Baseball in L is down from recent years (anyone arguing otherwise I am willing to debate). Who are the favorites this year?

i think it goes in cycles, we may be in the down side of it.keene is usually tough, londonderry as well,rochester has some kids that have played together for a few years. they should mix it up. nushua south is always a contender.you can't count salem out. alvirne is a bulldog school. then you've got the manchester schools, you never know how they'll fair.hampton, pinkerton ,timberland? i'm not really sure who is the front runner.what are your thoughts coach?

In my final year as a class L parent, I'd have to agree that its not as strong as its been in the past, but I think we'll see the usual contenders: Nashua South, Man West and Central, Salem, Keene, Londonderry, and possibly Concord. Alvirne has some pretty talented players, so they may be in the mix. For what its worth, Nashua, Keene, and Londonderry all fielded pretty tough fall ball teams in the wood bat league. Not sure how many of those guys will play high school ball, though.

Since son will be rounding out his high school career at Hollis-Brookline, next year, we'll be keeping an eye on class I.

20dad: I think you are right on. The level of teams is a bit down, but the "elite" would be the three you mentioned: Keene, Londonderry, Spaulding. I would also put BG up there. They lost Jimmy Wood (the better of the two) but Taylor is legit. Keene can always hit and they live for ball over there. Londonderry has one of the deepest staffs in L, Spaulding has two quality pitchers and some hitters.
A team I think will surprise could be Concord. They were very young last year and showed some real promise at the end of the year. All in all, I don't know if there is a "front-runner" this season- just a lot of parity.

that's not a bad thing.i'd rather have a game than a 10 runna.

I agree that lately class L baseball hasn't been as competitive as it used to be. I think this is simply to do with commitment from players. I hear more and more each year from kids that I play with that they don't want the commitment. They come into seasons out of shape and in the summer don't want to play legion ball and rather play senior babe were there's less of a commitment. I am not knocking senior Babe Ruth in any way. I am just saying that if more kids were committed to their athletics than going out every weekend, maybe we could start producing more stand outs and creating a more competitive atmosphere durring the high school season. There are kids that I play with on my travel team during the summer that have great competitive leagues they play in during high school and I hear about all theses "studs" they face. To me imo high school feels like simply getting ready for summer ball with some ok games allong the way. There are some great players in the state, I just wish the commitment would come along so instead of some there could be many. Higher level of play, builds higher level ball players.

good point nh,why do you think they don't want to commit? are these kids talented? or lazy? i see kids that think they work out all winter who are really just going through the motions. and come into spring not quite as in shape as they should be. i see other kids squander their talent for work or partying.that is a shame. high schools only a small part of a persons life, but you don't get a do over with it. you'll never get back the feeling of representing your community, some will play in college and represent their school. but never your home town again. good luck in your season. and congrats on making the 08 prospect list. thats huge.

KmomNH & NHSlinger,

Welcome the wonderful topsy turvy world of Class I baseball !

The same to you 20dad, I hope to see you at least twice as know we play Portsmouth twice in May.

I looked for you at our basketball games with Portsmouth this year, but missed you.

No pressure on the baseball team huh? Both football and basketball got to the title games this year. How are the expectations running in Clippertown for baseball ?

We will be a little bit behind as son is walking around with a cast on the pitching hand. He cracked a bone in the 1st half of the tournament game with Hollis-Brookline at UNH a couple of weeks ago.

He should be ready to play in the field by opening day, but I'm not sure how his bat will be.

Slinger....You will probably get to see a few of the old teammates from the Grizzlie days I know a couple of them play at Merrimack Valley.

Well, Enjoy our fun New Englad weather folks....70 yesterday....snow tomorrow!

I think that HS baseball goes in cycles---a number of years with a great abundance of talent and then a few with lesser talent---it is the same in every state

The programs that seem to stay steadier than most are the programs in towns with good solid youth/feeder programs


And you had to mention the snow for tomorrow--I finally got to see the lawn today---they say 6 inches tomorrow

nhdad
your son has two great sports that can carry him away's. i saw him when you played here.wow. that kid is getting tall, and really dominates the middle. and being a lefty that can pitch.i'm hopeing his hand isn't better till after we play him. lol.
the mark is set pretty high at phs. my son is away so he won't be playing this season, but i'll still be there to root them on. we have a pretty good team and should do ok. there are some very good athletes in class I, so i'm sure it will be a difficult but fun season.
since chris is still rehabing his elbow and will be here, the coach has asked him to help out with the team. so that will be interesting. it should be a fun year for the team and as we know anything can happen. i'm just looking forward to it starting,just put my plow on and that's never a good sign in mid march. good to here from you i'll see you at the games i'm sure. good luck

20dad,

We could use your plow up here, last time the city plowed my street, they clipped my mailbox!

I have had to reshape the mound for STA each of the past two years, so i am hoping the weather gives me a chance to get it fixed before the season starts up.

Our family is pulling for both your boys to overcome the obstacles they face.

Look forward to seeing you as the grass turns to green!

Just over halfway through the season and no real surprises in Class L.


Salem 11-1
Spaulding 10-2
Keene 9-3
Manchester Memorial 8-3
Londonderry 7-3
Merrimack 8-4
Pinkerton 8-4
Nashua North 7-4
Bishop Guertin 7-5
Winnacunnet 6-5
Goffstown 6-6
Nashua South 5-7
Trinity 5-7
Alvirne 4-7
Concord 3-7
Exeter 3-7
Timberlane 3-9
Dover 3-10
Manchester Central 2-9
Manchester West 1-11

Personally, I would have expected to see Concord higher on the list, and I'm kind of surprised by Man West. Nashua North and South are doing well despite having lost key players this year. Both teams have some really talented 09's on their rosters. Keep an eye, long term, on North LHP Pat Lucas, and South pitcher Bill Feehan.

KmomNH,

LOL.....your going to be in Class I next year....

forget L......