Wheeler High School Baseball Program Marietta, GA

3. Dear Wheeler High School Fans,
On behalf of Wheeler I would like to welcome you
to Dave McDonald Field for the 2017 Baseball
Season! We are excited to be under the leadership
of our new coach Mark Collins! Coach Collins is
praised throughout the baseball community for his ability to
develop players and get the absolute most out of his teams! All
of our coaches and players have put in a tremendous amount
of work throughout the summer and showed perseverance in
competing against one another.
Thank you for supporting Wheeler High School and recognizing
the fine athletes on the field.We feel that participation in athletics
is an important aspect of the educational process. Athletic
participation provides the opportunity for student athletes to
develop knowledge, leadership skills, and positive attitudes so
they may become productive citizens of our community and
society. We are committed to promoting the highest standards
of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play at all athletic
contests.
As a spectator, you represent the school as much as those on
the field. Please show your support enthusiastically and keep
our tradition of showing good sportsmanship towards players
and fans.
In closing, I want to thank all of the coaches, players, booster
club and parents for all of their time and energy throughout
not only the summer and fall, but the entire year to provide a
baseball program that makes the whole Wildcat Nation proud!
Go Wildcats!
Peter R. Giles, Ph.D
Principal
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Welcome to
Wheeler
High School
A N D T H E 2 0 1 7 B A S E B A L L S E A S O N
WHEELER
CONNECT WITH US:
@GOGAMEDAYMEDIA
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@WHEELERHIGH_BB
ERWHEELE

5. HOME AWAYSchedule subject to change. For updates please visit: www.wheelerbaseball.org
DATETE VISITING TEAM HOME TEAM TIME LOCATION
2/2/131313/1/1/17 Marietta Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
2/15/17 Wheeler Marietta 5:55pm Marietta
2/2/1818/17 Roswell Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler
2/18/17 Roswell Wheeler 2:00pm Wheeler
2/22/17 Heritage Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
2/23/17 Wheeler North Cobb 5:55pm North Cobb
2/28/17 Wheeler Westlake 5:55pm Westlake
3/1/17 North Cobb Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
3/3/17 Westlake Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
3/6/17 Wheeler McEachern 5:55pm McEachern
3/7/17 Pebblebrook Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
3/8/17 McEachern Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
3/10/17 Wheeler Pebblebrook 5:55pm Pebblebrook
3/14/17 Newnan Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
3/17/17 Wheeler Newnan 5:55pm Newnan
DATE VISITING TEAM HOME TEAM TIME LOCATIONON
3/21/17 East Coweta Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
3/24/17 Wheeler East Coweta 5:55pm East Coweta
3/25/17 Wheeler Kennesaw Mtn. 12:00pm Kennesaw Mtn.
3/28/17 Wheeler Campbell 5:55pm Campbell
3/29/17 Osborne Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
3/31/17 Campbell Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
4/7/17 Wheeler Woodstock 2:00pm Woodstock
4/8/17 Kennesaw Mtn. Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler
4/10/17 Wheeler Westlake 5:55pm Westlake
4/11/17 Pebblebrook Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
4/14/17 Newnan Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
4/15/17 Wheeler Roswell 12:00pm Roswell
4/15/17 Wheeler Roswell 2:00pm Roswell
4/18/17 East Coweta Wheeler 5:55pm Wheeler
4/19/17 Wheeler Campbell 5:55pm Campbell
VARSITY SCHEDULEVARSITY SCHEDULE VARSITY SCHEDULEVARSITY SCHEDULE
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
8 9

6. “We are super excited
about our new Head
Coach, Mark Collins.”
2017
SEASON
PREVIEW
DEAR WILDCAT NATION AND VISITING GUESTS,
I would like to formally welcome you to Dave McDonald Field and the 2017 Wildcat Baseball
Season. Nothing is better than a Wheeler baseball game on a beautiful spring day in North Georgia.
Wheeler has a rich baseball history land marked by a state championship and professional baseball
players. Our coaches, players, and parents are working very hard to make this season exciting and entertaining
for the Wildcat Nation.
Wheeler Baseball is currently in transition and going through many new challenges. McDonald Field has gone
through many noticeable improvements. A new score board, field house, press box, and concession stand are
already serving our program needs. Upgrades have been made to the fence, batting cages, and field. These
improvements have been made in very short order and this is just the beginning of an exciting era of Wildcat
Baseball.
We are super excited about our new Head Coach, Mark Collins. His proven track record and coaching experience
will play a noticeable role in your son/daughter’s skill level. He is committed to winning and developing a
competitive baseball program. We have high expectations for our young team this year.
I can’t wait to experience the facility upgrades and cheer our Wildcats on to victory. Thank you for your support
of our baseball program.
For the latest news on Wildcat Baseball follow @Wheelerhigh_bb and @Wheeler_high on Twitter
Chase Stroempl
Athletic Director
A Message from the Athletic Director
Mark Collins // VARSITY HEAD COACH
Coach Collins is in his first season as Head Baseball Coach for Wheeler High School. He is a graduate of
MorristownWest High School in Morristown,Tn.where he played baseball for Hall of Fame Coach Brumley
Greene. Coach Collins played one year at Walters State Community College and finished his career playing
at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA where he was a career .320 hitter and voted
Team Captain his senior year.After college, Coach Collins worked for the Atlanta Police Department where
he received the Blue Star Medal (injured in the line of duty) from mayor Bill Campbell and two commenda-
tions for drug enforcement from Garfield Hammonds, head of the DEA. Coach Collins has spent the last
14 years as Head Baseball Coach at South Cobb High School as well as serving as Head Fastpitch Softball
Coach for the past 6 years. He was named Metro Coach of the Year by the Marietta Umpires Association in
2011 and Softball Coach of the Year by the MDJ for 2016.
Coach Collins is married to Janice Collins (26 years) and has two kids. His son David is the pitching coach at Martin Methodist
College in Tennessee. His daughter Becky is on softball and academic scholarship at Emmanuel College in Georgia.
V
Hector Villalobos // VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH
Coach Villalobos is in his first season as an Assistant Coach with Wheeler High School. He is a graduate of
Grady High School where he was All State in 4 Sports - Baseball, Track, Football and Soccer. Coach Vil-
lalobos attended Chattanooga State on a football scholarship. He has been coaching high school baseball
for the past 14 years.
V
Keith Fitzgerald // JV ASSISTANT COACH
Keith Fitzgerald is the Physical Education Specialist at Sedalia Park Elementary School. He has been with
the Cobb County School System for 14 years and is the Head Coach forWheeler’s softball program.A father
of two, Keith has been coaching youth sports for 16 years. This is his third season as part of the Wheeler
Baseball program. Coach Fitzgerald received his undergraduate from the University of Dayton, (OH) and
his Master’s from the University of Scranton,(PA) He and his wife Liz,have been married 23 years and have
been active volunteers in various extra-curricular programs at Wheeler High School.
JV
Jordan Hawkins // VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH
Coach Hawkins is in his first season as an Assistant Coach with Wheeler High School. Coach Hawkins
was an Assistant Coach at South Cobb High School for the 2016 season where they made it to the 6A Elite
Eight. Coach Hawkins, a native of Virginia, brings with him a combined 5 years of high school coaching
experience as a JV Head Coach and as a Varsity assistant. Coach Hawkins is also a 16U and 18U coach
for the Nelson Baseball School, Coach Hawkins is excited to be a part of Wheeler Baseball and anticipates
an exciting 2017 season.
V
Tyler Jones // JV HEAD COACH
Tyler Jones is a 2007 graduate of Social Circle High School in Social Circle, GA, where he was a 3 sport
letterman in football,basketball,and baseball.He received his undergraduate degree from the University of
Georgia.Tyler played baseball for the club team at UGA, where he served as the Head Coach for a season.
He is in his fourth year of teaching and third at Wheeler High School, serving as JV Head Coach. He is also
the quarterbacks coach on the varsity football staff, as well as 9th grade offensive coordinator. He is mar-
ried to his beautiful wife, Whitney, since June 2014. He enjoys playing flag football, basketball, and golf,
and attends Passion City Church.
JV
V Evan Koch // VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH
Coach Koch (pronounced COKE) is born and raised here in Cobb County, GA. He graduated from Kell High
School in 2010 and then attended Chattanooga State Community College to play baseball until shoulder
surgery ended his playing career.After his playing career,he transferred to and graduated from the Univer-
sity of Alabama Birmingham with a degree in business management. Coach Koch played summer travel
baseball for Nelson Baseball School and is currently their 15U Head Coach. He is a die-hard sports fan of
all things Atlanta and enjoys fishing and golfing in his free time.
COACHING STAFF COACHING STAFFCOACHING STAFF
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
11

7. # NAME YEAR POSITION B/T
1 Jeff Norman 10 P, INF R/R
2 Robert Brooks 12 C R/R
3 Vinnie Lammie 10 C R/R
4 Isaiah Moon 12 P, OF R/R
6 Nathan Richardson 11 OF R/R
7 Michael Musser 10 OF R/R
8 Luke Simmons 11 SS R/R
9 Gabe Magerkurth 12 OF, DH R/R
10 Brian Yapkowitz 10 2B, C R/R
11 Noah Aaron 12 OF R/R
12 Gage Vailes 10 P, INF R/R
13 Nick Stiles 9 P, OF R/R
14 Gabe Ahn 11 INF, DH R/R
15 Arya Mevada 10 P, OF L/L
16 Noah Welkis 10 P, OF R/R
17 Michael Convery 10 P, 1B L/R
20 Caden Felton 10 P, 1B R/R
21 Leo Giannoni 9 P, INF R/R
22 Nic Petrucci 12 3B L/R
VARSITY ROSTER VARSITY ROSTERVARSITY ROSTER
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
12 13

8. 02
22
Nic Petrucci
SR. 3B, L/R
09
Gabe Magerkurth
SR. OF, DH, R/R
04
Isaiah Moon
SR. P, OF, R/R
11
Noah Aaron
SR. OF, R/R VARSITY SENIORS
Robert Brooks
SR. C, R/R
VARSITY SENIORSVARSITY SENIORS VARSITY SENIORSVARSITY SENIORS
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
14 15

9. 06
Nathan Richardson
JR. OF, R/R
08
Luke Simmons
JR. SS, R/R
14
Gabe Ahn
JR. INF, DH, R/R
01
Jeff Norman
SOPH. P, INF, R/R
12
Gage Vailes
SOPH. P, INF, R/R
17
Michael Convery
SOPH. P, 1B, L/R
03
Vinnie Lammie
SOPH. C, R/R
13
Nick Stiles
FRESH. P, OF, R/R
20
Caden Felton
SOPH. P, 1B, R/R
07
Michael Musser
SOPH. OF, R/R
15
Arya Mevada
SOPH. P, OF, L/L
21
Leo Giannoni
FRESH. P, INF, R/R
10
Brian Yapkowitz
SOPH. 2B, R/R
16
Noah Welkis
SOPH. P, OF, R/R
VARSITY JUNIORSVARSITY JUNIORS VARSITY UNDERCLASSMENVARSITY UNDERCLASSMEN
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
16 17

10. VARSITYVARSITY VARSITYVARSITY
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
18 19

11. DATE VISITING TEAM HOME TEAM TIME LOCATION
2/13/17 Wheeler Marietta 5:55pm Marietta
2/18/17 Wheeler Roswell 12:00pm Roswell
2/21/17 Wheeler Hillgrove 4:00pm Hillgrove
2/25/17 Roswell Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler
2/25/17 Roswell Wheeler 2:00pm Wheeler
3/1/17 Wheeler Marietta 5:55pm Marietta
3/4/17 Westlake Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler
3/4/17 Westlake Wheeler 2:00pm Wheeler
3/16/17 Wheeler North Cobb 5:55pm North Cobb
3/25/17 Kennesaw Mtn. Wheeler 12:00pm Wheeler
# NAME YR POS B/T
1 Dwight Blanchard 9 IF R/R
2 Jack Vargo 10 OF R/R
3 Caden Felton 10 P, 1B R/R
4 Jeremy Payne 9 1B R/L
6 Arya Mevada 10 P, OF L/L
7 Kylen Davis 9 IF R/R
9 Leo Giannoni 9 P,IF R/R
10 Ashton Lansdell 10 P,OF R/R
16 Evan Jameson 9 P, IF R/L
22 Campbell Wellham 10 C,IF R/R
JUNIOR VARSITY SCHEDULE
JUNIOR VARSITY ROSTER
JUNIOR VARSITY
01
Dwight Blanchard
03
06 09
16
02 04
07 10
22
Jack Vargo Caden Felton Jeremy Payne
Arya Mevada Kylen Davis Leo Giannoni Ashton Lansdell
Evan Jameson Campbell Wellham
FRESH.
SOPH. FRESH. FRESH. SOPH.
FRESH. SOPH.
SOPH. SOPH. FRESH.
JUNIOR VARSITYJUNIOR VARSITY JUNIOR VARSITYJUNIOR VARSITY
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
20 21

12. ALUMNI AT THE NEXT LEVEL
COLLEGENoah Cole // ‘16 / University of Texas – Permian Basin
Isaiah Swann // ‘16 / University of Texas – Dallas
Derek Hurt // ‘15 / Maryville College
Kyle Allen // ‘13 / Cumberland University
Kevin Anderson // ‘12 / Southern Polytechnic
John Malcom // ‘12 / Army
Sam Bragg // ‘11 / Georgia Perimeter College
Dale Carey // ‘10 / University of Miami
Evan Mitchell // ‘10 / Mississippi State University
Sam Agnew-Wieland // ‘10 / Georgia State University
Drew Davis // ‘09/ Grinnell College
Drew Jerdan // ‘01 / Duke University
Joey Monahan // ‘99 / Liberty University
Chris Crawford // ‘95 / University of Georgia
J.J. Thomas // ‘94/ Georgia Tech
Ryan Ritter // ‘92 / Georgia Tech
Danny Nash // ‘92 / Stetson
John Hill // ‘90/ University of Georgia
Chris George // ‘89 / Mississippi State University
John Brackett // ‘86 / Kennesaw State University
Jon George // ‘85 / Georgia Tech
Dale Carey // ‘14 / Washington Nationals – 7th Round
Evan Mitchell // ‘13 / Cincinnati Reds – 13th Round
Sam Bragg // ‘13 / Oakland Athletics – 18th Round
Sam Agnew-Wieland // ‘13 / New York Yankees – 24th Round
Michael Schlact // ‘04 / Texas Rangers – 3rd Round
Jeremy Hermida // ‘02 / Florida Marlins – 1st Round
Joey Monahan // ‘02 / Chicago Cubs – 7th Round
Josh Burrus // ‘01 / Atlanta Braves – 1st Round
Chris Crawford // ‘99 / Tampa Bay Devil Rays – 20th Round
J.J. Thomas // ‘97 / Houston Astros – 15th Round
Shane Monahan // ‘95/ Seattle Mariners – 2nd Round
Ryan Ritter // ‘95 / Milwaukee Brewers – 8th Round
Rex Stevens // ‘93 / Texas Rangers - 47th Round
Chris George // ‘91 / New York Mets – 30th Round
Steve Romine // ‘75 / St. Louis Cardinals – 15th Round
Randall Bonner // ‘74 / Los Angeles Angels – 31st Round
Larry Keener // ‘67/ Philadelphia Phillies – 2nd Round
PROFESSIONAL
ALUMNIALUMNI ALUMNIALUMNI
2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L 2 0 1 7 W H E E L E R B A S E B A L L
22 23

13. JOSH BURRUS
MICHAEL SCHLACT JEREMY HERMIDA
DAVID MCDONALD
HEAD COACH / 1979 - 2010
2017 Hall of Fame Game
Who will be the honorees?
Join us Friday, March 31st
Wheeler vs. Campbell
24 25

14. SCORECARD//HOMETEAM

15. SCORECARD//AWAYTEAM

16. SCORINGABBREVIATIONS WAYS TO GET ON BASE
SINGLE
FIELDER’S
CHOICE
DOUBLE
ERROR
TRIPLE
WILD PITCH
(3RD STRIKE)
PASSED BALL
(3RD STRIKE)
HOME
RUN
BASE ON BALLS
CATCHER’S
INTERFERENCE
HIT BY
PITCH
GROUND
RULE
DOUBLE
WAYS A BATTER MAKES AN OUT
STRIKEOUT
(SWINGING)
LINE OUT
(TO 3RD BASE)
STRIKEOUT
(SWINGING)
GROUND
OUT
STRIKEOUT
(CALLED)
UNASSISTED
PUT OUT
STRIKEOUT
(CALLED)
FORCED OUT
OR TAG
(3RD THROWS TO 1ST)
FLY OUT
(TO LEFT FIELD)
INFIELD FLY
RULE
FLY OUT
(TO RIGHT FIELD)
RUN DOWN
(CATCHER TO 2ND
TO 1ST TO 2ND)
CAUGHT
STEALING
(PITCHER 3RD)
fORCE OUT
or TAG
(3RD TO 2ND)
WAYS A RUNNER MAKES AN OUT
31
Adam Yapkowitz // President
Kent Simmons // Vice President
Dave Musser // Treasurer
Hugh Norman // Secretary
Mark Collins // Head Coach
THANK YOU!
2016 - 2017 Wheeler High School Booster Club

17. * Pitching diagrams based on a right handed pitcher (RHP). For a left-handed pitcher (LHP), the flight path of the ball would be mirrored.
Successful baseball pitchers use a variety of different baseball pitches, pitch speeds and movements to
gain a competitive advantage against the batter. Here are eight different types of baseball pitches and the
flight path of the ball when thrown correctly.*
The four-seam or
two-seam fastball is the
fastest and straightest
pitch. There is little to no
drop, and the maximum
velocity yields the best
control. This is the most
important pitch in baseball
because everything else
works off of it.
The splitter, also known
as the split-finger fastball
breaks down suddenly
before reaching the plate.
When thrown correctly,
the splitter’s last second
drop causes many batters
to hit the top half of
the baseball, therefore
inducing a ground ball.
The cutter breaks away
from a right handed hitter
(RHH) as it reaches the
plate. It is faster than
a slider but with more
movement than a fastball,
and it is usually a few
mph slower than a four-
seam fastball. Good for
jamming hitters.
The screwball, also known
as the screwgie breaks
in the opposite direction
of a slider or curveball.
When thrown correctly by
a right-handed pitcher, the
screwball breaks down
and in on a RHH and down
and away on a LHH (left-
handed hitter).
The curveball, commonly
called a 12-6 refers to the
top to bottom movement (a
clock with hands at 12 and
6). The ball dives down as
it gets to home plate. The
velocity is as effective as
the movement, because it’s
usually much slower than
a fastball.
The changeup is the
staple off-speed pitch.
It is usually thrown to
look like a fastball but it
arrives to the plate much
slower. The changeup’s
reduced speed coupled
with its deceptive delivery
is meant to confuse the
batter’s timing.
The slider breaks down
and away from a RHH. A
mix between a fastball
and a curveball, the slider
has a smaller break with
a tighter spin. This tighter
spin can produce the look
of a small dot in middle of
the baseball as it’s coming
toward you.
The palmball is a type of
changeup pitch. This pitch
is slower than a fastball
but thrown with the same
arm motion. This takes
some of the velocity off
the pitch, intending to
make the batter swing
before the ball reaches
the plate.
FASTBALL
splitter changeup
cutter
screwball palmball
slidercurveball

18. 34 35