bulldog77

If you're trying to imply that Highlands may be somehow "ducking" the mighty Boyle County, you're really going down the wrong path. Believe me, if Dale declined the offer it either didn't fit into already existing scheduled games, or there is a better opportunity elsewhere. Having schedule the likes of Elder, Moeller, St. X (Ohio), Colerain, et al in the past, I truly don't think the "Birds would be looking to avoid Boyle County. All of us would like to see this game on the schedule, but there is much more to the scheduling thing than just calling up and saying "hey let's play."

Absolutely correct. The drill is meant as a mental preparedness and positive thinking exercise. Much like seeing yourself being successful in your mind as you approach the plate for an at-bat, self-talk if you will. It does work for many players just as most drills work for most players, but not all. I like it, it does take a little of the nervous edge off in a critical situation and it serves as positive reinforcement of technique without potential negative consequences (missing the ball in warm-ups, etc.). Of course, some kids (just like some coaches) absolutely hate it, which again, is pretty much the same with just about any drill. I'm not sure I'd have the cajones to run it at the Regional tournament (maybe that says more about me than about the kids), but I definitely can see the value. I think anything you do before a game has to be done to infuse that last minute jolt of confidence in your players.

Sorry, but here is an response to that question that will not be popular on this site. It is not the job of the public school system to provide athletic advantages nor to be concerned with such. It is their job to provide a basic education in a setting that is conducive to learning (class size, etc.). Athletics is only an extracurricular activity. It is the fans, and some parents who have driven the importance of these activities to a level way beyond where they were intended to be by school districts. Yes, some schools buy in to that level and some others don't, but thinking athletics is or should be a concern when making decisions as to expansion, consolidation, etc. just isn't realistic. Nor should it be frankly. There are advantages and disadvantages to virtually every scenario you can present, private, independent, large consolidation, new school, yada, yada when it comes to athletics. It's the perspective of the person that determines whether they see themselves at a disadvantage or not.

Actually yes, they do. I have long held the belief in the crux uf JS's theory. He is absolutely correct in suggesting that the county schools are incorrect in their attacks against privates schools. (Said the long time small public school coach). And, he has also proven another of my theories and that is that once the larger public schools would ever win their battle and eliminate the private schools from KHSAA competition, they would set their sites on the small independent schools as "unfair competitors." But, back to the issue, yes, long standing relationships with families and communities are clearly an indicator of success in my opinion. "Tradition" really means nothing more than, "we've all been here a long time and we know what it takes to be a winning program AND we're all committed to that goal." Private schools have it mostly by virtue of the social and economic ties between their schools, their parishes and their families. Pretty much the same with smaller independents. YES, there is the added issue of the ability of these schools to admit a percentage of kids from the "outside," but those numbers are far, far fewer than the big school whiners would have everyone believe. Just as numbers alone don't always determine success (although that is a more accurate predictor of success normally), nor does the ability to extend boundaries or open admission criteria (Silver Grove, Berea, etc.) I agree JS, your premise is correct. Schools need investment and commitment to be successful both athletically and academically.

The way I understand it: KHSAA member schools can only play other schools that are members of their state organizations, be it Kentucky teams or teams from other states. You are correct.

They will also be going on Sunday August 15th from 9 to 12 as well. Also at Dixie Hts. High School.

The real problem, aside from poor maintenace and a lack of knowledge in terms of how to maintain the field, is that the field was built on an old landfill. I mean a very old landfill. Because they didn't have the technology back then in terms of compaction and waste management, the ground shifts as the garbage underneath continues to erode. The more you move the dirt and soil on top, the more the stuff underneath shifts. Hence the huge drops and crests most evident in the outfield. A real overhaul would be extremely expensive. Now, that said, there is no excuse for the poor quality of the grass, the large "lips" around the infield nor the lack of solid footing in the batter's boxes and on the mound. All easily fixed, all easily maintained. It just takes time and a few bucks (not that much believe me). I'll credit Denny Bowman for getting it up to par when he was Rec. Director, but now as Mayor, he needs to get somebody's attention and fix what could be a huge asset to the high schools and the community. It doesn't take money to be diligent about who is using it and how, and that's the FIRST thing they need to do.

Actually they are not off on their guess. While the No. Ky. Baseball Coaches Association set the dates for the tournament (with input from the Freedom management), the gametime for the finals was originally set for 1:00 p.m. Due to scheduling at the field on Saturday (a non-baseball related event I am told but don't know that for certain) the game time was changed by the Freedom management initially to 12 then to 11 and now back to 12 again. I can tell you that the time issue was a major concern of the coaches at the Regional Tournament draw.

Bellevue Tigers Varsity Baseball 2010 Season Grey Black Player Class Position 23 23 Buckler, Ricky Sr. SS, 3B, OF 3 3 Fessler, Joe Sr. OF 25 25 Hegge, Alex Sr. 1B, C, 3B 11 11 Piper, Tony Sr. IF, P 17 17 Thompson, Chad Sr. IF, P 21 21 Young, Michael Sr. P. 1B. 3B 19 19 Fogelman, Brandon Jr. OF, IF 40 40 Lenz, Joey Jr. OF 24 24 Babb, Tyler Jr. P, C, OF 30 30 Fogelman, Jordan So. C, OF 14 14 Hoffman, Branden So. OF 34 34 Schweinzger, Shawn So. C, 1B, OF 13 13 Myers, Devin Fr. IF 35 35 Ackerson, Tyler 8th C, IF 42 42 Huff, Dylan 8th IF, OF 34 34 Poinsette, Zack 8th P, IF, OF 5 Rob Sanders Head Coach 33 Joe Lay Assistant Coach 32 Rick Buckler Assistant Coach

That is not the case and has never been the case. It helps if you know a little something about that of which you speak. Good years or bad years, the same three schools have opposed seeding for far more than the 36th District Tournament in baseball. There are other sports involved as well. The state has chosen to not classify sports such as volleyball, baseball, softball and soccer, which pits schools like Silver Grove in the exact same classification as Trinity, Henry Clay and Henderson County. Whether you want to admit it or not, numbers and "drawing power" (to use the politically correct phrase) make all the difference in the world in each of those sports mentioned. While I have never been a proponent of persecuting private schools, I am not naive enough to think there are not clear-cut advantages. Even more so it is as plain as the nose on anyone's face that larger schools have clear-cut advantages as well (which is the REAL issue that the KHSAA SHOULD spend some efforts on rather than harrassing private schools). Just because your opinion is that seeding is the way to go doesn't mean you are right. For those small schools with the power to give themselves opportunities that other small schools don't have, this IS the correct thing for them to do. Being classless and "running up scores" and the like certainly won't make the choice anymore palatable for either of the parties involved and I am grateful that the coaches involved have more class and more sense than to try something so childish. And by the way, IF there were seeding, it would only mean that 4 out of 36 games have some meaning, it would NOT change the other 88% of the regular season.

And actually ended up 7 to 2 not 8. Might also have been the result of the opposition to some degree as well.

Brossart at Bellevue cancelled today

Bellevue at Villa Cancelled

Said with class, as I always expect from you paNDA. By the way, the NDA fans were nothing short of gracious and complimentary as well. Thank you.

Okay, enough is enough. This is starting to get ridiculous. Whether yopu personally believe that the Bellevue STUDENTS earned their way into the tournament or not is really not the question. They did exactly what they had to do to get to the tournament. In exactly the same manner and with exactly the same chance to draw into the short bracket as every other team in the District. Your opinions as to the draw versus the seed have NO bearing on whether the girls EARNED their opportunity. In tournament play you beat who is in front of you and move on. Seeding versus a draw should have NO impact as to ones appreciation of the efforts of these STUDENT ATHLETES. Argue the process as you wish but everyone needs to stop casting doubt on the Bellevue players, the coach etc. TOG I am certain that is not your intention here, but too many others have done so. Alot of folks were disappointed with the turnout, but again, don't rain on the parade of the the players. Whether they, as you put it, earned it or not, I'm also certain had no bearing on who did or did not not attend and to even remotely insinuate that it did is ludicrous. I don't have an answer as to exactly why the low turnout, I have my suspicions, but no real answer, but I can assure the town and the school are quite proud of those young ladies. They did what they had to do. They had no vote in the process. NOTHING was GIVEN to them.

You are absolutely correct. At the end of the day we agree completely as to the inequity of our current system. However I've been in the shoes of both a large school coach and those of a small school coach and I assure you, the competitive frustrations of the former are far fewer than those of the latter. I know I and others around our Region will continue to push for classification in athletics to ensure a more competitive balance for all schools.

TOG you are so very correct. I remember losing a district title at Lemker when a CovCath guy hit a pop-up that just barely cleared the right field fence. Back then it was Holmes, CovCath, Holy Cross, Ludlow and CovLatin in the old 34th District.

The shame of it all guys is that what Coop describes is just a small part of the many inequities in our current system. No offense to the Boone County guys (many, many are friends), but it is the larger schools and districts around the state that have created and perpetuate the problems. Most of the larger county schools around the state chose a couple years ago to push the "anti-privates" agenda, all the while ignoring the more obvious, more critical inequities of size, enrollment and, in this case, districting. Their reasoning for this crusade was quite suspect, but I personally interpreted much of it to their own selfish agendas. Also, while cost is now a very critical issue in terms of travel expenses as it relates to classification for sports, I cannot help but feel there is a better answer, a better way. The big county systems can't have it both ways, and this is where you and I disagree Coop (which almost never happens by the way). To claim unfairness for your district on a competitive basis, yet the state choosing to ignore the more obvious unfainess of Eminence playing for the same title as St X, really doesn't wash.

Remember, this alignment is for far more than just baseball. Take into consideration all sports not classified (except Volleyball and Golf) for both boys and girls and see if that changes your view. Maybe, maybe not.

The districts are set for multiple sports for both Boys and Girls competition. Since most schools play basketball in both girls and boys, the districts are set according to those schools by geography. AND, since school size is NOT considered for competitive purposes for basketball, baseball, softball, etc. it cannot be considered when aligning districts. If you want fairness for a district playing with all big schools JUST because it has all big schools, then you have to consider the fairness of a system that puts Silver Grove in the exact same classification as Trinity, Male and Tates Creek in terms of a state championship. No, it's not fair, but nothing about our current non-classified system is. Blame your "purist" "fans" that clammor for the same old Sweet Sixteen for the hesitancy of the KHSAA to classify other sports. That and the fact that someone in Frankfort might have to put pen to paper and find a formula that works. And yes, under the current system, travel is by far the overriding factor and no, it isn't the issue here that it is in other parts of the state. However, if you mandate criteria to one part of the state, you have to do so to the rest of the state in terms of alignment.

Coop, the answer is real simple . . . Classification.

Exactly where do you see that I singled out Highlands fans or any other particular schools as far as who exactly is complaining? It is as much from people outside the 36th District boundaries as it is from within. However, that said, the complaints about the bracket doesn't seem to happen when Highlands and NCC draw opposite of one another. No accusation there, simply an observation from years and years of watching.

As usual when NCC and Highlands draw into the same bracket in the 36th we have the outcry for seeding. Where was all the crying last year when NCC and Highlands drew into opposite sides of the bracket? I'll tell you, it was non-existent. It's all well and good for folks to use the idea of "earning" ones way into the regional as long as it only applies to the smaller, less populated schools. "Earning" your way apparently doesn't apply to those fans of schools who feel their team has some divine right to reach the Regional tournament. For those who haven't been around as long as some of us, seeding in the districts is a relatively new phenomenon in Ky. basketball. I apologize for not knowing exactly when the idea was first imposed, but for the vast majority of the life of the state tournament, blind draws were the norm state-wide. Also understand that even had any of those schools mentioned voted for seeding this year, it would not come into play until the following season. Until all sports are classed, yes even basketball, any district which is controlled by smaller schools competing with larger and/or private institutions is going to continue to avoid seeding. I agree wholeheartedly that we should return to the days of only the District Champion moving onto the Regional. Perhaps we could reduce the length of the season by a few days, reduce costs, etc. I also find it incredibly interesting that there is such an outcry about seeding in the first round of a tournament that is a blind draw (or semi-controlled blind draw in the case of the Regional) the rest of the way out. I will also agree that it should be universally one way or the other for consistency, but as long as the option is there I can see no reason for the majority of the schools in the 36th to vote to seed.

Actually he left Labor Day weekend. Started the school year at Bellevue and moved over Labor Day.

At some point a coach's ethics and morals either come in to play, or are shown to be totally absent. In this particular case I think it is quite clear with which case we are dealing. The "Get good enough to stop me" mentality is for weaklings and "me-first"ers. High school sports ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL in nature and not every school is blessed with athletes, numbers or even the ability to attract top notch coahes. High school sports ARE NOT EQUITABLE in terms of level of competition. That's why all but two states now classify EVERY sport. It is the responsibility of coaches to maintain fair play, ethical play and sportsmanship. The Yates coach clearly is unable to display any of those attributes.