Find out what others are saying about Headfirst
Headfirst is the highlight of James’ life. Being part of this team means more to him than you can imagine.
Historically, James has had some of the most incredibly awful coaches in Little league. Despite it all he continued to love the game and wanted to participate. When we moved here last September, Carl would join me @ the track on 39th St. He would set up his Tee in the batting cage and beg his younger brother to play with him. Buddy Burkhead watched him do this day after day and finally directed him to Headfirst. Finally in the spring, I enrolled him in Headfirst. As you can see from this tale, James believes he has found baseball mecca. He strives to model his behavior after his coaches in his everyday life. Not only has this made him successful in school, with both work and socially but it has made life around home very pleasant, too. As parents, we have never been happier with the coaches. They are incredible role models. Whenever, James’ baseball career ends we know he will carry with him the best baseball has to offer thanks to Headfirst.
Find out what others are saying about Headfirst Gamers Developmental Leagues
My son's on-going experience with Headfirst has been a wonderful growth opportunity, both in terms of his skills and his emotional competitive maturity. He has improved immeasurably with the professional guidance provided by the Headfirst coaches, and the non-competitive structure of the league has supported his love of the game rather than a need to "win". Additionally, he has made some very nice friends with his teammates, friends that he maintains a year-around relationship with. Thank you for this unique league.
No other program brings such depth of coaching or such a love of the game. It transformed my son!
Brendan,
Just a quick note of thanks for the first class experience you are offering Jack and the other 6-7Us. Your coaches are awesome, and Jack's initial immersion into the game is just the right mix of instruction, respect/appreciation for the game, competition, and of course fun. It's the highlight of our weekends!
Having my son participate in both the Headfirst Gamers Developmental League and another area league in the Spring of '09, it is abundantly clear that my son learned infinitely more about how to (a) play baseball well, (b) be a respectful teammate, (c) respect and learn from coaches, and (d) enjoy the game in the Headfirst program. If you child wants to play baseball, as opposed to simply participate in any group activity, you must enroll your child in the next Headfirst Gamers Developmental League.
Headfirst Gamers is, bar none, the best youth sports experience we have had with our three sons after many years of lacrosse, soccer, basketball and baseball. The coaching is of rare quality, as it is hard to find skilled players who can then teach the skills and attitude necessary to succeed in the game, or life. The way they relate to kids, the constant encouragement and positive reinforcement -- even while correcting mistakes -- leave such an impression on kids. My son loves being a Gamer after only one season.
Dear Headfirst:
Jake recently got a bunch of those glow-in-the-dark letters from his grandmother. He decided that he wanted to write something important on the bottom of the bunk above him – something he’d look at every night before falling asleep. Last night, when I went to tuck him in, I saw what he’d written: “I’m a Gamer.”
Doesn’t get much better than that!
— MJ
The Headfirst Developmental Baseball program gave my children a fabulous introduction to baseball and a wonderfully positive introduction to American sports! {Back to top}
Find out what others are saying about Headfirst Gamers Travel Teams
Coach Cronk:
Unfortunately due to business travel I wasn't at last night's game and won't be able to make tomorrow night's U18 Red finale.
Since I won't see you this week, I want to take this opportunity to let you know how impressed I have been with the way you have coached the U18 Red team this summer.
Without a doubt, this U18 Red team is the tightest, most resilient, committed, prepared and talented team that Chris has ever played on. This summer he has learned so much from being part of this special team of gentleman and from your and the other coaches' guidance and instruction. To be sure, I can't recall a team showing as much camaraderie on and off the field and having as much fun together as this team has this summer. As Brendan so eloquently stated in his email the other day -- this U18 Red team truly epitomizes what Gamers baseball is all about!
Also I very much appreciate the positive, constructive and even manner in which you and Coaches Courage and Stephens have dealt with the players over the course of the summer. I am certain that for all of the players your mentoring has been hugely beneficial in terms of preparing them for next season, whether they are moving on to college ball or finishing up their high school career.
Coach, you should know that as a parent, this summer exceeded all of my expectations by a wide margin. It also has resulted in memories and friendships that I am sure will be lasting for the players (and for the parents). Thank you for fostering the environment that allowed this happen!
In closing, I want to wish you congratulations on a tremendously successful summer not just in the W-L record but also in terms of the lasting impact you have had on these young men!
Well done! {Back to top}
Justin and Brendan,
Robb attended the Honor Roll Camp in Richmond his freshman year, and was hooked on Headfirst immediately. He father and I also knew it was the perfect baseball environment for him. You offered the type of quality experience, dircted by quality individuals, that we knew would develop Robb on and off the field.
We have taken advantage of most of your services, including fielding instruction from Justin, hitting instruction and video analysis from Steve, the bus tour, the Josh Courage workouts, HCAT, suggested showcases, Honor Roll camps, etc. We bought into the concept, and were not disappointed in the outcome.
Robb is going to his first choice college this fall as a result of the contact he made with Coach Heather at Honor Roll camps. He also had other great schools interested in him as a player, and only a few were not related to his Headfirst experiences. As for the camps themselves, they were structured perfectly for a player like Robb, who benefited from the game time, AND interaction with the coaches, regardless of what he was doing with his bat and glove. Robb, "The Mouth from The South", was going to be sure those guys knew who he was when it came time for 2009 infield recruiting. They did.
As for being a Gamer, the National Team at Myrtle was very exciting for Robb to be a part of as a sophomore, and of course he has loved both years on Justin's Red Team. He is still in contact with players from each one of those teams, and has made some lasting friendships. I have certainly enjoyed watching him improve under Justin's guidance. The only downside of course, which I have mentioned to Justin already, is the "too much of a good thing" situation Robb found himself in at about the 6-7 week mark of both summers, when his arm started to give him trouble pre-Myrtle. But really, this has an upside as well, because it is better for Robb to be aware of his limitations, and learn how to take care of his arm now, so he can play safely in the years ahead. We are all hopeful this shoulder thing will resolve soon.
Most of our family and friends, along with Robb's local team coaches, did not understand why we would uproot our family for 2 summers and head to DC when there is plenty of strong baseball going on in NC. The answer, to us, was that the quality of the overall experience was superior. The Red Team offered Justin's pregame workouts, mentoring, good kids and parents, and the values, accountability, and sportsmanship we believe in. Robb also had a wonderful opprotunity to mature by living mostly on his own in a new urban environment. He got himself to games with a GPS, got himself up and went to work and to workouts with Josh. I did his laundry sometimes, but so did he. Robb had the opportunity to learn the Metro, take in the DC sights, take cabs, and park in tight places, which he now does better than his old mom. The mentoring/work experience with Josh was also FANTASTIC for Robb, and Josh even had him eating a salad, not Burger King, for lunch everyday! Amazing.
In closing, I know you have many satisfied "customers", but as an out-of-state 3 year HCAT participant, 3 Year Honor Roll Camper, 3 Year Gamer, I hope Robb's dedication to your programs in itself indicates the level of our appreciation for what you do. As Robb said, it has been a PRIVILEGE to be associated with Headfirst.
Many thanks, from one of your biggest fans. {Back to top}
Coaches,
Mark, and we, learned not only a lot about how to play the game of baseball, but how to be a better player, teammate, and member of a community. Learning patience is harder than improving a pop time. Supporting team when you, (or your kid) are not playing, is easily said, but not as easily practiced. Justin, you made it possible, for all of us, to trust in you, and feel to that Mark was being treated fairly. The guys that you put together were genuinely some of the best players, best people, that we could have hoped for Mark to play with. Your team leaders set wonderful examples of humility and hard work. Egos were checked at the gate, if not totally non-existent.
Thank you for letting our family have a chance to be part of the terrific experience that was this summer. It renewed our love of the game, appreciation for hard work, and dedication to principles greater than self advancement. We saw Mark grow in ways that can't be measured by stop watches or stats.
Thank you for the opportunity and for your belief that Mark could live up to the goals that you set for your team.
We know that it is often the "intangibles" that make the difference between success and failure. We also know that not everyone recognizes the importance of intangibles. We know that you, and the Headfirst organization, "get it".
Thank you, again. {Back to top}
Coach Cronk and Coach Sullivan,
I cannot thank you guys enough for what you did this year of baseball for me. It was a rough year baseball wise but I figure those are going to happen and I thank you guys for helping me through it. I know it was not easy on your guys part and I recognize that and appreciate all that you do. Helping a player come back from an injury it seems is as tough on the coach as it is on the player because it takes time to get back into things and sometimes a player and parents do not realize that. I know it was tough putting up with both me and my parents this summer and I appreciate you still treating me with the same respect that you gave the rest of the Headfirst Gamers. The most frustrating part of this season was not getting to learn from Coach Cronk for about half the season because I really have never seen a coach positively affect a game as much as he did this summer. Along with the talent our team had this year, his coaching won many games as well and as a baseball fan I appreciated watching that. This injury has made me appreciate the game even more than I already did and ultimately I think I'll come out stronger from it. Your showcase was incredibly well run and by far the best I have ever been too, I have heard all good things from my friends who also participated in it. I am very lucky and happy to say that I have a few options for college which is something I always dreamed of having. I will weigh all my options and let you know when I make my decision. If you ever need anything in the future, let me know. Once again, thank you for everything this season.
Thank you. {Back to top}
I just wanted to email and thank you guys one more time before I leave for Niagara. I was very lucky to get to play for Headfirst for three seasons with each season being better than the last. Without your help there's no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't have been as successful in my college search. I really appreciate everything you guys have done for me over the years and I hope you keep helping kids like me with the Headfirst teams, showcases, and the HCAT program. I'll definitely keep you updated on how things go up at Niagara and I'll let you know if we play anywhere near DC this spring. Again thank you for everything you've done for me.
— Wes {Back to top}