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ERA, Does this mean the Chattanooga HS softball programs may be in jeopardy next year.?? Please keep us informed on what you hear. This is BIG news.

Indian, I can't understand why none of the Soddy players made it. This team was loaded with freshmen, and went all the way to the championship game with a senior loaded Beech team. Nikki Waters had a great year pitching, and great support from her teammates. I'm not a Soody fan, but I try to give credit to every team and player. I just don't understand this. Would you please give me some idea why no Soddy players made it.

ERA, You're GOOD. I got one up on you. She was a member of the ASA National champs Nashville Eagles in 1997. Did you pull those stats off the Northwestern web page, or talk to her dad??? You do amaze me with the knowledge you have over so many years. DUCKHUNT, she was all they had as a number one, and yes she pitched that many games. The team as a hold was only average, with three really good players. If Ryan scored one or two runs, they won. Reminds me of Libscomb this year. I still believe Brooke is the best player to come out of this state.

I would say that Nikki Waters @ Soddy gets my vote.

Someone asked you held state or national pitching titles from Tennessee. This was brought up due to Megan Rhodes @ Libscomb newspaper article. I found some old records to share. Brooke Siebel from Father Ryan in 1997 completed her career with 1,603 strikeouts. She was only the third player nationally to go over the 1,600 strikeout mark, placing her third behind only Olympian Michele Granger ( 1,635 ) and Paige Stamp ( 1,703 ). I think she holds all Tennessee records up to 1997. Brooke had only four years of playing, and I believe Megan had 5 years. Coach Davis will have to confirm this. I believe Megan started as an 8 grader. Ryan was also a AAA team at that time.

It looks like most all of the teams in AAA will lose most of their teams for next year. From what you guys are saying, It looks even more likely Soddy will repeat for two years at least. How many starters does Knox- Central and DC return??

Opperman, I'm not trying to cause problems, but there are some things that need to be improved for next year. I just hope that the people that have been around this sport for many years impute will help make it better for everyone. I didn't mean to jump on you. You were kind enough to respond. I do appreciate that.

Cobrakid8, That was a great post. You are the first Soddy faithful who has had the guts to get on line and give credit to the winners. Soddy is a GREAT team, but sometimes I think the Soddy faithful do not give credit to the teams that beat them. I also picked Soddy to win it, because Beech was up & down like you said. I questioned if they had the focus and want to get the job done. Well, I guess we know the answer to that. I have already picked Soddy to win the next three years. I would like to see if anyone else will go out on a limb and make that predicition?? Backoff has said nothing on these post. I would like to hear from him.

Ladyadmiral, Did you read my post on how Farragut played in the state??? You never responded, so I didn't know if you saw it. To everyone; I don't see anyone that can take Soddy next year. The only teams that I think will be able to stay with them are as followed. Riverdale, Knox- Central ( if they don't graduated to many starters ), Dickson County. As I said in another post, I look for Soddy to win it the next three years. Does anyone have any comments on this.

Antwan, Your correct on that point. Brinkley is one of the best I have seen in this sport in 20 years. She will be missed. Clifford and her won't be able to banter with each other. That is a show in itself. She really will miss him; she told me that.

Queenie, You go girl!!!! That is my point also. If you were not in Memphis, you were not able to see the things they did not do for the athletes. Maybe we have been spoiled by the way Chattanooga runs Spring Fling, and how the entire city gets on board. I just don't see this out of Memphis. ERA & you have some good ideas, but everyone agrees that it may need to be moved around the state every few years. Good you hear from you, you have been quiet for a long time.

ERA, you make some very good points, and I don't disagree with you. I guess my issue is the perceived lack of commitment to Spring Fling by Memphis. When a city tries to make all events important to the athletes, the other items you mentioned are not as important. Chattanooga has always been well run. They do know how to run Spring Fling. I look at how the entire package is but together, not just the playing facilities. The ball fields were very good with lots of parking, etc., but all the other items were not so good.

Beech will have the hardest time next year. They lost more this year than any time in the past 15 years. In addition, they lost 7 starters who were really good players. With only 3 underclassmen who saw time this year, they will have to rebuild next year. This is the first time they have encounters this.

Opperman, I to believe the fields were as good as you could get with the rain issue. I have no problems with the fields as some other people have. I will agree with STD that we have played on alot worst. I appreciate your comments about some of the lying that occured, and I realize this is not your fault. But like everything in life; someone is going to get the blame. Please read my post in the " Article in the paper post". I wrote a response to that thread before I saw this one. I know you guys are trying to do a good job, the problen is you have a high standard to achieve when compared to Chattanooga.

Buki4like & Opperman, As far as being fair and equal to all parties, I agree that Nashville would make the most sense. Having been a high school coach, it comes down to money. Now my dealing were many years ago, but I believe the system still works like this. Each city puts together a package, and submit a bid to the TSSAA. The TSSAA panel then select a city. My question is this; if the city that gets the Spring Fling does not meet the terms of the contract, what are the penalties for not meeting the contract. My next question is the issue that came up last year about having it in Southhaven. DID the city say that the tourn. would be help in the Memphis area in 2004??? I also want to know why the media did not do a better job. The papers, news stations didn't even report the champions in each event. I also believe the golf tournament excuse is a cop out. Many teams has to leave their hotels on Friday morning because of another ball tournment coming in and they did not have enough rooms. I ended up in Tunica along with some other teams. There is no excuse for this!!! That to me a lack of commitment to Spring Fling or poor planing. Opperman, I think a lot of people would also like some answers to these issues. Your reply would be appreciated.

Buki4life80 & Opperman, I have comments for both of you. First of all is the fact that it is played in Southhaven. The facilities were GREAT; the issue to me is the revenues going to Mississippi. Second, I may be spoiled with Chattanooga and sentimental, BUT no one does a better job putting on a ball tournment than Chattanooga. They could'nt even get the times right in the paper, programs, etc. in Memphis. Third, the local news stations, paper, etc. did a poor job covering Spring Fling events. Chattanooga does a great job in the media for all sports and events. Fourth, the issue about having it in Southhaven came up last year. The city of Memphis told the TSSAA that they had to have it in Southhaven because the facilities were not completed. The next year they would have it in Memphis. We have played tournments in Germantown before, and they have enough room and great fields to play there. Why did they not have them in that area of town???? I just have a feeling that all is not right about this situation.

STD, I will second your comments. I would like to add one team that I think everyone overlooked because they didn't play in the tournments you named. I was very impressed with the Knox- Central team. They were very good and I believe if they had entered the tournments you named, they would have faired very well. I just wish the teams you named could play a round robin best three out of five for all the marbles. This would be fun to see when all the teams are playing for the gold. WE need to put that one together for fun. I believe the "king of the hill" would be a great idea.

Chrisburr5555, I hope you keep your day job, because you sure don't need to take up handycapping for a living;you will be VERY poor. You had the score right on the Soddy- Beech game, just the wrong winner. Ha, Ha. Second, the high scores you had on EVERYONE were out to lunch. Most all games were 1 or 2 runs scored with extra endings on most. You must be a Soddy fan, because I have heard nothing from any of them about the outcome of Beech winning. The Soddy faithful were guaranteeing a state championship. I would like someone to explain what went wrong. I only mention this because of the irony of the comments. I remember 1997 when Ooltewah was quoted in the Chattanooga paper ( Lea Tucker ) that Beech did'nt even belong on the field with them. They made many comments that really po-ed the Beech players. The outcome of THAT game was the worst beating by any AAA team in history ( in the championship game). Beech broke several records in that game, and Norma never allowed her players to do a press interview from that point foward. Just to bring everyone up to date, Brinkley tensure at Beech was 8 years( she has retired after this state ). The record during her tensure is 3 championships, 2 second, 1 fifth, 2 did not make state. Not bad !! This is as good, or better overall record than Clifford tensure at Soddy for the same time period. I will note this however; the Soddy team reminds me of the Goodpasture program. The current Goodpasture players have been unstopable. With the young and tallented team Soddy has, I predict them winning the state for the next three years. How is that for going out on a limb!!! To the Soddy players; you guys are still awesome, and your championships will come. P.S. DUCKHUNT, I'm with you!! I want some of what he's smoking.

Daisymae, You need to post what age group, so we can point you to some good players in your area. Thanks.

Redbarron, I tried to come by to see you after I returned from Memphis yesterday, but you were not at work. I will make you a tape of the game so you can watch it. I also taped several others. Let me know when you will be working, and I will bring you a copy. I did not see the normal film crew taping any of the championship games like they did in Chattanooga. Very disappointed in that. These players will cherish that for the rest of their lives.

That is not the only game a lot of people were wrong on. 75% picked Baylor, Libscomb, Goodpasture, and Soddy. Guest what!!! 75% of us were wrong including me. If you were not able to attend the state, you missed a good one. The Soddy faithful have been very quiet. I want to know what went wrong with their predicitions. Just messing with ya. Soddy will be the team to beat for the next three years. Soddy players; you guys played some great games!!!! Beech had a little extra motivation besides having 7 senoirs. The Beech coach coached her last game. She wants to spend more time with her two small children. She will miss you Coach Kirt; she told me so.

Redbarron, Well they did it. Coach Brinkley has coached her last game. Your correct that she knew this before the season started, but did not want to cause any distractions. Beech decided to take care of business. I pity the AAA for the next three years in dealing with Soddy. They really played well.

Boro Balla, I hope Blackman beats Soddy, but Jennifer looked like she was getting tired to me. IF Blackman, can play good defense against Soddy, they have a chance. I believe Blackman can hit Waters, but they must be patience and look for good pitches. I want a middle TN. championship game with Beech and Blackman.

Ladyadmiral, I wanted to tell the Farragut faithful they need to be very proud of their team this year. I watched several games, and they were better than I thought. The game with Knox- Central was GREAT. I know you and I had several emails talking about how they would fair at state. I was impressed with their performanae. This also applies to Knox Central. They are a very good team. If you want more info on some of the Farragut games, let me know. To all the Farragut ladies, be proud and hold your heads up.

Warrior, Wish you could be here. They have had more extra ending and 1 run games than any year I have seen at state. All the teams have played very well, and if you enjoy watching good ball you have missed some good ones. On behalf of the Beech faithful, Thanks for the support. They have been playing good ball.