linedrive1

Mr. Haeberle...Lee is a great player and a good kid for what I know of him. I have one question for you after all these years any time you can take a stab at Friendship you seem to do so. Who from FCS pissed in your Cheerios that you hate them so much? I know people dont like the players, the coaches, and even some of the parents....but you seem to truly HATE anything related to FC. You are not the only one posting that feels this way, but to hate an entire school and all of their players in every sport...it sure does get old. Best of luck to Lee in college and congrats on a great season.

Too many people like to complain or moan about calls. We are all human and make errors. it is not as easy at you think, making those close calls on a play at the plate or the outside strike that paints the black and ends a game. Umpires know that these kids lay it on the line to win so they want to do their best for the kids...at least most of the ones I have seen. That being said, consistancy it the most important factor...if you give 6" outside or like the low strike then do it for both teams and dont change from inning to inning. Kudos to the guys in blue! It is a thankless job most of the time but we are glad you love the game.

Gunner Osborne #32 was the catcher in that game and he is doing ok after a night of observation at the hospital. Thank you for the prayers for Gunner.

Anyone who works has "disposable income". Anything that doesnt pay for a necessity (food, shelter, clothing, etc)is "disposble". I didnt say you were "selfish" if you didnt spend your hard earned money on private school, but I drive my 1999 Ford and work 2 jobs so my kid can go there. It is all about the parents priorties and if they fill it is that important.

No names were mentioned by myself in this thread. Simply stating the fact that the 3 players from FC listed were in fact seniors. also I hope that no coach wouldn't be on this sight to see who the public thought needed to be nominated. It should be by merit, stats, and ability....not popular opinion.....or the negative opinion of those that hate FCS. Truly the kids at FC are in a no win situation. If they do great then it is because the "baseball community" says they recruit...it they do poorly then the "baseball community" says "see they can't hack it with the big dogs".... The FCS players are a good group of boys that work hard and play hard...just like ALL the other teams around....we just get held to a different standard...by those who love to hate. Good luck to ALL the 2012 seniors no matter what school they attend. BY THE WAY... My tax dollars pay for your kid to attend public school and have the facility that your kid plays ball in. I CHOSE to sacrifice my disposable income on my kid and not myself to give him a great education and have different opportunities at FCS.

The rest of the FCS line up are Juniors or sophomores. The game is a "senior" classic. The rest of the FC team will fill the roster for next years game. Per the thread the coaches nomminate SENIORS to participate in case you missed that part.

Personally I dont think it matters where he plays, he just wants an opportunity to play based on his skills not his size. Any kid that wants to play in college needs to find the "best fit" for them no matter what level that is.

FC 1st baseman Connor Gaines had one heck of a weekend. He has really been able to hit all fields and go with the pitch all season. He should have been on all-tournament team as well. Wood had the best defensive weekend I have seen him have. Sure hope all the FCS boys can keep playing so good and get back to Murfreesboro.

he beat out 2 this weekend for hits and scored from 1st on Gaines double to right center against Boyd.

So if you have seen this kid since he was 12, you know he is a 4 year starter and went from a 220lbs freshman to a 155lb senior, takes lots of disipline and hard work to accomplish that for anyone of any age wouldn't you say? This alone proves his ability to focus, to be disiplined and his detication to his goals...rare qualities in the teenage population. I also think that coaches are amazed and puzzled that kid his size is so efficient. Maybe their egos and the “traditional†size of a catcher keep them from taking a chance. Also, I think you are equating D1 with SEC. Never said the kid was an SEC catcher, but there are plenty of the smaller D1 schools that could use a player with his drive and work ethic. No matter what level this kid plays at the coach will get more than he imaged, besides there is no shame in ANY player playing a game you love at ANY level….JUCO, NAIA, D2 or D1.

Anyone ever told you that dynamite comes in small packages? Coaches may over look him because of his size but it will be their loss he is has plenty to offer defensively and offensively at the college level. Why don't you come watch a game and see?

Erie is closer to 5'9" and as far as his hitting, he was 8 for 14 at the LV tournament this weekend. Oh and the "little guy" has 2 homeruns already this year. While he is not a power hitter for sure, he will hit the gaps on you all day and with his wheels he can lay down a bunt for a hit. So I would say he has plenty of tools that college coaches desire in a catcher.

Austin Godwin is a beast on the mound. He is definitely one of the best if not the best on the hill for FCS at this point in the season. ALL the FCS players are playing good and hitting well. Expecting great things from these boys if they can keep it up and stay focused.

Erie is the mainstay behind the plate at FCS. He also plays infield in certain pitching rotations. He is having a great senior season so far. He went yard his first at bat of his senior year. His pop-time is the 1.93 range and his quick release gets the back picks at first. Not many players will run on him but once. As far as college...guess we will wait and see where he ends up...

Well, FCS line up pounded off speed pitching last night. 16 hits in 4 innings over Gordonsville. Several opposite field hits and 3 off the center field wall by Junior pitcher Austin Godwin. Who is throwing harder and better than ever before. He really takes charge on the mound.

Swindoll isn't all Friendship has.... They have solid defense and a DEEP line up of hitters. Along with other notable pitchers that got them to the state last season....Snider & Godwin & Wood. Off to good year hitting for the commanders..... those boys will be hard to beat.

Wood, Gaines, Erie, Swindoll, Mitchell, Remus, Martin, Melhoff, Godwin, Snider, Hawks, and the list keeps going right down to the bat boy. Any of the kids on the team can play and play well. Just got to field your best 9 and get the job done. Would like to see this group of boys get another shot at the state title and Riverside in the finals.

How can it be trick photography on the sidelines at the goal line right after the horn sounded? Watch your clip and see the photographer at the goal line. He is right on the play and the tv footage is from the BB side across the field....so there is a different view. Why should any of these boys be made to question their play last night? BB played hard and FC played hard. FC boys should get to enjoy the win without BB fans blaming the officials. BB boys shouldn't be taught bitterness, they should be praised for their hard work. BOTH teams had an opportunity to put this one away in regulation. Congrats to FC and BB for playing with heart until the final whistle!!!!

See the photographer on the goal line he was showing a series of photos from this play and #11 breaks the plane of the end zone and his entire body is airborne. Breaking the plane is a touchdown and the photographer is right there with a "referee view". Either way both teams played hard and either could have won the game.

Well, the photographer that was on the sidelines has a series of action shots that CLEARLY show #11 breaking the plane of the endzone with his entire body airborne. Breaking the plane before a knee is down equals Touchdown. No matter which way you see it, both of the teams played hard and either team could have won that game.

Friendship will be there you can count on it. Only 3 seniors last year, center field, DH, & pitcher.

Really...your complaint is the NOISE at the ballgame??? The TSSAA SOLD artifical noise makers at the door of the Finals. Humm, I guess your team just was not wise enough to bring your own. Not one time did the Friendship fans make noise during the "live play", only between pitches, great plays & hits and in between innings. As far as everyone being rich...they're not, just hard working people that want a good atmosphere for their kids. The Commanders baseball team worked their butts off and got further than most expected. Hats off to ALL the Commanders, be proud of all you accomplished!!!!! Congrats to the Panthers they played well and capitalized on the FC errors. I am certain these two teams will meet again!!!

Umpires never beat you. YOu may get bad calls, but that's baseball. I will agree some umpires are better thatn others but for the most part do the best they can just like the kids do. My hats off to the guys in blue for they don't pay enough to take the verbal abuse at some of the games. I know that everyone pays their admission and can yell and scream but most of those guys do it for the love of the game. I can't imagine working 8 hours at my regular job then spending my free time away from my family for $65-$85 for 3-4 hours of work in the hot sun and listening to the crowd want to lynch you. Got to given them credit for their love of the game.

At this stage of the game no one is gonna give up. I am positive that Summertown/Friendship will be a great game. Neither of these teams will go down without a fight. Just as Riverside/South Pittsburg will be a great game. It will be interesting to see the out come of this week of baseball. Remember no matter your record, no matter if people think your teams shouldn't be here, you play one game at a time and you leave it all on the field each play!!! Best of luck to ALL the teams that got here, play your hearts out!!!

I hear Gordonsville had a day that nothing could go wrong for them and FCS nothing right. I am sure G'ville will keep talking smack, but they still got to play the Commanders again. Remember you can never overlook any team or it will bite you!