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A point to ponder …

May 17th, 2009 by Hector Longo

Now, Tommy Tuttle or Kodiak, or whatever you want to call yourself today, take note from the NH baseball fan.
To paraphrase Tom Hanks in Private Ryan, that’s how you gripe.
Now, to the NH baseball fan. You make a good point about the Londonderry-Trinity game.
In my defense, it was up in Manchester, and that’s a long haul.
I did cover Londonderry-Salem earlier, FYI.
But …. I will use your criticism to restate my case that NH needs to overhaul things to make the regular season count again.
What did that Trinity-Londonderry game prove?
Answer, nothing.
Did it mean anything for the Lancers? Nope. They’ll still be a top seed in the playoffs.
As Salem knows, having lost twice as the No. 2 to Concord (’07) and Pinkerton (’06) in the first round, the seedings in baseball mean didley.
I love the Class L tournament. I blanket it, and I’m peaved that the quarters aren’t at a neutral site like they should be.
But the regular season in NH means nothing.
Nothing.
Timberlane is 7-7. The last week of the regular season means nothing to them. They are in already.
Compare that to the last week of the Merrimack Valley Conference season. Central and Lawrence are there, fighting tooth and nail for respective titles.
Now look, I’ve always bashed Mass. for watering things down. The fact that there is an MVC small, a CAC small a CAL small and all the other “smalls” bothers me.
But at least they play for something.
I’ve pitched it on this sight before, and I will pitch it again.
Bust Class L into conferences, either three seven-team packs (picking up the highest enrollment school in Class I) or two 10-team divisions. Play 18 games, each team twice in a conference.

How about this:
Shaheen Division
Trinity
Goffstown
Manchester Central
Concord
Memorial
West
Exeter
Winnacunnet
Spaulding
Dover

Sununu Division

Pinkerton
Londonderry
Alvirne
Nashua South
Salem
Nashua North
Keene
Bishop Guertin
Merrimack
Timberlane Regional

Then the regular season means more, and the Class L tournament means more.
Until then, the regular season matters little. Sorry, but it’s a fact.
That doesn’t mean we don’t cover these teams. I wrote a bundle on Class L in my Eagle-Tribune column last week. But the games just don’t mean a ton.
Come June, I’m a regular at Holman or Gill or Fisher Cat Stadium, wherever the playoffs are. I really am.
I’ve always been a fan of the diamond talent in NH.
But the kids know how little the regular season means. It’s the playoffs, and I’ll be all over it.
Now, make changes. Make it matter, and we’ll be there for sure.

Posted in Uncategorized | View Comments

  • Dan Keleher

    Hector,

    I hope the NHIAA listens to you, alot of NH coaches have complained about the quarter-final not being at Holman, and the play-offs / regular season. I have never got a response to emails sent, letters etc. I can't understand why coaches in NH do not get imput on these issues. To the NH baseball fan, Hec is right regular season games in NH mean nothing, until we change the format.

    DK

  • kodiaksrevenge

    I'll take note of it…But I will add this; had NH Baseball Fan not called you out on this, would you have bothered to call me out or even report on the current state of NH Baseball? Just wondering…Also, i'll be fair and admit that when you do your homework and you do make the effort…You are a worthwhile read – But those days seem to have passed you by.

  • Brent Demas

    I want to echo Dan's comments about the NHIAA ignoring legitimate complaints from New Hampshire baseball coaches.
    Kodiak, I have known Hector for the past 7 years and he has always been good to Londonderry baseball.

  • kodiaksrevenge

    Hey Brent,

    Hector may treat you well in the paid subscription area, because money really does talk…As far as New Hampshire Baseball coverage goes in his blogs, June of '08 was the last time he mentioned anything about it..Salem/Goffstown.

    Even in this latest gem, he belittles what it is the athletes and coaches are doing on a day to day basis….Essentially relegating their daily dedication to a mere “The regular season means nothing”, which is fine and dandy if you are a “Good” team, but what about the sub-par teams out there, who have kids who are playing hard and dedicating their time like the better programs…Only to be reminded that it really means “Nothing” in the whole scheme of things.

    Maybe I am being unreasonable to feel this way, but whatever. Hector has always done a great job covering the winners.

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