BB: LEC: Little East Conference

[ecfaninri]

ECSUalum....
Great assessment of ECSU.. However, you forgot to include Mevin Castillo, Tristen Hobbes, and most likely Jim Jags. Holowaty knows the importance of pitching - as do most coaches - but it seems like their rotation will be one of the best come league play and tournament time. What's the old addage... "you can't have enough pitching"? Without Giblair in the rotation last year, they found some arms to go a long way in the New York regional. Word is Musson will be a bid addition to the Warriors.
It should be interesting....

[ECSUalum]

ECSUalum....
Great assessment of ECSU.. However, you forgot to include Mevin Castillo, Tristen Hobbes, and most likely Jim Jags. Holowaty knows the importance of pitching - as do most coaches - but it seems like their rotation will be one of the best come league play and tournament time. What's the old addage... "you can't have enough pitching"? Without Giblair in the rotation last year, they found some arms to go a long way in the New York regional. Word is Musson will be a bid addition to the Warriors.
It should be interesting....

ecfaninri,

Thanks for your comments, however, I can take no credit for this assessment as I mearly cut and pasted it from the ECSU athletics - baseball web site.  Just wanted to get the latest info that I could find out to all on the LEC thread.

Mel is mentioned in the article, but you are right no mention of Tristin Hobbs who could be huge for the Warriors this year.

I looked up Musson's 2008 stats as a sophmore on the UCONN baseball web site, if I remember correctly  He is a 5-11,  230 lb righty from Wethersfield CT , had 2-0 record last year with the Huskies, pitched 22 innings, with decisions vs Yale and Villanova,  ERA in mid to low fives.  Looks to be able to throw some heat based on the number of SO's registered.

As you mentioned above, pitching quality and depth is all important , especially when post reg. season time rolls around.
Hopefully the boys can improve on thier 0.947 fielding this year, as I personally think that a 0.960-0.970 FP is where you need to be to have a solid chance at another walnut and bronze.

I look forward to watching them in Phoenix this year!!!!!

[EasternCtFan]

Agree with everything alum, especially the defense. Anyone have any insight to what the infield may look like, and i hear musson is a player. I also heard he can hit. I assume he won't hit for himself when hes pitching, with gilblair as the dh. I see the first base situation remaining the same as last yr with dewing/hobbes. Would be nice if hobbes could turn himslef into a corner outfielder. Musson 3b, Parke ss, Bass 2b. Mel of? or Parke ss/cf, Bass ss/cf Mel 2b? Just a thought

Anyone know Jags situation? If he graduated what does he have to do academically to play?

Southern Maine preseason #5? I only see this because of their two all-american returning players bc they dont have the pitching.

[ECSUalum]

Agree with everything alum, especially the defense. Anyone have any insight to what the infield may look like, and i hear musson is a player. I also heard he can hit. I assume he won't hit for himself when hes pitching, with gilblair as the dh. I see the first base situation remaining the same as last yr with dewing/hobbes. Would be nice if hobbes could turn himslef into a corner outfielder. Musson 3b, Parke ss, Bass 2b. Mel of? or Parke ss/cf, Bass ss/cf Mel 2b? Just a thought

Anyone know Jags situation? If he graduated what does he have to do academically to play?

Southern Maine preseason #5? I only see this because of their two all-american returning players bc they dont have the pitching.

EasternCtFan,

I had the same question  re Jags,  Earlier on this thread Mr Gilblair had commented that there was a possibility Jags would come back as a 5th year player.

Boy, if Jags is back, LOOK OUT !!!

[dgilblair]

Well it's 2009 and the season will be here before we know it. Shawn should be close to 100 percent by the start of the season which will be great considering he was about 65 all of last season.

I think the LEC will be a fight between USM and ECSU with USM being the pre-season #1 followed by ECSU and KSU.  SOme on this board think USM shouldn't be ranked so high, think they may not have the pitching.  I don't see it that way, I believe they will be strong on the mound and will pound the ball. KSU may be hurting a bit with pitching this year and I don't see them with a repeat performance of last year.

ECSUalum had a great point about the ECSU defense being a little on the error prone side and they will need to improve on that this year if Coach H wants title number five. 

With that said I think the fielding positions will have a different look.  This is only my opinion.  Coach H always gives kids a chance to prove themselves early in the season and by the time we get back from out West he pretty much knows what he has.  This is my best guess to start the season.

Catching will stay pat with Magliola.
First will be platooned with Hoobes, Dewing and maybe some Gilblair when Musson pitches.
Second will be Castillo.
Short will be Bass.
Third will be Musson and maybe Parke when Musson pitches.
Left will be Parke.
Center will be Cousineau.
Right will be Schult.


Besides Cousineau all these guys are pretty proven players.  Musson is new to the program and I only saw him play very little this past fall but I do think he will have a big impact on the team.  He swung the bat well and he looked great on the mound. The offense should be stronger than last year.  It has the potential to be a LOT stronger.

Pitching is the name of the game as far as I'm concerned.  Without lots of it you don't go very far at the end of the year.  You can survive and get lots of wins in the regular season especially in the South and West.  When it comes to the regionals and the championship you need a deep and seasoned bullpen to win most of the time.  I think Kean and Trinity the last two years are proof of that.  You really need seasoned and quality 7th, 8th and 9th inning guys.  To me they are as nearly as important as the starters if you want to win it all.

So I may sound like a homer but I asked Santa for Jags to come back this year.  To the best of my knowledge Santa is going to be good to me with a January Xmas present.  He isn't here yet but it sounds like he may be packing soon for a trip east.  My fingers are still crossed so we will see.  Needless to say what a huge plus that would be. Maybe a key factor in Coach H's pursuit of a record 5th National Championship.  Jags would just give Coach H many more options with the bullpen and rest for others throughout the season.
Now I'm by no means saying he can't reach that goal without Jags but it would make life easier. Besides I really like having Jags and his family around for the season.

Pitchers

We lost Esposito, Montanari and Newkirk who accounted for 42 appearances and 111 innings between them with a combined 6-5-1 record. Esposito being the biggest loss with a 6-2 record, 2.54 era and 60 IP.  Now, with the addition of Musson (if he pans out, like I think he will) a healthy Gilblair and some of last years and new faces playing bigger roles we should be good on the mound.

Fontaine - proved he can compete at this level and he had really good summer in the NECBL. 
Kukucka - same goes for him and I think he will be one of the guys that plays a bigger role this year.
Wojick - again, had a good summer in the NECBL think he is going to be stronger and more seasoned.
Dutton - should continue to be a lefty out of the pen and should improve as well.
Gilblair - hasn't pitched in nearly a year and may get off to a little bit of a slower than normal start but I don't think he forgot how to pitch.  It is the longest layoff he has had his whole life.  Very little in the spring of last year, no summer and no fall.  He hasn't done that since he was 11 years old. 
Musson - He did have some success on the D-1 level and I did like what I saw in the fall.  Should be a big plus.
Jagodzinski - We will know in a couple weeks for sure.
Tingley - coming off Tommy John missing last year.  If he is healthy he could be a weekday starter or a big time pen guy.
 
Who steps up as far as new faces who knows.  I did see a couple guys that looked like they had potential.  We should know by the time we return from Arizona about any of them.
One new face that could be a big addition is Nicols, (not sure of spelling) but he was big time at Avery Point, JUCO a year or two ago.  Not sure why he didn't play after that but word is he will be here this month also.  I think he was drafted out of high school and didn't go.  So we still have some ? marks but it does look like the stars may be aligning for another great season of baseball at ECSU.

[ECSUalum]

It is such a pleasure to have DGilblair to provide all of us the latest and greatest on the Warriors!!!!!

I am REALLY excited about ECSU BB this year and with Jags possibly back and a healthy Shawn, Mel, and , nock on wood, the rest of the team, without a jinks, we should start looking for reservations re Bradley to Milwaukee WI.

My only question would be if Shawn's rest from pitching over the last 12 or so months will help him down the road as we approach playoff time?  Makes sense that he will have to find his grove slowly re strike zone and velocity.  I fiqure he will still hit the leather of the ball, no question.

Mr Gilblair many thanks again for your insight into 2009 ECSU BB!!

[ecfaninri]

DGilblair......
It's January and its always great to hear insight on ECSU baseball. Now that we have changed the calendar to '09 we can begin to see things starting to shape up. Some 45 days away from when the excitement begins, but I have to agree that if Santa leaves that present for you in a couple of weeks, the pitching staff definitely gains experience, depth, and charisma. I, too, look at it from a selfish standpoint with Jags and his family.

I am sure all D3 programs have their share of "stories" to tell about their players and experiences. But there are not too many programs with the history of ECSU, good - bad - or indifferent. It's a winning program with
a coach who knows how to coach - whether you agree with him or not. I can understand why some people may not like him or the program.... he and they both WIN... not all the time, but most of the time. The parents for the most part are also some of the reason why they win. How? Because they look for a winning program, school, and coach for theiir son to be a part of. They take a chance that this is the last chance their son may play ball. For some, it marks the end of all those years of Little League, Babe Ruth, High School, Legion, Amateur ball teams. And for some, it may be the first time, they are letting someone else coach their son. ECSU is a good program.... I'm glad to have been exposed to it and with people like you and Jags dad.

I agree with most of your lineup. It is hard to predict now. But I like the fact they are trying to get some games in before New Jersey and Arizona. Virginia and Arizona will give Coach H approximately 10 games to look at the squad in good weather before coming back into League play. I don't agree with KSC and their pitching. I'm sure Coach Howe will come up with something to be ready for the LEC tournament. With the new format, everyone making the tournament, gives teams a chance not to cram in games to make the playoffs/tournament. I think by then they won't have as much pressure to get games in and can get rest for the tournament. USM is ranked #1 regionally and #5 nationally for a reason - pitching. That is why getting Jags and Tingley back will definitely help.

Last year, I think the pitching was pitching on fumes. I agree Kuckuka will be big this year. A healthy Shawn - even at 90% is a scary thought. Musson adds to the staff - another power arm. Fielding has to get better. The logjam at first base will have to play it's way out. Cousineau adds speed, along with Parke and Mel Castillo. Catching with Mags is more solidified after his season last year.

Newcomers.... time will tell. Who knows? With the new rule about D1 rosters being downsized, maybe their are some players crunched out by the numbers game and are forced to transfer. It can only help a program like ECSU and Coach H. That is why a program like this USM, KSC, get players. Ballplayers want to play.

Can't wait... I think we definitely have some good games to watch on Gilblair Hill this year. Let us know when Santa makes his final descent in Windham.

[dgilblair]

Thanks for the nice words there ECSUalum.  Sometimes I don't say much because of that JINXs stuff.  I will walk under a ladder, open an umbrella indoors, let that black cat go where ever it wants but when it comes to baseball I have to keep my chapstick in the correct pocket  LOL.  Don't know why, thats just the way it is.

ecfaninri, your right it is hard to predict what will happen but it should be a fun year for all of us.  Like yourself I coached my sons from Little League through American Legion ball including all those great fall ball seasons which I think was the best time for baseball.  What fun those fallball teams were, doubleheaders on Saturdays, single games on Sundays every September through October for four years.  It just doesn't get any better than that.

As far as looking for a winning program and coach I really wasn't looking for that.  To tell you the truth I just wanted to get him a scholarship somewhere.  I was under the false thinking that if a player was really good in his High School and Legion ball he would probably get some offers.  I was wrong for the most part as we only had one offer from a D-1 school in Long Island.  But in the end you couldn't be more right.  Shawn very well could have gone to an in state D-1 school as a walk on and played in some capacity or gone to Long Island to play.  What it came down to is he wanted to have a chance to win something, a chance to win a ring and be part of a storied program so he picked ECSU.  I was just looking to save some money....silly me. 

Oh, by the way, Shawn spoke to Jags today and Santa Claus is coming to town.  YES......see you on the hill.

[ecfaninri]

Great news..... Ho Ho Ho

[KSCfan]

Can someone please get me a trash can i think im going to be sick.  I mean i leave for a week only to come back to a ECSU love fest on my favorite board.  I almost stabbed my eyes out after reading all that...jeez.  Im only kidding, i appreciate the updates on eastern, but please lets keep the Evil Empire butt kissing to a minimum.  DGilblair- good insight on Eastern, always enjoy your updates on the teams.  Also its Keene State College or KSC, not KSU.  We hillbillies up here in NH havent been upgraded to university status yet, we are still only a "college'' Anyone know the differance between a college and a university?  because i dont. 

Everyone is pointing to the pitching for KSC this year as the question mark.  That is true however several of my owl sources have told me that Keene is excited about a couple of pitchers that they have brought into the program, and for the first time in a while it seems that KSC will have a strong bullpen.  In my own humble opinion that has been what has hurt the owls in the past. They tend to have dominant starters (see Morin, Stromgren, Maybe, etc) and excellent closers (see Chevy or Ford) but its the 7 and 8 innning guys that Keene has not had.  The coaching staff feels that they seem to have some guys this year that will fill that role.  As far as starting pitching goes, i think that some guys have the potential to be A starters, but that is what Arizona is for, to pan it all out.  Offensive should be just fine with Deprato, Doyon, Perkins, Darrak, Chev, and Cippy back.  The key for the owls will be seeing who fills in at third and second as im assuming chevaliear will slide over to short now that Jones is gone. 

If i read the previous posts correctly, and it was hard as i almost swallowed my own tongue to get away from the ECSU love fest, everyone makes the tournament now?  If that is the case it will be interesting to see how they fit in those extra games into an already crammed tournament.  Traditionally the tournament starts on wed and goes to sat. Is it going to start on a tuesday this year to accomodate the extra games?  Also im sure it will impact the coaches decesions on who pitches when.  Cant wait for the season start!

[wordsmith]

This here site has turned into a EastConn Promotional site. And me and the boys are getting real tired of reading just about The Evil Empire (TEE). Now that we have power back here in Cow Hampsa we are ready to enter into the fray and comment about all this TEE nonsense.

But first we wanted to share some ice storm pictures from Keene. Enjoy

Me and the missus inspecting the damage to the Keene State Campus:

http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/ugly-people-504.htm

Dorm Rooms lost both power and water, but students persevered.

http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/ugly-people-125.htm

Some folks from out-lying towns had no power for 13 days and were forced, for the first time, into shelters.

http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/ugly-people-243.htm


All in all it has already been a tough winter in the Granite State. Looking forward to baseball in the best D-III Conference in America.

Go Buckeyes, Go, WNEC, Go Owls.

Word

[Ralph Turner]

This here site has turned into a EastConn Promotional site. And me and the boys are getting real tired of reading just about The Evil Empire (TEE). Now that we have power back here in Cow Hampsa we are ready to enter into the fray and comment about all this TEE nonsense.

But first we wanted to share some ice storm pictures from Keene. Enjoy

Me and the missus inspecting the damage to the Keene State Campus:

http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/ugly-people-504.htm

Dorm Rooms lost both power and water, but students persevered.

http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/ugly-people-125.htm

Some folks from out-lying towns had no power for 13 days and were forced, for the first time, into shelters.

http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/ugly-people-243.htm


All in all it has already been a tough winter in the Granite State. Looking forward to baseball in the best D-III Conference in America.

Go Buckeyes, Go, WNEC, Go Owls.

Word

I don't doubt the quality of the LEC.  However, do you honestly think that New Hampshire will thaw in time for baseball this spring?



Global Warming...makes you wish for the 12th century, back when Greenland was green! 

[wordsmith]

Ahh, New England. We just get power and water back into the area and this is the forecast for Tuesday.    Seems the movie The Big Chill is in play when we need the Big Thaw.

Significant ice storm likely for Interior sections of Mass and New Hampshire and Maine come late Tuesday into early Thursday....Confidence is growing among area forecasters for the threat of significant icing across northern mass and southern new hampshire this coming week. A multi complex weather system will gather Tuesday and move into Southern and Northern New England and has the potential to bring another slug of wintery mix,such as snow,sleet and freezing rain. Forecasters are concerned of significant ice build up on the already damaged trees and utility lines damaged by the December Ice storm that put thousands into the dark and cold for over 12 days.

[Ralph Turner]

I know what you mean.

In Dallas, we have the same problems in our proportion.

You can drive around Dallas now and see some "funny" pruning of the trees as the power companies have driven thru the streets of Dallas and cleared powerlines of potential obstructions.

We will get those winter storms that are caring about 1-2" of rain, except it comes as freezing precipitation.  That means we have 1-2" of ice on the trees.  Yep, same result as 12-24" of snow!  Crack!  There goes that power line!

Houston went thru something similar this summer with the winds of Hurricane Ike.  95 degree days without any refrigeration or running water in some cases.

I don't complain about the "pruning jobs" anymore!   

Be safe, and may God bless the workers who restore the power!

[dgilblair]

I was wondering when you hillbillies would come out of the woods from hunting and chime in.  Me being one of those hillbillies born in Skowhegan and living in North Anson (Maine that is) for part of my life I know you need the meat to survive.  My bad on the KSU slight.  I surely have no disrespect for your guys that take the field and the fans that are....shall we say humane.  My son has great respect for coach Howe and Testo.  Never having talked or meet either, I will take his word for it.

Maybe ecfaninri was right about Howe bringing in some transfers to fill the holes in the pitching staff.  But when you lose your 1 and 2 in the LEC I thinks it's usually pretty hard the next year.  We will see.

The LEC has revamped the schedule and the tourney this year.  Single games on Fridays and doubleheaders on Saturdays.  The Tournament is as follows.

Sat, May 2 Little East Tournament (2) ## TBA 12:00 pm  
Sun, May 3 Little East Tournament ## TBA TBA  
Thu, May 7 Little East Finals TBA TBA  
Fri, May 8 Little East Finals TBA TBA  
Sat, May 9 Little East Finals TBA TBA

All games at higher seed.  ## Little East Conference Tournament - Play-in (Best of Three)

It could be a year long love fest so you better keep the trash can close by.  LOL

You guys stay safe up there with the storm coming....you too Word.

PS...according to WikiAnswers:

The difference between a college and a university is that a college just offers a collection of degrees in one specific area, while a university is a collection of colleges. When you go to a university you are going to be graduating from one of their colleges, such as the business college. As to which is better, it depends on what you want. Single colleges tend to be smaller while universities are bigger, but universities are better known.