bluegrass

Interesting setup Cooperstown! I truly feel sorry for the parent that can't relax enough to enough the joy of seeing their son play this sport. That means that their son can't truly develop a love for the game on his own or focus a passion into the game. He has to be worried, embarrassed, or focused on mom/dad. That's a shame. The game has brought so many friends and life lessons into my own life. That has come through supporting my son for so many years. I truly believe it was "supporting" and I pray I didn't cross the line into being an obnoxious fan. I know he's the wonderful adult he is because of the coaches, game, players and folks that surrounded him on just about a daily basis growing up and into adulthood. I watched a couple of games earlier this week and just felt like I breathed in baseball! Watching your own players make mistakes isn't always enjoyable, but it is to watch a young man's head process those mistakes and learn baseball.... priceless!! "Great game" it is in so many ways!!

Dad - Love your positive thoughts on baseball. I think some of your most positive baseball experiences were visiting those folks at Lafayette in Lex! LOL Seriously, baseball does provide a bond that is unique and beyond what most other sports can provide. I will say that my son's senior year brought some negative experiences with heckling towards his team that I still remember this day. When I reflect though, I realize those were tiny parts of a great journey. I also realize that those teams/fans that were expert at heckling are pretty much thought of as jack***** in general. So, don't let any jerks ruin the experiences of a beautiful sport for you. Tune them out... let them embarrass themselves.... whatever. It is YOUR game. :-) BTW, as I've shared with you before, KC always had some of the most polite fans and players I've ever met!! Play ball!!

These kids are tough and there's some very good players along with good coaching. I've seen several games and the losses they've had have been tough close games. The parts are all there for Bellevue and I wonder some times if those players really believe what they can achieve. I think they're use to be one of the bottom teams and over the last few years, they've built a solid ball team without truly realizing they've climbed the ladder so to speak. I'd like to see each player play with increased confidence realizing their accomplishments and improvements - even after an error or two. They should all be enjoying the turn around at Bellevue and the opportunity that many of these players may have to actually play college ball one day. Wish I'd caught this game of Bellevue and Highlands! Would have enjoyed seeing both of these teams compete. Again, I hope Bellevue players continue to battle and not be discouraged by some defensive errors and close games. There's a lot of season remaining!!

Good luck to the Generals!!!

That is very cool!!!!!:thumb:

I think scrimages are played with a goal of seeing what a program and players need to work on. They provide insight into a season though and Bellevue certainly is performing well out of the gate! Beechwood is well coached and has always had good talent. Saturday's game should be a good matchup and while it doesn't go on the record books, I'm sure the players on each side want to have a "w"!

I don't know exactly what the lineup will look like, but I do expect Bellevue to have a great year! They have kids with ability that are willing to work at developing that ability as far as they can. They have kids who get along and want to win. They also have a coach who is one of the best in the business and is the most caring person anyone could hope to have coaching their sons. That's a winning combination in and of itself. Should be a great year for Bellevue, players, and Coach Sanders!

:thumb:LOL I do agree with your assessment! Today is about as perfect a day for baseball as we could have. Hopefully next Sunday will be a repeat!

I think an argument can be made for any of the up the middle positions. However, a good catcher can make up for mistakes or weaknesses in many other positions. Watching a GREAT catcher who can lead and work like music back there - FABULOUS stuff!!

I don't particularly like that swing Strike, but LOVE the message! The days are a ticking!!

I have seen some fairly obnoxious behavior in HS fans or what I considered to be over the line. However, yelling "air ball" isn't one of them. That's a pretty common and benign chant. Sounds like some fans just having fun to me.

Good luck to your son! High school ball is a great phase of the baseball journey. May he and your family enjoy each and every moment of his special year.

It's a great time of year! Valentine's Day and the start of baseball all in one weekend! Doesn't get better than that! Play ball!!!!! :-)

He's not ranked in front of Maile. They're two different classes. Hunter is younger and is ranked higher in HIS class than Maile is in his. PG is a very well respected agency and looked upon for guidance into the top players in the country by many schools and scouts. Obviously Hunter Jones has gained much respect as a junior. I would suspect that he will receive a lot of attention being ranked this high by PG at this stage of the game.

CA does have some great JUCOs. As was pointed out by you and Vols Fan, the JUCO route can be mis understood here and many are not familiar with the advantages as well as the disadvantages of that route. While we only have one JUCO in KY and it's a DII JUCO (to be four year school now), we are fortunate to have excellent JUCOs all around us. Walters State in TN is one of the most highly respected JUCOs in the nation. Most of the states around us have JUCOs that are at least periodically nationally ranked if not typically so. The only challenge with the JUCO system in CA is that it does not offer the same financial support/scholarship as schools that belong to the NJCAA. One of the greatest benefits for going the JUCO route is the financial assistance IMO assuming the JUCO is fully funded. A player can end up getting two years of school and living expenses paid for at many and that's hard to pass up in today's world!

Congrats to Holmes on a fabulous season thus far and gaining national recognition. While polls don't win games, they do bring attention to the players and a kind of recognition that is obviously deserved. Congrats to the Dogs!!

Yes, new floors. Nice gym.

Ballfour - I assume you're talking about a situation like St Caths? Honestly, that is an interesting scenario. I would refer to the NCAA guidelines on transfer and probably call the NCAA office. I would BELIEVE that the player would be held to the original expectations and they would obtain their associate degree or required number of hours and be able to transfer as originally intended. However, I DO NOT know that - just guessing.

Very true about giving a player another opportunity for exposure. However, if that's what's driving the player to JUCO, he needs to do his homework and pick one where he will truly have an opportunity to play. JUCO does not automatically mean playing time. Also, remember that certain JUCOs (primarily in CA) do not belong to the NJCAA and don't fund scholarships. Also many JUCOs that do belong to the NJCAA thus being ALLOWED to fund 24 scholarships may not provide housing which would require a player to pay and find his own. For the right player finding the right JUCO, JUCO can be a godsend financially. NCAA now requires DIs to fund a minimum amount of scholarship to a player receiving funds. I'm sure someone can remember the amount, but the intent is to make things more even across the board and cut out the "book money" offers.

That is completely untrue. First, DIs run from Arizona State to Morehead State. The talent in the coaching ranks depends on the school, the funding depends on the school, the talent of the players varies greatly, etc. You cannot compare a top level DI to a low level DI. The same is said for a JUCO. JUCOs also have different divisions just as NCAA does. The coaching, the roster sizes, the talent, etc. varies greatly. Some JUCOs are a talent hotbed. They are simply the place that a player may go to weigh options - perhaps he wasn't drafted high enough in his opinion. Perhaps he had an injury and doesn't want to be locked into three years of NCAA, so he go the JUCO route to fully rehab/play and be drafted after the first year. MANY JUCOs have connections and ties to certain schools as well as working with certain scouts. If you've ever attended any of the higher JUCO games, a regional or world series you will see scouts packed in there. Also, the comment that you will play sooner at a JUCO. Again, this is a broad statement that does not hold true. You MAY play sooner. You may also play sooner at Morehead than you would at Arizona. There are many things that must be considered when looking at the ability to play anywhere. That is a true evaluation of your talent along with the school that you're interested in. How do you honestly compare? What is the need at your position? What is the size of the roster? Do they RS players on a regular basis? Do they have players regularly drafted leaving holes to fill. There are so many issues to consider that it can be truly mind boggling for a young player and his family. The experiences can also vary so much from family to family. Just one last thought - I in no way am insulting Morehead State. Great potential there I've always felt. Just attempting to show the differences in DI as in all levels of baseball from the top tier on down to whatever you may consider the low tier of each level of play.

I75 was closed at exit 111 in both directions. North bound continues to be closed but they are now getting salt on that strip and it should reopen soon. However, there are numerous accidents. I just talked to a friend up in N KY and it doesn't sound like 75 is much better up there.

Congrats to Holmes!!!

My son will be 22 years old next month, but I don't believe things have changed much over the last couple of years. I have great memories of he and his teammates gathering up sisters/brothers in between games to find a place in a parking lot or a field to play some rec baseball in between games when he was young. Watching him during a game get that look from his coach that said "you know what to do". Crying while watching a bunch of teenage boys sob because some of their respected and loved teammates were done with HS ball and the season was over. Smelling that fresh cut grass on a sunny day while hearing the smack of a hard line drive. Watching a CF start tracking before the ball even left the bat. Hearing the dads bs about their own glory days. Watching the hip of one more pair of pants dissolve as son slides in feet first just beating a tag. Seeing a kid come off a bench and observing his spirt grow in front of our eyes as he gets on base. Watching a player who's missed his senior year due to arm surgery be able to still have a vital role in supporting his buddies. I love sports, but there's nothing like baseball to bring out the joy and the best in young men. It's just the best for me!!

Excellent post tigerfan! I suspect that many HS coaches dip into their own pockets on a regular basis... for all sports. But afterall, they get that big salary for coaching!!

Nope, the girls raised their own funds and travelled as well.