The legs aren't quite as energized, but they're still willing for former Whittier Tech star Scott LaValley.

He is one of the key players for the surging Newburyport Nationals (11-1 and in first place) in the semipro North Shore Baseball League.

"As the years go by, the end of every season gets pretty tiring," said the 29-year-old LaValley. "I'm always about ready to hang it up for good."

Fortunately for Newburyport head coach Jim Donohue, those thoughts change by the time spring rolls around.

"I get the itch to play every spring and I know there'll come a day when I can't play, so I want to take advantage of it as long as I can," said LaValley. "I see how much fun kids have playing and it makes me want to keep playing."

LaValley gets that childlike urge from coaching Little League in his hometown of Merrimac. He began helping out four years ago and, before long, became a head coach. It's both rejuvenating and a way to pay back.

"I remember how much fun I had in Little League and I want to make sure they have as much fun as I did," said LaValley, who works for a masonry contractor in Merrimac. "Teaching them to play and seeing the kids progress is the best part. I really like it."

His Little League coaching duties have forced LaValley to miss several early-season Nationals' games, but Donohue is just thankful when he can make it.

"No doubt, we're a totally different and better team when he is there, even if he wasn't hitting (well)," said Donohue. "He just does so much for us, offensively and defensively."

Indeed, LaValley is hitting .666 (10 of 15), leads the team in steals with five and — as he always has — roams the outfield with abandon from his center field spot.

LaValley has always been able to use his speed to his advantage on the basepaths, although he says, "I've definitely lost some (speed) and I'm a little pickier, a little smarter about when I run."

But his greatest skill remains as a great contact hitter. With 117 hits at Whittier, he ranks among the area's all-time leaders, and he hit a prolific .525 and .568 in his last two years in high school.

His talent at the plate continued at UMass Lowell. In three years as a starter, during which the River Hawks were 106-49 and won the Northeast-10 Conference championship every year, he batted .310, .332 and .333, scored 96 runs in 109 games and stole 31 bases.

In six years in the NSBL, the hitting beat has gone on and on.

If Donohue has his way, it should continue for quite some time.