CoachB22

Catuballer, I'm all for the kids having fun and burning off all that teen angst and energy BUT.... there should be a clearly defined and accceptable limit to behavior weather at a sporting event or anywhere else. When it becomes disruptive and obnoxious, it is time to rein it in. Or should we all just act like fools?? "Home Field Advantage" at least as I understand the term, means that the home team is comfortable in their home environment. They know the quirks of their field/court, the team is relaxed because they didn't have to travel, they see faces they know. Those things give them an advantage. I DOESN'T mean that the visiting team is expected to take on the whole school and everything they can think up. And you MUST be kidding with the "well they do it over there...even worse" statement. Even you can see the pitfalls of that line of reasoning. Let the competition be between your team and my team..and let it get a fierce as it wants within the rules....don't let intentional outside influences affect the outcome. It really is ok to have expectations of reasonable behavior. In fact, a stable,rational society requires it. /blush.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" />

Websters New Collegiate fan n 1. an enthusiastic devotee...usu. as a spectator 2. an ardent admirer or enthusiast fanatic n marked by excessive enthusiasm..... So here is my sermon It is great to cheer your team/players, it is great to celebrate points/games won, it is great to applaud good play/effort, it is super to "let 'em hear ya" BUT Doesn't matter if it's legal or not Doesn't matter if "they" do it or not Doesn't really matter exactly how... It is so bush, rude, infantile to affect or attempt to affect the play on the court/field. This should be a "no tolerance" issue. Otherwise, there will always be an argument as to degree. If yelling is ok then let's get megaphones, If megaphones are good, let's try flashbulbs, Hey how about lasers Way back in my elementary school days my BBall coaches and Little League coaches taught us SPORTSMANSHIP. Unruly fans and/or parents were invited outside. Players treated umpires/refs with respect. We were proud to be a team and play for our school and did our best to represent smartly. Today we tolerate all kinds of behavior...from fans, from players, and from kids in general AND LOOK AT THE MESS WE'VE GOT !!!! JUST SAY NO!!!! ok sermon over....have a good day By the way, I'd rather have 3 nice, polite, supportive fans than a whole baotload of obnoxious jerks!

Rachel, I coach a 13 -16 year old team that plays in Bellevue. I would describe it as a rec league but we do have some pretty competitive teams. I could use an extra player or two esp. pitchers and catchers but I'm not picky. Email me at Bioman2588@comcast.net and tell me a little more about your softball experience and goals. Maybe we can benefit each other. Coach Bryant Riptide Coach

HFA, I know the hurt is strong this morning. Believe it or not, it should be. Only when you commit your all, do you suffer so when life hands you defeat. The multitude hide from the hurt in mediocrity....the bold individual offers her heart and soul in the quest for the extraordinary. Your pain today is testimony to your boldness, bravery, and fortitude. Carly, Dianna, Megan, Carry the lessons you have learned at HFA, both on and off the field, with you into the world. Always give it your all. I promise an interesting and rewarding life! To next years HFA warriors, Look to the example these three have given. Strive to attain their grace. You have the tools, and talents to create your own epic. HFA parents, Job well done!!! You and I know, you are a big part of what makes HFA the special place it is! Coach Bryant P.S. Thanks for letting me be a small (no pun intended) part of this adventure.

I've seen both Lipscomb and Hume-Fogg play...both are good teams that can be a bit streaky. I think Loretto will have their hands full. Marshall County will have a battle also as Lipscomb is always a well coached team. I predict HFA and Marshall Co. to win......Marshall only because they will have home field advantage. My $.02 CoachB

My experience is with High School Softball. Looking over the changes proposed for that sport, I think there are some real pluses. First, lets remember why we (parents) send our kids to school....to get an ACADEMIC education. Parents, AND MOST coaches would agree that H.S. sports participation is NOT going to be a big factor in a players future success...be it in athletics or academics. Those kids that go to the next level in their sport almost exclusively participate in travel/developmental leagues where they hone their skills. Ask any college recruiter. They want to know how you did against the hand picked tourney teams. Second, having frozen thru several "pre-season" tournaments. I'm all for playing more in the warmer months. School is out and kids can play every day, dawn to dusk if they want....and many do. Bottom line is that it doesn't impact academics like fall ball does. Third, as far as I'm concerned burn out is burn out regardless of how one gets there. This is the point where the parents/coaches are supposed to step in and, for the good of the kid, say enough is enough. Doing something different with a different bunch of people is more of a plus than a minus. With the exception of football, most injuries are caused by repetitive stress. Remember cross training??? Fourth, the 50% rule probably does negatively impact Fall Ball. If kids have played together from early March until mid-August, they probably NEED to do something different and see somebody new . Seriously, based on the fall ball I was involved in, 10 intensive days of practice in October has got to be more beneficial. We usually played a total of 4-5 days (on the weekends) and practiced maybe 10 afternoons.....and I was involved with a quite intense program. Cobracoach has a good point though. Umpires are bad enough as it is without starting the season cold-turkey!! CoachB22

WKUsoftball, HFA beat Station Camp 8-3 in the first game and then beat Macon Co. in the second (Jacki hit a HR). I think HFA plays Greenbrier today in the finals of the losers bracket for the chance to face DL. Jess, Jess, and Les were at the game Monday against Greenbrier. I'm sure they would have loved seeing you there as would I. Jess and I may try making it to today's game. I miss seeing you girls on the field. There are still a few familiar faces but it isn't quite the same. Hope to see you sometime this summer!! Butch

TACKLING ajc, Thanks for reminding me...there is no penalty for obstructing a runner. Yeah, she gets the next base BUT she was going to make it there anyway. A really smart infielder will tackle and hold until the play is dead. Worst case player gets next base. Best case, Umps ignore tackle cause they can't do anything about it anyway. P.S. In football we used to bite, punch and elbow while we had them down....

Great game between HFA and GB. Both teams played very well. GB is not afraid to swing the bat and plays a solid short game. Horrible work by the umps. GB pitcher must have wasted a half dozen pitches when PU would grant time in the middle of her wind-up. Both blew the call on an HFA double down the line that would have put HFA ahead. GB infielder practically tackled HFA runner between 2nd and 3rd, knocking her flat, but only awarded runner 3rd. Would have been HFA 4-3 if not for that call. PU (who should have the call) must have been dreaming about next "time" call. Both Umps seemed to be having a good time though, so I guess thats what it is really all about....right?? BTW, whats up with the outfield fencing???? Why the large gaps on either foul line?

I would like to submit a young lady to this list. I'm surprised she wasn't one of the first mentioned. In my mind she has it all. Great arm, quick feet, steady glove, awesome bat, and great game savvy. I watched her anchor a killer infield for the previous three years at Hume Fogg. When she is not behind the plate, she can hold her own anywhere else on the field. I hear she is taking it to the next level next year at Belmont. My vote...Lauren Manna!

Keep your eye out for Ms. Hill at Hume Fogg Academic. As a freshman, she is 10-0. She has a wicked drop, good rise, excellent speed, and a change that just needs a little more trust. She now has a year of quality HS experience against top competition. Most importantly, she understands that hard work is the key to success. I wouldn't be very happy if I were one of the other 8AA teams knowing "The CHill" is coming back next year! Coach B P.S. Can you tell I'm a fan???

Back to the top with a bullet!

Antwan, I was very impressed with the Smith Co. team we played on Wed. I think playing a solid, quality team helped us prep for Lipscomb. Your pitcher, Morris, really brings the heat and her teammates played solid defense behind her. I'm sure Ms. Morris struggled with that ever changing strike zone just as we did. As to the number of hits or the book.....I suspect there was a typo on the part of the Tennessean or some other mis-communication. Mr. Hill (our book guru) and more importantly Coach Conditt have been pretty frugal in awarding hits this spring. I don't think I saw 8 in that game either but I've never been good a deciding hit vs. error (I'm too generous :>) Good luck to the Smith Co. girls on the rest of their season. Maybe we will meet again down the road. Coach B

My DD's High School plays at a city maintained park. The ball fields are used for Little League after we are through and also Jr. Pro football in the fall. I noticed this spring we have more elevation in the center of the infield than last spring. I figure this is from either (1) left over baseball activities or; (2) attempts by the city crews to improve field drainage. I haven't seen much difference in pitching but I haven't talked to pitchers/catchers who would notice a problem first. No complaints so far. I have noticed that bunts or slow rollers down the lines WILL go foul where it wasn't a sure bet before. Coach B

I've read a lot concerning rotational vs linear (softball vs baseball) hitting. I am by no means an authority and probably couldn't do a good job describing or recognizing either method. Most of the jargon goes over my head! I do believe both techniques must have a batter keep their hands back and inside the ball (hands/knob to the ball) in order to be effective. The rotational method lets a batter utilize more of the big muscles of the torso and legs by creating tension/torque between the upper and lower body. Linear hitting is more hands, arms, shoulders to produce quick solid contact. The reality I think I see on the ball field (in the good hitters) is a hybrid of the two. I think young girls would best be served by being taught along the lines of the Linear swing as a foundation. Then, as strength and coordination improve, the power (Rotational) can be added without a loss of effectiveness. I think the good hitters you see today have discovered this path for themselves mostly through trial and error. There is also one other factor we are seeing in today's long ball explosion. Young ladies are coming to the game with much more athletic ability, desire, and a firm belief they can be solid ball players. Title IX is really beginning to make a difference. I love it! Just MHO! Coach B

Come on people. Coaches re-schedule games all the time for any number of reasons. Is there a particular reason why this case should cause so much vitrol? Yes, HFA was a bit brusied having played 7 games over the weekend at the Beech Tourney. But I am also confident that if Lebanon had their hearts set on playing on Monday, HFA would have been right there. The two coaches talked and mutually agreed to re-schedule. Nothing more, nothing less. As a fan, I was happy I didn't have to sit through another game freezing my tail off to see two teams attempt to stay warm and play ball at the same time. There is an awful lot of softball left to be played this Spring and plenty of time for Lebanon and HFA to slug it out if they want. Let's move on to something else! BTW, I hope all of you concerned citizens will come out to watch. I'm sure both teams players would love the support!

My DD's coach tells us that the game schedule has been modified to try and get some play this weekend. My understanding is: Games scheduled for Friday are postponed. Games scheduled for Saturday will be played as originally scheduled. Postponed Friday games will be played Saturday afternoon/evening following the original Saturday games. Pray for some sunshine and warmer weather for the next 24-36 hours!!!!! P.S. Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger :>) Butch

Two young players for Hume Fogg, Jacquelyn Simpkins and Carly Hill, might be worth a look. Both should be something by the time they are Junior/Seniors. Carly is a freshman pitcher with lots of raw talent. Jacquelyn, as a freshman, had one of the best gloves at 1st base that I saw last year and she has been working hard in the off season. Watch for them. Go Blue Knights!

No! Parent and Fall Ball Coach Districts, Regionals, and Finals would be scheduled in cold weather during one of the wetter periods of the year. I'd rather miss a few preseason/early games than play the one's that count in the cold and rain. Besides "Fall Fling" doesn't roll tripingly from the tongue! [Edited by CoachB22 on 2-12-03 3:16P]

Donnautnut, Best of luck to you and yours also. I just wish we could get outside right now! Butch

Let's move football to spring along with soccer and volleyball. Then we can play baseball in the fall too. I'm sure all the baseball coaches would line up with us. After all, conditions must be the same for them. Oh...you were just talking about girl's sports..... Butch

Donnautnut, Hume Fogg is ALL about academics...make no mistake. To be an athlete at HFA you really have to want it. Athletics is way down the list of priorities for the faculty and staff. Yet I'm told they have the one of the highest percentages of student body sports participation in the state. Yes, they do have a special group of girls right now. Things have come together nicely. They wouldn't be nearly as good if they didn't have John Conditt. As pointed out, he has brought a firm, consistent, caring foundation on which these girls HAVE built. It will continue if given a chance. Freshmen and Sophomores are working hard now so they can be starters and share the success. Success breeds success. Ask Coach Davis (or your coach for that matter). Now the talent pool issue. I'll say again, HFA is somewhere between a private school like Lipscomb and a zoned public school. By receiving kids from all over Davidson County, even with the lottery thing, HFA has a broader reach than the zoned public school. Combine that with the fact that most of the kids know the rewards of hard work, dicipline, and perseverance, (all valuable athletic traits), and you have a better chance of having competitive athletic teams. Maybe only a slight advantage over the zoned school but an advantage none the less. In my opinion, if HFA had the gyms, sports fields, booster clubs, and training facilities that some of the other inner city schools have, they would be awesome. Of course that would conflict with the academics and that is a conflict that will not be allowed to exist. As was explained to me by the principal, "People don't send their children to Hume Fogg to be an athletic star, they send them to be an academic star. That is HFA's mission". (A rather diplomatic NO to my request I must say.) I hope that answers your questions. My brain works much faster than my fingers so things get left out or poorly explained. Butch

Thanks Khopkins, you translated my poor wording very well. I have watched Coach Davis at Lipscomb for the past 4 years. He is an excellent coach, with a great reputation, at a well respected school. This sets him up much like a good travel ball coach. Consider: You have a DD who lives and loves FP. Next year she will be a freshman in HS at the local zoned facility. They have had a different coach the last 3 years with the current one being the asst. wrestling coach. You can let DD go to her zoned school and hope the FP program gets better OR being the loving parent you are, you can shell out some bucks and send her to a good school with the above mentioned "KNOWN" program. NO RECRUITING NECESSARY!!!! Coach Davis will always have an edge on the public school as far as prospective players. Is that a good thing or a bad thing???? depends on how we fair against them this spring Butch

I think the main difference is the geographic area that eac type of school has to recruit from. A private school, especially one with a solid FP reputation, has a much larger "pool" to work with. A public school has only those kids that are in it's designated area. There is one interesting case I can think of. Hume Fogg Academic in Nashville. Being a public magnet school it has a larger talent pool than other public schools it's size. That school has no athletic facilities to speak of. No sports fields, no functional gym, etc. but it manages to put together competitive teams year after year. It is kind of a hybrid public school, getting kids from all over the county. HFA competes directly with David Lipscomb. They are alway "the team to beat". A public/private split would make life much easier for HFA but they would also lose a great incentive to improve. To be the best you need to play the best. JMHO! Butch