Stories of 2012: AD, Baseball Coach Resign Abruptly

Merrimack Patch has it's first full year in the books and what a year it's been! We re-elected President Barack Obama to another four years, and hey, the Mayan apocalypse didn't happen, so congratulations, we're all still here.

From the opening of the Merrimack Premium Outlets to another Halloween storm that cut power to thousands for days, there's been no shortage of news in town. We've seen businesses and residents in the community doing wonderful things to support their neighbors and communities as far away as Haiti. There's been business growth, and sadly a few closures.

There have been exciting moments in sports with the boys varsity basketball state championship, the baseball team playing, but unfortunately losing their state championship, and the Merrimack Cardinals Midget Cheerleaders win at nationals earlier this month. Another Rock'n Ribfest was written into the books, as was a continually-growing Merrimack Fall Festival and Business Expo, and the midway returned to town on the Fourth of July after a short hiatus.

Join us as we count down some of the top stories of the year between today and Dec. 30. Thank you for making this a wonderful year. Enjoy the final days of 2012, we can't wait to see what 2013 has in store!

10. MHS Baseball Coach, Athletic Director Resign

What should have been a most-exciting time for the Merrimack High School varsity baseball team, was disrupted when news broke that the baseball coach Ryan Anderson and Athletic Director Andy Krahling had both resigned.

The news came just a week before the team was set to play for the state title against Concord High School. As the story unfolded it was learned that the resignations were tied to an apparent rules violation in which Anderson had warmed up with the team during a playoff game against Exeter despite having been suspended over an ejection from the previous game.

Krahling never returned calls from Merrimack Patch regarding his resignation, but Anderson did submit a letter regarding his decision to leave the team, which ultimately lost the state championship to Concord High School on June 16.

Merrimack High School hired a new athletic director over the summer and Eric Sabean, a New Hampshire native, who started his job in the end of July.

Read the original story regarding the departure of Krahling and Anderson.