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Scout Day Spotlight: Cincinnati Patriots

CINCINNATI - Getting players to the next level has become a point of emphasis for the Cincinnati Patriots.

“That is the difference now,” explained John Ritter, the head coach of the Patriots’ 16U national team. “It’s what we’re trying to promote. From a community base to those wanting to play at the next level, we’re trying to find a way to get them there.

“Part of my mission now is to build that structure,” added Ritter, now in his sixth season with the organization. “I know we have kids here now that will be at that level.”

Ritter is hoping the upcoming PBR Scout Day on Feb. 16 helps provide exposure to those that have the desire to play college baseball.

“We’ve not done it in the past,” Ritter said of participating in the event for the first time. “As the kids get older, I’m trying to push in place and set a map for the younger ones on what they need to do to play at the next level.

“I reached out to PBR and said it’s something from an organizational standpoint that we’d like to do. I don’t have any real expectations other than telling the kids to just go and experience it. Once we experience it the first time it will give us a better understanding.”

The organization unofficially formed in 2005 as the Tealtown Patriots. Four leadership changes later Brian Gillespie became president in July of 2012.

“We had two different Anderson Township Little League All-Star teams and we took those two teams in at one time,” Ritter reflected. “They all went to the same middle school together.”

That has since changed.

“Now we get kids from all over the city,” Ritter said. “It’s been a fun ride.”

Since 2012 the number of teams has grown at a rapid pace, going from seven teams in ‘12 to as many as 17 in 2017. There are currently 16 teams set to play in 2019.

“As we’ve gotten more name recognition and people have seen the older teams’ success winning tournaments, it makes it easy for the younger teams to say this is something great to affiliate with,” Ritter said. “When my 16-year-old team walks by the 10-year-olds playing, we encourage them to watch. For the 10-year-olds, these older guys are their heros. It’s great to see the camaraderie between them.”

The goal of the Patriots involves betterment for the future of those involved.

“Our mission is to provide Cincinnati area youth the opportunity to learn and play baseball in a fun and positive environment,” Ritter explained. “The club’s focus is giving youth a chance to develop fundamentally sound baseball skills and knowledge of the game.

“We’re trying to provide an alternative for kids that want to play at a higher level,” Ritter continued. “The east side has been dominated by kids that want to play at a more competitive level and the Patriots is perfect for that. We’re trying to push to get kids’ names out there. I know we have kids that can play at the next level.”

Ritter points to Gillespie as a big part of helping make things happen in the organization.

“One person to credit is Brian Gillespie,” Ritter noted about the success and growth of the Patriots. “He has three kids playing and is involved with teams in multiple age groups. He’s one of those guys that gets it, that there is a Patriot way. And it’s not just on the field, it’s how you handle the fans and how you handle the players. You win with class and you lose with class.”

Ritter believes there is no need to go all over the country to find the right competition.

“Cincinnati is a rich area for baseball,” Ritter said. “A lot of the teams I see travel within a three or four hour area to places like Indianapolis, Kentucky, Columbus and Fort Wayne for college events. Most of the Patriot teams travel two to four hours from the Cincinnati hub to play. You can get all the baseball you want to play right around here.”