MAB MONTHLY May 2013 FREE

TheThe WeatherWeather FactorFactor

Tennis:Tennis: AA FamilyFamily BusinessBusiness

4A4A BaseballBaseball SectionalSectional PreviewPreview

Plus: Dare to Dance! A chronicle of IHSAAIHSAA SectionalSectional LineupsLineups the journey to a dance scholarship!

www.midamericabroadcasting.com

MAB MONTHLY Page 3

MAB ONLINE MAGAZINE MAB Staff

Ahhh technology. Without it we don’t Hank Kilander Webmaster have this magazine, our broadcasts, web- Broadcaster/ Host site, or much else. It’s a great thing when it Staff Writer works, When it doesn’t it delays the pub- Rich Sapper lishing of our magazine. Well, technology is Staff Writer back on our side, and despite it being late, Broadcaster/ Host Sales the May issue is here. Layout & Design This month we bring you not one, but two articles by Trisha Madura. One chroni- Bob Potosky cles her road to a dance scholarship at Dav- Broadcaster/ Host Staff Writer enport University, the other tracks an amaz- ing family brought together by tennis. We Andy Wielgus also bring you a hodgepodge with the look Broadcaster/Host Staff Writer back at the weather in April, a look ahead at the 4A baseball sectionals, the RailCats JT Hoyo schedule, and more. Broadcaster/Host Staff Writer Despite it’s lateness, we hope that you Sales enjoy this issue as always. Please don’t for- get, we want your feedback, so talk to us on Brandon Vickery Broadcaster our Facebook page or message board and Staff Writer let us know what you want us to cover. Thanks for your continued support! Trisha Madura Staff Writer Sales Broadcaster

Contact Information Brett Hill Phone: 219-973-7990 Staff Writer Sales Website: www.midamericabroadcasting.com Broadcaster

Also find us on Facebook and Twitter MAB MONTHLY Page 4

Inside this issue: Athletes of the Month 6

Tennis Anyone? 8 Baseball Umpiring in High School 12 Dare to Dance 14

Weather Plays Havoc on Spring Sports 20

IHSAA Announces Sectional Lineups 24 2013 Calumet Region 4A High School Baseball Outlook 30 Spring Sports State Champions 36 Gary SouthShore RailCats 2013 Schedule 40 Home School Players on Public Teams 42 Did You Know? 42 May Broadcast Schedule 43

P. 14 P. 12 P. 8

P. 20

P. 30 MAB MONTHLY Page 5

To order the 2012-2013

Boys or Girls Magazine

Visit Indiana Basketball Magazine

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www.indianabasketballmagazine.com MAB MONTHLY Page 6 ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Written and Compiled by Andy Wielgus MAB Staff Writer

Chris Lauderbeck Kawaan Short River Forest East Chicago Central/ Purdue

River Forest Ingots Pitcher Chris Former East Chicago Central Cardinals Lauderback went the distance in a Football and Basketball Player DT Kawaan Short, was drafted by the Carolina Panthers 4-1 victory over the Lake Station with the 44th pick in the 2nd Round in the Edison Eagles at The US Steel- 2013 NFL Draft. Short was a defensive yard. This is the 2nd time Lauder- standout at Purdue and he was the starting back has defeated the Eagles at center on EC Central's state championship basketball team, that beat North The US Steelyard in his career. Central for the 4A IHSAA Title.

Miranda Elish Casey Grubb Crown Point Boone Grove

The freshman pitcher tossed a 2 hitter and retired the final 19 bat- Boone Grove's DH Casey ters in a 3-1 championship game Grubb had 2 hits, was 2-3, and victory over the host Indians in the scored 2 runs in a 5-3 vic- Twin Lakes Invitational softball tour- tory over Michigan City at The nament. US Steelyard.

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By: Trisha Madura, MAB Monthly Staff Writer

“Family's first, and that's what matters most. We realize that our love goes deeper than the tennis game” (Serena Williams). The Heuer family of Munster, Indiana, has the ability to connect family and tennis into the same game. Having all five family members to play tennis plays a significant role in their family unity, dedication, and love for the sport. Both parents and the three Heuer children have been able to carry their talents onto playing for a college team, with their parents, Bill and Penny, hav- ing the ability to push their children not only as parents but as tennis coaches as well. MAB MONTHLY Page 9

Bill and Penny Heuer, both reigning athletes contin- ued their drive for the sport on a college tennis team. Bill Heuer graduated from Purdue University, while Penny Heuer excelled at DePaul University. Ironi- cally, the current athletic par- ents themselves met while coaching in the Munster Parks and Recreation tennis camps. From both attending Munster High School, they decided to then send their children there as well later in life. Billy Heuer, oldest child of the Heuer family, is From left to right Bill, Billy, Ryan, Paige, and Penny Heuer a current member of the Pur- due University tennis team, following in the High School Class of 2013) and Ryan Heuer footsteps of his father. “Having four other became members of the Homewood Floss- family members that play tennis is a huge ad- moor tennis and fitness club. In the winter vantage over many other players. Others may and when it is either raining or very cold out, not have the ability to go out and play tennis this indoor court gives them the opportunity whenever they want because they may not to advance their skills even in the “off” sea- have someone right there with them,” Heuer son. Park Forest, Michigan City, and other energetically states. “Our family knows that surrounding clubs have provided practice ar- tennis is a huge part of our lives.” eas for the kids looking to play. Even on Ryan Heuer, current freshman at Marian other days, they choose to practice at the University, is also a member of the tennis team Munster High School tennis courts near for his college. Last year, Paige (Munster home. “Most of our improvement has been

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at tournaments where you really see what your critique each other, and we know that it is not game is made of and your physical and mental personal; we just want the other to succeed so ability,” the Munster High School graduate much so we will give each other opinions on states. how to fix the other’s game.” Paige Heuer, current senior at Munster Having a whole family dedicated to High School, plans to attend Valparaiso Uni- one sport really can bring everyone together versity in the fall of 2013 to continue her ten- as one. “It brings us closer and allows us to nis career. Being the final family member to bond. Tennis is something the entire family continue her passion to a college level pro- loves and can relate to,” they stated. The vides her with an opportunity of being sup- Heuer family will continue playing their pas- ported and encouraged even more by her fam- sion after their college education, being led by ily. “We are able to practice with each other their dedicated parents. “Some people call often, and this really helps each other’s tennis our obsession, but we call it dedica- games,” Paige Heuer proclaimed. “We can tion.”

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MAB MONTHLY Page 12 Baseball Umpiring In High School: You

Blew The Game Coach And Not Me!

By: Larry Cicchiello Special to MAB Monthly

I umpired an extremely competitive and closely fought high school baseball game a couple of days ago. My assignment was to be the field umpire and my partner was assigned to home plate. We had our pre- game conference with both head coaches and they both seemed like terrific guys. We shake hands and we all wish each other good luck. Boy, things can really change in a hurry and so can personali- ties.

About the fourth inning, a player on one of the teams is taking a very huge lead off second base. After about three pitches, the catcher throws behind him to second base. Everything looked like the runner was going to be picked off. The throw from the catcher arrived at second base and beat the runner there. But the throw was high and the runner had very good speed and got back to second base a split second before being tagged. So I cor- rectly made the "safe" call. This is when I heard the first of two grumblings from, Like I said, very close and very competitive ball let's call him Coach Joe. Come on blue...that throw game! beat him, etc. He whined for only about ten seconds so I let it go and didn't say a word. If he continued longer The pitch to the batter is in the dirt and bounces away than that or if he said something inappropriate, I from the catcher, but only about three feet away. would have not hesitated to have a "chat" with him. Coach Joe is coaching third base and yells for his runner to break for third base. The runner sprints for Okay, so things settle down and we get back to play- third base. The catcher makes a very quick and pretty ing baseball. That is until the seventh and final inning. good throw that is slightly high. I knew it was quick, Coach Joe is coaching third base and his team is at bat not because I was watching the catcher but by how in the seventh and final inning and are trailing by a quickly it arrived at third base. run. They have a runner on second base, in scoring position, representing the tying run. There are two outs The third baseman makes a very quick tag and tags and they are a base hit away from tying up the game. the runner up high, around the chest area. Yours truly MAB MONTHLY Page 13 makes the right call..."He's out!" My out call ends the to get the "heat" off himself and his poor decision game and Coach Joe is very upset. Like I said, person- and trying to blame me for his huge mistake. alities can change in a hurry on the ball field. I'm walking off the field and Coach Joe hollers to me, "He I've had two days to digest this and I'm at peace with got him in the head." I asked Coach Joe what he meant this situation. I truly believe that I got both those by that. He said that he tagged him up high, the runner very close calls (bangers) right. And you know what, should be safe. I told Coach Joe that I don't care where I too have growled at a few umpires in my many he tagged him because he tagged him before the run- years of coaching. And Coach Joe did not "step over ner reached third base. the line." Like I said, for the most part I totally ig- nored him because his griping did not go on for very I'm now in foul territory and Coach Joe yells to me, long or we would have had quite a conversation. "That's two calls you blew." (He was referring to the other "banger" I had at second base where I called the Hey, I might get to umpire Coach Joe and his team runner safe.) I decided to ignore his last "parting shot" again in a couple of weeks. Would I look forward to and simply walk to my car. I was thinking how every it? My honest answer is, "No, I would not." I have close call an umpire makes is going to please half the no idea if he holds a grudge or how long he holds people and the other half are going to be let's say, an- one for. I'll tell you what I am certain of though. I noyed. would go into the game with an open mind and make every call to the absolute best of my ability. I I have a thirty minute drive home and obviously my could care less what uniform a player is wearing or thoughts are about my game ending "out call." I had if Coach Joe is their coach or not. My main responsi- very mixed feelings and have two thoughts going bility is to the kids that are playing the game. Hope- through my mind. One is that I got the call right and fully, Coach Joe and I will do just fine when and if that's the objective for an umpire so who cares what we meet again. Coach Joe thinks. The other thought is that I'm slightly bothered because as an umpire, a good game is usually I have a responsibility to the kids on the field to get when you are not noticed at all. I want the game to be the call right. My opinion is that the game is all about the players and decided by the players and not to about the players and not about coaches or umpires. be about the the coaches or umpires. But in this case, I They are the main event here and nobody else! was very much in the limelight.

And then something occurred to me about Coach Joe. Larry Cicchiello is the successful author of “Excellent Base- ball: 30 Seconds Away.” He unconditionally guarantees that He broke a cardinal rule of the game...You never make ANY baseball player, coach or baseball parent who wants to the third out of an inning at third base. So either he help their child will be fully equipped! Some FREE tips thought the runner was safe or possibly he was trying at http://www.LarryBaseball.com

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Dare to Dance

By Trisha Madura, MAB Monthly Staff Writer

The Author, Tilt Jump in October Photoshoot

“It is better to travel well than to arrive.” After months of college recruiting and years of training, I recently committed to dancing for Davenport University for the class of 2017. The recruiting process with all sports is always intricate, but with dance, it seemed to be an almost endless journey at some points. However, people may still be wondering, “How are dancers even recruited if some do not think it is a sport?” MAB MONTHLY Page 15

Luckily for myself, my dad was able For tryouts, most dance coaches held them in to guide me in the right direction. Since he late spring around March to May. However, is the owner of Sportsworx, he was able to certain coaches offered individual tryouts in help me actually learn how to be seen by col- order to help make the decision process lege dance coaches and grab interest from move a little faster. Individual tryouts could them. With my Sportsworx occur even as early as De- site up, coaches were able cember or January while to see my experience, still being during the cur- awards, high school grades rent dance season. From and transcripts, pictures, watching my video clips, it and watch YouTube video was even possible to be of- links of my most recent fered a spot based on dances as well. watching those online. All team require- After setting up my Sportsworx site, ments and entrances varied with these re- my next step was to personally email quirements. coaches with a username and password to For the Davenport individual tryout login and view my site. When sending out that I attended, I was instructed to wear my information, I first off sent to many different hair down and styled, wearing form-fitting schools around the country, ranging from Di- dance clothing to show off body lines. I had vision I dance programs to NAIA dance to prepare a forty-five second to one minute teams. I soon was able to discover that most routine to show the coaches, as well as pre- NAIA dance teams were able to offer athletic pare certain skills to be judged upon. After scholarships to their potential dancers. Of warming up, I learned quick eight-count course the Division I, II, and III teams ap- steps to perform across the floor that in- pealed to me, but the athletic scholarships were a large bonus when taking a look at my many options. When talking to different dance coaches, all had their preferences on styles and technique. A majority of the schools I talked to had a variety of Pom, Jazz, and Hip Hop styles; few schools offered lyrical and contemporary styles, but all teams varied. MAB MONTHLY Page 16 cluded up to a quad turn, as- sorted leaps (switch, open second, straddle, straight, ca- lypso, and C jumps), and various moves to see if my style could match what they had in mind. Following the tryout, I was invited to take class with the current team and watch them perfect game and na- tional dances afterwards. This had been my second The 2012-2013 Davenport Dance Team time meeting the team, since staying close or traveling far from home; but I was able to warm up with them when I vis- when I was reviewing my choices at first, ited the school in December as well. Meet- distance was not the largest factor. I looked ing the team was so important in my eyes; it at schools ranging in distance from fifteen gave me an opportunity to see if I could fit in minutes from home to Hawaii across the with the current college dancers. Meeting ocean. The talent at these different schools the coaches beforehand gave me an inside was enormous, and it was a hard decision scoop on what would be in store for the up- process; so other factors had to come into coming years, if I were to be a part of the play when deciding on a college for my next team. four years of life. Some students have their preference of The specific major offered, tuition

Email: [email protected] http://www.sportsworxnwin.com/ MAB MONTHLY Page 17 costs, traveling expenses, and of Saint Joseph, and William campus life all seemed to play Penn University. Most of significant roles in my deciding which came to be NAIA factor. As scholarship offers were schools, but each school had determined, I came to realize that their pros and cons. many of my top choices were pri- What surprised me the vate schools typically in the most through this recruiting NAIA division. Before officially process was the range of how choosing Davenport, some of my dance was viewed at different other top choices included, but were not lim- schools. For some, dance was considered an ited to: University of St. Francis (Fort athletic sport, competed through the UDA/ Wayne), Avila University, Missouri Valley NDA dance competitions, and received ath- College, Lindenwood University Belleville, letic scholarships for being accepted on their Morningside College, Milligan College, Uni- team. For others, the dancers performed side versity of Pikeville, Hawaii Pacific Univer- -line dances at basketball or football games sity, Ball State University, Calumet College and was considered a Spirit Squad. Even

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Listen to SportsJuice.com at broadcasts online, on your iPhone or Android youravon.com/hsapper MAB MONTHLY Page 18 some schools offered their dance team letter- pand, even if a small amount, with all return- man jackets, had autograph sessions, or even ing dancers and new incoming dancers as well. printed out their own calendars! The range After a long recruiting process, all up- of significance for dance teams around the coming college students eventually have to country is very broad, but all have their posi- make their decisions. Although my decision tive attributes nonetheless. process took a long stretch, in the end, I For the team I have decided to dance learned a great deal from the course. I learned with, Davenport University does not have a that it is “better to travel well than to arrive,” football team; however, the dancers perform and I learned that there are many wonderful at women’s and men’s basketball games, soc- schools out there with a plethora of opportuni- cer games, lacrosse meets, and other commu- ties available for you to follow your dreams. nity events such as hockey and charity per- Luckily for me, I am able to continue follow- formances. In addition, the team competes ing my dreams with this travel next year. leading up to and at the NDA College dance nationals in Daytona, Florida. The current Follow Mid America team has eleven members, none of which are Broadcasting on Twitter current seniors. The upcoming year will ex- @mabsports… MAB MONTHLY Page 19

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The Courts of NWI is a Not-for-profit organization. Donations made to The Courts of NWI fund scholarships for underprivileged youth to participate in active after-school programs. Our goal is to inspire our youth to be leaders both ON and OFF The Courts. MAB MONTHLY Page 20 Weather Plays Havoc on Spring Sports By Rich Sapper, MAB Monthly Staff Writer MAB MONTHLY Page 21 Our good friend, the late Dave Nixon once remarked on air that the weather during a While it may help the grass grow in the long run, it cause nothing but particular game problems this spring with sports from the pro level to high schools and even in was great “if you youth sports. Many high school baseball and softball teams were forced inside to were a duck.” Dave practice and games were postponed and cancelled all together. The well-planned must have been RailCats High School Baseball Chal- lenge had seen games moved because of looking down and the weather, and those games are on a professional field with great drainage. laughing as he saw The youth leagues were not im- mune. One local soccer league had to the weather this cancel the second week of practice and moved the third week inside. Conditions past month when at the field were so muddy and cold for the first game that some teams had less one of the wettest than 10% of their players come to open- ing day. and coldest April’s Perhaps the oddest event of the in history. season so far was when we at MAB were MAB MONTHLY Page 22 broadcasting the East Chi- cago Central—Michigan City Marquette baseball game from the SteelYard. The game was suspended due to a snowstorm. That was one of the first time in recent memory that a game was called that late in April due to a snow storm. The game was the night cap of a double header and there were flurries during the Roosevelt—Lew Wallace game. While track may have had it bet- ers from those schools without that extra ter, it still was not immune. Several opportunity to compete. The choice was meets were moved inside, but many unavoidable though, with no break in the more were cancelled or postponed be- weather or place in the schedule to re- cause of the rain and cold. Ultimately schedule the event. In golf, there were the safety of the athletes and the com- reports of the links turning into the lakes fort of the fans needed to take prece- dent of the opportunity to compete. Hoosier Bat Co.

In tennis and golf, “Turning Batters Into Hitters ” their were even more con- sequences to a tough Our bat is used by many Major and Minor League Players, along with College, High School and April. The GSSC tennis Youth League Players. We have the quality and tournament was cancelled service players expect. all together, leaving play- Let Hoosier Bat Be Your Custom Made Designated Hitter! Baseball Jewelry We have what the players want. Follow us on Baseball Bat Stools Twitter @mabsports 1-800-228-3787 Visit Us On Line at: Www.hoosierbat.com (1-800-BAT-ERUP) For our many Gift Shop Items MAB MONTHLY Page 23 at several courses making it impossible to hold several events.

All this said, there is no reason to complain. It comes with the territory in the spring. Winter may hold on too long and rain is an issue every year. It is years like this one though where ath- letic directors really earn their money.

It is something that coaches, players, parents and fans are used to, but it Simply Better Storage doesn’t take away the disappointment in what is, in the grand scheme of life, 1.877.SCALE.59 a very short high school career. Hope- scalecomputing.com fully, May will treat us better and more games will be played without a ton of cancellations and rescheduled games. MAB MONTHLY Page 24 IHSAA Announces Sectional Lineups MAB Monthly Staff Report

The IHSAA announced the sectional lineups for each of the team sports. This alignment makes history because it is the first one using the so-called “tradition factor.” That means that in some cases, the boys sec- tionals and girls sectional assignment for the same school may be differ- ent. Listed on the following pages are the football, boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, girls soccer and boys soccer line- ups. MAB MONTHLY Page 25

Football South Bend St. Joseph South Bend Washington 6A Sectional 1 3A Crown Point Sectional 25 Lafayette Jefferson Andrean Lake Central Calumet Merrillville Roosevelt Lew Wallace Sectional 2 Glenn Chesterton Hammond Penn Knox Portage Mishawaka Marian Valparaiso 2A 5A Boone Grove Sectional 9 Bowman LaPorte Bishop Noll Michigan City North Judson Mishawaka North Newton Munster Rensselaer Central South Bend Adams River Forest Wheeler 4A Sectional 17 1A EC Central Sectional 41 West Side Culver Academy Griffith Edison Clark LaVille Gavit South Central Morton Triton Highland West Central Lowell Whiting Winamac Sectional 18 Hobart Kankakee Valley New Prairie Plymouth South Bend Clay South Bend Riley MAB MONTHLY Page 26

Boys Basketball Gavit 4A Sectional 1 Sectional 18 EC Central Andrean West Side Calumet Morton Hanover Central Highland Kankakee Valley Lake Central Knox Lowell New Prairie Munster Wheeler

Sectional 2 2A Chesterton Sectional 33 Crown Point Boone Grove Hobart Bishop Noll LaPorte Hebron Merrillville Edison Michigan City River Forest Portage Whiting Valpo 1A 3A Sectional 49 Sectional 17 21st Century Bowman Covenant Christian Gary Lighthouse Kouts Roosevelt Marquette Wallace Morgan Township Griffith Washington Township Hammond Westville Clark

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Girls Basketball/Baseball/Softball 2A 4A Sectional 33 Sectional 1 Boone Grove EC Central Bowman West Side Bishop Noll Morton Hebron Highland Edison Lake Central River Forest Lowell Whiting Munster 1A Sectional 2 Sectional 49 Chesterton 21st Century* Crown Point Covenant Christian Hobart Kouts LaPorte Marquette Merrillville Morgan Township Michigan City Washington Township Portage Westville Valpo * indicates no softball team 3A Sectional 17 Gary Lighthouse* Roosevelt Wallace* Check out Region Sports Desk’s Griffith Shows, Highlight Videos and Hammond Recruiting Videos on Clark Gavit

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South Bend Washington Boys Soccer/Girls Soccer 1A Sectional 33 2A Andrean Sectional 1 Covenant Christian EC Central Bishop Noll Hammond Hanover Central Clark Rensselaer Central Morton

Munster Sectional 34 Marquette Catholic Sectional 2 Washington Township Griffith Westville Gavit Wheeler Highland

Lake Central Sectional 35 Boone Grove Sectional 3 Hebron Crown Point Kouts Kankakee Valley Morgan Township Lowell Merrillville

Sectional 4 Chesterton Hobart Portage Valpo

Sectional 5 LaPorte Michigan City Mishawaka Marian (Girls Only) South Bend St. Joseph

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By Andy Wielgus, MAB Monthly Staff Writer MAB MONTHLY Page 31

4A Teams will look to strong Pitching again this year with the suc- cess of Lake Central’s Crown Point’s Zac Plesac powers a solid Crown Point rotation

Jimmy McNamara and Taylor Leinhart from Favorites to possibly get to the 2013 4A IHSAA Baseball Regional and play the last year. The duo are likes of Penn or Elkhart Central, include now pitching for Cen- Crown Point, Chesterton, and Lake Central. Crown Point has very deep pitching for tral Michigan and Coach Steve Strayer and is of to a great start with Ronnie and Zac Plesac being the Leinhart is off to a 3-2 1-2 on the mound and David Kepshire may start. Munster and La- be the strongest number 3 in the area. Ronnie Plesac has committed to Parkland Porte have also won 4A College and Zac Plesac to Ball State. There infield is solid with Basketball point Guard IHSAA Baseball State Alex Nickla, Zac Plesac, and the QB from Titles before. Is this the the Football team Jake Jatis. And Bobby Morgan who is going to John Logan Col- year the Dogs or Tro- lege, may be the best defensive catcher in the area. OF Glenn Hecht has brought con- jans make a run? sistent hitting and outfield play. Crown

MAB MONTHLY Page 32

Point will need to work on it’s outfield de- fense and base running to win it all in my view. Chesterton led by Portage Transfer Mitch Kobitz on the mound had a convincing win over Griffith at The US Steelyard and handed Crown Point it’s first DAC loss, 10-8. The Trojans can hit also, and could be the strongest challenger to CP this year in the Sectional. Lake Central is deeper in overall pitch- ing this year, but does not have the rock solid 1-2 from last year, or a big go to guy run pro- ducer like Chase Fieldhouse, this year. You would think Lake Central would like a third shot at the Dogs in the Regional, and you know how hard it is to beat a team three times in a season.

Wildcards include the Hobart Brickies Tyrus Joseforsky is a leader for the under Bob Glover Jr. with South Carolina Brickies on the diamond

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Bound Pitcher Brandon Murray, Pitcher CJ Komosa, and SS Tyrus Joseforsky, who is having a banner year at the plate and in the field, along with Travis Waddell, maybe one of the best double play combos on the infield. Lake Central should win their Sec- tional, but Munster is a wildcard also with a win over Crown Point and will be Lake Central’s biggest challenger.

Underdog Role-Highland is a very young ballclub in Coach Miller’s last year. The Trojans did upset Hobart at The US Steelyard this year. But they will be a Evansville bound Devin Bafia can be dan- long shot to beat Lake Central and Mun- gerous in the tournament ster in the same Sectional.Valpo, LaPorte,

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and Portage had strong preseason pub- a loss to South Central. Michigan City has licity and Portage was ranked as high as had a ton of games this year decided by 3 no. 5. But recently they have disap- runs or less and they have the pitching to pointed in several close losses and some maybe win a game or two, but the Regional surprising scores. is a longshot. Pitcher Devin Bafia of Valpo is Merrillville is under .500 but they back and he is going to Evansville. And may be the most improved team in the area he is a Pitcher that can get on a roll for with a win over Boone Grove and playing the Vikes to straighten the ship out, like he did last year. LaPorte has been on a down trend this year, but ///Hoosier Bat Co. they played Portage tough losing in “Turning Batters Into Hitters” extra innings 9-8. Portage after a successful Tenn. Tourney {5-1 be- ASH & BIRCH BATS ginning] has faltered, and Valpo has 2013 marks our 22nd year of making bats for Major, Minor League College and High School Players. Our business has grown every year due to loyalty from our customers who expect See a listing of every and appreciate our

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1-800-228-3787 (1-800-BAT-ERUP) www.hoosierbat.com 4511 Evans Ave Valparaiso IN 46383 MAB MONTHLY Page 35 everyone tough, they could upset someone. Sapper’s Market and Greenhouses 1155 South Lake Park Ave, Hobart Lowell is also an underdog team with 219-942-4995 a win over Valpo, but was also beat 10-0 at The US Steelyard. Jacob Fontanez is an up- coming player for the Devils on the mound and in the field. East Chicago Central, Gary West Side, and Hammond Morton are re- building and they don’t look to be factors. However, Morton played Andrean tough losing 2-0 at The US Steelyard. And West Side played Chesterton tough and they beat Hammond Gavit 10-9 at The US Steelyard.

Please share your thoughts on this preview and the monthly on Facebook at Mid America Broadcasting LLC, or on our www.midamericabroadcasting.com Mes- sageboard, or @mabsports on Twitter. Follow Portage Sports all year long Visit Hank’s Recruiting World at midamericabroadcasting.com MAB MONTHLY Page 36

STATE CHAMPIONS

MAB MONTHLY STAFF REPORT MAB MONTHLY Page 37

The ultimate goal of every high school athlete and coach is for their team to win a state championship. Some have just done it a few more times than others, Fol- lowing is a list of the teams who have won more than 1 state championship in each of the spring sports.

Schools With the Most Softball State Championships

5 Center Grove 3 Andrean Schools With the Most 3 Lake Central Baseball State Championships 3 New Palestine 3 Roncalli 8 LaPorte 2 Carmel 6 Lafayette Central Catholic 2 Cass 5 Jasper 2 Clinton Prairie 4 Logansport 2 Eastern (Greentown) 3 Andrean 2 Gibson Southern 3 Evansville Memorial 2 Hamilton Southeastern 3 Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 2 Indianapolis Lutheran 3 Penn 2 Martinsville 2 Carroll (Fort Wayne) 2 Merrillville 2 Crawfordsville 2 South Putnam 2 Fort Wayne Snider 2 Tecumseh 2 Hammond Bishop Noll 2 Whiting 2 Heritage Christian 2 Indianapolis Cathedral 2 Lafayette Jefferson 3 McCutcheon 2 North Posey 2 Northfield Schools With the Most 2 Norwell Boys Golf Team State Championships 2 South Spencer 6 Anderson MAB MONTHLY Page 38

5 Carmel 5 Indianapolis Shortridge 5 Richmond 4 Anderson Madison Heights 4 Indianapolis Arsenal Technical 4 Kokomo 4 Lafayette Jefferson 3 South Bend Riley 2 Brebeuf Jesuit Schools With the Most 2 Crawfordsville Girls Track Team 2 Floyd Central State Championships 2 LaPorte 9 Fort Wayne Northrop 2 Noblesville 4 Fort Wayne South Side 2 North Central (Indpls.) 3 Gary Wallace 2 Zionsville 3 Warren Central 2 Carmel 2 Gary Roosevelt 2 Harding 2 Jeffersonville 2 Lawrence Central 2 Lawrence North 2 North Central (Indianapolis) 2 Pike Schools With the Most Girls Tennis Team State Championships Interact with MAB on Facebook at 12 North Central (Indianapolis) Mid America 6 Evansville Memorial Broadcasting LLC 6 Park Tudor and on 5 Brebeuf Jesuit Twitter @mabsports 5 Carmel for scores, updates, and sports news! 2 South Bend St. Joseph’s

Email: [email protected] http://www.sportsworxnwin.com/ MAB MONTHLY Page 39

Attention RailCats Fans!

Schools With the Most To follow the RailCats all season long, be sure to go to our Boys Track Team RailCats Weekly page at State Championships www.midamericabroadcasting.com/railcatsweekly

20 Gary Roosevelt 14 Gary Froebel 9 Kokomo 6 Fort Wayne North Side 6 Indianapolis Manual 5 Gary West Side 4 Anderson 4 Gary Mann 4 Hammond 4 Lawrence North 4 Warren Central 3 Ben Davis 3 Lawrence Central 3 North Central (Indianapolis) 2 Fort Wayne Northrop 2 Indianapolis Shortridge 2 Washington

5 Reasons to Advertise with MAB 1. Support exposure for high school athletes. 2. Low advertising rates. 3. Special packages available. 4. Your ad will run live and on our archive. 5. Option of game, web and online mag.

Contact Rich Sapper at 219-973-7990 or [email protected] for more information MAB MONTHLY Page 40

Gary SouthShore RailCats 2013 Schedule

The Gary SouthShore RailCats have released their 2013 schedule. The team opens the season on May 16th at the US Steel Yard against Lincoln and ends with a two-game set against El Paso at home as well. This season, there is also one inter-league series with Quebec of the Can-Am League.

Thursday, May 16 LINCOLN 7:10 p.m. Saturday, June 15 at Fargo-Moorhead 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 17 LINCOLN 7:10 p.m. Sunday, June 16 at Fargo-Moorhead 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 18 LINCOLN 6:10 p.m. Monday, June 17 at Wichita 7:05 p.m. Sunday, May 19 LINCOLN 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at Wichita (Game 1) 11:05 a.m. Monday,May 20 WICHITA 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at Wichita (Game 2) 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 WICHITA 11:10 a.m. Wednesday, June 19 at Wichita 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 WICHITA 11:10 a.m. Thursday, June 20 ST. PAUL 7:10 p.m. Thursday, May 23 OFF DAY Friday, June 21 ST. PAUL 7:10 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Kansas City 7:05 p.m. Saturday, June 22 ST. PAUL 6:10 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Kansas City 7:05 p.m. Sunday, June 23 ST. PAUL 2:10 p.m. Sunday, May 26 at Kansas City 7:05 p.m. Monday, June 24 KANSAS CITY 7:10 p.m. Monday, May 27 SIOUX CITY 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, June 25 KANSAS CITY 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, May 28 SIOUX CITY 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 26 KANSAS CITY 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, May 29 SIOUX CITY 7:10 p.m. Thursday, June 27 KANSAS CITY 7:10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 OFF DAY Friday, June 28 WINNIPEG 7:10 p.m. Friday, May 31 at El Paso 8:05 p.m. Saturday, June 29 WINNIPEG 6:10 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at El Paso 8:05 p.m. Sunday, June 30 WINNIPEG 2:10 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at El Paso 7:05 p.m. Monday, July 1 OFF DAY Monday, June 3 at Amarillo 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 2 at Sioux City 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 at Amarillo 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 at Sioux City 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at Amarillo 7:05 p.m. Thursday, July 4 at Sioux City 7:05 p.m. Thursday, June 6 OFF DAY Friday, July 5 at Sioux City 7:05 p.m. Friday, June 7 SIOUX FALLS 7:10 p.m. Saturday, July 6 at Winnipeg 6:00 p.m. Saturday, June 8 SIOUX FALLS 6:10 p.m. Sunday, July 7 at Winnipeg 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9 SIOUX FALLS 2:10 p.m. Monday, July 8 at Winnipeg 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 10 QUEBEC 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, July 9 at Winnipeg 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 QUEBEC 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 OFF DAY Wednesday, June 12 QUEBEC 7:10 p.m. Thursday, July 11 FARGO-MOORHEAD 7:10 p.m. Thursday, June 13 OFF DAY Friday, July 12 FARGO-MOORHEAD 7:10 p.m. Friday, June 14 at Fargo-Moorhead 7:02 p.m. Saturday, July 13 FARGO-MOORHEAD 6:10 p.m. MAB MONTHLY Page 41

Sunday, July 14 FARGO-MOORHEAD 2:10 p.m. Monday, August 19 OFF DAY Monday, July 15 at Lincoln 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, August 20 WICHITA 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, July 16 at Lincoln 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, August 21 WICHITA 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at Lincoln 7:05 p.m. Thursday, August 22 WICHITA 12:10 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at Sioux Falls 7:05 p.m. Friday, August 23 at St. Paul 7:05 p.m. Friday, July 19 at Sioux Falls 7:05 p.m. Saturday, August 24 at St. Paul 7:05 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Sioux Falls 7:05 p.m. Sunday, August 25 at St. Paul 1:05 p.m. Sunday, July 21 at Sioux Falls 1:05 p.m. Monday, August 26 OFF DAY Monday, July 22 SIOUX CITY 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, August 27 at Kansas City 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 SIOUX CITY 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, August 28 at Kansas City 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 24 SIOUX CITY 7:10 p.m. Thursday, August 29 at Kansas City 7:05 p.m. Thursday, July 25 SIOUX CITY 7:10 p.m. Friday, August 30 at Kansas City 7:05 p.m. Friday, July 26 at St. Paul 7:05 p.m. Saturday, August 31 EL PASO 6:10 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at St. Paul 7:05 p.m. Sunday, September 1 EL PASO 2:10 p.m. Sunday, July 28 at St. Paul 1:05 p.m. Monday, July 29 at Sioux City 7:05 p.m. Attention Tuesday, July 30 at Sioux City 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 at Sioux City 7:05 p.m. RailCats Thursday, August 1 OFF DAY Fans! Friday, August 2 ST. PAUL 7:10 p.m. Saturday, August 3 ST. PAUL 6:10 p.m. To follow the RailCats all season long, be sure to go Sunday, August 4 ST. PAUL 2:10 p.m. to our RailCats Weekly page at Monday, August 5 KANSAS CITY 7:10 p.m. www.midamericabroadcasting.com/railcatsweekly Tuesday, August 6 KANSAS CITY 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, August 7 KANSAS CITY 7:10 p.m. Thursday, August 8 OFF DAY Friday, August 9 at Lincoln 7:05 p.m. Saturday, August 10 at Lincoln 7:05 p.m. Sunday, August 11 at Lincoln 5:05 p.m. Monday, August 12 OFF DAY Tuesday, August 13 at Wichita 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, August 14 at Wichita 7:05 p.m. Thursday, August 15 at Wichita 7:05 p.m. Friday, August 16 SIOUX FALLS 7:10 p.m. Saturday, August 17 SIOUX FALLS 6:10 p.m. Sunday, August 18 SIOUX FALLS 2:10 p.m.

19615 Us Highway 12 Now Smoke New Buffalo, MI Free! 269-469-0140 www.mocofloorsmore.com 149 E Commercial Ave Lowell, IN 46356 219-696-2270 MAB MONTHLY Page 42 Home School Players on Public Teams MAB Monthly Staff Report Did you Know?

A recent IHSAA deci- there was some discrimina- KV Baseball Coach sion will allow home tion against private schools. Doug Greenlee won his schooled students to partici- Either way, it does give an 500th game in a 17-3 pate on their local school opportunity to students who win over West Central district’s athletic teams. So are home schooled to get the for example, if you live in change to compete in IH- In May of 1904, the first Crown Point and are SAA sanctioned sports. It homeschooled, you could opens up opportunities for Olympics was held on US suit up as a member of the kids who may have had to soil in St. Louis. Bulldogs football team on participate in community Friday nights. You might sports leagues or to form St. Louis Cardinals SP live in Chesterton and de- coalitions with other home Lance Lynn and Wash- cide to play volleyball for school students to play. It ington Nationals RP the Trojans. If you live in also opens up some possi- Drew Storen were high Merrillville, you can be- bilities for these public come pitcher for the Pirates. school teams to occasionally school teammates at In no case can you be find a great player to add to Brownsburg. homeschooled and play for their roster. Andrean or Bishop Noll, It will be interesting The Chicago Black- however. If you live in Gary, to see how this develops and hawks were named after Bowman is an option what fallout, if any, come the 333rd Machine Gun though. from it. For the sake of all of Battalion, a unit nick- It is an interesting the kids involved, hopefully situation, and it doesn't take it will be a positive experi- named the “Blackhawk a genius to figure out why ence. Division: that was com- manded by team’s origi- nal owner Fredric McLaughlin, in WWI. Region Sportsdesk

Do you need a sports recruiting video? The longest game in Then find Region Sportsdesk on MLB history was a 25 Facebook and ask JT HOYO for inning contest between more info. the White Sox and Brew- ers that lasted 8 hours and 6 minutes. MAB MONTHLY Page 43

May Broadcast Schedule Show Broadcast

Locations:

5-1 4:30 Merrillville @ Crown Point Baseball

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219-663-6551 5-10 4:30 Crown Point @ Griffith Softball

5-15 4:30 Lowell @ Crown Point Softball 1492 North Main 219-662-1369 5-17 4:30 Highland @ Crown Point Softball 430pm MAB Weekly Starts at 5-22 5:30 MAB Weekly 5:30 p.m. each week!

5-29 5:30 MAB Weekly

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5 Reasons to Advertise with MAB 1. Support exposure for high school athletes. 2. Low advertising rates. Check out our 3. Special packages available. region basketball 4. Your ad will run live and on our archive. 5. Option of game, web and online mag. history pages at

midamericabroadcasting.com Contact Rich Sapper at 219-973-7990 or [email protected] for more infor-