Hitter

Some of the game was on Charter Cable Friday night. The GA HS game was on and when I went back later to check the Independence vs Dickson game was on. I am not sure how much was shown. They must have switched over after the GA game was over.

His first inning was a 35 pitch inning. He battled his way out of it and only 1 run was scored. The shortstop acted hurt and was crying. Don't know what the outcome is and if he was really hurt.

We turned in his uniforms and ask to be released. Now I have to get the signed forms from the coach because my son still wants to play some pickup ball. This was a difficult decision to make because I do not want him to think he can be a quitter. It was the right decision.

My son pitched a game this weekend and threw 95 pitches. Is this to many pitches for an 11 year old? I iced his arm after the game and told them he could not pitch the next day. This made the coach mad and my son only got to play one inning out of 12 today. The shortstop got hurt and he would not let him come out. He told him to stink it up because he would not put anyone else in the position. My son and another both capable of playing the position were on the bench. The kid was bent over holding his arm. We have ask to be released from the team.

I appreciate all of the comments on this post. I don't claim to know everything about baseball but between my two sons (my oldest being 16) I have sat and watched almost every one of their practices and games since the oldest was five, I do know a little bit about baseball. I will use all of the suggestions and comments above to help make wise decisions for my younger son. If these postings help prevent one kid from blowing out his arm, it was well worth it. As far as quitting the team, we are going to try to stick it out until the end of the season even though financially it is very hard on me. The promise in the fall of only playing 2-3 overnight tournaments has now turned into five overnight weekend tournaments plus local tournaments on the weekends we are at home. As someone posted earlier we all get caught up in trying to play for a "TRAVEL TEAM". That does not necessarily mean that the kid is going to get the best instruction. I have printed out all of the comments to discuss them with my son to help him make good decisions when he is on the mound.

I am his Mom. His Dad lives close by but has nothing to do with his ball playing. I am the one at every game and practice and I am not complaining. No he does not get a day off after pitching. He usually pitches again the next day. As far as the Daddy ball stuff mentioned in the previous comments. Yes, there is alot of that going on, probably the worst case I have ever been around, but my concerns do not lie around that issue. That's all part of travel ball. I am more concerned about the pitching and the curve balls.

They play 11U ball and there are 4 coaches and yes all of their sons play. My son sits alot when he is not pitching but they claim that he is their ace pitcher and they do not want to hurt his arm by letting him play other positions. Isn't 11 years old to young to just pitch and backup the catcher. I think he needs to be getting some experience at some other positions?

What about pitching 4 innings of a game (about 50-60 pitches) and then catching the next game in the same day? Is this ok for an 11 year olds arm? I am trying to rely on the coaches but not sure if they have the best intentions.

I am a single mom trying to let my son play competitive baseball. I was proud of my son when he shook off the pitch and called the coach to the mound. If the coaches want to sit in the dugout and make comments then he is more of a man then they are.

My 11 year old son is playing on a travel team. He is a pitcher. His coaches keep calling curve balls and he has begun to shake them off. He told them he was not comfortable throwing the pitch. He has a good fast ball and change up. Now the coaches stand in the dugout and make comments about how he does his own thing and won't throw the curve ball. Should he throw the curve when the coaches want him to throw it or continue to tell them he is not going to throw it? He was told by his pitching instructor (an ex major league player) that he should not be throwing the curve ball. We are seeing a lot of 11 year old teams that have pitchers throwing tons of curve balls and it is effective. I have been struggling with this all season. I think the coaches want the wins now and aren't thinking about the future of the boys.

I wonder how many of those young players at Independence now wished they would have gone to Page to play baseball. I am hearing many good things about the coaches at PAGE. They are teaching them baseball, treating the boys with respect and not micro-managing every move they make. The baseball program at Page will only continue to get better.

Where are the girls from Independence High School? I know the catcher for Varsity, Kelsey Crane, a junior, maintains a 4.6 GPA with AP courses. Good job Kelsey.

Just left the Overton vs Independence game. Overton beat Independence by 4 or 5. Sorry, can't remember the final score.

Eubanks is all about integrity, morals and standards. Wish more coaches had the same qualities that Eubanks has. Couldn't ask for anything better for IHS.

Independence is located in Thompsons Station (Williamson County). It has been open 3 years. This is the first year with a senior class.

Starting QB or No Starting QB? It is hard to predict a score without this answer.

Throw the siegel AIRHORN blowers out too.

I will say this about the Siegel fans, especially the adults. They were very courteous to Eagle supporters. I saw no problems. The Indy fans were loud, but a little smaller in number than I thought. The only noise the Nation was making were the airhorns that they would blow when our offense would call signals. It obviously didn't bother us too much. To the airhorn blowers - Your horns stopped blowing around the 4th quarter. Did you give up on your team and leave or just run out of air? The Siegel students were not into the game at all. They were busy chasing after the security or cops when something was going on out in the parking lot or behind their bleachers. Amazing job Scott Pedigrew, I don't know how many times I saw 5 siegel players on you to get you down. Good luck next week - Eagles!

We sat on the hill even though we already had season passes. I was keeping an eye on some of the younger kids I had with me playing on the sidelines below. I noticed many of the people on the hill had toddlers. The bleachers were packed and not a good place to have young ones. Made me wonder if many of these young families even knew the Independence players or if they were there in support of the community. I also noticed many of the people on the hill were there for Franklin. If anything, Independence needs more bleachers. We enjoyed taking it all in especially when the students and players for Independence all pointed up above in memory of Tommy Johnson. Tommy was with us on the sidelines, on the field, in the bleachers and YES EVEN ON THE HILL!

Can a high school coach hold tryouts for the 2007 spring team at the end of July 06? Are there any TSSAA rules prohibiting this?

Look on www.msaba.org for tournaments.

Does that also apply to jv players that are not rostered on varsity? Saw a JV player playing on an outside team today.

Is it ok for a player who only plays jv to play rec ball or travel ball before the school season is over? Is it the coaches call?

Independence beat Hickman County last night 8-7. Johnny Kuchar sealed the win with a homerun in the 6th.

Independence is a young team, not weak. The coach is not lazy. He has a very strong work ethic and expects a lot out of the boys. He is respectful and demands the same of the players. I don't understand why you are trying to stir up crap that is not true. What does it matter if he and the Spring Hill coach are buddies?