SPAIN – RFEBS and Atlanta Braves team up to open Academy for Spanish Prospects in Tenerife Coaches from Atlanta and Spain put their experience at the service of the most talented Spanish junior players.

The Spanish federation was represented at the occasion by Mr. Luis Meleros, General Secretary, and Juan Carlos Cerdá, head of the High Competition Department, joined by Mr. Gerardo Orozco, President of the Canary Federation while Mr. Jose Martinez, Assistant to the General Manager of the Atlanta Braves and in charge of Player Development, represented the National League franchise. He was backed by Johnny Almaraz, Director of International Scouting and Operations of the Braves and their Minor League Batting Instructor, José Tartabull.

It was a very happy occasion for Nestor Perez Sr., the man who had the vision and pursued the project of the academy in his present hometown Tenerife. National Team shortstop and player/manager of the spanish champion team from the island, Nestor Perez Jr., was appointed as the Director of the Academy. Their mission is to develop the eighteen selected joung players and take them to the next level. For the Spanish Federation the aim is to broaden the base for their national squads in the near future, while the Atlanta Braves are always at the frontline in international scouting and are compromised to developping prospects and not only to “harvest” on other’s efforts.

The Workout Begins

After the official picture was taken, the training started immediately with much enthusiasm from everyone involved under the supervision of the Atlanta Braves coaches who brought as their luggage almost a century and a half of experience in professional baseball. After an exhaustive warm up and stretching supervised by the physiotherapist Antonio de Paz, the players were grouped by their position and commenced activities dedicated to their specialties. Jose Martinez and Nestor Perez Jr. transmitted their experience to the infielders, Jose Tartabull took care of the outfielders, Nestor Perez Sr. looked after the catchers and Johnny Almaraz worked with the pitchers. And before long during the favourite exercise for all players, the batting practice, the air of the stadium of Puerto de la Cruz was vibrating to the sound of the bats smacking at the balls.

The Response Of The Athletes Was Fantastic

The emotion of all the participants was evident and everyone gave his one hundred percent of effort to get the most out of the experience. This ingredient motivates the coaches to give their best, too and this way, the success of the academy is almost guaranteed.

Hard Work For The Whole Week

The Academy will keep everyone busy during the carnival week with training sessions in the morning and the afternoon. As the final event of this first leg, a game is scheduled between the academy players and the Tenerife Marlins, the defending Spanish senior Champion club. The next phase of the academy will be staged in July and the final portion of this first season will take place in December. The climate of Tenerife makes it possible to work out on the field during what in other parts would be the cold season.

Tags: Spain