Regions 4's loaded with top baseball squads, while Region 7's balanced

The races in Utah County's two prep baseball regions could both be toss-ups this spring, but for two different reasons.

One league is so full of strong teams that each has the talent to not only win the region, but the state title as well. The other league is not nearly as powerful but equally as balanced, and there's no clear cut favorite to dominate the region.

Most baseball folks consider Region 4 to be the most-talented prep baseball league in the state and one of the strongest prep baseball leagues ever. Because only four teams from the region advance to the state playoffs, however, two very good teams — with enough talent to compete for the state championship — won't even make it to the final dance. The eventual state 5A baseball champion very likely will be a team from Region 4.

"It will come down to which team executes the best offensively and can play small ball the best in tight games," Spanish Fork coach Jim "Shoe" Nelson said. "The teams who don't give the others more than three outs an inning in close games will be the ones winning those close games."

Spanish Fork, Lone Peak and Pleasant Grove all have quality starters and plenty of pitching depth. Those three teams, and Timpanogos and American Fork, also are loaded with excellent hitters. Mountain View is a bit down in power pitchers, but the Bruins are still a team that could win many region titles in the state.

"There won't be many, if any, blow-out games," Nelson said. "I think four losses could win the region, and I think there will be a lot of series splits."

Region 7 is much weaker in pitching and overall depth, but every team seems to be dealing with the same issues. Any of the six could win the league crown, and even though none are considered a favorite to win the state 4A championship, all are still capable of surprising the schools from up north. For the most part, it's a weaker than normal year in 4A baseball — possibly because most of the strong teams (mainly those in Region 4) moved up a classification.

"A lot of people might think it's a down year in Region 7, but I think we're still going to play some pretty good baseball," Payson coach Scott Haney said.

Region 4

SPANISH FORK DONS

COACH: Jim "Shoe" Nelson, 21st year

LAST YEAR: 20-5, second in Region 6