District 4A-14 Prepares For More Blockbuster Battles

Even though he is the new guy in the group, Coral Springs Charter manager George Mianowksi may have the most accurate take on District 4A-14 when he says that every team in this district has a chance to win it all.

“This is where a lot of coaches will earn their keep,” said Mianowski, who recently became the Panthers new manager. “You’re going to have to out-coach your district opponents, and your players have to understand those situations too. It’s very competitive and it’s going to be a great season. You might see a sixth seed surprise people.”

The Panthers enter as the defending district champs, a fact that is slightly nullified by a realignment that saw Cardinal Gibbons move out and Calvary Christian move into the mix. The Eagles are no strangers to these teams, as they have played them in years past. But they also recognize that the games are tougher when it is a district contest, and it will be crucial to play their best baseball at the end when it matters most.

“Anybody who has the secret remedy to that is going to be a rich guy,” joked Calvary manager Gregg Mucerino. “You see it all the time that it is the team that is playing their best at the very end. We continue to try different things and now the district playoff falls during our Spring Break so hopefully that is a twist that will help us. We are always building for the end to finish on a strong note.”

The camaraderie between the programs has only helped to make the district battles that much more enjoyable and competitive. The teams know they can hold their own against everybody else, but they also understand that their opponents know them inside and out.

“All the games are a battle. You can beat a team 8-0 one day and they can turn around and beat you 8-0 the next time,” said Somerset manager Onel Garcia. “It’s really good baseball and good coaching of good teams. We play in a great district and we don’t overlook any of them. There is a lot of respect in our district, and that is one of the things I like the most about it.”

This respect for the competition is the reason why the coaches all voted to play each other twice during the season.

“We feel the baseball is so competitive, why go get games elsewhere when every week we’re going to get two quality games right here?” said new University manager Dan Rovetto, who is no stranger to this group after previously holding the job at Coral Springs Charter. “You’ve got to come to play every night in this district. Anybody can win on any given day.”

This constant challenge is part of the intrigue of this district. With such a talented and competitive group, it creates an environment that truly prepares teams for the intensity of the playoffs. Yet there is still such genuine admiration and respect between each program.

“Our district is tough, but I really appreciate being a part of it because it’s good baseball,” said North Broward Manager Brian Campbell. “The teams are good, the coaches are good and you’re going to get challenged everyday. Hopefully we can get over the hump and win those close games. That comes with experience and being able to handle adversity.”

Calvary Christian

2013 Record: 10-12-1
Manager: Gregg Mucerino
Coaching Staff: Mark Klein
Key Returners: Alec Berizzi, Connor Rowland, Andrew Gottfried, Jake Jackson, Hunter Walker, Tyler Ray, Josh Lane
Newcomers to watch: Chris Turley, Colin Majewski, Jonah Kerrigan, Tommy Taborga, Noah Yager, Alex Arca
Team strengths: Pitching

The environment players grow up in at Calvary Christian is a unique and special experience.

The Eagles baseball team is built of guys who all came up together at the school since they were young, and they all share a family bond that carries onto the baseball field. It is a culture that promotes success through trust in your teammates, and staying disciplined within yourself.

Baseball is a game that teaches many lessons that transcend the events that happen on the diamond… [Read More]

Chaminade-Madonna

2013 Record: 8-15-2
Manager: Mike Moss
Coaching Staff: Tim Counsaul, Mark Weisler
Key Returners: Mike Rammuno, Danny Vitello, Shomari Thomas, Nick Izquierdo, Mike Nader, Richard Medina, Jose Colina, Shane Stokelman, Joe Baez, Mike Drag, Damian Fornash
Newcomers to watch: Brandon Tuttle, Ryan Harington, Nick Cummings
Team strengths: Pitching

Chaminade-Madonna was a much better ballclub than its 8-15-2 record reflected last year.

With the 2014 season rapidly approaching, the Lions eagerly await their chances to prove this fact. A good majority of the contributors from last year return for another go at it, and the team has some quality additions that provide much better depth. Expectations are high, as they often tend to be for any team under manager Mike Moss.

Moss is a well-established presence in the area coaching ranks, and he always seems to get the very most out of every one of his players… [Read More]

Coral Springs Charter

2013 Record: 22-8
Manager: George Mianowski
Coaching Staff: Robert Perez, Woody Smith, Tom McGrann, Mike Higgins
Key Returners: Joe McChrystal, Brandon Laboy, Chris Budden, Brent Kissinger, Matt Arlick, Nicholas Greco, Scott Stolberg, John Benestad
Newcomers to watch: Ryker Faircloth, Victor Pimental, Jon Michael Torres, Sammy Guillorme, James Doherty, Ryan Chusid
Team strengths: Pitching

George Mianowski is finally the bride.

The longtime baseball coach has served as the assistant coach for many area programs over the years, but had yet to get his chance as the head guy prior to this season. He had worked for years under Douglas manager Todd Fitz-Gerald, and has helped mold some very successful baseball talent. But as Mianowski jokes, he has always been the bridesmaid, never the bride… [Read More]

North Broward Prep

2013 Record: 14-15
Manager: Brian Campbell
Coaching Staff: Doug Jennings, Kelly Wright, Danny Kearn
Key Returners: Hernando Sierra, Mack Nathanson, Brian Fagan, Anthony Maciello, Eddie Badarco, Max Tannenbaum, Jared Schwait
Newcomers to watch: Alex Ernestine, Cristian Manero, Michael Rand
Team strengths: Hitting

Senior Mack Nathanson perhaps says it best when he remarks that this year’s Eagles squad is the most cohesive group they have had in a while. The way this bunch has come together as a team is remarkable, the way they play hard on every play is inspiring, and the respect and faith they have in one another is refreshing.

North Broward Prep is a team of character, determination and just enough moxie to give them the confidence to succeed. It is a program that has always thrived off unity and excelling through team baseball… [Read More]

Pine Crest

2013 Record: 15-10-1
Manager: Ryan Shealy
Coaching Staff: Glen Pierson, John Zimmerman, Dave Hollingsworth
Key Returners: Adam Saks, Matt Rothenberg, Garret Rukes, Zack Kone, Chandler Cissel, Alex Perez, Tom Walker, Chris Koppenhaver, Griffin Conine, Ravi Bakhai
Newcomers to watch: Brady Acton, Aram Leighton, Michael Rothenberg, Jordan Schulefand
Team strengths: Hitting

Somerset Academy

2013 Record: 12-15
Manager: Onel Garcia
Coaching Staff: Miguel Useche, Alex de Leon
Key Returners: Mike Van Degna, Ben Hoffman, John Ham, Matthew Mogaleski
Newcomers to watch: Derek Cartaya, Anthony Molina, Christian Khawly, Jack Khawly, Alejandro Kan, Mark Bejar, Carlos Cartaya, P.J. Ximinies
Team strengths: Pitching, Depth, Experience

Although every team has their share of concerns heading into the 2014 season, in the case of the Somerset Panthers the argument could be made that they only have uptown problems.

Following an offseason that brought in a glut of veteran talent, the Panthers enter the year with every opportunity to be a strong contender. It is a program that has been slowly building from within over the last few years, with a very strong crop of young players on the verge of busting onto the varsity scene. The addition of a large assortment of talented upperclassmen has left the roster loaded with players hungry and ready to make waves in Class 4A this season… [Read More]

University School

2013 Record: 15-7
Manager: Dan Rovetto
Coaching Staff: Josh Snyder, Mike Redmond, Mike Ryan, Mike Hartley, John Michael Thatcher
Key Returners: Freddie Sultan, Daniel Epstein, Adam Sinkoe, Brendan McKendry, Evan McKendry, Evan Klugerman, Julian Cabrera
Newcomers to watch: Matt Johnson, Kyle Oren, Cameron Chaffetz, Jesse Crosno, Jake Kubelian
Team strengths: Offense & Defense

No one on the current roster was born the last time the Suns made the state playoffs.

This fact is something that new manager Dan Rovetto is using as a motivational tool for his new players. University School last qualified for the playoffs in 1991, which is the same number Rovetto has stamped on the shirts each player wears every Monday. He knows Mondays can be the hardest day of the week, and he wants that reminder to be in their heads even on Sunday nights as they pack their bag for the week ahead.

Rovetto wants players showing up to the field on Mondays seeing what they are looking at…[Read More]

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