SoupKitchen

4AAA @ Farragut 5/10/04 3:00 - Bearden vs. William Blount 5:30 - Maryville vs. Heritage 8:00 - South- Doyle vs. Farragut

This was a great experience last year for the Jr. boy's from Tennessee. They played a high level of competition....some really fine teams from all across the country. Plus they won the thing. The biggest plus I noticed above and beyond the level of competition.....from a parents viewpoint......was this was a true "All-Star" team.....I mean each player was an individual star.....but they played as a team.....laughed, joked, existed and got along like they had been together for years. (In fact one of the other teams parents commented to my wife and I how well the TN boys seems to get along together and asked how long this team had been together.....my wife told him "since the Tennessee state line"). I will add that Vol24 and his Asst's added just enough coaching and guidance when needed.....and let the boy's play when needed. They did a terriffic job......but what coach wouldn't want a team like that? I do believe that this year the boys will be staying with local families which will possibly enhance their experence even more from a sleep and food consistency standpoint.....the other teams all raved on the the care they received from the "local's" in McAlester......as the sign at the city limits says "Home of Cowboy's and Italian's." TBCA does a great job with this event and the Murfreesboro Showcase. Both benefited my son in experience, exposure, and playing with guys he had only heard about or passed briefly going on and off the field. He still talks with guys from this team regularly.

Farragut 8 South-Doyle - 2

I think if you'll check back on another post (Best in E.TN) I mentioned Matt Spencer as the possible 1st.......again 1st or whatever, he is a quality ballpayer and a great young man. If he goes pro he will continued to be developed......if he goes to UNC he will be developed + a great student athlete. Good luck whichever way you go "Mo-town." And congrats to Gary and Sharon as well.

My sources say 6:00 p.m.

irecnso states the salient point......."they have to play hard every game and not take anyone for granted." Anyone can be beat, however, Coach Pharr coaches these boy's not in wins and loses, but in getting better every game.....playing sound defense, put in the ball in play at bat, and hit your spots pitching......do those things and you will win more than you lose. The prize, of course, is the Tennessee TSSAA AAA State Campionship.....that is won on the field.....all the other prizes are mythical/subjective. So Admiral's.....be there dressed, on time (don't miss the bus), and focused on Maryville.....that is the only goal you need to think about for the next 8 hours.

Obviously for those of you who know me, I am partial towards Kyle (best in E. TN and 1st pick). Having seen him play every game, both HS and summer, for the last 4 years I have witnessed one of those "once in a life-time" players that has the skills you talk about for years after........."I remember a time......" 1st or 2nd or 3rd or 4th........who knows.....remember Spencer is a 6'5" left-handed pitcher that could be very appealing........no matter how these young men are drafted they should all be wearing sunglasses, because whichever way they turn their futures are bright. If they go pro....they are all great talents that will continue to develop....if they go to school......same deal - will continue to develop + to my knowledge they will all help their teams GPA as true student athlete's.

Craig is the "Greg Maddox" type pitcher.......in appearance and stuff. Not a giant in size....but in heart.......smart.......not a over powering presentation.....but kills you with the main ingredient to many successful undertakings.....location, location, location!!!!!!......a pitcher.....not just a hard thrower.

I do believe by my "unoffical" book Waldrop's ERA is 0.00......with a total of 2 runs.

I must agree with bizazz.......the program at Sevier Co. looked light years ahead of the past two previous years. When we visited there earlier this season the field was in much better shape than earlier trips. The players looked to give a much better effort than they did in previous meetings (ex. they did not laugh at their own teammates or clown around with our baserunners). As we pulled away they never gave the impression of laying down and just taking the beating (except perhaps for 1 infield fly). So, yes, they will be #8 in the tourney.....but I will bet you they are at Heatherly Field today.....on time, dressed, and ready to play. So Admiral's.....do not look past anyone....today.....tomorrow.....ever.

bump

This type topic is what this site is about.....mature discussions on baseball. But, it is tough to take the "homer" out of all of us. There are so few....if any....who saw both teams. There is no dispute that both of these teams were/are excellent and possess talented individual ballplayers. The Central team obviously produced quality "big league" caliber talent....what the future holds for the current Farragut players remains to be seen. Goodness knows they are getting looked over by professional scouts.....so who knows how a particular player may develop over the next 3/4 years............ Comparing these teams is like saying the Yankees of the 50's were better than the Yankee's of today.....the ball was deader in the 50's and hopped up today......the parks were bigger....and on....and on.... and on......this it what makes it fun!!!!! All I know about Central is that they were a great team that won the state title and produced some household names in the big leagues......does that make them the greatest ever????? Maybe.......but I have had the good fortune to watch the Farragut program grow and prosper.....year-after-year of quality "team" baseball......a post season contender year-after-year. I know in my heart of hearts.....that even if Farragut 2003-2004 is not the best.....it ceratinly is "one" of the best.....and reguardless of how many of this current lot goes on to college or big league greatness........their run in this state will be hard to top. So good luck Todd, Freeman, Bubba and all the old Bobcats........and especially to you Admirals!

Homeruns by #8 Sherrard, #14 Reagan, and #17 Brown

One point to add on Kyle's 77 pitch 8 inning performance from Friday night.............60 strikes, 17 balls........and very "nasty" stuff. Also, excellent pitching performances by Philip Sherrad and Ryne Steben in game 2........and by Tyler Powell, and Phillip Heyming in gane 3.....closed out by Tony Delmonico.....it is great to have Tony D back. 33 hits over the 3 games.....a total team contibution. Nice weekend Admirals........take tomorrow off.....see you dressed, on time, and ready to go Monday.

Moore is the real deal......and a good young man to boot.

I also hope the winds have changed for the Bulldogs. I am a former Bulldog CF with a son now playing at another school. I know several of the Braeden kids from my son having played with/against them over the years.......they are all fine young men. But, the real turn for the better at Bearden came when they hired Buckner to coach their boy's. I heard some grumbling when our team was there recently.........but 1/2 a year does not a rebuilding program make. Once these young men get to this stage in their playing cycle.....the coach is not your buddy anymore.....he is your teacher. The road started this year and it is a shame that there is "no silver bullet", but from what I have seen and heard there is talent on this team and that talent will shine under Buckner......later this year or in the not to distant future. Go Bulldogs......except for maybe 1/2 time later this year when we see you.

Let it be know that "that Assistant" signed one from Knoxville for next year for his new team??????????

davidlimbaugh, It was great meeting you and seeing that palatial box you preside over. This event was top notch the whole way. Several of our parents commented that it was a terriffic tournament......with excellent facilities......and genial hosts at all locations. The only way to get better is to play the best. Sorry this will be our (families) last year, but I'm sure the Admiral's would love to return. I'll tell the tall fellow you said hello.

My bad.......it was Stephen not Alex....it was late and I let that one slip between the wickets. Also my apologies to Tye McCleary. Yes we were without Delmonico at SS (back to Dr. next week then we'll see), however, Reily Jennings (normaly our 2B) has filled in quite well. Eldridge (CF) is day-to-day and will likely be back later next week. Injuries are just a part of the game. Our regular 3B is Philip Sherrad ("Share-id not Sha-rad" - little inside joke to all those PA announcers).....and he is indeed a good one. To get the ball past Philip would likely have to be though his dead lifeless body. He makes plays. Cody Brown plays there when Philip is pitching and there is no drop off here.

BY the way #7 is Clay Ivy.

All things must pass.........and this streak ended in Oakland. But it ended with with a bang! The Admiral's trailed for much of the game after getting off to a 1-0 lead in the 1st ( the 1st of 2 solo HRs by Waldrop 3-4 2/RBI's). Brad Robinson, Oakland's Ace, pitched well through 6 full (6/Inn, 8/H, 4/K's, 1/BB, 4/R, 4/ER). I did not get the name of the fellow who replaced Brad after 2 batters in the 7th. Oakland led 5-2 going into the top of the 7th. Waldrop led off with a single and Scott Dean hit a blast (his 3rd of the week-end) over the center field monster....it was a shot....bringing the score to 5-4 Oakland. Reily Jenning strung the new guy out to 10 pitches before getting HBP. The next Admiral Ked and then Jon Pigg (2-3, 2B)drew a walk......1st & 2nd - 1 out. Drew Reagan then reached on a E-4 loading the bases. Chip Eskew followed by hitting a shallow pop to mid/right-center (out #2) and Reily Jennings was gunned on a perfect throw to Alex Watson blocking home plate for #3. It was an exciting finish to an exciting game. If we are going to lose.....its going to head first in a cloud of dust! Tyler Powell pitched well for the Admiral's going the distance. He scattered 9 hits, Ked 4, 1/BB, 3/4ER. Down 5-2 going into the top of the 7th and they never thought of packing it in. This was indeed a lose and it did end a great streak, but no one hung their heads in Admiral land tonight............we'll see you dressed out, on time, and ready to play in Sevier Co. Monday.

The young man that piched for Baylor - Green - had a terriffic outing. He moved the ball well and I do not feel he "ran-out-of-gas" in the 7th.......the FHS boys just came to life, made the plays when they had to.....our boys are well coached and do not panic in the close ones. Tyler Powell has waited his turn and has/will make the most of it. He is a great example of the caliber of young men that are developed through this program. When these guys step on the grass they are "1"....win or lose. As for the chanting......so what......after awhile it did appear a little "Sophmoreish" but that is the way of baseball. Baylor has a fine team that gave the Admiral's a tough contest last night. Some of these boys are going to be listening to the crowds outside the fence in the future.....and they likely will not be just chanting.

The young man that piched for Baylor - Green - had a terriffic outing. He moved the ball well and I do not feel he "ran-out-of-gas" in the 7th.......the FHS boys just came to life, made the plays when they had to.....our boys are well coached and do not panic in the close ones. Tyler Powell has waited his turn and has/will make the most of it. He is a great example of the caliber of young men that are developed through this program. When these guys step on the grass they are "1"....win or lose. As for the chanting......so what......after awhile it did appear a little "Sophmoreish" by that the way of baseball. Baylor has a fine team that gave the Admiral's a tough contest lasy night. Some of these boys are going be listening to the crowds outside the fence in the future.....and they likely will not be just chanting.

The young man that piched for Baylor - Green - had a terriffic outing. He moved the ball well and I do not feel he "ran-out-of-gas" in the 7th.......the FHS boys just came to life, made the plays when they had to.....our boys are well coached and do not panic in the close ones. Tyler Powell has waited his turn and has/will make the most of it. He is a great example of the caliber of young men that are developed through this program. When these guys step on the grass they are "1"....win or lose. As for the chanting......so what......after awhile it did appear a little "Sophmoreish" by that the way of baseball. Baylor has a fine team that gave the Admiral's a tough contest lasy night. Some of these boys are going be listening to the crowds outside the fence in the future.....and they likely will not be just chanting.

Indeed it was a good outing HV. Houston is always tough. Say hello to the Bishop's if you run into them again from #12's family. Tell him his back ache remedy is still a staple in my life.