BB: LEC: Little East Conference

[DIII Dad]

SCOUT66 - You said you are a rep for the N.E. region. Are there any other conferences - teams - players from the New England region on your radar?

[KSCfan]

It seems that Keene recruited some jucco pitchers from a good mcc team this year, should be interesting to see how they do in the LEC.  Also Cipolla ended up on Manchester towards the end of the year, anyone know if he played a lot and how he did.  Should be a good year coming up for the LEC.  I think Keenes biggest issue is going to be pitching.  They lost Morin and Maybe, Somberg is going to have to step up along with some others. If Jags comes back between him and Gil they are going to be strong.  Melvin is a good kid, i have talked to him a couple of times when i was playing at Keene in the New England Regional.  Very down to earth kid, i know that he struggled in Danburry but i watched him a ball into the upper trees in left at the Regionals in Harwich, the kid is a heck of a player.  Keep the updates coming

[ECSUalum]

Thanks for that karma ECSUalum and the link.

I hear we are getting a UCONN transfer infielder/pitcher, Will Musson who had 17 appearances with a 5.73 era with them last year.  He only had an AB or two but I hear he may be playing the field and pitching for us.  Another new face will be Bobby Nichols, I think thats his last name.  He play for UCONN Avery Point, a JUCO school.  He is another pitcher and outfielder that is expected to play right away.  I think he was drafted out of high school or maybe UCONN AP.  Tall kid who threw hard, my son played against him in high school. Also hear of some catcher coming in.  I think we will have a lot of pitching depth as long as the injured come back and stay there.  The coaches always seem to find some gems in the off season.


SCOUT66, let me take a guess.....you work for the Marlins or Rays?
Don't know what else I could tell you that you don't already know.  All you assessments seem pretty fair to me.  The DAlfonso kid is big for sure.  What I was most impressed by with him was how well he hit bad pitches or should I say pitchers pitches.  What I was least impressed with was his defense and just his judgements in general while on the field.  I think he really needs to improve there alot to get to the next level and have a success.  But if you can hit and with his size they may find a spot for him who knows. Burleson is a very nice player and it will be interesting to see how much he pitches in 09.  Chevalier also has the heart of a lion but I guess that doesn't  get you that far.  Darak is super streaky for sure.  Gilblair undersized, it's that he is 5' 10" and a half  5' 11" that is undersized I guess in most eyes.  Now if he was 6' 1".  That just goes to show you what and inch or two can do for you.  Who said size doesn't matter...lol.  I do agree it would help with more volocity and maybe a fourth pitch.  Castillo will need to shorten that huge swing, if he can, to have any success in the future and the defense needs work at times.  But when he is on his game he is a monster.  Your right on with Parke, I liked that kid the first time I saw him play.  He'll run through a brick wall for you.  Wojick  may use his legs a little to much sometimes and he loses his command of his pitches.  Balance may get a little out of whack but I expect him to have a really good year in 09.  He didn't really pitch for like two years after high school before coming to ECSU this past season.  Then with what he did in the NECBL this summer and the tools he does have he should be real strong and confident in 09.  Fontaine may be one to watch next year also.  He is a big kid that should keep getting better and better, time will tell, but he should have a good year too. As we all know it's about results, thats the bottom line.

Hello DGilblair

Any updates on the ECSU roster for the coming season?  Jags, Mel, Shawn, new recruits, others?

I presume they will head out to So. Cal next spring again.

Your predictions on how Coach and the Team will do this year?

Was up at campus watching the Soccer team yesterday, drove by the Baseball Stadium to see if there was any fall bb games or workouts going on.  Did not see anyone.

Woodsmith, KCFAN, other LEC bb fans, whats new?

Thanks in advance to all

Getting itchy for the spring to arive I guess

[KSCfan]

ecsualum

On the keene front....
I was talking to coach howe over the weekend and he says that thier roster is pretty big right now.  He seems very happy with the team that they are fielding for the spring.  He also mentioned going with a bigger expanded roster than normal as keene might have a few more "pitcher onlys" this year than in years past.  Coach Howe and Coach Testo both seem to think that thier team will have no problems at the plate this year as once again keene should be able to score runs.  Some of the guys that got some abs last year but were not everyday players should slide into everyday roles on the team.  You will see Chevy slide over to short, who his partner at second will be remains to be determined.  In the outfield dont forget you still have Perkins and Doyon.  In my personal opinion, i think that pitching seems to be the one question mark for the owls.  But like mentioned before coach testo seems confident in his staff, and if i know testo he will make it his personal mission to make sure that he gets the most of his staff which might i add he usually does.  I agree though i need spring, and i need it bad

[Moziemea]

JCon and anyone else who still cares,
The regular season is over... we know coaches try to lobby for their kids every chance they get..... records.... the love fest to make players feel good...... weekday starter/weekend starter..... good defense/bad defense ....... wha! Wha! Whaaaa! Pitching statistics that really matter are ERA, Hits, IP, GS, BB's, and K's.
4th in ERA behind Esposito and Morin
3rd in Batting Avg against behind Esposito and Morin
Not even in top 4 for innings pitched behind Fontaine, Jags and Thibeault
Only started 8 games behind Fontaine, Jags and Thibeault
Not even in the top 5 for hits allowed behind Esposito, Michael (UMB),Schmidt, and Morin
Not in the top five for Walks Allowed - behind Fontaine and Jags
2nd in K's - behind Fontaine and 1 ahead of Jags

7 weeks of press releases from the Little East- for Pitcher of the Week
Morin named twice
Fontaine named twice
Michael named once
Andriano named once
Scribner named once

Again ...... no disrespect of Nick,  but his own teammates were named pitcher of the week by the LEC more than him. Good luck i the future Nick, your presence within the league was appreciated and well watched. But this year - you were not the POTY.. sorry.  UMB and the LEC will miss you.

** I have spent many hours reading the posts on this site... I stumbled upon this site in May 2008 while looking for another college site... What is the point to my post?  After reading through what I believe to be all the posts beginning in 2006... I have both a comment and a question... The question? Why would anyone choose 1 player and go on and on about an award that he won?  My comment is...  I did not find as many negative comments about any other player as the ones that were written about "CONWAY"...  I believe it to be nothing more than jealousy; I say this because after reading these comments I did an extensive amount of research about the 2008 LEC season, and Conway...  I have concluded that most of you really have no idea what you are talking about...  Win as a team Lose as a team, the pitcher is not the only player on the field (as we all know) I would be happy to share the correct stats and data with anyone who requests it.  It is my understanding all the coaches have a vote in the "Award" process and although I am sure there is criteria the coaches follow, no one on this site knows what it is...  Although this post comes 4 months after the fact, at least I took the time to get the facts...  CUDOS NICK CONWAY...  You are a great pitcher with great form and an incredible amount of talent, your curve ball is amazing... by the way does anyone else know the variety of unbelievably precise pitches this kid throws?  No Disrespect?  Respect is all this young man deserves and it is a shame that anyone would try take away HIS moment!

[Rick Vaughn]

Cipolla did not play very much this summer for Manchester.  And god is he small.

[ecfaninri]

Moziemea.......
Welcome aboard one of the best D3 baseball sites. Thanks for setting us all straight after your extensive research on LEC play and CONWay

[Jim Dixon]

Cipolla did not play very much this summer for Manchester.  And god is he small.

How small?

Which brings up the question - Who is the smallest D-III player ever.

[KSCfan]

Moziemea.....
Also welcome to the crazyness that is the LEC postings.  I looked over your research of Conway and your points, which were really strong.  However, I dont think that people were trying to take away his moment.  As you put it the team wins as a team and loses as a team, and that the pitcher is only one person on the team.  That being said UMB didn't do as much winning as some of the other teams in the conferance over the last couple of years.  I'm not going to sit here and say that Conway is not a great pitcher, he was, and im sure that he still is.  I think that most people felt that thier were other canadates such as a Morin from Keene State, and or a Esposito from Eastern or whomever.  I guess the argument boils down to the old one about if a person should be a Cy Young on a team that doesn't make the postseason and has a great year, or if someone with slightly less numbers on a playoff team should get it.  I feel like in Conway's case his numbers did not blow everyone else out of the water, and that other pitchers should of been pitcher of the year.  That being said, would of i loved to see Conway transfer to Keene State, UH YEAH I WOULD.  He was an amazing pitcher.  However the fact still remains that he was not the best pitcher in the LEC last year, and he was on a sub par team.  As far as everyone not knowing what they are talking about that is a pretty strong comment.  I have been writing on this board for a while now, and i feel that there are people here that know how to play baseball, and know thier stuff.  That's what makes this board the best board in all of the D3 sites. (Nescac for mens basketball is pretty good too though).


Rick Vaughn Cipolla is small, very small.  But, for his size he still manages to do pretty good.  BUt you are right he is small hahaha

[KSCfan]

Jim the program lists him at 5-7 170 pounds.  I have seen Cipolla up close before, the 5-7 might be a stretch.  Im saying he is closer to 5-5.  Although Pedroia does alright for himself at 5-7 so maybe that is a lucky number who knows?  Cipolla is the smallest player that i have ever seen at D3, im sure someone out there is even smaller.  I do know that no one on Southern Maine however is 5-7.  All those guys seem like they are 6-4 240 pounds of rock

[Jim Dixon]

Jim the program lists him at 5-7 170 pounds.  I have seen Cipolla up close before, the 5-7 might be a stretch.  Im saying he is closer to 5-5.  Although Pedroia does alright for himself at 5-7 so maybe that is a lucky number who knows?  Cipolla is the smallest player that i have ever seen at D3, im sure someone out there is even smaller.  I do know that no one on Southern Maine however is 5-7.  All those guys seem like they are 6-4 240 pounds of rock

The smallest player I ever saw was Jaime Whiting, NC Wesleyan at 5-4.

[ECSUalum]

ecsualum

On the keene front....
I was talking to coach howe over the weekend and he says that thier roster is pretty big right now.  He seems very happy with the team that they are fielding for the spring.  He also mentioned going with a bigger expanded roster than normal as keene might have a few more "pitcher onlys" this year than in years past.  Coach Howe and Coach Testo both seem to think that thier team will have no problems at the plate this year as once again keene should be able to score runs.  Some of the guys that got some abs last year but were not everyday players should slide into everyday roles on the team.  You will see Chevy slide over to short, who his partner at second will be remains to be determined.  In the outfield dont forget you still have Perkins and Doyon.  In my personal opinion, i think that pitching seems to be the one question mark for the owls.  But like mentioned before coach testo seems confident in his staff, and if i know testo he will make it his personal mission to make sure that he gets the most of his staff which might i add he usually does.  I agree though i need spring, and i need it bad

KSCFAN,

Many thanks for tyhe update on KeeneSt.  They have had some great players over the last bunch of years , so I expect they will contend strongly in the LEC and perhaps the NCAA again this year!!

I am hoping to get DGilblair to update us on ECSU

Not too too long to D-III springstart-up, Hoping to get back out to So. Cal to see some early scheduled games.

[dgilblair]

Well Mozie.....the coaches vote for the season awards and Nick won pitcher of the year.  Thats what matters.  I think most, if not all, LEC posters and fans think and have said they want Nick on their side of the field. 

ECSUalum, we are not going to Cali this year.  Arizona this year, reason being they moved the spring break date. 

If this team heals up and players reach their potential it could be a very good year for ECSU.  The coaching staff is always on top of the game and that may improve this year with some of the additions to an already time tested trio.

Now the tough part is to predict how all the injurys will heal and perform in the upcoming season.  We have had seven surgically repaired body parts.  Two Tommy Johns, one knee, one shoulder, three broken hands. Thats what I know about.  All but one of those players was on the regional roster and the other is a transfer who should play a major role 09.  All things seem to point to those injurys healing close to 100% by February. I think thats all the bad stuff as far as ECSU is concerned.

The loss of a couple players last year and the ones that didn't return will hurt some no doubt.  Some of the transfers and new faces could fill those spots.  Espo will be missed the most, at least by me.  I'm still convinced that Jags will be back but time will tell.  I did offer him free rent at my house if he comes back.....wait is that an NCAA violation?  Mel is coming back much to the surprise of Yags who thinks Mel is 33.  Just kidding Yags.

The infield will have a different look.  From watching the fall session it looks like Bass at SS, Mel at 2B, Musson at 3B and Hobbes and Dewing at 1B.  Maybe Gilblair in there once in a while if Musson is pitching.  These are all guesses but thats what it looks like.  Not to say someone may be moved as the season gos on but I think this is a good starting point for the infield. The outfield is wide open with a lot of options.  Lots of speed and arms, some home grown, some tranfers.  Whoever performs or sould I say hits early in the year will get the chances.  Parke will be out there somewhere I would guess so that leaves two spots open with Schults having an inside track on  one of those spots.  I can tell you one thing nobody should take anything for granted.  They all better work hard this winter and be ready come spring.

The pitching staff should be really good.  Jags, Gilblair, Fontaine, Wojick, Kukucka, Musson, Tingley, Dutton from last year and some new faces that have a chance to be good.  Could be the best staff in recent years.  Could is the big word but I expect it to be the best in the LEC this year by far if all the above pitch next year.

[ECSUalum]

Well Mozie.....the coaches vote for the season awards and Nick won pitcher of the year.  Thats what matters.  I think most, if not all, LEC posters and fans think and have said they want Nick on their side of the field. 

ECSUalum, we are not going to Cali this year.  Arizona this year, reason being they moved the spring break date. 

If this team heals up and players reach their potential it could be a very good year for ECSU.  The coaching staff is always on top of the game and that may improve this year with some of the additions to an already time tested trio.

Now the tough part is to predict how all the injurys will heal and perform in the upcoming season.  We have had seven surgically repaired body parts.  Two Tommy Johns, one knee, one shoulder, three broken hands. Thats what I know about.  All but one of those players was on the regional roster and the other is a transfer who should play a major role 09.  All things seem to point to those injurys healing close to 100% by February. I think thats all the bad stuff as far as ECSU is concerned.

The loss of a couple players last year and the ones that didn't return will hurt some no doubt.  Some of the transfers and new faces could fill those spots.  Espo will be missed the most, at least by me.  I'm still convinced that Jags will be back but time will tell.  I did offer him free rent at my house if he comes back.....wait is that an NCAA violation?  Mel is coming back much to the surprise of Yags who thinks Mel is 33.  Just kidding Yags.

The infield will have a different look.  From watching the fall session it looks like Bass at SS, Mel at 2B, Musson at 3B and Hobbes and Dewing at 1B.  Maybe Gilblair in there once in a while if Musson is pitching.  These are all guesses but thats what it looks like.  Not to say someone may be moved as the season gos on but I think this is a good starting point for the infield. The outfield is wide open with a lot of options.  Lots of speed and arms, some home grown, some tranfers.  Whoever performs or sould I say hits early in the year will get the chances.  Parke will be out there somewhere I would guess so that leaves two spots open with Schults having an inside track on  one of those spots.  I can tell you one thing nobody should take anything for granted.  They all better work hard this winter and be ready come spring.

The pitching staff should be really good.  Jags, Gilblair, Fontaine, Wojick, Kukucka, Musson, Tingley, Dutton from last year and some new faces that have a chance to be good.  Could be the best staff in recent years.  Could is the big word but I expect it to be the best in the LEC this year by far if all the above pitch next year.

DGilblair,

Many thanks for the latest update.  I am sure that , besides ECSU followers, other posters on this thread much appreciate your comments and keen insight into Warriors baseball. That's a bummer about not going to So Cal, as my daughter lives in LA area, and we always try to catch at least one game while visiting her.  However, I am sure Arizona area will allow Coach to get his team some good competition and allow him to scope out his starers for the rest of the season.

I am very pleased that Mel is back because, as you have commented previously, he is a great kid, and is exciting to watch.

Jags back will be icing on the cake and of course to have Shawn back to form on the mound and healthy will be outstanding.  Lets keep our fingers crossed that all stay healthy, and then we can all look forward to another great season of LEC and NE D-III baseball.

So Guys, Mr Gilblair has come through again with the latest on the boys of summer  from Willimantic  aka "Evil Empire".  Word, are you out there?

All, let us know what is going on at WCSU, PSC, USM,  RIC, USM, UMB, UMD, more on Keene., and as well, teams in all well the other great  conferences LEC teams face.

LEC thread is the best and looking to continue the tradition

[KSCfan]

ecsu alum-

Arizona is a good spring break destination.  Over the last three years Southern Maine and Keene have gone done there.  The fields are ok, the Gene Autry (prob the wrong spelling) are pretty good as they where old LA Angles minor league fields.  The usual three fields all back to back to back to each other.  There is some good competition down in Arizona as well as Hopkins, TCNJ, amongst others go there every year so Eastern should be able to play some quality teams.  One thing to note is that, is that most of the teams down there have been only playing a week at the most.  Plus its fun to watch other LEC teams in action as you are waiting for your game to start.  Outside of baseball that is a really nice area around there.  The last three years Keene State has gone down to Arizona State, which is really nice.  I think that they walked around the strip down there and then went to a ASU baseball game.  You should like the trip if you go.

Can't wait till spring... oh wordsmith is in hibernation, dont worry he will be back soon