It's opening day of the Major League Baseball season and the eve of the start of the 2008 varsity softball campaign. And as I sit here getting fired up for Johan Santana's regular-season debut for my New York Mets, let's take a look at some of the prime matchups for opening week of the softball season:
OPENING DAY, TUESDAY, APRIL 1
Hillsborough at Bridgewater-Raritan, 3:45 p.m.
Bridgewater-Raritan is in prime position to make a run at a conference title, but the Raiders and Megan McInaw are about as tough a draw as the Panthers can get on opening day.
Immaculata at Montgomery, 3:45 p.m.
Montgomery begins its Delaware East title defense against the reigning Somerset County champs with a full compliment of working catchers helmets in the Cougars' equipment bag.
Ridge at North Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m.
North wants to know what it's got after some key graduation losses. Ridge was also hit hard by graduation, and after being buried in the conference last season, the Red Devils are looking to see if they've got what it takes against one of the Delaware West's elite in their opener.
Monroe at South Plainfield, 4 p.m.
The Tigers were decimated by graduation, and will face the defending GMC White Division champs in their opener.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
Immaculata at Westfield, 4 p.m.
The Spartans are ranked eighth in the Courier News Top 10. Westfield is ranked fifth. This is a good test for both teams.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
Hunterdon Central at Immaculata, 3:45 p.m.
The top-ranked Red Devils' first game against real competition after facing Phillipsburg in their opener. The third straight elite opponent for Immaculata in the new season.
North Hunterdon at Hillsborough, 3:45 p.m.
A key crossover game in the Delaware Division, and a real momentum-grabber for the winner.
Oak Knoll at Governor Livingston, 4 p.m.
The Highlanders graduated seven of their nine starters, including All-State Player of the Year Capri Catalano. This will be G.L.'s first test against a team that doesn't play its home games in Newark and regularly ends up on the wrong end of the 10-run mercy rule.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
Montgomery at Middlesex, 4 p.m.
The Blue Jays are looking to return to glory in the GMC and in Group I after a string of sectional titles and a state crown a few years ago. If Middlesex can handle one of Somerset County's elite, the Blue Jays might be onto something.
Mount St. Mary at Belvidere, 3:45 p.m.
The Mount Lions are one of several teams to be walloped by graduation. The County Seaters are the defending Valley Division champs, and while this would have been a walk for Mount St. Mary last season, it's the Mount Lions first test of any kind in 2008.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
Immaculata at Rutgers Prep, 11 a.m.
A game I plan to attend, the Argonauts are looking to establish themselves among the contenders in Somerset County. The Spartans already holds that distinction. If Rutgers Prep can turn in a solid performance here -- win or lose -- people will be forced to stand up and take notice.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Up and At'cha!
The 2008 Courier News varsity softball preview is out today, and, as usual, CN scholastic editor Tom Rysinski did a phenomenal job of laying it out along with the rest of the Varsity section.
Most of the Skyland Conference preview capsules can also be found online here, while the feature on Elora Daniele can be accessed here.
For some reason, the Top 10 did not appear in the paper or online, so here it is:
2008 SOFTBALL PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Hunterdon Central - Jenna Carmon, Jenny Harabedian, Meghan Everett and Erica Gaeta head a meaty list of returning stars
2. Bridgewater-Raritan - Lost just one starter to graduation. Returns ace Lauren Fitzsimmons and slugger Lindsay Durant, among others.
3. Montgomery - Katherine Stoltenberg is a big graduation loss, but with Elora Daniele in the circle and at the plate, as well as plenty of other returning starters, the Cougars will always be a factor.
4. North Hunterdon - Losing Sam Pellechio hurts bad, but North should still have enough to make a run.
5. Westfield - Cyndil Matthew is one of the top talents in the state, and the Blue Devils have plenty to choose from to replace Lauren Brown in the circle.
6. Hillsborough - Megan McInaw is a fantastic two-way player, plus coach Cheryl Iaione always finds a way to have her team right in the thick of things.
7. Scotch Plains-Fanwood - Kelly Cianciotta is one of the most exciting players in the area, she heads a list of returning starters that should have the Raiders raring to go in the Watchung Conference and the UCT.
8. Immaculata - How do you replace a player like Jen Lapicki? You simply don't. Kaitlyn Piazzolla will have to be lights out in the circle and take advantage of every opportunity with runners in scoring position while at the plate. Sophomore Shuana Mulkerin should also be a big factor.
9. Watchung Hills - Lydia deMartino is as talented as any of her peers in the conference. As she goes, so will the Warriors.
10. Somerville - The Pioneers boast some talented arms, it's just a matter of it all coming together.
If you haven't already, check out the season's first edition of the Bats and Balls PODCAST.
Lots of shtick, lots of substance.
Most of the Skyland Conference preview capsules can also be found online here, while the feature on Elora Daniele can be accessed here.
For some reason, the Top 10 did not appear in the paper or online, so here it is:
2008 SOFTBALL PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Hunterdon Central - Jenna Carmon, Jenny Harabedian, Meghan Everett and Erica Gaeta head a meaty list of returning stars
2. Bridgewater-Raritan - Lost just one starter to graduation. Returns ace Lauren Fitzsimmons and slugger Lindsay Durant, among others.
3. Montgomery - Katherine Stoltenberg is a big graduation loss, but with Elora Daniele in the circle and at the plate, as well as plenty of other returning starters, the Cougars will always be a factor.
4. North Hunterdon - Losing Sam Pellechio hurts bad, but North should still have enough to make a run.
5. Westfield - Cyndil Matthew is one of the top talents in the state, and the Blue Devils have plenty to choose from to replace Lauren Brown in the circle.
6. Hillsborough - Megan McInaw is a fantastic two-way player, plus coach Cheryl Iaione always finds a way to have her team right in the thick of things.
7. Scotch Plains-Fanwood - Kelly Cianciotta is one of the most exciting players in the area, she heads a list of returning starters that should have the Raiders raring to go in the Watchung Conference and the UCT.
8. Immaculata - How do you replace a player like Jen Lapicki? You simply don't. Kaitlyn Piazzolla will have to be lights out in the circle and take advantage of every opportunity with runners in scoring position while at the plate. Sophomore Shuana Mulkerin should also be a big factor.
9. Watchung Hills - Lydia deMartino is as talented as any of her peers in the conference. As she goes, so will the Warriors.
10. Somerville - The Pioneers boast some talented arms, it's just a matter of it all coming together.
If you haven't already, check out the season's first edition of the Bats and Balls PODCAST.
Lots of shtick, lots of substance.
Friday, March 28, 2008
THE BOYS ARE BACK!
The season's first podcast is up and running at http://www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia, it includes a sneak peak at the Preseason Top 10 and some other nuggets as we get ready for opening day Tuesday.
PREVIEW RUNS SATURDAY IN THE COURIER NEWS!!
PREVIEW RUNS SATURDAY IN THE COURIER NEWS!!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Deep Thoughts
So I finally finished the softball preview last night at around midnight and headed home to watch American Idol, which I had DVRd -- by the way, there's no way that dude should have been voted off. Can someone please explain to me what that little country dame, Kristy Lee Cook, is still doing on that show?
But I digress.
As I pulled onto Route 22, I got to thinking about a few things:
1. Why do I watch American Idol? I hate reality TV.
2. I wonder what kind of animal I just ran over
3. Should I have ranked the Top 10 the way I did.
Now, I know what you're thinking. You're probably saying to yourself, "Where's he going with this? The Top 10 isn't out yet. Is he going to tell us the rankings?"
No, he will not. But there is good news, and it has nothing to do with car insurance:
The 2008 softball preview will be out in Saturday's Varsity section of the Courier News, and online at http://www.c-n.com/
Also running Saturday will be previews of all the other spring sports (except track), and Ice Hockey All-Area, which has also been taking up my time the past two weeks.
The softball preview will include the new Top 10, a feature on Montgomery right-hander Elora Daniele, a preview capsules on all 34 of our local softball teams, and Montgomery coach Johnny Rooney's 'Guide to Equipment Maintenance and Emergency Repair.' (just kidding about that last part, but if he does write such a book, I want a cut of the royalties).
While the first real games won't be played until Tuesday, consider Saturday the unofficial start to the 2008 varsity softball season.
I know I'm fired up.
But I digress.
As I pulled onto Route 22, I got to thinking about a few things:
1. Why do I watch American Idol? I hate reality TV.
2. I wonder what kind of animal I just ran over
3. Should I have ranked the Top 10 the way I did.
Now, I know what you're thinking. You're probably saying to yourself, "Where's he going with this? The Top 10 isn't out yet. Is he going to tell us the rankings?"
No, he will not. But there is good news, and it has nothing to do with car insurance:
The 2008 softball preview will be out in Saturday's Varsity section of the Courier News, and online at http://www.c-n.com/
Also running Saturday will be previews of all the other spring sports (except track), and Ice Hockey All-Area, which has also been taking up my time the past two weeks.
The softball preview will include the new Top 10, a feature on Montgomery right-hander Elora Daniele, a preview capsules on all 34 of our local softball teams, and Montgomery coach Johnny Rooney's 'Guide to Equipment Maintenance and Emergency Repair.' (just kidding about that last part, but if he does write such a book, I want a cut of the royalties).
While the first real games won't be played until Tuesday, consider Saturday the unofficial start to the 2008 varsity softball season.
I know I'm fired up.
Monday, March 24, 2008
PODCAST RESCHEDULED
Due to some scheduling conflicts -- namely the fact that Carino lives on the opposite end of the universe -- the season's first podcast will now be recorded Friday afternoon.
Hopefully it will be up sometime Friday.
I'll keep you posted.
Hopefully it will be up sometime Friday.
I'll keep you posted.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
New and Improved!
Alright, so all I did was pick a new template and change some colors around, but a new season calls for a new look to The Inner Circle.
One new feature, however, is the softball poll (located to the right of this screen). Here, I will give you, the readers, yet another chance to voice your opinions (as if the comment option got SO much use).
Enjoy.
PROGRAMMING NOTES:
* The 2008 Courier News Softball Preview will run Saturday, March 29 in the Varsity section of the Courier News. While the weekly softball notebook ran on Wednesdays last season, this year -- with the return of the Varsity section after a six-year hiatus -- the softball notebook, as well as the notebooks from every other sport -- will run Saturdays in Varsity.
* As a preview to the preview, so to speak, the first podcast of the season is scheduled to be recorded Wednesday evening (March 26), so expect that to be up at http://www.c-n.com/ sometime Thursday afternoon (we hope).
Those of you who were faithful listerners last season know we began every podcast with a couple of bars from a song, but we've had trouble coming up with a song to use for the opening broadcast this season. Any suggestions?
One new feature, however, is the softball poll (located to the right of this screen). Here, I will give you, the readers, yet another chance to voice your opinions (as if the comment option got SO much use).
Enjoy.
PROGRAMMING NOTES:
* The 2008 Courier News Softball Preview will run Saturday, March 29 in the Varsity section of the Courier News. While the weekly softball notebook ran on Wednesdays last season, this year -- with the return of the Varsity section after a six-year hiatus -- the softball notebook, as well as the notebooks from every other sport -- will run Saturdays in Varsity.
* As a preview to the preview, so to speak, the first podcast of the season is scheduled to be recorded Wednesday evening (March 26), so expect that to be up at http://www.c-n.com/ sometime Thursday afternoon (we hope).
Those of you who were faithful listerners last season know we began every podcast with a couple of bars from a song, but we've had trouble coming up with a song to use for the opening broadcast this season. Any suggestions?
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Gettin' down to it
The 2008 Courier News softball preview is scheduled to run Saturday, March 29 in the Varsity section of the Courier News.
As usual, the preview will contain a capsule for each of the area's 36 teams, a preseason feature, and the season's first Top 10.
Who do you think should be No. 1?
As usual, the preview will contain a capsule for each of the area's 36 teams, a preseason feature, and the season's first Top 10.
Who do you think should be No. 1?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Three weeks
The 2008 varsity softball season is three weeks away.
Applause!
And while regular blogging won't resume for another couple of weeks, here's a peek at what's to come:
* I will begin working on the softball preview in the next week or so. It will run in the Courier News on or about opening day (April 1). I will post the exact date when it's finalized.
* Look for some upgrades to this blog, including some minor redesign, and some fun new additions. Those changes should be made in the coming weeks.
* The Bats and Balls podcast, about which we received tons of positive feedback last year and many inquiries about over the past couple of weeks, will return for 2008. Many of you have inquired, and let me assure you, Harry, Jerry and I have every intention of resuming our weekly audio clown-show on the local softball and baseball scene. Check back here to find out when the first episode will be posted.
That is all for now. Questions? Comments? Stock tips? Email me at CourierSoftball@aol.com
Applause!
And while regular blogging won't resume for another couple of weeks, here's a peek at what's to come:
* I will begin working on the softball preview in the next week or so. It will run in the Courier News on or about opening day (April 1). I will post the exact date when it's finalized.
* Look for some upgrades to this blog, including some minor redesign, and some fun new additions. Those changes should be made in the coming weeks.
* The Bats and Balls podcast, about which we received tons of positive feedback last year and many inquiries about over the past couple of weeks, will return for 2008. Many of you have inquired, and let me assure you, Harry, Jerry and I have every intention of resuming our weekly audio clown-show on the local softball and baseball scene. Check back here to find out when the first episode will be posted.
That is all for now. Questions? Comments? Stock tips? Email me at CourierSoftball@aol.com
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