2 Pitchers only, 1 Pitcher/Catcher, 1 Catcher.

 

Funny, that is not what I was told.

It's possible the SS I mentioned could be playing catcher. All of those kids can pitch and catch as they have legit live arms.

I was listening to Mike and Mike today and part of their show was talking about youth sports and the number 1 sport that kids are really focusing on is baseball...apparently the numbers have tripled across the nation in just 2 shorts yrs...I am sure it has to do with the concussion football thingy...:thumb

 

Something is obviously going on at Highlands with all the kids coming out for baseball and competing for so few spots...

 

Wow...if Highlands could make a run at a State Championship this yr and even win one it could get really interesting in the next few yrs especially with the new reports of how baseball is becoming the safe sport to play...JMO

Here you go Sweep!! Enjoy!!

 

53 Total:

Todd Ramey - 12

Mitchell Jones - 12

Jake Whitford - 12

Luke Hennigan - 12

DJ Mills - 12

Brady Murray - 12

Jacob Noe - 12

Alex Veneman - 12

Kenny Ball - 12

Grayson Heck - 12

Lou Bunning - 12

Joseph Martin - 12

Trent Casebolt - 11

John Penrod - 11

Hunter Henschen - 11

Mark Walkenhorst - 11

Ricky Raisor - 11

Austin Mayhew - 11

Conner Kreeger -11

Austin Beal - 11

Kyle Rust - 10

Kyle Finfrock - 10

Trey Bowden - 10

Ethan Doty - 10

Brady Gosney - 10

Spencer Dee - 10

Morgan Race - 10

Tyler Schwalbach - 10

Andy Field - 10

Parker Smith - 10

Brad Greene - 10

Ryan Adkins - 9

Drew Rom - 9

Hunter Dreves - 9

Jackson Daley - 9

Aaron Verst - 9

Carson Fitters - 9

Adam Uhlenbrock - 9

Evan Lewin - 9

Sam Hennigan - 9

Joe Steiden - 9

Grant Summers - 9

Jackson Recht - 9

Nick Deal - 9

Robby Gabbard - 9

Cole Kendall - 9

Griffin Leighty - 9

Crosley New - 9

Griffin Huber - 9

Bryce Ziegler - 8

Cooper Schwalbach - 8

Tanner Juett - 8

Grady Cramer - 8

Highlands ranked 10th in the latest Preseason Kentucky PBR rankings..

Here you go Sweep!! Enjoy!!

 

53 Total:

Todd Ramey - 12

Mitchell Jones - 12

Jake Whitford - 12

Luke Hennigan - 12

DJ Mills - 12

Brady Murray - 12

Jacob Noe - 12

Alex Veneman - 12

Kenny Ball - 12

Grayson Heck - 12

Lou Bunning - 12

Joseph Martin - 12

Trent Casebolt - 11

John Penrod - 11

Hunter Henschen - 11

Mark Walkenhorst - 11

Ricky Raisor - 11

Austin Mayhew - 11

Conner Kreeger -11

Austin Beal - 11

Kyle Rust - 10

Kyle Finfrock - 10

Trey Bowden - 10

Ethan Doty - 10

Brady Gosney - 10

Spencer Dee - 10

Morgan Race - 10

Tyler Schwalbach - 10

Andy Field - 10

Parker Smith - 10

Brad Greene - 10

Ryan Adkins - 9

Drew Rom - 9

Hunter Dreves - 9

Jackson Daley - 9

Aaron Verst - 9

Carson Fitters - 9

Adam Uhlenbrock - 9

Evan Lewin - 9

Sam Hennigan - 9

Joe Steiden - 9

Grant Summers - 9

Jackson Recht - 9

Nick Deal - 9

Robby Gabbard - 9

Cole Kendall - 9

Griffin Leighty - 9

Crosley New - 9

Griffin Huber - 9

Bryce Ziegler - 8

Cooper Schwalbach - 8

Tanner Juett - 8

Grady Cramer - 8

 

 

Exactly what is this the football team roster or the baseball team tryout list?

 

Wow...what a list of very good athletes with Highlands legacy names that will be a force in KY for yrs to come...

 

Whoever said Highlands well is dried up is either just clueless or an obvious ignorant hater...Birds are Dirty and they know it , for yrs to come...:thumb:

Now that the dust has settled...perhaps someone could post a schedule for this week coming up. :thumb:

Now that the dust has settled...perhaps someone could post a schedule for this week coming up. :thumb:

 

My guess is their first game will not occur before they head south for spring break.

 

However, they will most likely get a scrimmage in on Monday against Conner at Florence Freedom.

Good to knock some of the rust off today by the Birds in the scrimmage vs. Conner.

 

7 pitchers worked for the Birds allowing 1 earned run in 6+ innings. Game was called after 2 hours.

I know it was a scrimmage, but what type of score was it? Did Conner throw multiple pitchers? How was the Birds offense?

I know it was a scrimmage, but what type of score was it? Did Conner throw multiple pitchers? How was the Birds offense?

 

Although not exactly sure, the final was something like 8-2 or 8-3 Highlands.

 

Conner did throw multiple pitchers. The only 3 I recognized were Ostertage, Craddock and Ward. Blaise did play some SS after pitching the 1st inning.

 

Highlands had Jones, Bunning, Martin, Kreeger and Raisor throw 1 inning each and Ball and Noe each threw 2/3 of an inning (due to time constraints).

 

For the most part the Birds did a nice job of making solid contact seeing live pitching for the 1st time since last fall.

 

Conner seemed to struggle a bit offensively. Highlands' pitching is a definite strength this year. In Conner's defense though they have to replace several very talented seniors from last season who graduated.

It was a tough feeling, but it propelled the returning players into the off-season determined.

 

That feeling was a second loss in three years in the 9th Region championship game for the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team. The Conner Cougars scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth to beat Highlands, 3-0 in that game. The Bluebirds also lost 3-1 to Newport Central Catholic in the region championship in 2012.

 

"We have had the best off-season in Highlands baseball history and a lot of that has to do with the determination and motivation of this team," said Jeremy Baioni, Highlands Head Coach. "The administration in Fort Thomas has provided us with top-notch facilities and our coaches and players have taken advantage of that. We spent all November, December and January in the new weight room really working hard. We utilized indoor cages and had 50 kids showing up every day. All three levels are determined to work as hard as possible on winning a regional championship at all three levels."

 

Highlands graduated five seniors from that team that finished 22-18, captured a third straight 36th District championship before beating Beechwood then Dixie Heights in region play at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Park to earn a shot at that elusive region crown. The Bluebirds last won a region title in 1997.

 

"Everybody knows how it feels going to the title game," said Todd Ramey, Highlands senior catcher, first baseman and third baseman. "The disappointment is still in everybody's heads so we're working hard to get back there. Once we're back there, we're prepared to win the game."

 

Those five seniors were infielder/outfielder Mitch Gesenhues, outfielder Brandon Hergott and infielder/pitchers Joey Cochran, Ben Vermeil and Evan Allen. But the majority of the team returns with 12 seniors, eight juniors and a sophomore on the varsity level. The Bluebird freshmen and junior varsity teams captured the region tournament championships.

 

The coaching staff had to make cuts with so many players coming out. The Bluebirds saw 82 players in grades 8-12 try out for the teams compared to 54 when Baioni took over in 2009.

 

"Making cuts is the toughest thing I do every year without a doubt," Baioni said. "We want to keep every kid that wants to be a Highlands baseball player, but that's not realistic. I can't tell you how much respect I have for each and every one of those kids that tried out this year and in years past. They all fought hard for their chance to be a part of our program."

 

The Bluebirds carry a huge asset into the season in pitching depth. That often leads to state championships in addition to region championships. They have 13 players listed as pitchers led by seniors Mitch Jones, Joseph Martin, Lou Bunning and junior Ricky Raisor. Jones is committed to play baseball at Kentucky Wesleyan and Bunning will play football at Lindsey Wilson College.

 

"Honestly, I do think we have the best pitching staff in the 9th Region," Jones said. "I can't speak for anyone else int eh state, but I do like our odds. We have a lot of guys who can throw in the low 80s (miles per hour). There are a lot of teams who don't even have one guy who can throw in the 80s."

 

Jones said the staff needs to stay healthy. The pitchers have been working on eyesight and location with freshmen head coach Derrik Moeves. The other listed pitchers are seniors Alex Veneman, Kenny Ball, Jacob Noe, Grayson Heck, juniors Conner Kreeger, Trent Casebolt, John Penrod, Mark Walkenhorst and sophomore Ethan Doty.

 

"They understand that they can sacrifice a little bit of velocity to locate a pitch and be even more effective," Baioni said. "They also understand that they can 'empty the tank' when they are on the mound and have every bit of confidence that there are guys behind them that can finish the job. In years past, we may have extended a pitcher or he may have attempted to find ways to save a little bit because we lacked pitching depth. This year, we think we'll have enough arms to piece a game together with two or three quality pitchers every day."

 

When not pitching, Jones, Veneman, Noe, Penrod, Walkenhorst and Kreeger will be in the outfield. Martin will be at first or third when not pitching and Doty could be behind the plate. Bunning could find himself at first or in the outfield when not on the mound and Ball could be catching or somewhere else on the infield. Heck could also be somewhere in the infield.

 

Three other seniors also return in outfielder Brady Murray, shortstop/second baseman Jake Whitford and first and third baseman DJ Mills. Junior Austin Beal will battle for an outfield spot with junior Hunter Henschen battling for time at first base and junior Austin Mayhew looking for time at shortstop and second base.

 

The Bluebirds hit the ball well last year scoring 210 runs while yielding 171. That run total was good for fifth in the region. Baioni said Highlands has been working on situational hitting this year and cutting down on strikeouts. For instance, with two outs, he wants the players to shorten their swings and put the ball in play on the ground.

 

The Bluebirds held a midnight madness for the start of baseball practices this year. It took place at the Next Level Academy in Wilder.

 

"We have thought about Midnight Madness to open the season for years," Baioni said. "The probelm has always been the lack of facilities and the weather rarely cooperates that early. We had over 100 fans and we were able to showcase our guys in a manner that many aren't used to seeing. It's always fun when the guys get to showcase their athletic ability and hard work in that type of setting. We wanted to show everyone how much fun we had while working hard."

 

Highlands opens the season Monday against Beechwood. Game time is 5 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Matters Sports: Highlands has high hopes entering season

Thanks for the write Mike...someone finally making some sense and giving me some key names and positions for this upcoming yr...since I can't get anyone to send me a roster...:thumb:

Thanks for the write Mike...someone finally making some sense and giving me some key names and positions for this upcoming yr...since I can't get anyone to send me a roster...:thumb:

 

Post 154 was the roster and you replied to it.

Post 154 was the roster and you replied to it.

 

That list was an given...

 

I am looking to see who is on second and for that matter who is on first.

 

I need names, numbers and positions...not that hard really especially for someone in the know:thumb: