Amateur Baseball Association, Inc.: Testimonials

Jan 26st, 2006

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Larry,

I know I have said this a million times, but thank you. We were unsure about changing leagues, due to comfortability. But the more I deal with you, the more I feel I have made a good decision. So you know, at the end of our spring season, I emailed and called my previous league about a team name change, among other things. Weeks and months when by and no word. I asked you after a wonderful fall season, and I got a response right away. Basically, you and Jason, have gone above and beyond the call of duty. And any doubts that were there are GONE. Thanks again for all the stuff you guys deal with. It would have taken my previous league until mid June to finalize a schedule. You guys have made a rough draft in Mid-January. Again thanks.

Mike Antos
Sayreville Royals

The ABA is a fantastic league. I have played in the ABA for two seasons and
the experience has been awesome. The league is organized, well run and
fair. All the participants demonstrate good sportsmanship and have a good
time. Make no mistake, it is a competitive league. However,all skill
levels are able to play thanks to the various levels of competition offered
by the ABA. The commissioners of the league (Larry & Jason) are always available to answer
any questions. They are extremely flexible as far as scheduling, which
makes everyone’s life easier. I would recommend the ABA to ANYONE who is
interested in playing baseball!

Jason Schlereth, Mgr
Teaneck Titans
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The ABA has given me the opportunity to play ball with all my friends, minus all the drama I've previously dealt with. The league has become very competitive in the past year, with more players coming to terms with the upgrade in player services and communications. My team, for starters, wanted a league that was cost efficient, gave a breakdown of fees to the penny, offered all star and end of year awards, and allowed us to play on quality fields every game, each with a fence.

I've always been one to question a breakdown of figures, and not in a broad sense of some goes here and some goes there. Within 3 days of my first inquiry to the ABA, I received a package of rates and price breakdowns which was nice. Knowing you aren’t paying 35% profit to a league is a plus. The commissioners are also players within their league, and are in the search for an experience similar to mine. Money is always part of any business, but its nice to know that the people running the show aren't ripping you off. For them, its not just an easy buck, but its more about giving guys the opportunity to enjoy themselves.

My team was put together and joined the ABA in the fall of 2005. Each member of my team acknowledged the competition as being similar or better to what they previously were playing in. The huge upgrade was the fields we played on, all near perfectly manicured and lined for games, grass was mowed and we were very happy with it.

No league is perfect, but things can change if you make your voice heard. The league is changing in a fashion to accommodate every member. I've made a few suggestions, and have been seeing some results as of late. Definitely cannot complain about that. When you have two people working with you, acknowledging struggles and addressing them... that is comforting. The league is affordable, the competition level is very good, the players within the league are respectable, and field of play is the best in the area.

I was offered a question of judgement before I finally made my decision...

You pay $20 to see a movie, so why do you have a problem paying $16 to play a game of baseball, a game you love?

My response is simple

Why would I pay $16 to play baseball when every other place is charging only $10 to play?. That’s actually equivalent to paying $32 for a movie when every other theater is charging $20 for the same film.

The answer is really just common sense. I would encourage people to take a look at the league and how it’s changed and grown in the past few years. Come see my team in action and the level of competition in the ABA.

Mike Mazzolla, Mgr
Middlesex Reds
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The ABA is great place to play ball. The administration runs the show with precision and professionalism. If you have a problem, they make sure it is solved. I manage a team that went from 1-19 to 12-8 with a playoff win under our belts in one year. The competition is good and its a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!!

The umpires are managed well and ALWAYS show which is a major testament to the league officials.

Bill Ryan, Manager - Brooklyn Dodgers B

My name is Joey, I'm from the Woodbridge Nemesis team, a brand new team that
just started in the fall season. I would just like to say first off a big
thanks to Larry and Jason for giving me the opportunity to become apart of
something great and to be able to have something to call my own. It has been
a wonderful experience playing with nothing but with a great group of guys. I
am looking forward to another season with the A.B.A. on a scale 1-10 I rate
the organization a 9 for being well organized, helping teams such as myself
with finding players, contacts for equipment, field locations, and other
good things to come. Thank you again and can't wait to play with you guys in
another season.

Joey – Woodbridge Nemesis
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Larry and Jason,
Just wanted to say thank you for giving me the chance to enjoy the greatest team sport in the world again. As you know I was in a serious accident and have had 13 major surgeries on my leg. The ABA was a way for me to jump back in to playing Baseball without dealing with fighting and un-sportsmen like nonsense that takes place in other leagues. The best part was the professional way the league is run and God the all-star weekend was fantastic to take part in. Keep up the great work guys and thank you for letting many of us feel young again.
Rick Otazu
Mgr, Moonachie Mets
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The Amateur Baseball Association has given me and my teammates a place to play baseball. The league has brought a bunch of guys who didn't really know each other and made us 13 guys great friends. The ABA has brought us competitive baseball while still having fun as the motto on the field. You also can't say enough about the two commissioners of the league either. Larry and Jason do a great job and work tirelessly to provide the best possible service and are always there to help solve the few scheduling conflicts or personnel problems which arise throughout the year.

Thanks ABA,

Bill Kelly
West Orange Wolfpack Mgr.

Myself and the team I both coach and play on, have enjoyed playing in the ABA. The league itself is well organized and the experiences we all have shared as a team on the field has renewed our forever love of the game of baseball. Our friends, girlfriends, family and sponsors are all excited again about the local game and can’t wait for another season. The members of the Clinton BBQ OUTLAWS are having the time of our lives again playing a lil’ ball in the ABA!

ROB O'ROURKE
player/coach BBQ OUTLAWS
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Fall 2004 was our first taste of fall ball and of the ABA and we had a blast! I must say, I have played and managed in a few leagues in NJ and the ABA is phenomenal. Larry and Jason have done a tremendous job organizing and building a terrific league. They aren't joking when they say they are all about customer service. They are easily accessible and great to speak with. In other leagues, I felt as if there was a dollar sign on the head of my players and myself, and we got nothing in return.

Larry & Jason are all about the baseball and bringing it to as many adults that want to rekindle the passion of playing hardball. How many leagues do you know that GIVE, that's right I said GIVE teams catchers gear and other equipment to get a team started. They have aligned themselves and partnered with big time companies such as Wilson, Diamond and Brett Bats. If Hall Of Famer George Brett has partnered with the ABA....Why shouldn't you?

With Jason and Larry they make you feel like a partner and not just a number sign, some other leagues around will try to bash other leagues and scare teams away. This is not how the ABA operates. They concern themselves with their brand of baseball and the quality of life for their players. They know there is plenty of baseball to go around....Give em' a try.

For America's Game

Bill Hynes
Sayreville Giants
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I have been a manager in the ABA for the past two seasons. What sets the ABA apart from any other league that I have ever been associated with is the customer service. The commissioners (Larry and Jason) make themselves very accessible and are eager to handle any problem that may arise. In addition the league has grown considerably and can accommodate any competition level. I truly believe it is the most organized, well run league in the state.

Dean Adone, Mgr of the Roxbury Bulldogs
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My team made the switch from another league to the ABA last year. We were extremely fed up with the antics of our previous league's teams and administration, not to mention the exaggerated costs for really nothing in return. We found the ABA in the fall of 03 and based on our skeleton's team experience during that season, we decided to go with the ABA full time in the Spring. It turned out to be a great experience and positive decision for our team. The ABA provided a service that was light years ahead of our other league (so much so, we didn't really realize what we were missing). I was easily in contact with the league commissioners including numerous times in games, during the week at night and of course always accessible via email. Even on a couple of occasions, Larry took time out of his Sunday schedule to go watch our game and to check in on how things were.

They are very prudent and diligent in their service to the managers...and in the spring, we really put their service to a test. Due to the exaggerated inclement weather and other outside factors, Larry and Jason were asked to do several things to accommodate our needs and they did so with flying colors. I look forward to what I hope is a much smoother spring season, but I have no doubt now that if problems do come up, the ABA is ready to deal with them and meet our team's requests and demands. And on top of all this...it was and is great baseball!!!!

Brian Gonor, Mgr - Diamondbacks
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The Amateur Baseball Association renewed my love of playing baseball. Slow pitch softball just wasn't as fun or competitive as baseball for me and I found myself missing playing the game. I researched other baseball leagues in the area and either their time demands were too great or their prices were very exorbitant. The ABA provides a fun, competitive environment without costing an arm and a leg. I feel like a kid again being out on the baseball diamond. I enjoy the ABA so much, I manage and play on 2 teams. The commissioners are always very accessible and are open to any suggestions or concerns that I or my players have. They love the game of baseball and their league reflects that love. I would never play in another league, well, unless the New York Yankees called me up. Go ABA!!

Kevin Hill
Manager of the Jersey Jackhammers
Original ABA Member
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From the day I joined the ABA as a player/manager, Larry and Jason's enthusiasm for the game and sense of fair play to me are without peer. You cannot find a more organized and service oriented amateur baseball league. We get the best umps, a great web site for stats, and more importantly , accessibility to the league officials themselves. No ego, no gamesmanship, no BS... just baseball.

Kyung Kim, Bayonne Bruins
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I love the ABA, not because I am the league's player representative, but for what they offer to us as players. Commissioners Larry Frank and Jason Prichard happen to be the best people to interact with. In the ABA, I don't have to worry about disrespect from others, burning a hole in my pocket because of paying a lot of money and the ABA provides probably the best fair play around. I have played in 2-3 other leagues in the past and I feel very comfortable and trust the league officials with their directions of the league and their ideas. They won't run away with your money and they definitely don't play favorites between teams and, what's more, they do not discuss ANYTHING outside of their league. It's all about respect and camaraderie in the ABA. The customer service is bar none the best I have ever dealt with. You can contact the commissioners via phone, instant message, or email and you are sure to get an immediate response. One league I contacted in January about bringing in my own team and I got a call back 3 weeks before the season was starting, which was mid-March. The teams and players in the ABA all love the game of baseball and just want to play, period. With a low cost of play, that is easily achieved. Other leagues do charge more, but then you get to deal with players who gripe all the time and choose to have the win at all cost attitude and play the go for the jugular game. The stats and website provided to us is second to none. Some leagues don't even have a site and others believe in a pretty page with stats that aren't that accurate. The ABA uses www.allstarteamstats.com and not only does it do the job, but it does it better than any other league, with a barrage of real stats and with options that can be achieved to enhance the team experience. Larry Frank and Jason Prichard took a chance by themselves and are striving with the ABA and I predict it would be here for a long, long time.

Chris Mota
Manager, NJ Storm
ABA Player Rep.
chris.mota@optonline.net
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A healthy and happy way to spend a Sunday with friends playing baseball sounds like a priceless and perfect escape from reality, but this brief daydream doesn’t even scratch the tip of the iceberg on what the ABA offers for over 50 teams in fall and spring seasons. High quality leagues that intertwine great commissioners and excellent services, fair umpires, affordable fees, invaluable competitive fun, and great sportsmanship and camaraderie are not only nearly impossible to find, but even harder to settle into and be ecstatic about playing week in and week out. After battling through two separate leagues that unfortunately left a sour taste in my mouth and almost made me hang up the cleats, I came across the ABA and struck gold. Baseball is America’s pastime and the ABA created a foundation for my teammates and I to shag some flies, get our uniforms dirty, and most importantly celebrate the game.

Ian Spohn, Manager of the Hawthorne Midnights
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I have been playing baseball all my life. Over the past 20 years, I have played in many other baseball leagues in Northern NJ. Last year was my first full year with the ABA and the experience was amazing. If you are someone who loves the game and refuses to give in to the critics who say things like You are too old to play baseball , the ABA is for you. There are hundreds of athletes just like you and I who have the passion for baseball that people are only born with. The ABA is a top notch organization from the president to the players. It is competitive, exciting and most of all fun. The leaders of the organization are accessible, professional and they always accept and provide positive feedback. There is no reason to play softball anymore. If you have had any experience in playing organized baseball, even if it was in high school over 20 years ago, and you still have that fire burning inside, the ABA is the place for you!!!

George Tomasello, 2004 Fall MVP & Co-Mgr
Essex Clippers
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When my friend and I first heard of the ABA, we were excited at the possibility of having our own hardball team as opposed to the softball league we were currently participating in. Since joining (the inaugural spring season), we've had a team in every season since. It has been an awesome experience for us and our fellow teammates. The ABA leagues are very well organized, accommodating and receptive to our needs. We continue to recommend the ABA to all of our friends and people we meet.

Jon Fullam – Mgr, Rockaway Rattlers
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I have been a member of ABA baseball for 3 years now! As a manager/player in the league, I have had great experiences meeting new people and playing competitive baseball. The ABA league has also proven its commitment to customer service, which is the cornerstone of the leagues pledge. The commissioners of the league are both courteous and fair when considering your issues and assisting in making decisions. Not to mention they are also pretty good for a laugh!

I encourage everyone to join ABA baseball! ABA is fun, competitive and fair league that doesn't break the bank to join! Hope to see you all on the ballfield!

Tim Conway, Mgr - Brooklyn Dodgers
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I just wanted to thank you for all your support and for inviting me to the ABA. Since I joined in 2003, I gained a Spring Northeast Pennant with the Essex Clippers and quality baseball ever since. This will be my 11th season and 3rd with the ABA, I wish you started 10 years ago ! I gained a lot of good friends in the ABA and will retire in this league for sure. Hope all is well and look foward to the 2005 season.

It still can't figure out how you offer Quality Baseball at an affordable price….

Take Care
Dom Auriemma, Mgr Essex Clippers
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The ABA of NJ provided me with an opportunity to play the game that I love 8 months out of the year during my free time. Not only did it provide me a chance to play organized baseball, but it also provided great incentives in terms of meeting other players from around the state, the opportunity to play in all-star games at minor league stadiums, and a stat service where you can track your personal, team and league members information. The ABA of NJ has been nothing but a pleasure and great match for me.

Chad Matejicka – Essex Clippers, Fall Mgr
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Larry and Jason,

Just want to take this time to thank you guys for the opportunity to let me field a team in your league. It's about time someone put together a quality baseball league in NJ. You two were very helpful getting us started and VERY patient. The league is great and we are looking forward to Spring '05 and playing some ball. Take care and thanks again.

John Larkin
Manager
Monmouth Yankees (Central AA)
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“I have managed and played in the ABA league under the management of Larry Frank and Jason Prichard for the past 2 spring seasons and have been very pleased with the organization. The league is very flexible in scheduling games and very organized. Every weekend I am confident that when we show up for a game there will be an opposing team, a well groomed playing field, and reliable, fair, and professional umpires. I have played and managed in multiple leagues prior to joining this one and can honestly say the ABA is run the best and stands out in a league of their own.” (not the movie with Geena Davis and Madonna)

- Anthony Martucci
Player/Coach Team Rocketsauce
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The ABA offers great service to the players and managers. They always take calls and they come out to see the games. It's not like other leagues I played in where the people who ran it were scarce.

Mark Tiarra – Cifton Mets /Bergen Diamondbacks
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It has been a pleasure playing in the ABA in the fall. Larry and Jason are very professional about the way they run there league. They both are on the ball when it comes to any problems or controversy. I will continue to play in the League because of the outstanding response you get from both parties.

Rob Dornick ( Middlesex Reds)
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The NJABA brought back adult baseball to my town for the first time since 1992. The NJABA brought back the fun I use to have playing baseball. I looked forward to checking the stats online throughout the week to see who was leading the league. The NJABA also added a competitive spirit that I haven't felt since college.

Danny Cruz – MGR Union Sox
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The ABA has allowed people of all skill levels to enjoy the game, aches, pains, and pleasures of playing hardball. Typically guys 30+ are doomed for beer league softball but in the ABA, we fit right in, playing in the lowest level.

My team was 1-19 last year. Yup. It didnt matter. We were playing baseball. It didnt matter what the score was or who the other pitcher was we were playing ball. This is the place. I played with guys who hadn’t picked up a bat in 10 years.......but who found out they still had it!! I made new friends (never underestimate the power of a teams bond) and I played every position on the field.

A big THANK YOU to the ABA for saving guys like me from the bigger ball and smaller diamond!!

Bill Ryan
Brooklyn Dodger BB Manager
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My friends and I were always talking about trying to find a baseball league to play in, but it seemed easier to just keep on playing softball every year. When I was contacted by the ABA, I was excited to play, but wanted to get enough guys that I know so we can field our own team. I had about eight guys from my hometown and the league gave me another five. We started to have practices before the season started and I thought that we were going to be pretty good. The season started and we won our first 7 games or so. It started to be a lot of fun.

Everyone on my team was having a good time and it felt great to play baseball again. The league is well run and both commissioners are on top of every division making sure that things go correctly. The league has a website that the manager of each team inputs the stats from every game, which is great for the league. It takes no time to put in the stats and it helps you see who is playing well on your team, and the teams that you are playing. Every game is played on very nice fields.

If you are looking for a baseball league to get into, this is the one. Great job by the commissioners and I will see you next year.

Adam Gorner – Mgr – Mercer Bulldogs
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The ABA has been run in a professional and honest way, and the league commissioners have always been easy to get ahold of. The teams are competitive, but good sportsmen and the league has used disciplinary actions to weed out certain people who do not act with sportsmanship. The ability to move between the different levels adds to the level of competition from year to year.

Dave Magidson – Mgr, Long Valley Brewers
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I have been a part of the ABA for about 3 years now. The ABA has not only given me a league to continue on my baseball career but it has also given me the opportunity to make new friends. I've been on 3 different teams in the 3 seasons and I am managing my own team now. The ABA has brought my friends and I back into baseball, the sport we all love, and united us again as one team just like it was like when we were growing up. I don't know any other league that is on the rise and continues to grow with every season that starts like the ABA. When I first started I was privileged enough to be able to play in the first All-Star game now this has become a regular event. The ABA continues to add new features to its league, such as MVP, CY Young, and the newly updated web site that tracks stats and standings. The ABA is a complete league that will keep getting bigger and better.

Mike Frech (Mgr - Paterson Cubs)
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Two years ago I was looking to join a league in the central jersey area. It just so happened I received an e-mail from a fledgling organization called the Amateur Baseball Association. After discussing Larry and Jason’s goal for the league I was excited to see if they would come through with their promises. According to them their number one priority was customer service. I was also promised that the league would grow in the areas of competition and professionalism.
Numerous occasions throughout my first season I had issues. On one occasion I had an umpire that was horrible and I requested him out of the league. Jason not only removed him from the league, he thanked me for my feedback because he understood that professional umpires advance the integrity of the league. As the manager I had many instances when I needed quick answers to rules. Every time I called either they answered right away or quickly returned my call.
I believe this is one of the most well run amateur sports organizations in New Jersey. That includes all recreational sports. Now that Larry and Jason have a solid infrastructure beneath themselves I see no reason why this league cannot continue to grow in size, integrity, competition and professionalism.

Dustin Sweet
Manager -Brunswick Barnstormers
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My name is Mike Anderson, manager of the Rutherford Reverse Grip, soon to become the Rutherford Yankees. This past season was my first year in the league, and we had our speed bumps as a new team. I have to say the sportsmanship of every team in this league is better than I have ever seen dating back to little league. I think Larry and Jason, run a great league aimed in the right direction, right at the players. This is a players league, it offers a lot for everyone so they can enjoy it, from home run derby, all-star game, to MVP's and Cy Youngs, lol. But in all seriousness, I had a lot of fun playing with you guys and I'm looking forward to next season.
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My name is T.J. Kempton and I have been managing a team in the A.B.A. for the past two seasons. I also participate as a player and thus have experienced the pleasures that this league offers from both respects. Opportunities at all skill levels of play are offered through this league. Even an older player like myself can go out to the ballpark on the weekend and participate in the best loved game in the world. We have two commissioners who steadily strive to upgrade the premier amateur hardball league in the area. The body conditioning and mental uplift has become a big part of my life. We are always looking for respectful ball players to join our league and fulfill the quest of having fun.
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My team was a new entry to the ABA last Spring. The organization of the league is great. The ABA provides a great atmosphere to want to play baseball. There is a web site that provides all game stats as well as league leaders. The league also provides baseball at a highly competitve level. I was part of another league in New Jersey in the past that had problems with fields, organization, and the number of teams. The ABA thrives on providing a product so people can enjoy the game.
Rob Yakovchuk
Manager of NJ Cubs
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When I first was approached by the men in charge of the ABA I immediately could see the passion of these men looking to promote the game of baseball. From the beginning of the season until the very end they made it very clear that this was about the players and having fun. It was not about making a quick buck like so many of these other leagues out there. From April-August I experienced a baseball revolution sweeping all across the globe, that revolution my friend is called The Amateur Baseball Association. Nowhere else will you find a league full of players with a greater love for the game of baseball. In closing I would like to go on to reccomend this league for any adults out there who also have a love for playing the greatest game in the world.

Joe Medway
Manager/Player
Union Padres