TNT Softball-2012 Season Preview
For TNT the 2012 Season comes with many questions. After sputtering its way to the end of the season with disappointing National runs in both WSL (3-2) and USSSA (1-2), TNT will be looking for the veterans and young players to come together and show the softball world exactly how much talent they have. TNT has gone through minimal changes for this upcoming season by replacing two replaceable players with three solid ones in SS Jimmy Segrue (NC), Alex Esposimato (OF) and veteran hitsman Jason Lerman. With the inclusion of these three players TNT is coming into this season probably better Defensively and Offensively than years past. With not many outs in one of the best hitting lineups, the TNT softball team is sure to make a run at many titles. With the increased quality of the C class in the state of New Jersey, TNT will be battling with the likes of Deluxe and BOT consistently throughout the year as well as the solid D teams in NJ.
2011 TNT Softball Team
Leading this 2 headed monster is sponsor/owner of TNT Flooring Tommy Tvirdik. To many he is known as "TNT Tommy" and just may be the nicest guy in the game. Rarely will you see this gentlemen without a smile on his face. Tommy has the respect of the softball world and in the big scheme of things new to the game. Tommy has been a team sponsor for about 4 years and has consistently tried to improve his team year after year. Alongside Tommy will be coach Joey Royster of Va. Joey has been around the game for many years in Va/Md with his own team Diamond Blade. Joey brings knowledge and experience to this TNT team.
TNT is built with talented Vets and younger players. TNT's veteran leadership crew consists of Rock Crawford, Tom Paturzo, Jason Lerman, Clint Murray, Ray Drayton and Miguel Clavijo. Rock Crawford has been a solid #1 for years and has won many titles, both Nationally and locally over his time playing. Rock brings knowledge and experience to a much needed position and his bat has been getting better and better each year. Tom Paturzo brings a consistent stick/glove and also has a number of National rings from A to C Class. Hopefully Paturzo's intensity and experience can lead the youthful TNT players to some championships in 2012. Jason Lerman, new to the team this year, is one of the most consistent hitters in the game. Jason's unorthodox antics and skills will be a asset to this team. Jason has played on a number of title teams and has won numerous personal accolades. Clint Murray, although only 3 yrs removed from fast pitch competition, is quickly becoming one of the best hitters in the game. Not many people work as hard on their game. If Murray builds from last year the TNT lineup will be that much tougher. Ray Drayton and Miguel Clavijo round out the vets for this team, both bring solid sticks and may play utility rolls for TNT. Drayton has played on many solid teams and can be utilized both in the IF and OF. Clavijo's stick will be much needed throughout the season to pick up some big hits.
TNT is built with talented Vets and younger players. TNT's veteran leadership crew consists of Rock Crawford, Tom Paturzo, Jason Lerman, Clint Murray, Ray Drayton and Miguel Clavijo. Rock Crawford has been a solid #1 for years and has won many titles, both Nationally and locally over his time playing. Rock brings knowledge and experience to a much needed position and his bat has been getting better and better each year. Tom Paturzo brings a consistent stick/glove and also has a number of National rings from A to C Class. Hopefully Paturzo's intensity and experience can lead the youthful TNT players to some championships in 2012. Jason Lerman, new to the team this year, is one of the most consistent hitters in the game. Jason's unorthodox antics and skills will be a asset to this team. Jason has played on a number of title teams and has won numerous personal accolades. Clint Murray, although only 3 yrs removed from fast pitch competition, is quickly becoming one of the best hitters in the game. Not many people work as hard on their game. If Murray builds from last year the TNT lineup will be that much tougher. Ray Drayton and Miguel Clavijo round out the vets for this team, both bring solid sticks and may play utility rolls for TNT. Drayton has played on many solid teams and can be utilized both in the IF and OF. Clavijo's stick will be much needed throughout the season to pick up some big hits.
Jimmy SeGrue- Army Softball
TNT's younger players consist of newly acquired SS Jimmy Segrue. Segrue has been playing with the Army team down in Va. and brings a spectacular glove with him. Segrue will solidify an IF that already can play D with the best of them. Alongside Segrue in the IF will be Steve Faila (3b), Derek Warren (2b), and Cam Head (MI). Faila is coming off a very solid year and absolutely stung the ball in 2011. Anything close to that will be a huge asset. Derek Warren may possibly have the most consistent glove on this TNT team, Warren can not only pick it with the best but his stick is more than solid. Warren will add a middle of the lineup punch for TNT. Cam Head, from Va., makes his own highlight reel every game. Head's biggest asset is his glove, the guy can flat out field the ball and shuts down rally's very often.
Kenny Donelson
Moving on from the IF to the OF, which may be the TNT's biggest Asset. Roaming the outfield for TNT will be Kenny Donelson, Alex Emposimato, and Billy Aker. These three players can cover some ground to say the least. Donelson and Aker may have the two best arms in the game. Playing either CF or LF will be Doneslon. Donelson could be the best softball player in the state. Donelson has all the tools needed to succeed. In the OF he glides effortless for balls and in the IF he fields and throws with the best. Donelson brings a multidimensional approach to the plate and is very hard for defenses to defend. With his speed he can easily hit backside or slap & run and with his power he can hit the gaps & homers. The guy can just play the game, if Donelson can keep himself focused and determined you could possibly be watching the next local player to move up the ladder to money ball. Billy Aker is another multidimensional player with his ability to play OF/If, hitting all fields, and having a rocket arm. Aker too is on his way up if the work effort is there. A new player to TNT is Alex Esposimato, Esposimato brings lightning quickness to the OF and he also can move the ball around the field at the plate. If Esposimato is dedicated and works hard he might be up there with the top OF's in the area.
So what can we look forward to from this TNT team, well only time will tell. If the reputation of possibly having too much fun and not enough focus occurs in 2012 than a similar result as the 2011 Nationals may occur. If this team buckles down, plays serious softball, and competes at the level they can, than expect huge results. They are playing a competitive schedule verse many hungry teams so a focused team is a must. TNT can be as good as they want or as poorly. Good luck to Tommy Tvirdik, Joey Royster, and the TNT Players this coming season. TNT will be opening their season at the Peters Creek Tournament in NC, a very good challenging opening tournament for them.
Schedule:
3/3 - Peters Creek, NC
3/17- Open NIT- MD
3/31- Super NIT- Glenn Burnie, MD
4/14- Icebreaker- Readington, NJ
4/21- Razorback- York, PA
4/28- Spring Fling- Lakewood, NJ
5/12- Summer Clash- Wilm, DE
5/26- Green Turtle Mem Day Spectacular- OC, MD
6/9 - Delaware Open- Wilm, DE
6/16- HI-LO- Lakewood, NJ
6/17- NIT-Glenn Burnie, MD
6/22- CT Major- N.Branford, CT
7/1- TBA Tournament
7/27- MD Major-Glenn Burnie, MD
8/5 - MD States- Glenn Burnie, MD
8/11- NJ C States- TBA
8/25- Atlantic Coast Nationals- Glenn Burnie, MD
8/31- ASA C Nationals- VA
9/20- USSSA C Nationals- Fla
3/3 - Peters Creek, NC
3/17- Open NIT- MD
3/31- Super NIT- Glenn Burnie, MD
4/14- Icebreaker- Readington, NJ
4/21- Razorback- York, PA
4/28- Spring Fling- Lakewood, NJ
5/12- Summer Clash- Wilm, DE
5/26- Green Turtle Mem Day Spectacular- OC, MD
6/9 - Delaware Open- Wilm, DE
6/16- HI-LO- Lakewood, NJ
6/17- NIT-Glenn Burnie, MD
6/22- CT Major- N.Branford, CT
7/1- TBA Tournament
7/27- MD Major-Glenn Burnie, MD
8/5 - MD States- Glenn Burnie, MD
8/11- NJ C States- TBA
8/25- Atlantic Coast Nationals- Glenn Burnie, MD
8/31- ASA C Nationals- VA
9/20- USSSA C Nationals- Fla