Southern Maine River Rats

09/14/2026

Coach Whitty is now available for private lessons at Hitters Count!

‼️ New Instructor ‼️

Jeff Whitty brings an extensive playing and coaching background to Hitters Count as a private lesson and clinic instructor.

Jeff was a four-year starter at the University of New Hampshire, playing every game at shortstop during his freshman and sophomore seasons before transitioning to center field for his junior and senior years. A versatile two-way player, Jeff also served as a short reliever throughout his four-year collegiate career and earned Division I All-Star honors during both his junior and senior seasons.

Jeff continued his playing career in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League with Harwich, starting throughout the season primarily in center field while also seeing time in the middle infield.

His coaching experience spans decades and includes working with athletes through the Glen Tufts Play Ball Camp, coaching at the Ted Williams Baseball Camp in Lakeville, Massachusetts, where he had the unique opportunity to work alongside Ted Williams, and more than 15 years coaching youth sports in Raynham, Massachusetts.

Most recently, Jeff has been part of the SM River Rats coaching staff, including serving as a head coach in the Perfect Game New England League.

Jeff will work with Hitters Count athletes through private baseball lessons and instructional clinics, bringing decades of playing, coaching, and teaching experience to our players.

09/13/2026

⚡ **THE POWER OF 7!** ⚡

We are officially down to the **FINAL 7 DAYS** of our SM River Rats **Fundraising for Fees!**

🎯 **THE GOAL: Every SMRR player sells at least 7 raffles!**

With approximately **225 players**, if everyone sells just 7 raffles, we would raise more than **$31,000** to help us continue providing great facilities, equipment, coaching and winter training for our players.

And remember — this is **Fundraising for Fees!** After your first 7 raffles, families **KEEP $10 from every additional raffle sold** to use toward tuition, uniforms, apparel, baseball expenses — or anything else you want!

🏆 **Player Prizes**
30 Sold → Custom SMRR Hoodie
60 Sold → Oakleys OR 2 Bruce Bolt items
100 Sold → 44 Pro Glove/Bat OR $250 Cash/Tuition
150 Sold → 44 Pro Glove + Bat, HOH/A2000 OR $400 Cash/Tuition

🔥 **BONUS:** Every player who sells at least 7 is entered to win **50% OFF 2028 SMRR TUITION!**

🚨 **Drawing: September 21st**
All raffles and money owed to SMRR must be turned in by then!

**7 days. 7 raffles. Let's see the POWER OF 7! ⚾💰**

QR code it in the comments along with a link with more information on our Raffle.

09/12/2026

# # ⚾ NEW FOR 2027 — YOUR TEAM. YOUR LOOK.

We’re changing things up this season!

For the first time, **each SM River Rats team will be able to choose its own uniform package for the 2027 season!** 🔥

We’ve put together **three completely different looks:**

**🩵 PACKAGE 1 — Baby Blue • Pink • Yellow • White**
Home: White
Away: Baby Blue
*Definitely our boldest new look!*

**🌲 PACKAGE 2 — Forest Green • Vegas Gold • White**
Home: White
Away: Forest Green
*A completely different look for the Rats — and one we think is going to look awesome on the field.*

**🐀 PACKAGE 3 — TRADITIONAL RIVER RATS**
Black • Charcoal • Red • White
Teams will **choose 2 of the 4 traditional game tops.**

Each package keeps things simple with **only ONE game hat required.**

And we’re not stopping with the uniforms...

Our **SMRR SWAG Store is getting an upgrade too!** Each uniform package will have a **brand-new SWAG section featuring gear designed around those colors.** Hoodies, shirts, hats and more so players and families can match their team’s look.

**Same River Rats tradition. More choices. Some pretty 🔥 new looks.**

Which package are you taking?

**1️⃣ Baby Blue/Pink/Yellow**
**2️⃣ Forest Green/Vegas Gold**
**3️⃣ Traditional Rats**

🐀⚾ **Let us know in the comments!**

09/09/2026

⚾ HEAD COACH WANTED — SM RIVER RATS

The Southern Maine River Rats are looking for a qualified and dependable Head Coach for one of our 9U–12U teams.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has baseball playing and/or coaching experience
• Communicates well with players, families, and staff
• Creates a positive, competitive, and developmental environment
• Is organized, reliable, and committed to helping young athletes improve
• Shares our emphasis on fundamentals, effort, accountability, and sportsmanship

Our coaches receive support through structured communication, organized practice resources, and a Coaching Series of meetings designed to align our staff on philosophy, player development, and drills.

Join an established organization with 14 years of proven success, quality facilities, year-round training opportunities, and a strong commitment to developing both players and coaches.

Interested candidates should contact Jason Lariviere at [email protected] with a brief overview of their playing and coaching background.

Please share with anyone who may be a great fit!

09/09/2026

Way to go Colin!! 💪

Congratulations to Colin Chester on his commitment to Wentworth Institute of Technology!

At 6’5”, 240 lbs, Colin has worked tirelessly over the years to develop into a tough matchup on the mound. He’s developed some nasty stuff from a sidearm slot, with his fastball now sitting in the low-to-mid 80s.

More importantly, Colin has been a great teammate and an absolute pleasure to coach. He’s earned this opportunity through a lot of hard work and commitment to getting better.

Congratulations, Colin! Wentworth is getting a good one. 🌲⚾️

09/08/2026

🚨 **LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!** 🚨

The **Pine State Prospects Fall Development Series** kicks off **THIS SUNDAY**, and we’re starting it off with a great one!

⚾ **Week 1: University of Southern Maine**
🏟️ **Ed Flaherty Field**
🎓 Training with the **USM Baseball coaching staff**

Our **6-week Fall Development Series** is designed for players **13U–18U** who want to keep working, developing and getting quality reps throughout the fall.

🔥 High-level instruction
⚾ Hitting, fielding, throwing & position-specific work
🏫 College-hosted training opportunities
💪 **TRAIN. DEVELOP. GET BETTER.**

**There’s still time to get in — but this is your LAST CHANCE!**

🌲 **PINE STATE PROSPECTS**
📅 **Starts this Sunday!**

👉 Register today:
Link in the Comments Section

09/08/2026

From our Sponsor S**o Bay Physical Therapy!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc6IFjDATAg/?stkn=OTQ2Ym8xcXhrYW1w

08/27/2026

⚾🥎 BUILD THE FOUNDATION THIS WINTER!

Registration is filling up for our 2027 SM KITS Baseball & Little Monarchs Softball Programs!

🔥 SM KITS Minor (5–7): 50% FULL
🚨 SM KITS Major (8–10): 70% FULL
🥎 Little Monarchs (6–10): 25% FULL

Each program features 18–20 indoor practices from November through early April, with top instructors focused on fundamentals, confidence, development and FUN!

These are grassroots programs built to teach young athletes the game the right way in a positive, high-energy environment.

✅ No Tryouts
✅ Limited Roster Sizes
✅ Baseball & Softball
✅ Tons of Repetitions & Instruction

Spots are limited — register today! ⚾🥎
See Link in Comments

08/24/2026

⚾🐀 2027 SM KITS — OPEN ENROLLMENT! 🐀⚾

Back for our 4th year! SM KITS has SOLD OUT every year, and this year we're introducing a NEW two-division format!

⚾ Minor League | Ages 5–7
⚾ Major League | Ages 8–10

🚨 ONLY 15 SPOTS PER DIVISION!
NO TRYOUTS — register and you're in while spots remain!

High-energy, age-appropriate instruction focused on hitting, throwing, fielding, athletic development, confidence and FUN!

Training begins November 2026 and is led by longtime SM River Rats coach Gary Pleau and our SMRR/Hitters Count staff.

🔥 Every year this program fills up — don't wait!

👇 Full Details & Registration in the Comments