We all knew the PIAA Class AAA state baseball tournament was scheduled to begin Monday. We just didn't know where Marple Newtown and Sun Valley would be playing.

Now we do.

The Tigers, District One's runners-up, will play District Three champion Muhlenberg at Wenger Field Monday in Fredericksburg for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch.

The Vanguards, who claimed their first District One title since 2005, are a bit closer to home. They will play Fleetwood, District Three's runner-up, at West Chester University at 4 p.m.

For full coverage of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs, turn to the pages of the Daily Times all this week.

With two Delaware County team's in Thursday's District One Class AAA title game, you knew one team would have to go home unhappy.

Sun Valley, on the strength of a five-run fifth inning, wore the Class AAA crown in a 7-5 win over Marple Newtown. Catcher Joe Maloney hit a home run to lead off the inning and get things going for the Vanguards, who have won 21 straight games.

It also marked a third consecutive come-from-behind win in the playoffs for the Vanguards. They rallied with a two-run walkoff homer in the quarterfinals, scored two runs on a seventh-inning single in the semifinals, and erased early 1-0 and 2-1 deficits against the Tigers. Interestingly, right fielder and pitcher Pat Sheridan was key in all three games.

Both teams will play Monday in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA state tournament. Sun Valley will take on Fleetwood, the District Three runner-up, while Marple Newtown will face District Three champ Muhlenberg. More to come soon on those games.

Wait, what? There's a big game today?

In case you weren't aware - hard to believe, really - there are two local teams vying for one championship.

Marple Newtown (15-6) takes on Sun Valley (19-1) in the District One Class AAA championship game today in a 4 p.m. start at Glen Mills Schools. The Tigers and the Vanguards are the final two remaining teams from Delco still playing on the diamond, so today's game should be a treat.

Make sure you get there early, as parking is usually limited at The Mills. (I'm pretty sure all baseball parking is on the grass field beside the stadium.) See you out there.

Two seasons ended while two more are extended following Tuesday afternoon's playoff games.

Sun Valley and Marple Newtown, the first and second Delco teams to ever make a state-baseball final, both qualified for the state tournament with wins Tuesday. In fact, the two will face each other in Thursday's District One Class AAA final.

Monsignor Bonner's fall in the Catholic League title game wasn't without a solid effort from Conor Kerins, pictured, who was lifted by coach Joe DeBarberie after five-plus strong innings. He gave everything had against St. Joseph's Prep, which looked like one of the strongest teams I've seen all season.

In the Class A bracket, Delco Christian lost to Morrisville on a walk-off grand slam in the eighth inning.

I love high school sports. If you ask me, sport is never more genuine. Your desire to play is never greater, neither is the camaraderie. But it's always good to get a breather.

So last night, I was at Citizens Bank Park alongside sports editor Rob Parent, who was writing the gamer and notes. (See, even our full-time Phillies guy Ryan Lawrence needs a day away from the beat.)

I was there to do a column on Rockies reliever Taylor Buchholz, who is best known for his stellar high school career at Springfield High.

I've said before to my peers and friends that the most humble pro athlete I've ever interviewed was Orlando's Jameer Nelson. But Buchholz trumps Jameer. He was a great chat and took minutes out of his schedule between pitchers' meetings to talk about life at home.

I hope you enjoy my first try at column writing with the Daily Times. (The last time I wrote one was in my career at The Temple News.)

So the fine folks at Shippensburg University - bless their hearts - have incorporated some sort of Wireless Internet block against the Daily Times' blogging program. Apparently it's a personals page and it could not be accessed while I was covering the PIAA Class AAA track meet.

So since it's been awhile since my last post, here's what you've probably missed:

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Four Delaware County teams are still alive for Tuesday afternoon's action. Monsignor Bonner is going for its first Catholic League title since 1989, in a 4 p.m. start against St. Joseph's Prep. In Class AAA, Sun Valley and Marple Newtown will play in separate semifinals, and Delco Christian is in the final four of the Class A bracket.

Let's hope there's less rain and more shine in the forecast. For previews of the games, pick up Tuesday's Daily Times.

STATE TRACK MEET
Penncrest thrower Karen Shump went out in a blaze of glory, ending her track and field career with a fourth straight shot put title at states. The defending All-Delco Track Athlete of the Year stands alone in her events. Here are two other stories (link and link) from the girls side of the track meet.

On the boys side, Glen Mills jumper Johnny Jenkins was the Delco area's lone state champion. And he only started long jumping three months ago. Here's my account from states on Friday.

Overall, the experience was a blast. Though the Shippensburg people need to lighten up on their Internet standards. More to come soon, especially with four baseball teams still alive in the playoffs.

And lest we forget Delaware County's team in the Carpenter Cup.

It's time for the postseason! The District One Class AAAA playoffs open today, with five Delaware County teams kicking things off:

Garnet Valley at Owen J. Roberts
Strath Haven at Hatboro Horsham
C.B. West at Upper Darby
Chichester at Plymouth Whitemarsh
Interboro at Cheltenham

From what I can tell, all the games will be at 3:45 p.m. with exception to the Upper Darby game, which begins at 4:30 p.m. The Royals' baseball and softball teams are both hosting playoff games today, so the district staggered the schedule a bit.

On Thursday, the Class AAA and Class A playoffs begin, with a few other Delco teams playing as well. More to come on those teams as the playoffs progress.

Girls track writer Harry Chaykun and I are at the District One Classes AA and AAA Championship meet at Coatesville High School today, as we were yesterday.

For boys coverage, click here and here. And for the girls story, click here. The wireless Internet is a bet sketchy here, so I'll be blogging when I get home tonight. More to come, so stay tuned for the latest.

Russell Johnson, a 6-6 forward from Chester, announced Wednesday that he has committed to Robert Morris University.

Johnson, who averaged 12 points and 11 rebounds, emerged as the Clippers' third-leading scorer during their run toward the District One and PIAA Class AAAA titles.

Unsure whether he has met NCAA Clearinghouse standards, Johnson awaits the call to ensure his eligibility next season. He said he'd like to improve his SAT score by another 100 points, and he's registered for the standardized test next month.

"I'm waiting for the NCAA to call me back," Johnson said. "If they say it's OK, I'll take some summer classes to get ready for the season."

Johnson became the Clippers' second Division I commit from this year's recruiting class. Teammate Nasir Robinson gave his word to Pitt last season.

"High-caliber Division I schools were after Russell," said newly-retired Chester coach Fred Pickett. "He's going to have a good career. I've said it before - I think he'll get his team to the Big Dance. I just know it."

A couple teams get automatic bids into the District One Class AAAA playoffs. Others have to earn their way in. Upper Darby is dealing with the latter.

The Royals, who entered action Tuesday just a game above .500 in their league standings, needed a win against Central League foe to bolster their case for the postseason. Mission accomplished.

Royals coach Ed Roth gave the ball to ace Dan Morgan. The lanky right-hander responded with a complete-game four-hitter in which he struck out 13 Green Raiders in a 4-2 victory that all-but-officially puts Upper Darby in the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

For more on the game and a wrap of baseball action from around Delaware County, pick up a copy of today's Daily Times or click here.

If you've looked out your windows or been outside today, you've seen the rain, which has poured down in buckets.

Not trying to be a pessimist here, but it doesn't look like any baseball games will be played this afternoon. That means the full Del Val and Central League slates will be pushed back to another day or just outright cancelled, considering the district-playoff seeding meeting is this Thursday.

What does that mean? Well, it's one less win/loss a team can accrue to either bolster/harm its District One playoffs resume. We'll see how this all plays out, but more coming on the district playoff seedings as the week progresses.

ALL-DELCO CONSIDERATION
On another topic, I've received a recent flurry of e-mails about All-Delco consideration for baseball. As I did during the boys basketball season, I'm going to employ an open-door policy: If you have a baseball player you'd like to nominate for the All-Delco team, either e-mail me(christopheravito@gmail.com) or leave a post on the blog. Remember, the First Team gets 10 players (one at each position, plus a player of the year). I look forward to hearing from you.

Like rowing? Like rain? How about watching rowing in the rain?

This weekend marks the 70th annual Dad Vail Regatta on the Schuylkill River. Unfortunately for rowing enthusiasts, it's supposed to downpour. All weekend long.

It could make for a tedious task, but your favorite Delco sportswriter will be on Kelly Drive Saturday for Dad Vail.

Outside of rowing, I don't anticipate the baseball teams will be sloshing around in one to two inches of rainwater. But, if they do, here are two games to get out to this weekend:

Friday
Penncrest at Garnet Valley, 3:45 p.m. The Jaguars, still looking to bolster their district resume, take on the Lions, who have had a rough go but boast some big bats.

Saturday
Sun Valley at Malvern Prep, 1 p.m. The Vanguards, ranked No. 1 in this week's Super 7, go head-on with the Friars, ranked in many national polls. Cue the offensive fireworks; ALSO-Upper Darby at Msgr. Bonner, Noon; and Holy Ghost Prep at Marple Newtown, 1 p.m.

Enjoy the weekend...and keep an eye out for the puddles.

Every Central League track and field athlete got his or her last tune-up Wednesday in the league's championship meet.

The last tune-up, that is, before the District One Class AA and AAA meets, which begin next weekend. It also marked one final opportunity for those who had not yet qualified for districts to meet the standards in their events and move on.

For more on the boys side or the girls side, be sure to check it out here or in the print edition of Thursday's Daily Times.

Also, staff photographer Bob Gurecki assembled a video show from Wednesday's meet, which was held at Lower Merion. Check it out.

ON THE DIAMOND
The baseball season is still in full bloom, so be sure to read the latest in this week's installment of the baseball notebook.

Featured are the Marple Newtown Tigers. Behind second baseman John Rutecki and pitcher Steve DeCecco, the Tigers are back to their old tricks and competing for a spot in the district playoffs. Last season, they snuck up on everybody and made it all the way to the state final. Is that a possibility again? The players think so.

In the notebook:
Academy Park coach Nick Russo is happy to have back pitcher Tom Rhoads, who left for a bit to further his swimming skills. ... Monsignor Bonner will host its first-ever homecoming game this Saturday. ... Delco Christian coach Jeff Wisnewski has been wary of using his best player - Mike Connelly - because of the shortstop's broken finger. But Connelly leads the team in almost every category. ... And much more.

For all the latest, pick up a copy of the Daily Times.

With newly retired coach Buddy Gardler on hand Tuesday, Cardinal O'Hara ushered in a new era of Lions basketball.

The Lions introduced Tim Kelly, who served as Gardler's top assistants for the past 11 seasons, as Gardler's successor. Here's the report on Kelly:

• An O'Hara alumnus and former baseball and basketball player at the school.
• A graduate of Muhlenberg College, where he played basketball.
• The Lions' top scouting assistant, Kelly also worked with their post players.

For more on Kelly's hiring, be sure to check it out here at Gettin' Schooled or in the pages of Wednesday's Daily Times.

It took two months, but Cardinal O'Hara is ready to name Buddy Gardler's successor.

The longtime boys basketball coach, and all-time winningest coach in Catholic League history, announced his retirement March 4. Right out of the gate, several names floated to the top of the list.

All of the speculation comes to an end today at 1:30 p.m., when O'Hara introduces its new coach during a press conference held at the school's main auditorium. Pick up a copy of Wednesday's Daily Times for the latest.

In the last decade or so, high school baseball has seen fewer and fewer black players suiting up. But that divide isn't just in scholastic sports - it's being noted in college and pro baseball, as well.

According to Major League Baseball's Race and Gender Report Card, which was released last month, as few as 8 percent of the pro rank is made up of black players. A story in the Sun Sentinel, based out of South Florida, points to several reasons for this race differential:

• Opportunity. For every eight Division I football scholarships, there is just one baseball scholarship at that level. Not a good ratio, certainly.
• Finances. Aluminum bats, gloves and equipment (like that of a catcher) is not often offered by the school, unlike football pads. And very little resources are needed for basketball. Not to mention summer camps, which can range in the hundreds of dollars.

What are your thoughts on this racial divide in baseball? Is Delaware County facing this problem currently?

All-star second baseman - and admitted steroids user - Brian Roberts spoke to more than 300 high school students yesterday. Roberts acknowledged that taking steroids was "a mistake," during his 15-minute session with the kids:

"Expectations were high," the Baltimore Oriole said. "I battled self confidence issues because I was always expected to be the best player on the team. I saw the benefits some of my teammates got from steroids."

Currently three states test high school students for performance enhancing substance - Florida, New Jersey and Texas.

Do you think Pennsylvania is next?
Do you think steroid use in high schools is prevalent?
Do you think speakers like Brian Roberts will limit the use of steroids at the H.S. level?

Personally, I think it was out of control in pro baseball and now it's been tempered. Should steroid use grow rampant in high schools, testing should be mandated - for the health of the student-athletes and the protection of the game's integrity.

I welcome your thoughts on the issue.