North Salem approves baseball merger with Somers

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - It might have come down to the bottom of the ninth, but now there is at least hope on the horizon for North Salem’s baseball players.

After weeks of uncertainty, the Tigers will still have a chance to take the diamond this spring. But now, they will do so as Tuskers.

In early February, the district made the decision to cancel the varsity season, citing the “level of experience of returning players and significant injuries for key players in the lineup.” Officials then mulled a merger with neighboring Somers High School, only to announce on Feb. 26 that they would not be pursing the collaboration in the interest of preserving the long-term viability of the North Salem baseball program, and North Salem athletics as a whole.

The situation aroused confusion and anger among parents and players - past and present - who spoke out at a pair of well-attended Board of Education meetings last month.

The players most directly impacted by the decision were Ryan Denneen and Alex Hoffman, a pair of juniors who played for the varsity team for the past two seasons. With no varsity option available in North Salem, Hoffman and Denneen were told they would have the option to suit up as part of the JV squad. Both players, along with their parents and other concerned community members voiced their disapproval for the district’s decision at the Feb. 26 Board of Education meeting.

With a dark cloud hanging over the future of North Salem baseball, a ray of sunshine broke through on March 7 at a special meeting of the Board of Education where Superintendent Adam VanDerStuyf was authorized to sign the letter of intent to merge with Somers baseball.

The decision came after registration numbers fell below the levels needed to field a JV team. North Salem will still offer a modified team for 7th and 8th graders for the upcoming season, and older Tiger players will now have the chance to try out for Somers’ freshman, JV, and varsity squads.

In addition, VanDerStuyf will be recommending that varsity coaches Rob Gilchrist and Matt Mackenzie join modified coach Skyler Ohrvall to help focus on growing and rebuilding the program.