Travel Baseball Teams in Rhode Island

MLB Players from Rhode Island

In 2014, Rhode Island’s Dan Wheeler announced his retirement from professional baseball, ending a career that began in the 1990s. Rhode Island still has three active major league players: Jeff Beliveau, Chris Iannetta, and Paul Konerko.

Jeff Beliveau

Pitcher Jeff Beliveau was born in 1987 in Johnston, Rhode Island. He started Rhode Island Baseball Institute at age seven (http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp).

Beliveau played AAU travel ball during his growing up years. He also pitched for the very successful Bishop Hendricken High School team. He was All-State three years and eventually won Gatorade High School Player of the Year. His team won three state championships during his time there.

Then it was on to the College of Charleston. Beliveau later transferred to Florida Atlantic. He was selected in the 18th round of the 2008 draft at age 21. The Arizona Cubs and Boise Hawks were among his minor league stints. His major league debut came in 2012 when he was 25.

Chris Iannetta

Catcher Chris Iannetta was born in 1983 in Providence. He played at St. Raphael Academy. He worked out for major league teams, but went undrafted as a teenager; part of the reason was that he had signed a letter of intent to play college ball.

Iannetta played for the University of North Carolina. He also played summer ball in the New England Collegiate League and the Cape Cod League. He was a 4th round draft pick in 2004 at age 21. The Tulsa Drillers and Colorado Springs Sky Sox were among his minor league teams. His debut in the majors came in 2006 when he was 23.

Iannetta was on Team USA in 2009. 2014 finds him working out at the Rhode Island Baseball Institute – still working hard to stay in the game!

Paul Konerko

Paul Konerko was born in 1976, also in Providence. He began his ball career in T-Ball. He spent some time in Norwich Little League (http://www.norwichbulletin.com/x793338081/Konerko-reflects-on-roots?rssfeed=true).

As catcher at Chaparral High School, Konerko was a record setter. One of his honors was being selected Arizona Republic/Phoenix Gazette Player of the Year. Another came years later: an induction into the Hall of Fame.

Konerko was a first round draft pick in 1994 when he was only 18. He began his minor league career with the Yakima Bears. The San Bernardino Spirit, San Antonio Missions, and Albuquerque Dukes were steps along the way.

Konerko made his major league debut in 1997. He has made All-Star six times. He has been with the White Sox for fifteen years.

Tomorrow’s Ball Players

Konerko has powerful memories of his Little League days (http://www.norwichbulletin.com/x793338081/Konerko-reflects-on-roots?tag=1). Tomorrow's ball players are on the playing fields right now: having fun, building skills, learning lessons about success and failure. Many will carry their own fond memories to adulthood.

Likely, a few will work their way up to the majors. It will take talent. It will also take resolve. Iannetta has said, “The failures made me a better player. If I hadn’t experienced failure at certain times — like not being drafted in high school, not being invited back to the Cape League… I wouldn’t be where I am right now (http://providencericity.blogspot.com/2009/01/ris-chris-iannetta-is-earning-his-major.html).”

Schoolwork is important, even for those who devote themselves to sports. Having a mathematical mind can help a person analyze baseball. “You learn how to think a little bit,” Iannetta says, “You learn how to process a bunch of variables and come up with a plan (http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/angels/post/_/id/4615/chris-iannetta-already-knows-the-angles).”

He offers one more glimpse into a winning mindset: "I love what I'm doing and still strive to be the best that I can (http://www.pawtuckettimes.com/content/sra-alumnus-la-angels-catcher-iannetta-reflects-pro-baseball-ride-date).”

Travel Baseball Teams in Rhode Island

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