You raise a great point about using the W/L record as a basis for judging a team. That works in football. Not in baseball where you have 3 or 4 different starting pitchers.

 

Add in that some coaches play the early season to see who can do what. Coach Holtz used to do this at Holy Cross. They would often open with CCH in a non-district game and he'd pitch a different kid every inning.

 

Plus some teams play killer schedules. CCH and HHS , for example.

 

You have to watch a team with its best 9 to get an accurate read.

On watching a team with its best 9;

That would mean a game with a team's number one on the mound. That doesn't always show how good a team is. It normally shows how good the number one is. How did these teams on this thread do record-wise with their 3,4,5 pitcher on the mound. I think that would get you a better idea on a team's talent. A little more offense and defense needed in these games.

On watching a team with its best 9; That would mean a game with a team's number one on the mound. That doesn't always show how good a team is. It normally shows how good the number one is. How did these teams on this thread do record-wise with their 3' date='4,5 pitcher on the mound. I think that would get you a better idea on a team's talent. A little more offense and defense needed in these games.[/quote']

 

Partly agree. However, if the tournament is laid out a certain way a team will never get past the #4 and MAY be able ti use the 1 or 2 multiple games. Thus, your overall W/L record may be misleading in regards to advancing in a tourney.

HHS is definitely a favorite on paper this season... But last season proved that teams can surpass expectations and teams certainly can fall short.

Conner did better overall than I expected...

And SK, regardless of tourney draw or whatever... Going as far as they did for sure exceeded expectations.. And I thought it was awesome! I spoke to several SK players after that run and they were themselves happily surprised.

Like many have said, they got it done when it counted most and I hope it sets an example for future teams that are in a position to go on a run like that.

Given a choice, I'd rather "over achieve" than "under achieve" any day.

And I know SK lost a lot of seniors, but I believe their number 1 pitcher is back this season... So, you never know. Another run like last season may not be likely, but surely isn't impossible.

I'd be psyched to see another NKY team get that far this season... Although I'm most familiar with the 9th region... If a team from the 8th or 10th can do it, fine by me.

Partly agree. However, if the tournament is laid out a certain way a team will never get past the #4 and MAY be able ti use the 1 or 2 multiple games. Thus, your overall W/L record may be misleading in regards to advancing in a tourney.

 

Clyde, I agree with you on the tourney format . My first post had more to do with team talent, not so much on how they do in tourneys with their top pitchers on the mound. I was looking for more info on some of the teams mentioned in this thread to get a better feel for the team's defense and offense and how stacked they really are.It doesn't take much offense or defense to win games when the number one keeps the opposing team to a couple of hits and no walks. I seen a few games where a team could get by with their number one on the mound, catcher and maybe a couple in the field, just in case a ball was left high. That type of game doesn't show team talent, just talent on the mound. Without their number 1 or 2 on the mound, are they still a good team or just a mediocre team?

Edited January 29, 201511 yr by Juneball1

HHS is definitely a favorite on paper this season... But last season proved that teams can surpass expectations and teams certainly can fall short.

Conner did better overall than I expected...

And SK, regardless of tourney draw or whatever... Going as far as they did for sure exceeded expectations.. And I thought it was awesome! I spoke to several SK players after that run and they were themselves happily surprised.

Like many have said, they got it done when it counted most and I hope it sets an example for future teams that are in a position to go on a run like that.

Given a choice, I'd rather "over achieve" than "under achieve" any day.

And I know SK lost a lot of seniors, but I believe their number 1 pitcher is back this season... So, you never know. Another run like last season may not be likely, but surely isn't impossible.

I'd be psyched to see another NKY team get that far this season... Although I'm most familiar with the 9th region... If a team from the 8th or 10th can do it, fine by me.

Lawrence may be the #1 this year but I would say Marcum was the number one last year he certainly in my estimation pitched against tougher teams with less run support. At the tournament, Marcum quite possibly could have been MVP with the performances he had if they had won the championship. S.K. is returning a good core group of players this season. I do agree that they may not return to state, but its not out of the realm of possibility. This is looking to be an interesting season and I for one will be happy when it begins.

Anyone have some thoughts / predictions about some less talked about programs?

Newport just hired a new coach...

Calvary has a new coach...

Ludlow entering second season with Coach Gray...

St. Henry has yet another coach, been a carousel of coaching lately there...

Bellevue lost some kids, but has the experienced Coach Sanders...

 

Just a few off the top of my head... Feel free to throw other schools into the mix.

Anyone have some thoughts / predictions about some less talked about programs?

Newport just hired a new coach...

Calvary has a new coach...

Ludlow entering second season with Coach Gray...

St. Henry has yet another coach, been a carousel of coaching lately there...

Bellevue lost some kids, but has the experienced Coach Sanders...

 

Just a few off the top of my head... Feel free to throw other schools into the mix.

St. Henry lost a lot. I'm predicting them to struggle this year.

St. Henry lost a lot. I'm predicting them to struggle this year.

 

Some thoughts and/or questions I have about the schools I mentioned...

 

Newport- are they gonna have more of their "best" athletes play baseball this season? That would go a long way for that program IMO.

 

Calvary - young team that needs experience. Good news is that the new coach has scheduled a lot more games than they've played in recent years. Not sure if they'll rack up a lot of wins, but they will be greatly improved by the end of the season.

 

Ludlow - lead by Slone, Lyons and Durham... They have a good coach and a few solid players. Will they have enough pitching to make some noise this year?

 

St. Henry - gotta agree with Show Stopper...they've lost a lot. Who might step up for them and have an awesome season?

 

Bellevue - good coach... Also, Seiter and Hayes should be strong for them. How will they be at catcher and in the outfield? They've lost some good players too.

Some thoughts and/or questions I have about the schools I mentioned...

 

Newport- are they gonna have more of their "best" athletes play baseball this season? That would go a long way for that program IMO.

 

Calvary - young team that needs experience. Good news is that the new coach has scheduled a lot more games than they've played in recent years. Not sure if they'll rack up a lot of wins, but they will be greatly improved by the end of the season.

 

Ludlow - lead by Slone, Lyons and Durham... They have a good coach and a few solid players. Will they have enough pitching to make some noise this year?

 

St. Henry - gotta agree with Show Stopper...they've lost a lot. Who might step up for them and have an awesome season?

 

Bellevue - good coach... Also, Seiter and Hayes should be strong for them. How will they be at catcher and in the outfield? They've lost some good players too.

 

I saw that Calvary starts the season against Latin. Is that supposed to be a good match up?

I saw that Calvary starts the season against Latin. Is that supposed to be a good match up?

 

I did not see Latin at all last season... I did see Calvary once and I know their new coach is working hard to improve that program... We will need some input from people closer to those programs though to get a better feel for the match up. Anyone have thoughts?

I did not see Latin at all last season... I did see Calvary once and I know their new coach is working hard to improve that program... We will need some input from people closer to those programs though to get a better feel for the match up. Anyone have thoughts?

 

According to riherds, Latin was 1-12 against varsity, but they do play some non-varsity teams cuz of their age

I did not see Latin at all last season... I did see Calvary once and I know their new coach is working hard to improve that program... We will need some input from people closer to those programs though to get a better feel for the match up. Anyone have thoughts?

 

Here is their team site:https://sites.google.com/a/covingtonlatin.org/covington-latin-baseball/

Don't know if Sowder will pitch or be able to play outfield this year. Right now he is wrestling with a shoulder brace and has had trouble with the shoulder popping in and out since football season. He could end up at DH this year if he is unable to throw effectively that would likely move Seeney to right field full time, which will hurt as he would likely play all over the place depending on who pitches (he can play either corner outfield, 2nd, 1st or 3rd).

 

Lehkamp will have to be effective this year on the mound as the 4th starter for Scott to be really successful. All the younger guys you mention will eat some innings and with their defense, should be ok when needed as long as they throw strikes. There is also apparently a new kid to Scott (I can't remember his name) who came in from a non KHSAA Christian school who is very big and supposedly can throw in the 80's that could be a surprise.

 

I'm glad you mentioned Noah Back....if he can get on base and be an effective leadoff hitter, he will be really disruptive with his speed.

The Eagles have brought in a pitcher from CCA , his name is Zach Man. He is a phenomenal pitcher and can play 3B. I don't see Pusateri starting CF just yet. He will be a backup outfielder and a starter for the JV team. This team is young, Coach Jeff Trame has looked for other options in pitching from his JV programs. Pitchers such as Patrick Moore, Janzen Wilder, Jared Smith,Jake Pusateri, and Alex Morgan are going to have to step up either this season or next to fulfill position roles or even pitching spots. I still see Trame and Ohmer running the two spots up the middle. Here's my predictions

 

C: Hughes

1B: Seay or Flynn

2B: Ohmer

SS: Trame

3B: Man or Wilder

LF: Back

CF: Sowder

RF: Seeney

The Eagles have brought in a pitcher from CCA , his name is Zach Man. He is a phenomenal pitcher and can play 3B. I don't see Pusateri starting CF just yet. He will be a backup outfielder and a starter for the JV team. This team is young, Coach Jeff Trame has looked for other options in pitching from his JV programs. Pitchers such as Patrick Moore, Janzen Wilder, Jared Smith,Jake Pusateri, and Alex Morgan are going to have to step up either this season or next to fulfill position roles or even pitching spots. I still see Trame and Ohmer running the two spots up the middle. Here's my predictions

 

C: Hughes

1B: Seay or Flynn

2B: Ohmer

SS: Trame

3B: Man or Wilder

LF: Back

CF: Sowder

RF: Seeney

 

Trame will not be playing shortstop. Trame will either be playing. Second or Third Base. Seay will start at first. Don't expect Smith, Morgan or Wilder to pitch much, if at all.

Trame will not be playing shortstop. Trame will either be playing. Second or Third Base. Seay will start at first. Don't expect Smith, Morgan or Wilder to pitch much, if at all.

 

Ohmer will be the shortstop. Trame may play short when Ohmer pitches, but will probably primarily play 3rd. And again, there is a good chance Eli Sowder doesn't play much in the field at all this year, and he almost certainly won't be able to pitch, because of shoulder problems he's had since football. I'm not even sure Smith is playing this year (from what I've heard he's not). And I wouldn't be surprised to see Seeney playing first when Seay is pitching, and playing in right the rest of the time. Although Seay, could possibly take over in center if Sowder isn't able to throw well enough.