Here’s the first of two grand slams by Bellport senior Anthony Jacabacci today pic.twitter.com/QYOBiWbesj
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) May 4, 2018
When Bill Batewell took over as Head Coach of Bellport 11 years ago, he was stepping into a program that had not done much winning. Known for their powerhouse football program that has won several Long Island Championship teams, the baseball team often had 11 or 12 players try out for the team.
It took a few years, but he led them to their first League 5 title in 51 years in 2017.
“There’s not many people that would’ve had the patience to turn around this program,” said his long-time assistant Joe Murphy, who has been with him since 1978. Murphy is now the interim coach after Coach Batewell was forced to take a medical leave for the 2019 season. It will be his first season not spent in a dugout since 1977.
Last year’s team pulled off a miraculous run down the stretch to qualify for a postseason berth. They were 2-7 on April 18 before catching fire and winning eight of the final 10 games to reach the postseason. It was a quick exit, however, after a first-round loss to Bay Shore.
Murphy noted they have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of Anthony Jacabacci (Bridgeport) and Ryan Baumann (Southern New Hampshire), who were both three-year starters for them.
Fortunately, the strength of the team remains the pitching. They return Andrew Veit (St. Peter’s-commit) and Brennan Beatrice, who will anchor the rotation and both have experience.
“Andrew is one of the better athletes we’ve had in a long time,” said Murphy. “We can play him anywhere on the field. We are hoping he can be our stopper, he has a nice high school curveball,” he said. After that, we are inexperienced.
Behind the plate is two-year starter Justin Maler (Oneonta-commit), who he has confidence in.
“We are not a physical team, we have a lot of scrappers, we have got to execute, play small ball and good defense.
The league is very difficult.
“West Islip doesn’t rebuild–they reload. North Babylon has all their pitching from last year. Deer Park has a good squad and and Comsewogue and Huntington keep getting better every year.
Murphy noted that he has assistant John Clark will hold down the fort this year, with the intention of Batewell returning in 2020. All three have been on the same staff for 25 years.
“I told Batewell maybe we should tank so he gets a high first-round pick next year,” he said jokingly.
They will open up league play against Deer Park on April 9.
