Thoroughbird

The new KHSBCA poll :

http://www.khsbca.com/polls.php

Going into the last 10 days on the regular season, who are the favorites? Who is playing thed best baseball?

Regardless of who got votes and who got snubbed, the best thing about this poll is that there are a number of NKY teams in the top 25---which is great, considering that we had zip (0) during the preseason poll.

Dem boys finally figured that there's good baseball on up north!

I agree NewCath has more talent, but I don't think Baion will intentionally walk a run in and in know way is this the best team NCC has had in the last 16 years.

My comment about walking in a run was a compliment to Baioni, meaning that he'll do his homework and he's a good gametime tactician---and I was kidding....I don't think he'd do that either.

So if this NewCath team isn't the best he's had, which one was? Surely, if you are so quick to strike, you have a reason. Or maybe I should pose my question this way: Which of his teams did you son play for? Just kidding---but seriously....what team do you think was better?

Seriously---I've been following NewCath for a long time, and I can't remember a lineup that had 7 legitimate pitchers, 1 through 5 batters that averaged almost .500, two guys with 40 RBIs, multiple long-ball threats and depth at almost any position.

Of course, that doesn't mean that they're going do anything. His 2008 Region 9 Champ team was 2-8 over their final 10 regular season games before they won it all. So go figure.

[/b]Whats wrong with you??? Do you really think that Coach Baioni would throw a game?????? He has a job to do! Thats like saying might not run hos Offense against Cov Cath in the regular season and let them score a win just to beat them in the playoffs. Baioni is there to win games and he surely isn't going to give them away!!!!!

Sounds like you are disgruntled breads dad whose kid isn't playing where you want him to be with the bold comments.

You may want to re-read my post, as I didn't say anyting about anyone throwing or laying down. I simply stated that Baioni is smart--he's not going to show NCC anything. He's been scouting NewCath, learning player tendencies, and finding weaknesses. And if he found a way to exploit those weaknesses, he sure as heck isn't going to utilize them in a meaningless regular season game. Hopefully that clarifies my post and gets you to calm down.

I heard David threw a nice game. I also heard from both sides that the umpiring crew was the worst that either team had all year. CCHS should make some noise in the 10th Reg Tournament. Hope they can put together a few good games.

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

You cant be being serious here. The guys I put in bold I either dont agree with or they arent even in the 9th region. Also I think you should add Popham(Dixie) at catcher because he probably has the highest average out of both of those guys and I guarantee is better defensively. Also add DeMatteo to the list of shortstops. Besides maybe Clarkson from Ryle, DeMatteo is the smoothest shortstop up here.

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.

Is Laumann only playing 1B this year? Does he not play any 3B anymore?

 

Lonkard (Ryle) needs to be considered in the OF. Probably the best defensive OF in the 9th and his stick is starting to come alive as of late. Also need to throw props to Etscheid for 2B. He's hitting very well in the leadoff spot for Ryle and playing very well defensively. And Gorbandt has pitched extremely well the entire season and is more than worthy for consideration.

 

However, the one Ryle player who has most definitely earned a place on this list - as well as consideration for POY - is Tyler O'Bryan. He's hitting right at .500 and his ERA is under 1.00. Biggest issue is where to put him - he plays 1B and some OF when he's not pitching.

 

BTW, another name to throw out at SS is Thompson from Cooper. I think I saw some stats that he's hitting close to .600 and he fields well. And no question that Teegarden (Boone) is the best all-around 2Bman in the 9th, though you could also place him in the pitching category.

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

Reidland beat Newport Catholic 1-0 on Friday night ...

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".