ajc

I've heard Beech has a strong 4 by 8 relay. What are the best times as we near the end of the season? What will it take to win the state in AAA and A-AA in the 4X8?

In middle Tennessee, I'll go with 9AAA with Beech, Hendersonville, Lavergne, Mt. Juliet and Wilson Central. I also like 8AA with Greenbrier, David Lipscomb, Hume Fogg and Macon County. Both districts have teams that could battle at the state level who will watch from home. Ezell-Harding and Goodpasture in the same district is tough but the other teams aren't close. Too bad Davidson Academy and Hunters Lane don't have more fight in their districts to prepare them down the stretch.

According to the Coach T schedule board, Beech is 16-1-1 at home this year. The only loss coming last Friday vs. Wilson Central.

I'm surprised the other teams in the district voted to let the regular season champ host the Dist. Tournament. Isn't that a huge advantage? I'd much rather host than arrange travel, get the ladies out earlier and drive to the enemy's home. How many games have Beech and Hendersonville played at home this year and what are their home records?

One of the two teams that come out of this district will probably draw East Ridge in the Sub-State. East Ridge is tough, especially at home and someone will probably have to travel a long way to play them and then if HF,DL or Greenbrier wins, turn around and travel to the complete other end of the state for the Big Dance. Lots of travel. Good luck.

Great game. 1-0 Greenbrier Wins. Greenbrier's pitcher threw a no hitter and their sole run came on a home run by the centerfield. Exciting defensive plays, both very steady teams. Two extremely well coached teams, it should be a great District Tournament.

Cookeville HS Coffee County Greenbrier with the new additions. Goodpasture

SCHS is young but has a very good coaching staff. If they hang with it they will turn heads pretty soon. Hosting a JV tournament is just one of the ways they are building towards the future.

Is there a point when a team is so obviously better than the other when a coach calls off the dogs? A magic score or just punish and hurry home in 3 or 5 innings?

Certainly DL wouldn't be where they are without her, but they can beat some lesser opponents with their second pitcher. When push comes to shove, we all throw the ace until she can't throw anymore.

Coach Duff = Character and everything that's right about high school athletics. I can't imagine the Cookeville tournament without him. Thankfully we won't have to since I'm sure he'll be all around the ballpark.

In no particular order, because several teams have just finished basketball. It will be a couple more weeks until everyone is clicking. David Lipscomb, Beech, Soddy Daisy, Goodpasture, and a dark horse that played great at Beech Playday and HHS Tournament--Greenbrier. Each team above doesn't have to completely rely on their number one pitcher to win games an important factor in tournaments and long district seasons. And each team above is excellent at moving runners around the bases allowing them to win the 3-2 and 1-0 games.

Hey, Feed us the scores from the Invitational. I saw Tullahoma destroy Giles Co.. Goodpasture beat Station Camp. Station Camp beat Watertown Hendersonville beat Brentwood Academy Greenbrier beat Cookeville Wilson Central beat Lebanon White House beat Macon County

Coach Fruedenthal is a great teacher of the game. After a subpar year, for EH's standards, i'll bet it's time to go back to the drawing board and teach the fundementals again. Get the athletes out and let the cream rise to the top.

Oakland 10 - Blackman 2 Lavergne 2 - Oakland 1 Oakland defeated Brentwood

I did get one opp. to see Jennifer Wright pitch and it wasn't her best day. Certainly her stats and reputation earn her a spot on the list. I just didn't see it that day. D.P. is very good and will probably reach the list when she pitches a few more seasons.

Cookeville HS has a great facility. Dugouts, stands, warning track all top notch.

I'm a former coach and current umpire. Best I've seen in Middle Tennessee. Jennifer and Amanda Fine--Brentwood Sarah Meeks--Brentwood Academy Brooke Siebel and Rachel Hawkins--Father Ryan Megan Rhodes--David Lipscomb Lindy and Carissa Lowery--Beech Mandy Miles--Hendersonville

Any suggestions on who, if anyone could take down Oak Ridge or Shelbyville at the AAA state tourney?

I think as softball has boomed in Tennessee, the quality of coaching will continue to increase. As I attend the coaches/umpires meetings I see more and more young enthusiastic people entering the coaching profession. Some schools are tied by hiring quality teachers and coaches. Hopefully more players who love the sport and could be a quality teacher will enter the teaching field. There are some great clincs offered periodically in the Nashville area. I had an chance several years ago to attend a clinic with the coach from Arizona and several Olympians. If that doesn't get you excited about the upcoming season nothing will. Play Ball

It took a lot of guts, or something else, to switch from two systems that worked pretty well for many season at Beech but it appears to have worked out well. To change schemes with that many seniors and still have success says a lot for the intelligence of the players and the teaching ability of the coaching staff. Keep up the good work and good luck against Hendersonville HS.

I'm not sure who the softball coach is at Heritage but the athletic director is Will Worsham. He's the best person to contact concerning Heritage athletics.

I'm new to the smaller schools CC circuit. Who are the top teams? Who looks good early?

White House Heritage School, a new public school in Robertson County grades 6-12 is looking for a Head Boy's Basketball Coach for the middle school grades. This position will grow as the school grows into a HS position. If interested contact the Robertson County Board of Education for application information at 615-384-5588.

I'll take: Beech Giles County Forrest Brentwood Academy