Player/Parent Informational Packet
2015 Season
Current Directors and Staff
Ernie Colombe- 18u Head Coach/Director of Baseball Operations
[email protected]
630-664-2223
Steve Colombe- 18u Assistant Coach/Assistant Director of Baseball Operations
[email protected]
630-664-2058
Mike McGreevy- 18u Assistant Coach
[email protected]
815-592-1875
Brian Kubilius- 18u Assistant Coach
[email protected]
630-319-1342
Jon Basinski- 17u Head Coach
[email protected]
708-567-6446
Zack Roszak- 17u Assistant Coach
Tyler Mastalerz- 17u Assistant Coach
Chris Kemp- 17u Assistant Coach
Randy Jones- 16u Head Coach
[email protected]
630-991-3744
Kevin Turner- 16u Assistant Coach
[email protected]
630-392-1764
Brian Claesson- 15u Head Coach
[email protected]
Jeremy Karasewski- 15u Assistant Coach
[email protected]
Program Overview
The goal of the Kane County Phantoms baseball program is to develop and prepare
players for college baseball. Our strength lies in our player’s desires to play at the next
level. We design our program to have the demands similar to that of a college program.
As a team, we try to make one another better on and off the field. With this formula we
succeed in winning games and tournaments while getting our players prepared as they
move on to the next level.
The Phantoms seek out serious baseball players who have the desire to play at the
college level. Over the past 5 years, all of our graduating Seniors have moved on to
play at the college level. Also, our program has included 58 All Area/All Conference
players. Our player’s awards and commitment list can be found at:
www.kanecountyphantoms.com.
The program will include four teams (15u, 16u, 17u, 18u). Each team will participate in
7 weekend tournaments. These tournaments usually run Thursday-Sunday and take
place at local colleges and high schools. Each team will participate in 1 out of state/out
of town tournament.
More information regarding rosters, fees, schedules, and practices can be found
throughout this packet. Please feel free to contact us with any other questions.
Roster Format
Ideal Roster
 14-15 position players
 Additional Pitchers added as a Pitcher Only (POs)
What is a Pitcher Only?
 Pitcher only will not play a position in the field
 Pitcher only will not be guaranteed at bats
 At bats may be given in certain circumstances (injury)
What is a Position Player?
 Position players will play a position in the field
 Position players can also Pitch
Each roster is built to be able to compete in tournaments that may require 5-7 games in
a span of 3-4 days. Teams will need enough pitchers on the team to make it through
several games in a few days. Our teams have been competitive and successful for
several years because of our talent depth.
Each player that is added to the team fills a role on the team’s roster. No players added
to our teams are considered to fill the role of ‘bench warmer’. Each player will get
opportunities to play in each tournament. The players who do produce the most will get
the most playing time.
Fees
Season Fee
 Position Players- $575
 Pitcher Only- $350
 Season fee covers tournaments, insurance, and equipment
Uniforms
 Each player should budget around $90 for uniforms
 Each player will be required to order 2 jerseys and 1-2 hats
 Additional items such as cage jackets, fleeces, and shirts will be available to
order but are not required
The season fee and uniforms are the only required costs for each player.
Letter of Acceptance
If a player accepts his spot on a Phantoms team he will be sent a Letter of Acceptance
and a Payment Contract. The Letter of Acceptance simply states that the player is
committed to playing for the Phantoms and accepts his role on the team.
The Payment Contract offers 3-4 different payment plans that families can choose from.
These payment plans break the season fee into 2-4 deposits. If a deposit is not sent to
the Phantoms on time without notice the player can lose their roster spot. As long as
the player turns in the Letter of Acceptance and follows the chosen payment plan their
roster spot will be held. Deposits are non-refundable.
The Letter of Acceptance and Payment Contract allows the players to commit to our
team and allows our team to commit to the player. For example, we add a player to the
team as a Catcher. When he turns in his Letter of Acceptance and payments on time
he is proving to us that he is committed to playing for our team. In turn, we commit to
him by not adding several other players that play the same position as him.
It is important for each player to follow the Payment Contract they have chosen. Each
team will be paying for tournaments, insurance, and equipment. It is important that we
can pay for these expenses on time. Reminders will be sent 7-10 days prior to a
player’s next payment due date. If a player cannot make a payment on time he must let
us know before the payment is due. We can hold his roster spot if he notifies us of a
late payment.
On the next two pages you can find an example Letter of Acceptance and Payment
Contract.
Letter of Acceptance Contract-Example
I, ___________________________have chosen to have my son, _______________________
become a member of the Kane County Phantoms. The cost for the 2015 summer season will be
$575 for a position player. ($350 for a Pitcher Only)
I understand that if the player has to leave the team for any reason, or at any time, all of
the money that has been collected is the property of the Kane County Phantoms and is nonrefundable.
Food, lodging, transportation costs throughout the entire year are the responsibility of the player.
A hat and jersey will be purchased at a later timer and will not be a part of the original fee. You
may order as many of those items as you want, but all will be required. There will also be shirts
and pullovers available to order, but those are not required.
I, the parent or guardian of the above named baseball player give my permission for emergency
medical treatment in the event that I cannot be reached and hereby waive, release, absolve,
indemnify, and agree to hold harmless the Kane County Phantoms, Ernie Colombe, and the
coaching staff for any claim arising out of any injury to the above named player.
PLAYER SIGNATURE AND DATE:
______________________________________________________________________________
PARENT SIGNATURE AND DATE:
______________________________________________________________________________
COACH’S SIGNATURE AND DATE:
______________________________________________________________________________
Payment Contract-Example
The season fee for the 2015 Phantoms will be $575 for Position Players. In order to secure a spot
you will have to choose a payment option and make a payment by August 17, 2014.
--Please circle the payment plan that best fits for you and follow the due dates
Option 1
First Payment of $200 due by 8/17/14
Second Payment of $200 due by 10/31/14
Third Payment of $175 due by 1/15/15
Option 2
First Payment of $300 due by 8/17/14
Second Payment of $275 due by 12/1/14
Option 3
First payment is the full $575 due by 8/17/14
PLEASE SIGN THIS FORM AND RETURN WITH PAYMENT AND SIGNED LETTER
OF ACCEPTANCE
CHECKS PAYABLE TO: KANE COUNTY PHANTOMS
MAIL TO:
ERNIE COLOMBE
C/O KANE COUNTY PHANTOMS
1345 SLATER ST.
SUGAR GROVE, IL 60554
PARENT SIGNATURE AND DATE:
______________________________________________________________________________
Schedules
Each team will participate in 7 tournaments on weekends. Each team will participate in
1 out of state tournament. Most tournaments run Thursday-Sunday. We select our
tournament schedule in February/March. Colleges and High Schools host most
tournaments. It is an easy way for college coaches to see talented High School players
showcase their skills.
Over the past few years we have played at the following colleges:
North Central College
Judson University
Waubonsee Community College
South Suburban College
Northern Illinois University
University of Iowa
Lewis University
Valparaiso University
Carthage College
Concordia University- Chicago
Western Michigan University
Kankakee Community College
Western and Eastern Kentucky University
Kishwaukee Community College
Rock Valley College
DePauw University
Wheaton College
Elgin Community College
Wabash College
The next page gives an example of what a summer tournament schedule looks like.
We expect to set a similar tournament schedule in 2015.
Schedule Information
Even though the Phantoms are a summer baseball team, we expect players to have
regular attendance at games. Obviously, there will be circumstances in which players
will have to miss a game or practice. However, players should not be missing for long
periods of time. If you see yourself having multiple conflicts in the 2015 summer our
program may not be the best fit for you. Coaches are allowed to reduce playing time for
players who miss often. Players who miss excessively will be removed from the team.
Each team will have a few practices after the High School spring season and before our
Summer Tournaments. High School players are not allowed to practice with travel
teams during the IHSA Spring Baseball Season. Once tournament play begins teams
will not practice during the week due to IHSA Summer Baseball.
Schedules- 2014 Season
18u
June 5-8 Chicago Invite @ North Central College, Chicagoland
June 12-15 Elgin Invite @ Elgin CC, Judson University, Elgin Area
June 27-29 College Prospects Invite @ NIU, Kishwaukee CC
July 3-6 7th Annual DeKalb Invite @ NIU, DeKalb Area
July 11-13 Lombard Summer Slam (Wood) @ Lombard Area High Schools
July 17-20 Phiten USA Prospect Tournament @ Wabash College, DePauw University
July 25-27 Legends of the Summer (Wood) @ Evanston Stadium
17u
June 6-8 Huskies Invite @ NIU, Kishwaukee CC
June 19-22 NIU Invite @ NIU, Elgin Area
June 27-29 Perfect Game Super 25 Regional @ Lynwood Complex
July 3-6 Chicago Invite @ North Central College, Chicagoland
July 11-13 Break Out the Lumber (Wood) @ Joliet JC, Lewis University, Elgin CC
July 17-20 Phiten USA Prospect Tournament @ Wabash College, DePauw University
July 25-27 NIU Exposure @ NIU, DeKalb Area
16u
June 6-8 Huskies Invite @ NIU, Kishwaukee CC
June 20-22 Lombard Slugfest (Wood) @ Lombard Area Fields
June 27-29 Diamond Wars (Wood) @ Evanston Stadium
July 4-6 Midwest Madness @ NIU, Kishwaukee CC
July 11-13 CABA Midwest Regional @ Lynwood Complex
July 18-20 Lombard Summer Slam (Wood) @ Lombard Area Fields
July 25-27 Go Yard Classic @ Carthage College
15u
June 6-8 Bartlett Summer Slam (Wood) @ Koehler and Ruzicka Fields
June 20-22 Top Prospect Invite @ Carthage College
June 27-29 Ron Kittle Classic @ Aviator Stadium
July 10-13 Great Lakes World Series @ Lippold Park
July 18-20 Mickey Sund Classic @ Lippold Park
July 25-27 Play the Turf Chicago @ Heritage Park Turf Complex
August 1-3 End of Summer Showcase @ NIU, Kishwaukee CC
Kane County Phantoms Winter Training
The Phantoms will conduct winter practice sessions at Go Pro Baseball Academy
(24317 W. 143rd Street in Plainfield). The winter practice sessions will begin in early
December and take place each Sunday evening until the IHSA baseball season begins.
Participating in winter training is optional as it will be an additional cost. The cost will be
determined by the amount of players that decide to participate in the training.
Go Pro Baseball Academy is a new facility that has many features for our coaches and
players to use. The facility has 8 cages that can be used for pitching or hitting. Each
cage has a radar gun that reads the speed off the ball of the bat and also velocity when
pitching. 3 of the 8 cages have advanced video technology. These 3 cages have
cameras that can record players pitching or hitting. These videos are uploaded right
into a TV at the facility. Players and coaches can then watch the video in slow motion
to break down the film. Lastly, the 8 cages can be quickly retracted to create a full turf
infield.
Sunday night practice sessions will be either team practices or position workouts. Team
practices will focus on all facets of the game. Position workouts will separate Infielders,
Outfielders, and Pitchers into separate practices. These position workouts will mostly
focus on defense.
During one winter practice session the Phantoms will conduct a showcase day. We will
take statistics for each player (Pitching Velocity, Defensive Position Velocity, Speed of
Ball off Bat, and Running Time). These statistics will be used for players to send to
colleges or for their recruiting profiles. Also, the stats can be used for players to set
goals and understand where they need to improve. For upper level players (17u and
18u) we will invite local college coaches to attend the showcase day to evaluate the
players.
Along with team practices each Sunday evening players can also workout individually or
in groups at Go Pro Baseball Academy. The Phantoms hold an account with the facility
that allows us to book cages instantly. Individual and group workouts can be set up for
more individual instruction.
More info to come on winter training as we are currently working on a membership
program for our players at Go Pro Baseball Academy.
2014 Fall Baseball
The Phantoms will be participating in the DuPage Training Academy wood bat fall
baseball league in the fall of 2014. Our goal is to assemble two teams to enter into the
league. One team for Freshman and Sophomores and one team for Juniors and
Seniors. Participating in fall baseball with the Phantoms is only offered to those who
have been chosen to play for our team in 2015. It is optional to participate in fall
baseball as many players participate in fall sports and it will be an additional cost.
The DuPage Training Academy fall league includes games at St. Charles North High
School, Marmion High School, Wheaton North High School, and Eastside Complex in
St. Charles. The league guarantees a minimum of 10 games starting in early
September and ending in mid-October. Most games are played as double headers
each Sunday. Occasional weekday games may be played.
Through the fall, the teams will also try to pick up games against other local travel
teams and play them in non-league games.
Fall baseball will focus on the player’s improvement. During the summer, our focus is
on the team having success. During the fall, our focus is on individual player
development. We want all players leaving fall baseball improving their game and
finding areas to improve upon heading into the winter and off-season.
The cost to participate in this fall league with the Phantoms will be between $200-$225
depending on how many players participate. This fee covers the league fees,
insurance, a hat, and a jersey.
Team Accomplishments
Program Record Since 2010: 160-80
2014 18u Diamond Sports Promotions Chicago Invite Champions
2014 18u Lombard Wood Bat Summer Slam Champions
2014 17u 2nd Place Team Exposure 17u Huskies Invite
2014 16u Lombard Wood Bat Slugfest Champions
2014 15u 2nd Place Bartlett Wood Bat Summer Slam
2013 18u Team Exposure NIU Midwest Madness Champions
2013 18u Diamond Sports Promotions Chicago Invite Champions
2013 18u Elite Baseball Valparaiso University Champions
2013 18u 2nd Place Lombard Wood Bat Summer Slam
2013 17u Force Elite Baseball Classic Champions
2013 17u 2nd Place Diamond Sports Promotions Chicago Invite
2013 17u 2nd Place Elite Baseball Valparaiso University
2012 18u Diamond Sports Promotions Chicago Invite Champions
2012 18u Team Exposure Wood Bat Champions
2012 18u 2nd Place Diamond Sports Promotions DeKalb Invite
2012 18u 2nd Place Diamond Sports Promotions Chicago Invite
2011 18u Triple Crown Sports Kenosha Classic Champions
2011 18u Elite Baseball Valparaiso University Wood Bat Champions
2011 18u Kid First Baseball Legends of the Summer Champions
2010 18u 2nd Place Diamond Sports Promotions DeKalb Invite
2010 18u 2nd Place Elite Baseball South Bend Irish Classic
2010 18u 2nd Place St. Louis Super Showcase
Phantoms Baseball
17u Phantoms Force Elite Baseball Classic Champs
18u Phantoms Chicago Invite Champs
18u Phantoms Elite Baseball Valpo University Champs
16u Phantoms Lombard Slugfest Champs
Former Sox Manager, Ozzie Guillen, with
17u Phantoms players
Kane County Phantoms Baseball
www.kanecountyphantoms.com
Follow on Twitter @KCPhantoms