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Absolutely ridiculous that Central is not in the Law Invitational. Great warmup for the State tourney, natural rivalries, and great for school spirit at graduation time. Seldom will HS baseball draw a crowd, this would certainly give the boys a different experience. It does not take a scholar to figure out it's personal. Singuluar view most likely. Get over it, think of the kids and do the right thing. Are there any check and balances? Have to believe if the Central coaches and administartors were polled they'd be in yesterday.
and yes he has signed with URI to be a pictcher as of now
When you say people do not care that is a bit harsh and when you say you asked why six not eight there is a reason and if my memory serves me correctly you have never asked me that question and yes I have tried to make it an 8 team tourney and if you have the time call me and I would be more than happy to explain . Just for the record Andover and tewksbury do get byes and have stated they will play three games but Lawrence has always needed the three games and in years past so has methuen. Back to the nobody cares The lawrence coaches and players put in about 30hrs over the weekend at the tourney as well as my wife and her family helping with concessions and my 2 young children who are there the whole weekend and all of these people do it because they care about the players in Lawrence. If you recall Andover left and came back when Our staff took over and it used to be four and we made it to six and we are planning on getting it to 8. In the past we were afraid to go to 8 because of field issues and now that we have our new field and access to the south larence east if we get rain we will be able to make sure teams can get the games in before the closing date. Hector please do not say people do not care because the people around the LHS baseball program care more than you would ever know . So anytime you want to call and ask please do and you can find me at the tourney all weekend and I would be more than happy to take any suggestions on making this tournament better for all involved .
I just want to let you know you have never asked me why six not 8 . I agree there should be 8 teams but to suggest nobody cares is not the case. In defense of Andover and Tewks they have offered to play 3 games it just so happens Lawrence needed 3 and Methuen needed 3 games. I would gladly explain to you this weekend at the tourney or if you want to call me why not 8 teams yet. I would also be more than willing to listen to any suggestions you have for making this tourney better for all involved and especially the city of lawrence ,LHS and the students in Lawrence. My biggest concern is when you state people do not care Our staff and players live at this tourney all weekend and put in 30 plus hours including our families my kids ,my wife and her family work the concession all weekend and why because they Love Lawrence and the players that wear the uniform and to throw out those words about caring you just don't get it .Being a coach or teacher in Lawrence goes well beyond the field and classroom and even you should know that.
Just to clarify it would be nice to go to 8 and if you want to call me I would be more than happy to explain or if you want I will be working the tourney all weekendif you have any questions.You have never personally asked why six not 8 so please do not suggest we are not trying to grow the tourney. In all due respect to Andover and Tewks they have offered to play 3 every year so I wouldn't want anyone to think they just get the bye in the first round .Lawrence needed three games as well as methuen and that is why the byes in the first round but if you call or ask me directly I will be more than happy to explain the situation.We should and will go to 8 games and we have been trying to do that but field issues have been a big obstacle. Hector to suggest people do not care is not the case just ask our staff players and our families about caring ,everyone in our program practically lives at the tourney all weekend and my wife and her family along with my children go non stop running the concession stand and tell me they do not care. You should know or if you don't ask any teacher and coach in lawrence about caring because coaching and teaching in lawrence goes beyond the classroom walls and playing fields. We do the best we can with this tournament and before our staff took over the tourney was 4 teams not six and at the time Andover left and when we took over we convinced them to come back and we do appreciate them coming back. We welcome all suggestions to make this tourney grow to 8 teams which hopefully it will and any other suggestions you or anyone else has to make this a tournament a success for the city of Lawrence,LHS ,the Lawrence high baseball program and the other 5 teams involved. So in the future ask me any questions directly and I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
Brendan Neilon
Why ask you the questions Brendan? It's easier to just make up stuff - Clearly he was trying to mislead the readers into thinking you and he have had many heart-to-hearts over this matter...Only to be squashed by your honesty.
*Hack*
It's Hec, not hack.
HL
It's blindingly obvious, you throw the obligatory "Sorry" out there because really, all you fear is the possibility of losing the inside scoop with the Lancers.
Point of inquiry:
If you are so passionate about the tourney process, why don't you put your gripes; as raw, insulting and "Articulate" as they are - in ink?
First you rant about no scoreboard or Devlin Dogs when Central comes to town. Next you Monday Morning Quarterback Neilon's pitching decision against Central. Now no one in the LHS Baseball/Athletics program cares about a tourney because it has 6 teams. What has Brendan done to you that has you so riled up against a team having their best season in 20 years? Did you get shut off at the Devlin Dog stand at last years tourney? We coaches in the area love your passion and committment to the local high school sports scene. You are the most dedicated writer to our student/athletes and give them the publicity they deserve. This, of all years, is when the LHS Baseball program should be getting nothin' but love from you and the Tribune. Every morning I rush out to the paper box waiting to read your Sports Page piece on the revival of the LHS Baseball program and what a great job their staff, specifically Coach Neilon, has done turning it around. Where is it??? It should be the lead story previewing this years Tourney.
Santo
You may want write another article why your "beloved" Central Catholic is not in the Lawrence Invitational Tournament??? Instead you bash the people who have fought for this tournaments success... You seem to have forgotten what this tournament is all about, THE KIDS!!! This a great spectacle of our high school baseball talent yet the "mighty raiders" dodge the tournament.. Why don't you go ask them why they are not in it?? They are the "crown jewel" of the city according to your numerous articles.. Where is there loyalty to our city??? Oh, they have real tough out of league opponents such as O'Bryant cchs11-2, Austin Prep, Holy Name, St. John's (solid team).. So you mean to tell me that Central Catholic can't play in the Lawrence Tourney??? I am speculating but they probably do not want play tough opponents such as Andover for a 3rd time, Tewksbury twice, and a underrated lawrence team twice.. If Central cared about our city they would stop doing the "Catholic America Tour" and play in the tourney... As an Alumni of CCHS 72 I go the tourney every year and enjoy the showcase of local baseball yet wonder why Central can't particpate??? As an alumni I wish Central would do the real local baseball fans a favor and drop the weak non conference apponents and play in the Lawrence Invitational Tourney.. Hector we will be waiting for your article about why CCHS is not in the tourney.. Maybe you can get it at the alumni golf tourney??? I can't wait for there excuse??? There last game is 5/20/2009 and then on Sunday 5/24/2009.. Why can't they play again?? You attacked the wrong people you should praise the people who attend, work, play and support this tourey.. Remember it's about the kids and the City!!!!
Joe Johnson
Awesome point. I didn't want to bring up CC, because then you folks say you always make it about Central.
Nobody has pestered Marc Pelletier about this like I have.
Nobody has written it like I have.
Central claimed it's graduation weekend and they can't play in it.
Then, the Raiders went out and played in the now-defunct Haverhill Invitational the same weekend.
Central absolutely, 100 percent, totally and unequivocally has no excuses not to play in this tournament.
Zero. None.
Brendan went out of his way, offering to rearrange the schedule around Central's Baccalaureate and Commencement, only to be told the Raiders don't play on that weekend. . . Only to face Triton and Newburyport in Haverhill.
Nope, consider the Raiders called out.
It's pathetic Brendan had to waste his time replying to what amounted to a pointless blog - Obviously it was a slow day on the hopper for you Hector...At least we all get to hear how your wife won you over with crispelli's(However many years back), where was she at the "BIG Lawrence-Central" draw in which you complained about no food? No heated seats, no one polishing shoes in the Jiffy John's, No ESPN coverage and No Presidential call for the winner.
If not for nothing, I find myself reading your blog daily, because I want to see if you can out do your ignorance from one day to the other.
Thanks for your support. See you at the tournament.
HL