southpaw

Amen!

Fall practice with the option to play a certain number of scrimmage games. Football does it in the spring. Basketball does it in the summer. Why not baseball?

I'd have to say Ward is the best pitcher in 7AAA.

BaseballforLife12...you need to be careful what you say on a public forum. You're entitled to your opinion, and when you do, you need to back it up with reasons to support your opinion. Otherwise, you come off sounding a bit immature and illogical. It's interesting that you're statement changed after Oakland won their game tonight. Sounds to me like your original statement resulted from some frustration. Maybe you're a player?

Still waiting for BaseballIsLife12 to tell me why Oakland is terrible. You can't get on this board and make comments and then not defend them. (Eating popcorn awaiting your reply)

I've not seen Oakland play in a long time. You've seen them play. Why do you think they're terrible?

David: I think, to prove your point and make a statement about how you feel, you should boycott the district tournament. You could stand outside the gate to WT Jones Field with a sign saying "Region Bids...it's not just for Winners anymore" or "Ban the designated hitter, astroturf and 2 game district series." Better yet, do an "Occupy WT Jones Field" event. During the tournament, camp out, dress like Baseball Bohemians, and let voice of the opposition be heard. Just sayin'...

3 game series vs. 2 game series: As a baseball purist, I liked the 3 game series. It made coaching decisions much more important, and it required a much deeper pitching staff. As a parent, though, it's tough for the student to play 3 nights a week and keep grades where they need to be. While competitive baseball has raised its standards and quality, so has academics. It's very competitive in the scholarship world, and a high GPA and test scores are important. In District 7AAA, 10 district games will allow the better teams to stand out. I do concede that 15 games would make it much clearer who the top teams are. The addition of another school in the 2014 season will help. If we want to keep the 3 game series, then let's play them on the weekend. A Fri/Sat/Sun series, or 1 game Friday with a DH on Saturday. But, there'd be no midweek games because everyone else is playing district in the middle of the week. That would have to be a state-wide change. Region bids for Tourney 1 & 2: At first glance, I disliked this, and probably still do to some extent. But, 10 district games may not be enough to declare the best team for an automatic bid. A first round bye in the tournament is a good enough reward for regular season district play, with the hopes that your #1 & #2 pitchers can carry you into the finals of the tournament. I agree that there has to be some reward for winning the regular season, but 10 games may not be a large enough sample to determine that. Conclusion I think many are over-reacting to this. After next year, the district would have gone back to home-away series, anyway. So, to me, that's a non-issue. Regarding the region bid...until we start winning regionals again, we can't make any claims. Oakland went to the state tournament in 2008, and Blackman went in 2009. Since then, the district schools who have gone to regional semi-finals have not fared well at all. I'm not sure I know anyone anyone outside of our district who "envies" 3-game district series. I've never heard anyone from Farragut, Collierville, Bartlett, Mt. Juliet, Columbia, Germantown Houston, etc. say that we're doing it right. I think the argument regarding the development of a #3 pitcher is weak, too. Kids who are pitchers will be pitchers, and the coaches will develop and use the ones that give them the best chance to win. A time is coming when high school baseball won't matter that much anyway. Players get their looks from college coaches during summer baseball. Sure, a few local universities will come out from time to time to watch a kid play in the spring, but, for the most part, college coaches watch and follow kids play in the summer. So, let's quit stirring the pot, play some HS baseball, and move on. To use an old cliche, "It is what it is." Kids who excel at baseball will excel and move on to play at the next level, regardless of what HS team they play for, or how many district games they played in, and so on. Those who don't excel will enjoy the experience, and it won't matter one lick how many district games we played or who got the region bid.

I don't care who you are...that's funny!!

Agree on all counts. I'll have to keep an eye on this team and these pitchers from Eagleville. It sounds like they may be primed for another deep run in Spring Fling. I hope the best for them as a team and as individuals...always pull for Rutherford County teams to show up and do well in Spring Fling.

We'll have to agree to disagree then. I don't discount your pitching staff. I only know of the one pitcher you have, and he should play at the next level. I've not heard of your other two pitchers...not saying that's a bad or good thing...just wasn't aware your pitching staff was so deep. My opinion of a single A program is what I've encountered first-hand. Every time our JV/middle school/travel team played Eagleville, Cascade or MTCS, we've beat them easily. Now, saying that, I think you could put your ace on the bump and win any game. But, BigBob says Eagleville would come in 2nd in 7AAA...I just don't see that happening. Not sure what you guys do district-wise, but we play 3 game series against each district opponent. Weaknesses are uncovered in a hurry. When the #1's are gone, or you go to the bullpen, match ups can become a problem at that point and you hope for the best. Not a big deal...I just think BigBob made some pretty far-fetched statements. While Eagleville has a fine program and a great community, I have to disagree as a whole with what he said. As for his comments regarding Oakland, I'm speechless. I've never seen anyone make such bold statements about a program that are so far from the truth. Wow!

The thread you're responding to is how will 7AAA play out THIS year. So you responded and ranked Oakland 6th in the district because... 1. the parents are bickering 2. the coaches play favorites 3. more players have quit the team than all the other teams combined. THIS year. Really? Your post came off as if you knew what you were talking about. In reading your other postings regarding 9A baseball, stating that Eagleville could beat "90% of AAA" teams and that Eagleville would "finish 2nd" in 7AAA this year, I simply pass you off as delusional and you have absolutely no credibility in judging baseball programs. As one who ABSOLUTELY knows what's going on the Oakland program, I can tell you that parents are not bickering, the coaches are making the best decisions they can regarding young talent, and players are not quitting the team. You could take any team in 7AAA, isolate any problem, and magnify it WAY out of proportion as you have done. I know parents from every team (except Lavergne), and I know several of the coaches. While everyone has problems, your caricature of Oakland is overblown and out of line. To quote you, I'd say your ability to judge baseball programs is a "bad situation, period." Unless you have anything valuable to add to a conversation regarding 7AAA baseball, I'd say you need to stay on the thread regarding Eagleville baseball.

BigBob...I do believe you're delusional regarding Oakland. I don't know where you get your facts from, or what you've been told, but you're about as wrong as you can get in your description of Oakland. First of all, our parents aren't bickering. As a matter of fact, this year has been really nice compared to the last few years. There is always a disgruntled parent or two, but I can list disgruntled parents on several of the 7AAA teams right now. That's just life, and it's usually the result of an unrealistic parent. Secondly, the coach doesn't play favorites (unless you're getting your info from your disgruntled friend). And thirdly, we haven't had any players (of significance) quit the team lately. And, I'm counting last year, too. Before that, we had two kids quit the team...one was a transfer from Riverdale, and the other was a transfer from Siegel. But, to say we've had more kids quit the program than the other programs combined is a grandiose misstatement. And, I will say this about the Oakland team (and I've been around for the last 5 years), we've not had any players who have been arrested, failed a drug test, caught smoking weed, stealing radios from cars, taking steroids, been suspended from school for a week for possession of a weapon, and on and on. Add to that, our Booster Club is squeaky clean and we haven't broken any rules. So, BigBob, you need to get your facts straight before you get on a public forum to slander a baseball program that has accomplished something that no other program in this district has done. Go to our website and look at the accomplishments of this program, or better yet, when you come to a game, get there a little early and go stand in front of the Traditions Wall...it'll take you a while to soak it all in. And, by the way, we beat Columbia 11-3 in a scrimmage yesterday. While it is just a scrimmage, you may want to reconsider some of your prognosticating.

It is offically decertified by everyone, including TSSAA. I'll sell you the one I have...slightly used. Make you a good deal!

Marucci provides four options for returning the decertified bat. One is to return the bat, and for $100, they'll send a Marucci Black. I'm impressed that Marucci is applying the money spent on the Cat 5 to the replacement bat. That's classy, and fair, and it's the way to do business. They also have a new bat coming out in March, but the details of that bat haven't been released. They'll swap that bat for a returned Cat 5. The other two options they give is to replace the Cat 5 with a 34", or they'll swap for two Marucci Pro-grade wood bats. Either way, there are options, and that's the way to keep customers satisfied.

It's true. I talked with Marucci this morning and the bat is indeed decertified. They already have a return policy and form up on their website. I also talked with TSSAA and the NFHS...NFHS stated they would make a decision regarding the bat today, but as of yet, nothing has been announced on their site. I think with Marucci already instigating the return process, that's a pretty good sign it'll be decertified by NFHS. Which means I gotta spend some money.

TSSAA has no authority or regulation over summer baseball. If a HS coach chooses to allow incoming freshman to participate, he can do it. Regarding the open facilities, I don't know of any coaches who do not allow access to open facilities after January 1.

Oakland 10 Lavergne 0 in 5 innings

Congrats to AC! Great kid, great family...and he deserves all that comes to him. I will take a little credit, too. By the way, besides AC and Fullerton, who are the other two to commit? I've missed those somewhere.

Griffin Moore, Oakland HS, is also on this list.

I'd rather not say on a public forum. It's nothing earth-shattering, but it could affect a few things. Regardless, they'll be tough!

There are several others from local 7AAA schools that have signed or are getting some attention. Oakland - Griffin Moore has signed with Lipscomb University as a 2-way player. He had an offers from several other schools. He committed back in July and signed in November. There are a few others that are getting some interest but haven't committed yet. Blackman - Zander Wiel has signed with Vanderbilt and Alex Vondohlen has signed with Freed-Hardeman. Riverdale - Jonathan Frebis has signed with MTSU. Siegel - Fullerton signed with Mississippi State and Sam Lewis signed with Freed-Hardeman. Those are the ones that have sent in their NLI's.

Hull actually lives in the Oakland zone. I think he was grandfathered in to Siegel because his sister went there. He lives in a neighborhood that was once in one zone, then changed to another. I don't know his reasons for changing schools, but several kids he played ball with as a youngster were at oakland. His mom changed schools after he did. As for the kid that went from Blackman to Smyrna...i was told from a Blackman player how they justified the transfer. I'm not about to open that can of worms! Lets move on (no pun intended)!

Wow! There's a lot being said that ain't being said!

When school starts back, you can have up to 5 players from the same HS team on a team. Otherwise, there's no restriction.