The Brother Martin Baseball Program has achieved consistent success over the last several years. The varsity team has been to the state playoffs for the last 13 consecutive years. In the immediate past, the team has reached the semifinals in Sulphur (2015), quarterfinals, and district championships. In 2014, the team scored a record for wins with 31. In 2013, the team compiled a 30 win and 6 loss season, which included an undefeated district record and a state quarterfinal appearance at Tulane’s Turchin Stadium. The 2013 season marked the first undefeated district title in school history. Former Head Coach Mark Wisniewski ‘81 also reached a milestone by earning his 300th victory as head coach of the Crusaders. The team won Catholic League titles in both 2008 and 2010 and finished tied for the title in 2009. In 2010, the team was the only metro area team to qualify for the State Baseball Tournament held at Tulane. Each year, the Crusaders host the WGNO Classic during the first week of the season, bringing some of the best in-state and out-of-state competition to New Orleans to play at the Baby Cakes’ Field, Kirsch – Rooney Stadium, and The Urban Youth Academy.
Baseball practice begins in early January for varsity and junior varsity teams and begins in late January/early February for the 8th and 9th-grade teams. All teams participate in a tryout process. Games start in mid-February and go through mid-April for all sub-varsity teams. The varsity season begins in early February and ends in early May. At the conclusion of each school season, the baseball program continues through the summer with a summer varsity baseball team. Brother Martin-based Acacia Financial, the program’s summer team, competes during the summer in several showcase tournaments in the region at various high school and college fields. The team has been fortunate to play at facilities at LSU, Tulane, and several others, exposing them to top rate facilities and collegiate coaches.
Along with Acacia Financial, Delta World Tire sponsors the Junior Varsity summer team. At the conclusion of the summer season, returning players (who are not involved in another sport at the time) will start a weightlifting and conditioning program that runs from mid-July until the beginning of the next season. Weightlifting and conditioning continue throughout the season for varsity and junior varsity players.
The Brother Martin Baseball program also participates in community service projects. For the last six years Brother Martin Baseball has hosted The Crusader Baseball Miracle League Weekend at E.A. Farley Field. The baseball program teams up with Children’s Hospital and hosts a day of various games and clinics for children with special needs. The event includes games, food, music, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the weekend help fund The Miracle League of Greater New Orleans.
