iconu2

Beech has really looked good this year. I have been watching them, for many years, and as a TEAM; they may be the best I have seen. Those girls really like each other, and pretty good tallent to boot.

All of the Beech games are on www.ibn.ihigh.com. Go to TN on main screen, Girls Softball, Live broadcast. IF you miss it live, you can go to the archives.

STD, I don't disagree with you on many points. I only question a good point you make; style of pitching, teams played on,etc. I do believe the overall play today is better with many good players, but I don't see as many dominant players as in the past. Question;"Could you " put a team together today as good as that Gold team or Don's teams during the 90's. Have any current teams in this state accomplished what they did over the same time period?? I really don't know and just asking. And yes the dementia is setting in. lol. Bigchief and others gave some impressive stats on the old timers, and I just ask who can match them in the last 4-5 years. Bigchief, I need a little help and support here. Ha, Ha.

Fastpitch101, I have to agree with Bigchief on this one. I have coached and played against the best of the best back in the 90's, and I have watched the talent in this state for over 20 years. I have to go with Bigchief on this one. The younger players are good, no doubt about it; BUT I believe most of the parents and players today did not have the opportunity to see the great players of the past. I try to put it all in perspective about who is the BEST. I look at what they did AFTER H.S. The players like Brooke Siebel ( I still think is the best all round ) to play in this state. Kaci Clark, April Faircloth, Beth Alexander, Amanda Fine, Jill Booth, Lindy Lowery, and others had great college careers. When you make All- American in college, you get my attention. To date, I don't know of any players in the past 4-6 years that have the college awards of these older players. Just my opinion.

Bledsoebtheboys, Ezellsoftball04 is correct. This the part of the game that a lot of players have a problem with. If I lose a game by 1 run, I fell like we did a good job against a good team.If we lose a game by 5 runs, we got a sound beating.

Mtnman, Amen!!! Well spoken. I don't know what has happened down in Soddy land over the past few years, but the behavior of the players, fans, and coaching staff is a little distrubing. Everyone wants to win, but as you said; Win with class; lose with class. I have NEVER seen teams like GPS, Baylor, Ryan, Beech, Goodpasture, etc. behave the way Soddy has. This use to not be the case. We have played Soddy for many years, and it was always a honor to play them. The mutual respect for the players, coaches, and fans made it a pleasure. It's getting to the point that no matter who is playing Soddy, everyone wants the other team to beat them. I address this to Clifford: I admire your ability as a coach, and the talent you have. I believe your players, fans, and the coaching staff may be your own worst enemy. The talent you have ( on paper ) should have won it this year. I'm truly happy that Red Bank beat you, they were the Cinderella team this year. Great job Red Bank!!!

Great job Red Bank, I really thought Soddy would get you guys. You played great ball and deserve to be state champion.

thumb Everyone, If you want to hear the Tennessee state softball games, they will broadcast live on the internet at www.ihigh.com. They had the Soddy vs. Beech game yesterday ( check archives ) It was a good one. They also have todays Beech vs. Red Bank at 6:30 Central time, and tommorrows game. Go to the Broadcast Network and click. This will take you to what games and when. It was very good. Hope this helps everyone.

Joeboxxer, Thanks for the info.

LJ1764, There is no text on the story about the Soddy vs. Beech game. I don't understand where the text is. They may be to embarrassed to write about it. P.S. No such thing as a fluke bunt

Redbarron, You can add me to the list of doubters. If you told me they would make to state this year, I would have bet the farm. This may be the biggest win in the history of Beech next to the 97 team. Great job Beech.

Sparrow 6, Thank you for your comments. I'm making these points based on many years of watching Beech and many other schools. I said in my statement that you could argue the talent point. I will be the first to admit they have out performed everyones expectations this year. I truly believe if you asked any of the players, coaches, fans, other teams, etc. you would get a general concensus that Beech would be down this year. I'm happy for them, and maybe the lack of pressure to perform has helped them. Again, and this is my own opinion; that they have played above their talent level. This is a credit to the players, coaches, etc. I'm not putting them down; I'm just pointing out some items for discussion. 1. You need to look at team batting, on base percentages, errors, etc. They have the worst ( team batting averages ) of any Beech team that I can remember. 2. Overall team speed to me is down. You watch teams like Soddy with those little bottle rockets; they will burn you. I think they do have some defensive holes, and the base running has at times has been questionable. All I'm saying to win the big prize, you have to be tops in these areas. I'm not trying to pick any fights, I'm just putting this out for discussion.

ERA, I owe you an apology. I did not mean for it to sound that way, and you're correct for not making broad comments on the message boards. Again, my apologies. You have always given credit where credit is due, and have never made excuses for Riverdale. Your first class in my book. Red Bank is a good team will do well at state.

STD, Kassie is a great leader, but you have to admit on paper that the lost of 7 starters, and a bench with little to no playing time would be a HUGE hurtle. Beech didn't look sharp most of the season. You're correct they have peaked at the right time, and I think the coaches have done an excellent job this year. In fact, I think Woods' should have been coach of the year. Lets face facts: 1. The least amount of talent in 15 years ( we can argue this one ). 2. Lost of coach Brinkley. 3. A much improved district. When Beech won the state in 1997, no one would have picked Beech to battle East Ridge in 98 for the title. That incoming freshman class was the BEST Beech has ever had. This class just does not have the overall talent of the previous years. I'm not trying to put any team down, I'm just looking at players and other teams talent. I do hope Beech can give a good showing this year in state. They are the most underrated Beech team in a very long time. I just love to discuss other teams with you. We need to get some of the other regulars in on these discussion such as backoff, Antwan, Indian, ERA, etc. Keep those cards and letters coming. lol.

STD, You cut deep!!! lol. This is the first time I've missed it in how many years. About 10!!! I believe if you took a poll of ANYONE this year, they would have put Beech at no better than third ( YOU INCLUDED ) With everyone back at Wilson Central, an improved Hendersonville & M.J teams; Beech was in for a rough road. I do admit they were better than I expected, and continued to improve as the year progressed. I truly hope the "curse " as you call it works. I also missed my two favorites to give Soddy a game in Brentwood and Riverdale. I also believed you picked them guru Stevo. The sleeper team may be Rossview. Anyway, good luck and bring it home. P.S. I know you're just trying to push the buttons. Just wait; I'll pay you back.

Roarsb1169, I spoke with the Riverdales pitchers father just a few minutes ago. Here is the short version. Falon arm was very sore and was not around the plate. Second, she had no speed. Third they were ripping the ball and made several errors. He said they were basically down and out the first ending. Give credit to Red Bank, they are a good team. I watched them early this year, and if you don't bring your A game now; you go home. With that said, I just don't see any team beating Soddy. My two picks didn't even get there ( Brentwood, Riverdale ) This leaves Beech and Rossview to give them a game, and frankly I just don't see it.

Rossview over Wilson Central 1-0

Beech and Rossview advance in region 5. Beech defeated Clarksville 5-2; Rossview defeated Wilson Cental 1-0.

Bleacherbum, John Polsteen, the Breentwood head coach father is the assistance. She was a great player for Breentwood in the mid 90's. Which Tyree are you talking about; there are two of them???

Congrads to Coffee. Just remember all you Coffee fans, one game doesn't make a season. Coffee did play well, but Stanfill didn't pitch one of her better games. Stanfill walked three in a row, and Coffee did get a timely hit. Lets just see where everyone is at the end. I still say that no one will beat Soddy when it counts. The only team I belive has a chance is Riverdale. Let see what happens.

Can someone enlighten me on what it going on with Soddy. As an outsider, I have not seen this at the tournments they have been in. All good teams have a little internal problems from time to time. Coach Kirk always has them ready when it counts.

I believe the only team that will be able to stay with Soddy at the end is Riverdale. Beech lost all but two players from last year, and just don't have the horses that Soddy does. They are better than I thought, but I don't believe they can hang with Soddy this year.

There were some really good games to start the year. Some of these teams looked like they were in mid- season form. I believe these are the teams to watch this year from the teams at MJ. Wilson Central will give Beech and Hendersonville lots of trouble this year. Hendersonville also looked strong. Brentwood and Riverdale were good and the surprise team to me was Ryan. This team as a whole was hitting the ball better than ANY Ryan team I have seen in 15 years. They were the best hitting team there. They may be the sleeper this year.

If today is any indication for this year, the playday at MJ will be interesting. These were the teams that looked good. Riverdale, Ryan, Wilson Central, Hendersonville, Brentwood. In one of the topics, STD thinks Beech will be in the mix this year. I don't see it. As someone said ( I believe Redbarron ) I just don't believe they have enough behind Stanfill. Second: Coach Brinkley had plaaned to call last year THE END even BEFORE the season started. So the person who said she bailed out because of the lack of tallent is WRONG.

Antwan, This is a terrible loss. He was the first real pitching coach in the Nashville area, and had many of the top pitchers in the early years. He will be missed.