bgmlrh

I don't know the conditions of the fields, but I do know that Mount Juliet is en route to compete against Hendersonville at 2:00. I would sure appreciate any updates as the game is played and as soon as it finishes. Does anyone know how the remaing four teams will compete? Will they play at 4:00 against the other winner? Will it be single elimination as opposed to double elimination for the district championship? Will the championship game then be played at 6:00? #1 Beech plays #8 Smyrna #2 plays #7 Whitehouse #3 plays #6 Gallation #4 Mount Juliet plays #5 Hendersonville I am not sure if Lavergne or Wilson Central is #2. Will winner of 1 / 8 play winner of 4 / 5? Will winner of 2 / 3 play winner of 3 / 6? I copied this here to get more views and possible answers for scores as the day progresses.

I don't know the conditions of the fields, but I do know that Mount Juliet is en route to compete against Hendersonville at 2:00. I would sure appreciate any updates as the game is played and as soon as it finishes. Does anyone know how the remaing four teams will compete? Will they play at 4:00 against the other winner? Will it be single elimination as opposed to double elimination for the district championship? Will the championship game then be played at 6:00? #1 Beech plays #8 Smyrna #2 plays #7 Whitehouse #3 plays #6 Gallation #4 Mount Juliet plays #5 Hendersonville I am not sure if Lavergne or Wilson Central is #2. Will winner of 1 / 8 play winner of 4 / 5? Will winner of 2 / 3 play winner of 3 / 6?

I have not read all of the above thread word for word, but what I have read is disturbing. I coach softball. I get so frustrated with any individual telling an athlete that they have to choose one sport. We are dealing with young people, not athletic robots that need to be molded into one sport. Shelbyville has what it has for many reasons, not solely because the players only play basketball. The state runner up this year in AAA, Beech, has Amber Warren who plays both basketball and softball. And by the way, I believe she is awesome at both. Beech also graduated Courtney Boynton a couple of years ago who was all mid-state in both sports and is now playing at David Lipscomb (b-ball). How do you explain the success of some single A schools who have players in more than just basketball? Parents and coaches set the limits on what the kids are capable of achieving. Parents allow for their children to be forced into basketball 24 / 7 / 365!! Seriously. The tendons, the ligaments, the muscles, the mind...all need a break (or they will break). The young people who play only one sport need to be concerned with burn-out or blow-out. I have seen it in some outstanding athletes. If it isn't the ACL, it's just mental fatigue. Parents miss family vacations, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays as well as Easter all for a game. I ask WHY? Why sacrifice your other childrens' holidays for being in the gym or on the field? What is really more important? I know that kids love it. But, what kids really love is for their parents to be proud of them. And if kids feel their parents pride for being athletic, then the kids feel that it is necessary to be on the court or field. I have seen parents who live to be either in the gym or on the field because it is a social scene type situation for them. They live out their own dreams of athletic stardom through their children. I am getting away from the initial point-- LET THE KIDS DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO!! AND COACHES AND PARENTS BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE KIDS DECISION WITHOUT PERSUADING THE KIDS TO DO WHAT YOU (the parent or coach) WANT THEM TO DO. COACHES: THINK LESS OF YOUR WIN / LOSS RECORD AND MORE OF THE INDIVIDUAL. PARENTS: THINK MORE OF YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING. Having said, I know this only applies to a handful of individuals across the state. I wish any kid who likes basketball and softball could play both without any repercussions. Like maybe when it is cold outside, you should play inside, and when it is warm outside, you should play outside-- Why has our society jumped into the frame of mind that soo much emphasis is placed on sports? Is it the TV? Media? Professional Athletes? Scholarships? Social Acceptance? Boredom? :confused: :confused:

Beech is by far the most consistent and competitive. They have a psychological dilemma with Mount Juliet. Mount Juliet plays them well (most of the time). Mount Juliet won 6 of 7 innings of play last night against Beech-- I know that doesn't mean much when the score at the end shows they lost, but MJ could be a power to reckon with in the district tourney. Hendersonville, Lavergne, and Wilson Central will all be in the hunt with Mount Juliet for the second placing in the district tourney. It would be great to be able to see all the games! Who knows-- Beech could be upset by any of the above mentioned. This is a great district for good high school ball. Good Luck MJHS!!

illpete23: I wrote a marathon post on this topic on Jan. 22, '03. I could cut and paste it here, but you should go there to read everyone's input on this. It is posed more towards the connection to college ball.

Where do you play high school ball? I know the fellow who posted the original post here, and I will contact him with your information. What other position(s) do you play? Are you currently taking lessons or have you taken lessons for pitching?

Thanks for the reply. I prefer using the pitcher to redirect or align a throw to home. Someone that I coached with for several years always would yell at the first baseman for not being in position. It was frustrating. Your response makes me feel more confident about how I coach the team I am with now. Thanks again!

Why when a throw is made from the outfield do so many choose to use the first baseman as the 'cut' person in the infield as opposed to the pitcher? The first baseman can back-up home plate. If a throw is coming to third from the right side of the field, then LF'er could back that throw up. If a throw is coming to third from CF or LF... there may be an issue on who would be there... hmmm. The question is why use the first baseman instead of the pitcher. Just curious. [Edited by bgmlrh on 3-19-03 1:35P]

When men are pitching at or near the mentioned speeds, from what distance are they pitching? 40 feet? 43 feet? 46 feet? Do men's fastpitch teams play on 300' rec ball fields with longer base paths? Who knows how fast the King and His Court (can't think of his name??) was able to throw? The only man I have ever witnessed throw fastpitch was "the KING" and also Marvin Burke of Chattanooga. Does anyone know how fast Marvin can throw?

thanks sportsnut. Here is one. With softies in a gym, configure your team into 5 groups in the shape of a pentagon. Have the girls throw to the teammate that is the second to their left. Once a player has thrown, have her run around the outside of the star to the group where she threw the ball to. continus to throw the ball around the star. Work on receiving the ball with two hands, quick release, accuracy, footwork, follow through... all good aspects of a good, accurate, strong throw. Start close and move as far apart as the gym will allow. [Edited by bgmlrh on 2-28-03 1:03P]

Non-revenue teams get a percentage of the gate money taken from home games for basketball and football. Softball, baseball, soccer, and other sports are funded this way. Additional fund raisers are necessary. Especially if your revenue generating teams are not that good (don't draw a good paying crowd!) or do not have support that brings in $$$. Fundraisers and wealthy contributors and parents are all needed to budget a team that intends to participate in tournaments, have decent uniforms, pay the umpires, and many other costs that are here and there.

Noone wants to share! With the weather we have been having this seems like a relevant topic.

You have a good bit of sophomore talent as well! You guys will be a contender in every game you play. Keep the positives rolling, support all your teammates, work hard, play hard... do more than is expected of you at every practice, and in the games, it should all come together. I will be out there cheering all of you!! GO BEARS!!

Anyone interested in sharing some indoor drills for all aspects of the game? Describe a hitting, running, throwing, catching drill and then award yourself a smiley face. Or two if it is a real good drill.

Beth initially went to Louisiana Tech for college. She then transferred to Tennessee Tech. I know this because we were teammates, her dorm room was next to mine, and my glove was broken in by catching Beth for warm-ups. She set many TTU records and OVC records as well. She has been in my mind as I read this thread, but I did not think anyone would know her. I have not faced any of those mentioned above, but I have witnessed most all of them. Brooke Siebel is without a doubt the most driven softball competitor. What about Rachel Talley or Casey Ellis? What about Jill Booth as a pitcher? What about Lyssa ? from Brentwood a few years back... about 1997? What about Leslie Barron? There have been many good, even great pitchers from Middle Tennessee. Where are these young women now? I know some of them are still in college playing! What about Rocky C.(?) from Centennial? What about Crystal Bobo? [Edited by bgmlrh on 2-26-03 2:02P]