playtough

dc, I am sorry because I was not trying to discredit Hancock, only to make a point to a Grainger fan. While they are playing and losing to any single A team, PF is playing and beating the big boys. I am sure Hancock is a solid team, and I wish them the best the rest of their season, and I'm glad to see they are playing AA and AAA schools. It sounds like the coach knows the importance of playing schools bigger and usually better than you are. It only makes you better in the long run. Good for Hancock!

Maybe because Green (if healthy) and Hobby are really good, Ownby is a good freshman as well who has played some big games in open ball, but they won't have to count on the young guys to get thru the region.

You need to take another look. While Grainger is losing to Hancock County, PF is BEATING Oakland, Baylor, Webb, and Morristown West.(who Grainger also lost to) I didn't say PF would lose to Grainger at Grainger only that it would be a little closer because of "home town cookin". Maybe you need to read a little closer.

Both teams are quality teams. In speaking with my buddy from McMinn Central, he said it was obvious that Unicoi didn't throw any top pitchers. I'm also pretty sure that MC didn't throw any top pitchers as well. When both teams are throwing down the line anything can happen. All that matters is getting out of district and playing on FRIDAY night which I'm sure both teams will have a chance to do. Good luck to all AA teams. AA sure seems to be pretty strong this year. Also don't forget about Seymour, Gibbs, Pigeon Forge, and Anderson County who will all be there in the end fighting in the regions and sectionals.

Whats up with Unicoi loosing 2 in a row in Loudon. How is the Whitson kid looking. Been hearing mixed reports. Does Unicoi played any tough non-district games. I know they have 1 against DB, any others to speak of. Will they be able to compete against the teams from Region 2 this year. I know they got it handed to them last year by Gibbs (I think). Just curious. Unicoi has always been a great program with great tradition under Coach Baxter. I do have one more question however, what happened to everyone parking their cars and trucks around the outfield fences, and blowing their horns and ringing the cowbells, and such. I know in the 80's that was one tough place to play.

There is no doubt that Unicoi is a very good team, but to be ranked 1st in AA when getting beat by a down Loudon (AA) team, and HAMMERED by a good McMinn Central (AA) team is absurd.

My top 5 1. Farragut AAA 20-4 (toughest schedule) 2. Bearden AAA 17 wins (big wins/playing well) 3.Pigeon Forge AA 20-2 (next toughest schedule only 2 losses to Bearden, DB) 4. Powell AAA (very good offensively, good young pitching) 5. Anderson County AA (big district wins, Price/York, avg schedule , needs quality non district wins)

My thoughts exactly, if Grace is so good, why would it matter if they threw their #1 or #2 or whatever. To get beat in district that bad, says alot about the quality of the Grace talent doesn't it??

How about Brackton and Drew?

Pablo, I've seen Farragut play twice, and they are definitely the best team in the Knoxville area, and probably the state. This isn't the Farragut of old though. From what I've seen, Farragut is very beatable, especially without Cooper or Phieffer on the bump. Pitching depth may be a factor come late May. The need to get more production out of 6-9 hitters as well. If top 2 or 3 guys have an off day, that could spell trouble. With this being said, I'm sure most other teams would love it if these were there only weaknesses. Farragut is still the best team around the East. A one game matchup with someone like Science Hill in the sectional could be a issue. They are probably the only team in the east that can matchup pitching with Farragut, but Farragut still hits it better. Good luck Admirals, they are still the best until someone knocks them off in May.

KA24 don't get worked up, there are kidding around!

Bearden and Farragut are ranked top 10 in AAA, and Pigeon Forge and Anderson County are ranked in top 10 in AA. With Bearden, Farragut, and Pigeon Forge all ranked in top 10 in overall poll. Congratulations to all 4 teams on a great season so far, keep it up! Also Powell is ranked in top 5 poll in East TN AAA. Congrats to them as well.

Because some people can't use common sense, and instead used the thread to bash both coaches and players. I agree this could be an interesting discussion, but some want to bash people when someone brings them up. It is just not a good idea. By the way didn't JJ look good tonight in relief. Nevermind, I thought you were someone else! haha

This thread has already been shut down once. This is probably not a good idea.

Lies, Lies, Lies. If you knew who played in front of him, why would you have to "hear" about playing time when Armstrong pitched. I smell a rat, and it's you tiny. I'm pretty sure I know who you are. Try concealing your identity better next time. I sure hope you meant this as a joke, because that is what you are now starting to look like. Jinkins played JV and didn't dress varsity at all at Gibbs while a freshman started at 3rd and another played short on Varsity and pitched on Varsity. There were also sophmores all over the varsity field, but not Jinkins, he was simply relegated to JV and ball chaser status. This is my last and final post on this thread. Point has been made and enough said.

I'm sure Oakland is very nice, but surely you don't think they are the only ones who work on their field. I know several HS coaches and most all are working on their field more than anything else.

We shouldn't forget Gibbs. When the center tower with pressbox and concessions are completed this year, Gibbs will resemble an SEC venue. The playing surface, dugouts, and everything "inside the gate" is undoubtedly one of the nicest in East TN. Also, fieldhouse, and indoor facility is new, large, and very nice. Pigeon Forge should also be mentioned! Coach Guinn has done a wonderful job of restoring the field after the last coach left it in ruins! New bullpens this year are the nicest around. Catholic is with out question the nicest surface, but it doesn't have the ballpark feel to it. Maybe its the surroundings.

There are kids at farragut, bearden, and other good AAA schools who don't get any playing time, but could start for good AA schools like Gibbs, Seymour, Grainger, Anderson County, Catholic, CAK, etc. I didn't say he wasn't a good player or kid, but comparing Grace Christian to other AA/AAA schools, or comparing Jinkins to Powell is like comparing apples and oranges. It's like comparing the New York Yankees to the Knoxville Smokies. Not even close. Don't read too much into the stats in the paper either, there are a lot of good teams who haven't reported. If you want to find HR leaders, look in the HR leaders thread. I'm glad he is having a good year, and wish him the best of luck, but don't try to compare the two, it's irrevelant.

SACFLY, how'd that happen! Tell us more. Did Grainger send the JV or something? This can't be good.

You haven't heard of him because he is a transfer from Gibbs who wasn't going to see much if any playing time there.

I have no idea, not from any school in that district, just familar with a few.

Sure seems like a "convenient" rain-out for Karns, especially when they have 2 games tonight in the sports belle

Did Grainger also play a team from Kentucky last night April 1.

I agree with some of your points. However, Bearden, D-B, Oakland, and Baylor are all top 20 programs in the whole state. Then William Blount (AAA) Gibbs, Unicoi, and most likely Seymour next. Not to mention Greater Gwinnet (Home School National Champions) from East Cobb, along with 2 other 5A schools from South Carolina. And last but not least, John Battle from Virginia which is Coach Cannon's old team. You and I can agree to disagree but maybe you need to take a closer look at PF schedule without your blinders on. I don't have a dog in this fight, just and observer and fan. REMEMBER, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO CALLED ME OUT, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. So I answer! It may not wind up mattering when PF and Grainger play, but one thing is for sure, PF is playing a much tougher schedule than Grainger to be ready for a Post Season Run. It's like you said, Grainger has the opportunity to be battle tested, but it's not a sure thing when you mostly play teams you are better than or equal to like Grainger does. I also hope that I can make it to at least one of the games. I'm sure they will be fun to watch. And last but not least, your reference to the AC game last year, is ridiculous. Do you not remember what happened to the two Pigeon Forge coaches right before the district tourney. The New York Yankees would have had a hard time winning that game after the tradegy they went thru.

This is a thread about homerun leaders, not a guy who has 1. There are probably a thousand players around the state who has at least 1.