Traffic often caused them to be late for home games. Other times a train blocked their path, delaying the trip to their home field. Or, more precisely, their home away from home.

Such is life when home games are played several miles away, making every game feel like a road trip.

``It was always a problem,'' Osbourn coach Keith Howell said.

Consider the problem solved: for the first time in 25 years, Osbourn will play games on campus. So forget the still-maturing grass and the not-yet-solidified dirt, the Eagles couldn't be happier.

And, for them, here's the best part: playing on a new field shouldn't be the highlight of their season.

With eight starters back from a team that finished strong in 2001, the Eagles are considered strong favorites in the newly-formed Cedar District. That's why opponents overlook the 8-15 record of a year ago.

``They're loaded,'' said Potomac coach Mike Covington.

``They've got the whole package,'' said Osbourn Park coach Rod Hodgson.

Of course, coaches like nothing better than to shift the favorites' role onto another team. Potomac is always solid and Osbourn Park is experienced, giving each team reason for optimism.

But even Howell agrees they should be good. The Eagles return three of their top pitchers in seniors Mike Merryman and Brandon Armentrout and junior Jess Stewart.

They have an experienced infield with senior Kevin Potter (second base) and senior Robert Lydick (first base). Stewart, who could blossom this year, will start at third and junior Chris Kearney will start at short, where he logged some time a year ago.

The entire outfield returns with seniors Devan Ewell, Brian Dunleavy and Merryman, who earned first-team all-district honors as a utility player in 2001. Dunleavy was a second-team all-district outfielder.

Senior catcher Jason Williams is another returning starter. Senior Mike Stover, a transfer from Indian River, will be a utility player, filling in where needed.

The difference, at least right now, between Osbourn and the others is at the plate. Dunleavy (.373 batting average); Kearney (.344), Williams (.333), Merryman (.303) all posted solid numbers last spring.

Howell also likes the versatility of some of his players: Ewell, Merryman, Stover, Dunleavy and junior Ricky Pasquariello (.292 last year) all can play multiple positions.

But Howell suggests talk of titles is premature.

``I guess we're expected to win it,'' Howell said. ``But we don't talk about winning. We have goals, but we're not talking about championships until we win one.''

They nearly won district titles the past two seasons, losing in the championship. Last year's trip was unexpected. The Eagles opened the season with four straight wins, then endured a double-digit losing streak before winning four more in a row.

But, last season, seven starters were new to the varsity and costly end-of-game gaffes hurt Osbourn.

That experience should benefit the Eagles this spring.

``They're a closer group,'' Howell said. ``It's the kind of group where I can turn my back and next thing you know they're on the field getting ready to stretch and run on their own. They don't wait for me to tell them. That doesn't happen very often so you enjoy it when it does happen.''

Titles haven't happened often at Osbourn, either. The Eagles haven't claimed one since 1993, when Howell was an assistant coach.

Regardless of what happens, Osbourn is happy just to play on a new field. It beats the past when they trekked over to the Greater Manassas Baseball League facility to play, a three-mile bob-and-weave through traffic.

Now they can start practice at 3 p.m. instead of 45 minutes later.

``That's the biggest change and it's a pride thing,'' Howell said. ``It never did [feel like home before]. It was always someone else's field. The excitement is still there.''

It could last all season. For different reasons.

OSBOURN PARK

OP just might have enough to threaten Osbourn and Potomac at the top. After all, the Yellow Jackets are experienced and feeling good after a strong finish in 2001.

Eight starters return, including three on the mound, from a 7-15 season. Which is why coach Hodgson said, if everything broke right, ``we could win the district.''

But Hodgson also said the team must hit much better than last season if it plans on contending. Senior Eban Brower and junior Alan Compton will be the top two pitchers. Compton posted a 0.90 ERA last year. Both work the plate well and change speeds. Senior Brian Walters is an experienced setup man.

Five seniors return as starters: Luke Dombrowsky (second base/shortstop), Bobby Holupka (first base), Dwight Howell (center field), Mark Smith (outfield) and Chris Turley (catcher). The speedy Howell and Dombrowsky are defensive standouts.

Seniors Keith Eyerman (third base) and Billy Young (infield) are expected to start. So, too, are juniors Adam Jordan (catcher/infielder) and Doug Suliga (outfield).

The Yellow Jackets will be tested early. They were scheduled to play Centreville on Thursday night and Hylton today. Both teams reached the Group AAA state tournament last year.

POTOMAC

Potomac returns its top two pitchers from last spring, but that's not the only reason coach Covington is excited. He also likes the other five pitchers, giving the Panthers plenty of depth.

It could be enough to vault into first place.

``Our pitching will take us wherever we go,'' Covington said.

With six games scheduled in the first eight days, that depth will be tested.

Senior Mike Tiller returns as the ace, a label he's carried the past two seasons, winning eight games each year. He lacks blazing speed, but he has control, walking only 11 batters last year.

``He's a battler,'' Covington said. ``He keeps us in the game and he's a very good high school pitcher.''

Senior Nick Daskalakes won five games as the No. 2 pitcher last season, giving the Panthers more experience. Seniors Brad Dilliard and Kyle Mahan haven't pitched as much as the top two, but, Covington said, they're equally talented.

``If they get over the mental blocks, they can be as good as the top two,'' Covington said.

The Panthers return some experience in the field, too. Senior outfielder Tony Blackwell is a four-year starter while junior catcher Mark Salyers is a three-year starter. Both are talented.

Mahan returns in the outfield along with senior Brian Greaux. Dilliard, whom Covington said has been impressive in the preseason, will start at second.

Senior Jake Cinnamon, a transfer from Stonewall Jackson, will start at short.

STONEWALL JACKSON

Stonewall lacks experienced players this season. That won't be the case in the future.

For now, though, it means the Raiders must ignore early-season results and focus on the future - whether that's the district tournament or next year.

They return two players with varsity experience, including a pitcher. In a sturdy district, that could lead to early woes.

``We'll probably take our lumps for a little bit,'' said Stonewall coach Andy Devitt, whose team was 9-10 last year. ``But we're hoping we learn and by the end of the year we're ready to compete and maybe even surprise some people.''

Junior Erik Nguyen was the No. 2 starting pitcher last year, working in eight games. At least he knows how to pitch in big games, having defeated Woodbridge and Hylton last spring.

Senior shortstop Josh Walker, a role player last year, will also pitch. Walker will play collegiately at Lynchburg. Junior Ryan Rowland will start at second. Sophomore third baseman John Boutsellis has looked sharp in scrimmages.

Three freshmen will play: Garrett Smith (third base/pitcher), Bill Thompson (first base) and Chris Conner (middle infielder). Senior Jacob Gaskill, junior Matt Whewell and sophomore Ron Corrao will start in the outfield. Corrao also might pitch.

``The thing about young kids is the consistency,'' Devitt said. ``They can come out and have a good day and turn around 24 hours later and be completely awful. One of our goals is just to be consistent and say, `Let's play complete game and let's play a complete week.' "