RHSBASEBALL99

With the majority of the players that actually contributed graduating this year, "familiarity with the kids" is the last factor that should be considered while choosing the next coach. With limited experience and talent coming back, they won't be able to dominate their district/region on pure skill/ability. They need someone who will teach the fundamentals of the game and teach those young, inexperienced players how to play the game the right way. Where the coach is from should have ABSOLUTELY zero bearing on whether or not he is hired.

Thanks crazzy, I think. I don't know everything, but you can't believe everything you hear about ppl topping out at this and that. Here's an example: We have 2 pitchers that will get drafted this year, one of which throws gas. On our gun (we have used 3 different brands) we get him sitting consistently 92-94 topping 95-96. Our gun has gotten him at 103 and 99 and some big numbers like that a couple times. One of the many scouts that are at the games when he pitches said those readings are incorrect, and that he only has topped legitimately at 96, normally topping at 95. I'm not saying Duncan/Brezeale can't touch 85, but you have to realize the guns aren't always correct, and what someone tops at one or maybe two times a game isn't what that pitcher throws. That's what he tops at. What he throws, is where he sits at consistently, which for those two is high 70s low 80s. Like I said in an earlier post, that is very solid for single A pitchers, but they are not mid-80s pitchers. Sorry if ya thought I was slighting them or calling you a liar, that was not my point. Prediction for tonight: Tigers 9 UniHigh (I think?) 4

As a matter of fact I spoke with the ole Coach Lane last week; the highest anyone topped out at was Duncan at 82. Breazeale might have hit 82 as well, but I know for a fact, he didn't top out above 82. Lane knows his stuff, but so do I: as a collegiate catcher, I think I know what mid-80s looks like...

baseball100, sorry to burst your bubble, but nobody from Rockwood has thrown mid-80s since Rob Gilmore, and he actually only sat around 82-83, only touched mid-80s in high school when he reached back for something extra. Duncan, Breazeale, Cooper, and Skidmore (at this point) are solid single A pitchers, but nothing more. That's not to say that they can't develop further and be really good. The key to beat Rockwood is to 1) shut them down at the plate (not many single A teams are able to do that) 2)put the ball in play and hope they make a bunch of errors. Their fielding is down from the last few years, but as long as they swing the bats well they win. This is the best hitting Rockwood club since before my time there.

In my four years, I think we played more every year than the previous year. My freshman year, I think we only played around 32 games or something. My senior year we played 42 and won the most in school history (30). Records are meant to be broken, regardless or circumstances (i.e. Barry Bonds, or size of the field). Regardless of how many Shane ends up with, he's a heck of a hitter who could probably swing the bat pretty well collegiately as high as the D-2 level after he graduates next year.

Coach Lane never was big about keeping track of records and stats. Never quite figured out why. When I was there, the only records I ever remember were basically word of mouth and never actually recorded anywhere. I don't think statistics were even really recorded unless a parent happened to be keeping the book that day. Even if a parent recorded them, I don't think stats were ever consolidated. If the high school wanted to host a site, I wouldn't mind building the team a web page similar to what most college programs have.

I'm pretty sure Wyatt Wilson had 18 or 19 in a season...long before the fences were moved in.

The first time or two I took it I had trouble keeping my focus, so I found a little trick that helped me the last couple times I took it: drink a Red Bull (or other energy drink of your choice) during the break in the middle. Take some online practice tests and study what you got wrong and why, and learn how to answer the same type of question correctly. Do that for a few weeks before your test and your score should improve a little bit. btw, the "power scoring" didn't help me with scholarship money anyway, I had a 29 w/o it and a 30 with it, but I needed a 31 to get more money than I did. But, most schools will let you use it. If you decide to take it a few times, focus hard on 1 or 2 subjects for one test and don't worry about the other two on that test. Keep doing that until you get your scores where you want.

Next year they will move into the SAC, joined such teams as Carson Newman, Tusculum, Catawba, Mars Hill, etc. They just re-did their field, so it's in pretty good condition. They didn't have much pitching this year, and they were pretty average in the field and at the plate. With a few additions and some of their younger guys coming back better than they were this year, they have a chance to be a pretty decent team next year.

polk wildcat - jealousy might be a reason for some to juice up, but I think that's probably a minority of the users. Many juicers do it to have a shot at being the starter, or getting the oppotunity to play at the next level. A lot of people who use or have used might not have had the chance to play at the collegiate (or professional from college) level after high school had they not beefed up with help from 'roids. It's sad to say, but many young athletes don't grab the attention of scouts or recruiters because of their size and lack of projectibility, however, they could be a late bloomer (or simply an overachiever) who is capable of playing at that level if given a chance. I am not by any means condoning the use of illegal substances to gain an edge, but steriods for many is an extremely attractive way of leveling the playing field. Just don't label the majority of users as jealous when the majority are not.

rSquared, whoops, I mixed 'em up. Either way, both programs should be on their way up. Thanks for the correction.

I remember my senior year when we played at Sunbright, we quit keeping score in the second inning when it was 25-0. Sunbright has a lot to be upbeat about from how I'm reading it. Stiltner wants to be there and he will do a great job teaching those young men the fundamentals of the game. Don't rag on Sunbright too badly fellows, be happy that a region team (formerly district team) that has struggled mightily in recent years is taking steps towards becoming a decent program. Good luck to both teams this year.

Milligan came up to CN today and CN won 7-3 I think was the final. Milligan's pitching wasn't able to finish off batters with 2 strikes. The defense looked decent, and they had a couple big hits (Sauceman swung really well today) but weren't able to string them together. Milligan looks like they have some talent and potential, but just havn't gotten that "spark" yet. I think they have a chance to get rolling by the time post season rolls around.

Where does it look like my little cuz Andrew will be playing and how much PT does it look like he'll get?

How are things shaping up now that Brezeale is gone? Will there be enough pitching? Will Willis be able to step up into a leader? Who will surprise some people and emerge as contributers? How far will Lane's squad go this year now that they're in a new district and the multiplier is in effect?