bizazz

Both these guys have potential. They were thrown into the fire last year and logged a lot of innings as freshmen. It all comes down to continued development and improvement.

I would never count Farragut out. Tommy usually just reloads. Tampa, I don't think BB scout was necessarily trying to be derogatory towards Farragut. As an outside observer I'd have to say that, after Rob, there are not a lot of "statewide" names on the Farragut roster. That's not to say that guys won't be there at tournament time. Oftentimes individuals may not stand out on Farragut's squad because of the team's overall success. Farragut likely has a lot of guys that will step up. But those guys have been in the shadows because they had to wait their turn behind the outstanding 2004 class and 2005 performers like Brown, Delmonico, Jennings, etc. OTOH Bearden and South Doyle feature players who've been in the lineup for 3 or 4 years. They've been building to this whereas Farragut just reloads. I've also learned to never count out Maryville or William Blount. Both teams have made some noise at the top of the district at various times during the past 4-5 years.

Do scouts think this is better than the 04 class that had Waldrop, Iorg, Kirkland, and Eldredge?

Welcome back STATEment.

Hey hozr, good to see your input. If you'd step up and become a Plus Member you could do this all the time.

You are quite welcome. We're just trying to keep the truth at the forefront. There's no use in someone looking mis-informed when they don't have to be.

How's it going Dheat? After having a son graduate from West in 04, this is weird that West is no longer in the District 4 race. I was privileged to see a lot of great baseball (namely from Farragut - not West LOL) during recent years, and I think I'll always pay attention to this district, even if I keep following West. I ruffled some feathers on another thread when I said that the #2 & #3 teams in 4AAA have been tougher than their District 3 counterparts. But you're right, winning the District tournament is important again this year in order to avoid Halls.

Have you seen Tony Delmonico play? He's one case where it doesn't matter who his Daddy is. He was one of the top HS players in America last year as a junior. I've seen him play since Sandy Koufax ball. He won the starting SS job at Farragut on a HS team that finished in the top 5 nationally.

No disrespect intended. What I said was - "until someone proves me wrong". I'm basing my opinion on the past 4 or 5 years. Last year, other than Halls, who in District 3 would've beaten South Doyle on a regular basis? Same for 2004. As a matter of fact, West which finished #4 in the district in 03 and 04 had something like a 10-1 record against District opponents in those years. That included a win over Halls in 2004. West regularly beat Karns, Oak Ridge, Powell, and Central, but couldn't come close to winning a district 4 crown. I don't know if District 4 is as strong top to bottom as it was a couple of years ago.

There's already a discussion of some of this in a District 4 thread below. Some folks think South Doyle may be ready to oust the #1 spot away from Farragut. Until someone proves differently, I think the second and third place teams in District 4 would be better than the 2nd and 3rd place teams in District 3.

Now that West becomes the 8th team in the district, will the district tournament format change? District 3 used to have a play-in game with #s 6 and 7. Then the remaining 6 played a double-elimination tournament. District 4 has always used the 8-team double elimination with two sites hosting 4-team pools.

4-AAA has been one of the best districts in the state for several years. South Doyle has been building toward this. The only question is getting over the Farragut hurdle. Farragut may yet be as good as in prior years, but if they are it will be because they've had a lot of new guys step up. Aside from Catapano does Farragut have the likes of Sadlowe, Burklin, Cobb, Waldrop, Eldredge, Delmonico, and Brown? I don't know. However Tommy has demonstrated his ability to keep Farragut at a high level, so I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them step up. I've also watched this South Doyle junior class since they entered the league as freshmen. This may be their time. Matt Buckner has also gotten Bearden to play at a higher level. Last year pitching was a question mark. Heritage has been much better the past couple of years, and Maryville and William Blount always field competitive teams. I'm not dissing Sevier Co. or LC, just don't know much about them. Should be an exciting season.

West has been looking for pitching since their 2004 class graduated. If they can get some guys on the mound to throw strikes they should hit the ball well enough to at least give a few teams some competition. They had a couple of freshmen log a lot of innings last year on the mound. If those guys continue to improve that will be a help.

Halls still has a lot of talent, even after losing some great seniors. What impact will Knox West have moving into the district?

I hope ya'll realize that this great January weather probably means a miserable February and March.

Good to hear from you Guru. Hope you are doing well. College ball is going ok. Everyone is excited to see what kind of product Bernie Young puts on the field at Milligan. The players liked the previous coach, Danny Clark, a lot. But I think they've grown comfortable with Bernie. Bernie has a different style, so I think the players had to adjust. I've heard nothing but good things about Bernie from former players, teammates, and acquaintances. It's generally not a problem in high school ball, but at Milligan you're always on pins and needles to see if anyone gets into academic trouble. Hopefully everyone will be eligible. I just saw that Knox West had posted its preview at tbca.org. It's going to be weird not thinking of them as a district 4 team anymore.

LC - The district 4 tourney has been as follows: Based on regular season standings, two pools are formed. These pools have been hosted by the top 2 regular finishers. The tourney is double-elimination. Pool 1 1 plays 8 4 plays 5 Pool 2 2 plays 7 3 plays 6 My memory is fuzzy, but after there are two teams left standing in each pool the brackets cross. The undefeated team from each pool gets the other pool's 1-loss team. The top two teams qualify for the regional tournament vs. the top two teams from district 3. Welcome to the district. The past few years this district has been one of the toughest in the state.

I noticed that Farragut had posted its spring preview at tbca.org. Coach Pharr commented that this is one of his least-experienced teams in awhile. He didn't even have probable starters listed for several positions. They'll return probably the top pitcher in the KIL in Catapano, but have lost mainstays like Delmonico, Brown, Jennings, and Ivey. On the other hand South Doyle's "fabulous freshmen" are now juniors. Bearden returns a veteran lineup. Is this the year that someone besides Farragut wins the district?

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JD has started adding 2006 previews. http://www.tbca.org/ If you're school's not represented, get your coach on the ball!

A number of Blount Co. players left their 1st colleges. Have you heard if any are playing elsewhere this fall? Hodges, Parker, Ross, Tucker to name a few.

Hey DHeat, this question relates back to the 2004 players. I know a number of the Blount County players left their initial colleges. Have you heard if, and where, any of these guys are playing this year?

So HiwasseeVol, are you putting your hat in the ring? I know a certain local umpire who'd love to work games with you in the dugout.