rblfan

Both Maryville Magic 18U teams appear to be very good, this early in the season. The original Magic team has picked up two excellent pitchers and has a couple of strong catchers. The other Magic team, played 16U last year and has some very talented and scrappy players that ended up winning the June Jam in Crossville, this past weekend. They played some excellent teams, ie. Nashville Nighthawks and the Chattanooga Lookouts and won. If they were to combine the best players from both teams, they look like they could compete in any tournament, east of the Rocky Mountains. Keep an eye on both teams, this season! More to follow.

In the 18U division, the Magic (Red) team ended up winning the championship, but beating the other Magic team twice. Both games were very close, with the Magic - Red winning the first game in the eighth inning by a score of 1 - 0. In the championship game, the Magic - Red in regulation by the score of 2 - 0. I am not sure how the other age divisions placed out. Thanks for asking.

Ladies & Coaches, Congratulations. You are a classy bunch of ball players, with an extremey talented coaching staff. I coach the 16U Magic team that you beat, not once but twice during the tournament. You are a very strong team and your pitcher has one heck of a Riser. Based on my observation of all the teams in the tournament, you deserved the Championship. We are new at this traveling ball, stuff and look forward to seeing and playing you in the future. On again, congratulations on a well deserved Championship.

Do I have a red face? I mean Coach Hawkins not Coach Hawkings. I am so sorry!

Open letter to Coach Hawkings and Coach Norris, Thank you for all that you have done for the Maryville High School Softball team players. You have taught them many softball skills. But, most importantly you have taught them some very valuable life lessons. Like, how to win and more importantly how to lose, with CLASS. They always behave in a most admirable manner, both on and off the field. I know that much of their behavior is due to their parential upbringings, but your influence on them and the role model behavior that you demonstrate reinforces their learnings from their parents. As a parent of one of your players and from one parent to another - a hearty THANK YOU. How can we ever repay you?

Let me begin by saying that I agree with bizazz about the very strong showing that the MHS baseball team showed this year. They worked hard and deserved to be in the finals of the substate. But, as a huge fan of the Maryville High school program, I saw something that made me almost sick to stomach and ashamed. As I watched the baseball game yesterday, it was evident that we were not going to have one of our better games. That is understandable, every team experiences this type of outing. But, the thing that really upset me is when one of our players (that I will not identify in print) was called out on a third strike pitch, he went crazy! He started screaming at the umpire and truly acted like an out of control juvenile. (He was ejected from the game, because of his actions). The behavior that he demonstrated was out of line and I hope that the coach will do something to prevent this type of behavior in the future. To make matters even worse, when I returned home yesterday and turned on the late night news, the entire episode was captured on tape and was being shown on the local television station. Then this morning, it was mentioned in the newspaper. After the scandal with the counterfeit money, the Principal stealing money from the concession stand, Maryville High School does not need anymore of this type of negitive publicity. Maryville High School has a tradition, a strong tradition, but the behavior demonstrated by one temporarily distribed individual can do a considerable amount of damage to the schools reputation and standing in the state. To the coaching staff, please do the right thing and teach your players that they should not behave this way and remind them that they are representing their team, their school and their community when they don the MHS uniform.

Sourone & mrscoach, It is all about politics and money. The two of you have done an excellent job of indentifying the problems with playing in Memphis and have some ideas about where to play the Spring Fling games. The truth is the TSSAA doesn't give a darn about the kids or their families, its about the money and politics. If you analyze the situation and see the lunacy around this decison, you have to ask yourself how could any logical thinking person (or group of persons) make a decision to play the softball tournament for the State of Tennessee - State Championship, in Mississippi. Our state and local government officials bombard us with the fact that the State doesn't have enough money to maintain current levels of school funding, police protection, Tenn Care, etc. So, if that is true, why in the world are we going to send a percentage of the revenues from the Tennessee Spring Fling to the state of Mississippi? Many of the families and supporters will be traveling to watch the players. They will be purchasing food, drinks, and other concession items for the entire week. Who is going to get this money, the park facility in Mississippi. How absurd? To the two of you, thanks for asking your questions. Maybe one day these political officials will wake up and do the right thing for the right people: THE KIDS. Sure, when donkeys fly!

Coach Hawkins, You and Coach Angie did a great job of getting the girls ready to play tonight. It was an exciting game to watch. I just got finished reading the newspaper article about Soddy Daisy and one of their girls is already stating that "...she can taste the ring already..." So, it is obvious that they think very little of your team and believe that they are going to not only win the game, they are going to win the tournament. I hope that the Maryville girls play to their potential. Because if they do, I believe that Soggy Daisy does not stand a chance. Go Lady Rebels! :justwrestle:

Once again, the Lady Rebels came through in the clutch. Congratulations on your big win over Bearden. They are a very good team, but you are a bit better. Good luck against Kingsport DB. Two years in a row as the District and Regional Champions. Not bad for a school known for their academics and FOOTBALL. Go Lady Rebels!

Gretchen Prugh for President and Alicia Vance for Vice President! Outstanding job this season. Keep up the GREAT work. We will be watching.

Last night the MHS Lady Rebels wrapped up the District 4 Championship. The went through the tournament without a loss. Although the team had been off for almost two weeks, due to schedule and inclement weather, they looked pretty sharp. Gretchen Prugh returned to her old style of mowing people down with her fastball and nasty change-up. No one, even Coach H. expected them to be this position this year. They lost a bunch of starters after last years season and are playing with only one Senior this year. They have a long way to go to make it back to the State Tournament, but I wouldn't bet against them. Congratulations to all of the Lady Rebels and their fans. It sure was great getting to see the team advance

Can anyone please tell me whether or not the games scheduled to be played tonight at Tyson Fields, in Knoxville have been cancelled? And if the decision has not been made, do you know when it will be decided? Thank you.

LadyAdmiral, What a great post. Thanks for the kind words and the words of wisdom. Good luck to your team and I hope that you do well in the Post season.

I spoke with Becca's Mom this morning (Monday), at the high school, and Becca is out for the games against Farragut and West. Becca is being treated for Strep throat and is not even going to be in school today. Her Mom was at the school to deliver a project that was due that Becca didn't want to be late. STUDENT athelete! She actually was sick all day on Saturday and didn't tell her parents until after the final game. Get well soon, Becca and all of the Maryville Lady Rebels. District tournaments are just around the corner and it would be a shame to see the team not make it this year after having such a great season.

The TEAM really came together during the William Blount game. I was really proud to see them rally from being down in the game. Everyone pulled together to show what they are made of. I am very close to the program and it became very apparent to me that although Ms. Cope does have her issues she is working very hard to be the vocal leader on the team. She works very hard to encourage her teammates is constantly looking for ways to improve her game. If she stays focused "on the game", I believe that she has the potential to be one of the best softball players to ever grace a Maryville High School jersey. Good luck to her and the entire Maryville team. The team is comprised of truly blessed young ladies, a coaching staff that is fiercely dedicated to them and a fan following that loves them very much. Keep up the great work, ladies. It is a true joy to watch you play and grow!!!! See ya in Memphis.