COEUR d'ALENE - When starting something new, it usually helps to have a familiar face along for the ride to help guide you.

And after winning a state title last year as a member of the Coeur d'Alene Loggers class "A" American Legion baseball team, Nick Nyquist wasn't quite sure how he'd fit into the mix when he moved up to the "AA" Lumbermen this year.

His familiar face turned out to be his older brother Chad, a 2011 graduate of Coeur d'Alene High who just finished his freshman season as an outfielder at the Community Colleges of Spokane.

Chad, who will be 19-years old on Aug. 18, is in his third year for the Lumbermen and is a starting outfielder.

Nick, who turned 16 April 24, will be a junior at Coeur d'Alene High in the fall and took over the starting right field job for the Vikings from his brother.

"It's been fun," Chad said. "I really like getting the chance to play with him this year."

Nick is an infielder for the Lums, who open the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Wood Bat Classic tonight at 6 p.m. against the Pullman Patriots at McEuen Field.

"It's been a good experience this year," Nick said. "I'm really glad I got on the Lums this season and get to play with Chad."

After winning state last year, the Loggers advanced to regionals in Roseburg, Ore.

"Our state championship run was a good experience with coaches Zach (Clanton), Cody (Spencer) and (Tom) Barlow," Nick said. "This year, I get to play with some of my friends, but also a bunch of kids that I don't really know. It's still been fun."

That's where big brother has helped.

"Just to have him around is pretty nice," Nick said. "It helps because most of his friends are on the team and I've know them for a couple years. But we really haven't been close until this year."

Chad played right field at the Community Colleges of Spokane this spring.

"It's definitely helped with my leadership abilities," Chad said. "I think I've became a better all-around player, with better arm strength, and a better hitter."

"Chad has been with us three years and this year, he's really taken a leadership role," Coeur d'Alene coach Lloyd Duman said. "He's really rubbing off on Nick and the other younger players."

Duman added that Nick has remained an asset with his ability to play any spot on the field.

"He's very quiet person," Duman said. "But whatever we ask of him, he does. He plays different positions and is just fine with whatever we ask. Both of them seem to be different in ways, but are very good to have. Chad is good to have because of his leadership and Nick because he's coachable."

This season, Chad is hitting fourth in the Lumbermen lineup, with Nick usually fifth.

"Everyone we know always asks us who is hitting better," Nick said. "But nobody is really keeping track. I just try to do my best and see what happens."

"We're really not trying to out-hit each other," Chad said. "But we kind of make it a competition. We just do it to mess with each other. If one of us hits better one night, then we say something to mess with each other - but it's not a real competition."

Only Duman knows who has the higher batting average - but isn't telling either of them.

"I'm sure it's a coincidence, but they keep flip-flopping," Duman said. "They're right next to each other. I haven't given them their stats, but noticed they're feeding off each other."

Coeur d'Alene is 20-3 entering this week's tournament.

"It's been fun," Chad said. "We all really bonded pretty early this season. I feel like we're a good all-around team. Everyone does their part and works really well together."

"The competition is a lot better than last year," Nick said. "I've been looking forward to it for the last couple of years. Playing with the college kids, you get to learn how the game is played at a faster speed."

In addition to playing baseball, the Nyquist brothers also work together for their father at Centennial Distributing.

"We're pretty much together all the time," Nick said. "Outside of when we're at friends' houses, we are around each other."

"We like to go spear fishing and typical outdoors stuff and play Xbox," Chad said. "When we do that, sometimes it's a competition - but not always."

Up until this season, the two have rarely been on the same field.

"It hasn't been very often," Chad said. "It's definitely been a long time, but it's fun. He's a goofy kid and has a good sense of humor. I love it."

In Nick's first year as member of the Coeur d'Alene High varsity team, the Vikings went 24-3 and finished with a consolation championship at the state 5A tournament - the same result as in Chad's senior year.

"I learned just how to play as a team and respect the team you're up against," Nick said. "That and how to have fun and be really good at the same time."

In the Best of the Northwest tournament two weeks ago, Chad hit a home run to give the Lums the lead. Nick, in an at-bat the next inning, also homered.

"I thought it was awesome," Chad said. "I was just praying he'd get a hit and he came up big."

After coming back to the dugout, Nick added another jab to his brother.

"I remember giving him a high five," Chad said. "He said his went further, and it probably did too. It was kind of funny."

After games, both often share their thoughts about how each did on the way home.

"We just talk about what happened, what went good and bad and how we can change it," Nick said. "I've really learned a lot about how to stay positive from him on the field and how to keep each other up and in a good mood when it's going bad."

When the season does end, Nick added that he'll miss the help his brother has given him.

"Just his confidence is something I'll miss," Nick said. "Whenever I strike out, he'll help me stay positive. He really just helps me out a lot."

Right now, things are good for the Lums, with a 6-0 North Idaho League record and three teams from the league guaranteed to advance to the AA state tournament at Harris Field in Lewiston Aug. 1-5. Lewis-Clark gets an automatic bid for hosting state.

Coeur d'Alene will host the AA Area A District tournament July 26-29 at McEuen Field.

"It's been a dream," said Chad of playing at McEuen. "I love it. You really can't take back any memories of playing on this field. It's definitely my favorite I've played on. The environment, with all the people down here during the summer all the time - it's almost the perfect field."

Of continuing his baseball career like his brother, Nick added he's hoping something will come up.

"I really want to play somewhere," Nick said. "Somewhere in Arizona because my grandparents live in Scottsdale."