan:

July 12, 2010

We have made an organizational decision to indefinitely suspend the operation of our Headfirst Gamers Developmental Leagues, starting this fall. As you may be aware, this has been one of our flagship programs at Headfirst, started by Rob Elwood and myself in the fall of 2001, and it is one that has provided us the opportunity to coach, mentor and develop friendships with hundreds of wonderful ballplayers and families over the past decade.

Needless to say, the decision that we have recently arrived at followed weeks of discussion, deliberation and debate – and was one of the toughest we have made since starting Headfirst in 1997. We have loved every minute of our Gamers Developmental Leagues and have watched players grow up and develop with us into high school and college ballplayers. As the rest of our organization and business have evolved and grown, I have been watching the Developmental League program very closely, ensuring that focus and quality remain excellent. At the end of the day, I was not going allow this program to be run at any level below the high standards we have set for it over the years in the areas of curriculum, competition, motivation and development– and, given new demands on our full-time team, I no longer think this is possible.

The final piece of this decision came recently with the confirmation of a major partnership that we have been working on for the better part of a year. Headfirst is now the official camp partner of the Boston Red Sox (www.redsoxcamps.com). Starting in the summer of 2011, Headfirst will be operating a series of “Major League experience” summer camps (fully Red Sox-branded, Sox uniforms on players & coaches, trips to Fenway, player visits, marketed to Red Sox Nation by the Fenway Sports Group, etc. but totally turnkey operated by us) in Boston, New England, and eventually nationwide. Needless to say, we are thrilled with the opportunity to work with one of the strongest brands and most progressive organizations in professional sports and expand our camp presence across the country. The downside is that we have made a decision to focus our business on the Red Sox Academy Summer Camps Powered by Headfirst, our Headfirst Summer Camps, our Honor Roll Showcase Camps and our Gamers Travel Teams and College Advising Program. All “off-season” programming, including our Developmental Leagues, will be suspended.

The most difficult part of this decision, by far, is that we will no longer be able to work with a great group of ballplayers on a regular basis in the fall and spring in a team environment – at least not until they is old enough to try out for our Gamers Travel Teams (14U & up as of this year).

Speaking for Rob Elwood, Justin Cronk, John Bramlette, Steve Devine and all of the wonderful coaches and directors that we’ve had over the years, I’d like to thank all former players and families for their support of Headfirst, the Gamers and our teaching philosophy. We will miss this program and we and look forward to staying in touch and hopefully seeing you at some of our other Headfirst programs. If you have any questions or would like to speak about any of this, please feel free to contact me directly: gamers@playheadfirst.com or the phone number below.

Play Smart       Get Dirty

Best,
Brendan


Brendan Sullivan
Executive Director
Headfirst Camps
(202) 625-1921
www.playheadfirst.com  
www.redsoxcamps.com