by Joe Litchhult (Editor’s Note: Joe is a 2018 LHP for Half Hollow Hills East. He is one of the top uncommitted players remaining in the class.) Christmas is my mom’s favorite holiday and my dad’s least favorite holiday. In spite of the love/hate relationship, a flurry of traditions have resulted. We spend the day together as a family in our home. My dad traveled to relatives every Christmas and hated having to leave all his gifts and toys as a kid on Christmas morning. When my parents got married, he vowed that once they started a family, Christmas Day would be spent at home and not sitting in traffic. He has successfully kept that promise for 21 years, since my brother James was born. That tradition continued when I came along four years later and continues to this day. If anyone k...
This year was the third annual New York Games hosted by Prep Baseball Report. It was held at three locations including Maine-Endwell HS, Union-Endicott HS and Binghamton University. I was at the latter on Monday and Tuesday, and was fortunate to see some of the top high school players from Long Island. Below are my thoughts on each of the players that performed well. Dylan Judd (Oceanside ’18) Judd is a very underrated player but he is not a secret. He is a well-built prospect with a 6’1″ 190 lb frame. He has a 1.9 pop time and an exit velocity approaching 90 MPH. He has a short, compact swing. Very impressive player that has proven to be a winner. Brendan McFall (Oceanside ’18) McFall had a terrific 2017 season for the Sailors. He was named aXcess Conference AA-I M...
We are about to enter the portion of the year when the top players entering their senior years of high school will announce their verbal commitment to colleges–if they haven’t done so already. A handful of the Class of 2018s have already committed. Players like Mark Faello, Jason Coules, Matt Hogan, Anthony D’Onofrio, Logan Doran, Bobby Vath, Logan O’Hoppe, Liam Pulsipher, Anthony Fontana and Jake Guercio are already off the table. Here’s the best players still on the board. Joe Litchhult (Hills East LHP, 1B) The big left-handed pitcher had a phenomenal season for the League III Champs. He really showed what kind of pitcher he is. He throws in the low-to-mid 80s, he has very clean and repeatable mechanics and he has command of a changeup and breaking ball as w...
It’s been one of those seasons where nothing can stop Patch Dooley. Not even 30-40 MPH gusts of wind. “This is probably the worst conditions we played in wind-wise,” said Hills East Head Coach Tim Belz following their 7-4 victory over League III rival Smithtown West. “It’s tough when the ball is moving back and forth, it makes it tough to throw strikes. Another dominating outing from him–no-hitter into the sixth inning,” he added regarding his pitcher who is committed to the College of Charleston. Final: Hills East 7, Smithtown West 4 WP: Patch Dooley pic.twitter.com/VciyH4RFaE aXcess Baseball (@axcessbaseball) May 2, 2017 Dooley, who has already fired a no-hitter this year, was five outs away before Christian Amoruso lined a clean single in...