Young Bombers putting their feet to the fire BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer The Sayreville American Legion baseball team takes the field this summer with a lineup that will give locals a glimpse of what next year's varsity squad will look like. Only two players from this year's Bombers varsity contingent are on the American Legion entry: sophomore pitcher Jake Campbell and junior catcher Rhett Fischer. The Bombers went 10-10 this spring and qualified for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoffs. Sayreville coach Mike Novak is overseeing the Legion team, though he will be watching the games from the stands as two former Bombers, Mike Klauder and Sal Richiusa, run the team between the lines. "This is a good way for us to see what we have coming up for next year," said Novak, who noted that many of the Legion players competed for Sayreville junior varsity, which went 16-5. "They'll have a chance to get in a few more games, get some at-bats and work on things. They can learn a lot. "This team will win its share of games." With Fischer catching, Sayreville has a proven varsity signal-caller and hitter in the lineup. Sophomore Mark Narooz will also see some action behind the plate. The infield includes juniors Brian Bouthilette and power-hitting Alec Vuono at shortstop and third base, respectively. Glenn Cannon will be at first base, and Campbell, Robert Stewart and freshman Matt Monte will play second base; all are sophomores. Freshman Jake Werb and Blake Cuomo, an eighth-grader who played for the middle school, will also play in the middle infield. Sophomore Ryan Vincent patrols center field, fellow sophomores Mike Greco and James DeMild along with freshmen Sean Morelli and Brian Truchan will play the outfield. Mario Amato, a versatile sophomore, will play the outfield and infield as needed. In addition to Campbell, the pitching staff comprises Amato, Greco, Stewart, Vuono and Cannon, a left-hander. Novak noted that Cannon, Greco and DeMild are all coming off strong showings at the plate for the JV. With Fischer behind the plate and Vincent in center field to go with a good group of gloves at second and short, Sayreville should be solid up the middle. In addition, Cannon often helps turn poor throws into outs at first base. "This is a great opportunity for our guys to grow together as a team and have some fun, plus they won't always be hearing my voice this summer," Novak said. "And it gives me a chance to look at them from a different perspective."