First-year New Canaan High School baseball coach Mitch Hoffman was busy this past weekend selecting his 2010 roster.
As usual, about 75 boys tried out. But paring down a group that size was made more difficult by power outages and floods that limited hopefuls to practicing in the gym.
Hoffman, who was assistant coach under Mark Rearick last year when the team went 5-15, is counting on a couple of seniors to step up in multiple positions.
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PITCHING:
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Two-time captain and southpaw Willie Oullette and righthander Jeff Spindel are both expected to play other positions as well—Oullette in the outfield and Spindel behind the plate, of all things.
"If I had nine Oullettes I'd always be winning," said Hoffman in describing the player's talent level and leadership qualities. Ouellette probably will lead off hitting for the Rams when he's not pitching.
Spindel, whom Hoffman calls "one of my best hitters", will start on the mound for the majority of his games. Asked Spindel if he had to pick pitching or catching, which would he'd prefer, after a brief pause, he replied, "I guess catching because I like to hit."
The five players competing for the other three spots the rotation are: Peter Krieger, a 6'5" junior who will be trading in his hockey skates for baseball spikes; senior Andrew Tropeano; and juniors Hunter Priebe, Peter Meadows and Alex Farina.
INFIELDERS:
Krieger also will compete for the starting role at first base with Peter Gronseth up from last year's junior varsity team.
Hoffman's middle infielders—he's not sure who will play second or shortstop—are expected to be senior Nick Bamatter, who started last season, and Alex Freeman.
Junior Robbie DeWaele is the incumbent at third base with Priebe and John Sammarco moving up from JV.
OUTFIELDERS:
Oullette will start when he's not pitching. He's looking forward to a new season under Hoffman whom he describes as "having a great baseball mind.
"He was able to turn the St. Luke's program around in a short time," Oullette said.
Cameron Armstrong, who missed a good chunk of last season because of injury, will play alongside Spindel when the latter is not pitching or catching. Farina and Sam Lavieri also are in the mix.
With so little "spring training" time remaining before the opening game—April 8 at home against Danbury—the Rams are scheduled to play four scrimmages. They've already played two and won both.
