Fierce fight for Region 7

From preseason results and analyzing the talent coaches claim to have on their teams, Region 7 baseball should be a wide-open race this season.

However, coaches expect the region championship to mainly be a tight battle between four teams — Provo, Orem, Springville and Mountain View. No team is a clear-cut favorite. All are fairly even in experience, depth, pitching and offense. The question mark for most is going to be defense.

"You just can't give teams extra outs in this region and expect to win games," Orem coach Gary Miner said.

Even though Tooele, Payson and Timpview are not considered favorites to win it all, each has the ingredients and talent to beat any other team. Any of the three has the potential to be a surprise. Every team in the region is capable of at least making a serious run at one of the league's four playoff spots, which should make for a season of very close games.

Cottonwood, from Region 6, is probably the favorite to win the 4A state title. However, several Region 7 teams could give the Colts a run for their money. Overall, Region 7 might be the strongest — from top to bottom — 4A league in the state.

"We have a pretty good team coming back, but our region is so tough this year that you just don't know what will happen," Payson coach Scott Haney said.

As region games begin today, the league's parity is evident by the fact that only Orem and Mountain View have losing records. Both are only one game below .500 and both have played preseason schedules loaded with 5A powers.

With most games expected to be close, the wildcard will likely be pitching depth. Every team has at least two solid starters. But a few of the teams remain questionable in the bullpen. The need for pitching depth might be neutralized some this season by the fact that the region is not playing each opponent back-to-back like they did last year. Therefore, teams can save certain pitchers for certain teams if they so choose.

Another unknown is how injuries and roster changes will affect teams. Mountain View will be without ace Cameron Schmidt, who tore his ACL in basketball, for a couple more weeks. Timpview lost starting catcher Jason Whittingham to injury. Provo has three starting pitchers who are not yet eligible academically, but likely will be OK to play within the next week or two.

Region 7 Baseball

SPRINGVILLE RED DEVILS

COACH: Willy Child, seventh year

LAST YEAR: 14-11, first in Region 7