bhump1981

Congrats to Coffee County. A great game last night. Both pitchers deserved to win but, we all know that's not possible. Bubba Vincent pitched around trouble all night. Walking 7 batters is normally a recipe for disaster. But, he always tightened up and got the job done. Riverdale just missed a few times getting the key hit. All night long seemed like the hard hit balls were right at Coffee County's defense. Just like the old baseball axiom: good pitching beats good hitting every time. Old well, there's always next year to look forward to. Congrats to Riverdale's three seniors on outstanding baseball careers at the school. Hopefully, they laid down the legacy that will make next years team even better.

Oakland2001....glad to see you are back from mourning. You know, it's not a picnic in the park to win 4 straight District 7AAA titles. I do think Buddy Powers deserves recognition for a team that only has three seniors and none of the three were starting pitchers. Pretty hard to come close to the team that was fielded the year before, but he has done a great job.

Disgustedfan....The Cavs are to be congratulated on a great season. Just shows what a dedicated coach and dedicated players are capable of doing with everyone working in the same direction. Riverdale went through the same kind of metamorphosis in 2001. Probably close to last in the district, knocked out of the tournament the first round in the 2000 season. Had some younger talent step up, great young pitchers and a new dedication to winning. Results: 4 straight district titles along with 2 state appearances. The Cavs have that young talent that will pass along the torch and I forsee several good years ahead for the program. Good things come to those who persevere. Good luck in the up coming tournament.

Congrats to the Cavs !! Miracles do happen after all. I guess the O-Train got derailed again. Hosting a tournament site will be double sweet for you as well. Makes for a long commute for the O-Train. Go Warriors !!

Talent keeps getting thinned out disgustedfan. I keep telling you and telling you. Next year Cookeville will have an even greater opportunity to win the District and sweep the 'Boro teams. Remember, you heard it here first. Congrats to the Cavs on the big win against Oakland. I guess the O-train got derailed. Plenty of good ball coming up in the tournament when all the records get tossed out and every team as an equal opportunity.

Oh Slyder, you're such a stick in the mud. Oakland2001 and I are just jousting each other for fun. Don't be an old fuddy duddy.

Yeah, you're right Cracker. Oakland and Riverdale will probably meet again in the tournament. As for Oakland2001.....oh, there's nothing like the old could've, should've, would've feeling !!! Hope to see you at Riverdale for the big rematch !

Sort of Oakland2001. Except, the last time I looked and counted, Riverdale has owned Oakland over the past four years. To be exact, 12 out of 16 games since 2001 have been won by Riverdale-- a 75% win percentage against the Evil Empire !!!! I will say that Oakland is peaking at the right time this year and is set up to do well in the up coming tournament. For some reason, though, Oakland gets a little tight or shaky when they play Riverdale. Wonder why that is ?

Yo, disgustedfan.....you gonna let that guy from Oakland dish your team like that ? Shows a lot of disrespect for Cookeville. Hope your team can prove him wrong and take two or at least split. Be good for Riverdale !!! By the way, what in the world does the enrollment at MTSU have to do with the town size of Cookeville. Last time I looked, none of those students are allowed to play high school baseball. And, those that live on campus, do count in the population of Murfreesboro as well. I still believe that the talent level in Murfreesboro is getting thinned out between all the schools. This is not necessary a bad thing since it gives more students an opportunity to play sports. Just means that the highly talented ones don't get concentrated anymore. That was what happened with the Oakland team in the late '90's. And, yes, Rutherford County has three other high schools as well....LaVergne, Smyrna and Eagleville besides the 4 that pull from Murfreesboro primarily. These 4 schools probably average around 1400 or so students. Anyway, good luck to Cookeville against the Evil Empire next week !

Not so sure that Riverdale and Oakland will remain the giants of District 7AAA, Oakland2001. Talent keeps getting divided up now with 4 schools in the city of Murfreesboro---Riverdale, Oakland, Blackman and Siegel. By the way, how come a city the size of Cookeville still only has one school to draw all its talent from ? Seems a little unfair to me. But, that's just my opinion.

Yes, it will be an uphill battle for Coach Greene to keep his job next year. When you have the booster president coming out with all his negative comments toward the coach and come to find out that he has a son on the team who is only a sophomore, well, human nature being what it is, this boy may not see a lot of playing time in the future. Thus, a very strong incentive to get rid of the coach so that "little Johnny" will be assured of some playing time. Petitions, calls, threats, etc. will be forth coming so that the boosters get their way. Forget about forgiveness and second chances for the coach.

Year long suspension is a severe penalty no doubt. Coach Greene will probably have to take some anger management classes to show his sincereity in changing. Just from reading today's account of the final decision, it is apparent that this won't be enough for the boosters/parents. A couple have gone on record to state that they don't trust him and don't want him to return next year. Yet, the President of the boosters goes on record to say that the boosters didn't have anything to do with the suspension. How hypocritical can you be. Looks like certain boosters/parents don't believe in second chances or the idea that people can change and deserve another opportunity.

Warrior Classic Finals----Cumberland County ?, White House ? , Wilson Central ? , along with Houston. Sounds like most of the heavy weights had to fight it out themselves and left the pickings for the light weights. But, this is the same thing that happended last year in the AAA state playoffs in Memphis. But, this only makes the tougher teams get better when it really counts at the end. Congrats to all these light weights.....can only win against who you play and possibly one of you will come away with the champ crown.

Good luck to the Blue Devils and Coach Messer. However, whenever I see the phrase " a young team of hard workers" , I have to be skeptical to how well they will be able to compete. Only if they have some up and coming strong pitchers will they be able to make an impact. Anyway, I wish them the best except when they play Riverdale !!!

Riverdale's outstanding third baseman, Clint Alexander, will be a senior next year ( sorry to disappoint all District 7AAA opponents ). Riverdale loses three position players off this years team--Humphrey, Kendrick and Luper. Pitching will consist of Underland, Alexander, Justin Jones, Jason Lenard, JD Limbaugh as well as some up and coming sophmores to be. The well is not dry by any means. However, will be tough to replace outstanding pitching by Markham, Smith, Fones and Humphrey. Just starts the process all over again....have fun !!

Yes, letsplay2, it was a great year of baseball in our little old town. Murfreesboro has a lot to be proud of for its representation and showing in the state. Oakland did itself proud and oh so close to making the final dance game. As you know, I'm a senior parent and that makes it extra tough. Not so much the state results, just knowing that high school baseball is over with for me and family and all the joy and comraderie with the fellow boosters is the hardest to deal with. If my son is fortunate enough to play somewhere on the next level, I still realize that the best is now history, that playing high school baseball with teammates that you grew up and competing against friends on the local level is the best. I'll sock all those wonderful memories away and enjoy them every now and then. As for you, enjoy the next two years with son #2 as it will be over with before you know it. See you this summer and it will be good to root for the same team for a change---Go Murfreesboro DiamondBacks !!!!

Oh give it a break fellows !!! I'm as disappointed as anyone about Riverdale's performance in the state. However, as I think about it, getting beat 4-0 by Hendersonville and 2-0 by Houston is nothing to be a shame about. That just indicates that there was good pitching on both sides, theirs was a little better. Riverdale had a fabulous year that I can say exceeded all expectations as far as I'm concerned. Winning the district ( tied with OHS and BHS ), winning the district tournament, winning the Region 4AAA crown, winning the Sectional , winning the Warrior Classic, having a great tournament in Millington by only losing one game and finishing 5th, having a great tournament in Knoxville Sports Belle by losing only one game, final record of 37-7.....not too bad of a showing for the year. I'll take that performance anytime and be proud of it. Like someone told me " there are 24 teams in the three classes going to the state and only 3 will be winners. 21 will come home disappointed" Good luck to all the remaining teams including Oakland and Hendersonville. And, summer ball is just around the corner.

You'd think that the Bradley Central team would of put up a little more fight to get to the state tournament. All the walks and using 4 or 5 pitchers indicates that that team was over matched from the get go. Oakland is good, but, 20-2 good ??? Congratulations go to Zach Primm on setting a new Oakland record for most wins in a season. Not bad considering all the great pitchers that have come through the program. Good luck to fellow Murfreesboro team and maybe we both can draw on the luck of the Irish and make it to the finals to meet each other. Wouldn't that be a hoot !!!

Yeah, seems a little unfair with all the power house teams in Bracket One. Not much thought put into by TSSAA by just going even number regions in Bracket One and odd number regions in Bracket Two. Kind of like NBA basketball, West against the East. However, all the good teams are in the West. Only way to resolve it would be some kind of seeding based on the final regular season poll. But, why should the strongest team on paper have the easiest route to the final game. Let them prove themselves and if upsets happen, so be it.

Yo, BigBadBlue--Check your brackets--Germantown and Science Hill got knocked out- Germantown didn't even make it to Monday's game !!!

Cooner25- Little did I know how foreshadowed your statement would become that " defense " also wins games. Riverdale did all it could last night to lose that game with it's uncharasteristic string of errors. The local newpaper said we had 6 all together. We were very fortunate to win the game with all those blunders. Just like in all sporting events, defense wins championships and if Riverdales does not come around to support the excellent pitching, well adios to any decent showing in the state. Hopefully, that will be our one bad game defensively and the boys will tighten down. Oakland played a great game and constantly kept the pressure on Riverdale. The game very well could of turned out in Oakland's favor. Good luck to both our teams in the next round and wouldn't it be great to meet in the state finals !!!

Cooner, you're right on. Just like Coach Peterson of MTSU likes to say...give me good pitching, good defense and some timely hitting and I can play with anyone. But, it all starts with that guy on top the hill. He sets the tone for the rest of the team. A great pitcher can overcome lots of adversity.

Run,run,run ! Got to lose that excess fat. After you get in decent shape, then run sprints...say 25 yd sprints and work up to 40's. Long toss for making your throwing arm stronger. Also, use bands to strech the muscles. Light weights to strenghen your rotator cuff muscles. Very diffcult to get much speed ....you are blessed with either having it or not. However, smart base running and anticipation comes from knowledge and experience. Good luck, remember, nothing comes without hard work, determination and desire to succeed.

How true Oakland2001. Seems everything runs in cycles. That way there is always payback for the underdog in this world. Did you play on the 2001 team by the way ? That was Mr. Slaydens last year as I recall. Being able to compete and even beat Oakland 4 out 5 times that year was quite an accomplishment for Riverdale Baseball. Yeah, those 1997-2000 teams were simply awesome teams. I would put those teams up against any in the country, particularly the championship teams. All the players that went on either to be drafted or play college ball was mind boggling to say the least. As you are aware, two more schools coming on line here in Murfreesboro since those days is bound to cut the talent level up. I would say the new Siegel school will have more impact on Oakland than Riverdale just like Blackman took quality players from Riverdale a few years ago. All for the good, just means more opportunities for boys to play. However, it will be hard to maintain championship quality teams in the future. Let's hope for a good, clean game tonight and no controversy determining the outcome.

Well, I'll take that bet, and you're gonna regret, cause we're best darn team around !! ( aka Charlie Daniels tune ). Will be a good ballgame. Pressure not as immense since both teams are assured of playing Friday as well. So, should be a great game, but the boys on both sides will still play their hearts out and leave nothing on the field. My prediction ----good pitching will determine the outcome, as it always does. P.S.- The DNJ newspaper has it wrong on the win-losses for the past three years. Riverdale leads the series 9-4. Riverdale won 4 out 5 in 2001; won 3 out 5 in 2002 and has won 2 out of 3 in 2003. Not too shabby of a record head to head.