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Game On!!! Now it’s up to the folks in charge to make it special.

May 9th, 2009 by Hector Longo

Wednesday night, under the lights, at the new Mark Devlin Field behind Lawrence High School.
MVC small leader Lawrence High, now 10-2 and a potential beast, hosts inner-city rival Central Catholic, currently at the top of the MVC large in what promises to be a baseball classic.
The Creature is calling out two of the best in the biz here.
Pete Palladino and Tim Finn …
Can you guys close the deal and make this night an event? Is there promotion going on at either school for this?
Baseball often gets the short end around here. It just doesn’t get the crowds, other than the tournaments. Wednesday night offers a unique opportunity to make a high school baseball game an event.
These schools love this rivalry. The kids get into it. And with Lawrence playing quality baseball, it’s a potential gem.
Where do the ADs come in? First, promotion.
They have to fight to get the kids, these guys classmates, involved in the event.
Then, make it special.
It’s short notice, but get a DJ to work the event. Make it fan friendly. Be sure the scoreboard is working. Make the kids want to be there. Central-Lawrence in anything will then sell itself.
And I’d better be able to get a Devlin Dog, too. Concessions and bathrooms are a must.
Sorry Finny, I’m putting you on the spot. The athletes on both sides deserve it.
As I write this entry, I am privvy to coach Brendan Neilon’s pitching plans between today, Saturday, and Wednesday.
The Lancer boss will send either Yunior Vasquez or Mike Calzetta to the Haverhill hill today at 11 a.m., then foist the other on Tewksbury. The Redmen will counter with sophomore Matt Lupi, after Ronnie Wallace faces Methuen either tonight, weather permitting, or tomorrow night.
The would mean Victor Mendez gets the baseball against the Raiders Wednesday night.
Now, two points here. Nealon says he needs to beat Haverhill and Tewks to lock down the MVC small title, hence the use of Vasquez and Calzetta.
He’s right. But if he saved a Vasquez, say, for the Raiders, couldn’t the Lancers actually make a huge statement in Division 1 if they knocked off mighty Central?
I don’t know. Either way, Lawrence should be right there. Mendez, after all, did outduel Andover’s John Farrell in a 1-0 gem about two weeks ago.
But still, we’re talking Central here. Don’t you have to find a way to try and stick them when you can?
Good stuff, though, as the races heat up.

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  • Boss

    Watched Vasquez pitch against Haverhill yesterday he was good not great. He was aided by a slew of Haverhill errors and some momentum
    changing calls. These two teams match up well together on an even turf. One point of interest in this game is Dan Cruz's bat, balls take off itand extra 30' And no ring, but a thud when in contact with ball. I believe loaded bats are illeagal and tennis balls inside the bat will do just that type of thing. Fans told umpires to check the bat but got laughed at by umps. Good news for Haverhill is Robinson pitched well and Bretton is throwing for them as well .

  • arthur halloran

    First Haverhill whines about an illegal player, now Haverhill whines about an illegal bat.Grow up, the Haverhill kids are a hard working bunch of kids that battle and scrap til the last out is made and never ,ever quit.Their good kids.I wish i could say the same about the parents and administration.

  • blueandwhite

    1st off Congrats to the Lancers for a great start to the season….Hector why should Lawrence and Ad tim finn roll out the carpet for CCHS? It's just a game…Central is just central…not the Redsox rolling in for a Spring training game or something…I give credit to coach nealon to stickin with his guns and throwing his 3rd pitcher in a game that doesn't matter in the sense of Small school title……If Lawrence was going to roll out any carpet with announcers..concessions and getting students to come it should be for tonights game vs tewksbury….Tewks is defending champ I believe and maybe this yr is not goin well for them, but it is a small school game which the Lancers need to win…Hector I to get wraped up in the LHS-CC Battles but you need to realize that it's only one game and the Lancers are better served beating tewks today and dracut on Friday to wrap up the Small School Crown…….Now onto Haverhill…….not sure why haverhill continues to call out Lawrence for petty things…..I know the football player was illegal…fine but they knew that during week 1…not sure why the waited to make the phone call…..and now Haverhill is saying it was an illegal bat that beat them..come on now be serious……Face facts haverhill you guys are on the way down while LHS it's Coaches and players are on the way up……..Great comment by Art Halloran…..Haverhill kids continue to play hard and their parents/fans mess things up….sorry so long winded….see you tonight @ the Law-Tewks game

  • Mike

    blueandwhite – Hector wants you to roll out the Red – Carpet for Central because as he said they are in a class of their own?

    Hec I have to call you out on that! Can you tell me what quality wins Central Baseball has this season? Lowell, Andover, Catholic Memorial all beat them. Who have they beat? I' ll answer that nobody! Please Hector state facts not whats in your heart. When they beat a quality team then you can start the “Great Team” talk” till them you have to stop.

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