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the eddie brooks league was weakened substantially last year by the movement of premier teams to the ripken league. is anyone out there from the clippers or monarchs who knows if they may join this league in 2006. some new blood would help to strengthen the league. although a 22 and under league[similar to ripken], some teams played as 18 year old squads[caplans orioles, mile one]. putty hill was weak and will probably be weak again. al nuzzis hunt manor team, though promising early was beset with injuries. streibs redbirds[not to be confused with mark russo 22/under] were good as were the 22/u carroll county rangers. the frederick entry could play, but forfeited too many games[not cool]. and the hurricanes could give you a good game. this league could certainly use both the clippers and the monarchs. hopefully the administrators of the league are looking to upgrade this year, after losing three top teams to the cal ripken league last year[albanys orioles, russos redbirds, and gene bovellos maryland bomber program]. the league plays a nice 30 game schedule which leads to multiple oppurtunities for the postseason, but some adjustments will be necessary to bring this league near its old status. if it does not improve this year the brooks league may become passe. ripken should expand, but in seeking to become like cape cod or at least the valley league you have to jump through multiple hoops to be included[budgetary, lighted fields].
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Hugh,
This is Coach Tawney with VJC...we met once last year...good luck to Nate...I'm not sure if those teams are looking to compete. I can say the CCR team (which had 4 of my guys last year) are always looking to improve and if it wasn't for the lights they would probably consider the ripken league as well. Putty Hill is constantly trying to get players from me, but I do not know the coach or his style which makes me nervous about sending guys there. I agree that they need to improve the league overall so they need to get off their butts and either recruit better players in general or bring in better teams or they will be "passe"
coach, how have you been. how did your fall go? i read about your owings mills facility in another thread and it sounds real nice.

i went to a team meeting today and heard that the monarchs may be joining the league, but mile one has dropped out. there was one villa julie player at the meeting[dave caplan and frank vellegias oriole team], but i cannot remember his name. the league meeting is very soon. a team from delaware is joining the league as well as a team from takoma park. im hoping the rangers are still in the league, because they always provide a very competitive game.
where is Nate at by the way? Caplan had one of my players Wade Keenan..LHP/1B 84-86 real nice looking kid...we also had 3 kids for the Rangers...including their top hitter and #2 pitcher...I'd like to get more guys in the league...I know CCR is asking for more...which we'll provide but we've got 28 on the roster and we need to find spots for about 18-20 now...the OM facility and our housing has made a huge difference in our recruiting. We are really looking forward to the spring after a real strong Fall and offseason strengthening...
nate wound up at towson and had a good fall, which will probably give him a good oppurtunity to start the season getting some quality innings. he changed from dickinson at the last minute[perfect example of what you were talking about on another thread]. i can see why you must "over recruit" at d3, with no letters of intent or athletic scholarships. you truly do not know who will show up until they are on campus and paid up beyond the original minimal deposit.
it is not surprising to hear that ripken is not expanding. i know a local brooks coach who went to a ripken meeting and he told me it would be virtually impossible for him to make the jump. lighted fields kill most baltimore based teams immediately, since there are so few. minimal team budgets were also discussed with this coach and he operates way below what the threshold they were talking about. he did not mention a five figure league fee, but maybe it never got that far. hopefully the brooks leagues addition of two or three teams will help to improve overall league capabilities. the hit they took when the ripken league opened was significant. i was at a silver sring[takoma park?]- bomber game late in the ripken league last year, where a fee was charged for admission and the stands were virtually empty. bulding a fan base for amateur baseball in our area is a tall order. how does the big train do it? i know they have a very professional website. even albanys team, as good as they are, do not draw well at bachman. besides a few parents and scouts, the stands are usually deserted.
Last edited by hugh curd

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