rtm

I talk to tons of coaches all the time, and there is a one thing we all try to do. We all try to put the best guys on the field! Relationships and connections don't matter to 99% of guys in this profession. One kid may be hitting .275 but is one of your best defensive guys so he plays every day. Another guy may be hitting .250, but is one of the hardest workers and has EARNED the opportunity over others with equal ability. The things you guys don't see, is what goes on in the off-season. Who is busting their tail in the weightroom? Who is the most coachable? Who does EVERYTHING that you ask them to do? Those kids often fill those remaining spots in a line up. My point in my previous post as to cutting kids was simply to say that "connections" really don't matter. I may have a connection with a kid and his parents and that kid start for four years, or I may have a connection and the kid get cut. Doing the right thing and trying to put your team in position to win is what matters! Think about this: why would a coach bust his tail on off-season training, field work, pre-season...hours and hours of preparation and then turn around and not play his best guys? Doesn't make sense.

Man, I get on here every once in a while and read some of the stupid comments made by parents. I read their ignorant comments, laugh about it, and go on. However, I felt compelled to make my first post on coacht in about four years. Let me fill you guys in on a little secret: high school coaches want to WIN! This ol mess about "politics, connections, who's kin to who" is sickening to read. I have coached baseball for several years in this state and have been accused of the same mess, and I can promise you it never had any merit. I have been accused of playing certain kids because they go to church with me when I have actually CUT more kids that I go to church with than have made the team - let alone started. Think it is easy walking into church on sunday morning knowing that "Billy Bob's" mom and dad aren't even going to look at you because you "cheated" their kid. It's not easy, but doing the right thing is better than keeping a kid on the team because you go to church with them. I have also been accused of only starting players who parents worked with me at the high school while I have actually (once again) cut fellow co-workers kids. Think that is easy? It's not....it stinks because you are face to face with that person quite a bit. Once again, you cut the kid because it is the right thing to do. Here is something for some of you critical parents or fans to think about. If you are one of these that is complaining that your kid SHOULD be playing, he is not very good to start with! If he was a legit ball player, he would be on the field. Now, there are some elite programs in this state where they have an extremely deep talent pool, but the majority of schools don't have more than nine guys who can legitimately play - I promise. Most have 2-4 guys who can play, 3-4 who are very average, and most are even playing a couple below average kids because they have to. I understand that everything is relative and your actual knowledge of the game and/or your ability to evaluate a kid is not very good. Having played four years of quality college baseball gives someone like me and many of my fellow coaches quite a bit of an advantage as to who can "PLAY". My advice is to trust the coach's decision because 999 out of 1000, he has a much better idea of what's best for his team than you do. Last point....if I am a parent of a kid that wants to be on the field, I tell him that the only way to consistently be on the field is to be a "no doubter". Leave no doubt in everyone's mind (coaches, teammates, opposing coaches, college coaches, parents, etc.) as to the fact that he should always be on the field every day! I realize that not every kid can be that guy, so if he is not, then you as a parent should be supportive and tell him to keep working hard. Face it -- not everyone can be the best!

this is a great point that i had not really considered. it will be interesting to see how it goes this first year. also, how much support is there in your area on implementing the "z" plan for all sports? and when exactly is the board of control going to vote on this?

Adam Milligan - Hardin Co.,Walters St., Vandy signee - 6th Round to the Braves

was played a couple weeks ago. teams that were in it included hardin county, nashville christian, middle tennessee christian, shelbyville, smyrna, dyer county, adamsville, loretto, mcnairy central, huntingdon, lawrence county, and harpeth. lawrence county won it. they beat hardin county in the semis and smyrna in the final.

#4 seed Hardin Co. upsets #1 seed JCM 49-48 in District 13AAA basketball tournament. JCM beat Hardin Co. by 42 points a week or so ago. Hardin Co. will face Brighton in the district championship Tuesday night.

Adam is a 6'3" 210 lb centerfielder. Runs a 6.8 60. throws R / hits L. Braves, Indians, Pirates, Dodgers have turned him in as a draft. (probably a draft-n-follow at Walters St.) Other organizations may have turned him in as well. Adam is going to Turmer field this Saturday for a pre-draft workout along with 24 other high school guys nationwide.

I was at the Hardin County - Henry County game. The difference in the game was that Henry County dominated the line of scrimmage. Milligan had little chance to throw the football. Hardin County made several adjustments to their offensive line, and it has made all the difference in the world. Looking forward to the JCM - Hardin County game next Friday night.

I don't make many posts on this site, but I couldn't resist saying something after reading all of this. How can you say that "The Lexington team has a lot of talent but stop short year after year"? Jason has been there for a short time, and has already won a state championship. If you knew anything about baseball, you would understand the fact that the most talented team doesn't always win it all and that sometimes good teams get beat. That is the bottom line! As for the accusations that Jason doesn't control his players - that is hard to believe. We have played Lexington four times this year, and I haven't seen them be disrespectful or undisciplined. They have been very classy towards me and my team. Jason Patterson is a class act!!!!!!!!!

Jack Buck was the man. Nothing like listening to him do a Cardinals game.

Hartselle has a tremendous program year in and year out. I played college ball down in AL, and played with several guys from Hartselle. They were all excellent players.

That was him kicking Friday night. Those were the only two field goals he missed all year. I think you need to see a guy kick more than one time to question his accuracy. And as far as performing under pressure - he has kicked three game winners in the past two seasons plus three 50+ yarders in one season. I would say that he can perform under pressure! The kid just missed a couple on one night. He is a great kicker!

I have seen the Lorenz kid as well. He is definitely something special. I have seen Diaz too. He has a strong leg, but not as strong as Lorenz's.