THe same names are usually thrown out regarding who the best of the best are. However, who are the better underrated players that will be making their Varsity teams for the first time?
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i take it you mean any newcomers to varsity...tough to say in this case because they havent proven anything yet...but take a look at the new suburban praire conference..minooka morris oswego lemont plainfield plainfield south..there are some great players here too that are not noticed as much
agree with injuns
spc conference will have some quality competition with some players that would probably be talked about alot on this board if they were in a more prodegious conference such as the sica west
spc conference will have some quality competition with some players that would probably be talked about alot on this board if they were in a more prodegious conference such as the sica west
I like this topic, I think its a good way to get some more names mentioned. The two guys I played with who are now seniors at Glenbrook South and who will I hope fill a leadership role and have great years are outfielder Scott Seidman a Left handed hitter with some power and Jim Deschamps P/3B/1B. Also GBS has got new field with a high wall like 20 feet, but still a short porach in right I think its like 302' so some of the other lefties on the team like Steve Luft and Jack Doron may get a few HRs this year even though they are not power hitters.
catcher Flanagan lyons township
of. Considine oak park
of .Hart Oak park
of. ronosky L.t.
c. Weiss Naperville Central.
2b. Bromann GlenBard West.
of.Finn Glenbard South.
of.Jurkovic Glenbard South.
of.Mckay Willowbrook
1b.Mahler L.t.
1b.Gawenda L.t.
ss.Portchy Hinsdale Central.
of/c.Bisnette Hinsdale Central.
3b.Lee naperville Central.
of. T.Johnson Montini.
c. Wasilowski Montini.
of.Dore St.Ignautis.
3b.Mennen Naperville Central.
3b. Fletcher St.Charles.
P. Binder Hinsdale Central.
of.Mcfolling Oak Park.
P.Dennehey Oak Park.
c.Ehrlic Bartlett
2b.Gryzwa.St.Ignatius.
of.Webster,Glenbard West
2b.Lind Hinsdale Central.
of.Maritta Riverside Brookfield
2b.McCormack Downers North
of.Karn Lockport
p.Novack Lockport
of. Considine oak park
of .Hart Oak park
of. ronosky L.t.
c. Weiss Naperville Central.
2b. Bromann GlenBard West.
of.Finn Glenbard South.
of.Jurkovic Glenbard South.
of.Mckay Willowbrook
1b.Mahler L.t.
1b.Gawenda L.t.
ss.Portchy Hinsdale Central.
of/c.Bisnette Hinsdale Central.
3b.Lee naperville Central.
of. T.Johnson Montini.
c. Wasilowski Montini.
of.Dore St.Ignautis.
3b.Mennen Naperville Central.
3b. Fletcher St.Charles.
P. Binder Hinsdale Central.
of.Mcfolling Oak Park.
P.Dennehey Oak Park.
c.Ehrlic Bartlett
2b.Gryzwa.St.Ignatius.
of.Webster,Glenbard West
2b.Lind Hinsdale Central.
of.Maritta Riverside Brookfield
2b.McCormack Downers North
of.Karn Lockport
p.Novack Lockport
There are two players that "I" feel are underrated....
Kenny Smalley
Brian Schutzbach
"You observe a lot by watching."
Kenny Smalley
Brian Schutzbach
"You observe a lot by watching."
Just wondering who Linedrive11 is....
joknows....
All you need to know right now is that he is a "friend" of ours. Trust me, when I see you, I will tell you. O.K.?
"You observe a lot by watching."
All you need to know right now is that he is a "friend" of ours. Trust me, when I see you, I will tell you. O.K.?
"You observe a lot by watching."
Boomer-
How you been lately? I'll talk to you sometime soon.
How you been lately? I'll talk to you sometime soon.
linedrive11......
I love your list!!!
Most of those kids on your list I have seen play, or at least hit in game situations.
Ronovsky, McKay, Mahler, Hart, Mc Folling, Finn, Erlich, Portchy, Considine, Binder (Hins. Cent.), Dore, Bisnette, all underrated!!! One young man who I didn't see on your list, and maybe you just forgot, is this speedster from Glenbard West, Ryan Chibucos. I heard he ran a 3.7, home-to-first!! Nothing like speed on the bases, don't you think?
"You observe a lot by watching."
I love your list!!!
Most of those kids on your list I have seen play, or at least hit in game situations.
Ronovsky, McKay, Mahler, Hart, Mc Folling, Finn, Erlich, Portchy, Considine, Binder (Hins. Cent.), Dore, Bisnette, all underrated!!! One young man who I didn't see on your list, and maybe you just forgot, is this speedster from Glenbard West, Ryan Chibucos. I heard he ran a 3.7, home-to-first!! Nothing like speed on the bases, don't you think?
"You observe a lot by watching."
Boomer-
I
!! Speed kills. On the base paths, there is nothing more devastating than a pesky and alert baserunner that can flat out fly!! 
Not only is it free bases, but it can really rattle a pitcher! Wow, 3.7 though- that is flat out unreal, someone sign him a pro-contract baby! 
My high school team to beat this year in Illinois though has to be Lockport- WOW they have some depth and skills to boot! 
Friendly Fan
The Beloved Strategist
I
!! Speed kills. On the base paths, there is nothing more devastating than a pesky and alert baserunner that can flat out fly!! Not only is it free bases, but it can really rattle a pitcher! Wow, 3.7 though- that is flat out unreal, someone sign him a pro-contract baby! My high school team to beat this year in Illinois though has to be Lockport- WOW they have some depth and skills to boot! Friendly Fan
The Beloved Strategist
Lockport will definitely be tough this year.
idont care what neone sais but the richards bulldogs are gunna make some noise i dont care bout lockport or neone else we are a senior dominated team with lots of experience since our soph yrs were gunna kill
FriendlyFan39.....
I agree with you and Beenthere, Lockport is definitely in the mix this coming year.
Some other schools to look at are Glenbard West and OPRF. Then you always have St.Ignatius, Sandburg, LT, Providence, you know who the rest of the schools are.
PLEASE.......don't take it personal that I didn't include your school!!!! I didn't get to see many games last season, and I know there are many other great teams out there. I'm sure that those other teams will be contenders.
"You observe a lot by watching."
I agree with you and Beenthere, Lockport is definitely in the mix this coming year.
Some other schools to look at are Glenbard West and OPRF. Then you always have St.Ignatius, Sandburg, LT, Providence, you know who the rest of the schools are.
PLEASE.......don't take it personal that I didn't include your school!!!! I didn't get to see many games last season, and I know there are many other great teams out there. I'm sure that those other teams will be contenders.
"You observe a lot by watching."
bull...How was your pitching last year? Or, we you guys involved in a bunch of 11-9 games?
Bull,
FYI, seniors guarantee nothing. walk softly, carry a big stick. Sometimes it is best to stay under the radar.
FYI, seniors guarantee nothing. walk softly, carry a big stick. Sometimes it is best to stay under the radar.
Glover,
I couldn't agree more. I saw post after post this time last year about "the Gods in green" and how they would not be beat. The posts stopped not long after the season started.
I couldn't agree more. I saw post after post this time last year about "the Gods in green" and how they would not be beat. The posts stopped not long after the season started.
haha good one HSDad, I just figgured there free AOL hours ran up, and that was why they stopped posting. If I had to pick one team to win state this year it would be OPRF. They have great hitting and great pitching, a good mix of juniors and seniors, and had a great summer.
Last year I picked Rich South, Hillcrest and Crete-Monee as my favorites and caused many to take offense to my good natured kidding. Therefore, I will stay with my choices from last year. 
Lockport, JCA, and Minooka will beat any team in the state on any day. All 3 teams have solid hitting and pitching.Lockport has players like Christensen and Kovack JCA has Vidano and Feeney and Minooka has Perinar and Shiedt just to name a few. Just shows the Joliet area might have the best baseball talent around.
bull
the senior part about your post isnt very important in my opinion, more important I think is the experience, and seniors dont necessarily mean experience. for instance the Ignatius starting 8 position players have 14 past years of varisty experience split between them, only 3 seniors. I would take the 8 players with 14 years of experience and only 3 of them being seniors, over 8 seniors with 8 years of experience. again this is in my opinion. Good luck when the year comes around.
john j
the senior part about your post isnt very important in my opinion, more important I think is the experience, and seniors dont necessarily mean experience. for instance the Ignatius starting 8 position players have 14 past years of varisty experience split between them, only 3 seniors. I would take the 8 players with 14 years of experience and only 3 of them being seniors, over 8 seniors with 8 years of experience. again this is in my opinion. Good luck when the year comes around.
john j
Sonen,
I have to disagree. And I am a serious Huskie sympathizer(although I don't tell anyone from my Alma mater). I see PLENTY of talent but far too much individualism(see my post on winning baseball). I sincerely hope they prove me wrong. I would love to see them do it.
I have to disagree. And I am a serious Huskie sympathizer(although I don't tell anyone from my Alma mater). I see PLENTY of talent but far too much individualism(see my post on winning baseball). I sincerely hope they prove me wrong. I would love to see them do it.
of our seniors, 3 of us have played since our soph yr and i evn since fresh yr. so the experience is their as well as the leadership, Ill admit im biased since i play with the team, but i believe that richards is the team to beat i look at our team and we are strong at every position
bull
how many seniors do you have back?
john j
how many seniors do you have back?
john j
I respectfully disagree, Richards won't be much of a factor when the playoffs begin.
hsdad
why do u say that richards wont be a factor
bull
why do you say that richards is team to beat
and personally I think Lockport is team to beat with all the experience they have.
john j
why do u say that richards wont be a factor
bull
why do you say that richards is team to beat
and personally I think Lockport is team to beat with all the experience they have.
john j
glover
i have to agree with you, I saw oprf a few times last year and they seemed to play for themselves to much but if they get that together than not many teams are going to beat them. LT was very good at the team ball, that and it doesnt hurt having all the talent they did, both is needed to win. providence last year had just as much talent as anyone in state, but they werent "a great team" and I personally believe it was because they did not play like a team.
john j
i have to agree with you, I saw oprf a few times last year and they seemed to play for themselves to much but if they get that together than not many teams are going to beat them. LT was very good at the team ball, that and it doesnt hurt having all the talent they did, both is needed to win. providence last year had just as much talent as anyone in state, but they werent "a great team" and I personally believe it was because they did not play like a team.
john j
glover
i have to agree with you, I saw oprf a few times last year and they seemed to play for themselves to much but if they get that together than not many teams are going to beat them. LT was very good at the team ball, that and it doesnt hurt having all the talent they did, both is needed to win. providence last year had just as much talent as anyone in state, but they werent "a great team" and I personally believe it was because they did not play like a team.
john j
i have to agree with you, I saw oprf a few times last year and they seemed to play for themselves to much but if they get that together than not many teams are going to beat them. LT was very good at the team ball, that and it doesnt hurt having all the talent they did, both is needed to win. providence last year had just as much talent as anyone in state, but they werent "a great team" and I personally believe it was because they did not play like a team.
john j
JohnJ, Glover,
I have to agree with you guys. OPRF has some really good talent. I am a serious fan having played there myself. I hope coach Ledbetter can find a way to bring these guys together for a common goal of winning the state championship. To do so you must put personal interest aside and play as a team. I have seen some extremely talented teams bow out very early in the single elimination tournament. Coach Ledbetter's first team at OPRF was a team that on paper had no business ending up where they did(second in state). But I can tell you as an insider who was on the staff that year, they had leaders who's heads were in the right place. They played to the game the way it is supposed to be played (in my humble opinion). They played with hustle, personal sacrifice, persistence, optimism, and plenty of heart.
They were also a very good comeback team who learned to "chip away" when down. Not swing for the fence to get it all back at once. Had they done that I guarantee the result would have been very different.
I hope every coach and every player has an opportunity to be with a team that creates that type of environment. There are very few things in life that are better. Unfortunately, to create that sort of team environment a coach has to convince his players to take a leap of faith and sacrifice for each other. That is not easy to do.
Great sculptors create their masterpieces by chipping away small pieces of rock with a chisel not slamming with a slege hammer.
I have to agree with you guys. OPRF has some really good talent. I am a serious fan having played there myself. I hope coach Ledbetter can find a way to bring these guys together for a common goal of winning the state championship. To do so you must put personal interest aside and play as a team. I have seen some extremely talented teams bow out very early in the single elimination tournament. Coach Ledbetter's first team at OPRF was a team that on paper had no business ending up where they did(second in state). But I can tell you as an insider who was on the staff that year, they had leaders who's heads were in the right place. They played to the game the way it is supposed to be played (in my humble opinion). They played with hustle, personal sacrifice, persistence, optimism, and plenty of heart.
They were also a very good comeback team who learned to "chip away" when down. Not swing for the fence to get it all back at once. Had they done that I guarantee the result would have been very different.
I hope every coach and every player has an opportunity to be with a team that creates that type of environment. There are very few things in life that are better. Unfortunately, to create that sort of team environment a coach has to convince his players to take a leap of faith and sacrifice for each other. That is not easy to do.
Great sculptors create their masterpieces by chipping away small pieces of rock with a chisel not slamming with a slege hammer.
we only graduated on snr who saw the field on a regular basis was our shortstop. smith and druktenis started as sophs, and are gunna lead the team along with a strong supporting cast, lockport yes has experience as so does richards. IM done talkin bout the team, well show it when the season comes cuz then well shut the mouths of everyone who thinks otherwise
bull...Obviously, the coaches in your conference haven't figured out a way to "pitch around" Druktenis and Smith.
...When and if they do, your team will disappear.
Two players can't win anything in baseball unless they are stud pitchers.
...When and if they do, your team will disappear.
Two players can't win anything in baseball unless they are stud pitchers.
Everybody has to watch out for Richards, being led by All Area Of Druktenis / All State OF Smith / and All Area Carden (when he was a soph, didnt play as a jr) Richards plays in probably the easiest conference in the world yet there non conference schedule is 1 of the toughest in the state. Druktenis will throw up better than his Jr. stats this spring and Smith will do the same, THEY ARE GUNNA SHOCK THE WORLD
"Whelp everybody, we might as well all fold-up-our-tents and just give them the State Championship trophy now"!!!!!!
Outside of Druktenis, WHO????
"You observe a lot by watching."
Outside of Druktenis, WHO????
"You observe a lot by watching."
Look it up - Brian Smith was an All State Outfielder , he also went 10-1 with a 1.8 ERA
thats not to shabby - he knocked off top ranked Provi and Br. Rice with ease
Danny S. a transfer from Rita hit a well.400 as a junior and soo did JR Guzzo
Bergman keeps us strong up the middle
there are many well known players in the area on the team - with the loss of only 1 starter . local teams should look out
thats not to shabby - he knocked off top ranked Provi and Br. Rice with ease
Danny S. a transfer from Rita hit a well.400 as a junior and soo did JR Guzzo
Bergman keeps us strong up the middle
there are many well known players in the area on the team - with the loss of only 1 starter . local teams should look out
im lookin for a good 60 HRs this year for the Bulldogs at Richards
HaHa, thats funny Hotsmitty30!
Just asa you expect them to put up 60 homeruns, I expect Crete-Monee to go undefeated this coming season. And another thing, I garuntee when Richards plays SICA WEST teams this year they will be murdered and I can't wait to see what Lockport does to you, not to say Crete is going to beat them by no means, but you are getting a little cocky considering practices havn't even started yet. But I guess you are right we will all have to wait and see, but more than likley you wont be typing on this board about the power house Richards.
Just asa you expect them to put up 60 homeruns, I expect Crete-Monee to go undefeated this coming season. And another thing, I garuntee when Richards plays SICA WEST teams this year they will be murdered and I can't wait to see what Lockport does to you, not to say Crete is going to beat them by no means, but you are getting a little cocky considering practices havn't even started yet. But I guess you are right we will all have to wait and see, but more than likley you wont be typing on this board about the power house Richards.
HotSmitty30.....
I did some research and found that Brian Smith did have an exceptional year.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Did he get any good write-ups in the local papers last season? There must be other 'top' players out there that should get credit for their performances, or at least be followed more closely this coming year.
Why didn't Carden play as a junior if he was All-Area as a sophomore?
"You observe a lot by watching."
I did some research and found that Brian Smith did have an exceptional year.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Did he get any good write-ups in the local papers last season? There must be other 'top' players out there that should get credit for their performances, or at least be followed more closely this coming year.
Why didn't Carden play as a junior if he was All-Area as a sophomore?
"You observe a lot by watching."
Jim D.....
Would love to see you at the helm of OPRF. You are right, that Oak Park team had no business being where they were. Have to say, heard you were a big reason why they did get there.
Would love to see you at the helm of OPRF. You are right, that Oak Park team had no business being where they were. Have to say, heard you were a big reason why they did get there.
i would agree with brett on what he said... the joliet area has alot and i mean alot of top talent around that noone ever gives any credit ... there is two pitchers that have touched 90 at one time or another in the area.. people should start looking south
Throwing 90 and being a good pitcher are 2 very different things. If they throw 90 and are good, trust me we would have heard about them. This is not the days of the pony express, word spreads fast, so trust me they will get credit when credit is due.