Coach likes what he sees from Edison GMC team
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
After a number or rainouts and a pair of losses, the Edison GMC Coaches baseball team appeared to have a rough week. But appearances can be deceiving. Wins, losses, rainouts, double headers — it's all good for Edison head coach Vinnie Abene.

"The object is not to go out and try and win at all costs," Abene said. "We only have one win through nine games, but I love the new league. I get the chance to see kids pitching and playing in different situations, and our record doesn't indicate what we're getting out of each game."

When the weather has allowed for baseball in the soggy month of June, the Edison ball club has put together some nice games. Last week the team went 0-2 but had plenty of chances to end the week with a pair of victories. In Thursday's 7-6 loss to St. Joseph, Edison led 6-1 before St. Joe's rallied for six runs in the bottom of the seventh to gain the victory.

After Thursday's loss, the team was on the losing end of a 16-12 affair with Colonia. Edison will look to end its skid with games against JFK, North Brunswick and Woodbridge this week.

"I can only speak for myself, but this summer has really been a game-within-agame type of situation," Abene said. "No one is going to pitch a kid seven innings, but each coach seems to be using the league in a similar fashion, and that is to test kids out at different positions and in different scenarios. I'm able to play five different players at third base and really get an idea of where our high school team will be come next March."

The league offers coaches free substitutions throughout an entire seven-inning game, allowing for even greater flexibility.

"Coaches can really see what works for his team," Abene said. "To be honest, I prefer the games where you have to bring a kid in with the bases loaded and see how he does. The opportunities for coaching and development in the new league are endless."

Of course, the new league has some obstacles to circumnavigate. Players who have already established themselves as varsity-caliber players are learning to accept new roles this summer.

"It took some adjusting for some of the top players," Abene said. "These guys aren't necessarily getting four at-bats a game, but I do believe these kids have bought into what we're doing, and that is building our program for future success."

An added benefit of the summer league is that the county's elite players get a chance to play for the Middlesex Matrix 17 & Under and 18 & Under teams. Edison's Nick Marics plays for the 17 & Under squad while recent graduates Stephen Nappe and Andrew Rivera play for the older team.

"I think the concept behind the Matrix teams is awesome," Abene said. "The kids get to play against the so-called best talent in the state on a big stage, and this gives the players the chance to get noticed by college clubs. The new league offers everything."

Not only does the new league have Abene excited about this summer, but the league already has the veteran coach thinking about next spring.

"I'm already anxious for March," he said. "I'm getting the chance to see more of our younger players than ever before, and I'm also getting looks at the opposition's up-and-coming players. Although the legion teams out of Edison always did extremely well and performed on some of the biggest stages, the development aspect was lacking. The new league is all about development."