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Now that hockey season is over, I think it's time for a Baseball thread. Who are the favorites in all the sections? Who are favorites to win State? I am really excited for the season to start and I hope the North Polars can contend for a Classic Suburban and Section 4AAA title.

In AA Cathedral will have another good team...they are the defending state champs and only lost two guys that played.

The tough part for them will be getting back to state as ROCORI has moved down to AA. I think that this is too bad. ROCORI always stood out to me as baseball's version of Roseau hockey...they've been to the AAA tourney 2 out of the last three years, I believe...

Little Falls also moved down to class AA. Little Falls boasts future D-1 player Beau Hanowski. Ben Hanowski is also a very good ball player.

That section (6AA) tourney is going to be better baseball than the state tourney as four of the last seven AA state championships are from teams in the section and the addition of Cold Spring and Little Falls only makes it better.

I think a few teams may have moved down from AAA to AA. Looking at the sections there are only 12 teams now in each AAA section. I think some may have had 16.

GopherWild wrote:I think a few teams may have moved down from AAA to AA. Looking at the sections there are only 12 teams now in each AAA section. I think some may have had 16.

Yep - it goes beyond baseball too. With the exception of hockey, I think Johnson (and actually most of the St. Paul City schools - and a few Minneapolis as well) moved down one level in most sports, most notably baseball, basketball and football.

I'm generally not a fan of this, but one positive is that the Governor roundballers will be able to rip the begeezus out of the Pioneers in the 2nd round of the sections!

Govs93 wrote:

GopherWild wrote:I think a few teams may have moved down from AAA to AA. Looking at the sections there are only 12 teams now in each AAA section. I think some may have had 16.

Yep - it goes beyond baseball too. With the exception of hockey, I think Johnson (and actually most of the St. Paul City schools - and a few Minneapolis as well) moved down one level in most sports, most notably baseball, basketball and football.

I'm generally not a fan of this, but one positive is that the Governor roundballers will be able to rip the begeezus out of the Pioneers in the 2nd round of the sections!

I don't think Hill Murray has a strong basketball program. Hockey is what they'll always be known for. The Football team made a good run in '06 before losing at home to Mahtomedi in section semis but were not as good in '07. Their baseball team (Another team coached by Lechner) made an impressive run to make it to states last season but I don't think it will happen again. They lost a few key players to graduation including Bruchu so the pitching probably won't be as strong. The teams I expect to make noise in 2008 for Section 4AAA I think will be Cretin, North & Tartan. Anything can happen but that's just my predictions.

Grand Rapids should be decent.

They return flame thrower Gabe Wood that helped lead the team to a state title game as a freshman.

They return one of the fastest outfielders in the state in Bill Martinetto. They also will return outfielder Kyle Kleinendorst who started most the games last year. They need to fill one outfield hole.

They return Sam Sparen at third, John Skrbec at short and Kyle Figgins and Erik Hovet at DH/1st. Figgins hit a lot of home runs last year.

That last outfield position is up for grabs. I would guess Jack Moore will fill the hole at second base.

Billy Shaw will catch again and will do great. Martinetto and Kleinendorst can also catch.

Pitching depth will be the biggest problem. A lot of guys can throw, but not many have thrown in the spring yet.

Hibbing should be a solid Team, They have a great Pitcher in Dane Herring, and are returning a few key guys like Zack Bandemere, George Bougalis and Andrew Vadis, Ryan Hanegmon Joins the Team after a season away from the sport, They have also dropped to 7AA so it should be a good season for the old Jackets.

Look out for Brad Hand of Chaska. He's the best player in the state easily.

nikebauerhockey21 wrote:Look out for Brad Hand of Chaska. He's the best player in the state easily.

Tooting your own horn Brad?

You heard it here first boys:

CDH will have a good team.

Never would have guessed it, right?

Goldy Gopher wrote:

nikebauerhockey21 wrote:Look out for Brad Hand of Chaska. He's the best player in the state easily.

Tooting your own horn Brad?

Brad has a world of confidence, but I don't think he would or needs to come on this thread and blow his own horn. As much as I think it happens on the HS or youth hockey site, I don't think it's Brad in this case

His left arm, his past accomplishments, his full-ride scholarship to AZ and his future very possible MLB draft pick,signing bonus level......I would hope he doesn't need any more to make him feel secure about himself as a baseball player.

of course I'm a soccer guy.......this could be a cricket thread for all I care

packerboy wrote:You heard it here first boys:

CDH will have a good team.

Never would have guessed it, right?

What road are they going to travel to Siebert field (guessing that's the location??)

tomASS wrote:

Goldy Gopher wrote:

nikebauerhockey21 wrote:Look out for Brad Hand of Chaska. He's the best player in the state easily.

Tooting your own horn Brad?

Brad has a world of confidence, but I don't think he would or needs to come on this thread and blow his own horn. As much as I think it happens on the HS or youth hockey site, I don't think it's Brad in this case

His left arm, his past accomplishments, his full-ride scholarship to AZ and his future very possible MLB draft pick,signing bonus level......I would hope he doesn't need any more to make him feel secure about himself as a baseball player.

of course I'm a soccer guy.......this could be a cricket thread for all I care

Start up the 2008 soccer thread. I'm interested to hear your in depth analysis.

tomASS wrote:

packerboy wrote:You heard it here first boys:

CDH will have a good team.

Never would have guessed it, right?

What road are they going to travel to Siebert field (guessing that's the location??)

It will be a tough road, a lot of good teams out there.

They start Monday. Hopefully, the coaches dont have to pick their teams in the gym. Melt snow, melt.

tomASS wrote:

packerboy wrote:You heard it here first boys:

CDH will have a good team.

Never would have guessed it, right?

What road are they going to travel to Siebert field (guessing that's the location??)

It's at Midway... so guess where that road starts and ends?

Govs93 wrote:

tomASS wrote:

packerboy wrote:You heard it here first boys:

CDH will have a good team.

Never would have guessed it, right?

What road are they going to travel to Siebert field (guessing that's the location??)

It's at Midway... so guess where that road starts and ends?

Last year the first round was at Siebert and then the semis and final at Midway. Its split up and they actually play the semis the same day as the Qtrs.

Having all those classes sure is great.

Goldy Gopher wrote:
Start up the 2008 soccer thread. I'm interested to hear your in depth analysis.

it would be like talking to myself as usual

soccer is a fall sport.....you'll have to wait. Don't hold your breath

I forgot to mention Woodbury for 4AAA. Does anybody know what to expect from them? They're usually up there too.

tomASS wrote:

Goldy Gopher wrote:

nikebauerhockey21 wrote:Look out for Brad Hand of Chaska. He's the best player in the state easily.

Tooting your own horn Brad?

Brad has a world of confidence, but I don't think he would or needs to come on this thread and blow his own horn. As much as I think it happens on the HS or youth hockey site, I don't think it's Brad in this case

His left arm, his past accomplishments, his full-ride scholarship to AZ and his future very possible MLB draft pick,signing bonus level......I would hope he doesn't need any more to make him feel secure about himself as a baseball player.

of course I'm a soccer guy.......this could be a cricket thread for all I care

According to his Perfect Game USA Scouting Report page he has committed to Arizona State and although I'm sure he received a high percentage in scholarship money I doubt he received a "full-ride", it is VERY RARE in any college sport for an athlete to receive 100% in scholarship money.
It does look like Brad does have a pretty bright future in the future and looks like a name to keep a track on for a few years to come.

Perfect Game Profile Page

I had the state right! Too sunny, hot, and brown there for me so I was in the ball-park so to speak.

I would agree that it would be unusual to get a full ride. That is the info I have gotten from sources close to the situation.

nikebauerhockey21 wrote:Look out for Brad Hand of Chaska. He's the best player in the state easily.

Joe Loftus from AHA makes this kid look average as far as an overall player. . . brad is an amazing pitcher though.

Bash Brother wrote:

nikebauerhockey21 wrote:Look out for Brad Hand of Chaska. He's the best player in the state easily.

Joe Loftus from AHA makes this kid look average as far as an overall player. . . brad is an amazing pitcher though.

I was just about to bring Loftus into the conversation. Last year, I helped coach the St. Cloud Chutes legion team. We made it to the state tourney and the AHA Stars did too. But Loftus was at some exposure camp...So I didn't get to see him...needless to say, I'm still pissed.

AHA Stars for legion are in a district with 34 teams so the top 3 make State. North St. Paul, the team I follow is in a district with only 7 teams. How do they determine the districts and how many teams are in it?

GopherWild wrote:AHA Stars for legion are in a district with 34 teams so the top 3 make State. North St. Paul, the team I follow is in a district with only 7 teams. How do they determine the districts and how many teams are in it?

I think it's supposed to be geography...

I believe they do a rotating thing to see which district gets the most teams at state.

Last year the breakdown went like this...

District 1 - Rochester Patriots
District 2 - Mankato
District 3 - Burnsville
District 3 - Apple Valley
District 3 - Lakeville North
District 4 - Tri-City Red
District 5 - Holy Angels
District 6 - St. Cloud Chutes
District 7 - Willmar
District 8 - Grand Rapids
District 9 - Perham
District 10 - Eden Prairie
District 10 - Coon Rapids
District 10 - Centennial
District 10 - Cambridge
District 10 - Bloomington Gold (host)

Tryouts start today.

We need more domes.