With 6 hours remaining before the MLB baseball signing deadline [12:01AM ET, August 17, 2010] Casey Harman (South Burlington) and the Chicago Cubs agreed to terms. Congratulations to Casey! Here are more details from the Burlington Free Press.
-- Posted from batphone
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Editorial: 2010 All-Star Game Summary, Some History, and Some Thoughts for the Future
Many thanks to Tom Perry (Colchester Head Coach and North All-Star Coach), and Doug Couchon (Grounds Crew) for their support of the 2010 Senior All-Star game at Colchester on Saturday. We survived steady rain and saw some great performances from the players on the field. Our thanks to the players for representing their schools and communities, not only for the All-Star games but through their high school career. We had a great turnout of parents, siblings, relatives and friends to support the All-Stars as well. For the players families it's the culmination of countless hours of dedication supporting their children to play high school sports. In all it was a great tribute to our departing Senior class and we wish them great success in the future.
By Chuck Clarino Staff Writer - Published: June 27, 2010: Rutland Herald:
COLCHESTER – As a general rule, all-star games have all the allure of watching paint dry. With all the substitutions and the crunch to parcel out playing time, with guys playing out of position and teams running out of pitching, the games usually degenerate into blowouts, or something worse.
But Saturday' s North-South Senior Baseball Series was a happy departure. The North rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the opener 5-4, while the South got outstanding relief and a key hit from a pair of players from Leland & Gray to capture the nightcap 9-4 in a pair of crisply played contests at the Colchester High School diamond.
For the rest of the article:
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100627/SPORTS/6270438/1007/SPORTS
All-Star games draw much criticism from our association and the Legion circles over the last five years. Bluntly, many of us have wondered if the North South All-Star game is worth continuing. Here's are some thoughts beginning with a quick synopsis of All-Star baseball classics in Vermont.
The North South All-Star Doubleheader evolved from the Twin State Classic. Twin State was a three game series where the best 18 players were selected in Vermont and they squared up against the best 18 in New Hampshire. We designed the games to rotate by State year to year, one year in Vermont and then off to New Hampshire the next series the following year. For the players it was all expenses paid: Practices, hotels, meals, snacks... a minor league experience. A match-up of the best 18 in Vermont vs the best 18 in New Hampshire made for some outstanding competitive baseball.
Two times in the year-to-year rotation the VBCA was called on to keep Twin State alive as New Hampshire could not afford the event. The financial burden on the VBCA was substantial but the events went off successfully in 2001 and 2002. The discussions escalated in the VBCA about Twin State folding and what could possibly be the next step. New Hampshire rejuvenated it's effort primarily through leadership of BJ Neverett (Nashua) and Bill Dodd (Souhegan) and the games resurfaced for two more years in 2003 (Holman Stadium, NH) and 2004 (Montpelier, VT).
All along there was one consistent problem. High School Spring sports season carries one important variable: There is no break when the season ends. Fitting in events after high school championships and rounds of graduations is a challenge. Folks have zillions of things going on. Seniors have already committed to colleges or the workplace. Many have moved on to jobs and other ventures. Legion has evolved significantly in Vermont over the last eight years and along with Babe Ruth (and that's a good problem to have), and Summer seasons crank up immediately following the high school season. Twin State not only became cost prohibitive but both States struggled to gather their premier players. When you select 18 of the State's best to match-up with another State, it's essential that your premier players show up. With all the avenues for players after the high school season it became clear that grabbing the premier talent in Vermont or New Hampshire for the series was unreliable and after the series in 2004 (hosted in Montpelier, VT), both the Vermont and New Hampshire coaches associations decided to part ways.
The North South Senior game was created and it's first run was in 2005. We just completed our fifth year and the event is still not without controversy. Like Twin State, some of the State's premier talent bows out every year for a wide variety of reasons I spent a good deal of time walking about the sidelines this year speaking to parents and also with players from both teams. One thing rings true though... the Seniors who do play, the coaches who participate and the families who attend all have fun. The North South games create opportunities and rekindle our sense of nostalgia. It's a chance for our players, coaches, families and fans to celebrate their high school baseball careers. For the Seniors, it's a chance to see their peers. It's a chance to see a rival or that kid who's name you see in the paper game after game as a teammate... and then square up against the best from another region in Vermont. The MVP of these All-Star games might come from any division. Ultimately, it's a higher caliber of baseball. For a coach and supporting families, it's a chance to see one of your players, your sons in a high school uniform one last time. It gives us a chance to do something we all say we should do more often: Get together and celebrate.
I believe the Senior game is good for baseball and that we should continue the effort... until it's time for another adjustment. When the players and fans stop enjoying it, then it'll be time to adjust. If we continue the Senior game though, there's no doubt it should be our best effort.
It's not to say that we shouldn't entertain new directions. There's a glaring need in our sport now, a new thread for our association to answer: A Junior Talent Showcase.
Two times in the year-to-year rotation the VBCA was called on to keep Twin State alive as New Hampshire could not afford the event. The financial burden on the VBCA was substantial but the events went off successfully in 2001 and 2002. The discussions escalated in the VBCA about Twin State folding and what could possibly be the next step. New Hampshire rejuvenated it's effort primarily through leadership of BJ Neverett (Nashua) and Bill Dodd (Souhegan) and the games resurfaced for two more years in 2003 (Holman Stadium, NH) and 2004 (Montpelier, VT).
All along there was one consistent problem. High School Spring sports season carries one important variable: There is no break when the season ends. Fitting in events after high school championships and rounds of graduations is a challenge. Folks have zillions of things going on. Seniors have already committed to colleges or the workplace. Many have moved on to jobs and other ventures. Legion has evolved significantly in Vermont over the last eight years and along with Babe Ruth (and that's a good problem to have), and Summer seasons crank up immediately following the high school season. Twin State not only became cost prohibitive but both States struggled to gather their premier players. When you select 18 of the State's best to match-up with another State, it's essential that your premier players show up. With all the avenues for players after the high school season it became clear that grabbing the premier talent in Vermont or New Hampshire for the series was unreliable and after the series in 2004 (hosted in Montpelier, VT), both the Vermont and New Hampshire coaches associations decided to part ways.
The North South Senior game was created and it's first run was in 2005. We just completed our fifth year and the event is still not without controversy. Like Twin State, some of the State's premier talent bows out every year for a wide variety of reasons I spent a good deal of time walking about the sidelines this year speaking to parents and also with players from both teams. One thing rings true though... the Seniors who do play, the coaches who participate and the families who attend all have fun. The North South games create opportunities and rekindle our sense of nostalgia. It's a chance for our players, coaches, families and fans to celebrate their high school baseball careers. For the Seniors, it's a chance to see their peers. It's a chance to see a rival or that kid who's name you see in the paper game after game as a teammate... and then square up against the best from another region in Vermont. The MVP of these All-Star games might come from any division. Ultimately, it's a higher caliber of baseball. For a coach and supporting families, it's a chance to see one of your players, your sons in a high school uniform one last time. It gives us a chance to do something we all say we should do more often: Get together and celebrate.
I believe the Senior game is good for baseball and that we should continue the effort... until it's time for another adjustment. When the players and fans stop enjoying it, then it'll be time to adjust. If we continue the Senior game though, there's no doubt it should be our best effort.
It's not to say that we shouldn't entertain new directions. There's a glaring need in our sport now, a new thread for our association to answer: A Junior Talent Showcase.
There were many discussions brewing this last weekend about creating a Junior Talent Showcase along with a Senior game in 2011. We'll be hammering out the details over the next few months and announcements on this new event will be coming out in late Summer.
With exciting new directions in the future... a few notes about this past season:
With exciting new directions in the future... a few notes about this past season:
Out best wishes to Steve Ferreira, the retiring Essex Head Coach, for his dedication to the VBCA, the Essex Baseball program and Vermont baseball. The Essex Hornets sent Steve off with a Division I title this season, a great way to end Steve's storied coaching career. We're excited that Steve will continue to work with us here at the VBCA.
We saw former South Burlington ace Casey Harman (Clemson) and St. Johnsbury Ethan Paquette (Hofstra) get drafted! Harman helped pitch Clemson deep into the College World Series and it was thrilling to watch all his hard work and dedication over the years pay off. Congratulations as well to Clemson Coach Jack Leggett (a South Burlington Alum and former UVM Coach) as well.
We saw former South Burlington ace Casey Harman (Clemson) and St. Johnsbury Ethan Paquette (Hofstra) get drafted! Harman helped pitch Clemson deep into the College World Series and it was thrilling to watch all his hard work and dedication over the years pay off. Congratulations as well to Clemson Coach Jack Leggett (a South Burlington Alum and former UVM Coach) as well.
Many thanks to everyone for crafting up another excellent high school baseball season. We have a lot to celebrate and new adventures to look forward to.
Here's the writeup from Rutland Herald writer Chuck Clarino below on this years North South game.
Feel free to leave a comment here for all to see or to contact me with your thoughts on the All-Star games. See you around the diamond if not before, Adam
Here's the writeup from Rutland Herald writer Chuck Clarino below on this years North South game.
Feel free to leave a comment here for all to see or to contact me with your thoughts on the All-Star games. See you around the diamond if not before, Adam
North, South settle for All-Star split
By Chuck Clarino Staff Writer - Published: June 27, 2010: Rutland Herald:
COLCHESTER – As a general rule, all-star games have all the allure of watching paint dry. With all the substitutions and the crunch to parcel out playing time, with guys playing out of position and teams running out of pitching, the games usually degenerate into blowouts, or something worse.
But Saturday' s North-South Senior Baseball Series was a happy departure. The North rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the opener 5-4, while the South got outstanding relief and a key hit from a pair of players from Leland & Gray to capture the nightcap 9-4 in a pair of crisply played contests at the Colchester High School diamond.
For the rest of the article:
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100627/SPORTS/6270438/1007/SPORTS
Thursday, June 24, 2010
2010 North All-Star Roster
Players:
Alec Zullo --CVU
Alec Zullo --CVU
Mark Rexford -- Harwood
Michael Riccardi -- Harwood
Devon Hathaway -- Rice Memorial
Greg VanKleeck -- Rice Memorial
Sean Rugg - Rice Memorial
Mike Cartularo -- Lyndon
Nick Barton - Colchester
Shawn Place -- Colchester
Kasey Small -- Peoples
Adam Daley -- Northfield
Brendan Curtis -- North Country
Cody Gage - North Country
Jordan Lieberman -- South Burlington
Deven Savage -- South Burlington
Taylor English -- Spaulding
Cam Cummings - Spaulding
Sam Fuller -- Spaulding
Coaches:
Tom Perry-Colchester
Vince Buttice-Lake Region
Tim Albertson-CVU
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
2010 South All-Star Roster
Players:
Justin Godzik- Rutland
Will Cole- Mt. Anthony
Devin Rhodes- Brattleboro
Kyle Whitworth- Brattleboro
TJ Oliver- Burr Burton Academy
Alex Miskovsky- Burr Burton Academy
Danny Favreau- Burr Burton Academy
Blair Demetroules- Fair Haven
Adam Harrison- Vermont Academy
Devin Ciley- South Royalton
Derek Osborne- Springfield
Justin Pierce- Woodstock
Jon Ferrero- Woodstock
Gavin Calihan- Windsor
Alex Drost- Windsor
Joey Massores- Otter Valley
Tyler Russell- Leland & Gray
Gabe Pozzi- Leland & Gray
Will Bergen- Poultney
Justin Godzik- Rutland
Will Cole- Mt. Anthony
Devin Rhodes- Brattleboro
Kyle Whitworth- Brattleboro
TJ Oliver- Burr Burton Academy
Alex Miskovsky- Burr Burton Academy
Danny Favreau- Burr Burton Academy
Blair Demetroules- Fair Haven
Adam Harrison- Vermont Academy
Devin Ciley- South Royalton
Derek Osborne- Springfield
Justin Pierce- Woodstock
Jon Ferrero- Woodstock
Gavin Calihan- Windsor
Alex Drost- Windsor
Joey Massores- Otter Valley
Tyler Russell- Leland & Gray
Gabe Pozzi- Leland & Gray
Will Bergen- Poultney
Coach Kevin Bellomo- Rutland
Coach Rick Battles- Rutland
Coach Ed Lewicki- Arlington
Coach Al Plante- Mt. Anthony
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
2010 North South All-Star Game Tryouts Update
North tryouts for the 2010 Senior North/South Game will Thursday June 17th at Colchester High School begining at 5pm.
South tryouts are Friday, June 18th at 5:00pm at St. Peters Field.
Coaches are reminded to contact their league representatives to nominate Senior All-Stars as soon as possible. Please provide them with home phone / cell phone (best way to contact the player), address, position/s and some statistics.
Please note: Only Head Coaches may nominate players. Nomination guidelines are listed here.
North:
Jeff Stetson: jstetson@anesu.org
Jason Tarleton: jatarleton@wcsu.net
South:
Kevin Bellomo: coachbemo@myfairpoint.net
345-9240
Game Information:
Friday, June 25 golf, dinner, and lodging for coaches.
The Senior All-Star Game doubleheader are scheduled for Saturday, June 26 at Colchester High School. Time TBD.
South tryouts are Friday, June 18th at 5:00pm at St. Peters Field.
Reminder that you must be nominated and contacted by one of the All-Star coaches to tryout.
If the athlete makes the team the games will be played on June 26th at Colchester High School – double header – first game 1:00pm, second game at 4:00pm. Lunch will be served to All-Stars in between games.
Coaches are reminded to contact their league representatives to nominate Senior All-Stars as soon as possible. Please provide them with home phone / cell phone (best way to contact the player), address, position/s and some statistics.
Please note: Only Head Coaches may nominate players. Nomination guidelines are listed here.
North:
Jeff Stetson: jstetson@anesu.org
Jason Tarleton: jatarleton@wcsu.net
South:
Kevin Bellomo: coachbemo@myfairpoint.net
345-9240
Game Information:
Friday, June 25 golf, dinner, and lodging for coaches.
The Senior All-Star Game doubleheader are scheduled for Saturday, June 26 at Colchester High School. Time TBD.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Southern Vermont Senior All-Star Tryouts
Tryouts are Friday, June 18th at 5:00pm at St. Peters Field.
Please contact Kevin Bellomo at 345-9240 with questions or problems.
If the athlete makes the team the games will be played on June 26th at Colchester High School – double header – first game 1:00pm, second game at 4:00pm. Lunch will be served to All-Stars in between games.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Championship Schedule Updates
D2 Mon June 14 6:00 Mt. Abraham vs Burr and Burton
D3 Tues June 15 at 430 Leland and Gray vs Oxbow
D4 Tues June 15 at 7:30 South Royalton vs Blue Mountain
Directions to the Montpelier Rec Field can be found here:
Additional Information from the VPA:
Ticket Prices
Adults: $7.00
Students $ 4.00
Family $20.00 up to six people
Parking $2.00 per car
Championship t-shirts will be on sale $16.00 each
Concession stand will be available
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Championships Postponed on Saturday
The division II and III championship games have been postponed today.
New dates will be announced tomorrow morning.
Sent by Adam Provost (mobile).
New dates will be announced tomorrow morning.
Sent by Adam Provost (mobile).
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Former ST J Slugger Paquette Selected in MLB Draft
 |
| Photo courtesy of Hofstra Communications |
Congratulations to Ethan Paquette for being selected in the 35th round of the MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners. Paquette wrapped up his senior year at Hofstra after transferring from UVM. Paquette graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 2006.
Click here to visit the Hofstra web site for the full story and Paquette's player bio.
Thanks to St. J coach Peter Wright for sending on the information.
Former SB Ace Harman Selected in MLB Draft
 |
Photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications |
Former South Burlington High School ace Casey Harman, now a Junior at Clemson University, was selected in the 29th round by the Chicago Cubs. The Tigers and Harman head to the NCAA Division I Super Regionals vs Alabama this Saturday. More draft details on the selection can be found here along with Harman's player bio.
Thanks to Shane Bufano at VermonScoreboard.com for posting the information.
2010 Championship Schedule Announced
The 2010 High School Baseball Championship Schedule has been announced. All games will be played at the Montpelier Recreation Field, home of the Vermont Mountaineers.
D1 Friday June 11 at 7:30 Essex vs BFA St. Albans
D3 Sat June 12 at 3:00 Leland and Gray vs Oxbow
D4 Sat June 12 at 7:00 South Royalton vs Blue Mountain
D2 Mon June 14 6:00 Mt. Abraham vs Burr and Burton
Directions to the Montpelier Rec Field can be found here:
http://thevermontmountaineers.com/directions.htm
D1 Friday June 11 at 7:30 Essex vs BFA St. Albans
D3 Sat June 12 at 3:00 Leland and Gray vs Oxbow
D4 Sat June 12 at 7:00 South Royalton vs Blue Mountain
D2 Mon June 14 6:00 Mt. Abraham vs Burr and Burton
Directions to the Montpelier Rec Field can be found here:
http://thevermontmountaineers.com/directions.htm
Additional Information from the VPA:
Ticket Prices
Adults: $7.00
Students $ 4.00
Family $20.00 up to six people
Parking $2.00 per car
Championship t-shirts will be on sale $16.00 each
Concession stand will be available
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Coach Steve Ferreira
 |
| photo by Shane Bufano |
Hi Folks, Here's a great article from Shane Bufano on http://www.vermontscoreboard.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Where Have All the Catamounts Gone?
Jeff Mongeon (Colchester Cannons American Legion Head Coach) forwarded an excellent article written by Shane Bufano for VermontScoreboard.com called Where Have All the Catamounts Gone?
Bufano (a graduate of CVU) provides a synopsis of the history of the program and great updates about where some of the former players and Coach Bill Currier landed when UVM abandoned their baseball program.
My thanks to Jeff for sending it on and to Shane for providing such a great update. Adam
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shane Bufano shane@shanebufano.com
Date: Tue, May 11, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Subject: Vermont Baseball
Hello All,
Below is a link to an article I wrote, and supplied more than half the photography for on the Former UVM Baseball Players and where they are now. Please read if you have the time and pass it along to anyone you may now interested in Vermont Baseball, UVM Sports, or Baseball in general. Thanks!
Shane
Monday, March 8, 2010
Post Clinic Update
Many thanks to Essex High School, Ed Hockenbury and Steve Ferreira for hosting the VBCA Spring Coaches Clinic Saturday March 6th, 2010.
Essex Head Coach Steve Ferreira announced his retirement after this, his 43 season coaching Hornet Baseball. Coach Ferreira gave some spirited speeches to the group about the dynamics inside Essex Baseball to send the membership into the Spring.
Rule Reviews for the 2010 Season:
- When thunder is heard or a bolt of lightning seen play will be suspended and teams will take shelter immediately. Teams and officials will follow a '30 Minute Rule:' Once play is suspended the game will be suspended for 30 minutes. Any subsequent thunder or lighting will reset the 30 minute clock.
- Assistant coaches may not dispute calls with umpires.
- Spaulding TF500 baseballs are mandatory for State-level playoff games. No playoff game shall be started unless this ball is used.
- Reminder to have all pitch count charts available for the opposing team prior to the start of the game. Both teams will report pitch count to the home plate umpire between innings.
- This years North vs South Senior All-Star Game will be played at Colchester High School. Details will be posted as they become available.
Major change for the 2012 Season:
Effective January 1, 2012 all bats must be a "smooth cylinder implement from the top of the cap the top of the knob" and must be 'BBCOR Certified.' Beginning in 2012 BESR bats will no longer be legal. Wooden bats are exempt from this rule. This rule change will have a major financial impact on baseball programs so please plan accordingly.
Pitchers and catchers start today, March 8 and full practices begin March 15!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Picture from Coach Chandler
Brian Chandler (Mt Mansfield) sent this one in from the University of Maryland. Now this is determination! Adam
Spring Clinic 2010
Clinic & Annual Meeting
Site: Essex High School
Date: March 6, 2010
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
8:30-9:00 Registration
- 9:00-9:15 UVM Club Baseball
- - Jim Carter & Don Picard
- 9:15-9:20 Tip of the Day/Raffle Drawing
9:20-9:50 How to Avoid Coaching Pitfalls
- Ed Hockenburry, AD, Essex
9:50-9:55 Tip of the Day/Raffle Drawing
9:55-10:30 Building A Winning Program
- Steve Ferreira, Essex Baseball
10:30-10:35 Tip of the Day/Raffle Drawing
10:35-10:55 Umpires and Rules
- Bruce James
10:55-11:30 Inside Essex Baseball
- Steve Ferreira, Essex Baseball
11:45-1:00 State Meeting
VBCA State Meeting Agenda:
March 6, 2010
11:45-1:00pm
11:45 Communication
- VBCA website
- Coaches contacts
11:50 Championship Weekend
- Get people to Montpelier
- Organization
12:10 North-South Senior All-Star Classic
North Staff
- Tom Perry & Vince Buttice (year two)
- Tim Albertson & Wayne Coursey (year one)
- South Staff
- TBA
- Game Site and Dates
- Colchester H.S.
- June 26, 2010
- Tryout Dates and Sites
- Discuss selection process
- Coaches will set dates and sites
12:10 Anything for the good of the group?
TBA Adjourn to league meetings
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