East Carter is the team to beat in the 16th region. Coach Shearer (sp?) is top notch and he has immense talent to play with. I believe his sophomore class may be one of the best in the state.

GCHS Soph class:argue: may have something to say about that.

Every year the Wilson kid has pitched key district games for the Rams and has won a lot probally as much as any on the Ram staff (not sure) so how can you say that he has not done it yet?

 

I have been their for the last 6 years. I don't know what games you were watching, I was at every game,but I didn't see any of those big wins. Look.....I'm not bashing the kid. I hope he does great for Raceland this year I'm just saying that he is going to have to step up and be the man this year....Espicially if we want to have a chance of beating Greenup.

I think if you talk to the coaches in the area, Greenup, Ashland, Boyd, Russell and even Post 76 coach Paul Lewis you would see what I am saying, Which is I think he will pull more than his load, the big question is will anyone else maybe your kid step up? Carver,Martin probally will. As far as depth in pitching they have Wilson, Reynolds, Keeton, Mckee as starters with possibly 1 or 2 more filling in.

I think if you talk to the coaches in the area, Greenup, Ashland, Boyd, Russell and even Post 76 coach Paul Lewis you would see what I am saying, Which is I think he will pull more than his load, the big question is will anyone else maybe your kid step up? Carver,Martin probally will. As far as depth in pitching they have Wilson, Reynolds, Keeton, Mckee as starters with possibly 1 or 2 more filling in.

 

I don't have a kid on the team. I am just a fan and have been since the early 80's. The last person I would ever ask a baseball question to is Paul lewis. I would rank his opinion right up their with that white stuff that collects in the corner of your mouth when you are thirsty. Like i said before I am not bashing the boy. He has good talent, and he will have to be the man on the mound this year for Raceland to get out of the district. Wilson is the only kid in that list with any real varsity pitching experience. Like I said before, you have a lot of kids that can throw, but only two who can pitch. Look...I hope the win the State tournament, but it ain't going to happen with the list of pitchers you just named. I'm not bashing anybody. I am being realistic.

I think Paul Lewis has done a lot for a bunch of kids in this area and finally got a lot of outsiders to look at the talent that is in this area!!!! He has got a lot of kids into or at least a good look from colleges that may not have given a second look otherwise. Several kids from his post teams are in school that probally would not have been if it wasn't for him. In reality that is what it is all about. I really don't think we have much of a chance of winning the districts when you think about the teams that have something going year round for the kids and then what we have 2 or 3 months to compare to BUT I will still back the Rams all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!GO RAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think Paul Lewis has done a lot for a bunch of kids in this area and finally got a lot of outsiders to look at the talent that is in this area!!!! He has got a lot of kids into or at least a good look from colleges that may not have given a second look otherwise. Several kids from his post teams are in school that probally would not have been if it wasn't for him. In reality that is what it is all about. I really don't think we have much of a chance of winning the districts when you think about the teams that have something going year round for the kids and then what we have 2 or 3 months to compare to BUT I will still back the Rams all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!GO RAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Mr. Lewis gets kids only because he has a monopoly on summer baseball. There is nowhere else for them to play. Otherwise I suspect a lot of them would not play for him. As far as putting kids in colleges most of them were already going to play for a college before they ever started playing for him. The ones that have gotten into college from his team is simply because of exposure(ie the schedule he puts together) it's definitely not because of his wealth of baseball knowledge. He's probably been responsible for blowing just as many kids arms out as has put people in school. I hope Mr. wilson isn't one of them.

I don't have a kid on the team. I am just a fan and have been since the early 80's. The last person I would ever ask a baseball question to is Paul lewis. I would rank his opinion right up their with that white stuff that collects in the corner of your mouth when you are thirsty. Like i said before I am not bashing the boy. He has good talent, and he will have to be the man on the mound this year for Raceland to get out of the district. Wilson is the only kid in that list with any real varsity pitching experience. Like I said before, you have a lot of kids that can throw, but only two who can pitch. Look...I hope the win the State tournament, but it ain't going to happen with the list of pitchers you just named. I'm not bashing anybody. I am being realistic.

 

I know a few people who have played under Mr. Lewis, even though i do not know him personally I would actually agree with both arguments. He is not the most intelligent "baseball" man to ever live, however he does seem to get a good percentage of his players into college. In my opinion he should step down as a coach and let someone else take care of the baseball part of the job, but he should stay as a part of the team by getting people college looks. Also, I attended most of the American Legion State Tournament when it was held in Ashland last year and I heard some very inappropriate things come from that side of the dugout, so if he is going to remain as coach he needs to at least get some order on his team.

If you look at what Paul Lewis does from the standpoint of giving area players a place to play, then he comes off looking good. But when it comes down to it, that's pretty all he does. I'm not so sure he is ALL about the kids because there is no instruction or preparing the kids for the college game, or even the high school game. Its a whole lot of seeing who shows up and making out a lineup. Most of the players end up playing a bunch or different positions throughout the summer, instead of working and concentrating on the skills they need to develop for their next season, whether it be in high school or college. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I commend Paul Lewis for making it possible for these kids to play somewhere, I would just like to see these kids benefit more from it skill-wise.

If you look at what Paul Lewis does from the standpoint of giving area players a place to play, then he comes off looking good. But when it comes down to it, that's pretty all he does. I'm not so sure he is ALL about the kids because there is no instruction or preparing the kids for the college game, or even the high school game. Its a whole lot of seeing who shows up and making out a lineup. Most of the players end up playing a bunch or different positions throughout the summer, instead of working and concentrating on the skills they need to develop for their next season, whether it be in high school or college. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I commend Paul Lewis for making it possible for these kids to play somewhere, I would just like to see these kids benefit more from it skill-wise.

 

:thumb: Could not agree any more

however he does seem to get a good percentage of his players into college. .

 

I am for anyone that puts out their own time and their own hard work, as every coach does. I commend that, but not sure this is a true statement. All these Legion kids have earned and picked their spot in College before they play their first game for the Legion Team, whether announced or not. If not, they will get seen in a Legion Tournament, not because their Coach called a College for them.:thumb:

 

BTW, I dont really like the terminology "HIS" players. They are just looking for a place to play in the Summer and that happens to be one of the only spots to play without driving to Huntington or farther. You could call the players "HIS" if he started from scratch and groomed these kids, but filling out a lineup card does not translate to that. Once again, I commend them for their time and giving the players an oppurtunity, but everyone shouldnt look into as more than that.

Mr. Lewis is all about Mr. Lewis. It sickens me when all of these kids who are playing college ball get their name put on the Post 76 website as kids who he put in college, and that's just not true. They are only put on there so he can say "Look what I did, I'm the greatest coach alive." All I can say is....I have a son playing little league right now, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that there is another summer program in this aera within the next 5 years. He will not play for Mr. Lewis Ever!!!!

Mr. Lewis is all about Mr. Lewis. It sickens me when all of these kids who are playing college ball get their name put on the Post 76 website as kids who he put in college, and that's just not true. They are only put on there so he can say "Look what I did, I'm the greatest coach alive." All I can say is....I have a son playing little league right now, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that there is another summer program in this aera within the next 5 years. He will not play for Mr. Lewis Ever!!!!

 

OUCH! :fire:

Gentlemen, enough of the Coach Lewis bashing. I have tremendous respect for him and any adult, who wants to help promote Baseball players, by offering them a place to play.

 

American Legion Baseball, is often for the elite or skilled players, from various High Schools and returning College players. They shouldn't have to be taught skills but rather, have them refined. Often game are nearly daily and it precludes practices from happening. Players also have some distance to travel and often times, are during hours when parent are working.

 

Some may like him and some not, which is your choice. He does however, provide the platform to be seen during the Summer and Fall, as I've seen his program. Legion is what it is, a program about getting more experience, against better competition and preparing yourself.

Lewis may not get them all in college,but he'll help. My son played at Raceland, the Raceland coaches didnt make the time to help him. Lewis called the Shawnee coach and got my son a try out. He made the team. It was Lewis who helped him, not his high school coach.

I respect him for providing a place for the area standouts to play. Lord knows there should be more people trying to do the same. I would just like to see him put a little more emphasis on developing skills. Just because games may supercede practice, that doesn't mean teaching can't take place. We can't expect these players to "prepare yourself" because like it or not, they are still kids. No disrespect, because like I said he does have the right idea, but perhaps Mr. Lewis should get some more skilled coaches to help, it might make a difference.