Congratulations To Team Maryland Selections

My son Billy Gross made this year's team.

Pitcher/3rd Base - Frederick HS
Went 7-0 regular season...77K's 6BB

Congrats to Corey, I have to agree with Al, he's a darn good hitter and knows what the term hustle is all about.

Who are some of the others ?

CV

My congrats to Billy. I have heard nothing but good things.

Dad, would love to hook up on a couple things this summer, as well this fall.

Al
http://www.mostvaluableplayer.biz

I can add:

Alex Buckholtz (Old Mill) RHP/SS
Dan Cropper (Snow Hill) RHP
Ken Misal (Southern) RHP/SS
Ryan Smith (Westlake) C/3B

All play on the Monarch along with Overholtzer.

I don't have any inside info, but it is my understanding that the selections are largely based on what a player did during the HS season. The only requirement is that they must show up and sign the paperwork at the first tryout. I know players have done poorly at the Classic and still got selected so I guess there have also been some who showed particularly well at the Classic and changed some coaches minds.

Just my understanding.

Gentlemen....here is 2005 edition of Team Maryland

Ed Bach---------------Atholton-----------Pitcher-----Senior
Jake Brown------------North HarfordP-----Pitcher-----Senior
Ian Marshall----------Gaithersburg-------Pitcher-----Senior
Billy Gross-----------Frederick----------Pitcher-----Senior
Austin Hurd-----------Gaithersburg-------Pitcher-----Senior
Daniel Cropper--------Snow Hill----------Pitcher----Junior
Joe Mattes------------Quince Orchard-----Pitcher-----Senior
Scott Swinson---------Centennial---------Pitcher-----Junior
David Caldwell--------Loyola-------------Catcher-----Senior
Ryan Smith------------Westlake-----------Catcher-----Junior
Harold Baines---------St Michaels--------1b----------Senior
Ben Sobocinski--------McDonough----------Inf---------Senior
Brady Stouffer--------Northwest----------Inf---------Senior
Gary Helmick----------Northeast----------Inf---------Senior
Alex Buchholtz--------Old Mill-----------Inf---------Senior
Matt Campbell---------DeMatha------------Inf---------Junior
Steven Bumbry---------Dulaney------------Of----------Junior
Corey Overholtzer-----Arundel------------Of----------Junior
Kevin Collins---------Quince Orchard-----Of----------Junior
Mike Newton-----------Calvert Hall-------Of----------Senior

The Team Maryland selections, amidst the politics of HS Coaches, former MLB Dads, and some surprises, will be well represented in OK.

However, with that said, if Team Maryland will be playing 8-9 games over a seven day period, there is NOT enough pitching (what else is new?)
and I just can't remember why this is overlooked,....again (I thought rosters this year are 24!)

Bear's review of the staff says the top four
starting pitchers are:
- Ian Marshall RHP
- Daniel Cropper RHP
- Austin Hurd RHP
- Jake Brown RHP

All four top 90+, have a 2nd pitch, and
are consistently around the plate.

My middle guys include Swinson RHP, Gross RHP and Mattes and allow Bach to close (or be the 5th starter.)

Bottom Line: Team Maryland is short 2-3 arms
(so I guess Erbe and Johnson elected NOT to make the trip!)

The catching staff is solid w/ Caldwell, however Westlake's Smith is simple raw, after just beginning that transition from 3b to behind the dish a short time ago.

Politics aside, Helmick should be in the middle (over Buchholz) w/ Stouffer at 2b (and speedster Campbell getting plenty PT as a swing guy).

The best of the OF is QO Kevin Collins, and will roam the CF spot, unless politics again
gets a pencil to the line-up card with former MLB Al Bumbry's kid, and Bernie's pick for his Arundel CF!

Speed merchant wise includes Campbell, Helmick, Bumbry, Collins, Overholtzer, and Newton.

Mattes just so happens to be the best 1b going,
and of course Baines (does NOT swing it like his HOF candidate Dad!)

The real question remains is who on this years squad can be considered the masher!

Regards
Bear