coach_jarvis

It's interesting that these examples of Cascade supposedly struggling are all referring to games CASCADE WON! Call me naive, but I believe one of the premiere characteristics of a winning team is "finding a way to win" even when you don't play well. Look, I am not suggesting that Cascade can have multiple run-hemmoraging errors and expect to win against ER. What I am saying is this is a team that not only expects to win, but finds ways to do so even when they are not playing up to their potential. In my mind, this makes them a dangerous team. MoMo is outstanding, but I believe he would be the first to tell you that Cascade has a depth of talent surrounding him as well (afterall, Bowman was the 9A MVP). It would be foolish to consider MoMo as Cascade's singular threat. No doubt Clinard will keep the score low and limit opportunities for Cascade. But Parker is relentless in creating opportunities. And I don't care how tight ER's defense is, it is still single A ball and these are still boys--anything can happen when the pressure is on. It should be a good one. Go 9A!

Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Coach Butler from Van Buren County. Please update on his condition when info is available.

I tend to agree that Cascade is being overlooked going into May. They have combined top-notch talent with momentum and confidence. Couple this with one of the most talented Single A coaching staffs around and you have a recipe for victory. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Cascade ran the table against their remaining Single A opponents all the way to the State tourney. This team is peaking at the right time. It would be nice to have a State champ from "a very weak division" (quote/unquote). Oh, by the way, 9A produced the State runner-up last year as well. Not bad for such a weak district. Good luck to Parker and all the boys from Wartrace.

Here's the situation: Runners at first and third with one out, and I'm coaching third. A fly ball is hit to right field, and the runner from third leaves a couple of steps before the catch. The right fielder throws home and the runner from third is safe while the runner on first advances to second. The field ump and the opposing coach both saw the runner from third leave early. The opposing coach comes out of the dugout and tells his pitcher to appeal to the field ump and throw to third. The pitcher does so, and proceeds to throw the ball over the third baseman's head and into the home team's open dugout. It was then ruled a dead ball, and the ump awarded third base to the runner on second. Assuming the appeal was now negated, the pitcher returned to the mound and pitched to the next batter. After the inning, the field ump told me that even after the dead ball, the pitcher could have thrown to third and the runner who left early would have been ruled out, and the runner who was awarded third could have stayed there. I have searched the rules on dead ball and I can't find anything to support the ump's logic. Between innings, I asked the homeplate if he agreed with the field ump--he did not. Who is right? As it turned out, it didn't become an issue but it could have. It seems to me that a dead ball should negate all prior play. Any thoughts?

Cascade and MTCS both have lethal bats and have very disciplined defenses. MTCS was pratically error-free against Van Buren in a double-header Monday night as was Cascade earlier in the season. Both teams have superior pitching depth and great team speed on the bases. Also, both teams are extremely well coached, especially in pressure situations. Parker is gutsy enough to try a sqeeze with two outs in a close game, and he seems to always make it work. MTCS wears teams down with execution to back up their stable of pitchers. This one could come down to the team who makes the fewest errors. No upsets regardless who wins. Should be worth the price of admission and then some. Good luck to both teams.

This match-up has alot of intrigue. Cascade is definitely carrying a load of momentum into this district clash, but it would be foolish to disregard Forrest based on their record alone. Forrest's .500 or so record is a result of playing some tough AA and AAA non-district games. Sure, they aren't the wrecking machine they were last year, but they are still a very balanced team. No doubt the pitching advantage weighs in Cascade's favor. With MoMo on the mound, Forrest will have to take advantage of every opportunity--and there won't be many. Forrest can't leave runners stranded in the top of the order, and their defense can't afford run-producing errors, especially late in the game. I believe Forrest is capable of playing such a game, especially given the district rivalry shadowing this match-up. Two excellent coaches and two powerful teams. For my money, this is the first tell-tale match-up in 9A this season. Good luck to both teams.

Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS) from Murfreesboro will be tough. They had a stronger team than their record reflected last season. On top of playing a tough schedule, they were easy to overlook because Forrest was so dominant from 9A. MTCS has lots of depth, incredible facility, and is well coached. Anything besides a state appearance would probably represent a disappoint for them this year.

Chattanooga Arts & Sciences will be loaded with pitching..they came within a game of the state last year without a senior pitcher. Also, Middle Tennessee Christian (MTCS) in Murfreesboro is a preseason sleeper. They played winning ball last year with a brutal schedule and they have lots of depth across the board for '07. Coming from the same district as Forrest, it is easy to overlook them.