bizazz

Baseball, like football, is played outdoors. However football games are "special". Not counting playoff games there are only 5 games in the fall. They are usually at the same time, on the same day. Football has been long-established as a community event. In most communities baseball doesn't have that kind of stature. Because baseball season starts (and ends) so early, a lot of the season is played in worse weather than what we experience in football. By playing so early in the day you rule out a lot of casual fans. In my case my son no longer plays in high school. I cannot justify taking off from work just to see a game anymore. My son's former high school always played the varsity game first, then jv. If the varsity were playing later, I'd make a point to get by the ballfield more often. There are some exceptions around the state. Most of those involve big schools with well-established programs. In Knoxville Farragut will get more "casual" fans than most other schools. I think Farragut's support is a combination of its tradition, location, and excellent venue to watch a game.

Definitely a difference in the commitment level. Aside from keeping up with your studies, your life revolves around the baseball team. The team is very much like a fraternity. One major difference relates to the academic side. If you play college football or basketball you are generally competing on evenings and weekends. A lot of college ball (particularly small college) happens during the day. Baseball players miss a lot of classes. Players that were stars, or "the man", in high school may have to adjust to being a role player in college. College coaches have absolute power for the most part. High school coaches have to jump through hoops with school administration and may have to deal with parents. Parents generally have no standing with a college coach.

Wow. Was the game at Heritage or at Farragut? Farragut has had some tough games at Heritage in the past.

Wasn't it Clinton or Campbell Co. that was also no-hit by Lee Henry at Karns?

While there's some very good pitching around, I'm beginning to think there are some teams that just can't swing the bat at this point in the season.

This is from memory. I think the pitcher must go 4 innings in a 7 inning game. There are exceptions in college if a starter is designated to only go a set number of innings (for example - 3). If the starter doesn't go 4, and his team wins, the most "effective" reliever gets the W. I've always thought this unfair, since a starter can pitch less than an inning and get an "L". If a starter can pitch less than 4 innings, but be "most effective", he should get the "W" IMO. Somebody let me know if I'm wrong about this. In your scenario I think the reliever, rather than the starter, would get the W. And, I don't think it would've been a save in any case since the reliever entered the game with 6 run lead.

Wow. 2 no-hitters in a row? That's impressive stuff.

Guys, I'm just a casual observer, but I've seen the District 3 trash talk go on for several years now. I know most of it is all in good fun. However, it can be embarassing when talk comes back to bite you in the butt. To get respect...give respect. I'm not directing my comments at any one individual, but to everyone. I've been watching high school baseball for several years. The players and teams I respect the most are the ones that do their talking on the field. Just my opinion - which isn't worth anything. Looking forward to a fun season.

Based on the linescore in the paper you guys were zoned-in pretty well vs. West on Monday.

Where's the game being played? SD is an obvious favorite. However Heritage has managed to pull off some big upsets at their home park.

If Farragut falls short of recent success it won't be due to Catapano. He was good enough to be the #2 starter on a national top 5 team two years ago. He was good enough to be recruited by a number of major DI schools.

I guess it's just the nature of the beast, but a lot of discussion on this board deteriorates into a trash-talking contest. A little smack can be fun, but folks look mighty stupid when they get their butts handed to them in a game. I remember a couple of years ago when Kyle Waldrop got trashed in some circles - just because folks were apparently jealous of his success. Also in the last couple of years there's been a lot of Powell-Karns smack talk. If it's respect you are craving, then I'd suggest earning it by the way you carry yourself in public and on the diamond.

Playing basketball as your second sport is a lot different than playing football as your second sport. Much greater risk for injury in football.

Lockwood's future is obviously baseball. He's signed a baseball scholly w/Tennessee. I don't know why he "quit", but he's certainly within his rights to do so. If he were my son, I'm not sure I'd want him risking an injury on the gridiron.

I haven't seen them in person. I'm hearing that pitching depth is still a concern, just like last year. They may be able to put enough runs on the board to win a few games.

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.

JMHO Milligan's biggest issue is run production. They've scored 3 runs or less in 9 of their 12 games, and only 10 runs in the past 4 games. 3 or 4 of the starters have done ok. I think the #1 and #2 starters both have earned run averages under 3 at present. But, if you're not scoring but 3 runs or less, that's not good enough. They have a tough conference opener this weekend in Montreat (who returns a load of upper-classmen). I remember Milligan had a slow start last year as well. It's a long season, and playing well at tournament time is what really matters.

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.

Several of the AAC teams are not playing too well to date. I know many teams, including Bluefield, have new coaches. I wonder if the new coaching staffs are having to take time to find the best solutions to hitting, defense, and pitching.

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

Looks like a great start for all those guys.

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.