1a. Beechwood- Having 8 starters returning with a full season of experience really helps. This team will rely on pitching and defense. When it comes down to a big game in the 9th region i dont see anybody being able to beat Elliott when he is on the mound.

1b. Cov Cath- They have a great junior class this year, there only problem may be senior leadership. You see alot of succesful teams have great senior leadership; this team doesnt have that. Cov cath will be typical cov cath with solid defense and making the typical plays that give them a chance to win against anybody.

2. Highlands- Kind of a bold prediction here but i think the bird will have a very good season with Senior pitcher Thomas Towells on the mound who throws 84-87mph consistantly, they should be tough to beat.

3. Ryle- There has been a lot of hype about this team, and i think many people have them better than they really are. They lose around 12 seniors from last years team and i believe 8 starters? There JV program has been successful, but lets be realistic here. JV baseball is nothing like varsity baseball.

 

This "varsity experience" thing always come up on here but doesn't always correlate. In Ryle's case I know six of these "JV players" have made the top 18U teams for this summer and played with the top summer & fall teams this past year (some 18u as sophmores). I would contend that they have played against some pretty stiff "varsity" type competition. They have some excellent senior leadership this year from players who had to wait their turn because of all the senior starters last year. In the end it will have to be proven on the field.

No most definitly not. I talked to Rick Buckler the father and he's the one who informed me both would not be playing. Ricky Buckler just had surgery the other day on his shoulder and wont be doing any sports until football season.

 

Wanna bet?

 

I tried to tell him....

ColonelCrazy is just being a jerk or maybe crazy is more fitting. Keep your digs to yourself.

 

Interesting.

 

If inquiring about a kid and whether or not he's related to another pretty good baseball player is "being a jerk", then I'm guilty as charged.

 

And I agree. Keep your digs to yourself.

NorthernKysportfan-2. Highlands- Kind of a bold prediction here but i think the bird will have a very good season with Senior pitcher Thomas Towells on the mound who throws 84-87mph consistantly, they should be tough to beat.

Besides thomas towles who does highlands have on the mound? its hard to win a region with one pitcher... highlands maybe good for an upset but def not for a championship

Highlands pitchers also include Oliver Head and i believe there 1B/ DH. Big kid, cant think of the name though. I agree with your statement of Highlands will need more than one pitcher to win region. If Highlands can save Towles for a big game in the region they stand a chance of getting to the finals. They will need someone to step up on the mound to get them a W against average teams.

Whats goin to be the pitching rotation for Ryle?

Highlands pitchers also include Oliver Head and i believe there 1B/ DH. Big kid, cant think of the name though. I agree with your statement of Highlands will need more than one pitcher to win region. If Highlands can save Towles for a big game in the region they stand a chance of getting to the finals. They will need someone to step up on the mound to get them a W against average teams.

 

Yes i completely agree winning against those above average teams in the regional tournament will be a tough test for the bluebirds. Bluebirds should be worried in the second round

If Towles throws 84-87 consistantly then I like Highlands' chances. Not only that, but Towles will be going Division I.

 

The 9th doesn't see pitchers like that too often. Personally, I'd like to see it for myself. I always hear about these guys who are throwing smoke only to find out it's an exaggeration.

If Towles throws 84-87 consistantly then I like Highlands' chances. Not only that, but Towles will be going Division I.

 

The 9th doesn't see pitchers like that too often. Personally, I'd like to see it for myself. I always hear about these guys who are throwing smoke only to find out it's an exaggeration.

 

 

...similar to 40 yd dash times in football!

Whats goin to be the pitching rotation for Ryle?

 

Probably won't know this for the next couple of weeks because it could go a couple of ways... all seniors or a mix. It all depends who steps up in tryouts.

Although not a senior, I would think Etscheid would be in the starting rotation.

He will be a factor for Ryle this year.

Although not a senior, I would think Etscheid would be in the starting rotation.

He will be a factor for Ryle this year.

 

Yeah, I think you can pretty much count on him being in the rotation. Not sure how much field time he'll get, though.

That's a shame because he's a really good 3rd baseman, and a good bat, but at a school like Ryle, you could use him just as a pitcher.

Please...continue to overlook the Birds...being the underdog is a refreshing change for us...but beware the Birds at tourney time!

 

If they could get some of the football players to play more than one sport they'd be contenders in everything.

That's a shame because he's a really good 3rd baseman, and a good bat, but at a school like Ryle, you could use him just as a pitcher.

 

Ryle has this competitive situation at almost all positions which should make for a real good team... no one gets comfortable.