| Team | Final |
|---|---|
| Newburyport | 7 |
| Amesbury | 3 |
Wednesday, May, 21
By Dan Guttenplan
Sports editor
Newburyport baseball coach Bill Pettingell may enjoy this Cape Ann League title more than any of his previous 18.
The Clippers clinched a CAL title yesterday for the 19th time in Pettingell's 37 seasons as the school's coach. Newburyport's 7-3 victory over Amesbury paired with Masconomet's 7-6 win over North Andover assures the Clippers of at least a share of the title. The Clippers (12-7 overall, 10-3 CAL) are currently in a three-way tie for first with Wilmington (12-5, 10-3) and Masconomet (14-3, 10-3). Those three teams have completed their CAL schedules. North Andover (13-4, 9-3) could make it a four-way tie with a win over Pentucket on Thursday.
It is Newburyport's fourth CAL title in the last five years with the lone non-title season coming last spring when the squad stumbled to a 10-11 record. Few expected the Clippers to return to the top so quickly after graduating six starters | Kyle Roback, Evan Arnold, Gavin Power, Garrett Boyd, Chris Bresnahan and Nick Notargiacomo | from last year's team.
This year's Clippers started the season 1-4, showing all the signs of a team that was a year or two away from competing with the Masconomets and North Andovers of the league. But a sophomore and junior-ridden squad won 11 of its last 14, including victories over Masconomet and North Andover.
"The way these kids have come back from a slow start has been incredible," Pettingell said. "With the exception of one inning in the Triton game (a 13-2 loss on May 15), we've been the best team in the league with starting pitching and defense. We've raised our batting average up to about .300 when we were way, way below that in the beginning of the year."
Sophomore Kyle McElroy has been mostly responsible for the pitching aspect of the Clippers resurgence. He improved his pitching record to 7-1 yesterday, and his ERA actually jumped to 0.87 thanks to Amesbury's two earned runs.
But McElroy's performance against Amesbury served as a microcosm for the Clippers season. The right-hander struggled through a three-run first inning, in which the Indians scorched the ball to the tune of four hits. McElroy settled down the rest of the way, allowing one hit through the final six innings.
"We started off a little sluggish," McElroy said. "We needed a wake-up call after the first inning. We knew Amesbury wasn't going to give it to us."
That's been the lesson this year's team seems to have learned. No team will lay down for Newburyport just because it has a tradition of winning. Last year's team struggled with that fact in its attempt to stretch the league-title streak to four. The hits didn't come in key moments. The errors came in the worst moments. And the run of CAL titles came to an end.
This year's team recognized it would have to earn its wins. Not having a standout group of seniors to lean on when the going got tough may have actually helped the young players. One senior, though, did leave his mark on this year's team. Richie Burke, a three-sport captain, set a CAL and school record for stolen bases (22). He also holds the CAL lead for hits (28).
"He's provided team leadership like I've never seen," Pettingell said. "He's on a tier that's been unmatched around here for a long time. I like our team's chemistry, and he's a big part of that. This is a fun, fun team to be around."
It's a team that could've very easily gone in a different direction after five games. At 1-4, the squad could've pointed to its collective youth and inexperience and played out the string with next year in mind. But this team's youth was almost a blessing in disguise.
Few of the players shared the same field with the Newburyport greats responsible for the three-year run of CAL titles. Thus, they didn't wait for Joe Pace, Brenden Russell or Jared Notargiacomo to snap them into gear when the season hit its low point. Each Newburyport player took it upon himself to prolong a dynasty that started when many of them were in middle school.
Something tells me that dynasty isn't ending any time soon.
Yes but, the article says that the NBPT player hold his school's record, not the CAL record. Got close to Roman's record though!
#2 05/22/2008 09:20 AMAs of today the season is now OVER.Now all we can do is just hope that the Varsity coach decides not to come back.He did nothing but cause turnmoil and Ruin the year for the senior's that were playing their last year of baseball for the High School.Coach Gene you had so much talent for this year but you sure did screw it up.We should of been in the tourney with all of the talent we had but it really shows what a so so coach will do for a team.We need to get a coach to bring this Baseball Program back to where it was for the past 12 or so years ago.The past 12 years we were always in the Tourney(when we had a coach).Now I am moving on to watch the Baberuth league for the summer and also the Men's team Amesbury Reds.See you all next year if we get a new coach
#3 05/22/2008 12:21 PMThe place where the kids frequent (HERE) is not the proper venue for this type of discussion. Adult/taxpayer concerns need to be discussed with the AD. I am sure that she will listen to adults' concerns, and take appropriate action, if she deems necessary. Didn't you see the posts from the kids the other day? A lot of people are upset; but, it can't get fixed here. I am sure she is aware of what has been going on here. We are sort of a small town. I have had more than one person in my household using this screen name; but, I have had to put a stop to it because feelings have been hurt. You should do the same. Just my 2 cents.
#4 05/22/2008 04:11 PMdear ahsalumni7 YOU TRULY ARE AN IDIOT!!!! GET A LIFE AND GROW UP. HAVE SOME BALLS AND TALK TO THE COACH FIRST, MAYBE YOUR PROBLEM WILL GET RESOLVED. THIS IS JUST COWARDLY AND CHILDISH
#6 05/31/2008 08:54 PMobviously, ahsalumni7 has a child that either didn't play enough or not at all for varsity and is just p-oed about it. Maybe he's just not VARSITY material ....LIVE WITH IT
#7 06/02/2008 07:13 PMthats most likely the case. unfortunately some parents think their child is the best at everything. which isnt all bad , they just need to step back and not be only focused on their own.. I have a feeling the kid might have been a j v player. If so I would be curious as to see his position and batting average compared to the varsity player at the same spot. HE IS STILL AN IDIOT!!!!!!
#8 06/02/2008 08:12 PMIve known both coach m. and coach b since i moved here there both quality coaches, just different methods
#9 06/02/2008 08:14 PMWE ALL KNOW WHO HE IS AND WHO HIS KID IS... IDIOT DOES NOT EVEN TOUCH THE SURFACE...... TOO BAD FOR HIS KID HE'S NOT A BAD KID, HE'S JUST GOT A FATHER WHO THINKS HIS KIDS SH-- DOSENT STINK.
#10 06/04/2008 04:50 PMI just heard that the younger coach plays for the nationals(formerly the amesbury reds....IDIOT) Why would he go to those games if he has a problem with the coaches. And sizing things up, why would he piss off a man the size of him? Again IDIOT
#11 06/07/2008 07:58 PMBecause he's all talk and no action.... He has no problem whining to the A.D. But doesn't have the kahounas to go face to face with either coach.... Now thats a real man..NOT
#12 06/08/2008 10:06 PMits curious how someone who is out on disability can groom the fields, help coach, throw batting practice... I wonder if somebody has any pics ir videos of that? hahaha already do!!! IDIOT
#13 06/09/2008 06:09 PMDisability??? what disability does he have? were all very curious to know because you are right we have seen him do all of the above mentioned. And isn't it amazing how when the light is now shining on him he no longer has anything to say... Be very interested to see how this is going to turn out...
#14 06/10/2008 01:57 PMhe is supposed to have some sort of knee injuryfrom years ago that is keeping him from work.. Maybe that is why he became a BOOKIE
#15 06/10/2008 03:41 PMYou all would rather turn the attention to a parent who you dislike than face the truth; but, you are also taking attention AWAY from the COACHING PROBLEM. This was a talented team; you all know WHO the players were. There is NO denying this. Are you so blind that you cannot see that the loss of Jerry Mondalto has taken a horrible toll on this program, and that the implimentation of a person who is uneducated and lacks the knowledge required to be a decent HEAD VARSITY coach has very likely ruined it? Head coaches are often college educated and/or have been talented players, themselves. They are most often educators of some kind, and at least have graduated high school. Assistant coaches don't necessarily require these attributes.Groups of parents have organized & gone to see Elizabeth; it is ultimately up to her as to whether the complaints go any further.
#16 06/12/2008 01:49 PMAmesburymum (if you are really a mum); you should be ashamed of your comments here.
#17 06/12/2008 01:50 PMI've never heard of anybody that graduated from college with a degree in coaching high school baseball, so remove your head from your backside and realize that a college education has nothing to do with coaching. Second of all I was at all but 2 games, they were an average team who didnt make plays consistantly, they just had a tough year. Real talented kids can throw a ball to first base or field a routine grounder, the coaches cant hold their hands on the field. thats just my honest opinion, I still and always will be a fan of AHS athletics the rest of my life, tough years happen. I wish my kids were always on winning teams, I wish I was on all winning teams growing up, but any decent sports person would tell you, you cant win it all every year. Lets give it some time to work itself out, iron out all the wrinkle so to say. Even the "great" Jerry M.had a few losing seasons. NUFF SAID
#18 06/12/2008 05:33 PMSorry but you are wrong; and obviously still really young and inexperienced. Varsity head coaches usually have a degree in either physical education, health sciences, or some other hs requirement. Assistant coaches can be just about anyone. In Amesbury, it's more politically determined, unfortunately; or, to SAVE MONEY. You must be FROM Amesbury, and probably have lived in this area all of your life; so, you think that this is the NORM. Well, it is NOT. Triton parents and athletes have been very vocal regarding the POOR CHOICE by the AD there regarding their new football coach; because; "HE HAS ONLY BEEN AN ASISTANT COACH FOR LYNNFIELD FOR TEN YEARS, AND ALSO COACHED FOR DANVERS; AND HAD NOT PLAYED FOOTBALL SINCE HE PLAYED IN COLLEGE." Please! Wanna trade places?
#19 06/13/2008 08:43 AMDear Insider, I understand your points; I do not understand your rudeness; but, in any event............ This wasn't "just a losing season". These hard-wroking kids were humiliated by a coach with; and it was obvious; NO knowledge of baseball. I hope things improve for next year, etc., etc.; but, really, the tream was hung out to dry, and I feel bad for the kids.
#20 06/13/2008 10:23 AMOh, and Alumni7's son made that Nationals team.......that's why he'll be watching.
#21 06/13/2008 11:27 AMIm pretty sure that he doesnt play 4 the nationals. The nationals are a college level based team and if he cant play on the jv team with success i doubt he can play there. You dont think its rude to bash a coach on a website instead of confronting them
#22 06/15/2008 12:12 PMI am not familiar with those baseball teams; but, I do know that the son IS playing for one.....I would assume it'd be the one that dad would be watching. The son has played legion & aau since a very young age. And, he did play successfully on JV; had several throw outs and virtually no pass balls. He is an excellent catcher. Knows the game & can be depended upon by anyone he plays with. The coached have been spoken to by some parents; parents have approached coach Burnham, and asked him questions, etc. He is very laid back and calm, very nice, & quite frankly, the AD discourages parents from bothering the coached. She would prefer that they speak to HER. She has made this clear.
#23 06/16/2008 09:34 AMwow wow wow what a disgrace you are insider and amesburymum first off I think I am the one that you are talking about i am writing this to let you both know that i have nothing to hide i really think if i wanted to talk to the coach i could do so very easy as i do know them both well enough did i agree with what they did NO just to let you 2 know that my son did play every jv game and also played one varsity game but i think one of you know that (insider)and which game it was so all of the bull that you 2 wrote is just that talk about me getting a life you 2 should be ashamed of the stuff that you both wrote that is nothing but being a low life person writing stuff like that so insider and amesburymum before you 2 get writing again about somebody know who you are talking about and not guessing who wrote the article
#24 06/18/2008 08:03 AMMutha O 5 thank you very much for the kind words and truth you said about my son really appreciate it
#25 06/18/2008 08:09 AMAmesburyIndians2009 i agree with what you said about coaches and you are right it is all`political in this town it's who you know that will get you in
#26 06/18/2008 08:18 AM
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0 Mutha O 5
Sorry, but, the stolen bases record in the Cape Ann League is currently held by Amesbury's Roman Mondalto. Richie Burke trailed by 6 sb's; not sure if there was anyone in between. Roman Mondalto stole 28 bases in the 2007 season & was given an award last May for it.
Report! #1 05/22/2008 09:08 AM