For lack of enough players for a team, Wiscasset Middle High School will not have high school baseball this year, Athletic Director-Assistant Principal Mandy Lewis said. There will be middle school baseball, Lewis said.

Softball, tennis and outdoor track will be spring sports for high school students, she said.

She tried other towns to see if a collaborative team could be worked out, but none was; and with commitments from five players, including two seniors, the total was not enough for a program, but baseball will be back in 2018, Lewis told the School Committee Jan. 26. 

“We did exhaust all of the options (for a 2017 season),” she said. “... And at this point we’re in a situation where baseball is not going to be offered for one season only. With building that middle school program up, really looking to build those eighth graders and having some underclassmen still at the high school level, we will bring that baseball program back. That’s the ultimate goal.”

“The underclassmen, I looked them all in the eyes and said, Now this is your job, to rebuild this program with me,” she said at another point. “So that’s where we are.”

Committee member Gene Stover urged Lewis to keep trying to have a team this year. It’s only January, he said. “May I suggest that you put a little more effort into recruiting for baseball ... We’ve gone through years like this before, and all of a sudden there’s interest. Don’t say you’re not going to have it.” He told Lewis to budget for a coach and try to find one who will be enthusiastic, “not a shouter, but a doer.”

When Stover finished his comments, she thanked him and added, “I appreciate it.”

The Wiscasset Newspaper asked Lewis via email later if she will consider Stover’s request or the decision was final. As of Friday, Lewis said, “I’m not sure what the reaction is yet to Gene’s comment.” 

Also during her update to the committee, Lewis praised senior Wolverine Ethan James’ 1,000 career points he reached one night earlier at a home basketball game. The house was rocking, Lewis said, adding that the team is starting to peak as a playoff run nears. For the girls, it’s been a rebuilding year for the young team, she said. And Wiscasset Elementary School physical education teacher Daniela Marino’s 32-girl bitty ballers program has been getting basketballs into those girls’ hands and the group has been performing at games, while being cheered on by the varsity players, she said.

Middle school-level students will be offered baseball, softball and outdoor track this spring, Lewis said.