All of them. Like I said, the Raiders will repeat. Make your predictions.

 

You didn't answer my question about lost pitchers. Didn't Ryle lose their #1 and #2?

My fault. Mitch will probably start at 3rd or 2nd this year. I meant Holocher.

 

I think Darner is a lock at third, and Mitch will play second. Not at all worried about the infield "D" but I do have some worry about the outfield "D" but I have been told by many who have seen Van Sant play, that I shouldn't be worried.

You didn't answer my question about lost pitchers. Didn't Ryle lose their #1 and #2?

 

If you recall, Ryle didn't have any so called stud pitchers, guys that you could stand around and watch retire the sides, they had guys that could hit spots with movement on the ball, guys that could get ground balls. Several of the guys comming back actually throw harder, and a couple are 07 type pitchers. I am not concerned about the pitching at all.

 

So who is Stover, I know we never saw him, don't even remember him on the CCH roster.

If you recall, Ryle didn't have any so called stud pitchers, guys that you could stand around and watch retire the sides, they had guys that could hit spots with movement on the ball, guys that could get ground balls. Several of the guys comming back actually throw harder, and a couple are 07 type pitchers. I am not concerned about the pitching at all.

 

So who is Stover, I know we never saw him, don't even remember him on the CCH roster.

 

Mitch is a JR who pinch-hit and pinch-ran in the region. He would have started had Popham not been in front of him or had Larkin not been at 2nd.

 

So, Ryle didn't lose any good pitchers?

Both CCh and Ryle graduated some nice players. Both teams had excellent senior leadership. The seniors on both teams produced under pressure. It remains to be seen how the CCh and Ryle players that are returning accept the challenges of leadership.

Don't overlook Dixie and Beechwood.

Beechwood has the bats, defense and pitching.

1-Ryle -lost a ton of tallent but so has Cov Cath and Beechwood wasn't that strong last year. Raiders will have a tallented defense, four pitchers with varsity experiencs and a couple good JV pitchers. So D and pitching will not be an issue. If they hit thru the lineup like they did last year, they return to Applebee's.

 

2-Beechwood

 

3-Cov Cath- lost their entire infield, except their ss and their entire outfield and most of their pitching. Can't reload like Ryle will.

 

Beechwood was State Runner up in All A and lost in the regional semi's to Region 9 winner Ryle, pretty strong considering they had 1 returning starter.

Beechwood was State Runner up in All A and lost in the regional semi's to Region 9 winner Ryle, pretty strong considering they had 1 returning starter.

 

That's why I pick them to finish second. Ryle run ruled them in the regular season and beat their best pitcher handily in the regions. So this year I feel the two teams will be somewhat equal with a slight edge to Ryle.

My picks for the 9th are as follows...

 

Cov Cath and Ryle 1 and 2, I just don't who will come out on top. Cov Cath has some excellent pitching returning, but has lost alot of field players. They have the best player in the area in Maile. Ryle has some solid pitching returning with some outstanding talent coming up from the JV Regional Championship team. Interestingly the Kentucky Kings Fall team at times has had an all Ryle infield. Reider at 1st, O'Hara at 2nd, Leatherbee at SS, Renda at 3rd. Reider hasn't been able to play that much but the other three have played outstanding this fall. Lovan (Ryle) and Neihaus (Cov Cath) have both pitched for this team this Fall and looked excellent.

 

3) Dixie- Some real good pitching returning and some good sticks.

 

4) Beechwood- Solid pitching and some young talent coming up

 

5) Conner- Sleeper team with some talent that hasn't been able to put it together.

If you recall, Ryle didn't have any so called stud pitchers, guys that you could stand around and watch retire the sides, they had guys that could hit spots with movement on the ball, guys that could get ground balls. Several of the guys comming back actually throw harder, and a couple are 07 type pitchers. I am not concerned about the pitching at all.

 

So who is Stover, I know we never saw him, don't even remember him on the CCH roster.

 

Look for Helmers (throws in low 80's) and Etscheid to both make big contributions pitching for Ryle. Both made the Ky. Colonels 2008 roster and Walt told me he was extremely impressed by both of them. Etscheid has a great glove and probably has a very good chance to start at 3B and Helmers should get a strong look at SS or OF. The kid has a cannon.

 

Shover played JV for CC this past year. He may have pinch hit or pinch run a few games, but by and large did not play for the varsity team. He is a solid player, though.

Look for Helmers (throws in low 80's) and Etscheid to both make big contributions pitching for Ryle. Both made the Ky. Colonels 2008 roster and Walt told me he was extremely impressed by both of them. Etscheid has a great glove and probably has a very good chance to start at 3B and Helmers should get a strong look at SS or OF. The kid has a cannon.

 

Shover played JV for CC this past year. He may have pinch hit or pinch run a few games, but by and large did not play for the varsity team. He is a solid player, though.

 

As I mentioned earlier, Campbell, Seabold, Reider, Lovan, Renda, Helmers and Etscheid....I am not concerned with Ryle's pitching the next couple of years.

A couple of these guys might find themselves as position players and not pitchers. You have to remember, Humphrey went 7-1 on the varsity squad as a freshman and Wagner went 9-0 on the J V squad as a freshman and neither saw the mound once they locked up the middle infield positions as sophmores. Have not seen Helmers play SS, but he will have to be a stud to beat out Leatherbee. Not saying it won't happen, Pat makes every kid earn his position every year. If these kids work on hitting, no one will stop them.

[

 

3-Cov Cath- lost their entire infield, except their ss and their entire outfield and most of their pitching. Can't reload like Ryle will.

 

 

Diamond Dandy,

While I appreciate your passion and knowledge for high school baseball, you obviously did not scout CCH very well. Sure they lost some very good fielders and pitchers, but to say they lost their entire infield and most of their outfield is simply inaccurate. The positions that they lost will be filled with players that are very solid. The pitching will be there. Reloading is not a problem this year.

I know nothing about Ryle or Beechwood or any other teams, so I will not predict a CCH championship. I do predict that CCH will be tough against anyone that they play.

[

 

3-Cov Cath- lost their entire infield, except their ss and their entire outfield and most of their pitching. Can't reload like Ryle will.

 

 

Diamond Dandy,

While I appreciate your passion and knowledge for high school baseball, you obviously did not scout CCH very well. Sure they lost some very good fielders and pitchers, but to say they lost their entire infield and most of their outfield is simply inaccurate. The positions that they lost will be filled with players that are very solid. The pitching will be there. Reloading is not a problem this year.

I know nothing about Ryle or Beechwood or any other teams, so I will not predict a CCH championship. I do predict that CCH will be tough against anyone that they play.

 

So make your pick. I picked Ryle to repeat and Beechwood to be a notch above CCH. And CCH returns one starting infielder and outfielder and a couple of pitchers.

 

And CCH returns one starting infielder and outfielder and a couple of pitchers.

 

Don't let what we've already told you get in the way of what you believe to be true.

Diamond Dandy,

While I appreciate your passion and knowledge for high school baseball, you obviously did not scout CCH very well. Sure they lost some very good fielders and pitchers, but to say they lost their entire infield and most of their outfield is simply inaccurate. The positions that they lost will be filled with players that are very solid. The pitching will be there. Reloading is not a problem this year.

I know nothing about Ryle or Beechwood or any other teams, so I will not predict a CCH championship. I do predict that CCH will be tough against anyone that they play.

 

So make your pick. I picked Ryle to repeat and Beechwood to be a notch above CCH. And CCH returns one starting infielder and outfielder and a couple of pitchers.

 

 

Holocher SS and Maile C started in the infield for the entire season and more times than not, Isler started at first Base. Darner either DH, or played right field when Nutini pitched and of course Nutini either started Right or pitched. To my way of counting that's more than two, and I pick CovCath. Beechwood, Dixie, then Ryle....

So make your pick. I picked Ryle to repeat and Beechwood to be a notch above CCH. And CCH returns one starting infielder and outfielder and a couple of pitchers.

 

 

Holocher SS and Maile C started in the infield for the entire season and more times than not, Isler started at first Base. Darner either DH, or played right field when Nutini pitched and of course Nutini either started Right or pitched. To my way of counting that's more than two, and I pick CovCath. Beechwood, Dixie, then Ryle....

 

Can't wait....hope to see at least 4 Ryle, CCH matchups next year.