Jan. 19, 2010 –
I would like to take the opportunity to thank Ping! Baseball for allowing us to return for our second year on the Baseblogs. Last year our senior second baseman/closer Gerard Tingos did a great job of handling the blog.  This spring I will attempt to inform you, entertain you and hopefully not bore you too much.

This is my sixth year here at Long Island University and to be honest with you, there isn’t a greater place in the world to come to work everyday. The loving, family-oriented atmosphere here at Long Island is second to none. Not to mention, the food in Brooklyn is the best in the world. Here’s one bit of travel advice for you… if you ever visit New York City, make sure you come to Brooklyn to eat on your way back from the Empire State Building.

In the past I have worked with the infielders and outfielders as well as served as the recruiting coordinator here at LIU. This year I have changed hats to some degree. I’m still the recruiting coordinator but I have now slid into the pitching coach role for the Blackbirds. It has been a refreshing and challenging change for me. I have welcomed the challenge of working with 16 pitchers on a daily basis and am looking forward to a great season from all of them. I couldn’t be any prouder of the guys on our staff as their hard work has allowed me to make a smooth transition into my new position.

This year our team has a much different look from years past. In the past we had a majority of players from the Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut). Last year we began the process of expanding our recruiting on a national level. We currently have players from eight different states (Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Maine and Massachusetts) and Canada (Saskatchewan) on our 2010 roster. In addition we have signed our first players to NLI’s from North Carolina and Arizona for 2011. The turnover on our roster does not surprise me though, after all New York City is the greatest place in the world to enjoy the “college experience.” There isn’t a college in America that has more museums, theatres, libraries, concert halls, restaurants and professional sports teams than New York. We also throw the best World Series parades you can imagine.

In closing, I would like to highlight our senior players. Lefthander Kenny Cedel, second baseman/closer Gerard Tingos, catcher/outfielder Chris Kievit and shortstop Gregory Blaise DeSantis have been an integral part of building a baseball program here at LIU over the past four years. These young men are prime examples of what student-athletes should be. To see them fail, learn, grow, mature and begin to “get it” has been rewarding to us as a coaching staff. They are a special group and I want to wish them the best of luck for a great 2010 season.

Coach Noto