Who plays Pathway Baseball? Richmond Braves
 
Ahead of the 2022 Pathway Baseball schedule, we are visiting with some of the programs that have suited up for previous Pathway events and have made an impact in a variety of ways, helping players reach their potential in the sport.
 
Next up is the Richmond Braves, rich with a high-achieving history dating back to the 1990s. Founded by Tommy Mayers and Jeff Roberts (both with a pair of sons that excelled in the game), the Braves now have about 35 teams in Virginia and are a regular presence in the winner's circle of events.
 
The 17u Platinum squad, coached by Eric Mayers, took first place in the 2021 Pathway Richmond event, on the way to finishing 40-6-1 on the season. We visited with Eric, who expects the Braves will be on hand in 2022 for the Pathway East Championships in Charlotte, NC., July 25-31.
 
Q: What's the fundamental theme that drives the Richmond Braves?
 
A: The main principle we've stuck with is class. My dad Tommy loves working with players, helping them get drafted or into colleges, but he gets a lot of joy from our (reputation). We were playing down in Florida, an umpire had come to watch a game on his own time, and he was talking to the plate ump and talking about our team. He said, that is a heck of a group. The players are good, they go about the game the right way, a classy organization. We're a bunt-and-steal group, can play bunt defense, and we've always preached clean, well-taught and well-coached and disciplined baseball. To expand, you've got to keep the good high-quality coaching staff. You have to make sure you are working with the right people, and we haven't found the right group for moving into other states.
 
Q: What has it been like being one of the early club settings and then watching competitors come after you?
 
A: If you look at just Virginia, you've also got the Canes – 10-12 teams per age group all the way down to youth ball. They've gone for volume, but they put together a really good top team. The Stars have great top teams also. It's created impressive competition, and around the same vicinity, go to North Carolina and there's the South Charlotte Panthers, another powerhouse organization. There's plenty of good competition out here in the East. One tough thing is … sure, every kid should play ball, and I want the sport to grow. But it would be nice to have tournaments where the talent is not so diluted – a tournament with 350 teams, those all don't have the top players in the country. Now, not every team needs to have the top players, but I like the ones that are closer to 40 teams, 100 teams, it depends on what you're trying to do.
 
Q: How do players create a good fit with the program?
 
A: Every Braves player goes through a workout, basically a tryout. We used to do huge tryouts, now we keep it to 30-40 kids and hold them more often. When we meet up with the guys, we say welcome, and the first thing we dive into is we've had a lot of great players come through, and a lot of great players that don't end up doing anything – why do you think that is? It's because of grades. Academics are huge. You can't take a kid who has a bad attitude. As soon as you see it, you move on from that. And of course you can have a great kid who has a horrible parent … loses composure at games, cussing out coaches or umpires. After a couple of those moments, that's a reputation we don't want.
 
Q: How has Pathway Baseball been useful for you and your families?
 
A: The facilities have always been great when in Richmond. At Pathway, I love the amount of games you can play. We had a number of pool play games, then after reseeding more game, then into the playoffs. There was a lot of good ball; we got to play a team from Colorado. Overall with Pathway the personal conversation is great; I'm on the phone with those guys. I saw a good-sized event, with a personal touch, a lot of games and at really good facilities.