trublu

Ouch! That is not right. I am sure there is that problem on a lot of teams. I think some teams want to stress senior leadership, but it can get out of hand. There is a way for upperclassmen to be team leaders, but it should always be done with respect and only when necessary, preferably overseen by a coach. A coach may allow seniors to make certain decisions, but they should not be there to boss everyone else around. There is a fine line there that should not be crossed. When you are dealing with teenage girls it can be tough. I have three daughters and from past experience the "meanness" is alway done way out of sight and earshot of adults, I am sure this is true in any instance where you have a group of girls. I hope that my daughter would not be guilty of this and believe me I am aware that it exists and I always encourage her to be a team player, but I will always keep my eyes open and if I find out she is guilty of this . . . By the way, our JV team did great last night!!!

Sounds like you have the right idea. It is hard though, when you know your child is disappointed because they are not playing more (and yes us parents are disappointed too). I have been on all sides of this issue and it is tough. Sometimes we all get so caught up in the emotions of it all, we forget that it is a "game" and these are kids that are playing a game. For the most part, the coaches are there because they love the game. We will not always agree with every decision they make, but they are human and I feel the majority of them make decisions on what is best for the team, not individual players. Do I want my daughter out there playing every inning of every game? Of course I do! But I also want to be realistic. As long as my daughter gets a chance to prove herself, sink or swim, it is up to her - then I am okay with that.

I have been concerned about him too! I hope his health is okay and hopefully it is just that he doesn't have enough time for some positive reason. Maybe he just got tired of it all.

What happened to the pitcher that got hit during the Shelbyville/Tullahoma game? Is it a serious injury?

That is great that you do that, our coach does that too. The problem arises is in "real game play." We come across several teams that don't have JV teams or if the weather/rescheduling only allows time for one game, of course the JV team sits the bench. And I know for a fact that the majority of these girls love softball and want to be out there playing. Do you see a future for more JV play? What about JV tournaments? I know that no one can make all schools have JV teams, but maybe if somehow all of the coaches could get together and encourage each other to have these teams. I know that there is a MTCA and someone could address this at one of their meetings. I know it wouldn't be easy to do this and there are several factors involved. Lack of funding, lack of coaching, smaller schools with not as many players to choose from, etc, make it difficult. I just hate to see these girls discouraged and disappointed.

I do understand what you are saying. It is very frustrating! I don't understand why all schools don't have a JV team. I know of a team that the coach made the JV girls go to the "local away games", but they could not dress out and had to sit in the stands. As far as the "far away games", they could not even go. I hope this will all solve itself if the softball program at all schools will grow in the future and they could seperate the Varsity and Junior Varsity, just like baseball does. The girls just want to play! I know when they look forward to a scheduled JV game and then at the last minute the game is cancelled or we find out the other school does not even have a JV team it is heartbreaking. Like I said before, let's get all of these girls out there playing. Believe me, I feel for these girls, they work very hard!!!!

I just have to tell you CHS, I love this picture. I laugh evertime I see it. Well, maybe I shouldn't say that, cuz maybe that is really a picture of you? Thanks for giving me the info on the baseball board about keeping up with my nephew on CCHS baseball through radio broadcast. I also have met a friend of his named Shelby that plays on the softball team. I was hoping to get to see her play at the Hendersonville tournament that was rained out on the 13/14. Hopefully, I will see her play soon. Are ya'll playing in the Riverdale/Worth tournament this coming weekend?

Why would anyone even teach this technique since it is limited as to where it can be used? It seems to me it would only lead to confusion and controversy.

Speaking of MrNoItAll, where is he with his daily game predictions? Did he get offended with the criticism of him using the word loser? Last season, I always enjoyed his insight to upcomming games and wonder what is going on this year?

Thank you for posting about Coffee County baseball. My nephew plays for I don't live close by, so I would like to keep up with their games.

Do you usually follow softball? I was trying to figure out what you meant by both of your posts. I think all of the earlier posts about softball being played in the fall were out of disappointment and frustration. Believe me, all spring sports fans are just as excited for their season to begin as all other sports, the only problem is that spring sports (mainly softball/baseball) are the only sports that are constantly postponed or cancelled because of weather. It gets very irritating because it happens year after year. When we look at the school year, the best, most predictable weather is in late summer, early fall. However, it seems we are stuck where we are and have to deal with it, from time to time it helps to vent this frustration. So, PHargis what team will you follow? Your name sounds familiar and I seem to remember your name from last seasons posts. I think you know a lot about softball.

I wish all of the schools that are large enough would have a JV team. It sure would make it nice for all of the girls to get to play - at least once a week. I am glad that our coach makes sure all of the players are treated the same as far as going to away games, uniforms etc. I do think though that the parents sometimes don't like travelling to the away games when they know their child is not going to get to play. I guess they don't have to go, but then again in the back of your mind you always wonder - "what if they get put in for one inning and I miss it!" Hang in there parent's of JV, support your kids whether they are playing or not. It is hard to know they are disappointed by not getting to play, and it does hurt, but this to will pass. In the end, whether they get much play time or not, they will be glad they were apart of a team, and they will know you were there for them whether they played or not.

I think the JV teams should be treated as well as the varsity. Our coach makes sure that the JV has the same uniform, apparel and other items that the varsity team has. They also go on all trips with the team, so they feel apart of the team. I know most JV teams spend a lot of time sitting and watching. I wish there was a seperate schedule and more tournaments for JV teams. Some schools don't even bother to have a JV team. I heard of a team last year that left the JV team out of team meetings and did not buy them t-shirts and other items the varsity team got. Whether my daughter is playing varsity or junior varsity, I support the whole team and in my eyes they are all equal. Don't most high school baseball teams have a seperate varsity and junior varsity schedule? Maybe if all high school softball programs grow, they will consider making a seperate schedule for jv. I hate to see them work as hard as varsity and show so much dedication and then be discouraged to know they will be sitting on the bench for a year or two. I say let's have as many girls playing ball as possible.

Coffee County has a lot of comments on the softball boards. Are they more of a softball school than baseball? My nephew plays for Coffee County, but my daughter plays softball for a 7AAA school. I get on here looking for info about CCHS baseball, but never see anything. Come on baseball fans in Coffee County, get to talking.

Awww!! You are mean Coach K. I noticed that too, but realized it was a typo! LOL!!!

Okay, I agree, the word "loser" can be a bit harsh. I know at first it hurt when we read it about our team, but I really don't think he is using the word "loser" in an insulting way as much as he is just picking a loser for that game. I guess maybe it would be "healthier" to pick the "winners". I don't know how it got started and I guess I have just gotten used to it. Now if he phrased it "that team is a bunch of losers" then I would have a problem with it.

I will have to say I agree with a lot of what you are saying. However, there is a difference between a masked anonymous man posting messages on a message board and a coach on the field humiliating and demeaning the players (and that goes for parents in the stands too!) I look at MrNoItAll's postings and all of these postings as informative and entertaining. A lot of these postings are opinions, and we are not forced to agree with them. Thank God we live in a free country where we can voice our opinion on any subject. I think all players of all sports should be able to have the greatest respect for their coaches. Some players are luckier than others and have a coach that has earned their respect and strives to be a respectable person. However, some players do have that coach that is there for the wrong reasons (this could be a variety of things) and that player has to tough it out for the "love of the game." Like it or not, these coaches have been around for ages and will continue to be. It is my opinion that if a coach has to holler, yell and scream at a game, he/she has not been doing their job at practice. Yes, I say correct the girls at the game, as each game is a learning experience, but the players do not have to be humiliated in the process. There has to be a happy medium and no I don't think everyone should get a trophy and go home a winner! Coaches have a hard job and wear many hats and dealing with a group of teenage girls is a tough job. If MrNoItAll is a coach, it is my opinion that he would not call his players losers or criticize them unmercifully. I think he knows a lot about different teams in the area and enjoys getting conversations going. Just think, if he just got on here and everything was sweet and rosy, it would be boring and no one would post conflicting messages. I enjoy reading the different opinions. Last season when our team was constantly listed as the losers and I would talk to my daughter about it, I think it made her want to try harder. She doesn't know MrNoItAll personally, so she does not take his "predictions" personally.

My daughter only plays softball, so I don't know about this, but when does basketball begin practice? Do you think if they moved softball to the fall it would interfere with basketball practice? I am all for the change, I just recently heard the suggestion on a posting and thought it made good sense. However, I do realize that there are girls that play multiple sports and I would think since basketball is a big money maker it would take priority over softball in a lot of peoples minds. My daughter chose a few years ago to play softball only and it made it easier on all of us, but I do think that softball/baseball are asked to endure way too much to be expected to play ball in 30/40 degree weather. On top of that the constant cancellations/rescheduling involved because of bad weather, poor coaches!!! Does anyone in charge really care about softball/baseball? I think it is all about traditions and which sport brings in the most money.

I really hate this for HHS. I know that they have put in a lot of work to get this together. I just want to thank all of them for their hard work and sorry it didn't work out better. Last weekend at the Beech Play Day, the weather was great (a little windy, but great!) We had our Play Day cancelled a couple of weeks ago because of bad weather, so I know how it feels. Thanks again!

As much as I love softball and have sat through many a game in frigid or sweltering weather, I wonder if this tournament should be called off. I hate it for HHS to miss out on this fund-raiser, but it is miserable outside. However, if they do decide to play, I will be there to cheer our team on.

Hey, I enjoy MrNoitAll's posts. I think he is kind of slacking this year, is it a lack of schedules? Anyway, last year our team was listed as the loser quite often. Yes, it hurts, but then I think it can motivate. Let's work harder to not be on the loser list. Hopefully, this year we have made improvement enough that MrNoitAll will have more confidence in our team and not pick us the loser every game. Keep up the good work MrNoitAll. I tried to add our complete schedule the other day and could not get it to work. Does it have to be a coach that adds it? I did update our roster.

Heather Brown is a great Freshman catcher for Lebanon! Her offense and defense is remarkable for someone her age.

My first memory of Hailey goes back years. I coached her in 8u and she was amazing back then. I remember the first few practices we had and I was trying to find positions for all of the girls and Hailey was all over the infield. I finally decided to put her in the "pitching" position because she covered so much ground so quickly. She did an awesome job for an 8 year old. I am not sure if this was her first year at softball or not, but I knew that she would go far. When draft time came around the next season and Hailey was moving up to play as a 9 year old I had a coach call me and ask about the 8 year olds moving up, I let him know right then he needed to pick up Hailey. He mentioned other names to me, but I kept going back to Hailey. He said, "You really think a lot of that girl don't you!" I believe he did pick her up and never regretted it. Hailey's parents are great too! Karen was one of the best "dug-out" Mom's a coach could ask for. She kept those girls lined up with their helmets in hand, ready to bat. That is a big accomplishment considering she was working with 5-8 year olds. I will never forget the time I got over-heated at a tournament and Karen volunteered to go out and pitch for me. I knew I could always count on Jeff's support too. Great parents!!!! I know this goes back several years, maybe these memories are not as important as her high school years, but they are very special to me. Hailey, good luck in your future. You are a great girl and I have followed your career from a distance over the years. Continue with your hard work ethic and sweet disposition! Jeff, you can come and watch Anna play, and maybe give her some pitching tips!!!

I agree with you! I am glad that Jess is on the team. These girls will work hard this summer and play a lot of ball. Experience is the best teacher! See you at the ballpark (and probably working side by side in the concession stand - lol!)

Thanks, MrNoitAll! You did make the season very interesting and kept everyone informed on how other schools were doing. I never did find out who you were. I tried to put together all of your clues, but I must not be very sharp. I figure you must be from an area south of Murfreesboro, but I am clueless. It was a goal of mine to figure out the mystery, but now I will have to wait until next year. Well, unless you will be at some of the Wednesday night games being held in areas surrounding Murfreesboro. I will look forward to following football in the fall. I am sure you will make that interesting as well. Thanks again!