VTEC

We like the "toe touch" it stops the stepping out and keeps the batters head and eyes on the same plane with the pitcher. No stride , just lift the foot and touch back down , loading up the back leg. The Lady Vols use this method and several of the better hitting instructors in our area also teach this method. Players with long strides will have a harder time with this than those with a short stride. Most kids adapt with a little work..........

11 innings, WB-0 Heritage-1.........

Kristin Simmons SS/C Knox Halls/Tn Impact signs to play at Hiwassee College. Way to go Kristin

@ William Blount Monday May 08, 2006 : Heritage vs Maryville 6:00 Farragut Vs William Blount 8:00 Come early get a good seat , these two will be fun to watch........

Jennifer Halcomb C/2b Powell High/Tn Impact has signed to play at Hiwassee College.....

Bearden 12 Sevier Co 4 Lenoir City 12 South-Doyle 13 The tournament is at WB

District 4AAA first two rounds will be single elimination. 5-6-7-8 will play on Wednesday May 3rd, the winners will play 3-4 on Thursday the 4th.(I think). 1-2 will enter play on Monday May 8th (double elimination) against the winners of the single elimination round(again I think that is the way it works).......

Sounds like a good game. Tried to call you last night TNT didn't know the game ran 13 innings. Alcoa may get to play Gibbs again, you know what they say, hard to beat a team three times in one season......

In our district the teams draw a number( 1-8 since there are eight teams) at the beginning of the season. Any tie breakers at the end of district play are decided by who has the best number, with number one being the best........

Wed. April 26 @ LC.

And to sum it up let the girls decide. If they want to play with their friends they grew up with and represent their community school ,let them. Go watch and support them. Enjoy it ,in a few short years they will be gone but you will have some great memories. If they want play exposure/travel ball and it's in the budget same thing, help them to reach their goals. Just be sure it's what your child wants not what you or your ego wants. I have three daughters two have played for their high schools, one will play in college next year and the youngest gave it up after 12U. My wife went into labor at a high school game with the youngest and I guess after all the high school and seven or eight years of travel ball she was burned out. So guess what, she loves to fish so we fish. The boat sat in the garage for six years because of travel ball, but we are making up for lost time now. Love em, support em, let them be themselves you will be suprised how much fun you can have........

If you have players who working toward playing in college there are several things you need to consider. It helps to have a highschool coach who is willing to do their part. College coaches do not call highschool coaches to find out about a players skills they want to know about character, dependability, leadership, can the player handle an academic schedule and a softball schedule? They talk to the school counselor about grades, ACT/SAT, class rank, and citizenship. If you have a highschool coach and counseling dept that will do this you are very lucky. We had this at the school where my daughter plays, they were very helpful. As far as travel ball, if you have players who want to play at the next level exposure tournaments are a must. Some things you should remember about exposure tournaments: Before you sell the farm to go play in Colorado, California, Florida where ever be sure your players are willing to move away from home to play college ball. Some girls are ,some are not. Our travel team played in tournaments in Ohio, Kentucky, Florida and several girls were contacted by schools in those states but not one of them wanted to move that far away from home. Parents may want to see games and can't afford to travel to see their child play if they are 500+ miles away. Talk to your child and your travel ball coach, see if everyone is on the same page. It is very expensive to travel and play exposure tournaments. We have three players and one former player who will play in college next year but none of them will be more than 200 miles from home. Of course none are playing Div. I , but all are happy with their choices. Lots of things to consider and talk about, don't waste time and money find out what your child wants and go from there. Take it from someone who has been there and as they say done that. Just my thoughts didn't mean to run so long........

Good tournament, the folks at Gibbs did a great job. Got to see part of a Goodpasture game, very good team, wish they could have stayed for Sunday. WB played the Cave Springs team twice lost 2-1 in INT, and 3-1 Sunday(our catcher and centerfielder couldn't be there Sunday) so it hurt us. Cave Springs had good pitching plus good speed and power. They played like a team that expected to win every game. Would have loved to have seen them and Goodpasture play. It was nice to meet you also LadyEaglesfan, always nice to put a face with a name. Again good job with the tournament.....

In the Knoxville area the Knoxnews/Prepextra post all team stats and individual player stats if the coaches will only send them in. Very few coaches do. If you are interested: knoxnews.com

Rachel did not pitch at Farragut last night, Jessica Houser pitched for WB.....

Great story,God Bless, I just love a happy ending....

District 4 head/head: WB loss to Maryville, Win vs Farragutt, play Heritage on the 13th. Heritage win vs Maryville, Farragut , play WB on the 13th. Maryville win vs WB, loss vs Farragut, Heritage. Farragut, win vs Maryville, loss vs WB and Heritage. looks interesting, WB plays Farragut today last time it went 10 innings ,good ball game.......

Enough about Halls. District 4 is getting interesting. Farragut beat Maryville last night 2-1, that leaves Heritage as the only team without a district loss and they play Maryville today. This is shaping up to be a very tight race in district play.... District records: Heritage 5-0 Maryville 5-1(I was wrong on Maryville,they did not get the Sevier County DH in so they are 3-1, but lost to Heritage 4-3 last night) William Blount 6-1 Farragut 2-2

Thanks, LadyEaglesFan....

Gibbs Lady Eagles Tournament, pools, times...?

Blount County and Maryville were on Spring Break last week. Knox County and Alcoa are on Spring Break this week. Maryville beat WB last night 9-3......

I believe it is different for every pitcher. My daughter needs at least 15 min. to warm up. Her pitching coach asks that she warm up plus do her exercises for curveball, different pitches with movement,etc. I know during travel season she will tell me she is not warm and we give her more time. Whatever it takes for your pitcher to feel confident.....

You have to be honest with yourself and your children. If you cannot be objective about your daughter's abilities then how will she ever improve. I have three daughters who played softball (one a pitcher) I explained to them their weaknesses and what we needed to do to improve their game. It is not easy and requires a lot of work for all involved. One was happy to play in high school and be done. The youngest did not want to play anymore after 12U. The middle one is a senior and just commited to play in college next year. Again be honest with yourself and your kids and do what it takes to improve their skills. Don't blame coaches, other players, parents or the system. Make the effort to improve and your child will succeed.....

Rachel Wall, P William Blount has committed to Emory and Henry and will continue her academic and softball future in Emory ,Virginia. Now maybe I can get a little rest.

Hey a fishing trip sounds great, just don't think I'll take it easy on you... Wonder how the fishing is in Virginia, there's a pond on campus where Rachel is headed..... Remember old fishermen never die they just smell that way.....