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.

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.

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?

James lives a few doors down the hall from me and I asked him not too long ago why he wasn't eligible. Grades was his answer. He talked about getting into some trouble, but mainly grades.

The article said that the guy was willing to lose some money to make the game happen. He said the 40mil was out of his pocked rather than from the gate. I would love to see it happen.

I really wish the MLB would take the fan voting away for the starters. I like how the fans vote for the final spot on both teams, but the starting lineup is just a popularity contest. Piazza is not even close to having an all-star caliber year, same goes for Beltran.

Who all is on the team, who is coaching, and what are the age limitations?

Good point with the stopwatch. The times I listed were times in a practice/showcase setting. Game times will be slower. My game times were about 1.95 pretty consistently, some better some worse. But no matter how quick it is, accuracy is a must.

There are quite a few TN catchers currently in HS or recently out who are capable of throwing sub 2's consistently. Last year Kirkland was in the 1.7's. Moreland has an article about his in the 1.8's. I was between 1.81 and 1.98 my junior and senior years. But back to what the thread was about, it doesn't matter how quick the catcher is. If the pitcher takes too long getting him the ball and the runner gets a good jump, there's no chance. It is a math equation.

Harriman wins the Region championship 12-8. Duncan, Chandler, and Gilmore pitched for Rockwood. Cummings pitched a great game for Harriman.

Rockwood wins 8-2. Bryant Allen hit a home run to right center. Corey pitched complete game and I'm pretty sure neither of the run were earned.

I agree with goose. I think a street or something would be nice to name after him, but personally, I think it would be even nicer to see the field named after him. It would be even better to name it while he is still coaching the Tigers.

fastman, when the gym was first being built, Rockwood did not have a field. They had to use Roane State's field. If I'm not mistaken, they did not have many home games due to this for a few years until the current park was finished. The football field used to be a source of practice as well as the "Concrete Diamond" aka the parking lot. We used it up until my freshman year with regularity until the indoor facility was finished and ready for us my sophomore year.

Grace, most of the posts on this thread are in good humor. Yeah, some are being said with a chip on the shoulder of the poster, but many are just replying to the name of the topic "Strang Calls by umpires". Stranges calls and blown calls can be different things. Blown call that is very strange... 2 years ago, district tournament, I hit a ball over the fence in right field about 20 feet from the foul line. The wind was blowing from center to right fairly hard. The ball I hit was hooking from the time it left the bat. When the ball landed, it was close to the line about 30 ft. past the fence. I was almost to 2nd base when the home plate umpire yelled "foul". He stated that it was foul because it landed foul. lol To go one step farther, I stepped back in the box with a full count on me. The next pitch was wide and in the dirt, the catcher had to dive into the right hander's batters box to stop it (I was batting left handed at the time). I flipped my bat towards the dugout and started to first. The umpire rung me up. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy at the time. But to make you happy Grace, this same umpire also called some really good games and made some great judgement calls last year.

Hey Hack. Hit me up on IM or something, if I don't answer right away it's because I'm cramming for finals and packing for NCCAA Regionals.

My parents were glad to see the day when I quit pitching and focused only on catching, not because the stress is put on my arm, but the fear of a fatal come backer. I have been hit a few times, luckily in the leg, arm, foot, etc. but never anything serious. Each time that I was struck with a ball back at me, I made myself end up in a better defensive position after each pitch. If pitching coaches (and youth league daddies) would stress the defensive fielding position as much as other parts of the throwing motion, I feel that the number of injuries would significantly decrease. Although, hitting with wood makes you learn to hit the ball on the sweet part of the bat, aluminum is a vital part of the youth to senior youth game, IMHO. The kid that is small for his age and is a late bloomer may not be able to compete in the game with wood, although, five years down the road he may be able to. But if we decide to outlaw aluminum, that kid may not be playing baseball five years down the road. Aluminum bats do have a lot of pop, but part of the problems, I think, is with the pitchers and their fielding position (or lack thereor) after they release the pitch.