Fort Thomas Jr Baseball League has been around for 50 years, same as the football league. However, it is very informal and geared mostly for kids who don't want to spend the time it takes to play in the higher level leagues.

I didn't know that.

IMO, this just needs to happen. While eighth graders can tryout for the high school JV team, last spring there wasn't a single District 22 Knothole A Division team (the division that most 8th graders would play in). This effectively meant that 8th graders who didn't make the JV team had NO baseball team to play on. I'm sure there were instances of kids who found teams from other districts or other youth leagues to play on, but they shouldn't have to do that.

 

As someone mentioned earlier, keeping more Ft. Thomas kids playing baseball will be important to the improvement of the high school program, and having a freshman team available to 8th graders and freshmen would go a long ways towards making that happen. Myself alone, I know of 2 or 3 very athletic 7th graders who are thinking of droping baseball this year. I believe that if they knew it was possible they could be playing for a Highlands team in just another year as 8th graders, they would be more inclined to continue playing.

 

Not sure if there;s going to be a freshman team, but there was a meeting and at least eight 8th showed up.

Heard they had a nice showing for interested players wanting to try out. And yes, there will be plenty to try out and be able to make cuts. Another good sign of the program going in the right direction. :thumb:

I can't believe it! Two pages of HHS Baseball talk. Positive or negative it's still out there on the radar.:thumb:

I can't believe it! Two pages of HHS Baseball talk. Positive or negative it's still out there on the radar.:thumb:

 

Yeah and in the heart of Basketball season.

Not sure if there;s going to be a freshman team, but there was a meeting and at least eight 8th showed up.

 

That's great. Hopefully, there will be enough space on the JV team for some or all of the 8th graders to make the cut.

 

In the future, it would be great if enough kids were playing ball that the JV team could be filled out completely by sophmores & some freshmen, and a freshmen team could be filled with remaining freshmen & 8th graders - heck throw in some 7th graders if they're good enough.

 

Yes we can!

Just another take here and this doesn't apply specifically to Highlands baseballs at all. I don't see that it is all that important to worry whether 8th graders are getting to play on a school's freshman team, assuming such a team even exists. In many (most) circumstances, these kids would be far better served playing a high quality AABC (SWOL) schedule, where they would get in more games and see better competition. Frankly, there aren't many - if any - NKY freshman teams that could play with a good NL AABC team. If a school doesn't have a freshman team - for whatever reason - I don't see this as having a meaningful impact on the school's JV or varsity programs. I understand the concerns if people feel the only reason there isn't a freshman team is because the school administrators don't feel it is important, but as far as it having an effect on the quality of the scholl's older teams, it's minimal at best.

Just another take here and this doesn't apply specifically to Highlands baseballs at all. I don't see that it is all that important to worry whether 8th graders are getting to play on a school's freshman team, assuming such a team even exists. In many (most) circumstances, these kids would be far better served playing a high quality AABC (SWOL) schedule, where they would get in more games and see better competition. Frankly, there aren't many - if any - NKY freshman teams that could play with a good NL AABC team. If a school doesn't have a freshman team - for whatever reason - I don't see this as having a meaningful impact on the school's JV or varsity programs. I understand the concerns if people feel the only reason there isn't a freshman team is because the school administrators don't feel it is important, but as far as it having an effect on the quality of the scholl's older teams, it's minimal at best.

 

I don't disagree with you, assuming there are SWOL teams readily available to play on, which in the Ft. Thomas area, they're generally not. The overwhelming majority of SWOL teams are based in the the Kenton/Boone county areas, or Ohio. Many parents are not able or willing to get their kids to 5:00 or 5:30 practices two or three times/week when the drive time to get there borders on a half hour. Money becomes an issue with SWOL teams also, with total costs significantly higher than other lower level leagues. A freshman team would provide a much lower cost, more convenient option for many Highlands 8th graders - and being connected with the high school hopefully would motivate more kids to stay in the game.

 

I do agree with you, however, that the experience of playing in the SWOL would be excellent for anyone.

Heard everyone got along today at weights. Seriously, there was 40+ at the meeting that didn't include footballers and basketballers. Great showing. The coaches are looking at about a 40% increase in tryouts this year. Keep it goiing boys.

Heard everyone got along today at weights. Seriously, there was 40+ at the meeting that didn't include footballers and basketballers. Great showing. The coaches are looking at about a 40% increase in tryouts this year. Keep it goiing boys.

 

That is great news.

Heard everyone got along today at weights. Seriously, there was 40+ at the meeting that didn't include footballers and basketballers. Great showing. The coaches are looking at about a 40% increase in tryouts this year. Keep it goiing boys.

 

:dancingpa:dancingpa:dancingpa

So if you're an underclassmen(Juniors/Sophmores/Freshmen), do you lift M-W-F with Football and T-R with Baseball?

So if you're an underclassmen(Juniors/Sophmores/Freshmen), do you lift M-W-F with Football and T-R with Baseball?

 

No. Most are lifting with football.

So if you're an underclassmen(Juniors/Sophmores/Freshmen), do you lift M-W-F with Football and T-R with Baseball?

 

No, if you are also a football player, the baseball coaches are letting them lift with football and asking them to throw on the side the other days. Coach Baioni doesn't want to overwork them. He's glad they are at least working out and if he can get them to throw, bonus! Feb. 15th right around the corner.

Last night the HHS Athletic Boosters approved $$ to upgrade the field the baseball uses for practice and games. This is another step in the right direction for the program.