deergirl

You are correct about players making it to the next level with the help of their coach. However, it is easier for kids to reach that next level if they are "seen" prior to their senior year. It has nothing to do with having "hurt feelings", but having that opportunity to show what you can do is what's important to lots of the kids that try out at these showcases. It could have a big impact on their possible futures. That's why it is imperative for the try-outs to be unbiased, as every player there wants the same thing--to go to the next level. If not, they wouldn't bother coming.

Yes, there may be some upset purple Tigers, but not the way you think. I am upset that the Ripley Tigers were eliminated last night. However, I choose not to point a finger at the coach. The pitcher on the mound for the Tigers has done a really good job this year, and everyone felt confident that he would do the same last night. Covington came in on a high from their victory over Northside. After the first inning, the Tigers were only down 4-3. The kids showed much heart by coming back each time. There were a few times that a hit here or there would have made all the difference in the game. Believe you me, I am still in shock over the loss. The boys were devastated. I hate the season ended with a loss to Covington, as I feel that Ripley was a much better team this year. However, I guess that is why the game is played. Tigers, hold your heads high! You did a great job this year, and I'll bet the Tigers were be better than ever next year. We have some good kids coming back, including several starting pitchers, and that is where it all starts. GO TIGERS!!

I was wondering if anyone else had issues with the official scorer. Ripley had more errors than what was indicated on the scoreboard. When there were questionable plays as far as USJ, it was always scored an error for USJ--Ripley was not that fortunate--most of the questionable plays were shown as hits for USJ. I think Ripley showed great heart! It would have been easy to give up, but they didn't. They kept plugging, hitting, and making the plays--the majority of the time. I wish the Tigers could have one game with USJ when silly errors were kept to 1-2. Who knows--it may be a different outcome.

Don't quite know who will be pitching for Ripley--Zach Lewis has pitched in several games since his injury trying to get back; could be Jeffrey Edwards, a lefty, or Miller Scoggins, a righty.

Ripley beat Covington last night in Ripley with a score of 8-0. Allen Hargett pitched. The Tigers will travel to Covington tonight to play them again at 7:00 p.m. GO TIGERS!

Last night, Senior Miller Scoggins pitched. Again, errors, errors, and more errors. I believe at least 6 errors were made last night. Dyer County hit the ball extremely well. Ripley actually outhit Dyer County, but that was not reflected in the final score. Team seemed to be a bit down, in my estimation. I believe that Allen Hargett is scheduled to pitch tonight, if the game is played. I hope the Tigers are able to bounce back--Covington is next Monday and Tuesday. If the Ripley Tigers cannot get "UP" for the game with Covington, they will not ever get up. GO TIGERS!

Zach Lewis is just a junior. He hopes to be back pitching by district tournament time.

I don't mean to beat a dead dog to death, but I just happened to notice in another post that has since been locked that you reference "with a team like Ripley". I wish you would elaborate a little more. I don't like the way that sounds, and I'm trying to figure out exactly what you are trying to get at.

You have to look at when the errors occurred. Last night, there was 1 kid on when a ball was hit to right field. It must have been a hit and run, because kid on first took off. Should have been a double-play ball, since kid on first was so far off bag. Rightfielder missed ball. That should have been 3 outs. Next batter-Josh Liles. Hits a 3-run homer. Changed the whole complexion of the game. Prior to that, Ripley was winning 4-1. Don't tell me errors don't make the difference. There were certainly more than 3 errors on Monday as well. Anyone that knows baseball can tell the difference between an actual hit and an error.

I understand that Zach Lewis had MRI yesterday on his knee, and it wasn't as bad as first thought. Hopefully will be back by district tournaments.

I don't really know how to take your remark about "...with a team like Ripley". If you look at Monday's game as well as last night's game, Ripley hurt itself with errors. In Monday's game, there were only 3 earned runs. Last night, more of the same. The errors are killing the Tigers. Hopefully, this will get better, and then I think you will see a more competitive game from them. No team can make 6-8 errors against an excellent team like USJ and expect to win. I congratulate USJ on their win, and I know the Tigers are going to bounce back and do much better. GO TIGERS!!!

There were some other kids from Ripley who could have been considered. Except for one game when there were 3 unearned runs scored, none of the Ripley pitchers gave up any earned runs. This is exceptional pitching when you consider there were five games played over the course of four days in extremely cold weather. Go Tigers!

As far as Ripley goes, I believe that Allen Hargett will pitch the Monday game @ USJ, and I believe that Zach Lewis is scheduled to pitch Tuesday's game in Ripley.

Let me assure you that Ripley has seen some pretty good pitching up this point. Maybe all teams do not have guys that throw in the mid 80s, but Ripley has definitely seen some guys that can throw the ball. It has also seen some guys that can get the ball out of the park. The thing is--a team has to be prepared for whatever team it faces, exceptionally good or not-so-good. Again, the kids do not make the schedule--they just play.

I believe that in the end, it doesn't matter what the schedule is like, who you beat, or the strenghth of your schedule. It only comes to winning games at the right time--when tournament play starts. In the past, there have been some pretty good teams that have lost a number of games to teams they should have beaten, but end up being State Champs. If my memory serves me correct, Covingon lost a number of games last year, and then they ended up winning it all. At that point, it didn't matter what their schedule was like, who they lost to, or what their strength of schedule was.

Ripley has already beaten Jackson Northside twice. The boys can't help what their schedule is like--all they can do is try to win the games scheduled.

Last night, the Ripley Tigers beat Jackson Southside in the Big Red Lexington Tournament. In the 5th inning, the Tiger catcher was hit in the head with a line drive while he was running from first to second. It was very scary, but I think he's going to be OK. My prayers are with him for a speedy recovery!!

On Tuesday, Ripley won the game 9-4. Game was called finally for rain in bottom of 5th inning. In Monday's game, Ripley won 3-2. Good game!

That's right. However, sometimes there are things that are more important than--dare I say it--football. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE FOOTBALL--high school, college, and pro football. Been watching it all since I was a kid. On rare occasions, there are negative things that happen that effects sports and is a reflection of people and their character. This is one of those instances. There are people not from Ripley who do not know what happened. One person asked a question, and I provided an answer. It's as simple as that. As far as I'm concerned, they have left Ripley, and we are now moving on to bigger and better things with this new coach. Go Tigers!!

She was indicted in the Laud.Co. Circuit Court. Has not been to trial yet.

Let me say this--everyone knew about this trouble with the missing funds since February. I would dare say the coach had plenty of time since that point to find another job. It appears to me that it is somewhat unfair to the kids for him to leave with only 6 weeks to go before the season started. This has nothing to do with him being a "good person" --maybe just a good coach. If he cared so much for the team, perhaps he should have resigned after school was out, so that the administration would have had more time to find another coach. I hear, however, that we have gotten someone really special with this new coach hired. I wish him and the rest of the Tigers much good luck in the upcoming year.

If you had lived in our town and had the coach and his family put on a pedestal, as they were here, you would understand the reasons for my post. By the way, I don't know where you live, but stealing is a crime everywhere, even Lexington and Huntingdon. It is not an obsession--just thankful for once that someone was pulled off that pedestal a little. If I had done the crime, I would have already been doing the time.

Again, for the record, it isn't hearsay if it is the truth.

No news on the new head coach yet. I understand they are interviewing a number of people. I hope they get someone fair and impartial to all. Irregardless of what Mr. Latham said, I assure you there were many other kids on the team that saw things differently, kids who play currently and kids who played in the past. I hope that everyone will be playing on an even playing field--no favoritism. Go Tigers!