Thoroughbird

Coach Baioni is smart---he's not going to show anything. I expect that NewCath's big hitters will not get a ball to hit during the District matchup. In fact, Baioni might walk in a run as opposed to pitching to Cain or Schmits if either come to the plate with bases loaded or runners in scoring position. I follow both, but and I think NewCath is 10x more talented, which is why I think HHS will win district game. Schulkens will find a way to get out-coached. Too bad---he has the best NewCath team in his 16 years and yet he can't even put players in their best/most beneficial positions.

Brady Gray is probably NCC's #3, then Brian Doyle. Schmits hasn't been given much opportunity to pitch in either of the last two years, as they mostly play him at 1B. He got roughed up (in relief) against Ryle 1st week of season---New Cath blew a 6-2 lead. Really hasn't thrown much since. He was a primary pitcher on his summer league team. Effective if his off-speed pitches are working. Usually has good location control of fastball.

Schmits (NCC) Comora (Ryle).

Final Score

uuuhhh.... foot-in-mouth on 10th Region guys added to list (brain-fart). Wasn't sure if Popham was still catching regularly or playing elsewhere--he's the type of player you can't have out of your lineup. Been that way ever since he could swing a bat. We hated/loved playing the Reds in AABC ball, and he was always the X factor. Keep him from killing you and you stood a chance to win.

I complete agree about Lonkard and O'Brien...I couldn't remember names. Haven't seen Thompson this year, but we played w/ him during summer ball last year and I agree--he's solid. Lot's of talent spread around NKY should make for an interesting post-season.

going into the last weeks of the regular season, here's my take on the best of 9th Region---any thoughts, additions, comments? OF--Leeke (Beechwood), Sullivan (NewCath), Rebholz (CampCo), Norton (Brossart) 3B---Hempfel (Ryle), Teegarden (CampCo) SS--Clarkson (Ryle), Hightchew, (NewCath) 2B--Bertke (Beechwood), ??? 1B--Laumann (Boone), Schmits (NewCath) C-- (CovCath's guy--name???), Cottingham (Beechwood) P--Fuller (Holy Cross), Teegarden (Boone), Isler (Ryle), Cain (NewCath), Sexton (Dixie), Fardo (Brossart) Looking for additions, comments--I'm limited to teams I've seen play

correction--NewCath and Reidland play this coming Satruday at 1:30 p.m. at Whitaker Bank Park (Lexington). Anyone know anything about Reidland? Seems like their winning some big games, but I don't know much about their region (?). They beat Owensboro Catholic to win the A Regional Tournament. Statements from Paducah Sun say that no other team (in the final 8) will have had a tougher road to Lexington than Reidland. thoughts/comments?

ditto those sentiments--US Today had an article this week about the number of college HR's being half of what they were last year. And those kids are much stronger with quicker bat speed. Too bad that the HS game is going to be affected by this change. It's ultimately going hurt pitching quality, as HS hurlers will know that they can be more aggressive in the zone without the risk of giving up the long ball. College hitting stats are way down---especially the number of extra-base hits. However, the supporting argument will be made that college-ready HS players will be easier to spot. Guess we'll see CovCath atop the region for many years, as Krump will always be the master of the small ball. Coaches who can't manufacture runs will be chalking up more "L's" than "W's".