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| Photo Credit: Vinny Messana |
Welcome to our first edition of our newest segment. This will be a collaboration of the best emails we received of the week in regards to players, teams, and anything else connected to Long Island baseball. We hope you enjoy…
Why do you hate Nassau County high school baseball? It’s ridiculous how much attention you showed the Suffolk Teams and almost nothing in regards to their counterparts.
Nate, Locust Valley
Age-16
Well, Nate thanks for the email but let me first say this: we do not hate Nassau County high school baseball and we’re sorry you feel that way. For starters, 2015 was the first year that Baseball on the Island transitioned to game coverage. Although we did have a good group of reporters, most of them lived in Suffolk County and it was simply a matter of convenience for us. We promise for 2016 to be much more balanced in terms of coverage for both counties, including Catholic schools. The goal for 2016 is to have a person in charge of Nassau, another in charge of Suffolk and a third in charge of the CHSAA. Stay tuned, we promise it will be a different story once that kicks off.
If you had to start a team with any player currently on a high school or college team, who would you pick? I really liked watching Mitch Calandra of Floral Park?
Dave, Mineola
Age-22
I only got to watch Calandra play once this year and that was at the Grand Slam Challenge. I was very impressed with his bat speed at the plate and his terrific release/arm behind the dish. Since you are putting a lot at stake with this question, after all, it is the No. 1 overall player in the draft, I’ll take Mike Palazzolo of Half Hollow Hills East. He really impressed with all facets of his game when we were covering their game. He will be entering his junior year and still has room to grow, it’s scary to think how dangerous he will be by the time he gets to Stony Brook.
Do you think Matz and Stroman will ever face each other in a game?
Kenny, Centereach
Age-23
Unfortunately, I am not a mind reader but I can tell you this, Kenny: in 2016, the Toronto Blue Jays are slated to play the New York Mets since they last played in 2012. That was in Toronto, which means this time around it will be in Citi Field and there is a chance that we will be treated to a rematch of the April 2009 classic duel between the two young guns. If this happens, I would imagine the demand for tickets would be through the roof considering it is basically in our backyards. I know I’ll want to be in attendance.
I struck you out once and you were a really bad hitter…
Brendan, Selden
Age-24
Thanks for the reminder. I peaked at a young age as a hitter and never could handle a good breaking ball. Or a mediocre one, for that matter. That’s why I’m doing this and not collecting $68,000 per day like Giancarlo Stanton.
Which player has risen his stock the most since the school season has ended?
Frank, Northport
Age-30
So far, it is Dan Jagiello of LIU Post. He hit 95 in the Hampton’s League All Star Game and every scout took notice of that. He will be entering his junior year, so he will be draft eligible this year. Of course, he will need to still perform on the field, but I’m not sure I’ve seen 95 from anyone on Long Island since Rick Riccobono in ’98.
What did you think of the playoff format this season in Suffolk County?
Ryan, Bayport
Age-17
It was bizarre to say the least. The No. 1 seeds had way too much rest and the lower seeds really had an obscene amount of work to have a chance. It was the first year of this format, previously it was double-elimination. I’m all for trying new things in order to keep the playoffs interesting but I’m not sold on that being the best option.
After watching the MLB All-Star Game, I was thinking that there should be one for the college players on Long Island–give them a chance to play on a big stage and show off their talents. During the season, most of the year is played in the cold and they don’t have too many big crowds.This is a good opportunity for that.
Jimmy, Commack
Age-26
I love the idea. This is something we mentioned early in the year and we are trying to make it come to fruition. There’s a few details to iron out before we select the players but it doesn’t appear to be out of the question.
What is the best venue to watch a game on the island?
Annamarie, West Hampton
Age-51
I’ll tell you my least favorite place, and that is Connetquot, followed by Half Hollow Hills East. That has nothing to do with the teams and everything to do with the distance it takes to walk from the parking lot into the field. Conversely, I’ll always enjoy going to Baseball Heaven because of the four fields right in the same area. My favorite college to watch a game at is Hofstra because of their field and the backdrop.
I have to say I disagree with your college rankings. There’s a few players I would easily have put on that list and at least one that doesn’t belong on it.
Ray, Islip
Age-20
Rankings, by their very definition, are subjective. There’s no advanced metrics available to us at the high school and college level in order to really delve deep into the stats. I know what I see on the field and what is in the stat columns and the rankings are based on that as well as project-ability in the future. It’s impossible to have everyone agree on that.
Thanks so much for those of you who took the time to email us! Hopefully the response for our second issue is just as plentiful and we can keep you folks entertained through out the dog days of summer.
