sftbllwtch01

Curiosity got the better of me also Walktheline. Interesting game, especially when the Halls coach walked out of the dugout and spoke with the umpire behind the plate before Watts came up to bat (with bases loaded?) Thought it funny that the umpire called her out for stepping out of the batters box when she ripped one over the center fielders head, especially considering all the lines on the field were drawn EXCEPT the front of the batter's box. New tactic? Upcoming teams beware! Should have been Powell 10 Halls 0......but oh well, think the Powell fans will settle for the 7-0 win! Halls fans, be patient. You have a good pitcher but your team is young. You will get better with time. I was relieved that your coach kept his composer. A much better improvement over what I witnessed last year. Think this top ten list needs to be revised a bit though.

Unfortunately the Halls situation seems to have overwhelmed the softball community in Knoxville. I have to agree with Keemom though, more parents should stand up for what is right for their kids, no matter what the cost. Those parents who are so consumed with their child playing a sport that it blinds them to what their child is going through to play that sport, are falling "way" short of their parental responsibilities to raise them in a "healthy enviroment." Also, think about the message(s) you are sending your kids! I don't know exactly what went on at Halls between the coach and the players/parents, but I could only guess. Last season I had the opportunity to watch Halls play. Both games they lost. What I heard coming from their dugout was out right ridiculous. It didn't just happen in one game, it was both. So it came as no surprise when I read all the above posts on the Halls situation. I have coached for many years and can honestly say it was one of the worse displays of bad behavior I have seen from a High School coach, or any other coach for that matter. Not only was his screaming and yelling offensive to everyone at the ballgame, his behavior was abusive. What I found unbelievable was that one of his worse "outburst" came after he made a poor coaching decision. In my opinion, the Halls coach has just "coached" to many years and has "outlived" his patience. My hats off to those parents who stood up to the situation! For those of you parents who have children playing at Halls, trustingly the situation last year opened his eyes to what his behavior could cost him. Hopefully, you will have a better "environment" and season this year.

Whitney Key - Gibb's (ss) has hands, speed and a good stick. Good all around athlete. Cassidy Skeen - Powell (cf), excellent stick and is lightening fast offensively and defensively. Tori Jones - Powell (fb & tb), also a big stick, has a glove unlike no other-unbelievable acrobats on 1st to earn the out. Erika MacDonald - Alcoa - big stick! Irwin and Hollifield are the pitchers to watch.