As we brace for what sounds like a major snowstorm, high school baseball teams throughout Section 1 are gathering for their first official practice of 2017. It figures.

I’ll be heading out this afternoon to visit with reigning Class A champ John Jay and Class C state champ North Salem, but I wanted to share a list I’ve been working on in the meantime. Every year, we choose the best nine returning players in our coverage area, which is never an easy task. It requires a lot of thought, observation and an open dialogue with coaches and scouts from this area. I also like to include you, the local baseball fans, in the discussion.

PITCH COUNT PANEL: Join our discussion on March 28

A LOOK BACK: The 2016 preseason player list and rankings

In that spirit, below I’ve listed the names that I’m currently considering. I’d love to hear your thoughts, which you can leave as a comment, e-mail to me at vmercoglia@lohud.com or send to me on Twitter @vzmercogliano. And if you feel I’m missing anyone who should be included, please let me know.

Candidates for the 2017 “Nine That Shine” 

Christian Aliberti, Jr., Eastchester (C)

Jack Attinelly, Sr., Hen Hud (INF)

Jake Bichler, Sr., Yorktown (SS/RHP)

Mat Bruno, Sr., Rye (OF)

Ryan Bryggman, Jr., John Jay (RHP)

Sam Byrns, Sr., Fox Lane (RHP)

Christian Cefaloni, Sr., Rye Neck (RHP)

Nick Cimillo, Jr., Suffern (OF)

Kevin Coleman, So., Pelham (3B)

Chris Colombo, Sr., Croton-Harmon (INF/RHP)

Adam Concadoro, Sr., North Salem (SS)

Chris Cooney, Sr., Albertus Magnus (INF)

Paul Cozzolino, Sr., Ossining (1B/3B)

Henry Davis, Jr., Fox Lane (C/OF)

Anthony DeFabbia, Fr., Tuckahoe (OF)

Truman Devitt, Sr., Mamaroneck (RHP)

Drew DiSerio, Sr., Edgemont (1B/LHP)

Mike Dunne, Sr., Albertus Magnus (RHP)

Jared Edwards, Sr., East Ramapo (RHP)

Sean Flaherty, Jr., Pearl River (C)

Dave Garvelink, Sr., Edgemont (OF)

Kieran Gibson, Sr., Tappan Zee (RHP)

Jason Gonch, Sr., Brewster (OF)

Mike Gorman, Sr., Iona Prep (INF)

Gehrig Hauser, Sr., White Plains (LHP/1B)

JB Healy, Sr., North Salem (RHP/INF)

Alex Henriquez, Sr., North Rockland (RHP)

Brett Holtz, Sr., Valhalla (1B)

James Houlahan, Sr., Lakeland (SS/2B)

Daniel Klein, Sr., Harrison (OF)

Spencer Lodes, Jr., White Plains (RHP/1B)

Brandon Machado, Jr., Hamilton (SS/RHP)

Connor Mahoney, Sr., North Salem (LHP/OF)

Tyler Mandel, Sr., Scarsdale (3B)

Pat McGee, Sr., Mahopac (SS)

Austin Mercado, Sr., Stepinac (LHP/OF)

Matt Mikulsky, Sr., Kennedy (LHP/1B)

Tommy Muratore, Sr., Nyack (RHP)

Brandon Neeck, Jr., Horace Greeley (LHP/OF)

Dolan Ocasal, Sr., Pearl River (INF)

Ray Pacella, Sr., North Rockland (LHP/1B)

Max Peterson, Sr., Kennedy (RHP)

Anthony Piccolino, Sr., Iona Prep (LHP/OF)

Arizon Pichardo, Sr., Gorton (INF)

Justin Powell, Sr., Tappan Zee (LHP/OF)

John Rainieri, Sr., Putnam Valley (RHP/3B)

David Reynoso, Sr., Panas (SS)

Leivin Rodriguez, So., Gorton (RHP)

Richie Rodriguez, Jr., Stepinac (RHP/1B)

Jack Ryan, Jr., Briarcliff (RHP/INF)

Jack Schnell, Sr., Suffern (OF)

Kevin Scrima, Sr., Pearl River (RHP/1B)

Jack Sheehy, Sr., Tappan Zee (C)

John Spadafino, Sr., Byram Hills (SS/3B)

Brandon Spector, Sr., Yonkers (RHP)

C.J. Spence, Sr., Mount Vernon (LHP)

Enzo Stefanoni, Sr., Rye Country Day (RHP/INF)

Yuichiro Tanimura, Jr., Keio (OF)

Damian Vignone, Sr., White Plains (OF/DH)

Krishan Weber, Jr., Edgemont (SS/RHP)

Ryan Weiss, Sr., Nyack (1B)

Twitter: @vzmercogliano