MHeaton50

Being hit by pitches is a part of game. Most of the time it is because the batter has crowded the plate or the pitcher has just simply lost control of the ball. Batters are hit intentionally all the time. However, I do not think it is right to intentionally hurt the other players. It is true, my pitcher has on occasion hit some batters on purpose. This action was not to cause pain or hurt to the other team, but it was done to keep that batter from drilling another line-drive. More times than not, we have just simply kept the ball away from the batter hoping for a ground-out. But I am also speaking from the side where the catcher has always called the pitches. The pitcher and catcher call the game and decide what happens. No coach has ever told my pitcher to hit a batter on purpose. If the coaches are so afraid of another player getting a hit, then why don't we try the intentional walk? As a hitter, being intentionally hit or walked was basically a compliment.

We don't have class 12 hours a day and softball the other twelve hours. /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> Go Lady Rangers!!

I watched most of the game between North Greene and Unaka yesterday. North Greene's pitching has improved, and they were able to move around base runners very well. Unaka can still come out and be a very strong ball team. I saw a lot of pop-ups that could have been good base hits, and errors that don't normally happen. The Lady Rangers need to gain some faith in themselves not as individuals but as a team. I know they'll do well if they just stick together. Go Unaka!

Unaka DID win both games against Crockett. They also played earlier this evening and beat Hampton 14-0. sorry for the delay

The Lady Rangers have a very strong bond among the team this year. A lot stronger than in years past. A big majority of playing comes with the attitude....an attitude that the Lady Rangers hold. I'm very eager to see what they do this season

krich, Is this first statement true? Or am I having a Buckshot moment? haha

I wish he missed the mountains enough to come back

krichunaka, No I am very happy with the team I am with. But I meant that all of the team members from Unicoi are proud to be a Blue Devil and they have every right to feel that way. And I wasn't sure if it was 2-1 or 1-0...but yes, I was talking about that cold night.

If I were making up excuses as to why we lost this year against CAK, then I wouldn't be telling people that they are better than we were. I'm tired of trying to prove to you (wardawg) that I was not trying to cause trouble. I was simply letting people know Unaka wasn't giving up and that each and every one of our girls has dreams and something to look forward to this next season. I'm just going to do the adult thing and leave this message board. No offense, but I hope we never meet because I would hate to think that a fan would go so low as to fight over posts against a teenager. Fishunt, I do believe that Unicoi won the State Championship not too long ago for AA. I actually think it was in 2002 or 2003. As for everyone else, good luck and work hard.

UcSoftball, we do not all hate Unicoi. I would love to be able to say, "Hey, I play for Unicoi's softball team." When the Lady Devils walk on the field they know they're going to win and their opponent does too. They may not win every game but as long as the thought of it goes through their minds, they have a chance. Unicoi is tough...and Unaka held them to 2-1 in the tournament at Unicoi this year. That just goes to show you what a good ball game looks like when two good ball teams walk on the field.

Don't get all steamed up over a few paragraphs. I was just saying that by playing teams in your area every year you get to know each other and might as well mark a Win or Loss when you see that team coming up on the schedule. You do not have to travel to play better teams but it is good for the team and the learning experiences. It is true Tennessee schools are not classified up to 4A and 5A schools, but some other schools out of state are. They can also be likesome schools up north and be classified as Division 1-3, 1 being the largest. And I wasn't talking smack. Nor was I making "reservations" at the Holiday Inn. True we have lost substate the past three years. But that is no reason we shouldn't motivate ouselves and determined to go to the State Tournament. It is something to look forward to. A team cannot go anywhere by having an "I hope we win" attitude. In 2002 and 2003 we were a very young team. This year against CAK we were better than what we played. But I can't complain. They were a better team than we were. The problem with posts on this site is that everyone takes every word as an offense. Why don't we try to be adults and brush it off your shoulder when someone kicks dirt on you. And also think about what you're saying, the person you put down on here may be a bridge you have to cross later. ....Oh and Unaka is in northest TN. (Elizabethton)

All Conference from Unaka was (MVP) Ryann Musick, Brittany Taylor, Megan Heaton, Julie Roberson, and Kelly Allen

doodle_bug, email me also. Jarfly is my second dad! mheaton20@hotmail.com

I agree that you can only make yourself better by playing the best. But do not be happy with just playing single A even if that is the classification you are in. Schedule 3A 'powerhouse' schools and hold them to one run. Play the biggest schools and the best competition during your reagular season. Then play your conference, district, and regional games. Go to big tournaments out of state and play the 5A State Champs of 2004 from South Carolina like Unaka did...and we only got beat 4-1. I have never seen Friendship play and although I am sure they are very good, I would not be talking so much smack until they win the State Tournament in 2006. It is true that Unaka lost four starting seniors. I am almost positive that with the summer ball and training that the Lady Rangers have done so far this summer those positions can easily be, if not already, filled. Unaka will have five seniors, four juniors, four or five sophmores and the reast freshmen. The positions that will be open are going to be filled by under classmen. Do not underestimate the Lady Rangers!!! I hope everyone is working hard and I look forward to seeing you at the state tournament!

Unaka is going for A

CAK beat Unaka 6-1 today. The lady Rangers only had 2 or 3 hits and chipped in about 4 errors. Unaka laid the bunt down numerous times but unfortunatly couldn't hit the runners in from third base - this happened quite a bit. CAK has a young team that is very talented. I've heard they will move to AA next year. We wish them the best. Too bad the Lady Rangers ended their season with a loss. But then a wise man once told me "Every team in the state ends their season with a loss except one." ....so very true.

I have learned from past experiences that UH can bunt...a lot. Coach Petty deffinately knows 'small ball'. I recently heard that UH beat Rockwood 4-2 tonight. And the Lady Rangers plan to see them in Memphis

No offense to the Ranger Baseball team, but their last game against Happy Valley was more like a hitting contest than a game...

Well obviously you can tell who goes to what school. Sure, Unaka has had a rough time this year but they always pick up around tournament time. Big whoop HV beat them 3 times. I mean, why would you want to brag about beating a school who is smaller than you? Beat someone your own size or bigger. That is how Unaka and other small schools get better. They play teams who will MAKE them play up to their potential. And the game against Sullivan North (4-2) Blevins pitched and Sullivan East (3-2) Swearingen pitched....two very talented prospects in the making.

Back to Coachh17, "Goat Man" is great and we all hope you're doing well too. I had to admit it but I miss you as a coach. haha Good luck in Nashville...

I believe one pitcher can carry her team through a whole season if she takes care of herslef and her arm. I do not believe I have seen anyone practice more in the off season to only get better than Musick from Unaka. She is constantly going to the Fitness center and going to pitching practice countless times a week with her dad and Jarfly Dugger. She's a trooper...like her dad ....If only all players could be like Musick and have the desire to be all they can be

In the beginning of the season Unaka and a few other tri cities teams traveled to South Carolina to be in the Azalea Invitational. We whitnessed some bad behavior from one of the teams we played against but they were from another state. Ohio, I think. But that is the only bad behavior I have seen this year. It all starts with discipline. If the player (or anyone for that matter) knows they can get away with it they are, more than likely, going to do it. Too many warnings and second chances are dished out.

Yes, the loss of one player could hurt the team. Even if the team had a back-up player in line for the lost one's position. Edgar had the skills every player should hold. That spot in the batting lineup, field, and pitching staff will be hard to go un-noticed. It is a shame what happened to Mary. We only wish her and the Lady Cyclones the best. I know this is an Elizabethton post, but speaking of lost players. Unaka has 16 players left on their team. 4 out fielders, 6 infielders, and the rest are courtesy/pinch runners. If any one of the 10 starters get hurt at all, the team is also hurt for the rest of this season. 5 of the 6 runners are freshmen and unexperienced. Though the under classmen will learn in time, the positions held by the upper classmen will take loads of work to cover if needed. Sallee Taylor is out with a sprain. And I might also add that Ryann Musick is not only our ace but our whole pitching staff as well. She is doing extremely well this season. She deserves a good pat on the back.

Cloudland has a great bunch of girls who show a lot of class. I know they'll find their "groove" soon. And I agree, it all starts with communication. But as for them having a coach like Unaka's softball team? Well...I do believe that the players make the coach. Coach Hicks has been around softball long enough to know that you can't make the team do something if their heart is not in it. And I'm proud to say that Unaka's softball program has A LOT of heart!!!

So, krichunaka, I do believe that Miss Heaton will be fine without her sweetie (Tee Blevins). A little birdy told me that she supported him all the way and looks forward to his success in Australia thumb