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Story published: 6/3/2003 • Print Story • E-mail Story to a Friend • Back to Sports Memphis bidding on TSSAA hoops By Douglas Fritz Press Sports Writer dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com Just a couple of weeks after giving Northeast Tennessee the cold shoulder by moving the Spring Fling to Memphis, the TSSAA could go for the daily double this week. At the annual Board of Control meeting for the organization that governs high school athletics in Tennessee, bids will be held for the 2006 state basketball tournaments. Memphis has put in a bid for the boys’ event, and conventional wisdom says it will have the most financial backing because of the NBA franchise in the city. The decision is expected to be announced some time on Wednesday. And if the dollars are there, it’s hard to imagine the TSSAA accepting less money to put the event in either Murfreesboro or Chattanooga, the other two cities involved in the bidding process. The 2004 and 2005 state tournaments will be held in Murfreesboro, where the event has been held since 1989. Science Hill head coach Mike Poe said if the TSSAA insists on moving the basketball event to Memphis, it should rotate it to the middle and eastern parts of the state in the following years. “I don’t think it would be fair economically for it to always be in the west,” said Poe. “Other schools should have to pay as much as we have to pay to get there. And there are the same number of schools going to the state tournament that come from the west as there are from the east. “So if it’s in Memphis, it should be in Murfreesboro the next year and then Knoxville the next year.” Some people might argue if the event is in Memphis one year, it should be in the other corner of the state the next year. That would put the state tournament in the Tri-Cities, but Poe said it’s probably not feasible. “I don’t think we have a facility that could host it,” said Poe. “We don’t have a 15,000-seat arena. That’s why Knoxville, with Thompson-Boling Arena, would be the closest thing.” Elizabethton head coach Tony Hardin said he feels having the state tournament in Memphis would greatly decrease the chances of a state champion from the eastern part of the state. “I think it would definitely hurt East Tennessee teams,” said Hardin. “It would make it even harder for an East Tennessee team to win than it already is. You talk about Memphis always having great talent and now you also give them an advantage of little or no travel. That really puts East Tennessee behind the eight ball. In Middle Tennessee at least the travel is 50-50 for west and east. “I think in any conference, it’s much better to find a centrally located place for tournaments. That’s common sense.” Factor in travel issues for East Tennessee teams, and it opens up potential problems for the world of academics. The extra travel increases expenses for the schools, but another issue is simply the time it takes to bus a team from one end of this horizontal state to the other. “Travel would be a major problem,” said Hardin. “Expenses would definitely play into it. And the worst thing is the amount of time kids would have to get out of school. It would be an extra day and maybe two. It’s very possible you could play one game down there and miss almost a whole week of school.” TSSAA executive director Ronnie Carter said the decision on where the tournament is played will be based on several factors. “We look at facilities, hotels and restaurants, media coverage, groups we work with and the financial package,” said Carter. “And when we surveyed the schools, the No. 1 response was having good facilites to host state championship events. “Then we factor in those dealing with the geography of the state. But we are still going to give the opportunity for any city in the state to present a proposal to host an event. We think that’s the right thing to do.” Poe said the TSSAA’s insistence on including Memphis in the bidding process and awarding that city the Spring Fling shows the organization doesn’t really have statewide fairness high on its priority list. “In this situation it doesn’t seem like the TSSAA is working in the best interest of the entire state, for the Spring Fling or basketball to be in Memphis,” said Poe. “I don’t have a problem with Memphis if the tournament goes to Nashville and then Knoxville, but I would rather keep it in Murfreesboro.” Said Hardin, “The TSSAA is always telling everybody to do what’s right. And what”s right and fair is to make a decision based on everybody in the state. I know there is a financial end, but we should do what’s fair for the kids.”

Maybe someone should float the idea around of a Middle Tennessee City organizing a major High School Softball tournament at the same time. Arrange for coaches from all colleges to be able to see prospects.Be surprised how many teams would show up instead of going to Mississippi.Might take 2 years to get off the ground but it would be a success. If the TSSAA doesn't support the kids why support them.

Gibbs in AA. They won't let a questionable trick play beat them again.

Story published in the Johnson City Press: 5/18/2003. Doug Fritz Far-flung Spring Fling bad choice by TSSAA By Doug Fritz Press Sports Writer Shame. If executive director Ronnie Carter and other members of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association don’t feel that emotion this week, it only goes to show how deeply embedded the love of money is in their hearts. Mighty Memphis, flaunting the plentiful dollars of a city with a National Basketball Association franchise, purchased the Spring Fling — the annual week-long state championship chase for high school teams in baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and track — last year by making the highest bid. The 10th annual event will be held Tuesday through Saturday in Memphis. By taking its showcase event to the western-most part of the state, the organization that governs high school athletics in Tennessee pocketed $125,000 per year in a three-year contract with Memphis. Losing out in the bidding war were Chattanooga — where the first nine Spring Fling events were held — Nashville and Jackson. One of the biggest lures used by Memphis was agreeing to take on tournament expenses, which could be in the neighborhood of $400,000. The TSSAA hoarded in the money and people like Carter went about the business of becoming spin doctors. They expanded the soccer and baseball tournaments from four teams to eight. They spoke of the beautiful facilities Memphis had to offer. And then they tried to put out a fire they knew would break out. They spoke of poor Memphis traveling to Chattanooga for nine years and said it was their turn to not have to travel. In order to get their athletes to the event, Memphis teams were sometimes forced to make tough decisions about missing graduation and such. Carter took his spin to a new level in a recent comment to the Associated Press, saying the travel distance from Memphis to Chattanooga is the same as from East Tennessee to Memphis. The spin part is: Yes, it’s the same for East Tennessee schools in Chattanoga, but totally different for Northeast Tennessee schools. According to randmcnally.com, it’s approximately 344 miles from Memphis to Chattanooga. From Johnson City to Memphis, it’s approximately 500 miles. And that’s just Johnson City. One Unicoi County school official’s estimation was a 10-hour bus ride from Erwin to Memphis, and that was allowing for fuel stops only. Consider Mountain City and it’s an even greater horror story. But, of course, the TSSAA has never had Northeast Tennessee very high on its priority list. It seems the further a school is from the middle of the state, the less it matters to the TSSAA. What makes the TSSAA’s decision so grievous is the situation of someone like Amber Campbell. The Unicoi County senior tennis standout, the state runner-up in Class A-AA singles last year, had been mentally wrestling with the decision to take her last shot at a state title or enjoy graduation with her classmates and friends. No scenario could be worked out for her to do both. Late Friday night, Campbell made her choice not to go. When Unicoi County’s softball team lost its bid at a berth in the state tournament, Campbell would have been the only person missing graduation and she said that helped her make the choice. Carter personally owes Campbell a phone call and an apology for putting her in such a situation. “I hope this never happens again to any child,” said Amber’s mother, Teresa Campbell, on Saturday. “A child shouldn’t have to make this choice.” Unfortunately, Campbell wasn’t the only child who had to make the choice. Unicoi County track standout Laura Clubb gave up her spot in the state pole vault competition because she didn’t want to miss graduation. Amber Campbell faulted herself and others for not creating a little fuss when the decision to go to Memphis was announced last year. “We made a mistake when people didn’t stand up last year and speak out against them moving the Spring Fling to Memphis,” Campbell said. “If it was in Chattanooga, it wouldn’t have even been a problem.” If it had been in the mid-state area, it may have been a problem but a solution could likely have been worked out. The Spring Fling only belongs in the middle of the state: Nashville, Murfreesboro or somewhere close to those cities. In today’s world where war, terrorism and high gas prices make travel a different proposition than it used to be, why would an organization demand one-third of the state make such a long trip? In a day where almost every school system in the state is strapped for cash, trimming and cutting and trying to find money for teacher raises and such, why would the TSSAA create a free-wheeling atmosphere where travel money is looked at like we’re all Bill Gates’ first cousin? One area school official estimated it would cost close to $5,000 more to go to Memphis than Chattanooga. For a small county school that is battling to stay afloat, where will that money come from? “The tennis team had to raise its own money,” said Teresa Campbell. “We were able to do it, but it might have been hard for the boys team or the track team or another team at another school.” One way the TSSAA is trying to alleviate travel concerns is a $75,000 booty to divide among schools traveling the longest distance. However, how much the schools really get is questionable. One school official said the TSSAA came up with a figure of $2.64 that was due a school last year for travel reimbursement — but no check was sent because the TSSAA reportedly doesn’t write checks for less than $20. What does the TSSAA do with the money that doesn’t get sent to the schools? Even if it’s a small amount, is it really morally right for the TSSAA to keep it? As for the events this week, TSSAA officials will likely be heard boasting about the wonderful facilities in Memphis. But who really cares whether the facilities are wonderful? Complaints weren’t commonplace for baseball players or coaches when that event was held at the not-so-special Middle Tennessee State University field for several years. And even during the nine-year run in Chattanooga, many of the baseball games were held at sites that were pretty much average like Cleveland State Community College, Chattanooga Central, Tullahoma and Motlow State. Soccer was held at a so-so field at Red Bank High School. The tennis courts at Chattanooga Baylor looked no better than the better ones in Northeast Tennessee. The softball fields at Warner Park were pretty much the same as any other multi-field complex. And the track at Girls Preparatory School was, well, a track. It is a pretty shade of blue, however. The point is: facilities don’t make the Spring Fling. The thrill of competing for a state title makes the event special. So the fact that Memphis offered up venues like AutoZone Park -- home of the Memphis Chicks -- and the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, doesn’t make it worth putting the Spring Fling in the wee little corner of the state. Carter told the Associated Press the great sites in Memphis made the decision to move the Spring Fling there a “no brainer.” It’s interesting Carter would choose those words. Because that’s exactly what this decision was made of, no brains. And the funny thing is the TSSAA didn’t even have enough foresight to make sure the highest-interest event, baseball, had its championship games at the best facility the city has to offer. The baseball finals won’t be held at AutoZone Park because of a “scheduling problem.” What ever happened to planning ahead? And in perhaps the biggest joke of all, the softball state tournament won’t be held in Tennessee. It will played in Mississippi. That’s so absurd it doesn’t deserve any further discussion. If the TSSAA doesn’t can the Memphis idea after this year, it really just doesn’t care about athletes from across the entire state. Think about it. How many parents could afford to take two days off from work just for travel, and then take another two or three days off to watch their kids participate for a state title? The contract should be canceled after one year and the event moved to Nashville, or Murfreesboro, or Cookeville -- anywhere but Memphis, Chattanooga or Northeast Tennessee. The Spring Fling doesn’t belong in the Tri-Cities any more than it belongs in Memphis. The TSSAA did a marvelous job in creating the Spring Fling. But now it seems it is only concerned about cashing in on the popularity of it. And in the process, the TSSAA is selling out the kids. According to reports, Memphis also plans to bid for the 2006-07 state basketball tournaments. A new facility for the NBA’s Grizzlies would be complete by then, offering an attractive green carrot for Carter and the TSSAA money seekers. If that happens, the TSSAA would set a new standard for greed. (Contact Douglas Fritz at dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com).

First I would like to congratulate all the softball teams that have made it to the State Tournament. I hope that non of the other teams have the same problem we are having in East Tennessee in other events. Several of our athletes had to decide whether to participate in the Spring Fling or attend their graduation. Since it is so far to Memphis they will be missing the Spring Fling where if it was in the middle of the state they could do both.It just doesn't make since. Why would the TSSAA , I think it stands for Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association do something as absurb as play the State Softball Tournament in Mississippi. Have it in a cow pasture in East Tennessee, a hog lot in Middle Tennessee or a swamp in Memphis but at least have it on Tennessee soil. These girls represent Tennessee not Mississippi or is that where most of the Memphis area players come from.

Gibbs won 2-1 scoring 2 unearned runs after an error at first.

Unicoi County hosted West Greene and won 12-2 in 5 innings. Happy Valley is playing at South Greene.

Final Mercy Rule 4 1/2 inngs Unicoi County 11 Happy Valley 1

Lady Warriors need to remember their 2-1 victory over Unicoi County was a fluke. From Happy Valley to Memphis you don't take I-81. You must go through Unicoi County. Top of the 3rd inning winners bracket final Unicoi County 7, Happy Valley 0.

Ask the umpire! by Dan Ignosci Updated 7/28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have any questions about rules of the game or would like to one day become an umpire send in your questions. Who is Dan Ignosci? He is currently a West Coast, and Big West NCAA Division I umpire. Member of the So. Cal. Collegiate Baseball Umpires Association, West Coast Umpires Association, California Collegiate Athletic Association , So. Cal. Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and much more. Start sending in your questions. Question: 1. On an appeal play (e.g., failure of a runner to tag up; a runner missing a base), under what conditions can an infielder simply step on the base and appeal directly to the umpire? Under what conditions must the ball be returned to the pitcher, who goes to the set position and then throws to the base where the appeal is to be made? Is the determining factor whether or not the ball is dead? 2. If, in the latter case, the pitcher balks in the process of throwing to the base, can the appeal still be made (after any runners are moved up one base)? 3. Here's my father's response to the fair pole/foul pole issue from before: "The foul pole is called the foul pole because it is an extension of the foul line. If you want to change the foul pole to the fair pole, then you'd have to change the foul line to the fair line." Answer: The only time a pitcher is forced to return to the rubber is if time has been called following a play. To make the ball live again, the umpire must have a pitcher on the rubber and batter in the box. All live ball situations allow the fielder to step on a bag and appeal. High school (NFHS) clouded up things by adding rules in 2002 allowing dead and live ball appeals by coaches under certain conditions. It is tough for the pitcher to balk in the process of actually throwing to a base because the stop requirement is not required to pick off. I believe if a balk were to occur, the appeal still could be made. My preference would be to make the "fair line and pole" change. Thanks to your dad for the history lesson! Question:A batter given first base on catchers interference. Is it an at bat. Is batter given credit for hit or just an error on catcher. Answer:Per rule 10.13 (f) charge the catcher with an error and an at bat to batter.

31-0 last game 14-0 in 3rd inning today

Opperdum, Thats pretty good time going 30 miles in a hour.So in a school bus they should probably allow 2 hours for travel time or 3 if going to Millington to play. And why are there still 1.1 million of you still there nobody else would have you.

Of course opperwoman you will build it up its your job at risk at Autozone park isn't it. I guess the 3rd week of January is a busy time also with traffic. Build it up but people will see after the first year.

Opperman you can blow that smoke all you want. After the people get a dose of Memphis during the spring fling next year you can try to convince them then what an easy place Memphis is to get around in.$$$$$$$$$$$$ is all the TSSAA wants anyway!!!!

Parking at the Mud Island lot located at the end of Poplar Ave is $10.00. Am I hearing you right when you are saying to expect the fine establishments of Memphis to raise their prices for the Spring fling. Thats about as big a special occasion as you will get.City and county shouldn't allow that to happen.Tssaa probably gets a cut of the inflated prices. Last time I went to a state tournament in Jackson special rates were made available for us.Must be the cities. As for it being fight weekend traffic better than usual. Everybody was parked trying to see celebrities.Of course you can get aroung in the traffic you should know back ways to every where you go .Visitors don't have that luxery. They are stuck in traffic on Union, Poplar or 240 bypass trying to creep along to anywhere they go.It doesn't matter the TSSAA got their money and propably some pockets are getting lined also.

Funny thing Opperman I went to Mud Island this past weekend cost $10.00 to park and $2.00 for monorail got forgot something in car and had to pay again for monorail.If is $3.00 rest of time Memphis must raise prices on things then when they are having a special event.

Now that makes good sense Opperman. Single elimination real smart teams travel 600 miles pay all that expense for 1 game.Host city lose money TSSAA loses their all important dollar. 15 mile from Bartlet to Germantown in 45 minutes now that is making real time.So the athletes are staying on camus at Univ. Memphis to be at games a hour early needs to plan on at least i hour travel time right.How long does it take you to get from Aotozone park home during rush hour if it takes your 45 minutes to get to Germantown? Who bid on the tournament Memphis or Shelby County as it seems that there are several towns involved. Was everybody else informed this bid that could be spread over cities that are 30 and 40 miles apart.Little extra money on the side maybe.Memphis does have lots to offer.Drive to Tunica 1.5 hours.Go to Mud Island $10.00 parking $2.00 per pewrson to ride monorail to it then.Better not be a vegeterian or not eat pork because you are going to go hungry if you are.Play a game 2 hours, 2 hours travel x 2 6 hours or longer for 1 event doesn't leave much time to see any other events does it?

Opperman, I'm from East Tennesse my son lives in Millington which is 20 miles from Memphis . I've been to your fair city numerous times. During rush hour when most of the games will be paid you can't go 2 blocks in 15 minutes much less 2 miles How far is it to Bartlet from Memphis or Germantown. You know as well as I do Memphis getting the Spring Fling just shows what the TSSAA is wanting money. They care nothing about the schools or participants as long as they get their money.

I hope that anybody thatr has to go the the spring fling has lots of time.The way it is spread out it doesn't matter where you go plan on a hour and a half to get there. No place to stay anywhere around the sites they have chosen. Nothing but road construction and delays between the sites and hotels. Better pack a lunch unless you like ribs because there isn't much else.Also bring a checker board or something if you want something else to do because nothing else is available there. Memphis being chosen justs shows what I have said many times before . The TSSAA doesn't care about its members just the money that goes into their pockets.

Nick Garland The 2002 Watauga All-Conference Baseball team was announced on Friday. Few suprises made the team, which was dominated by Unicoi County players. The Blue Devils, who won the regular season, district tournament and regional tournament, placed five players on the team. Nick Garland, who finished the season 12-1 and hit close to .400, was selected Player of the Year. Garland was joined on the all-conference team by teammates Darrell Roop, Mike Manuel, Justin Bernard and Anthony Garland

Deanna Rice, catcher Unicoi County Lady Devils through 48 games 457 ave., 14 home runs, 79 rbi's,70 runs scored,22 doubles

Yes lets talk about fans how in the 10th when number 21 Anthony Garland was hit in the head and still on the ground how the bunch of hick fags from Elezziebethtown were yelling for the pitcher to hit another one. Tell how the hicks from Betsy town painted the manniquin black and dragged it around campus behind a car. A real class buch!!! As far as winning EHS couldn't carry Unicoi County's jocks around for them.B.J Miller is the only one with any class the why he tried to make up for their actions by being the only one to congratulate a WINNER!!!!

If Hodge is so great why couldn't he catch the fly ball in the 10th against Unicoi County and throw Roop out at home on the tag up?

There is a chance they will meet again Wednesday night. That should give you another shot at trying to hit Roops pitching. If not then you will get Garland.

I saw Elizabethton try to run on him yesterday also.One attempt One thrown out at home by several feet