GLee

Great Baseball Program and a Fantastic Coach!

You see, I totally agree with what you are saying except for one BIG part. Why put all of the burden of providing playing areas on the City of Elizabethton and the City School System? Yes, there needs to be an outlet for all, but to start this 'stink' when you don't know the facts is an outrage. Try getting some Carter County input, then get some knowledge of the city's plan, then post.

Rocky & CY, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I wouldn't have anyone else in this area coach this team and if I had raised P to be a pitcher, I certainly wouldn't complain about him playing that roll on this team.

You know me. If there was a problem going on I would be the first to address the situation. Baseball is a team game and they play as a team and each player has a 'roll' to fill. These young men do a fantastic job in thier perspective rolls and Payne has a very keen eye for filling the 'rolls' with the right players. He is extemely fortunate to have the personnel available to handle the team in this manner for the size of Elizabethton High School (around 800). The part of giving out 'rolls' is a very tough job for a coach, but the decisions Payne has made have led to nothing but success. I support him 100% as do 99% of the parents and fans. I have nothing but respect for the coach and the players for the effort they put into the game. Their practices are extemely well organized as is there efforts on the field of play. Now, in a few days the stats will be updated on www.cyclonesbb.com Everyone please take a peek and see where there are 'holes' that need to be filled. You would be hard pressed to replace anyone who is a regular contributor. Heck, I think my kid would like to pitch. Deke, would you or Rocky put him on the mound? Marley is doing a fine job. He has some starts under his belt in the field as well as on the mound. Gonna have to find another argument for that kid. To me, this thread seems to be tied to the Babe Ruth problem. What you distractors are doing is not good for the kids. I seem to have learned that lesson during football season. CoachT is a hoot at times, but when the kids read some of this stuff.......no it's not good. Furthermore, this is a terrible thread and is headed no where but down. Sorry, but there is no 'meat' in this oven.

Deke, I agree on the promises of the past and I know of no promises for the future. What I wrote is purely 'heresay' but I will check into this further. I do know for a fact that the infield and shallow outfield were aeriated and overseeded last season before the high school season began. The HS stayed off of the field. Signs were put on the field to this affect as well. The signs were found in the dug-outs and the work was a wasted effort due to the lack of respect to the field. So yes, there has been a previous attempt by the current AD to better the conditions. I'll check and give you a call.

From what I understand, there is going to be some work done on the field of play itself during the high school off season to better the field for middle school, freshman and JV play for the school. From what I have seen first hand, this work is absolutely necessary due to the lack of care during the summer baseball season. I would have to take this argument to the upper level management of the Babe Ruth / Dizzy Dean league of last year. Personally, I can't understand dragging a field with a car, but it was done. And there are other problems......if the league has to play on other fields, I would suggest much better care be taken. I hate to see the league in question have to play somewhere else, just as others, but the field needs extensive work. It is a school field first and the 'league' had use of the field at the pleasure of the school system. Yes, there were improvements, but the field itself gets trashed. This is not a popular position to take, but the field needs repairs. Simple as that. Why are the repairs being done? For the kids!

The man is a proven winner. His players are a TEAM. They know their rolls and accept them as members of the TEAM. I guess the biggest thing is that they are having fun being COACHED by someone who knows what he is doing and they respect him, both as a COACH and a MAN. No Payne, No Gain! As far as the players who left...........you just have to look at who they had to beat out for playing time and that gives you a solid answer. Very solid! Stats tell that story. THE END OF THIS STORY.....

'THE GAME' was and is scheduled to be played on Friday the 16th @ Sullivan East in Bluff City at 5P. I'd say there will be a great Carter County crowd as well as the locals. It will be a grand show for both schools. Good luck to both........ As far as this thread.........I'd start another to support the Rangers and put a block on the 'Track' guy. He speaks for himself, not the Cyclones. And Starman, Drew was a treat. The kid is a 'sponge' for baseball knowledge. Genetic......... Get after it and have fun at the ballfield! /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

Loaded and winning don't go together sometimes. I'm sure DB will have a fantastic season but they have to win the ones that really count. SH will play everyone tough to the end. Those young men are competitors. Good luck.....

1 Stone plays defense on the perimeter very well. They are quick throughout the line-up, inside and out. 2 The first lady that comes open has no hesitation in taking the shot, wherever they stand. 3 They take care of the ball as well. Not very turnover prone. 4 Free throws.........they take advantage of the free stuff. 5 They spread the floor offensively and go to the hole. 6 Did I say QUICK? They played a SMART game at Elizabethton. Hats off to them. They earned it and the girls are well coached. ***Whoever gets matched with them will get all they want, win or lose. Good luck Stone...... /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

There are a few contenders. Chuckey-Doak, Eliz, Unicoi will all be in the hunt and a couple of others will make some solid noise as well.

SPEED KILLS! Congradulations to Stone........they had the speed at all positions and it made a huge difference out front. GO CYCLONES!!!

That scrimmage was set up in a series of 3 inning 'games'. SH has a good senior class and very capable underclassmen. They will be in the hunt! Good luck...

STAND UP for the CYCLONES Saturday!! The rest doesn't matter now........ THE MISSION!!

Region Crown in your pocket Ladies. Great job, but the mission isn't over yet! GO CYCLONES!!

VD, Not a bad time for a good football thread, but I know for a fact that this CoachT thing did take a mental toll on the players. That is not good during their season. I lived it brother and I saw the pain first hand. Off season is the time to address coaching problems on a forum such as this. But then, CoachT strives on all of us crazies Gotta think about the kids first. Then again, maybe I'm getting a bit 'soft' in my old age? Still the kids are 1st! In my book anyway........

Here..........Here......... Good luck to all of the members of the Tri-7 that are playing tonight!! Go Get'em!!!! And K, thanks for the kind words on the boys side. The cudos really go to the fine people of Carter County and Elizabehton. Take care.........

This goes on and on and on and then Wilson has to take his young men out and compete. Wilson will read or be told of this and the kids will undoubtedly read this stuff and you don't think it will effect the coaches and the kids mindsets and focus? Listen, I learned from football and also apologized to Coach Pless for inseason complaining. Problem solving is best left to post season. Yes, it does effect the coaches and the kids. Just ask them.......... Now, carry on if it makes you feel good and you think it is the right thing to do for EHS. Or be man enough to own up to your mistakes on here and quiet down this matter until post season. It won't be long.......

The kids usually know more than we do as far as what is going on at the school and on the teams. Personally, I give them quite a bit of credit when due. No doubt......but putting 'bad blood in the water' at this time is not good for the teams of mention. These young folks minds need only wander about thier current task at hand. You are wrong, no question about it. Lesson learned............I should have kept my 'posting mouth' shut until after football season. This board usually is a 'biotching board', and is not good for the athletes as reading material. Yea, it keeps us old folks a bit 'feathered up' as well. You are right on the point that "if you don't like it, don't read it". Problem is, most seem to believe what they read. These kids you speak of have a mission and it doesn't need to be 'clouded' by adult clatter at this time. Or are you for the kids? If you want some news, see me...........

There are several opinions but they are best held until the kids finish up. A lesson learned.

Congradulations to the Devils. There are three very descent teams in this area at this time and the Unicoi ladies did what they had to do to get two quality wins over two quality programs. I kinda think all three may be in trouble in the Regionals though?? As far as the coach and the pressing situation..........well, mistakes happen, especially in the 'heat' of tournament time. Maybe she is woman enough to tell her side of the story and 'own up' to an outraged public. Everyone makes mistakes. Good luck and to Marissa..........get well soon! God's eyes are upon you and you are loved by many a fan.

I'm not sure who speed deamon is but I don't think he represents Elizabethton baseball at all. I watched some A ball last year and have umpired several games in the past years. It was entertaining. As far as Elizabethton........seems like they will meet the Rangers in a tournament. Should be a ringer!

Rutledge (1st three seem to always be in the hunt) Anderson County Loudon Elizabethton (senior laden with complete pitching staff back as well as most RBI leaders) Pigeon Forge (know how to win...simple as that)

Not much to break down. Unicoi is a good AA team for Upper East TN while Elizabethon plays the pretenders roll. Very weak conference and as Coach Wilson has noted, "Elizabethton's players are very mental". That's putting it very nicely. I kind of feel sorry for him. I'll look forward to watching the girls play and baseball which is just around the corner. Good luck!

Simply put, the Devil ladies made plays and shots when they counted the most. Congradulations to them on a well played game. Fisher had his ladies prepared, both mentally and physically. Elizabethon let themselves down as they seemed to be uninspired when the needed that ' go-get'em gear '. And yes, just as Unicoi fans have aluded to in the past vs Betsy...........the Devils got the 'friendly' whistle last night. That's part of the game. I also thought Weems made a terrible decision mid 2nd qtr. Instead of going into that 'semi-stall' to shorten the game with Big Pet on the bench with 2 (Eliz had a descent lead at the time), he decided to put her back in the game and roll on. Pet picked up her 3rd during that time and it ended up being a very big coaching mistake. Everyone rolls the dice but they didn't land in the Cyclones favor. Personally, as aggressive as Pet is, with Unicoi going inside strong and the way the refs were calling, I'm 'shortening the game'. NO second thoughts about it at all. Good luck to both in the regionals. It will be interesting to see if Reg. 1 will match up with Reg. 2 ??