Since there is just a little bit of traffic on the NLL thread what, if any, input does anyone have on how things will shake up in NW ohio this spring?

The city league will have a slightly different look this year with new coaches at Waite, Clay and Start. Favorites would probably be the catholic schools and Clay this year, not sure how things will end up at Start.

The NLL will be loaded IMO, probably a little more top heavy than the city league. Soutvhiew brings back the league POY and top pitcher. AW, Perrysburg, BG, and Maumee will all be tough, no gimme games really.

The SLL will be tough as well. Eastwood, Elmwood, Genoa and Lake all have a shot to win it IMO. Genoa has probably one of the best 1-2 pitching combos in the area with Wendt and Bassit. Elmwood has a few players as well that will more than likely be DI, Lake brings back a ton of pitching from a team that went to district finals a year ago and Eastwood has one of the best power hitters in the area and a new coach who could shake things up.

The TAAC should also be competitive as well. Ottawa Hills and Toledo Christian have had a hold on things but I see Northwood getting on pace with them and making this league a little more balanced. Gibsonburg coming in, in a couple years could help things as they have put out teams that could compete in the taac.

What does the NWOAL have to offer this year other than Patrick Henry?

I know this season Maumee has scheduled Clay, St. Francis, St, Johns, Whitmer, Start and Bowsher from the city league. So except for Central just about all the top teams.

Then they scheduled both Ottawa Hills and Toledo Christian from the TAAC.

So overall they may have one of the toughest schedules in Northwest Ohio. With no rogers, or waite this season. The only dropoff would be that Patrick Henry chose not to shcedule Maumee this season after going 1-3 over the last 2 years.

Arlington will be the team to beat in the BVC. They are loaded with pitching.

ttt

I think Whitmer baseball may suprise quite a few this year.

Well game 1 against Maumee could be very telling for both teams seasons then.

W8nC wrote: I think Whitmer baseball may suprise quite a few this year.

Whitmer should be good every year. They have more kids to choose from than the Catholics. I think they have underachieved since Rose left.

Seen on another post that Progressive field in Cleveland is hosting 5 or 6 games played between local teams. Why doesnt anyone put things like this together in NW Ohio. We have a former minor league field at the Lucas Co. Rec Center, which I know isnt a gem but the playing surface is very nice, and a top of the line minor league stadium downtown.

I know 5/3 will host a game for you but you have to sell so many tickets to Mud Hen home games or what not. But I believe that a 8-10 game slate at the Rec Center over a two day period would be great for Nw Ohio baseball. It could possibly be an avenue for scouts to attend multiple games in a day at a site, and could be great for exposure, and will give a chance to people to watch some of the local talent.

Should be quite a dog fight in the SLL.

lhs im guessing this doesnt happen due to costs. I know Maumee did rent out ned skelton in the past but now that they are spending money on improvements to their home field paying money to play at the ned didnt make sence. But I agree that would be a great idea if teams could agree on dates, costs and what teams would play.

justthefacts-agreed, there are four legit contenders for the league, all with deep pitching staffs and solid returning offensive production. It's safe to say the champ could possibly have 3-4 league losses this season.

nllbest-I would bet if the right person or people put it together, it could happen. My idea would be for the second weekend of the season and there are so many matchups that would be nice draws crowd wise IMO, and just great matchups in general. The only problem I see, would be leaving very good programs out of the idea, there is a lot of quality baseball in NW Ohio and I think it is underestimated and often unnoticed.

lhs2ndbase wrote: Seen on another post that Progressive field in Cleveland is hosting 5 or 6 games played between local teams. Why doesnt anyone put things like this together in NW Ohio. We have a former minor league field at the Lucas Co. Rec Center, which I know isnt a gem but the playing surface is very nice, and a top of the line minor league stadium downtown.

I know 5/3 will host a game for you but you have to sell so many tickets to Mud Hen home games or what not. But I believe that a 8-10 game slate at the Rec Center over a two day period would be great for Nw Ohio baseball. It could possibly be an avenue for scouts to attend multiple games in a day at a site, and could be great for exposure, and will give a chance to people to watch some of the local talent.

Eastwood has 2 games scheduled at 5/3 Field this year. I don't know if its some kind of showcase or what the set up is, but they play Bryan and Anthony Wayne in a split double header on April 17th.

Hammerin'Hank wrote: Arlington will be the team to beat in the BVC. They are loaded with pitching.

Arlington should be the team to beat with their solid one-two starting pitchers and adequate three-four pitching depth. They will need timely hitting through out the batting order and consistent error free fielding to win the confereence outright.
Early season games @ Liberty-Benton, w Riverdale, and w Hopewell-Louden (DH) will be a good indicator of where the team is offensively and defensively.

Not necessarily in this order: Leipsic, Vanlue, Liberty-Benton, McComb, Arcadia will be in the mix as well.

lhs2ndbase wrote: Seen on another post that Progressive field in Cleveland is hosting 5 or 6 games played between local teams. Why doesnt anyone put things like this together in NW Ohio. We have a former minor league field at the Lucas Co. Rec Center, which I know isnt a gem but the playing surface is very nice, and a top of the line minor league stadium downtown.

I know 5/3 will host a game for you but you have to sell so many tickets to Mud Hen home games or what not. But I believe that a 8-10 game slate at the Rec Center over a two day period would be great for Nw Ohio baseball. It could possibly be an avenue for scouts to attend multiple games in a day at a site, and could be great for exposure, and will give a chance to people to watch some of the local talent.

Excellent idea. Seems as though the Mud Hens would benefit. Really great P.R. Your right in tune with NWO high school baseball.

Clay Rolf from Eastwood hit 3 home runs yesterday. There was a nice wind blowing out, but still, damn..

The rec center is now leased to Line Drive Sportz out of Michigan. They have really put a lot of work into the Ned and the other fields. They are spending a lot of $$$$ to upgrade the place. I know the Ned is available for rent...though I have no idea how much $$$$. It's obviously probably too late for this season, but I'm guessing it wouldn't be a lot of work to put something together like you've mentioned.

eagleman wrote: Clay Rolf from Eastwood hit 3 home runs yesterday. There was a nice wind blowing out, but still, damn..

I saw that he also threw a no hitter if I recall correctly? Not a bad start to the season.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100408/SPORTS12/100409773

Two more home runs today for Rolf including a walk off grand slam

Reid Rothenbuhler hit 3 HRs and drove in 7 for Elmwood friday.

anyone know when Toledo SJJ will be hosting the Jesuit Tournament this year??

Thats only because its 225 down the line at Elmwood

The sll should be damn good this year. Genoa has played some tough OOC games and won a few, Elmwood seems to be back to being Elmwood, Eastwood is scoring runs like crazy, Lake has won 6 straight after getting dialed up in the opener, Gibsonburg is beating people and has a good core of players, Otsego is beating people as well and has IMO one of the top freshman in the area not sure on how he is doing so far though. I cant imagine any team walking through the league this year.

I realize that Rolf is a stud but I would ask "Why are coaches pitching to him?"

He has some of the best numbers in the state.


VBall- SJJ hosts the Jesuit Tourney April 24 & 25 per their website.

^^thanks--hopefully the weather will be nice...