DBWATCHDOG

You think he is fast on the track? If somebody was chasing him in pads he would be even faster. He aint the football type of guy!! It looks like C Sensabaugh is working on his speed. DB needs more football players running track to work on their speed. Even with Sylvester, Hogg and Dukart on the field last year, some running backs left them in their tracks. They may only have 3-4 players running track and that is not a good sign. I hope they are all in the weight room!

They did not have as many chances as in prior years, but they did have some and GC did not play enough kids to get ready for this year. One example was Knox Karns. DB is up 35-0 after the opening series of the second half. The clock was no longer stopped and 2nd string did not see action until the last of the 4th. Even though some scores may not have allowed easy substitution, DB had plenty of opportunities to get some players some experience ie special teams. If Texas A&M for years used walk ons for their kick off team, DB could have played more players to be ready this year. As far as baseball, it is going to take more than experience or a "field to practice on" to pay off next year or years to come. They have a "BIG" problem up there and it is time for him to go. Would you ever have thought there would not be a topic on DB baseball during bball season or even a post in over a week? A true sign of the times.

This team will be much better than last year. Not loaded, but better. Could be even better had some more Jrs received playing time when score warrented subs. Team lacks overall team speed. A couple of fast players, but not enough roadrunners in skill positions. One thing for sure, drop the no huddle and play more than 15 kids! If spring practice is held last 2 weeks of school, good chance baseball will be over and Clark will have Crawford for spring practice. Crawford made some good plays at WR last year, but given the opportunity to be QB 100% should help his play at QB. The real question will be how Clark plays Sylvester. Possibly move him to WR and keep Chris S at tailback? Lawson needs to be FB and carry the load when needed. As always, who comes out for spring practice and who is still around come fall plays a big part. Had several last year that could have made an impact, but didnt last. Dont look to see any streaks for several years.

The Kpt city rec league is not conducive for a traveling team. If it were not for the Kpt Boys Club's traveling teams there would not be a feeder program. The middle schools dropped their 7th grade teams and and now no Freshman team at DB. It seems baseball has gone backwards over the past years. When other DB coaches have been doing everything they can to build feeder programs (girls basketball, soccer, wrestling, even bowling to name a few) baseball went the opposite direction. Coaches have hosted tournaments to put money in their programs, but DB baseball has not shown the same energy. DB baseball is at an all time low when it is not on the radio and getting thumped by 10+ (and it would have been worse). Simply put DB baseball will not get better until they have a coach that has some energy for the game and the boys playing. Ritz had his glory days, but the disappointment from last year will sour with him for a while. He hung his hat on that group for 3 years. Ryan Wagner is the man for the job. Yes, everything has cycles, but you have to be proactive to break a cycle and until DB makes a change, this is going to be one long cycle.

I think you need to recheck your facts about RNR. Best record? Maybe better than Sevier, but not other area middle schools. The field excuse that you and Ritz keep saying is not true. They can use Domtar, it has 2 regulation highschool fields (that is one more than DB has.) Centerfield is 350, not the same as DB, but certainly on par with other area high schools. I will admit, perhaps it is the century old feud between Kpt Parks and Rec and city schools (that is another story) that is preventing Ritz from getting on the Domtar fields as much as he would like, but Kingsport has fields. If that is the case, then somebody needs to say it. To spend that kind of money for a place for geese to feed and nest is a waste. The fields were delayed an extra year in order to have the proper turf to handle extra play. With 2 regulation fields they can practice 2 teams and even put the Freshman team on a small field for practicing game situations. After this weekend the "2 key players" can play baseball. 4 played football and then played basketball this year. It takes a while to adjust, but the end is what counts. Just ask SH last year. I dont think the Tribe nation will wait for time to tell. They dont in basketball, they didnt in football and they didnt in baseball. If he doesnt turn it around in 2 years you will find him on the river fishing.

Camper, no chip, just the truth and your comments only support what I wrote. They are not picked #1 or #2 this year, 4th or worse by several. The team is young and inexperienced and that should not be happening at a school with 3 teams and training faciliites equal or better than small colleges. "DB will do well over the next couple of years". It should not take a couple of years to get back to being a top team. The Kpt rec has had a record number of kids playing baseball. They finally have great fields to play and practice. There is a disconnect around middle school and that needs to be fixed. It starts with the HS head coach showing an interest in his/her feeder program. If you dont believe me, ask the coaches that our successful how much interest they show in feeder programs. SH will rock DB in baseball for the next several years.

Nothing here on DB that you cant find or read on TRICITIESSPORTS.COM. Your team cant be playing this weekend without a resourceful coach. Every coach knew more last Tuesday morning about the team they are playing first round than anything we will ever put on here.

For Ritz, the chickens have come home to roost! This year will be the beginning of a new streak for DB baseball. Ritz is making excusses they dont have a place to practice and the Domtar field has been to wet and muddy. That all they have been able to do is practice inside. INSIDE? It has been raining on the other high schools too. How many high schools have the indoor facilities that DB has? The bottom line is Ritz has for years put all his chips on a class of boys and that is all he focuses on. Several years ago he only had 2 seniors on the team. He shows no interest in the feeder programs or tries to improve the middle school teams. The middle school teams were only good because kids having played travel ball growing up. They get zero coaching in middle shool. One middle school has a coach that never played baseball and the other saw his best years 25 years ago when he could remember his name. DB baseball will be weak for several years until some changes are made at all levels. Thank goodness Overcast moved to Kingsport. Chase has historically had elbow problems that is why is has no varsity experience. Crawford can pitch but NOBODY can play SS especially with a short 1B. If DB's probable line up includes only 2 players that have played varsity it will be a long year. With some luck, fourth will be the best they can do this year. I said last year it was time for Ritz to retire and get new life in DB baseball. It will take several years of down DB baseball, but the school and Ritz will eventually get the hint. Time for him to head to the golf course and the river to fish!

Some of DB's close games this year came against teams that played zone and packed it in around the big guys forcing DB to shoot from outside. Fortunately for DB Todd and Dustin got in the rotation to make the 3's. Both players are better outside shooters than the 2 starting guards. DB's Achilles' heel- Williams' emotions and turnovers. CMO will have to keep him Morganized at MTSU.

You must be photographer for the Times News too. It would be great to share the ink with some of the other team members. Same goes for the Lady Indians and Tori Head. Both great athletes and as equally good young people, Times News just needs to point the camera on the rest of the team.

Very Good. You could have left out the "stall" part! BAD MEMORIES! Buck's "stall" cost DB another big game in Knoxville. Fans forget DB had the original Christmas tournament before Arbys. Howard was the other visiting team with Riverside. Who was our other local team? Dont forget outhouse on top of the Dome. ( I think that caused the leaks?)

The bleachers were not only full, but full of students, no adults/parents. Not even 9th graders as they sat in their own section with Jr High students. Don't forget visiting fans (sometimes with umbrellas) would bring a crowd too. Central's visiting crowd used to equal DB's home crowd last night, of course they had the Moody boys. Too much ESPN to compete with. How many stayed home last night to watch the VOLS vs coming to the DB game? Better game in the Dome! Skunk Trivia-which game had the closed circuit TV because of it being sold out? (Young guns and out of towners wont believe it happened).

Fixing things in the DB system are impossible when you have people that respond "who isn't using it" to an illegal issue and really think only 18 year olds are doing it. Shame on you, you knew it was illegal no matter the age. CYA. They have signs posted and have made announcements at games that all tobacco use is illegal on school grounds. Thats why the smoking patio is gone. But NOW that you officially know, maybe YOU can make the change. We have had several confrontations in past years, (hint-tail gate $). Happy New Year

Feb. 14th! XXOO! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Skunk, since I cant reply on the last thread I will here. And since you brought up Christmas, remember, Santa is watching. Try to tell the truth! See Rough Rider, I know you now and even your Knox Vegas days. You can BS some, but not the ones that know you. Getting a scholarship and actually playing are 2 different things. And I am not talking about an injury that ends a career, but the ability to attend class and stay in school. And yes I can speak to what colleges should do and shouldnt do. Perhaps not what you agree with, but get over it. And yes the Alumni Field House has not lived up to the sales pitch of "Building Strong Bodies and Strong Minds". It is however BUILDING a very strong case for cancer of the mouth with all of the tobacco use that is allowed by students and teachers in that facility (even during the school day). FYI- As an active member of the QB club you are aware of the use and it IS against the law. As an insurance agent you may need to check the D and O policy. Feliz Navidad!

Was the teacher Mr Greg "Wrong" (Wright) with you? He got kicked out along with some students several years ago at an away game. Now that is Kingsport education's finest teaching our kids.

They started on the new turf yesterday. Any idea when it will be ready?

Thomas Harrison NEVER had any basketball beyond high school either. This team is better than the 02-03 and 03-04 teams because they dont have a "Thomas Harrison-like" player. Colleges should use scholarships for student athletes, not the perfidious athlete.

With a multi million dollar Taj Mahal field house DB's athletes should never be accused of needing to be stronger and faster on the field, court, track, mat or in the water. They need to hire a strength trainer that can get the most out of the facility and the athletes. Strength seems to be a common thread win DB teams or athletes take a knock. It is not uncommon to see the serious DB athletes training at other area gyms. That should never have to happen for any sport at DB. The field house has become nothing but an expensive locker room and offices for coaches.

Other than "double teamed", what else are you referring to as "part of the game"? Certainly not the part carrying over to your family. The trash talking is probably considered part of the game today, but look to what it leads to. Sorry Skunk, I dont see much sympathy for the trash talking your son received, be honest, that knife definitly cut both ways. The only place you score when talking is on the debate team.

It is team from Decater, GA. I understand two of Ralph Sampson's sons will be in the tournament. Not real good, kind of soft.

December 11th, Christmas Concert, Toy Reid Center, 7:00...come early and we will let you blow an instrument.

Did not mean to imply good or bad about new player. More of a fact that a lot of time can pass until next August and you just never know who will be back out. Yes, one was Willis and the other was Fugate.

Maybe brings up a good thread, 1st and 2nd team of 90 years of DB basketball? None of this "athlete" or "academic" positions. Just what they did in their position on the court for DB. Some names Bill Green, Charlie Leonard, C Puckett, Tranbarger, Garber, Elliott, Brown and ? just to name a few. Skunk probably has a list already made out that would get the juices flowing.

Agree, a measuring stick will be Arby's. Football players should be really clicking with the team by then. Any word on who is coming this year?