NJSIAA Assistant Director Jack DuBois, who is in charge of the football playoffs, would say after the vote that the move was made to open up additional opportunities for schools and student-athletes. That all sounds fine except that I and everyone else knows the move was really made for financial reasons. The Athletic Association is in financial trouble because of limitations placed on the ticket prices they can charge for their major revenue-producing events, like the football playoffs.

The change approved yesterday not only means more teams but more games, including 4 additional state sectional finals which will bring in more cash to the NJSIAA’s coffers. What’s just as appalling to me is that to fill 8-team brackets in the 20 public school sections teams with under a .500 record are now eligible. In other words let’s reward mediocrity which is what sports have become anyway in this “every kid has to get the same size trophy” world we live in.

Shore Football Coaches Foundation brunch (Dave Thorne Photography)

The honored the members of their All Shore Academic Team as well as the young men selected to play in this year’s U.S. Army All Shore Gridiron Classic on July 12th at Holmdel High School.

This was the first time the two events were combined and indications are that it was a huge success with most of the honored players on hand as well as many of their parents. Quite a few showed up at the last minute and while it was tight everyone got in and got to eat although Manchester coach Gerard O’Donnell and I decided to opt out of the long lines and just drink coffee and talk football.

Football talk was clearly the focus of the event with Monmouth University coach Kevin Callahan serving as guest speaker. Academic All-Shore honors were awarded to no more than two seniors from each of the 42 schools that make up the Shore Conference and each received a plaque for their performance in the classroom and on the football field. Later the players selected to participate in the 35th annual game matching Monmouth County All-Stars against those from Ocean County were introduced. Head coaches for the game are Rob Davis of Barnegat and Manalapan’s Ed Gurrieri.

Monmouth University football coach Kevin Callahan addresses the Shore Football Coaches Foundation brunch (Dave Thorne Photography)

The Shore Football Coaches Foundation should be applauded for their efforts as both the organizers of the game and architects of the Academic honors. Most of their work comes in what is supposed to be the off-season and their time to take it easy but like most coaches it’s now a 12-month job in which you get paid for only about four months. Special praise should go to Dom Lepore of Neptune who did much of the work on yesterday’s agenda along with help from Mark Costantino of Shore who served as Master of Ceremonies.

However many coaches were involved and on hand yesterday as they truly work hard on behalf of their players and others to promote and recognize football at the shore. I had the pleasure to speak at yesterday’s brunch as our Shore Sports Network will broadcast the All-Shore game this July which will be the last time the participates will be able to represent their high schools before moving on to college.

Photos courtesy Dave Thorne Photography

2012 Gridiron Classic Roster

Source: All Shore Media

Barnegat

Ryan Morris
David Smithman

Brick

Kevin Francese
Kevin Matthews

Brick Memorial

Justin Hockaday
Ryan Townley

Central

Kyle Barker
Albert Labagnara

Colts Neck

Ryan Oros
Victor Scalici

Freehold
Peter Scalgione
Kenneth Taylor

Freehold Township
Zach Lotti
Nick LoRusso

Holmdel
John Cardaci
Mike Nolan

Howell
Nick Craig
Ryan Davies

Jackson Liberty
Charles Burgard
Tom Stoudt

Jackson Memorial
Colin Macfarlane
Nick Petrizzo

Keansburg
Nick Lozito

Keyport
Sam Bellamy
Richie Smith

Lacey
Ryan Hanula
Brandon Lucante

Manalapan
Jesse McEnery
Mitch Moy

Manasquan
Bryan Abadrabo
Kodie McNamara

Manchester
Steven Bick
Ken Johnson

Matawan
Anthony Castaneda
Matt Morenz

Mater Dei Prep
Michael Miles
Brad Rauen

Middletown North
Sam Coppola
Jessie Fredricks

Middletown South
Chris Grippo
Jon Valentine

Monmouth
Evan Imber
Keone Osby

Monsignor Donovan
Christopher Fanara
Grant Paulus

Neptune
Jazzmar Clax
Jaheem Woods

Ocean
A.J. Caruso
Tim Heard

Pinelands
Joe Petillo

Point Beach
Christian Martino
Jordan Pettinato

Point Boro
Chuckie Krohn
Andrew Matter

Raritan
Connor Flynn
Tyler Kalarjian

Red Bank Catholic
Anthony Dorsi
Jimmy Portela

Red Bank
Tyle Karalewich
Terrance Scanlon

Rumson-FH
Dan Babiak
Michael Morralle

Shore Regional
Elpidio Cruz
Brendan Dula

Southern
Kyle Readel
Tyler Wilk

St. John Vianney
Anthony Carlucci
Anthony Pante

Toms River East
John Caruso
Gavin Reilly

Toms River South
Vinnie Roma
Mike Tomkowich

Wall
Steve Cluley
Matt Pisarcik

ScarletKnights.com

Toms River’s Jeff Frazier is back with the Detroit Tigers organization after signing a contract to play for the Triple A Toledo MudHens this week.

The 29-year-old outfielder had been playing for Broncos de Reynosa of the Mexican League until last week where he batted .273 with 3 homers and 14 RBI’s in 34 games. Frazier was a standout at Toms River High School South and Rutgers University before being selected by the Tigers in the third round of the 2004 draft.

After three years in Detroit’s Minor League system he was traded to Seattle in 2007 and following that year was sent back to the Tigers where he hit over .300 the next two seasons at the Double A and Triple A level.

Jeff spent most of 2010 at Toledo where he slugged a career-best 25 home runs and it was that power which earned him a call up to the majors for 9 games.

Following that season Frazier was a free agent and signed with the Washington Nationals and it appeared he would finally have a good shot at landing a steady job in the majors. However, shortly after he signed the Nationals acquired Jason Werth and Rick Ankiel and despite a very good spring there was simply no outfield roster spot for him. Jeff struggled last season at Triple A Syracuse where he batted just .226 and when the season ended the Nationals released him which led him to play in Mexico.

Now as he approaches his 30^th birthday this may be the final shot for him as the Tigers could use some outfield help and if he finds his stroke in Toledo it could lead to an opportunity in Detroit. Jeff’s younger brother Todd is with the Cincinnati Reds where he has been used largely as pinch-hitter since being called up in April.

Vin Curry (Phialdelphia Eagles)

Let’s visit some of these stories.

The NFL draft was held over the weekend and another ex-Shore star has a new home. Vin Curry, former Neptune star became the 59th pick of the Philadelphia Eagles. The 6’6″ 265lb. 2nd round pick out of Marshall University will join former Middletown South star RB Knowshon Moreno(Denver Broncos) and RBCs Ronald Brown, who plays for the Colts, as NFL players from the Shore Con. It should be quite a payday for Curry, as last years 59th pick got $3.3 million from the Cleveland Browns.

Monmouth University will add another former player to it’s list of NFLers. Jose Gumbs was picked up by the New Orleans Saints as a free agent. Gumbs, a safety, was the NEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and joins former Hawk stars, Miles Austin(Cowboys), John Nalbone(Seahawks) and Chris Hogan(Miami) in the NFL. Congratulations to Kevin Callahan and the rest of the Monmouth football family.

It will be a strange high school scene this year as 3 former star coaches will no longer be patrolling the sidelines. Joe Martucci(Matawan), Chris Barnes(Wall) and Corey Davies(Howell) have all retired. Martucci won 197 times and has 5 State titles in the trophy case. Barnes has115 in his career that spans 6 years at Jackson HS and 12 at Wall HS. He won the CJ III title in 2002. Davies was the head man at Howell for 21 years and won 105 games and a State title in 2007 in CJ IV. Of the 3 only Martucci will continue to coach, as he heads up to the college ranks and will coach at Kean University.

Barnes has kids about to enter HS and he plans to be there for them. Davies will most likely be traveling to Moravian College a few times this fall, as his son Ryan will take his all-shore QB talent to the college ranks. Replacements are now complete as John Kaye, an 18 year assistant coach at Matawan takes over for Martucci, Derek Reichenbecher, an 11 year assistant for the Rebels and former Howell grad, will replace Davies and Nick Gregorio comes down from Kean University(O line coach) to take over the reins at Wall. Gregorio is a former New Providence HS star football and track athlete star.

John Amabile at the 2010 North/South game where he served as an honorary coach for the south. (Bill Normile)

I could not forget to mention the passing of 48 year head coach John Amabile. A football “legend” in HS football around the Shore. John passed this past week after a short fight with pancreatic cancer at the age of 73. His career is most notable for his time at Wall HS and Neptune HS. He won 218 overall games and 5 state titles(2 at Wall and 3 at Neptune). A true legend among HS coaches, he joins Warren Wolf, Vic Kabu, Lou Vircillo, Chuck Donahue and Mike Ciccotelli as 200 win coaches. The last few years he served as an assistant at a few schools in area, after leaving Allentown as head coach. John was inducted into the Shore Football Coaches Hall of Fame last year. He will be missed.

ESPN reports that the move was spearheaded by former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano, who recently made the jump to the National Football League, taking over for ousted Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris this season.

LeGrand was a standout defensive tackle before sustaining a career-ending injury on Oct. 16, 2010 in a game against Army. Since then, LeGrand continually defied expectations, showing courage and tenacity in his recovery. While his original prognosis said that he would remain fully paralyzed for the rest of his life, LeGrand has shown miraculous improvement and has even stood with support from a brace.

“Leading up to the draft, I couldn’t help but think that this should’ve been Eric’s draft class,” Schiano told ESPN. “This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men.”

Quite an honor for Toms River High School East wrestling coach Warren Reid who will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this summer.

Toms River High School East (Toms River Regional School District)

Reid is among 7 individuals who will be saluted into the New Jersey Chapter on Sunday, August 12th at Rider University. Reid has been the Raiders head coach for 33 years and has devoted his life to coaching young men on and off the mat.

The Toms River Regional School District will hold its 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this Friday at 5pm in the Pine Belt Arena. Some 20 individuals along with four teams will be honored from the original Toms River High School as well as current schools South, North and East. I will have the pleasure of serving as the emcee for the event which is held every other year.

Chris Herren (L) and Kevin Williams (Townsquare Media NJ)

Most of you are not familiar with the 36-year old Massachusetts native who was the subject of an ESPN documentary titled “Unguarded”. However I can promise you that those who were fortunate enough to hear him will not soon forget his incredible story.

Herren’s tale about his 14-years with drugs and alcohol is certainly not unique but it’s the honesty in how he tells the story that makes such an impact. Like most of us he sat in an auditorium when he was younger to listen to speeches about the evils of substance abuse and he admits to tuning them out. If only he had listened than maybe the first time he was offered cocaine as an 18-year old freshman at Boston College he would have had the strength to say no.

A high school hoops prodigy, Herren admitted that he had experimented with marijuana and alcohol but that first cocaine experience was different and it wasn’t long before the white powder became his worst enemy.

Basketball Junkie (Amazon.com)

Later it would be prescription drugs and before long heroin…again probably not an unusual path for a drug addict to take. However what resonated with me and others was that he chose drugs over the millions of dollars he could have made playing basketball.

Herren told a story about the night he was to make his first start for the Boston Celtics which is the dream of every kid from New England. Yet minutes before the game he was outside the arena in his warm-ups waiting for his dealer to drop off the fix he needed.

He never preached to the audience and didn’t pretend to have all the answers. What he did was simply take us on a journey which truly displayed the power of the addiction. I was so overwhelmed that I stood in line afterwards to have him sign a copy of his book “Basketball Junkie.” I asked him what he would be like today if he never used drugs and with a smile on his face the married father of 3 said “it doesn’t matter and I don’t think about it.”

Today some 1,500 juniors from the three Toms River High Schools will get to hear Chris Herren’s story and if it helps one then he’ll feel it was well worth it. His appearance in Toms River this week was made possible through the generosity of Pro Source, a vitamin and supplement company based in the shore area. Company president Bob Chinery should be applauded for giving so many the opportunity to hear a story of despair, inspiration and hope.

John Amabile at the 2010 North/South game where he served as an honorary coach for the south. (Bill Normile)

A Jersey City native who played quarterback at Boston College, Amabile’s first coaching job at the shore came in 1970 at Middletown High School. He moved to Wall in 1977 where he won a pair of state sectional titles and also compiled a 33-game winning streak before taking the Neptune job in 1985.

For the next 15 years he guided the Scarlet Fliers to unparalleled success, including three state sectional championships and during one stretch five consecutive division titles. Even in retirement Amabile continued to coach spending six seasons at St. John Vianney and another at Allentown before running the offense at Long Branch last season. His career record of 218-141-8 makes him one of only six coaches to win 200 games while at the shore.

For many of the 35 seasons in which the Nets called New Jersey home they were a pretty bad basketball team. It didn’t matter whether they were playing in Piscataway, East Rutherford or Newark wins were often hard to come by but seats were easy to find. That all comes to a close tonight when the Nets host the 76ers at the Prudential Center in their final Garden State home game.

A billboard welcomes the Nets to the Barclay Center, their new home in Brooklyn (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The Nets of course are headed next season to Brooklyn and the brand-new Barclays Center and most will not give it a second thought that New Jersey no longer has a pro team because they didn’t notice when they were here. However there were some good times, especially in 2002 and 2003 when Jason Kidd led the Nets into the NBA Finals.

I doubt too many New Jerseyans will follow them to Brooklyn…heck they didn’t follow them here.

Photo of John Amabile courtesy Bill Normile.

Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images

Hear every pre-season, regular season and playoff game on 105.7 The Hawk!

The Jets will play two Monday night games — at home against Houston on Oct. 8 and at Tennessee on Dec. 17 — and a Sunday night game against San Diego at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 23. The schedule, announced by the NFL on Tuesday night, marks the third straight season the Jets have had at least four prime-time games.

Tebow, recently acquired from Denver, will play in his first regular-season home game for the Jets in Week 1 against Buffalo on Sept. 9. He’ll also return to his hometown of Jacksonville when the Jets play there on Dec. 9.

JETS 2012 SCHEDULE

GoMUHawks.com

Monmouth University will begin its 20th football season on Saturday, Sept. 1 when the Hawks visit Lehigh but on Saturday fans will get a preview of what this fall might be like. Monmouth will culminate its spring practice schedule with the playing of the annual Blue/White game on Kessler Field at 1 p.m.

The game is a way for the coaching staff to assess the progress of players, many of whom will be counted on to contribute for the first time come September. It’s also an opportunity for fans to get a look at players who they may be unfamiliar with now but certainly will know a lot more about when the games count.

Saturday will also feature a Fan Fest which begins at 11 a.m. with free food from:

Buffalo Wild Wings

Tommy’s Coal Fired Pizza

Surf Taco

University Subs

Bubbakoo’s Burritos

Scala’s

Joe’s Pizza III

Top It Frozen Yogurt

Families are encouraged to bring their children as there will be games and a dunk tank provided by Party on with Natalie, music, prizes and an appearance by the Flight Crew from 105.7 The Hawk.

For those that can’t make it to Kessler Field, the Blue/White Game will be broadcast on The Shore Sports Network’s 1160/1310AM with Matt Harmon and Eddy Occhipinti to be joined by head coach Kevin Callahan. The game can also be heard at www.shoresportsnetwork.com.

The BlueClaws are pleased to once again partner with the OceanFirst Foundation, 92.7 WOBM, and 1160 WOBM-AM for Home Runs for Heroes, a first-of-its-kind program that provides a financial donation to a local military-based charity each time a BlueClaws player hits a home run at FirstEnergy Park.

The charities selected to benefit from this year's Homeruns For Heroes program (Lakewood BlueClaws)

2012 is the fourth year of the program which, through 2011, raised over $75,000 for local military-based charities.

2012 Home Run / Fundraising Totals:

In 2009, $24,000 was awarded to nine charities, with the charities receiving a total of $30,000 in 2010 and $25,000 in 2011. Each charity is paired with one inning of the game. Each time a player hits a home run, a charity was awarded $1,000 by OceanFirst Foundation.

Founded in 1996, OceanFirst Foundation is the first foundation in the country to be established by a bank as part of an initial public offering. OceanFirst’s contributions to local charities continue to grow. In 2010, OceanFirst Foundation donated more than $1 million to community initiatives. OceanFirst Foundation has contributed approximately $20 million to over 600 local charities in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties since its inception. Its four priorities include Housing, Health and Wellness, Improving the Quality of Life, and Youth Development.

I arrived at the game with a beach chair, notebook and tape recorder, set up somewhere down the leftfield line so I could get some sun and watched his Indians win a baseball game.

It was probably somewhere around his 60th career victory as he was in his third season after replacing his good friend Al Fantuzzi, who had left the high school ranks for Ocean County College.

Last night Toms River South beat Southern Regional 7-1 on a field that was named after Frank several years ago. I was there to report on it, although my days of bringing a beach chair to sit in are long over. Much has changed in the 32 seasons since that first professional encounter but one thing remains the same: Ken Frank’s baseball teams continue to win games and last night’s was one for the books.

Behind the masterful pitching of John Leiter and a big 3-run homer from Andrew Hourigan the Indians overcame a shaky start to give their coach his 755th career victory and make him the winningest coach in New Jersey High School history.

Leiter, the nephew of former major leaguer pitchers Al & Mark was superb after a rough first inning and tossed a 7-hitter with 12 strikeouts. Hourigan’s blast in the 5th ironically hit the sign in centerfield that says Ken Frank Baseball Stadium and from that point on it was just a matter of time before the celebration would begin.

Afterwards longtime assistant coach Mitch Powitz, a former standout player at South asked me to say a few words to begin a post-game ceremony on the field before several hundred supporters. I said the milestone was great but the real testament to what Ken Frank had built was all of those who were in attendance.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

There were many ex-players, parents whose sons wore the maroon and white, admirers, friends and of course family members. Family has always come first for the Jersey City native, who got to celebrate last night’s record-breaking victory with his wife Ceil, four daughters and younger brother Bill…who earlier in the day won his 484th career game as Toms River East surprised Jackson. While not on the field, certainly looking down with a big smile on his face was Kenny’s first and more memorable coach….Bill Frank Sr.

755 and counting. Ken Frank is in the record books and it’s where he belongs.

YouTube

Expect to find many former Toms River South baseball players at Ken Frank Stadium tonight when the Indians host Southern Regional in a Class A South match-up.

The reason is that history could be made as South coach Ken Frank seeks career win number 755, which would make him the winningest coach in New Jersey High School history, an honor he now shares with former Memorial of West New York coach Tony Ferrainolo, who passed away in 2011.

Frank is still going strong in running the program he took over in 1978 when he his good friend and former Indians coach Al Fantuzzi left the high school ranks to take over at Ocean County College.

Frank’s long list of accomplishments is truly noteworthy but more than anything else he has fostered a culture at South that is admired by some, detested by others and respected by just everyone who follows baseball.

Tonight, many who wore the maroon and white will find their way to their alma mater in hopes of celebrating a milestone victory while at the same time knowing they have contributed to the success that is Toms River South baseball.

The first pitch is at 7 p.m.

Don’t get me wrong. I have disagreed with many of their decisions and still feel at times they are often archaic in their thinking and could use a big dose of creativity. The latest news to come out of their Robbinsville headquarters has me scratching my head as an Executive Committee approved a proposal to add more teams and crown more sectional football champions.

As things stand now there are four group classifications around the state with the smallest schools competing in Group 1 and the largest in Group 4.  Those groups are them broken down by geography into North 1, North 2, Central and South Jersey.

The new proposal would create a Group V in each of those sections so when the playoffs are over there would be 20 public champions as well as four Non-Public champs. This all comes a short time after an effort by many of the state football coaches to streamline the playoffs and play down to overall group champions was narrowly defeated. New Jersey is one of just a few states that does not crown group champions.

If this new proposal is adopted, and it will be, there would be 32 more playoff teams beginning next fall and it would allow for teams with under .500 records to qualify as the top 8 in each section will get in based on power points, not records.

To me having a team with a losing record in the playoffs is a joke. While the NJSIAA says this move is about providing opportunity you have to wonder if it’s not motivated by something else. 28 additional playoff games, including 4 sectional finals means more money for the financially-strapped organization.

Lakewood BlueClaws

Today is the 11^th anniversary of the very first game played by the Lakewood BlueClaws and I was among those who was in Kannapolis, North Carolina for that historic occasion covering the opener for WOBM.

I don’t remember a lot of details as I flew to Charlotte, rented a car and drove to Kannapolis, which is best known as the home of NASCAR’s Earnhardt Family. As a matter of fact Dale Earnhardt had died at Daytona just a couple of months before the BlueClaws opener. He was a part owner of the Intimidators and I remember that there was a #3 car on display at the entrance to the ballpark.

The only other real memory I have of that game (BlueClaws lost 5-1) was a foul ball went into the stands by first base and hit a child (I believe) directly in the head.

The game was held up for about a half-hour as a helicopter landed beyond right field and the youngster was airlifted to a nearby hospital. I remember watching the TV news the next day and the injury was not serious.

It was really exciting and I called in live reports before the game and then did a recap the following morning before returning to New Jersey.

Who would have thought then that the BlueClaws would become one of minor league baseball’s most successful franchises, on and off the field?

Credit has to go to the ownership group headed up by Joe Finley and General Manager Geoff Brown, who has been in place since before ground was broken on FirstEnergy Park (which was originally GPU Energy Park).

The BlueClaws have won three South Atlantic League titles and sent some 40 players to the major leagues…or as they like to call it, “from the Shore to the show.”

It’s been a great show and let season number 12 begin!

Al Bello/ALLSPORT (Getty Images)

An inspirational message from Jersey Shore native Sam Mills will be sewn into the collar of the Carolina Panthers jerseys next year.

The words “KEEP POUNDING” are part of the newly released NFL uniforms unveiled by Nike this week.

The phrase references an inspirational speech given to the team by Mills, a former player and later coach who continued to work throughout his cancer treatments.

Mills was born in Neptune City and was a standout wrestler and football player at Long Branch High School before heading to Montclair State University and eventually the NFL.

Originally playing with the New Orleans Saints, where he appeared in four Pro Bowls, Mills signed with the newly founded Carolina Panthers in 1994. As a respected veteran, Mills became a role model for the young Panthers squad.

Carolina Panthers Facebook

The venerable linebacker made another Pro Bowl squad as a Panther and also holds the NFL record for the oldest player to return a fumble for a touchdown.

Mills retired in 1997 and took a coaching position with the Panthers that year. He was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2003. Despite a bleak prognosis, Mills continued to coach while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

During the Panthers’ 2003 Super Bowl run, Mills delivered a rousing speech to the team prior to a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“When I found out I had cancer, there were two things I could do — quit or keep pounding. I’m a fighter. I kept pounding. You’re fighters, too. Keep pounding!”

Mills died in 2005 at the age of 45. His number 51 jersey was the first to be retired by Carolina. His high school and NFL jerseys hang on the wall at Long Branch High School to this day. An award in his name is given out each summer at the US Army All-Shore Football Classic.

Chris Steppig/Getty Images

Despite what CBS and others will tell you March Madness is not as mad, exciting or popular as it used to be.

My own survey of myself and a few others tells me that most of us don’t have nearly the interest we used to in the tournament that spans three weeks from Selection Sunday to Championship Monday. The main reason is that in this “one and done” era you don’t get to know the players and teams all that well as they come and go.

Kentucky, clearly the best team in the country, won their 8^th National Title last night with a 67-59 win over Kansas in a game I had trouble staying awake for.

There was little drama as the Wildcats led by double figures throughout most of the evening, although Kansas made a late run which did make things interesting for a moment or two. I was fast asleep on the couch by the time Jim Nantz said goodbye and CBS closed the show and tournament with its “One Shining Moment” tribute.

As good as this Kentucky team is, and they are very good, it’s hard to imagine how much better that might be next year and in the future as they started three freshman and two sophomores. But for some of them college was like a brief tenure in the minor leagues and they’ll be headed for the NBA Draft in June.

Of course Kentucky coach John Calipari will be out on the recruiting circuit later this week seeking more thoroughbreds for Lexington who can take a few classes, get a small taste of what college is supposed to be about, play about 40 games and then turn pro.

It’s the system which, frankly, is lousy.

While I totally understand many of these players need the money that comes with pro basketball “one and done” just does not work. At the very least, basketball should adopt what exists in baseball whereby you can sign out of high school but once you begin college you can’t get drafted until after your junior year.

At least that would insure that to some extent everyone would be a student-athlete….not an athlete-students.

Award recipients Jason Groschel of Brick (left) and Keith Smicklo of Jackson Liberty at the Shore Baseball Coaches Association Banquet (Kevin Williams, Townsquare Media NJ)

I was among those who spoke at the invitation of Art Gordon, the President of the Baseball Coaches Association who did much of the work to put the well-attended event together. Other speakers included Monmouth University coach Dean Ehehalt and Bill Douglas, the president of the Shore Umpires group.

In addition to setting a positive tone for the new season the banquet also honored coaches for their service to the organization and others for their achievements in 2011. Brick “Green Dragons” coach Jason Groschel received the “Al Kunzman Award” as the Ocean County Coach of the Year while the Monmouth County recipient of the “Rich Veth Award” was Brian Boyce of Manalapan. The “Al Fantuzzi Award” to the Ocean County Assistant Coach of the Year was presented to Jackson Liberty’s Keith Smicklo while the “Jake Landfried Award” which honors the Assistant Coach of the Year in Monmouth County went to Paul Crivello of Monmouth Regional.

COACHES HONORED

A quartet of coaches were singled out for their contributions to the sport and organization and that group included Manchester’s John Musolf, who has spent the last decade giving his time to the Carpenter Cup team . Also saluted were Todd Schmidt of Wall, Monmouth Regional’s Ted Janusz and former Rumson head coach Kevin James.

I congratulate the 27 schools that showed up with anywhere from 2-12 players even though in many cases they were coming direct from practice or a scrimmage.

It was great see some old friends like Toms River’s veteran trio of Ken Frank, Ted Schelmay and Bill Frank and younger coaches like Central’s John Scran and Jim Rankin of Jackson Liberty.

Mike Stobe, Getty Images

Monday the Jets held an event like none other in which Tebow met the media for the first time since being traded from Denver last week. Because of the turnout, the largest ever for a Jets press conference, the event was held inside the team’s field house at their Florham Park training center.

PREVIOUS: Jets Trade For Tim Tebow
VIDEO: Watch the press conference
INTERACTIVE: Tim Tebow’s Career

New York Jets introduce Tim Tebow to the media at their Florham Park training facility. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

There were 200 media members and nearly three dozen cameras focused on Tebow, who stood on a platform and answered questions for more than a half hour. Ironically he was alone as the Jets’ brass was in Florida at the NFL owners meetings. Clearly they didn’t want to have to answer any questions about the controversial move to bring America’s most well-known Christian to the New York area.

Tebow as he always does was smooth under fire Monday answering all the questions about his relationship with starting quarterback Mark Sanchez to bringing his religious beliefs into the locker room. He insisted all he wants to do is help make the Jets a better team and again time will tell if he does that or becomes one giant distraction.

However I think one thing is certain….he is the real deal and what you see with him is what you get. Off the field he walks the walk and talks the talk as he believes there is more to life than just being a good football player and he’s backed that up with action, not just words. Of course he has strong Christian beliefs but most of the time you hear him talking about that publically comes when he is answering a question.

Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a win over the New York Jets at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images)

Don’t expect him to be walking around the Jets locker room carrying a Bible and preaching to Santonio Holmes…that is unless Holmes asks for some guidance.

Part of me believes the Jets acquired him because they have a bad case of Giants envy and will do anything to grab the spotlight and maybe sell some extra tickets. Another part believes that they truly don’t think Sanchez can lead them to the Promised Land and maybe Tebow can walk on water and deliver the franchise a Super Bowl title which has eluded them for 43 years.

Either way I find myself rooting for the former Heisman Trophy winner who led the University of Florida to a pair of National Championships and is an intense and gritty competitor. Of course at the end of the day you might decide that Tebow is not the guy you want to quarterback your team but you wouldn’t mind if he married your daughter.

eBay

In just a few days the High School baseball season will begin. Always an exciting time for me, having coached baseball for so many years during my coaching career. Being retired for quite awhile, I remember the excitement of opening day and the anticipation of another season. One of the sounds of spring baseball in New Jersey was the “ping” off the bat when someone makes contact with the bat on the ball.

Yes, aluminum bats, have been used since the early 1980s and that created that “ping” sound that sent baseballs flying around the field. Well in 2012 spectators and fans around the state will not be hearing that ping anymore. The NJSIAA has adopted the college rule of BBCOR bats. These bats make aluminum bats behave more like their wooden counterparts.

Now you may ask why this has occurred. Most fans love offense, they love home-runs and 10-9 games, but the dangers that the old aluminum bats created, have brought about the changes.

Every year you would here about someone hit by a line drive off the bat and the injuries mounted. Even fans in the stands at games were injured with foul balls, and that’s a red flag.

The college game, where players are bigger and stronger each year, the rule change was needed. They adopted the BBCOR last year and dramatic results occurred. Runs were down, home-runs were down and pitching ERA was significantly lower.

With the new bats, the “sweet spot” has shrunk, leaving approximately a 3″-inch area in the meat of the bat to make solid contact. Under the old bats, there were guys that were able to get away with bad swings and still be good power players. Now you’ve got to be more consistent. The difference is the testing procedures that measures how the ball comes off the bat after making contact. Too much of a spring effect and thus the ban on alloy metals in the making of bats.

Will this rule change effect the high school game this year? That remains to be seen, but don’t expect to hear that “ping” anymore when you go out to see a game. Who knows, but going back to the wood bat may not be too far away.