"I am not sure how the home and home will be,” said Gavazzi. “My initial reaction to the change was we do not have enough teams in the American (Division) for it to serve its purpose.

“My hope is that baseball will be viewed differently than other sports in the conference as opposed to trying to have the same structure as the other sports.  I would prefer bigger divisions with an emphasis on similar enrollment."

Regardless of any changes in format to scheduling in the Essex County conference, it promises to be a challenge for most teams in the SEC’s top division in order to make significant inroads toward the top where SHP remains a prohibitive favorite.

"The division will be competitive as always,” said Gavazzi. “It always starts with Seton Hall Prep as they are always more complete due to their talent and depth.

“I think every team has strengths.  One team that many may not be thinking about is Columbia.  Their program has improved yearly.  They have a very strong pitching staff and an outstanding catcher.  I am sure they will rely on their battery until they figure out some things."

NOTES- With longtime Montclair co-head coach Anthony Genchi moving over to West Essex to be the Knights’ head man, the Mounties coaching staff has had a few changes including Mike Dichiara as sub-varsity coach, Matt Rowe as pitching coach and Jack Schultz and Ray Schuyler as assistant coaches along with longtime holdovers Angelo Intile and Randy Nelson, the former Cedar Grove head coach…Montclair is scheduled to host Englewood noon Saturday, April 4, in independent action before entertaining Glen Ridge on Friday afternoon April 10…Gavazzi went from Bayley-Ellard to become Montclair’s head coach from 2006 to 2013 before concentrating on his football coaching career, including a stint at Don Bosco Prep with legendary Ironmen coach Greg Toal before returning to baseball full-time as the Mounties’ co-coach with Genchi in 2017…The Mounties plan to field freshmen and JV teams this spring despite any issues with the school system’s troubling budget situation that engulfs entire district.    

Super Essex Conference divisional alignment for 2026 season:
American: Columbia, Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Seton Hall Prep, West Essex
Liberty: Caldwell, MKA, Nutley, St. Benedict’s, Verona, West Orange
Colonial: Barringer, Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Newark Academy
Independence: Golda Och, Central, East Side, Newark Tech, Payne Tech, Technology
Freedom: Shabazz, East Orange, North Star Academy, Orange, University, Weequahic        

Follow Sideline Chatter on 'X' @Chattermeister