MeepMeep

I wasn't trying to imply that Jackie was involved in coaching the team, just that the poster would have probably thought the same of his coaching ability when he was coaching 'a few years ago'

Nothing directed toward you David. Thanks for your reply. I agree with you, some people will complain if their ice cream is cold...

MeepMeep

Congrats to the Stars. Can only hope they keep it up. The talent there is very good and they are all a good group of guys. Where they lack essentially is coaching. Coach Reavis is a great guy but honestly not a good coach at all. It seems like everyone associated with the program will back up this statement. The talent will carry the team but the coaching could keep them from reaching their full potential. Goodluck Stars. Hope the success continues even with the lack of coaching.

Great first post - you from Oakland or a disgruntled mom? (sorry Oakland - no disrespect intended) Coach Reavis sure has done well with a group that many on this board gave no chance to. Still early so the jury is out who will win 7AAA but I like what Craig has done with this team so far. Reavis senior is at most of the games but this is Craigs' team not his. So, sorry your son isn't playing and your taste of sour grapes but this group is a TEAM and is led by a State winning coach, like it or not. Quit trying to tear down this team!

BTW - Coach Reavis and the Stars just won another vs Shelbyville.

MeepMeep

Smyrna is a good team and I believe everyone is aware of that now so I am not sure if they will surprise anyone. That is going to be a great series. It will be an interesting week. Good to see so much riding on the 2nd week of district play.

A little off the subject but still 7AAA:

Congratulations go out to Siegel's Austin Coley for committing to Belmont! For those who are not keeping count - that's four players from Coach Reavis' team to commit to playing college baseball. There will be others from Siegel and from the rest of 7AAA. Great job!

MeepMeep

Southpaw,

You posted this:

Blackman - I agree, they are a scrappy squad and their coach always has them ready to play. There's a couple of intangibles going on right now that could influence their season.

Can you tell us what the "intangibles" you are referring to?

MeepMeep!

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.

Good news! Pearson gave his verbal to Western Kentucky on Saturday. Congratulations to "B"!

D.Kosinski- Tenn Tech

Fullerotn- Miss State

Lewis- FH

Taylor- Tulsa..?

Pearson- W.Kentucky

Is it ever going to warm up? What happened to global warming?

Thanks for the update - I had not heard of the others you listed besides Sam and Tyler as a commit or is this just who is the front runner with them? I was told that Taylor had applied to Tulsa and was talking with them, Kosinski was talking to several schools, and Pearson had not committed as of this past weekend.

How are the other kids doing - I know Coley was looking at several options, and Fann from Oakland had taken a few visits. Has there been interests from others that we've missed at other High schools in 7AAA? Please let us know.

Again, great job guys!

MeepMeep!

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

Yep - my Dad called it "Hem-Hawing around"!

Does anyone else see that when there is a question about transfers that it's always Riverdale that is in the know? Just picking on you Riverdaleman!

Southpaw - didn't Hull have to sit out Varsity games when he "relocated" to Oakland? I've been told they were zoned for Oakland but mom worked at Siegel. Was that Mack's edict or was it by TSSAA rule?

I don't care - I hope the young man can play this year. If it's who I'm thinking of, he seemed to be a good kid.

Back to the regular scheduled topic...

MeepMeep!

That is a good question and from what I have heard, yes. I really don't know how that worked out. It would be unfair to post what I have heard on the reasons for this because I am not sure if it is accurate.

Thanks for the update and please explain when you can.

Southpaw - what are the "intangibles" you refer to concerning Blackman?

BTW - Sam Lewis also signed with FH. Congrats to Sam! Several others on Siegel are close to getting their papers in order. I've also heard that Oakland will have several - 7AAA players are being sought after. Good job guys!

Thanks for getting this going and good analysis. I think that your comment on parity is dead on. This could be one of the toughest districts in the state and anyone's to win. The question is going to be pitching depth. Each team in this district has a strength.

 

I think Riverdale has the best pitching depth, Blackman the best line up, Siegel the best defense, Oakland the best overall with a senior heavy team. Smyrna is most under rated team and will be one to watch. They are very scrapy and I hear they added a 2nd baseman from Blackman. I know the least about Lavergne other than that they are a very young team.

 

It will be almost impossible to go undefeated in this district. It is going to be some fun games to watch. The season can't get here fast enough!!!

Thanks and I agree with your snopsis of the teams. One question does come to mind though. Will the second baseman going to Smyrna be eligible to play this year? If he played any varsity at Blackman then he will have to sit out varsity for one year from the last game he played right? Can you comment on that situation? Thanks!

MeepMeep!

GoVols...glad you started this topic. I'm ready for some baseball!

 

My thoughts on how 7AAA will fare...

 

1. Oakland

2. Blackman

3. Riverdale

4. Siegel

5. Smyrna

6. Lavergne

 

Any of the top three could change places. I see a lot more parity in the district this year, with Oakland having a slight edge. First of all, they're loaded with seniors...12 in that senior class. I see a senior at every position, with maybe one exception. Pitching is deep, too, with lots of experience.

 

Blackman has a few guns, and Riverdale too. Siegel may surprise some some people, depending on how a few kids step up. And, if anyone is a sleeper this year, it could be Smyrna. They're a tough bunch and they're well-coached. They could be in the mix at the end of the season.

 

Players to watch:

 

Blackman - Wiel (Vandy), Vondohlen (Freed Hardeman)

Riverdale - Frebis (MTSU), King

Oakland - Fann, Moore (Lipscomb), Hull (If Stevie Smith is back, and I've heard he's ahead of schedule, he'll be a nice addition to the pitching staff)

Siegel - Coley, Taylor, Fullerton (Miss. State), Pearson

 

Not sure about Smyrna. I know the kids, just don't know their names.

 

 

It'll be an interesting season. I don't think anyone will go through the district undefeated, and there will be some good matchups between Tuesday night starters. As it stands now, though, my money is on Oakland.

Southpaw - when haven't you put your money on Oakland?

I see it a little different - here goes.

1. Riverdale - due to the fact they seem to do more with less. Frebis and King should be dominant - who will be their #3?

2. Blackman - scrappy squad with a coach that seems to like to win close games.

3. Siegel - can't pitch around Pearson and Fullerton and Kosinski and Lewis and Holland and... Their issue will be pitching depth - I think pitching will come around by the end of the year.

4. Oakland - simply because you put them #4! No, they have Moore - Stevie will be a tuff call. They have arms to fill in but, well, can be hit. Again, tuff squad with a seasoned coach.

5. Smyrna

6. Lavergne

Any of the top 4 could win it - again pitching will be the deciding point. Who will step up and answer the call?

MeepMeep!!!

Full athletic scholarships for baseball at the D1 level are pretty rare. Thanks to Title IX baseball gets 11.7 schollys to field a team.

Your statement is true, but still "full" scolerships are available. If a student has a good ACT, is a good athlete, etc, they can get a partial academic and baseball scholarship, which would amount to being a "full" ride. I know that Mookie was offered good money at several top schools. His decision was a tough one and I wish him well. He will go far either in college or in the pro route.

Mr. Limbaugh - will there be an all district team selected and if so, when is it due out? Thanks for the information on next year's schedule - you do a great job of keeping up with it!

MeepMeep

Exactly.

 

The hype is coming from "players and parents talking on here a lot". The key words... "a lot".

 

I agree with you - the district will be fun to watch and every score that comes in from area games will receive great attention. It's so much more - baseball - when you're bunting a runner to second with no outs to set up a tying run. And, to EXECUTE properly in a pressure-packed situation. That's pure baseball, played the way it's meant to be played. I hate 12-0 type games...they're ok occasionally, but the games where it's pitcher vs. slugger with game on the line...THAT'S baseball.

 

And, I believe, it's what we'll see a lot of this year.

Hey Southpaw - good to talk to you last night. I have a question on your young team - you start Moore and Fann, is there another Soph or two I'm missing? We started 3 soph, 2 Jrs and 5 Sr (one DH) the first game. How many Sr/Jr does Mack have going for him?

This has turned into a great posting - after the first game it was a little spicy though! Remember we all play ball together in the summer so these boys are team mates after the game!

MeepMeep

...orphanos pitched the first out in the 5th he gave up 4 runs

 

only 2 runs were earned

 

I

I thought the final score was 2-1? Did he give up 4 hits?

MeepMeep

Good pitching neutralizes good hitting. Props go out to Carter Watson and Cody Barrett. Siegel and Oakland will hit plenty this year but last night was a Watson and Barrett showcase.

Coach Reavis has many weapons in his arsenal and we'll see what happens with the lineup. Great job by Shaffer finding a way to get on and Robinson driving him in to tie the game. Great job by Schloss getting that bunt down and beating the throw, Pearson getting a big hit, and Mr. clutch Brady Dove driving in the winning run.

 

Go Stars!

I'll agree on that - both pitchers deserved the win. I'm glad it went our way but the Stars sure did bow their backs and get the job done. We'd better be ready for tonight as Oakland will be out for revenge! Thanks to both teams for another classic battle!

MeepMeep!