JC#1fan

Here goes my prognostications for Eastman IMAC success. Cherokee cruises though pool 6 until they meet Gate City. Pool 6 winner Gate City Greeneville goes 2-2 in pool losing to CAK and Science Hill. Pool 4 winner Science Hill Morristown East brutalizes Pool 7. Pool 7 winner East Cocke County 3-1 in pool play losing to Unicoi. Pool 3 winner Unicoi D-B takes Pool 1 Hendersonville wins Pool 2 Knox Central wins Pool 5 Coeburn sqeaks out a win against Volunteer to take Pool 8 Going out on a limb to say championship between Unicoi and M'town East IMAC finishes with several teams in the top 8 again, but............... Unfortunately, East takes first loss of the season. WINNER UNICOI! You guys will have to tell me how I did as me and my Lady Pats will at Soddy Daisy!

Thanks I was looking at the Photos link from previous years.

After shaky start Lady Pats win 5-4 in ten innings. Lady Huricanes derail Cocke County 13-3. IMAC just got more interesting. East sittin on top looking pretty, Cherokee, JCHS, and WEST will battle it out for positions 2, 3, and 4. Cocke and Greeneville stilll got somethin say about it. Same ol" IMAC different year. What's interesting about the IMAC this year is how the battle lines are being drawn. East's pitching surging as of late, but hitting and D is what they rely on for their wins. Chief's "Great Hunter" is still throwing the smoke signals, but when you're young in the IMAC you learn the hard way. You can't win just scoring one or two in the IMAC.(just ask my Lady Pats) West's pitching while good does not have the (umph!) it has had in the past, but sticks make up for it. Typical JCHS, pitching among the best in IMAC, but can't seem to get it together until mid-season. As usual look out for them in the post-season. Greeneville getting better every year, but always a step behind ( I expected Jo-Jo would make a bigger impact than she has). Put them in any other local conferance and they compete for the championship. Cocke County has got great tools, but when you got a hammer and only two nails you can't build a building. May have two of the better players in the IMAC, but it takes nine to win here.

Battle for just who is number three in IMAC happens tonight. West and JCHS will battle it out, but unfortunately I suspect that West will need no salmonela in their "Peanut" tonight. JCHS's Nelson and Peterson hit two big bombs to end 1-1 tie in the seventh against G'ville, only difference is West can hit the bombs also. Pitching for JCHS may be a little better for JCHS, but bats are more consistant for WEST. Top of the lineup for both teams will make the differance tonight. Heads, West. Tails, JCHS. Heads wins. East vs Cocke more interesting than the past. Lady red not convinced they are at the bottom of the pack, and neither am I. However, East undefeated in IMAC and hittin it well still prevails. Can't wait til tonight!!!!!!!

Why are last years team placement and all-tournament team not posted?

Great battle tonight between M'town bruisers. Layoffs hurt everything, but I expect cross-town rivalry overcomes rust. Pitching is good for both teams, but is down from years past all across IMAC. The thing both M'town teams has going for them is the "LUMBER". Expect a battle at the plate this evening, but hits plus big "D" leans toward the Canes. East wins the "Rhea town" rivalry this year. Don't forget JCHS vs G'ville tonight. Devillettes much improved and Lady Pats still struggling to put it all together. Karns and Science Hill postponed, but it took a late game push just to get by Pigeon Forge. However, they did get a win last night against an also stuggling Rutledge team. Should be a interesting night in the IMAC!!!!!! Should find out who's who on the rungs of the ladder to the top. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!!

Yep!!!!!!!!!

I had a team actually win a tournament on the dropped third strike rule several years ago. Here is the situation. Game tied 5 to 5, we are home team with bases loaded and two outs, full count on he batter. Called time and I told my runner on third "no matter what happens run half way home" and instructed the batter "to run no matter what". Unbelievably the catcher dropped what would have been the third strike and send the game into extra innings. When the catcher saw the runner coming home and then stop, instead of simply stepping on the plate she rolled the ball back to the pitchers mound thinking the inning was over. Runners take off while the opposing team wondered to the dugout. Umpire called the runner safe at home and said "BALL GAME". The opposing fans, coaches, and ball team went beserk. Umps had to be escorted to their cars! Ump made correct call, unfortunately they didn't see it that way.

No, the Lady Pats took the win, but as Lancelot the IMAC is closing ranks. Anybody at any time can win these days.

Jefferson County has two official middle school teams, but they are not TSSAA sanctioned. They are not travel teams, can they enter?

GHS we are cut from the same cloth or maybe we have just been around to see the truth. Thanks for your well put comments it makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

You are living a life of denial (probably a high school coach). Many travel ball teams are coached by "daddys", but guess what those years they spent on the diamond they didn't earn a dime, they were there for the kids and most spent the time learning how to coach individuals not for profits. True most fall by the way when their kids move on, but the truely successful teams are borne from those "daddys" who stuck around. I could name a page full of dads who hung around and put their time and hard earned cash on the line long after their girls were gone and didn't need monetary incentives to coach. Am I saying high school coaches shouldn't be payed? No. I am saying they should be qualified. Step your precious lttle high school team out into the real world of ASA travel ball and see who's your Daddy now!!!!!!!! There are 14 under travel ball teams out there that would hand almost any high school team their respective hynnies. I have been in the fastpitch softball circles for around 25 years and to my knowledge have seen about one college coach a year at high school events. Last years Murfeesborough exsposure tournament had 32 colleges represented and 28 teams. hows that for your coach to player ratio. Further more, some of the best athletes come from the less known high schools, why should they have to have a "quality program" to get noticed. Example, Sarah Feccutti, walked on at UT didn't get any money until her junior year and led the nation in D1 schools in batting average her junior and senior year. How many girls out there are not as fortunate to get that break she got her freshman year when she was getting no attention from any other school. TSSAA needs to stay out of the athletes lifes when they are not playing during a TSSAA season!!!!!!!!!!

I could agree with the fact that "most" high school coaches should only be coaching during the high school season. In fact I would say that a high percentage of high school coaches shouldn't be coaching at all as a lot of times all they do is hurt the ability of talented players with inexperienced coaching just coaching for a check. I don't want a softball coach teaching my child calculus why would I want a calculus teacher coaching her softball team. Thats another story!!!! If TSSAA was interested in the athlete and not the school they would restrict high school coaches to the TSSAA season not players being restricted from playing outside the TSSAA season. Whose rights are being violated? The problem I see with the 50% rule is the amount of players affected that do not get the chance to participate in fall ball. Our high school is perfect example of how this rule hurts the athlete. During summer tryouts for fall ball we had 23 girls, including incoming freshman, trying out for the local travel team. Our county has one high school and due to the 50% rule and the unavailability of athletes from other schools in bordering counties only five of the girls were able to participate. That means 18 girls not on any TSSAA roster wanting to play fall ball had to sit at home while other girls were getting better and doing the sport that they love. Why is fall ball important? First is the individual rights of the athletes that are being violated. Their freedom of choice is being taken away from them so that they can participate in a high school sport (every athletes dream while growing up). Second, college coaches downtime is during the fall, how many college coaches do you really see at high school events in the spring? Our high school girls were prevented from going to college exsposure tournaments this fall due to this rule. Who does this hurt? The athlete. If you go to most of the college exsposure tournaments now they are filled with teams from other states. What this means is that Tennessee colleges are not seeing our athletes, but those from other states. In responce to your comment, any high school coach "threatening" their athletes for not playing with them in the summer should flogged and fired. Here again this is violation of these kids rights. How can anyone demand anything of these athletes when they are not on a TSSAA roster during a TSSAA season. Sounds a little like a dictatorship to me. When did our great state become so far from the statutes that our country was founded on. Do I sound crazy, overzealous, or just jumping up on a soap box? Maybe, but I say it is about time we as parents, coaches, and those that really love this sport stand up for our girls. IF WE DON'T WHO WILL? And like Forest Gump "that's all I have to say about that".

This series of posts has been one of the most entertaining this year. Sorda reminds me of the "metal cleat" posts from last year. Coming off of two of the driest consecutive years in Tennessee history and hardly having a winter we decide to move the most popular spring sport for female athletes to the fall. It's laughable! Why aren't we trying to get TSSAA to really protect our athletes with mandates for more protective gear for infielders and mandantory double first bases. A better effort to kick TSSAA out of our childrens personal lifes (i.e. 50% rule).

Been trying to post for about three weeks now, but have been having trouble with the site. I hope this post goes through to my loyal IMACIANS. I first tried to respond to the post about what JCHS was missing. At the time Nelson (playing basketball), Hill (not playing?), Tucker (Annie was gettin her guns i.e. she was the lead in the senior play),Peterson (sickly), and probably most importantly Dukes (possible rotater cuff and out for the year) were all missing. This was 5 starters from last year out of commision and even though the sunshine was gone from M'town West the rain clouds seemed to be gathering at JCHS. Since that time all have returned except Hill and the clouds have rolled back, but there still seems to be a 50% chance of rain (i.e. 1-1 record so far) . Girls looked pretty good against a good Farragut team Monday night (L 3-2) and handed a whoopin out at Anderson County Tuesday night (W 7-0). As for the IMAC predictions. Cherokee Chiefs are sendin out the smoke signals already, but as usual East, West, and JCHS will be nippin at their heels just waitin for a slip up. Greeneville and Cocke County will be much improved this year and I expect them to throw a "monkey wrench" into things this year. Good luck to all and let the games begin !!!!!!!!!!!!

Jefferson County High School may not have the fastest girl in the state, but they have 4 sub 3 second girls. Racheal Tucker (senior), Jessie Smith, Haley Nelson (juniors), and Halie Taylor (sophmore) and all are base savy. This will definately compete for the fastest outfield around with Nelson being the only infielder.

Pithcers that just throw fastballs and change ups will get hit harder and more often, but those at the top of the game throwing the breaking stuff will be more dominant than before. I have seen our pitcher throw high school from 40 feet and college exsposure from 43. Curves and screwball broke another 3 or 4 inches as well as the drop balls. A pitcher who can throw heat and mix breaking balls from 43 feet will have more success.

Amen! Congrats Cherokee, you did us in the IMAC proud. Already missing the IMAC season can't wait till next year. With few players graduating in the IMAC should be another barn burner of a season next year.

Lady Devils had a rough year indeed. Injuries plagued you guys this year and you definately are correct in your comments about the Eastman tournament. Four teams finishing in the top seven out of 30 shows the power of this conferance. No disrespect, but a team that did not win a game in this conferance won several games (including Science Hill who is considered one of the best in upper East Tennessee) and finished seventh in that tourney. Your ladies and Cocke county have improved so much this season and with the return of your sophmores health next year you guys will back in the hunt Cocke county what a turn around in one season. The addition of the two freshman and sense of a real opportunity to compete made the difference. Congrats to all the first round winners in the IMAC, should be some great games Monday. JCHS and West at 5 and Cherokee and East at 6:30, wouldn't want to miss these games. Good luck to all exspecially my PATS!!!!!!!

I understand your point, but what I was intending to say was that police officers like umpires shouldn't make the rules just enforce them. What if a cop could decide to write tickets for everyone that was 1 mph below the speed limit, what confusion would there be then? In this discussion the rules are very clear, easy to see and enforce, they really are a major offence like the 10 mph over the limit you refereed to. As I said these offences are easily defined and if the respective coaches can't see them and fix them one of two things should happen. Either they should be penalized as the rules state every time their pitcher throws illegal or they shouldn't be coaching.Would you want a coach instructing your player to not wear a batting helmet, same difference they are both illegal. THere are so many variances in calling that most pitchers don't knowwhat they can do. The one thing that I have seen and don't understand is when coaches get so mad when a ump calls an illegal pitch. Its their job to have that under control before the season starts. Any girls that throws illegal can be taught to throw legally, unfortunately it is like any habit, it is hard to break once started and the only way to stop it is to call it. I understand that some teams don't have a "true" pitcher, but if a lesser talented pitcher is allowed to throw illegaly you must allow the dominant to throw illegaly and then lopsided games could really get ugly.

I am not trying to be a smart-elic here, just trying to compare something to make you think. Umpires, whether they love the game or not, are payed to do a job. The compariaon I would like to make is in law enforcement. If we allowed police officers to make the law where would we be, because they have no one to answer to. They, like umpires, are not asked to make the laws just enforce them. I know it is impossible to get everything right, but ask anybody here on this post and all they will say is that they want is consistancy. If it is a rule, enforce it! If not get it out of the rule book! We need more umpires that care about the game and the girls, but it does not help them in any way to allow them to pitch illegaly. Do you think any college coach will look twice at a girl pitching illegaly? Not unless she is above average and they think they can fix them and old habits die hard.

I agree and we have voiced our opinions, but this still does not approach the fact that TSSAA does nothing to improve safety issues. And it is not just our coaches the majority of high schools require their athletes in all sports to wear the same shoes. A team wearing non-metal cleats playing teams wearing them are at a distinct disadvantage, look at the situation in Florida where the short stop was cleated in the face on a slide with cleats up. A team wearing non-metal becomes a target when no retaliation "can" be made.

If you had been reading all of these posts instead of just the last one and decided to put your two cents worth in you would have seen that I have posted the fact that our high school team has lost two players due start and stop type injuries due to metal cleats. You can say what you want about them and how many injuries have happened this year compared to other years, but "METAL CLEATS INCREASE SEVERE INJURIES" thats why the trained medical professionals say they should not be used on middle and high school girls. If you question me seeing ball being played, I would have to question how much you have seen. I have coached softball for 27 years from rec to college exsposure in tournaments in almost every state in the south. I am not beating on my chest, just suggesting that you may not be the only so-called "expert" on softball. My question for TSSAA would be why do you constitute a rule that would allow something everyone would admit is "more" dangerous while not instituting rules that would make the sport more safe (i.e. double first base). Metal cleats are not optional for athletes whose coach requires the entire team to wear the same cleat. NO OTHER SANCTIONING BODY IN YOUTH SPORTS ALLOWS METAL CLEATS FOR SOFTBALL, NOT EVEN COLLEGE EXSPOSURE SANCTIONING BODIES WHERE MOST KIDS GET RECRUITED FROM. Hmmmm! I wonder why? Probably because they have studied it instead of just stating their opinion and have seen the increase in major injuries wouldn't you think. If you consdier the athlete before the sport safety will come first. Its that simple!

If a pitchers pivot foot leaves the ground is it not illegal whether it is a "crow hop" or not? It may not be considered a crow hop, but if it leaves the ground is it not called a "leap" which is also illegal. I ask this because my understanding of all the rules in question require the pivot foot to remain in contact with the pitching rubber and then "drag" away from it. Please explain if I am incorrect.

"Officially" in baseball and softball all stats and batting order are reported through the number not the name. In both sports the officials are "supposed" to ask both coaches at the meeting at the plate before the game if the line ups are correct. After that there are to be no changes and any batter out of order or with incorrect information is to be out. The easy fix to not take an out is to substitute, then the batter in the line up will be correct. This may not be the best senerio as far as the athlete that you want on the field, but at least you don't have to take an out. Also you could put the correct number in the line up on the athlete in question if the athlete not corresponding to that number is not in the line up.(little confusing there, but I think you can get what I meen) There is always more than one way to skin a cat, but you may have to be a little creative from time to time.