Highlands returns a pitching staff that includes Jones' date=' Martin, Bunning and Raisor and all throw in the low 80's consistently. Having 4 solid starters will be the key but they also return some outstanding offensive players in Ramey, Whitford, Vennamon, Mills and Murray. Defensively they will be stout as well with Whitford and Ramey at SS/3b and Hennigan behind the plate. Murray and Vennamon are speedy outfielders as well. I see some solid players possibly not making the roster next year which will be tough.[/quote']

 

Don't forget Doty.

Highlands returns a pitching staff that includes Jones, Martin, Bunning and Raisor and all throw in the low 80's consistently. Having 4 solid starters will be the key but they also return some outstanding offensive players in Ramey, Whitford, Vennamon, Mills and Murray. Defensively they will be stout as well with Whitford and Ramey at SS/3b and Hennigan behind the plate. Murray and Vennamon are speedy outfielders as well.

 

I see some solid players possibly not making the roster next year which will be tough.

 

What solid players will not make the roster?

Combs, Slusher, Stringer and Fieger are back for BW for the next 2 years. It will be interesting to see the "team" improvement from year to year. I am emphasizing team for a reason. If they can find a strong #3 starter behind Combs and Fieger and stay healthy they could make some noise. But, as we all saw this year, one game coming out flat in a tournament will end things in a New York minute.

The young

NGO men listed above need to worry more about the team, than their own accomplishments, if they do that they have a chance to be great, if some of them remain ego centric they wii suffer the same fate in 2015.

Highlands returns a pitching staff that includes Jones, Martin, Bunning and Raisor and all throw in the low 80's consistently. Having 4 solid starters will be the key but they also return some outstanding offensive players in Ramey, Whitford, Vennamon, Mills and Murray. Defensively they will be stout as well with Whitford and Ramey at SS/3b and Hennigan behind the plate. Murray and Vennamon are speedy outfielders as well.

 

I see some solid players possibly not making the roster next year which will be tough.

 

Jones and Bunning will be the best starting duo next year.

The young

NGO men listed above need to worry more about the team, than their own accomplishments, if they do that they have a chance to be great, if some of them remain ego centric they wii suffer the same fate in 2015.

 

Please do tell. What does ego centric mean in baseball? Are they ignoring signs? Are they intentionally making outs? Or are you referring to the dastardly, dreaded, and ego centric wearing of eye black? Give me a break. What BW needs is for some kids other than the 4 returning juniors to step up and play on a consistent basis. They must somehow figure out how to replace their middle infielders Booth and Suchanek, and they must get a better year on the hill from a couple kids. The have their ace in Kyle Fieger, a solid 2 in Combs, but need to solidify that 3. My guess it will be Stringer, but who knows, perhaps they instead choose to continue the up and down closer experiment.

 

IMO Highlands is a clear favorite, as long as they build on the end of year run. I saw them couple times mid year, and they were not good. End of year, very. Which team is the real team? Did they just have a great run end of year, or are they really good?

Edited June 13, 201412 yr by MalibuRunner

Please do tell. What does ego centric mean in baseball? Are they ignoring signs? Are they intentionally making outs? Or are you referring to the dastardly, dreaded, and ego centric wearing of eye black? Give me a break. What BW needs is for some kids other than the 4 returning juniors to step up and play on a consistent basis. They must somehow figure out how to replace their middle infielders Booth and Suchanek, and they must get a better year on the hill from a couple kids. The have their ace in Kyle Fieger, a solid 2 in Combs, but need to solidify that 3. My guess it will be Stringer, but who knows, perhaps they instead choose to continue the up and down closer experiment.

 

IMO Highlands is a clear favorite, as long as they build on the end of year run. I saw them couple times mid year, and they were not good. End of year, very. Which team is the real team? Did they just have a great run end of year, or are they really good?

 

Highlands probably played one of the toughest schedules in the state of Ky this past Spring. I think that is why they kept getting better and better throughout the year. We all know that playing better competition makes you better..:thumb:

Highlands loses a full time starter at 2nd base and in right field and that is it. How anyone can say that Beechwood is that far ahead of the Birds makes no sense to me, considering they have almost their whole team back. On top of the fact that Highlands jv didn't give up a run in the jv tournament. The Dirty Birds are loaded my friend..

 

Ever since I have been reading BGP, people have been touting Highlands as one of the top teams in the area. Just last year, parts of the fan base insisted that they should be #1 or #2 in the preseason. As the season went on, it was obvious that they were not a top 5 team. I do think they have the makings of a good team next year (pitching), who knows maybe they will be near the top. However, until they can win consistently against good teams, I'm not picking them in my top 5.

 

Am I bitter over Dixie handing them games in the last 2 of 3 regional tourneys? Yes :isurrender:

Please do tell. What does ego centric mean in baseball? Are they ignoring signs? Are they intentionally making outs? Or are you referring to the dastardly, dreaded, and ego centric wearing of eye black? Give me a break. What BW needs is for some kids other than the 4 returning juniors to step up and play on a consistent basis. They must somehow figure out how to replace their middle infielders Booth and Suchanek, and they must get a better year on the hill from a couple kids. The have their ace in Kyle Fieger, a solid 2 in Combs, but need to solidify that 3. My guess it will be Stringer, but who knows, perhaps they instead choose to continue the up and down closer experiment.

 

IMO Highlands is a clear favorite, as long as they build on the end of year run. I saw them couple times mid year, and they were not good. End of year, very. Which team is the real team? Did they just have a great run end of year, or are they really good?

 

For BW, I feel Combs is the number #1. When he was on the bump he was close to being a shut-down pitcher. I feel Fieger is a close #2. Interesting point you make on #3. Many think Stringer is only effective on the mound when he has a chance to warm-up. Well make him the #3 and see if that hypothesis is true. Groom Bankamper to be the closer. Now you have a starting rotation and a closer for 2 whole years.

Ever since I have been reading BGP, people have been touting Highlands as one of the top teams in the area. Just last year, parts of the fan base insisted that they should be #1 or #2 in the preseason. As the season went on, it was obvious that they were not a top 5 team. I do think they have the makings of a good team next year (pitching), who knows maybe they will be near the top. However, until they can win consistently against good teams, I'm not picking them in my top 5.

 

Am I bitter over Dixie handing them games in the last 2 of 3 regional tourneys? Yes :isurrender:

 

Not real sure how you can say they are not top 5. Regular season means absolutely nothing in Kentucky high school baseball. I am sure JB and staff could attempt to win more games along the way, but they are looking to see what they have during the regular season in order to build toward a postseason run. Todd Ramey was a JV player last year until mid-year when he was promoted to the Varsity and I think he has become a pretty good player. Ricky Raisor spent the entire year on the JV squad and yet when postseason rolled around he threw a no-hitter in game 1 of the District and then followed that up with a very good start in the 9th region championship game. Him pitching JV allowed coaches to give other kids experience and also allow him to play in some games as a position player.

 

Highlands may have a situation next year where kids have rightful complaints about playing time because there are only 8 spots on the field.

Am I bitter over Dixie handing them games in the last 2 of 3 regional tourneys? Yes :isurrender:

 

That makes two of us. Ha

 

What solid players will not make the roster?

 

I don't see that happening. I think you are going to see some make the squad as pitchers only. Next years SR and JR class is loaded. Fun problems to have should be some spirited competition for starting spots at least IMO.

For BW, I feel Combs is the number #1. When he was on the bump he was close to being a shut-down pitcher. I feel Fieger is a close #2. Interesting point you make on #3. Many think Stringer is only effective on the mound when he has a chance to warm-up. Well make him the #3 and see if that hypothesis is true. Groom Bankamper to be the closer. Now you have a starting rotation and a closer for 2 whole years.

 

Of course you do, along with the best hitter, the best fielder, and the best leader. You make it very clear in every post. Bottom line is Kyle pitched all the big games that Suchanek didn't, was the #2 all year, and will be the #1 next year, and rightfully so. Brayden is a great player and a great kid, but so is Kyle and he has earned his right this year to get his shot at the #1. As for the closer, don't sleep on Brett Slusher. He is being converted to a submarine style thrower by the boys at Midland, and is doing very well by all accounts. Could be his role to lose.

Highlands probably played one of the toughest schedules in the state of Ky this past Spring. I think that is why they kept getting better and better throughout the year. We all know that playing better competition makes you better..:thumb:

 

Trust me, I agree. The things I saw that left me scratching my head had nothing to do with competition, had everything to do with execution and making the simple plays. As long as the region tourney team shows up, they are in my mind the clear favorite. If the regular season team shows up, they are just among the rest.

Of course you do, along with the best hitter, the best fielder, and the best leader. You make it very clear in every post. Bottom line is Kyle pitched all the big games that Suchanek didn't, was the #2 all year, and will be the #1 next year, and rightfully so. Brayden is a great player and a great kid, but so is Kyle and he has earned his right this year to get his shot at the #1. As for the closer, don't sleep on Brett Slusher. He is being converted to a submarine style thrower by the boys at Midland, and is doing very well by all accounts. Could be his role to lose.

I am just stating my opinion which obviously you do not care for. I said Kyle was a close second, once again in my opinion. That does not mean he is miles apart and he will for sure have a chance as the #1 starter and BW will be just fine if he is. No issues here. I have mentioned Combs as ONE OF THE better hitters around because he is. His stats do not lie. I have never, and I repeat, never said he was the best fielder. Go find where someone else said that and report back please. As far as a leader, that was out of observance on how he carries himself. Before the Highlands debacle he was out in the field with his teammates during stretch and going to each one and trying to get them pumped up. During the game he was constantly trying to keep things upbeat even though it was obvious the team was flat. Maybe there is a better leader and you can give me your opinion as to that might be instead of ripping on my opinions. Have some constructive dialogue like you did with Slusher as a reliever. That is good stuff and he is a great athlete.

I am just stating my opinion which obviously you do not care for. I said Kyle was a close second, once again in my opinion. That does not mean he is miles apart and he will for sure have a chance as the #1 starter and BW will be just fine if he is. No issues here. I have mentioned Combs as ONE OF THE better hitters around because he is. His stats do not lie. I have never, and I repeat, never said he was the best fielder. Go find where someone else said that and report back please. As far as a leader, that was out of observance on how he carries himself. Before the Highlands debacle he was out in the field with his teammates during stretch and going to each one and trying to get them pumped up. During the game he was constantly trying to keep things upbeat even though it was obvious the team was flat. Maybe there is a better leader and you can give me your opinion as to that might be instead of ripping on my opinions. Have some constructive dialogue like you did with Slusher as a reliever. That is good stuff and he is a great athlete.

 

I think the closer for BW could be a combination of Slusher, Bankemper and Nussbaum. With 3 hard throwers starting, the off speed of Nuss and Slush could confuse some hitters.