ERA

I would consider your "disagreements" but sizing you up by your comments, it's obvious you are either ill informed or ignorant of the facts of how to build power houses... might I remind you two years straight that Coffee County went to the state IN A ROW! Not to mention that there would have likely been a third straight year had adults maintained their composure. Those successes came from hard work and hacking off a lot of slow pitch people by creating and building a program of fastpitch teams. The feeder system is the key and two visits to the state concurrently were examples of nurturing young ladies from the time they can put on a glove till they get to high school. So, talking about not holding water, the top of your shoes are all wet and that's not clear water I'm seeing. /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> Feeder systems are the most vital pieces of the puzzle. It boils down to how hard you want to work to make it happen. Coach Floyd was as integral to making that happen as most since his own daughter Nicole was part of that great era. The coaches for the fastpitch program in CC was as good of coaches for that league and travel teams as I've seen in all of travel ball in the 15 years I was involved with this sport. That group of men and even some women wanted that system to succeed as much as you or I would want to provide our families with a meal. It meant that much to them. On top of that, you had the most fundraising capabilities with that group I've ever seen. The funding raised by those groups of volunteers topped most major city programs. In fact, when CC showed up at the parks, especially Hendersonville (first major trnmt of the year) grown men (dads) of opposing teams would gape in awe at the uniforms, bats, cleats, head gear, bags and all the other things that are too many to mention. One quote I heard from a dominating program coach not knowing who I was standing in front of him... "That's Coffee County, they ALWAYS have money.. just look at all that gear.. and LOOK at the uniforms... Dang the BATS too!" It was that enthusiasm and support that excited and mobilized the young parents and kids to join and learn the game. The support of that original group of parents and the hard work they put in was absolutely phenomenal and I'm still impressed how it all came together. These good folk through their own blood, sweat and tears put together three different hitting centers and took the team from playing on the city Tball field and built that fine STADIUM! Unlike the kids now that walk into and onto that program and field with 90% of the infrastructure already laying there ready to go. Those early parents are the ones that provided that facility. Yes I was a part of that group but my commitment paled in comparison to those that led the way. It is that kind of commitment that takes you where you need to go and playing the better teams was not a problem because of that commitment and this coming from a very small town that used to fill the stadium, aisleways, outfield fence and parking lot for a regular season district game. CC breathed softball. CC is softball and can always be softball. It's just a matter of choice.

Now YOU are a great fan. Very very classy. There are a lot of teams that can use fans like you.

Coach, The comment about being a rural team does not hold water. It only holds water if they so "CHOOSE" to stay around the house. Just a few years ago, CC would travel and I mean travel to see the best teams they could and did it often. I have thousands of dollars in hotel reciepts and gas bills to prove it. It is a matter of CHOICE to sit on the porch or go play the big dogs. That's it in a nutshell. There are lots of things I could say here but to keep it short and quote an old acquaintance that taught me a lot about the game, "if you want to win consistently against the great teams, you have to play them. It's as simple as that. These are just kids. You can practice till the cows come home and play your part on a small stage but when you enter a big stage and the lights go on, the curtains open there are no practices nor an average opposing team that can prepare those young minds for the things they will see, hear and feel. By the time they collect themselves, it is too late.", Jack Young.

Riverdale 1 Lawrence Co. 0 in overtime. Lawrence County has put some good teams up last two years. Congrats to their much improved team. Nobody can overlook LC in the future anymore. /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Siegel 2 Coffee 1 in a hard fought ball game. Swan pitched through 61/2 innings Vincent closed. Coffee had a great season. Listened on WMSR 1320. /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Congrats to Siegel for making it to Sectionals.

It's plain and simple. The brain needs a visual feedback during your routine to break this habit. I've had both my daughters do this with excellent results. Find a real ball field or have a real pitching rubber to throw from. Be sure to have some loose dirt around the front where your drag foot will be. Start by just trying to dig the deepest trench you can with that foot and be sure there are no skips in it. When you finish your pitch, observe the ground. The "check mark" that you leave with your foot should be there. If not, the dirt tells the whole story. The key is to clear the last dig mark every time before the next pitch. Obviously, have someone else there to help which makes it go easier and faster. This has worked for everyone I've ever worked with. Hope this helps. ERA /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

Does anyone have the Soddy Coffee score and who pitched? Thanks.

Let's just get to the facts. I've raised two fastpitch pitchers and have been involved with this game for many many years. I study mechanics and am a complete obsessive compulsive when it comes to rules, mechanics and every edge you can get to perform your job better right up to the legal limit. With that said, crow hopping, under the proper definition, is tantamount to gaining the single greatest advantage to a pitcher that can possibly be given. Starting with the ball, it is completely hidden through the whole cycle from the time it leaves the glove to the time of release simply based on the fact that crow hopping, by definition, moves the body not only to a much closer point to the batter at release point, it also shifts the pitchers body completely sideways and hides the ball behind their body. Once the hop (replant) has been completed, the mechanical advantage of the lever (arm) gains an inertia advantage by the added leap and sudden stop which then catapults the pitching arm out of the slot for usually around a five to six mile per hour advantage. Not to mention the incredible distance advantage taken by the longer leap and then second leap by replanting. Then, the ball appears suddenly with a dramatic surprise to the batters. It is a travesty for umpires to allow this type of thing to happen. It does nothing but teach a pitcher how to cheat thinking it is ok. It's not the pitchers fault. I fault the pitching coach as well as the umpires. Once a girl has learned this technique it's like adrenaline. The success of it is so overwhelming you cannot imagine how hard it will be for them to try to stop it. Usually, it comes too late in their career. In the end, they suffer while their victims have been cheated as well. Try videoing a (real) crow hopping pitcher and then slow it down. Even an untrained eye can spot the advantages in slow motion. Like I said, the real crime is allowing it to happen. Yet, take a hot bat to a game that's not on the list and you would think you've just robbed a bank by the reaction. Keep it real and keep it clean on both sides.... that's my opinion. Have a great season. /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

Again, years ago, the decision making processes made by that organization were very suspect. When it comes to them, I have no sympathy at all. If you had gone through the things that I have, you probably would have gone postal. But as for the coaches that coach dual sports, you have to take another look at it. Many, many schools don't take this sport seriously enough for what it deserves, but, you cannot argue the fact that the dual sport coaches typically take this game as serious as it should be. Girls that have those coaches are typically in small towns and are fortunate. Otherwise, the school system would typically assign someone that has no business coaching a ten and under league team. This is reason enough to leave it alone. Dual sport coaches are an asset. They are motivated by competition. Most certainly not the money. But every bit helps. So, don't think they have anything to do with the decision process because they don't. There aren't that many of them and they have their hands full enough dealing with all these loose ends of keeping kids motivated while teaching them good moral and work ethic values. Every school that has a dual coach better count their blessings and thank God for giving them a coach that has sound competitive experience. After all, it boils down to motivation and who better has more experience then them? As for changing the season and whose responsible, we all know who is really responsible. In that manner, my whole point of my original post was to show it is totally pointless to attempt to change what you cannot change. You're wasting your time and you are putting heat on yourself that will eventually come back to haunt you. Everyone here knows who I am and I have been open with my identity from the beginning, years and years ago. Don't for one minute think that anyone can hide behind a screen name. Eventually, you will answer to your critics. Take my advice and enjoy what you have and let the expendable weak minded fight this battle. Eventually, it will go completely away while you still have your dignity. As for the redneck comment.... that was tongue in cheek if you read the whole post... including the PS.... lol.

As many as six years ago, I started a campaign to move the season from spring to fall before this became a fad. Weather had become such a problem because of rain, it was the only answer. But, you would have thought I just said there was no God. When I began posting it on Coach T, I was revered as insane and that it would and could never happen no matter how the facts stood when added up with perfect logic on how it could work, nobody and I mean NOBODY wanted to listen. Therefore, I chalked it up to another "Don't confuse me with facts!" by a bunch of rednecks that don't have a clue. It's as simple as that, and will remain that way. Many coaches that coach other fall sports also coach spring. These are the ones that will suffer and is the perfect reason as to why not to do it. I have several friends that are in that position and would not want them to lose that capability. So on that note, I can no longer pull for such a swing of seasons based on my own personal biases. But, the reasons given by the ones in charge back in those days were nonsensical to say the least. Good luck on all of your endeavours to change the season, but consider it as much of a sure thing as Obama changing from his Socialistic practices to head of the RNC. PS. RNC does NOT mean Red Neck Convention.....

Beware of the Smith County pitcher, Sr. Michelle Piper. She's been on a mission all off season establishing her game. She will amaze and the best of luck to her. ERA /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

This thread is about as pathetic and redneck as it gets.

Congratulations Coffee County. You had a turn around season and you are on your way. Represent District 8 with greatness. Go Raiders.

You girls were a surprise to most this season when Cathryn went down. You should hold your heads high for the support of your fans and the support you gave each other to pick yourselves up and carry on the great tradition of winning. It's been the kind of season for you to draw from and learn. Take time to think back over what was supposed to be, what hurdles you encountered and what you accomplished as a team. You may never have as great of opportunity to draw from life how you dealt with the roller coaster ride of events this season that eventually will make you a better person and better competitor. We're all proud of you as well as most other teams that had you to represent them in the tourny. Work hard and you will grow to new heights of abilities while achieving a mental toughness from the end roads of a battle tested season for all of you are returning and I would say that your return will come with a mission. A mission of determination and the WILL to accomplish the goals you set for yourselves. Go Warriors /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

Congratulations Lawrence Co! It's been a long time for Lawrence to go this deep in regional play.

Alice O'Brien: An Incredibly Amazing Athlete I've been around this game for nearly twenty years and never have I seen a high school softball player with as much talent at the plate as Alice O'Brien. Most know that I was batting coach for well accomplished travel teams. This kid is the real deal. The form and power are absolutely textbook unmatched by any player in the midstate for quite a while for a player at this age. Though not hulking in size by any means, the power comes from the technique and confidence in the swing. She is one of the very few that buys into "FORM" over power and the results are that the "FORM" gives you the power and higher percentage of contact with the ball. For all of you girls in middle school that want to be a power hitter, Alice O'Brien is the epitome of the "PERFECT FORM". Take Notes. /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

BRE THOMAS: DNJ ATHLETE OF THE WEEK VIDEO RIVERDALE SOFTBALL WINS DISTRICT CROWN

Coffee 3 Tullahoma 1

Ooltewah takes Soddy in the bottom of the 11th to win 2 to 1. The bases were loaded with no outs. The ball is hit foul about mid right field in depth about 5ft over the foul line. The right fielder catches the ball then forgets about the runner tagging up at third as she runs in to score without a throw. Craziest thing I've seen in years for a team from Soddy. I felt bad for the player but all kids have these moments. Red Bank lost to Central in the previous game. /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

Soddy Ooltewah Game Highlights

If you have a problem with the rescheduling, call the tournament director. It's that simple. Direct the whining at him. Putting it on here is meaningless. It has no bearing on the outcome. Make your call then maybe you might here the reason why it has been scheduled in its current format. I provided the name... do you need me to get the phone number too? Knock yourself out. /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

Tournament Director 1 AAA District 8 Columbia Lee Clayborne Columbia Central High School

DISTRICT 6-AAA BRACKETS

Yep. Everyone is just fine... including the grandbaby. Life is good and much slower... at least after work. I like it that way. New house and loads of projects. I'll be coming by and catch a game or two during the post season. Good Luck...

Cookeville is a DISTRICT GAME! YOU HAVE TO PLAY THEM! They have to get two games in before the end of the season. If you're going to talk like you know something then show that you HAVE intelligence. /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />