JC#1fan

No. Don't have a complete list. Jefferson County girls were presented sometime last week. Jennifer Turley(Senior) and Halie Nelson(Freshman) 1st team all conferance. Laura Potts (Junior) and Tori Hill (Freshman) 2nd team all conferance. I don't know how to find out the complete list, but if you find out something please post it.

Britney "Peanut" Hefner (Freshman SS) is awesome. The total I had given was just for three Seniors. I heard Pokey had 2 earlier in the season. The team total should be crazy for this team. I would say at least in the low 40's

Jefferson County High School had a very talented young team this year. Started 2 seniors, 2 juniors, 1 sophmore, and 4 freshman. Junior short stop Laura Potts has extemely good movement and even better hands ( all tournament, all conferance) Junior catcher Cayla Hyde is great catcher but her stick is her best asset, while she had no home runs she batted near or over .500 for the season. Sophmore Rachel Tucker good outfielder and developing good slapper, Freshman Halie Nelson excellent out fielder and stick, could potientialy make college roster on speed alone. (Tiny Day all tournament, All tournament, All conferance) Freshman Heather West excellent 1st base had a disapointing year by her standards, but anyone who knows her true ability knows she may end up the only Div 1 prospect on this team (6'0 tall arm like a cannon and a great stick) Jessie Smith Freshman solid outfield and solid stick probably led team in RBI's Freshman Tori Hill 1st pitcher to make your list. Could possibly be one of the best freshman pitchers in the state 13-5 record as varsity starter as Freshman only losses to M. West(2) M.East(2) and Unicoi(1) ( all conferance, All tournament). Next years freshman may be as talented as this years with three potiential starters coming in.

B4 someone tries to RIPSHOT me. I am not a parent or in any way affiliated to the Morristown West trojans. this is just an observation from someone who saw them play this year. With 4 games left in the regular season 3rd baseperson had 13, 1st baseperson had 12, and catcher had 10. I do not how many they ended up with, but they played 11 more games including the post season. Does anyone know the final team totals for West? Should be impressive also.

Jefferson County High School had an outstanding freshman pitcher this year (Tori Hill). Has 5 effective pitches. throws low 60's ( 63 per college scout clocking at 19 under travel ball tournament last fall) and a 13-5 win/loss record in a conferance that could also be considered one of the toughest AAA in the state (conferance contains M. East, M. West, JCHS-advanced to sub-state 8 years in a row till this year, and Cherokee). Losses were to Morristown East (2), Morristown West(2)-won region this year, and Unicoi (1) perinial state contender in their division, only non-conferance loss in a game she pitched this year, these are three of the most respected teams around. Only gave up 4 earned runs through the first 14 games (then ran into a buzz saw first time against West, gave up 6 earned), but only allowed 7 hits and one earned run against them 2nd time(West won their region this year with 6 starting seniors). Also batted in the high .300 range taking at least 5 off the fence. Hard to say who is the best freshman in the state without them seeing the same competition, so one can compare them, but being the starting pitcher as a freshman for the 2nd largest school ( by population) in the state is quite an accomplishment. Congradulations to all the young female athletes (Freshman - Seniors) competing in high school softball this spring, you have made watching this game a joy this year. Good luck to all those still playing and best wishes to all those who graduated. GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who and Where is next for the Trojans? Great job ladies!!!! Keep the IMAC alive.

I love your statement, then the quote at the bottom of your comment. It makes things so easy for us. "Sports oriented school?", I think they go to class during the day and are offered a sport in the afternoon (sounds like sour grapes, coming from someone who hasn't beat their rival in a few seasons.) Maybe we should do away with the Presidental Physical Fitness Awards given to students who excel in their PE classes too. To even contemplate an athlete turning pro out of high school (about one in every 500,000) is silly, but an athlete getting a scholarship to a college or university (about one in every 500) is feasable. That is why kids "work" their butts off to achieve it. Crying you "Lovethisgame" ,but "should play more than one sport" and then using the quote "to beat the best, you have to play the best" is classic. How can you love "this" game and expect to beat anyone, or get good enough to, laying on your butt during the off season. I don't know a student/athlete playing a sport that doesn't love it, you can't make teenager work hard enough to compete if they didn't. Ohhh! I love this game and the things people say before they think it through.

This, as other things has been made too compicated by some commitee trying to tell us, the FREE American public what we can do. Let me make it simple for you. [/size]If you want your kid to play more than one sport,go for it (freedom)! Please don't be happy that someone has told my kid that they can't (loss of freedom). No coach can tell you what to do, however you are now forced to make a decision (something parents don't want to do or teach their kids how to do). The TSSAA has no right to tell any athlete what they can do when they are not on a TSSAA roster. Like in the former comment, I cannot afford to run all over the country trying to help my child get more experiance. The only thing we can do is hope someone in the legal community will pick up on this violation of our rights. Is it feasable to start a petition to be signed and sent to TSSAA to try and repeal the ammendments made this spring.

I appreciate this, this is the kind of response we as dedicated softball lovers need. I have read over this report and still see no major change in TSSAA rules. I have been involved in fastpitch softball for years and these new rules seem to be old standards. Maybe we hillbillies have had it right all the time and didn't even know it. Thanks for this response it is very interesting.

Apples and Oranges my friend, very talented pitcher coming in, but she will have to prove she can pitch to someone older than 14. Can't throw fastballs all night to them 19 year olds and expect to just blow it by 'em. Dominating athletes younger than you is easy, can she do it with girls 4 and 5 years older than her is the next question. Freshman pitcher for JCHS this year has thrown in 19 under travel ball since fall 2005 and been successful ( if I am correct she was only 13 then).Has next years Freshman pitcher has never thrown a pitch to anyone older than herself? Can she handle that big bomb landing over the fence? Can she get respect of team mates to back her? These are all questions that have to be answered. And the answer may be yes to all of them. With this being said the comment was not meant to imply anything, any athlete that steps on the field with passion and hard work can achieve anything (exspecially if we as adults incourage them to compete not complain). It is easy to just run away when you don't get what you want and then try to stir up anything you can. If we as adults keep our noses out of it and let the athletes compete, you can even still end up with team unity. If not you can end up with a field full of talent and still no team (i.e. a field full of brats yelling "Mommy why won't they let me play"). Who has won then? Certaintly not the athletes! Anyone stepping on the mound next year could be the number one, even someone we never heard of. Anyway, I heard this years pitcher was moving (ha! ha!). Coach Satterfield, I too wish you the best of luck and success. Lady Pats if you read this, don't listen to all this psycho-babble, what you need is team unity and that is not about any one athlete, but a group of girls working together to achieve a goal. While you have heard the old cliche' "there is no I in team" a million times, there is nothing that is more true. Parents, learn how to encourage your kids and build their self-esteem without thinking they are or have to be "better" than everyone else. That way they turn out to be decent people when they eventually end up on their own. Isn't that the goal anyway? With all this being said who says that pitcher won't be # 1. No one, we will have to wait a whole year and find a new coach to find out. Good try at stirring the fire, but our little duckies will always be able to find enough water to put it out. GO LADY PATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats and good luck Cherokee and West. Show 'em what the IMAC is all about.

How has this rule changed? It is my understanding that this rule has not changed, but is now a rule being stressed. As far as I know the defensive player has always been required to have posession of the ball before they could block the bag. This rule being stressed is a product of officials meeting and discussing the concerns of coaches from the last season. The rule book rarely changes, but if you will notice there will be a new area of concern every year. From complaints that I have heard this year, next year will probably be about umpires being in the correct position to make calls. One thing that most people don't realize (exspecially during the post season) is there is almost always a umpire signing agent (supervisor) at most games. They will be dressed just like you and me and if you don't know that they are an experianced umpire you will never know they are there, however, an umpire that blows a call will after the game. As for the blocking the bag calls, I agree about the inconsistancy, but my observation is that it is a result of improper positioning not knowledge of the rule. The general rule is that there is no way an umpire can make a call from behind the defender (meaning the umpire must always try to be inside the play). I have seen teams eliminated from the tourney this year just for this reason.

While to predict who will be on top next year is almost impossible (exspecially with broken chinese crystal ball). JCfan knows something Lance may not. Next years incoming freshman class at JCHS will be just as talented as this years. Catcher, centerfield, and # 2 pitcher all come in next year. While 2008 season will show improvement from JCHS, after that look out IMAC. With an already smokin' fast outfield there will be two freshman that are just as fast (one that will probably be the fastest on the team). Talent is great, but experiance is everything. JCHS young talent put the pressure on much more experianced teams this year. If this team develops as expected should be hard to handle. 2008? Who knows? 2009-2010 big blue will be back in the house. (not ON the HORSE raiderray) sorry I just can't seem to let this go! Congrats to West. Regrets for East. Two great teams sorry that one had to lose. Tommorrow night will be another barn burner as everything has since the first round in the IMAC.

Sorry for the repost softball_pitcher4, but I have a question about the call in the game you mentioned. Did the catcher catch the ball that was hit by the batter? If so the pitch is not a "foul ball" but a "foul tip" in which case the ball is a strike and is also a live ball(umpire should have called a strike and indicated a foul tip with his/her hand motion). In this case the runner can advance and is liable to be put out the same as any other pitch when a runner is stealing. I was not sure of your situation but thought this could be the case from your description. Hope this helps, if not the situation and batter obviously made contact with the ball, the umpire blew one.

What "new" rules are umpires supposed to be keeping up to date on. Usually umpires are 'judged" by people who have either seen to much or to little softball (which according to the point of view may be the same thing). The most infamous rules that cause confusion are infield fly, obstruction, substitution, and dropped third strike and they have been a part of the game from its inception. Everything else is pretty much a "judgement call", in which case as softball_pitcher4 states is correct, calling consistantly for two different styles of pitchers is difficult. One may have a great inside pitch, while the other may have a great pitch that breaks to far inside, one may throw a mean change-up the other a 60 mph fastball, one may throw a rise ball and the other a drop, most good umpires simply try to see if the pitcher is locating the pitch correctly (i.e. is she throwing it in the mit without the catcher having to move it, then if it is in the zone, thus most good umpires will have a slightly delayed call, one of parents biggest pet peaves). The biggest inconsisantcy I have seen does not have a paticular "rule", while umpires are supposed to know this, the problem is knowing what position to be in to make the correct call. The majority of "bad calls" I have seen have been due to this. The differance between a good umpire and a bad one in my opinion is not their judgement (as stated before we are all human), but which one can remember to get in good position in the heat of the moment. I am one of the most critical people there is when it comes to umpiring. I have been on both sides of the ball, coaching and calling and neither one is as easy as most people suspect. However, to all you umpires out there, even when I leave the ball park dissapointed, I leave it with respect for your position.

Lance, I couldn't figure out what happened to prognostications this week until I turned my crystal ball over, it said "made in China-not for use in tournament play". I think your tea leaves may be from China too. As for "laugher of the year call" you would have dropped your peaches (for raiderray, he is in Georgia), if you saw some of the calls the last two nights. JCHS/East would still be playing if it wasn"t for bogus call at plate in the 6th inning. Umpire stayed behind the plate with ball being thrown in from outfield, absolutely no way he was in position to see the tag, base runner from East was out by two feet (wasn't even close)I recieved 4 calls from people sitting in the outfield, who said they could tell from out there. (ha ! ha!) , with this being said his opinion is the only one that counts, but you hate to see any team eliminated on such a contraversial call (had right fielder caught previous ball hit right into her glove inning would have been over anyhow (with Jeff ahead 6-5) and pitcher (Hill) seems to have a knack for waiting to throw a wild pitch when there is a runner on third (gave up two runs this way against East) threw a gem of a game other than that (so did India from East), but unfortunately for her in the end runs are what count. Offense woes plagued Jeff until middle of game when they had their usual one good inning. As for Pokey being tired, I have seen her throw 4 and 5 games a day in travel ball and still have her stuff, no excuses here, bases loaded and walking in the winning run may happen once for her , but don"t count on it again. Tonights game will be interesting, can't predict outcome I smashed my crystal ball, I am trying to find a new one before next year manufactured in the good ol' U.S.A.( where we do know it all). Good luck to all teams left in the tourney, everybody knows you have to earn your way through the IMAC.

OK, Lance we hosed one ourselves last night. I cleaned the ol' crystal ball and I hope you put on a new pot of tea. What you got for next round. Pats seemed inspired last night, but couldn't finish. Going out on a limb to predict an upset tonight. Lady Canes will be down after loss last night, while Lady Pats lost one they weren't supposed to win. This should be a good game, but I now will go with my heart (not always the right thing). Whoever has error total under double digits will move on. Lady Pats squeak by Canes tonight (Jeff win 3-0, East win 2-1 during season). West/Cherokee could be "bloopfest" of the year. This will be a good game as well, but ya gotta go with the undefeated. To be the man/woman you gotta beat the man/woman. West gets the win.

Uh! huh! For those well educated in the IMAC schools (past third grade). Soldiers (the Lady Patriots in this case) were hidden IN a wooden HORSE and taken into the city of TROY (i.e. Trojans) While they (the Trojans) were asleep, the soldiers (Lady Patriots) "snuck" out, killed the Trojans and burnt the city (this means they won!). Anyway, sorry for the history/mythology lesson, it seems it was needed. Great games tonight, to bad there wasn't enough soldiers IN the HORSE. Hope that didn't give you to many problems raiderray. I know Lance got it. To bad Lance, I have not cleaned the old crystal ball in while, seems I was looking through a dirty spot. Congrats Cherokee, the pow wow in the TEEPEE must have woke ol" Chief Sleeping Bull up. Had to take my shoes off to count the errors tonight. With a bloop bloop here and boot boot there here a bloop there a boot everywhere a bloopboot. Still anybody's tourney. Looks as if four teams not playing too far apart right now, whoever finds their offense will be the winner. GO LADY PATS!!!!!!!!!

Alas, Lance lets the cat out of the bag and he is doubted. JCfan says Lance has easy picks tonight. Although I am JCHS's biggest fan there will not be enough soldiers in the horse tonight. West has the one thing most IMAC teams do not have (experiance). I predict a valient effort by the Lady Pats, but as Lance says "Who will give the most opportunities to make a mistake?" West. As for Cherokee, Indian had better stay in the WIGWAM tonight, mighty strong wind blowin' out there. Hurricane has picked up wind speed times 3, if you know what I mean. If you don't that is the 3 healthy starters that have returned as of late. Should be interesting, and as always I hope the Trojans are asleep in the WIGWAM with the BIG CHIEF tonight.

I thought it was more like 152 mph! Oops! my radar gun needs adjusting! Hey, we are 2-0. Very good call on Jeff/Greene game, Devils came "fired up" and ready to play, but little duckies splashed enough water out of the pond to put the fire out. Canes relit the fire and burnt the chicken, our good and gracious Heavenly Father turned the lights off before it got too ugly. You can let the Cane ( I mean Cat) out of the bag. Who you got for Monday? West/East seem to be the ones to beat. Did you notice there were no Indians on the reservation tonight? Must be in the TeePee having a pow wow. As long as mwtfan is cooking those steaks, I'm in.

Lance, thanks for your reply. Seems we are the only ones willing to predict anything. I concur with your estimation, Jeff/Greene co. game may depend on who Coach Satterfield puts on the mound, since there is no offense to be found on either side (Win, Hill 7-0 / Loss, Earl 2-4 during season). As for Hurricanes they may not eat tonight because the chicken will be burnt. If you get your own show can I co-host? Might be better than Mike and Mike in the morning. I only predict further into the future because I have a bigger crystal ball. By the way, I enjoy your entertainment also.

HELLO! HEllo! hello! is there anybody in here? Was that a pin dropping or a cricket? Anybody care to predict IMAC district results? If not here is mine. Greeneville and Cocke Co. go home early. West and East win in next round. Jefferson wins against Cherokee to meet West after loss to East. East and West meet for Championship. Hard to beat West 2 in a row, so we go to 2nd game after which there may be a coin toss. ha! ha! Don,t count Cherokee or Jefferson out just yet, this is the IMAC and anything goes. JCHS only one conferance loss at home and will have home "pond" advantage. Never know Chief "Sleeping Bull" may finally wake up and do a rain dance, in which case it might rain on everybody's parade. Cocke Co. keep on playing, better days will come with experiance. Greeneville, you are a victim of a multiple school county (not that it is a bad thing, there are as many girls playing high school softball in Greene County as the whole IMAC), honest IMACians in the "know" understand that if you were a one or two school county, you probably contend for a conferance championchip every year. 1

Heard Cumberland was in the mix earlier offering a full ride. Anyway, Congrats Pokey, good luck in the post season and your college career. Anybody have information on other IMAC signees. I have heard there are several. And just think all this and only 11 scholarships available according to earlier comments. I wondered what happened to the other 1500 colleges and universities in the nation with softball teams. Should be an exciting tournament. Don't get caught out in the wind "if you know what I mean." Canes playing strong late. West playing well also. Cherokee or Jeff could sneek into the second spot, if they can find some offense. My picks East, West or vice/versa. Good luck to all, exspecially the seniors, we will miss you in the greatest conferance of all. GO IMAC!!!!!!!

11-3 ain't bad for a freshman (Exspecially when you consider her only losses were to East, West, and Unicoi) . As for keeping her head on straight, "don"t start none, don"t get none." My understanding of the situation is that she was defending herself. Just ask Brittany Dixon from West, "Didn't she have the same situation last week?"

Kasey Turner from Morristown West had a big weekend. I think she has 11 now. Shanda Kimbrough also from West has 12.