Need Info about Maryland Baseball

He is 15 but plays on a 16U AABC team. Plays 3B. RHT/LHB

Ntx,

You have a PM

I grew up in Columbia. No, the weather here isn't like Dallas -- you'll be playing in March when it's too cold, have rain-outs in April and May, and in the fall you'll wonder why high schools play football in September and October when it's beautiful baseball weather.

You might consider moving to Baltimore County, commuting to Columbia, and sending your son to Calvert Hall, which, IMHO, has the best baseball program in that area.

quote:

Originally posted by LHPMom2012:
I grew up in Columbia. No, the weather here isn't like Dallas -- you'll be playing in March when it's too cold, have rain-outs in April and May, and in the fall you'll wonder why high schools play football in September and October when it's beautiful baseball weather.

You might consider moving to Baltimore County, commuting to Columbia, and sending your son to Calvert Hall, which, IMHO, has the best baseball program in that area.

Not true. It's always sunny and 80, and the best baseball programs are:
1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Calvert Hall
3. Washington Nationals

quote:

Originally posted by all322:

quote:

Originally posted by LHPMom2012:
I grew up in Columbia. No, the weather here isn't like Dallas -- you'll be playing in March when it's too cold, have rain-outs in April and May, and in the fall you'll wonder why high schools play football in September and October when it's beautiful baseball weather.

You might consider moving to Baltimore County, commuting to Columbia, and sending your son to Calvert Hall, which, IMHO, has the best baseball program in that area.

Not true. It's always sunny and 80, and the best baseball programs are:
1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Calvert Hall
3. Washington Nationals

Correction:
1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Calvert Hall
3. Broadneck Softball
4. Whiffleball in our neighborhood
5. Washington Nationals

NtxMustangs:

We live in Montgomery County, about 30 mins from Columbia. Two of my friends live in Montgomery County and commute to work in Columbia. There are a lot of choices, both public and private for High School baseball in the area. LPHMom2012 is right, Calvert Hall has a good program, but there are other choices-St Johns Prep, Good Counsel, Georgetown Prep are some private schools with well-known baseball programs. Public high schools such as Arundel, River Hill, Hammond, Severna Park, Sherwood, Quince Orchard and Wootton have competitive programs as well.

Please PM me with any detailed questions and I will try to point you in the right direction.

I live in MoCo too, and my son goes to one of the schools on 24&34Dad's list, but I still think going Baltimore County/Calvert Hall is the best option. The traffic will be easier. The cost of living will be lower. You'll get more house for your money. I belive taxes are lower. And there are other good private school baseball programs in that area. Calvert Hall is the best, but Spaulding is very good, Cardinal Gibbons...

From a political standpoint, MoCo is heavily Democratic, and Baltimore County trends Republican.

LHPMom

LHPMom:
Are you suggesting that less taxes, less traffic and conservative politics that one might find near Baltimore are better than the higher taxes, worse traffic and the politics of The People's Republic of Montgomery County?

Truthfully, I am a dyed-in-the-wool true blue Democrat. But I recognize that not everyone else is. And many of those "not everyone else"es live in Texas.

all322, having read your list and weather predictions, I'm wondering if you're implying that Calvert Hall isn't as good as its press? Or do you know something about the O's, Nats, weather, and whiffleball that we don't?

LHPMom

Yes. If 24's team played whiffleball, they could have still gotten the game in today due to the plastic aspect. Also, I think I still ranked the Nats too high, and I have to believe that the O's would have the best shot at beating CHC.

I sent you a PM. I am happy to assist.

quote:

Originally posted by NtxMustangs:
Hello,
I recently was tendered a job offer in the Columbia, Maryland area. I have a Freshman son who plays baseball. He has been playing very competitive/travel ball for many years in the Dallas area. He loves the game and it is important for us to be somewhere in which he will be exposed to good competition, great coaching, good private instructors, and also a good baseball community that loves the game.

I was just wondering if any one had some info on what the atmosphere is like in Columbia/Maryland area? Also, one specific question I have is in regards to the baseball season in general. Obviously with the Dallas climate being very moderate we can play ball year round. Is this something can be done in MD as well or does the winter shut you down for an extended period of time?

Thanks for any and all help!!

There are many private schools in the area that offer tremendous academic and baseball programs. That being said, do not sell the public schools or the baseball programs short. Hammond is a good school with a great coach - Mike Lerner, and so is Atholton - Coach Kevin Kelly. For what it is worth, those two are the class of Howard County coaches in my mind.

OK-you probably want to live in Howard County but send your son to a private school. Howard County is a wonderful place to live as a family. Howard County is not known for its baseball-believe me. The person who posted about Hammond...come on. Once the juniors leave in 2010-look at what's coming up. Before this class, what did Hammond ever produce? Did anyone ever go on to play college ball? If so, please be specific because I don't think so....
Howard County is centrally located so your son can attend Spaulding, Mt. St. Joes, Calvert Hall, DeMatha...lots of possibilities.

quote:

Originally posted by metroclubball:
OK-you probably want to live in Howard County but send your son to a private school. Howard County is a wonderful place to live as a family. Howard County is not known for its baseball-believe me. The person who posted about Hammond...come on. Once the juniors leave in 2010-look at what's coming up. Before this class, what did Hammond ever produce? Did anyone ever go on to play college ball? If so, please be specific because I don't think so....
Howard County is centrally located so your son can attend Spaulding, Mt. St. Joes, Calvert Hall, DeMatha...lots of possibilities.

What did Hammond ever produce? Jason Maxey, the all-time leader in HRs for the state of MD. As a Freshman at the Univ. of MD he hit 26 HRs. After transferring to Towson, because MD wanted to DH him full-time, he only hit 23 HRs his senior year. He was later signed by the hometown O's. Adam Heffron (All-Conference at Towson), Brian Brewer, Joe Nestor, Mike Lerner, etc... Hammond has produced alot over the years. They lost in the state finals back in the late 90's, early 2000's.

Your premise is baseless and offers this person no real insight on their decision. I was born in Howard County and will probably die here (hopefully no time soon). Did you tell the person how high the property taxes are here? Did you tell the person be careful what neighborhood they move to because of Section-8 housing or covenence on their property? Doesn't sound like it.

High school baseball in Maryland matters little.

The fall showcase opportunities with the Mid Atlantic Red Sox and Oriolanders are the ONLY place for serious college prospects. This won't even matter until your son is a rising high school junior.

Find a home that meets your family's needs, a school where your son can have a decent baseball experience and a good college prep program (public or private/parochial) and one more thing...welcome to "the land of pleasant living". Good luck!

So, apparently, CHC is the only real institution worth sending your son for baseball--gimme a break. They do have a historically strong program. However, all I can say is, I hope he's a stud. Otherwise, he will simply sit behind the better player for four years. Maybe not the ideal H.S. experience.

There is some good ball in Howard County, I wouldn't say the league is anything extraordinary from top to bottom. There are also several good schools and private schools in Anne Arundel. However, no one should deny that the MIAA is the most competitive HS league from top to bottom. CHC, Mt. St. Joe, Loyola, Spalding, Cardinal Gibbons, and even Curley all have strong programs this year.

Summer Ball is a different story. There are competitive teams everywhere. Typical Howard County programs that are usually decent include HCYP Raiders and WHC Renegades, to just name a couple off the top of my head. Good luck.

I think the topic is getting off track a bit. Why don't we stick to the facts. While I am sure that the decision to move from Texas will not be based on just the comments from this page I think we all should try to help and be objective to a parent with questions about his child's future options.

1. The Maryland outdoor baseball season typically runs from 1 April- 31 October. After that it is indoor training as the weather will not allow year-round outdoor play. Fall Sept-Oct often has better weather than Apr-May.

2. There are several indoor training options in the Howard, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore County areas each with quality instruction.

3. Howard County is a nice place to live and has some good schools both academically and baseball-wise. Howard county typically has had smaller schools than other counties. I believe the largest school is classified as 3A for baseball. There are a number of very good private school options in in the Howard/Anne Arundel/Baltimore County & Baltimore areas for someone living in Howard county.

4. Most if not all of the private schools have VERY competative tryouts as over 100 players seek a spot on their teams. So you better have talent to play at the Calvert halls etc. It is not uncommom to find that many players who would start at area public schools ride the bench or not make the most competative private school teams.

5. The private schools can practice & train year-round which is not an option in the public schools.

7. The best private school teams may have an edge over the Best public schools head-to-head due to the fact the have the ability to recruit rather than draw only from within specific school district boundries.

8. Both public and private schools have many talented players that are on the same level. Both send many players to DI schools and many play against or with each other during the summer.

9. There are many options for summer ball and for showcasing talent but I would assume that there are as many, if not more options for this in Texas which has a great deal of baseball talent and exposure on the national level.

I am sure that NtxMustangs will do more in-depth research on schools academics and baseball programs prior to making his move just as he would when finding the "best" home for his family in the area. Best of luck in your decision process! I hope you find the best "fit" for yourself and your family.

Larry, I agree that Hammond has produced some quality players and the comment was a slight on the kids that have come out of the program. While Hammond doesn't have the Baseball pedigree of an Arundel record-wise, you don't have to win the state championship every year to have great players come out of a program or have a quality coach. Jason Maxey is the all-time HS HR leader in MD. He hit 17 bombs as a MD freshman and then 23 in his senior year after transferring to Towson which was a single season Tiger record. He finshed up by signing as a free-agent with Aberdeen.

I certainly didn't mean a slight to Hammond (or other Howard County) ballplayers. The players you refer to, didn't they graduate 10-15 years ago? I'm just talking about recent history. Again, no disrespect, I'm just offering my opinion, along with everyone elses here. Howard County schools are the best in the state academically. So if that is an equal consideration, then making Howard County your home county is a great idea.

Where did he go? I think we chased him away... changed his mind about wanting to move to this crazy state where no one can agree on anything!

Working in Columbia, I just think he'd have more options for his son living in Baltimore County as far as the private schools go. He's going to have to drive him to school for another year or so. Miserable commute driving to Spaulding, turning around for work, then heading back...

As far as the competition for those spots go, I agree. It sounds like this Texan and his son take their baseball very seriously. They play year-round down there and if he's playing up he's probably very good. Let's face it, those boys playing in California, Texas and Florida sometimes look like they've been playing a different game than our Maryland boys...

LHPMom

LHPMOM,

Being a Texas transplant, I get back to visit family often. Last year in Houston and this year in
Dallas I attended games with top 5 6A schools and
while the teams played very well, I see no difference between those teams and Miaa A and WCAC top teams. I believe there, as well as here, pitching depth is key and that is where year round
play helps, but also exposes kids to overuse.

My son plays a lot of baseball here in Md., but
the winters have allowed him to become a very good basketball player, snowboarder and driveway shoveler, and these are skills you can't always
hone in Fl., Tx., or Ca.

Finally, suggesting a Baltimore County commute would be better....now that's crazy talk.

The assumption is that they live in Columbia drop off at Spalding and go back to work in Columbia. I have lived here in MD for 11 years and I would NEVER live in Columbia. Its not my kinda place. Its nice with all of the trees but there are WAY WAY too many BS political backstabbing ***'s for me. Most Columbians are great people but the politics and the NIMBY factor are off the scale.

I personally would advise him to go to Spalding, Gibbons, or in a public school district like Arundel, Severna Park or Chesapeake. He can be a standout, be part of pretty good programs and all are a short commute to Columbia. There are MANY nice neighborhoods in all of those districts and feeder areas. I have to agree with not going to Calvert Hall or Loyola. Both are good programs but, I have to wonder if they're good programs because the talent migrates in that direction or the coaching is that good! I tend to think that the talent migrates there. All of the schools I mentioned have good homemade talent and compete well year in and year out. Sure Arundel is down a little this year but that won't last according to the history books. Spalding graduated 14 seniors last year and they are in the playoff hunt with 6..... yes 6 underclassmen (3 freshmen and 3 sophomores)in the starting lineup and they only have 1 junior in the entire program. Chesapeake is a young program and they will be very good next year. Gibbons has several graduating seniors and some new talent would be welcome next year to stay in the thick of it.

I also have to agree with the talent level around the country. The schools out there are just as talented as this area for the most part. Every area has standouts and every area has a large group of lesser talent that feeds into the programs. Baseball is year round here as well because of great facilities like BATT Academy, RBI, Frozen ropes ... and the list goes on.

quote:

Originally posted by LHPMom2012:
Where did he go? I think we chased him away... changed his mind about wanting to move to this crazy state where no one can agree on anything!

Working in Columbia, I just think he'd have more options for his son living in Baltimore County as far as the private schools go. He's going to have to drive him to school for another year or so. Miserable commute driving to Spaulding, turning around for work, then heading back...

As far as the competition for those spots go, I agree. It sounds like this Texan and his son take their baseball very seriously. They play year-round down there and if he's playing up he's probably very good. Let's face it, those boys playing in California, Texas and Florida sometimes look like they've been playing a different game than our Maryland boys...

LHPMom

quote:

Originally posted by all322:
My son plays a lot of baseball here in Md., but
the winters have allowed him to become a very good basketball player, snowboarder and driveway shoveler, and these are skills you can't always
hone in Fl., Tx., or Ca.

Thanks to all for some great info. Baseball is certainly not the deciding factor on the move but want to take my kids first love into consideration. I have a 2 and 4 year old as well so I have been scanning the message boards related to sand boxes and play grounds as well.

Regarding All322 comments on winter activities, we lived in Rochester NY for 5 years and if anything keeps us from moving north of the mason-dixon line it will be the shoveling not the lack of baseball!

Thanks again

Metro - I was merely making a point that Hammond is a good program with a coach that does things the right way. You are correct that the Junior class there is talented, but watch them play - you will see that Coach Lerner has them maximizing their potential. You have to remember that this a public school program that cannot recruit like the private schools you so covet. You asked for specifics about what players have gone on to play college ball I will give you a brief list.

Jason Maxey - 2001 - UMCP/Towson
Brian Brewer - 2001 - UNCW
Pat Fieds - 2001 - Towson
Adam Heffron - 2002 - Towson
Joe Benedetti - 2002 - Catholic
Marcus Anders - 2002 - Towson
David Briggs - 2003 - Florida Tech
Nick Purdy - 2002 - CCBC Catonsville
John Schmeer - 2004 - Towson
Jay Benedetti - 2003 - St. Mary's
Brian Briggs - 2003 - St. Mary's
Cooper Brown - 2004 - St. Mary's
Vaughn Blackman - 2006 - CCBC Catonsville
Jimmy Vagnier - 20006 - CCBC Catonsville

They are not all D1 talent - but Coach Lerner is extremely active in helping those that want to play find a place that meets their academic and baseball needs. Please know the facts before you make statements.

PM Sent

You certainly know a lot about the Hammond program. When did the current coach start coaching there? It's unfortunate that they didn't go deeper into the state's this year, with all that talent.

My son went to Hammond and played for Coach Lerner. I was at the North Point game and North Point is solid and very well coached. Hammond played well - a couple of defensive mistakes led to 1 big inning. I would be willing to bet North Point wins the 2A state title. They are all seniors, have 2400 kids in that school and will jump to 4A next year so I would give Coach Lerner some slack on that one. Hammond has lost 3 games this year, 2 by 1 run and 1 by 2 runs. Coach Lerner took over for Coach Maxey - I believe he left the Centennial job to go back and coach the school he graduated from. He knows Centennial has more talent year in and year out, but he wanted to elevate his alma mater - he has done that ten fold.