Youth baseball teams look for big results this spring

Many players on Brick Township's baseball team will have a pretty rounded perspective of the game and with good reason.

A number of them also play in Big League Baseball for Brick National, which is a wooden bat program.

And with that season getting under way in less than two weeks, players were in the cages trying to get in as many swings as possible.

Some of them were on the District 18 team that last season won the state championship over South Vineland, 7-3, and then lost in eight innings in Dover, Del. to a team from Maryland in the single-elimination region tournament.

The Brick team competes against teams from Lakewood, Berkeley and Jackson, which beat Brick for the District 18 championship.

And although some youth programs have tension with the high school teams in that area, both teams share a harmonious relationship.

"Jason Groschel is supportive of what we're doing and doesn't mind because we don't conflict with what they're doing," said Brick Big League team manager Rich Page, whose son, Jared, is playing shortstop for both teams. Jared Page was a catcher for Brick Township High's team last season but has been moved because regular shortstop Jordan Roshala is out with a long-term injury.

"I don't mind helping them. We all get along and they know what we need to do," said Groschel. "It's all about giving guys as many chances to play as we can."

Page said that no one who pitches for Brick Township's team is a pitcher on the Big League team "until after the high school season ends. I've had these guys since they were seven and this is a more rounded team (than others in the league). We have speed, hitting, pitching, very good fielders. I like our chances."

John Fischara and Larry Fogler are assistants for the Big Bat team, which lost only four players off last year's team because they're over the age limit: John Vitale, a pitcher/outfielder who is at Ocean County Community College; second baseman Travis Escalante; third baseman Jeff Melia and outfielder Mike Fischera.

Phil Corde probably will take over second base and will pitch after the high school season. Mike DeAngelo also plays at second base. Chris Sorice, pushing to be the No. 1 pitcher for the high school varsity, will play third base for the Big League team along with Mike Winters if he isn't catching or pitching after the high school season. Brandon Cruz also can play those spots. Andrew Lombardo is pushing for the start at catcher and Ray Johnson is playing at first base for both teams.

Ryan Ross is a likely starter in the outfield where the team has good depth. Pedro Serrano, who sat out the varsity season last spring before playing summer ball, probably will start in the outfield while Dan Boyle, Joe Goble and Winters are pushing for playing time there.

Certainly, many players will get ample opportunities playing on both teams.