Hurricanes put focus on getting players to college
Organization winning off field by helping players earn scholarships
The Houston Hurricanes have had many games rained out over the years, some even in the first inning, but that didn’t stop the organization from accomplishing their main goal – finding college scholarships for players of all abilities. President Aaron Puffer never stops working the phone, rain or shine.
“That’s what we sell to our kids: We’ll get you into college,” Puffer said. “I don’t know if we’re going to beat the (Houston) Banditos whenwe play them, but we’re going to get you into college, and that’s all you have to worry about.
“And a lot of our kids are average. Some of them are varsity starters, some are backup players, some didn’t make the team, but they all get their opportunity here.”
The key is Puffer’s contacts with coaches in the industry, and their proactive approach to finding homes for their players.
Texas, like Florida and California, is saturated
with baseball talent, so many players won’t receive an opportunity to play here in college, but if they’re willing to adjust their expectations, play for a smaller school or go out of state, their stock goes up and Puffer says he can find them ahome.
“You don’t have to be an outstanding ball player,” he said.
“You just have to be willing to work hard and try, and we can find that school for you.”
The Hurricanes have prospects, too.
The Black team, which is headed to a memorial tournament in Oklahoma City this weekend, includes incoming Oak Ridge senior Alex Wixson, a 6-3, 220-pound lefthanded pitcher who can hit, too.
“He’s a good hitter and he also pitches, and it’s his junior year, and now he’s starting to show arm strength, so he’s all of a sudden become a guy who, with a little more arm strength, is probably one of our top prospects,” Puffer said.
The Black roster also includes Klein Oak players Chad Boudreaux and Parker Stroman, and recently graduated Tomball Memorial outfielder Anthony Salazar.
Boudreaux, who was on the Panthers’ junior varsity team this year, is a lefthanded pitcher.
“He’s one of our best pitchers,” Puffer said of the incoming senior. “He’s a lefty, pitcher-only pros- pect, and he’s a control guy. He doesn’t overpower but mixes it up and keeps guys-off-balance.”
Stroman, another JV Panthers player who will be a junior, is an up-andcoming talent.
“He’s only a sophomore buthe’s probably our most advanced hitter, and he’s a big dude, too, and he’s a catcher,” Puffer said.
Salazar is one of the rare players Puffer took in late. Typically, the Hurricanes prefer to find their players early, develop them for three of four years, and then find the perfect fit for them in college.
“Our organization is more about getting scholarships for kids, so it’s not in our best interest to bring in guys who are already graduating,” Puffer said. “To bring kids in this late to the program, when our goal isn’t just to play base- ball this summer, it’s to get you into college, I can’t handle too many late guys like that.”
That’s because it takes a lot of work to find the right fit.
The Hurricanes aren’t really about wins and losses. They don’t hold tryouts and cut players. They’re about finding players scholarships.
“We’re the best alright, but we’re the best at what matters,” Puffer said.
“We’re the best at teaching the kids to play at the next level, and what they’re expected to do. We’re the best at motivating the kids to train. We’re the best at making sure they get their academics in order for college. We’re the best at making the parents be realistic about how good their kid is or isn’t.
“And we’re the best at having contacts in the college industry.”