Who We Are
If you are looking to grow in your baseball skills and as a person, this is one of the best opportunities you will ever have.
The Niagara Power, named for the Power that is made evident when admiring Niagara Falls, is an expansion team in the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) and is an Affiliate of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a national, faith-based ministry. FCA partnered with Cal Kern (Grand Island, NY) and the city of Niagara Falls to establish the Niagara Power in 2007.
Skill Development
FCA Baseball offers individual practice sessions in which players are given instruction and time to develop various aspects of their game.
Competition
The Niagara Power plays a forty game schedule that includes competing in the NYCBL, one of the best summer wood bat leagues in the country, as well as other collegiate teams in the U.S.
Character Development
Players have the opportunity to hear from FCA Chaplains, area pastors and sports ministry directors throughout the summer on issues like: "How to Make it to the Next Level" and "The Importance of Living a Life of Character on and off the Field."
Spiritual Development
FCA emphasizes the development of the whole player: body, mind and spirit. The Power conduct regular team bible studies that focus on growing closer to God and how to instill Christian principles into their baseball careers. Power players are also challenged to become positive role models and to share about their faith in Christ throughout the summer through various youth camps, clinics and community service projects.
Being a Team Player for Life
We firmly believe that after a summer with FCA Baseball players will report back to their collegiate programs trained to be better ball players and leaders on their teams, their campuses, and in whatever they do after college.
The Power strongly believes in being active in the community and participating in many service opportunities. We have established our program to be an instrument to give back to our neighborhoods and region.
"There are times in baseball when it seems like nothing goes right. You drop a fly ball, you strike out, you ground into a double play, your team gives up a bunch of runs...None of those are very encouraging, and people often get mad and throw fits when they happen. You see this in the pros all the time. Managers especially can throw some of the biggest fits if an umpire doesn't make the call that they want. You would think that adults would know better!"
Athletes and coaches often think that winning is everything. Truthfully, though, it is not. A person's attitude - in both wins and losses - helps determine true winners and losers.
Courage: "Lord, make them strong and courageous, confident that You will go before them and give them victory..." - Deuteronomy 20: 3-4
- FCA Baseball Homepage Reference
Testimonials
"God has ripped me open and broken my heart in so many ways this summer, and most of that is because ya'll gave me, and all the other players, the opportunity to come to New York and chase a dream. This was an experience I'll never forget! Thank you so much for pouring into my life."
Derek Glenn, Second Baseman, 2010 Season
"I feel like the competition helped me work harder. It gave me a new understanding of the level of competition it's going to take to keep playing after college. Also, I feel like it grew me as a player because it helped me mature as a pitcher...I felt like the program did help all of us grow in our abilities greatly. The only way to do more would be for us to work harder. The program helps greatly as long as we do what we are supposed to do."
Brent Kirkley, Pitcher, 2010 Season
"I've never been on a team that has bonded like this team. The many friendships I've made this summer will last a lifetime...I absolutely grew as a player. I am seeing the ball better than ever and I got experience with a wood bat."
Ben Farleigh, Outfielder, 2010 Season
"I want to thank you guys so much for all the sacrifices, time, and money you have invested into making the Niagara Power possible. It was an awesome season with baseball, new friends, and most importantly my Lord and Saviour. Thank you for serving the Kingdom the way that you do and giving guys like me the opportunity to have that amazing experience! You are incredible ambassadors for Christ and I admire your loyalty to Him."
-A.J. Roller, Second Baseman, 2009 Season
" The experience this summer was outstanding. The Christian role models, we were daily around, were awesome."
-Shelby Robertson, RH Pitcher, 2009 Season
"Where do I begin? You have had such an impact upon our summer programming at Urban Christian Ministries! The young men did such a great job with our children during the baseball clinic at the stadium....The baseball game in Niagara Falls was a very special evening for all of us."
- Marilyn Law (2009), Urban Christian Ministries, Buffalo, NY
"First of all, I want to thank you for the opportunity to play another summer in Niagara Falls for the Power. It was an unbelievable experience for me both years. The main reason I am writing is to hopefully express to you my gratitude and thank you for all you have shown me over the past two summers...The Lord has been so good to me by putting people like you in my life to help me learn in such a vital stage of my life."
- Drew Hollinghead, RH Pitcher, 2007 & 2008 Season
"Can't thank you enough for taking your time, devoting it to so many people you don't know. I admire that greatly. Thank you for taking care of my son and the other guys that were sent to you this summer. Some have had their lives changed through your ministry. Some may have missed the message temporarily. All have benefited from the examples shown and the love shared by you, your family, and the Power staff.
God only knows what kind of impact has been made on these guys. We have witnessed the beginning of new life and further growth in others. As we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses I imagine they are all on their feet as the season comes to a close, thanking you for all the dedication and work put into the entire summer. We are indebted to you. Matt will be able to draw from this experience for the rest of his life and will no doubt influence others in much the same way."
-Rex Schimpf, father of Matt Schimpf (RH Pitcher - 2009 Season)
"Thanks so much for all the care and great coaching Chris has received these past 2 years. He's improved as a pitcher and gained confidence, but more important his spiritual growth has helped him.'"
-Ellie Hackett, mother of Chris Hackett (LH Pitcher - 2008 & 2009 Season)
