PG 2021 15U New England Elite Championship
🏆Champion: Eastcoast Lumberjacks
🥈Finalist: Vendetta Baseball
🏅MVP: Logan Norman
🏅MVPitcher: Josh Ossiander pic.twitter.com/bXIoKzRCKy— Perfect Game Tournaments (@PG_Tourney) July 6, 2021
It’s been six years since Centereach HS has produced a Division-I player. That was 6’6 RHP Greg Marino who went onto pitch at Stony Brook University, where he was a key cog for the Seawolves rotation before briefly playing pro ball in 2019. Before that, it was his brother in 2007 who went to play for Stony Brook and won an America East title before playing several years in the Frontier League.
In between, Centereach did have back-to-back League III Championships in 2009 and 2010. It’s significant because it’s the last time the Cougars finished over .500 or qualified for postseason play. It’s a mystifying stretch for a program that has produced a number of high-end athletes in other sports. The stretch last decade did develop many college-bound players including one; Nick Luciani, who certainly had the pedigree to be a professional player but off-the-field issues prevented that.
They’ve come close a number of other times such as 2018 when they needed one more win, but they weren’t able to sweep Copiague. In 2019, they needed one win against Smithtown East but they were swept.
Logan Norman is the type of player that can help change those narratives. He, along with fellow sophomore Josh Ortiz, and co-aces Dom Persichilli and Burke Sheehan can form a formidable core for the Cougars. Norman has played with the 2024 East Coast Lumberjacks, a team that has competed in some of the biggest tournaments in the country the past couple years – and won their share. With players like Norman, Robbie Melo, Nick Mirabile and Gordon Votruba, they have turned some heads.
Norman batted .478 during the 50-game summer season. He was at his best when the chips were down – posting a .555 AVG with RISP. And he’s already done it at the varsity level. He started, played center field and leadoff most of the season for the Cougars. I’ve been following Centereach varsity baseball since my brother graduated in 2004 and I only remember one freshman ever logging significant innings on varsity.
Logan Norman (Centereach 2024) pic.twitter.com/35v4ZR7eyW
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 15, 2021
Everyone I’ve spoken to has raved about him – most notably his travel coach Eric Strovink, who played at LSU with Keith Osik. While observing one of the team’s practices earlier in the year, he lauded his athleticism, his bat control and called him the real deal.
It’s been a long time since Centereach had a player that has garnered significant interest. but even the schools that are not powerhouses will occasionally hit the lotto with a player. It’s still early, but he feels like that type of player.
I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say..
Who are your favorite players in Major League Baseball and why?
My favorite player in the Major Leagues is Brett Gardner because I admire his work ethic, leadership, and loyalty to his team.
What was it like playing varsity as a freshman and did you feel welcome by the upper classmen?
Playing varsity as a freshman was an exciting opportunity for me. I enjoyed the challenge of playing opponents that were more physically advanced. Some teammates that a grew close with were Joe Laporta, a senior who took me under his wing, Dom Persichilli, who helped me with my pitching, Burke Sheehan, who was a great teammate, and Josh Ortiz, who was also a freshman on the team so we both got to share the experience together.
What was your summer like ? I know ECL is a very good team who were some of the top performers ?
During my summer with ECL I feel like myself and my team both improved a lot. As a team we had some pretty good success, reaching the finals in four tournaments and winning two of them. We also had three MVP selections in Perfect Game; Nick Mirabile, Robbie Melo, and myself.
What has been your best experience on a baseball field ?
My best experience on a baseball field was my tournament this year in Georgia. I enjoyed this tournament because I think that myself as well as my team preformed very well.
Who do you get private lessons from ?
I get private hitting lessons from Greg Connors.
Favorite pregame meal?
My favorite meal before an early game is a sausage McMuffin with egg, and for a later game I don’t really have a favorite I just go off what I ate throughout the day.
Favorite hype music ?
I usually like to listen to rap as hype music, but sometimes I’ll listen to country or rock.
Favorite app on your phone ?
My favorite app on my phone is either Snapchat or Instagram because they are the what I usually use to contact my friends.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career ?
The person who has had the biggest impact on my career is my dad, who taught me how to play the game and is always willing to help me get extra work in and do anything to help me succeed.
Favorite show on Netflix ?
I don’t spend much time watching TV, so I don’t really have a favorite show.
