Hot weather, hot bats so far in area softball

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Just getting in the swing of the 2010 softball season this week and it looks as though the bats are as hot as this unseasonably mild April weather.

Lots of runs being scored and very few shutouts so far. The lack of great, experienced pitching also has something to do with the numerous double-digit totals, too, I am sure.

We'll have our first league rankings on Friday morning, but it looks as though Nazareth and Liberty rank as the teams to beat in the LVC at the moment with Easton, Freedom, Emmaus, and maybe even Northampton, Parkland and Whitehall trying to establish themselves as contenders. All of those last three I mentioned had great years last spring, but are trying to replace superb pitchers.

In the Colonial League, Saucon Valley has been the story for the past month -- from their ridiculously late coaching change to a strong start in which the Panthers have beaten LVC members Allen and Freedom.

I'll be seeing Northwestern and Northern Lehigh today and will get a better idea of what's going on in the Colonial League where Pen Argyl looks strong again as does Palisades and star pitcher Krista Morrone.

Nice to see Palmerton winning some games. The Blue Bombers have already doubled last year's total number of wins.

Right now, we don't have enough of a sample to make definitive statements, except that we'll take this warm weather as long as it lasts. It certainly beats the cold, rainy weather we usually get at this time of year.

Coaches, if you see this, feel free to pass along any player-of-the-week nominations. We are starting our softball package, including player-of-the-week stories, this Friday.

FROM KEITH GROLLER