With the loss of Lee Post for the 2008 season, the questions lingers: Where will the remaining Lee players play this summer, if at all?
I talked to Joe Melioris Sr. this afternoon and he confirmed the rumor that his son, Joe, will try out for Smith Post. Melioris, a 6-foot-10 pitcher, is signed with Division 1 Stony Brook University and will join the Seawolves in the fall. His addition would make the Smith pitching rotation downright scary. This would give them three legitimate No. 1 guys in Melioris and RFA seniors Garrett Baker and Kyle Richardson. And we all know how very IMPORTANT pitching is when it comes time for the double-elimination format of county and district playoffs.
Baker told me today that he will return to Smith after taking last summer off to gain exposure and play with a traveling showcase team in Georgia. His plan worked as the 6-foot-5 lefty is all set to enroll at Western Carolina University in the fall. Richardson, the 2006 Oneida County Player of the Year, also returns. The crafty righty went 7-2 with two saves and a 3.21 ERA last summer. In his two seasons with Smith, Richardson has gone 14-3 with a 2.96 ERA and recorded 100 strikeouts and just 23 walks in 111 innings. I experienced Richardson's ability firsthand in 2006 when, as a rookie, he went up against and beat my New Hartford Post team (the eventual state champion) in the county playoffs. That night, he outpitched NH veteran George Jweid who was coming off a record-setting 8-0 rookie season at Division III power Cortland State. The kid isn't too shabby at the plate either - with a career batting average of .420.
But at this point, it appears that it's not a done deal. Smith manager Tony Abone Sr. said that tryouts for his team will not take place until after the RFA season concludes, adding that no one from Lee has been selected at this point. Joe Melioris Sr. also emphasized that his son is not guaranteed a spot on the team.
What do you guys think? I'd like to hear your thoughts. If Melioris does indeed join Smith Post, does it make them the team to beat?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Lee Post without a team for 2008
It's official - Lee Post 1794 will not have a baseball team this summer.
I spoke to Oneida County chairman Jack Huther this afternoon and he confirmed the rumor that was spreading around for a couple weeks now. He told me that only six or seven kids had signed up for the Lee team as of last week, leaving the post with no choice but to drop this summer's baseball program. Although he was dissapointed with the loss of Lee for the 2008 season, Huther seemed optimistic about the chance that they will return to the league next summer.
"I think it’s just a one year thing," he said. "They more or less promised me they’d be back next year."
I also spoke with former Lee manager Robert Richie (assistant baseball coach and head bowling coach at SUNY-IT) and former Lee head coach Joe Melioris (also the Rome Catholic High varsity coach). They shared Huther's frustration with the situation.
Richie said, "I’m very disappointed in Lee not having a team this year. That (baseball) is one of the most outstanding organizations that the legion has. They have their own field and they take care of it. They feed the kids after the games. They do a whole lot."
Both Richie and Melioris said they would consider returning to Lee in 2009 if the team is reinstated.
"Maybe," Richie said. "I would love to come back if they ask me. I’m really going to miss it."
"I’m going to review some options and see what’s out there," Melioris said. "I’m not 100 percent sure."
FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS STORY, CHECK OUT TOMORROW'S OBSERVER-DISPATCH...
I spoke to Oneida County chairman Jack Huther this afternoon and he confirmed the rumor that was spreading around for a couple weeks now. He told me that only six or seven kids had signed up for the Lee team as of last week, leaving the post with no choice but to drop this summer's baseball program. Although he was dissapointed with the loss of Lee for the 2008 season, Huther seemed optimistic about the chance that they will return to the league next summer.
"I think it’s just a one year thing," he said. "They more or less promised me they’d be back next year."
I also spoke with former Lee manager Robert Richie (assistant baseball coach and head bowling coach at SUNY-IT) and former Lee head coach Joe Melioris (also the Rome Catholic High varsity coach). They shared Huther's frustration with the situation.
Richie said, "I’m very disappointed in Lee not having a team this year. That (baseball) is one of the most outstanding organizations that the legion has. They have their own field and they take care of it. They feed the kids after the games. They do a whole lot."
Both Richie and Melioris said they would consider returning to Lee in 2009 if the team is reinstated.
"Maybe," Richie said. "I would love to come back if they ask me. I’m really going to miss it."
"I’m going to review some options and see what’s out there," Melioris said. "I’m not 100 percent sure."
FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS STORY, CHECK OUT TOMORROW'S OBSERVER-DISPATCH...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Let's Play Ball...
Welcome to the blog American Legion baseball fans!
Before I begin reporting on the league, let me tell you what this blog's aim is. Basically, I want this to be a forum for discussion about legion baseball in Oneida County (and beyond) - whether it's game results, player news or anything else related to the league.
I will post often, providing you with analysis on what I'm hearing from the players and coaches and I hope you'll throw me back your opinions and thoughts as well. I will incorporate many elements into the blog including coach and player interviews and up-to-date league news. I will also blog live from many of the games that I cover, allowing you to follow along with live game stats and scores. I would also like to conduct a weekly Q&A forum with all of you so that I can answer your questions about anything and everything legion baseball.
OK, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's play ball...
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