This crazy spring filled with rainouts that left local baseball teams scrambling to make up games will conclude, appropriately enough, with a New Jersey state tournament that is totally up for grabs.  Nine of the 12 baseball squads covered by JSN made it into the states, many in sections jam-packed with qualifiers.

Here are the scenarios for each of the local teams:

North 1, Group III:

The NJSIAA's move to extend qualifying by one day helped overflow this section, forcing a rare out-bracket game before the scheduled start of the tournament.  Seventeen teams had the requisite .500 record at the cutoff date, including four from our area.

Montville claimed the #1 seed in this bracket, jumping over West Milford because it had won their head-to-head matchup prior to the cutoff (the Highlanders won the rematch, but after the cutoff so it wasn't considered).  That gives the Mustangs the home field advantage throughout the section.  And with ace pitcher Jerry Elsing in position to throw at least three times, Montville has a strong chance to take the title.

As the second seed, West Milford also appears to be in a good spot.  They would host any game up until at least the section final.  The Highlanders will open with Teaneck, but their second-round challenge could be much tougher:  a traditionally-strong Ramapo team that slipped to the 7th seed but is still considered one of Bergen County's best.  Another concern for West Milford:  its participation in the ongoing Passaic County tournament could make pitching an issue.

In what has been an up-and-down season, especially by its standards, Passaic Valley drew the 14th seed and must open at third seed Paramus.  However, it would be folly to suggest that the Hornets are a sure one-and-done.  There are no dominant teams in this section, and a deep run by a low seed, such as Passaic Valley, is hardly unlikely.

The fourth local team in this section is Lakeland, which took advantage of the extended qualifying date to get in right at the .500 mark.  That makes the Lancers the 16th seed, and they will host that out-bracket game Friday against 17th seed Pascack Valley.  If Lakeland wins, it moves on to play Montville on Monday.

North 1, Group II:

Two local teams are in this group, and are on a collision course to meet in the sectional semifinal.  Pequannock drew the second seed, a big plus for the Panthers as it includes a first-round bye and home advantage at least till the section final.  Pequannock won't open state play until Friday, May 22, when it hosts the River Dell-Westwood winner.  With a top pitcher in Jordan Tabakman, the Panthers have what it takes to make a deep run.

Pompton Lakes grabbed the third seed in this section, and looks to prove it can compete in Group II after moving up from Group I.  The Cardinals will have to play in the first round, hosting 14th seed Newton.  Like Pequannock, Pompton Lakes has a quality pitcher in Alex Ott, but the Cardinals must decide whether to use him in the state or county tournament.

North 1, Group I:

Two local teams managed to get into the tournament in this section, and will test themselves in a section loaded with quality despite the size of the schools involved.  Butler is the 10th seed and opens on the road at Cedar Grove.  It would appear to be a tough challenge, and a win there would send the Bulldogs against the likely favorite in the section, Emerson.

Kinnelon was at .500 at the cutoff and drew the 14th seed.  The Colts will travel to meet the third seed, a solid Wallington squad, and will need their best effort in order to pull off the upset and advance.

North 2, Group I:

Whippany Park is the third seed in this section, one of the smallest around with only nine teams qualifying.  While the Wildcats should be able to beat most of these squads, the top two seeds will be a major challenge.  Whippany Park opens with #6 Weehawken, but then would almost surely have to face second seed Lyndhurst, with a strong Hudson County Prep team also waiting in the wings.   -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now