One team eyes playing for a state championship. Another is looking toward re-joining the ranks of varsity baseball. Maine high school baseball workouts began indoors March 31 as Boothbay and Wiscasset began pre-season drills.

In Wiscasset, nine players particpated in workouts at the elementary school. This is the first time in several years Wiscasset has fielded a high school team. Low enrollment numbers likely played a role in varsity baseball disappearing several years ago from the spring sports schedule. Wiscasset returns to the diamond this spring as head coach Jay Bailey along with two high school students worked on bringing the sport back.

Bailey is a longtime baseball volunteer beginning in Little League coaching his son and continuing into travel ball, middle and high school teams. In 2014, he was an assistant to the Wiscasset team which won the Western Maine Class D championship, and lost to Bangor Christian in the state game.

For the past three seasons, he has coached the middle school team. "I've been involved for several years, and I'm starting to see the numbers return at the younger levels," he said. "And I began talking to some players about bringing baseball back this spring."

He spoke to his former middle school players freshman Kiernan Atwood and sophomore Paul Lambert. The two were excited about the prospect of Wiscasset returning with a junior varsity team and began recruiting players.

"We found a couple guys from the track team and a couple more who never played before," Bailey said. "Our plan is to do well enough to have a varsity team next season."

Atwood played three seasons of middle school ball for Wiscasset. For him, the sport holds a special meaning. He grew up in a Texas town north of Austin in a community which is passionate about baseball. "I lived in Texas and baseball is really big down there. I played with a bunch of guys in Little League and club sports, and now I'm glad to have an opportunity to play in high school," said Atwood.

So far, Wiscasset has a seven-game schedule and Bailey says a couple more dates may be added. Atwood has one expectation for the season. "Winning. That's what I'm looking forward to the most," he said.

Seahawks' outlook

Winning and winning big is also the expectation in Boothbay Harbor. As coach Ed Crocker enters his ninth year piloting the Seahawks, he thinks his team has championship aspirations. In 2024, it was Boothbay's first year in Class D South. Boothbay entered the tournament seeded No. 8 and played the defending state champion St. Dom's. The Saints defeated Boothbay, and later won their second straight state championship. "I think this year's team is better than last year," Crocker said. "I think we can challenge St. Dom's and Richmond for the championship."

Even though Boothbay is in Class D, the Seahawks remain a Mountain Valley Conference member playing a predominantly Class C schedule along with a couple Class B teams. Despite playing a tough schedule, the good news is Boothbay has several returning starters and players.

Pitching is likely to be the team's strength this season. Crocker described his pitching staff as talented and experienced. Senior Liam Jacobs is the top ace. He has pitched significant innings in his past three seasons. Crocker expects him to be a dominant pitcher this season. "His fastball is overpowering and he changes speeds well. I think you will see he is one of the top pitchers in Class C," Crocker said.

Besides Jacobs, seniors Maddox Cusumano, Aidric Canada and sophomore Shawn Gamage are expected to pitch a lot of innings. "We have pitching depth and depth in our lineup. Returning players include shortstop Sam Markowitz, second baseman Casey Phelps, and Cale Rogers who plays both infield and outfield."

In the past couple seasons, Jacobs has added a devastating slider. "Last summer, I started developing a real good feeling for it. By mid-season, I started 'ripping' it and made batters almost drop their bat. It was so much fun."

Boothbay opens its season Wednesday, April 23 in Winthrop against the Ramblers.