Best players in District 5

[theACE1544]

Who do you guys think are going to be the best players in D5 this season?

[baseballfan123]

I am not sure what the westpac has to offer, but from the SHL side of things I'd say in this order:

1) Jordan Higgins - FM playing college next fall
2) Derek Younker- SF playing college next fall
3) Joe Risbon- NBC ???
4) Dylan Gelvin - FR playing college next fall
5) Nathan Swope- McBurg ???

Higgins is a solid hitter and catcher for FM and if I have read right was named Player of the Year in Franklin/Fulton County. (Will he pitch this year for the Tigers or stay behind the plate?)
Younker dominated the league with a low ERA and was in my opinion in the top 3 toughest pitchers.
Risbon stepped up and threw well for the Panthers and showed a lot of heart for a younger guy.(JR or SR?)
Gelvin is an above average glove up the middle and can get on a roll at the plate.
Swope can cause havoc if he gets on base he is kind of a slap and run guy, and defensively he has great speed to cover ground.

[theACE1544]

I know a couple of NBC players I'm going to be keeping an eye on. One is Joe Risbon, as a junior he pitched very well down the stretch and in the championship against FM it'll be interesting to see if that translates into his senior season. The other is shortstop Jake Stern. He started the entire season as a freshman and made the legion team. I know he is a very hard worker and will be one of the best players for the defending champs. I agree that Higgins will have a very good season. He is one of the best defensive catchers I have seen in a long time. For Tussey Mountain I have to give a nod to Dane Diehl. He is a very good defensive player in the outfield and will help the Titans in their quest to unseat NBC as the champs.

[the cricket]

I know this thread was started to talk about the best for this year but.....

Who were the top 5 players that graduated last year and which teams were hit the hardest due to graduation?

And will this let anyone step up this year that maybe didn't get the spotlight last year.

[baseballfan123]

I would say FM got hit the hardest graduating 7 starters and losing L. Runk to a hand injury early in the season. Runk is back this year but who knows how the hand injury will affect him. (cut 1-2 digits on throwing hand on index, middle, and ring finger.) With Higgins having to play the role as the Tiger ace, at least I would think after going 6-3 last year with little mound experience I would look for Junior back up catcher C. Cline to show some defensive promise. Another guy on FM's radar I have heard of is A. Davis a sophmore or junior? Possible shine through season for him. Also with Swope and McMurtrie gone for TM some younger guys like the younger swope could shine up the middle or on the hill for the Titans. Forbes did not lose much and McBurg lost a vocal leader in Petty John. SF did not lose much either and return a strong ace in D. Younker a Sr who throws very well. It should be an interesting year and I am curious to see how NBC reacts to the loss of their overall best leader in Snyder. In order the 5 best players to graduate are:

1) Cody Swope- amazing athlete, solid middle infielder and above average on the hill and at the plate.
2) FM Group (Crouse, Harry, Gordon, Gipe, Miller, McCurdy) - lose outfielder, entire right side infield and the shortstop, plus two great bench role players in Gipe and McCurdy tough to swallow for the Tigers.
3) Matt Snyder- solid at the corner and the NBC motivator and spark plug, also gave good innings on the hill and battled, def a weaker team without his presence.
4) Dave McMurtrie- Great #2 guy with a good move, and average stuff on the mound.
5) (West Pac) Matt Donaldson- I believe Meyersdale has lost everything from a leader, their offense, and defense, and their ace. Donaldson did it all and the boys on that team will need to prove themselves come playoff time.

[Sportsfan22]

Some top players in the Westpac this year..... swires and price from portage ( should be a tough team),, bush and possibly ditzler from winder ( was told ditzler is a hot head),, Tony and Max Strasiser from north star, (only freshman and sophmore)but from wat i hear could be two top players in the area,,, Lohr from Meyersdale (not too sure about him), Vogt from sailsbury,(cant think of the other kid from this school), smith from shade...

[the cricket]

Maybe I over-rated meyersdale then. Do they have anyone that has any chance to fill the void left by matt D

I did not realize he did so much.

[raidernation]

if meyersdales pitching comes thru we will be all right. still think that salisbury and portage are the teams to watch in the westpac