Post reports on Broward Schools Here

What ever happen to the other Broward County post? I didn't see anything wrong with it.
Everyone has the right to his or her opinion.
A disagreement about players is not enough reason to erased a post. Some players are Showcasers and others Gamers, that's it. You see now, nobody wants to respond to this one!

I didn't delete the post and most likely the post was erased by the originator.

I think it's a mistake to differ players as showcasers or gamers. At a showcase, you are gonna have a BP session were the pitcher is around the zone and the hitter is more at an advantage. Then in the games when you have guys using wood bats especially, the pitchers have a great advantage. Performing good at a showcase event should be viewed like extra credit on a test- It can help you, but shouldn't really hurt you, because a kid throwing high 80's and 90's is lightyears ahead of a high schooler hitting with wood.



"This field, this game: it's part of our past..It reminds us of all that once was good and could be again"

True
That's why some player are gamers and others showcasers. About your remarks of pitchers being lightyears ahead, well it all depend, what kind of H.S player your are talking about.
Here in Florida the best and most competitive season for any H.S. player is the fall wooden bat scout team season about 35 games in 6 to 8 weeks, not summer ball, or Connie Mack. Scout Teams have to play against Jucos Florida Colleges, and most pitchers throw mid 80's to low 90's, but not every elite player, play in the fall..I don't know why. I know of a few players whom played last fall for a central Florida scout team, and had the opportunity to show their true colors, in game situation...I call those players Gamers.
The others the showcasers, do not hit well in live games, but they are pretty good at BP.
Some organizations seem not to pay to much attention to our fall scout team season, here, I think they should.
Pro-Scouts do, that is why they have The Florida Diamond Club Showcase, in Novembre, by MLB.

Sorry guys. I asked the administrator to erase the post. I made some mistakes in judgement and I felt it was the best thing to do. As far as the best players in Broward, I'd be more than happy to offer my opinion as I have coach here for the past 14 years and know many of the kids who are now juniors and seniors in highschool. Who's the best player? Go ahead, stick your neck out.

Report: St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale...Okay, I'll get the ball rolling with the program I know the most about. The leadoff hitter will be senior centerfielder D.J. Polistina. He took over leftfield halfway through last season and did an excellent job. He also showed a propensity for getting deep counts, getting on base, and keeping the bat on the ball. He has good speed, runs the bases well, and has good instincts. The highpoint of last season was a late inning 3 run homer off 2nd round pick Anthony Swarzak in regional championship game. A notoriously hard worker, he spent summer and fall driving a couple of hours to play with Gulf Coast Pirates. He is a stellar defensive outfielder.
The 2 hitter is co-captain senior shortstop Mike Marseco. Marseco was brought up from JV halfway into his sophomore season to sure up a shaky defense. Coaches and players credit the move, along with the emergence of Sean Gallagher, as the primary reasons that St. Thomas captured the class 4A crown in 2003. In two seasons as the starting shortstop he has made only 3 errors and has shown he can make the spectacular play. Last year his errorless game streak ended at 26.
The 3 hitter will be senior co-captain and catcher John Daly. Daly enters his third year in the heart of St. Thomas' lineup. He carries an average of .426 over the past two seasons playing against some of the best pitching Broward has ever seen. As a sophomore he hit .500 through the playoffs on the way to the state title.
The 4 hitter is senior firstbaseman and pitcher, Dennis Raben. The Univerity of Miami signee is a major power threat and should put up huge numbers.
The 5 hitter looks like it might be junior thirdbaseman Ryan Dithart. In several intrasquad games he has torn it up. He was the preseason favorite to grab a spot in the lineup and he hasn't dissappointed.
The 6 spot belongs to junior leftfielder Steve Cardullo. Cardullo can hit, hit for power, run, and play defense. He and Dithard will emerge as next years leaders.
Senior 2nd baseman Greg Mileski will most likely bat seventh. A part time starter last year he has shown he can swing the bat and play stellar defense. He's the final piece that makes St. Thomas real strong up the middle.
The final spots in the order are up for grabs depending on who hits. Senior Matt Milner and junior Jesse Lewis are the current favorites, but that could change. Senior Garret Davis and junior Steven Castex have also looked good at the plate.
As far as the pitching goes, Dennis Raben will pitch the big games and senior Anthony Cruz will compete with junior Alex Benson for the 2 spot in the rotation. Seniors Tim Owens and Zach Moncilovich will also get some time on the mound.
Analysis: St. Thomas is outstanding defensively, has a difficult lineup to pitch to, and is well coached. The pitching is just good enough and will be well tested as St. Thomas has loaded it's schedule with quality teams. It's only break is it's own district where Stranahan, Dillard, and Northeast won't compete. St. Thomas takes the goal of reaching the finals as serious as any team in Florida. The players are dedicated and disciplined and walk the halls of a school where 3 quarters of the student body where championship rings. It's just a great place to play baseball.

Wow written like you know the school j/k. I remember dithard from pembroke lakes optimist, he was a year ahead of my son, and he could always hit. There are a few kids from our travel team that are freshman and sophmores there that are make that are going to make that school good for a few more years also. Good luck and a nice report.

O8Catcher,

Come out to a St. Thomas game. We are playing in the Cooper City Tourney this coming week. The atmosphere is extraordinary. Bring your son. I believe we play tuesday night against Taravella. Taravella will probably pitch Austin Jacobs as everyone pitches their ace against St. Thomas. But who knows? If you go just ask for Daly's Dad on the St. Thomas side and someone will point me out.

Douglas High, Parkland, FL.

As the Sun-Sentinel reported, the Douglas lineup is stacked. A state championship run will depend on the pitching. Danny Kern impressed the most in a start against St. Thomas.

I know my son is catching for western, we play before you. He is a freshman so i dont know if he will be starting today or not. Just look for the guy with the baby stroller

Pompano Beach Highschool, Outlook Fair.Must Rely on Defense. Alot of experience, and 8 returning starters. Led by seniors Ryan McCullen p/INF, Eric Kuschel 1b, Jared Mitchell Of/P, and Steve Boyette SS/P...
Rotation..
1. Ryan McCullen
2. Ryan Arnold
3. Matt Wall
4. Jared Mitchell
5. Steve Boyette

Line-up:
1. Ryan McCullen
2. Steve Boyette
3. Eric Kuschel
4. Jared Mitchell
5. Jossias Genao
6. Tj Ziol
7. Matt Wall
8. Fred Desautel
9. JJ Pessavento

Piper High School has a lot of experience. All seniors and 2 returning juniors. Should win districts again and a great chance at states. Competitive schedule this spring too.

You may have inadvertantly forgotten Pompano's 2 best assets (imho); Coaches Petik and Klein. Gentlemen both, teachers both, and caring fans of HS baseball and its players. I wish all the best to the Pompano HS baseball team and their terrific coaches.