3ANDOUT

I predict a very, very good ball game. BA one the first matchup and would "seal the deal" for Div.II season champs with a win because they do not have any district losses, but I am sure Father Ryan would dearly love to foil those plans!

The 8th grader you speak of is very good. I watched her play against BA a couple of times this year. Even though Columbia Academy lost both times, they were good games. I wish she would catch for my younger daughter, Riley Mashburn! That would make quite a tandem! If you ever leave your current travel team, we have a very good team that would love for her to come and play with them, the younger explosion team, in the 14U bracket. Good luck in the future.

Cassie Simpson for BA is a great catcher. She does an awesome job behind the plate and has a good bat too! But, beyond her great athletic ability is one very smart young lady.....straight A student her entire high school carrer.

The HVAC district tournament is next week. This includes most all of the Williamson County Middle Schools along with CPA and DCA. The tournament is held at Crockett Park. Should be a great tournament.

Regarding the slap: At BA for several years the coaches have tried to take a quick runner with a good eye for the ball and turn them into a slap bunter/hitter. One of those "chosen" to do this was Allye Ellwanger---she is now a junior. She does not play travel ball and has only had a few hitting lessons...to basically slap. She hasn't had much success with the slap. Well, this year the coach didn't "push" her to do this....and guess what she has been hitting the ball fairly well. Last night she rocketed one over the left field fence, 220...out of the park home run! What an inspiration! Go Allye!!

My 2 cents on the umpiring in Middle Tenessee is: they call a good game and are fair. Which is what every player, coach and parent wants! I know that I am always happy when we get Genie (sp?), Craig, Shelly, Phil...okay I am going to hurt feelings because there are soooooo many good umpires and I certainly don't know all of their names but it is really a good bunch of people. What is really cool with the umps in Middle TN is that they love the sport and take an interest in the kids! And from my viewpoint, they want to get the calls right! Good job blue!

Why are you punished "no matter what?" I guess that is what seems so incredibly unbelievable to most of us. If the coach needed to be somewhere else at a crisis moment in their life...it wouldn't be allowed either? Why? From a very human - human being sitting here, I find this difficult to understand. Even professional athletes, who are paid quite well, have things happen in their life that require their attention/time to be spent somewhere else momentarily. I would hope that coaches would NEVER puts life and death situations in front of softball...afterall it is high school softball. Believe me, I love the sport and have devoted a lot of time and money to it for many years. Frivilous excuses to miss practice and games doesn't cut it with me either. But their are prioriies in life and they need to be put in perspective. So being punished "no matter what" is not a standard I would be proud of. Sorry.

Right - that was the most heartfelt post I have read. I am so proud of YOU for supporting your daughter. Many parents would be broken by their childs decision. Lots of parents will "push" their kids to endure situations that they themselves would never tolerate. Sounds like your daughter has learned some of the more valuable issuses in life - like integrity and true friendship - way more valuable than pitching a fast ball. But I have watched you and Susan for many years - thru travle ball and club k and you have a wonderful relationship. I only wish Shelby could have played more softball with Susan...friends like that are what matter most in life. Way to go dad....your post was really refreshing.

I'm just now reading this thread. We don't live in Wilson county. However, my daughter has played travel ball with both Susan and Meghan before. I really like both girls. Susan is such a great kid. I hate to see her forfeit her high school career. What an awful thing to have happen after you have worked so hard for so many years! My heart breaks for all the kids, on and off the team, how painful. It is really too bad someone couldn't have done something to have prevented all of this........Hang in there...who knows what tomorrow will hold!

I hope that Jill Skinner has another awesome day! The girl can fly when she wants to. I doubt anyone will come close to beating her in the 2 mile. Such a great girl too! I have to go to Blondie's softball game today Jill, but I will be on the cell phone keeping up with everyone! Good luck!

In reading this post I thought what Zacsdad said was good. He was complimenting the team player who apologized on behalf of the parents or people who were out of line. Having said that, is it wrong to disapprove of people using foul language directed - directly at teenage ball players? Even if this kind of behavior is only done by a few? I should hope not! High school girls should not be the brunt of anyones physical/verbal abuse. I would hope our girls are surrounded by parents-people-coaches who have a higher respect for the sport and the individual girls than just dismissing this kind of behavior. Thanks. Eccl.7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

I think Brentwood will be really strong. They will have five top A pitchers. Two incoming Freshmen pitchers are Jennifer Mayor and Riley Mashburn. Riley has been averaging 12 strikeouts per game in her travel ball season and has been hitting the ball extremely well this year.

The BA pitcher was Shelby Mashburn. She pitched all five of the BA games in the tournament. Somewhat tired by the fifth game (lol!) but held on until she was just out of gas!

Jill Skinner, from Brentwood High who is only a junior, ran 17:54 at the state meet last Saturday. It doesn't get much better than that!!

Andrew is the best - he represents Brentwood Academy well. Down the street at Brentwood High, is the best female runner in the state, Jill Skinner.

Congratulations to the 12U Nighthawks. They finished top 4 at the NSA A National's and are headed to the Super World Series Labor Day weekend!

Just to add to "cassie dora's" remarks... she has been my catcher now for almost 5 years... and i would be nowhere w/o her!! She does such an incredible job behind the plate and works hard off the field. She has come such a long way to become an all around awesome ball player and im excited that she is going to be back for one more year (and very sad that thats it) leading the eagles as a senior. Just wanted to say thanks so much Cas - your the best!! PS - NO PASSED BALLS AT STATE!!! Good luck next year to all the Lady Eagles- yall did great this year!

Yes Siree, the seniors at BA are awesome!! All three girls have hit some killer shots this year... and Liz you hit the day lights out of the ball the other day in the FHS game...clean over the center fielder for an easy stand up double! So proud of you. The trio has played some terrific defense too!! Jessica L. has scooped some plays at 1st that a lot of players might not have been able to do & is so ready to bust that ball!! Chrissa has played everything from 2nd, 1st and short...and, she has been hurt but still played well! The regular season is behind you...now is the time to put it all together in Memphis. All the Eagles are good ball players... from our juniors, Leigh & Cassie on down to our 8th grader Caitlin. But now is the time to step it up. Seniors thanks for taking the time to work with the rest of the team on and off the field. The extra effort has been time well spent. Hope your younger sister on the mound heals!! GO EAGLES!

BA plays Father Ryan at 5pm at BGA today. Should be a good game. Good luck Lady Eagles!! Hope Chrissa's injury is better!!

When does BHS play...would love to come cheer you all on!

What tournaments are you playing in this year?

bigA52... your words were very truthful and direct. Very refreshing! Even more so to read this on CoachT! Inspired I am sure, by Someone bigger than all of us. You spoke well --- proud of you.

I don't know you at all Queenie. But reading these threads, you have taken a spanking! I wish our team had a few more enthusiastic fans! From what I have read up until this marathon bashing went on--- you are very spirited and encouraging. Excellent apology - keep your chin up. I hope your critics have the grace to accept and move on. "A foolish person lets his anger run wild, but a wise person keeps himself under control."

BGA played a good game. They won 5-3. Their short stop was awesome. I don't know her name or grade, but she is one heck of a player. She devoured everything that came her way and more. She played with such heart! That girl really wanted to play softball!! Congratulations.

Hey Coolio, what is your problem? You rag on St. Cecila not having a good team and now you are bad mouthing BA? Who has an attitude problem? HH had 1 run, it wasn't enough. Game over. Sorry.