By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

Part of Sweeney Post's strategy for success is hardly a secret. Great hitting, fielding and pitching is a quality combination.

Auburn's Nick Koravos, one of several returning players from Sweeney Post's 2004 state championship Legion baseball club, gears up to unload on a first-inning offering against Concord Post No. 21 at Gill Stadium on July 16. Sweeney powered through the regular season, going unbeaten in district play, proving it can have a ton of fun on the field and still dominate the competition as one of New Hampshire's heavyweights. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

But another aspect of baseball - Sweeney Post style - comes in the form of the colorful and interesting comments the local players make from the dugout during various contests.

With the main goal of trying to interrupt the pitcher's rhythm on the mound, Sweeney players will sarcastically chant "leave it up," if the opposing hurler misses high. They'll also shout "leave it down," if the pitcher misses low.

But that doesn't even begin to scrape the surface when discussing the antics of New Hampshire's defending Legion baseball champions.

On several occasions, animal noises such as cats, emus, crows and hawks can be heard from the Sweeney dugout while the competition attempts to concentrate on the diamond.

"We're New Hampshire's version of the Red Sox's 'Idiots' team," said Sweeney head coach Paul Lemire.

According to Sweeney player Nick Koravos of Auburn, the dugout antics create a fun atmosphere. And most important, the carefree environment helps the team win games.

However, the boys. collective behavior is sometimes labeled as unsportsmanlike and immature by opposing players, coaches and fans because it's seen as bothersome and sometimes draws harsh reactions.

When the team was in Massachusetts earlier this season for a tournament, an opposing fan approached Lemire requesting he tell his players to keep quiet.

Lemire came to the defense of his team without the slightest hesitation.

"Why?" he asked. "Is it bothering you they're in the game?"

In Sweeney's contest against Concord on Saturday, July 16, at Gill Stadium, a Concord player compared the nature of the chants to things heard in a Little League baseball dugout.

Although players. collective conduct irritates opponents during games, Sweeney's impressive history makes it a program to be revered.

"We're one of those teams that you hate to be against but you love to be on," said Kyle McKay of Bedford, who just completed a season of prep school at Loomis Chafee.

Sweeney is the defending state champion and has made quite a name for itself beyond the borders of the Granite State.

After the July 6-5 win over Concord Post 21, Sweeney had an 18-5 overall record. But more importantly, the club finished unbeaten in district play entering the 2005 state tournament.

Without enduring a single setback in its division, Sweeney will make for a tough out in the tourney when the state's top squads travel to Gill Stadium in Manchester.

Tournament play was scheduled to begin on Saturday, July 30.

This year's Sweeney team is led by a corps of nine collegeage players who bring collegiate or postgraduate experience to the field.

According to Lemire, that translates into success on the diamond and makes for an easy adjustment to the Legion game since the players are used to seeing pitching that typically reaches the high 80s or low 90s on the radar gun.

While the players do see some college pitching in Legion action, they also see some high school hurlers.

The various types of pitching Sweeney was exposed to during the regular campaign, might be the biggest reason behind the team's inconsistency at the plate.

Lemire pointed out his club's hitting was disappointing at times this season. Still, many of Sweeney's wins were the result of timely hits.

In the team's 6-5 win against Concord, Bryn Doyle knocked in Bryan Poltak with a groundout in the eighth inning. Concord had tied the game at 5-5 in its half of the eighth.

Doyle earned the win in relief for Sweeney, striking out all four batters he faced. Starting pitcher Eddie Lacourse had 11 strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Local players on Sweeney's team include Koravos and Mike Mannoloni of Auburn; Kyle McKay, Devon Shane and Ryan Hagan of Bedford; plus John Goeman, Bryn Doyle, Brent Bergeron, Tyler Howard, Kyle Monahan, Bryan Poltak, Colon Merritt, Josh Moore, Mike Pariseau, Alex Quintal, Kurtis Rhodes and Matt Skeffington.