hiway58

Yeah, I can't be that smart. But I do know how to spell "happens."

I'm glad you guys are seeing the light. This year's Red Bank team is something special. Ever since the current seniors (Fabry, Cofer, Park, etc.) were freshmen, everyone knew this would be the Lions year. Only one starter graduated last year, so the lineup isn't changed much. Plus there's more depth than most local teams. This year's crop of freshmen, along with some sophs who played last year can step in and the team won't miss a beat. Good contact hitters up and down the lineup. Look for Red Bank to put the ball in play constantly this year. As for pitching, don't forget Cofer. If needed, he can always return to the mound during important games and tournaments, and if that happens, it's lights out. You guys and the local paper can hype Ooltewah and the others all day, and they're not bad. But as I've said since the beginning, Red Bank has the best chance of going all the way this year.

I'm not sure if Red Bank's lineup is firmed up yet.. Too many good players to choose from!

No number 1 or 2 pitcher against Red Bank? Does the name Dane Bolton ring a bell?

Evidently, none of you have tried to steal against Bo Geren of Red Bank. Don't bother, because he'll nail you every time.

Let's see, by my non-Hixson calculator, I had two Lions on the list. I don't remember ever listing five from the same team. Guess I didn't see the rule that only allows a team to have one top hitter. Red Bank happens to have two. And by the way, I should have put Danny Lawrence from McCallie on my list. He's definitely top-5 material. Sorry about that.

This is obviously a joke. When is the last time Hixson beat Red Bank?

Wow, you're really clever. I'm impressed. Those are indeed five good hitters. Actually I'd go Cofer, Fabry, Sitz, Jones and Vaughn. That's a pretty solid lineup. All proven hitters.

You left out Reese Cofer of Red Bank. He hits for a higher average than most everybody on your list.

1. Red Bank: gotta go with the Lions. They beat Rhea last week 22-0. And y'all say they only have 3 players? Must be 3 pretty good ones. 2. Soddy Daisy: Like somebody said, they went to state last year, and a lot of the same guys are back. 3. Ooltewah: I think the hitting is solid, but I hear the pitching may be down. 4. McCallie: The coach is a class act, and they attract players from near and far. 5. Baylor: See McCallie. Same story. 6. Central: This team is never bad, and something tells me this year they'll be better than 04. 7. Walker Valley: Turner is great, not sure about the rest. 8. Notre Dame: Seems to be a program on the way up. 9. East Ridge: They're scrappy, and might surprise some folks. 10. Lookout Valley: Coach Dinger always does a lot with a little. Probably the smallest roster around, but they have a lot of heart.

I guess this really doesn't count if we're only talking about fields, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the lovely junk/scrap yard in the parking lot area that adjoins Central's field. Talk about scenery.

I don't know how anyone can top Red Bank's lineup: Fabry, Miller, Cofer, Henry, Geren, Park and plenty of others. These guys are solid, proven hitters, who are coming back for more this year!

I didn't know a screen name dictated anyone's opinions of sports teams and players. I see a lot of teams, and root for a lot of teams. Just so happens that this year, Red Bank's got the best...in my humble opinion.

I bow to your modesty, Grad. I had no idea anyone owned Red Bank baseball. I'm sure someone will come forward to sing your praises.

Wow "Grad" has some serious jealousy issues when it comes to Red Bank. Oh well, that's why teams actually take the field, rather than rest on their hype. Some will live up to the hype, others won't. I've made my predictions, and I'll still be around to take credit for them when they come true! Fair enough?

I never said Miller would hit .700 for this season. I said he DID hit .700 (probably more) in the district tournament. However, I do think .500 or better is realistic for him and several of Red Bank's guys.

Whatever you say, Grad. Just check the stats as the year goes on. The Times Free Press prints the numbers every week, and you're going to see a lot of Lions on that list, batting and pitching.

How do many students wind up at their current schools? Everybody knows that in Hamilton County "zoning" is selectively enforced. Some principals and coaches look the other way, unless the kid is trouble. Then they stick to the rules. As for my "dream" that these guys will hit .500, it isn't a dream. Cofer is a fourth-year starter who routinely hits .600 in select ball and tournaments, and just missed .500 in his junior year. Fabry is so fast he could bunt every at-bat and hit .600 if he wanted to. And Miller hit over .700 at the end of last season against the toughest pitching the district had to offer. They're only going to be better this year. And I don't mean to leave out Red Bank's amazing roster of "pups." Some of the freshmen and sophomores are varsity starting lineup quality right now. Coppinger is incredible, there's a catcher named Barker who could challenge Geren, and Zach Moore can hit, field and pitch. Brandon Ward may have been the best middle school player in RB history, and he's ready in the outfield, and on the mound. Not sure why some are saying both corners are open. Bull Barrett won the first base job last year as a freshman and looked great. Y'all can doubt all you want to, but you read it here first. Lions in 05.

Wow, someone is seriously underestimating Red Bank. The Lions are returning just about everybody, graduating only one starting pitcher and a couple of part-timers. Even the underclassmen got plenty of playing time last year, so they're experienced. The pitching returns pretty much intact, plus one amazing freshman (a secret weapon...you'll see him soon). The top three in the lineup (Fabry, Miller and Cofer) figure to hit at least .500, and with their speed, every single will become a double or a triple. They, along with the rest of the returnees (Geren, Henry, Park, and Barrett to name a few) are stronger than last year, so this may be Red Bank's best home run year ever. As for defense, it was strong last year, but it should be amazing this year. There simply are no weak spots, and if somebody gets hurt, the bench is deep. This is not your typical Red Bank team. There's no "figuring out who to put where." This group is set, and ready to go. I think they have to be the favorites in District, and maybe even State! Coach Reece (sp?) may downplay their chances, as he always likes to do, but this is the year he's been waiting for. Lions are going all the way in '05!

"Hixson now has 40 through 36 games." Yeah, and Vinny Castilla hit 50 homers a year in Colorado, and 20 in Atlanta. Wonder why?

It will be a typical Hixson game. Grundy 13, Hixson 12....with about fourteen "home runs."

Yeah, fella 32, take that!....thanks for clearing that up big niner. I was at those games. That is so totally not true about "everyone hit a homer except the catcher's grandma." Absolutely big niner, she DID NOT play. Here is the true story. Everyone hit a homer except the SHORTSTOP's grandma. She drew an intentional walk.

They probably won't hear about this particular incident....but soon enough, they'll discover what they've got!

Experience tells me the administration at Central will do.....nothing about this.

The coaches definitely share the blame. The rules have to be the same for everybody, "superstar" or not. This is, after all, HIGH SCHOOL. And, in case you haven't noticed, this kind of "playing favorites" crap is not confined to Central. There are a couple of other nearby schools with the same potential problem......