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Londonderry Legion vs. Sweeney

IronwillIronwill500+ posts
Let me start off by saying I have NO clue as to why the powers-that be decided to hold the state tournament at Keene. It is a horrible decision and let's hope it never happens again. The amount of offense has been riddiculous. Those of us in L can attest to the bandbox they call Alumni field does lend itself to slugfests (though I do not wish to take anything away from Keene hitters- they know how to handle a bat!).
Now, the Legion commish has decided to ignore the rule book. Londonderry beat sweeney in 11 innings 19-18, game started at 1. They then played Exeter 10-7 at 5:20. They are now being forced to play Sweeney for the state title (it is 8:45 at the time of this writing). The rules state that you can not play 3 games in a day. Well, the legion commish decided that the first game didn't count because they actually started it last night (at 10:15 at night due to postponements and had to call it due to fog after 1.5 innings). Does anyone else see a problem with this scenario? What is so **** hard about having the kids come back tomorrow to play? This game will get over around midnight, 11 hours of baseball. I will be amazed if Londonderry can pull it out, and if they do- it would be an inspiring feat. I coached 98% of those boys and I know they have the heart to do it, but how much can the body take?? Sorry if this is long- I just needed to vent!

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

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A ABC123410+ posts
That sounds so dumb....I know that if my team were in Londonderry's place I would be furious that the legion state was making me play a championship game after already playing 20 innings of baseball.....when as mentioned it makes sense for them to just come back and play it tomorrow since regionals dont begin until August 6.
IronwillIronwill500+ posts
It gets better: the starting catcher was tossed from the game. A kid from Sweeney came spikes up and upended the Londonderry catcher (who held onto the ball and still recorded the 3rd out). This lead to some bench clearing and such. The catcher, back in the dugout, threw his helmet in frustration and the ump tossed him! Wow. Needless to say Brothers was irate!
Now, Neverman is catching, Dalzell (a pure outfielder) is playing 3rd, B Finnegan is pitching (less than 8 innings for me this year), and a 15 year old is playing left. Doesn't sound good??? Not so fast:
Neverman hit his second home run of the game (a 3 run shot to bring his rbi total to 8 on the game) and Londonderry leads 11-4 at the end of 6...
I am amazed at the pure heart being shown by Londonderry. They are in their 27th inning on the day...
On a side note: where the hell were all these hits in the high school semi-final???? Smile
Last edited by Ironwill
A ABC123410+ posts
not to laugh but that was a good joke......maybe if it was the 9th and bases loaded with nobody out....just kidding......was it Fisher who got thrown out....I cant even imagine how Rick flipped having played for him and now coach against him I have seen him lost his stuff several times.

A few questions...is Legasse still hurt or playing 2b, and what does the outfield look like, Lononderry is showing why in my opinion they are the best overall team in the state with how they have the ability to plug any player into any situation and as of now succeed. From what I have been reading about in the papers Kyle Neverman is playing out of his mind right now......he is definitely making a statement in this tournament which only adds to his already impressive reputation in NH baseball
IronwillIronwill500+ posts
Yeah, it was Fisher- a really nice kid. Just leads me to believe that this is bs. From what I was told Brothers had to be restrained. I really hope and pray they don't have the states at Keene for the foreseeable future.
Lagasse is at short at the moment, Caron in CF, Verryt in right, and Vinny Parilla in LF. Everything else is just what it is! During our season I move kids around quite a bit during practice so we do have an option in an emergency- though I don't think that is all that rare.

That **** semi game still haunts me. Over 50 rbi's coming to the plate with the next two hitters...ouch. I really thought we had the squad to do it. Next year we should be in the mix again with all the pitching I have returning, but who knows with high school boys!
IronwillIronwill500+ posts
LONDONDERRY WINS! 2009 LEGION STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!!
I am really at a loss for words, to play 27 innings in one day and still have enough in the tank to take the title...wow.

Plus, I was on the phone with someone who was there and there was almost a fight on the field. I guess that a parent from Sweeney tried to do something stupid... I have to say this is the weirdest state tournament I have ever seen.

CONGRATS LONDONDERRY! You guys have worked hard for this! Most of you ever since November!!
Last edited by Ironwill
GS Granite State Baseball Association500+ posts
Ironwill and ABC1234 is this Rick Brothers, head coach of Post 27's 2nd State Title? If so that further disputes the points brought up by another member about his coaching ability. If memory serves me it is Brother's second title in about a 5 year period.. Give the guy credit he stuck around when Londonderry was in the basement, he has built this Post 27 with alot of dedication and support from other members of the Londonderry baseball family. Congrats Rick (doubt he even goes on this site but none the less) and to the boys from Post 27 good luck in regionals.
A ABC123410+ posts
Yes it is his 2nd title in the past 5 years.....Rick volunteers his time and takes time out of work to coach these kids because he enjoys the game. He doesn't get paid for this and he has been doing this for 15 years. I loved playing for Rick, and I enjoy coaching against him now it just makes the games that much more fun...he knows this too and we joke about it each time our teams play one another during the summer.

Congrats to both Rick and all of the Post 27 players...
C ClynchMember
Can't believe how critical you are of the state tournament being played at Keene. First off, it's one hell of a baseball community. They know and love their baseball in Keene, I always loved playing in Keene because I knew there would be some real fans. Secondly, keep the ball down. Terrible pitching is as much to blame for the offense as anything. The last time Keene hosted a State Championship, The semi final game was 3-2 Sweeney over Jutras. And Jutras had a no hitter going into the 7th. Not to mention Keene plays home to the swamp bats and some college players with some serious pop in their bat. I pitched a whole summer there and good pitching always neutralized the size of the field. Keep the ball down, pitch inside and don't let them get their hands extended. Alumni is a hell of a place to play.
IronwillIronwill500+ posts
I agree with your points regarding Keene as a baseball community, one of the best. What I don't agree with is the whole terrible pitching aspect. These are the best pitchers in the state and Neverman hit 6 home runs in the tournament. He is one of the top 2 hitters in the state (IMO), but that is too much. When Alumni field's power alley is, what 345?, that is just not right. By rule the power alley's should be at least 365-370.
It is common knowledge amongst L coaches that Alumni makes Keene a different team. That is NOT to say they can't hit away from that park (not the case), what it simply says is that they are not the same offense away from that park (Though either way Keene can always hit). Alumni and Lions field in Goffstown are the smallest parks in Class L- simple fact, not opinion.
Now, my biggest gripe about the tournament being held in Keene is the location. I understand it is nice for people who live there, but now EVERYONE else needs to travel very far rather than one team. How does that make sense? Concord, Manchester, and maybe Nashua are the three logical choices for holding something like that. Not Keene.
C ClynchMember
I agree local wise it is rough. I still don't agree about the field. Good pitching beats good hitting every day. The last time Keene hosted, pitching prevailed in a big way. It is small, there is no denying that. But u have to pitch down, miss down, live down. Thats the way you pitch at that field. And after five HR's, maybe pitch around Neverman?
GS Granite State Baseball Association500+ posts
CLynch I completely agree with you, Keene is a great setting for the State Tournament. For all the reasons you mentioned, Keene loves baseball. Personally I enjoy heading to Keene, I always top at Callies on Main Street, a local sandwich spot. It is locally owned offering great sandwichs and a selection of draft beers, there are tvs all over the walls. I am just saying if you are in the area stop in I don't think you will be disappointed.
OB Orange Baseball100+ posts
I agree with CLynch, although I hate the drive Alumni Field is a great place to play a ball game. Part of this is the pitching. The tournament starts on a Friday and goes through to Tuesday. 9 inning games and teams have to play up to 6 games. That is 54 innings to fill AND there is a pitching rule, I think it is 12 innings in a 72 hour period. The pitching is weaker, no team has the pitching to be able to keep teams in check when they are being forced to play so many games, like Londonderry 3 in one day. Good for Neverman with his 6 homeruns, it looks like playing in the band box actually played into Londonderry's hands. Being a former Post 27 player I am glad that the tournament was held in Keene. It looks like the small park helped them secure a state tournament. No matter what I still believe Keene, besides the drive, is a beautiful place to play. Congrats to Londonderry Post 27 and Rick Brothers, three games in one day is ridiculous it shows the true talent and desire of Londonderry Baseball.
Last edited by Orange Baseball
OM Old Man On The Mountain10+ posts
Londonderry has evolved into a program which blends good young men into a team. Egos seem to be nonexistent; see the Lancer website to find: "It's amazing what a team can accomplish, when no one cares who gets the credit."
When you have good kids going thru a well-organized feeder system into a well-structured High School program it is fun to watch the end result. My son is part of that system but I can't mention his name because I don't know all the names of the key ones who helped form these young ballplayers. I will mention Rick Brothers as he is the current driver of the well-oiled machine. It takes a special person to put in the amount of time required to get to the level his team has attained. Good job, Rick.
A couple of comments on the 2 playoff games I was able to attend: While I was catching in my younger years I very rarely gave the picture a target which was out of the strike zone. During the 2 games I saw I lost track of the number of times when the catcher didn't move his mitt and it was called a ball. Both teams. Secondly, baseball is about the kids. What kind of common sense was applied when forcing these kids to play 27 innings on a hot day? Maybe the decision makers didn't want to drive all the way to Keene for one more day, the players be ****ed.

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