BATTER'S BOX -- The regular-season gets going next Wednesday leaving players, coaches and fans just one week to prepare for a full season of #ctbase. The SCC, as always, is loaded. Foran could be the best team in the state, Daniel Hand has a new familiar face and Law is trying to bounce back.

School: Joseph A. Foran High School, Milford

Nickname: Lions

Conference: SCC (Hammonasset)

Class: L

Coach: Ken Walker (20 seasons overall, 2^nd season)

2011 record: 17-7

How it ended: Lost 25-3 in the Class L semifinals to fellow SCC opponent and 15-seeded Notre Dame-West Haven as the No. 6 seed in the tournament. The Green Knights went on to win Class L

Captains: (All seniors) Matt Aspinwall, centerfielder; Shawn Caraglio, designated hitter (All-Hammonasset); Ryan Manning, pitcher (7-2 record, All-Hammonasset).

Others to watch for: Christian Malave, Jr., pitcher (7-2 record, 77 strikeouts in 71 innings, All-Hammonasset), Joe Zanghi Jr., catcher (All-Hammonasset).

2012 schedule: Foran Lions

MANAGER’S NOTES

Walker is bringing back 14 wins from last season’s 17-win team in pitchers Manning and Malave. … The Lions return four All-Hammonasset players but, lost Tucker Schumitz, Kyle Winters, Ed Michaud, Mike Teptulski and Stanley Olsson. … Anthony Alichi and Thomas Olsson are fighting for a spot in the outfield, according to Walker. … Walker also added that Quin Canelli is in the hunt for the shortstop job when Malave is on the hill. … Team hit 15 home runs last season according to Walker.

“I want to compete for a league title. We’ll see how far we go; it’s up for grabs anyway. I think we have some talent.”

Foran Manager Ken Walker

School: Daniel Hand High School, Madison

Nickname: Tigers

Conference: SCC (Hammonasset)

Class: L

Coach: Travis LaPointe (1^st season)

2011 record: 10-11

How it ended: Lost 5-0 to fourth-seeded and fellow SCC opponent Branford in the first round of the Class L tournament. The Tigers were the 29-seeded team in last season’s tournament.

Captains: (All seniors) Jimmy Ursini, shortstop; Eddy O’Neill, catcher/outfield.

Others to watch for: Tommy Mulqueen, Sr., pitcher; Brett Crawford, Sr., catcher; Mike Ianuzzi, Sr. second baseman; Scott Braren, soph., centerfielder (All-Hammonasset).

2012 schedule: Daniel Hand Tigers

MANAGER’S NOTES

The Tigers are not lacking in the offensive category according to Manager LaPointe. ... He said his ball club possesses one of the more prolific offensive attacks in the SCC this season. ... Braren led the team in almost all offensive categories last season according to LaPointe. … LaPointe takes over for former Manager Chris Borelli. … LaPointe said he coached the entire varsity squad last summer when he was the Madison Legion coach. … According to LaPointe, the Tigers only lost four seniors from last season’s team and return 11 to this season’s ball club. … Kyle Brown and Reed Smith are two young players to keep an eye on.

“We’re basically picking up where we left off.”

Manager Travis LaPointe

School: Jonathan Law High School, Milford

Nickname: Eagles

Conference: SCC (Hammonasset)

Class: L

Coach: Greg Simler (2^nd season)

2011 record: 5-15

How it ended: With five wins to their credit and three games remaining, the Eagles needed to finish the season unblemished to get a chance to play in the Class L tournament. Unfortunately, Law dropped its last three contests, got outscored 26-2 in those defeats and fell short of the required eight wins to clinch a spot in the Postseason.

Captains: (All seniors) Shawn Cameron, shortstop; Matt Ferriaolo, outfielder/pitcher; Joe Bannon, third baseman/pitcher

Others to watch for: James Talmer, soph., second baseman; Dylan Rocha, soph., catcher/outfielder; Richard Dow, soph., infielder/pitcher; Jake Rouse

2012 schedule: Jonathan Law Eagles

MANAGER’S NOTES

Simler, coming off his first season at the helm for the Eagles, is optimistic that his ball club will have a better showing in 2012. … He said the team had a tough schedule last season and that should help his team this season in difficult games against top teams. … Simler added his team has a good shot to get to eight wins this season. … Jake Rouse is the brother of 2009 and 2010 All-Hammonasset and former Law ball player Josh Rouse.

“Our main goal is to get to eight wins and qualify for states. We are not five-win team.”

Manager Greg Simler