Expect a quality fight in the MSL

Competitiveness has rarely been lacking in Mid-Suburban League baseball.

It is the big reason no team has gone through a league schedule unbeaten since 1978. Every day matters - in the division and in the crossovers - in a 16-game test where even the best are bound to fail.

The level of competitiveness in the MSL in recent years is another matter. Last year Barrington's 21 wins were the most of anyone in the league and it needed a supersectional run to get there.

Two years ago there was a daily diet of double-digit scoring games. Top-level pitching was in short supply as teams fattened up offensively but no one from the league made it past a sectional final.

But a league that hasn't produced a last trophy-winner since 2005 (third by Barrington) or a champion since 1997 (Schaumburg) may be on the rise again. Three to four teams in each division could be considered legitimate contenders.

"I think the last couple of years have been down and I hate to say that because we won," said Meadows coach Jim Lindeman, whose team is the reigning league champion and two-time defending East titlist. "I think the league is definitely on an upswing for the next couple of years."

It all starts with the guys standing on the hill 60 feet, 6 inches away from home plate.

"I think overall the MSL is pretty stacked compared to the last couple of years," said second-year Buffalo Grove coach and Fremd graduate Jeff Grybash. "There are some real good pitchers."

Barrington has two in Illinois-bound lefty Robby McDonnell and four-year varsity veteran Sean Buchholz. Fremd lefty Clint Terry and Palatine righty Byron Skinner are Division I prospects.

Junior lefties Paul Warble of Conant and Kurt Kempema of Schaumburg have the right stuff for two solid years. And Hoffman has two experienced arms in Erik Smoy and Mike Kiviranta.

And in the East, Prospect has more pitching depth and talent than it's had in years led by John Coen, Miles Osei, Scott Plaza and Jack Mullenix.

The experienced and talented Knights may be the consensus favorite of coaches but it won't be easy.

"There are going to be teams shooting for us and we're well aware of it," said Prospect coach Ross Giusti. "When I look at the MSL I see seven or eight teams all right there.

"It's going to be a unique year with a number of good, solid teams we haven't seen around here in a long time."

Hersey has Steve Danielak (Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis) and Elk Grove has Donny Duschinsky (Southern Illinois) and workhorse Kyle Pfister back on the mound. Jeremy Salzman is off to a good start for BG.

There is also plenty of solid position talent throughout the league. And the junior class has some special talents that include Palatine shortstop Cody Bobbit, Prospect outfielder Peter Bonahoom and Elk Grove outfielder Carl Sugihara.

"I think it's gone up a notch this year," said Palatine coach Paul Belo. "And it will really be interesting to see that junior class."

Especially if this is a year where the MSL achieves at the higher level many believe.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com