2008 NLL

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Stepping back and taking a look from the outside, the NLL looks to be split 4 and 4 for the upcoming season. Reigning NLL CHAMPIONS ANTHONY WAYNE graduated just 2 Seniors. One being the starting catcher, and the other a starting outfielder. AW's infield is solid but the outfield will need to step-up for A.W. to defend it's league standing.
SPRINGFIELD lost better than a fair amount of offense to graduation and a couple of quality fielders. Michalak's arm is in Re-Training mode at the present after losing the entire summer season to an injury occouring during last year's H.S. season. She gave the Blue Devils 120 innings last year. Their RF has moved to SS and sported a 400+ batting avg. for them last year. It will be interesting to see how the offense and defense adjust this year.
PERRYSBURG of course will have their own horse on the mound in the form of Kimmie Bryson. I'm guessing Steph Messeger will slide in behind the plate for catching duties. Perrsyburg also graduated a big stick in the form of Miss Hegedus and a couple of other solid starters.
SYLVANIA SOUTHVIEW is the team moving into the mix this year. A couple of sharp pitchers and a now 3rd year coach in Ryan D. should provide them a legitimate shot at the top spot. Remember last year, Southiew produced a win over Perrysburg and Springield allowing A.W. to sit alone on top.
ROSSFORD from the outside, seems to be devstated the most by graduation. The top pitcher in the NLL and the 2 top hitters,..OUCH. They had a great run last year and some new candidates will need to pick up the slack if they hope to enjoy that kind of success again this year.
MAUMEE, NORTHVIEW, and BOWLING GREEN all seem to be in the mix to battle each other with Rossford for the 5 thru 8 spots. But you never know who might set themselves apart from this group to challenge for the top half.

NOTE: This thread developed without any knowledge of what may be contained in the soon to
be released U J Points System Report
;D :-? : ;D ;D

 

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Thunder---a very accurate assessment, I'd say, even without the benefit of UJPS. ;D

 

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Thanks katjoe,...I'll rely on Uber for the City League run down.

 

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Thunder good predictions. I pretty much agree. I guess you just need some information to support the precitions from the rest of us. So here is my support/take on things.

So does AW have a good catcher in the wings? You don't seem too concerned with that position. The outfield you say is where they are hurting. Gill will be tough on the mound and we know they don't lack for offense.

PB's biggest concern is the infield. They lost 1st and SS to graduation. JV team last year was tough so should have some upcoming juniors to fill in here. They need to get some help with the offense.

Springfield should return good pitching with Michalak. They do have some holes to fill. Their JV team last year was strong so maybe they have a couple of upcoming juniors who can fill these spots.

Southview under Ryan should be strong. Does anyone know who they have on the mound? They too were strong at the JV level so they will give teams some fits this year.

Rossford has a ton of rebuilding to do. The biggest question mark is their pitching. The JV team wasn't very strong and I beleive the back-up pitcher last season graduated.

Maumee needs pitching help too. They were middle of the road last year and I see no change. Correct me if I am wrong.

Nortview also lost their ace pitcher to graduation. JV team I believe was just OK. Rebuilding is being done here too.

BG has Irick on the mound but should be just middle of the road at best this year. JV team wasn't that good.

 

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PBSfan,.....A.W. is pretty deep at catcher. I think Andrea Skinner will win that job this year. She actually has the quickest release of the bunch. Last year the outfield was a bit of an ongoing experiment and I know that's an area the coaching staff wants to improve.

Who's got the edge for winning the SS job at P-Burg, and who's bringing a stick to help out the offense?

Southview has Gates returning on the mound and I'm pretty sure they have 2 other good pitchers. Also they had a lefty that led off for their JV team that was a sharp little slapper, I wonder if she's moving up.

Rossford's back up was Heban, decent pitcher, big stick, and......graduated.

 

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Thunder I thought that Heban was the back-up pitcher, but the memory failed me. Rossford sounds like they have a lot of work to do.

I forgot about Gates at SV. She is tough, but do they have any offense besides her bat? They do have a few with some speed, but need more than a few.

PB has a few players that could play SS; Hurlstone is one that could play. To fill the holes on defense he has quite a few good players to pull up from the JV team. As to the offense, they have some good juniors and a few sophmores that could come up. I know one or two of these have some homeruns to their credit in the summer tournament games. A few with good speed here to. All of this will depend on who is brought up to fill the holes by the coach. This is the big question now? :-?

 

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Springfields Jv had only 3 to be Juniors and I do not feel any of them will make it this coming year. That Jv team was made up of 8 to be soph and lets not forget 2 freshman started varsity last year.

The Varsity in my opinoin will have the best SS in the area in B. Richberg. This kid can do it all.

 

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I agree with Thunder's top four.

Alphabetical Order at this time ;D

AW (should be the Favorite, but what does that mean in Sept? lol)
PB ( 1st or 2nd best pitcher in the NLL, but replacing alot of starters)
Southview ( building every year, very underated pitching)
Spring. (talented team, should battle AW for#1)

 

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I have been quite for too long. Here is my take on the upcoming 2008 NLL season.

Anthony Wayne: They are the Champs. They didn't lose much, but their outfield play last year wasn't very good. They must improve their outfield. They left a great hitter (Kelly Hensley) down on JV last year and she should have a position this year. They will be the front runner this year.

Perrysburg: Kim Bryson need I say more. They lost a big bat from their first baseman and a good shortstop. Bryson is probably one of the best pitchers in the state and will keep them in games, but I don't think they have enough offense. I don't believe they will repeat last years success.

Rossford: They lost everything. they are in rebuilding mode. Rossford's 10U team was very impressive this year. They had an unbelievable catcher. If she continues to play she will be a force.

Springfield: Ashlyn Michalak will show everyone this year that she is one of the best pitchers in NWO/Ohio. This kid pitched injured for three weeks last year. The difference this year is she won't have to pitch every game. She will be able to get rest once in awhile. They did lose some offense, but not enough to be concerned. The infield will be SOLID. They have the best catcher in the area if not the state in Megan Price. Outfield was hit with a major loss of Mara Hubbard in centerfield. Rob Gwozdz is the best coach in NWO (imo) and he will have them prepared.

Southview - Will be better this year. They will have experinced pitching.

Maumee - They are still rebuilding and are on the right path. They may be a year or two away from contending.

BG/Norhview - These two teams have a great deal of work to do over the next couple of years.

No perdictions at this time. I will wait for a later time for those. ;D

 

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Heat29---you have shown admirable restraint being quite for so long.

Pretty good review of the teams, but I had to giggle a little at the gushing over a 10u catcher (I know, not very nice) :

One last poke---you wouldn't be the dad of a springfield pitcher, would you? ? ?(Sorry, I'll play nice from now on.)

 

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Katjoebenmom, No I am not Ashlyn's dad. I have seen her pitch several times and I know she has been working hard after missing this summer. I think it says alot about a kid who pitched three weeks with a fractured bone in her throwing arm.

I just call it, like I see it. By the way other people that have posted in this topic can verify that I am not the pitchers dad.

 

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Heat and katiejoebenmom play nice! LOL

I think that the NLL is the toughtest league in NWO this year. CL is tough, but I believe they only have 2 or 3 teams the caliber of AW, Springfield, PB, and Southview, (SUA, NDA, Clay). JMHO.

In the NLL, AW with Gill coming back and their offense they should be tough. Is Kurfis going to be the back-up to Gill this year? Losing Leon as a full time option will hurt some, but time will tell how much.

I think that Southview and Gates could surprise a few people. Who is bakcing up Gates on the mound? Ryan should be able to keep these ladies in the hunt.

PB has Bryson on the mound which makes them always in it. PB lost some offense, but had a tough JV team with some good offense players that should move up. Defense shouldn't miss a beat even with loss of 1st and SS.

Springfield well heat covered that one for us. Maybe a bit opinionated, but hey aren't we all with our favorite team. Another tough JV team here to fill postions. They will be right in the mix at the end.

 

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I am not familiar with the teams listed, but have any of them made it to states in the last few years? If so, in what Division?

 

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Yeah Heat is not a dad of a pitcher (lucky him ;D)

 

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AW won the Div 1 State Championship in 2003 does that count as making states the past few years?

 

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Sorry Heat---I was being snarky, and just plain rude. ?Please accept my apology, Sue

 

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Hey Sue, No hard feelings here. PBSfan you are right, I was flying the Springfield flag. This year could very interesting. I truly believe that if Michalak is healthy she will be tough. She pitched really well prior to the injury. She beat Pinkleman(Evergreen), Szypka(Genoa), and Gill(AW). She also beat Waseon and Archbold that went to the state final four. Not a bad resume.

 

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Not a bad resume indeed! ?

Never meant to imply she was anything but an outstanding pitcher. ?Have seen her play many times and she has unlimited potential.

 

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uber, sorry to ruffle your feathers. Just asking. I assume all the AW 2003 team has graduated. Any other teams made it that far?

 

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acorn, if my memory serves me correctly, PB last year made it to the regionals. :-? :-/