bulldog77

Just heard today that there is not enough funding for the sod and the decisin has been made to forego this season and plant grass. That puts the Red Colonels back at Turkeyfoot for one more season. Haven't gotten any official confirmation yet, but got that from a pretty reliable source.

Kyle York, RHP/SS from Ludlow has signed a NLI at Division II Ohio Valley University in West Virginia. Congrats to Kyle and his family. Very deserving young man.

As always the shame of the matter is that some Raider fans don't have an iota of the class that their players do. Phrases like 'Shut up", "beat up" and "bigmouth" reflect more on the author than they do the subject. Congrats Ryle players and Classy fans, get after it Friday night. Dixie Pride will ride again. Work harder, set the goals high for next season, support your NK brethren in the next level of play-offs.

Please give me a break. Eckstein and Niederman are two of the best coaches in this area. At most Class A schools, the talent comes in waves and down years are to be expected. This year's team has a ton of undrclassmen and inexperience after last season's senior dominated team. This isn't a Highlands, nor does the district attract talent like other programs do (Nothing illegal meant or even insinuated here!!) Bellevue must relay basically on home-grown talent and that will always be inconsistent due to size. Eck and company will be back.

All the knowledge and philosopies in the world won't help you if you don't have the athletes that can function in each of those various and varying roles. Knowing each role is certainly key to coaching, knowing how to teach each role is even more important, but having players with the ability to perform those roles is equally as important. You can't teach an athlete with no power to be a power hitter and you cannot teach speed (improve yes, but teach that type of speed that results in 40 stolen bases a year, probably not). Some schools, expecially the smaller ones, must rely on fewer athletes and perhaps incomplete rosters of player types. Those coaches at those schools who still yet consistently produce winning teams are the most creative and most able coaches in my mind. It's like winning the shootout at the OK Corral without all your bullets. Those are the guys I admire most and who probably are really enjoying coaching. We'd all love to have that situation where you've got a stud at every position who can fulfill his role in the offensive and defensive schemes, but those situations are relatively few. The great coaches overcome and adapt their philosophies to the talent and abilities available to them. Again, a Mac Whitaker comes to mind for me as does a Coach Sawyer at Corbin.

Absolutely baseball should be classed. The successes of LCA and Beechwood are atypical when it comes to 99% of the smaller schools in the state. This year's state tournament was broken down as 5 class 4A schools, 2 3A schools and the lone 1A school Beechwood. (As I recall, but the memory does fade at times).

FF all my thoughts and prayers are with Buddy and your family. I've had the priviledge of knowing the family for a number of years and I'm so happy to hear good news.

I noticed at the Newport Summer League last night that Bellevue fielded a team. Who was that coaching them?

Notice the striped pants? Very slimming.

You had my complete agreement until you made this statement. All this shows is a pure bias. I really doubt that is what you intended and I hope you really don't view all teams with "losing" records in this manner. If so, then shame on you.

And just think, some idiots around the state would like nothing better than to make sure this kind of rivalry (public/private) would not be allowed in tournament play.

Having seen them both up close and personal-like, the two teams are very similer. Both are very capable hitting teams and both have a couple of nice arms they can tote out to the mound. In my opinion this one comes down to who is a) most motivated on that particular game day and b) who commits the fewest mistakes. Not necessarily do I mean errors, but mental mistakes, poor decisions, etc. Both coaches are experienced and capable gentlemen, each team is strong. This really IS one I'd buy a ticket to. I'm going to say a 4 to 3 ballgame either way.

You are, as usual correct sir. Another thread. Perhaps a discussion at the BB&G

I bet I know one time you weren't. :thumb:

You're right. Why have a chance for a small school to make the tournament. Cinderella stories have never been a part of baseball tradition. We've never had an underdog make a run at a title. Uderstand that life is not fair. It has never been fair to schools like Dayton, Silver Grove, Bellevue, et al because in baseball they have to compete head to head with the likes of CovCath, PRP, Henry Clay, LexCath, etc. So having the ever so slight chance of gaining the opportunity to play for a district title simply because the draw happens to favor them is small compensation for schools like those mentioned above in the unseeded districts. When baseball goes to a class system like it should, then I'm all for seeding or whatever else the "powers-that-be" suggest. But at this time, giving those schools an ever-so-slight chance isn't killing anybody. Besides, can anyone even remember the last time NewCath, Newport and Highlands all drew into the samr portion of the bracket? I can't.

It is a force play no matter how long it takes and results in the end of the inning. The run does not count.

The very reliable reports I have heard all tell me Chris will be drafted this year, but probably not as high as he may be in future years. A couple of things to consider here. Signing with an NCAA I or II school precludes his re-entering the draft until after his jumior year. I may be mistaken but I do not believe the same agreement exists with NAIA. Also, Chris and his family are solid Christians and made much of their decision on his college choice with that fact in mind. Also, a full ride (or very close as I have been told) is a VERY important aspect when one considers the situation his sister is in physically. This is a very close family and Chris is a very responsible and thoughtful young man. Those of you that want to question his abilities based on his college choice really don't know much about the process or the young man's character let alone his prowess on the field. Campbellsville got a good one and Chris made a very good decision.

WP was Thomas Richter. Actual final was Bellevue 12 Newport 1.

Highlands curently has some of the best coaches they have had in many seasons on both the varsity and JV levels. They work extremely hard and take great pride in that fact that they are representing Highlands and Ft. thomas. Questioning their practice methods is hardly a constructive way of discussing the problem. They run efficient, well-executed practices. I've seen them and I know them. Any coach or even long-time baseball observer knows, however, that even the best laid plans for a practice can go awry if a skill being taught isn't grasped or needs additional time or whatever. That's not excusing anyone from a schedule, it's just reality when it comes to teaching our great game. I also don't think the timing issue is the real problem here, but respecting the time and work that the team has put into what is in fact "their" home field. They do and should take pride in their work and probably just don't want to see it all undone whether intentionally or not. Of course the park is for the public, hence the term pubic parks, but I don't think giving the school team from the ONLY high school in the city a little leeway in terms of scheduling at this time of year is asking too much.

Gotcha

There is no such thing as a mandatory slide rule in high school. That is and has been a misperception. Players do not have to slide at any base at any time. Many younger umpires misinterpret this rule as well. There is not even a "true" no contact rule either. The gist of the rule, or rules, covering contact are that players may not initiate any type of contact with the defensive player which is seen as malicious in intent, or designed clearly to dislodge the baseball. This is primarily aimed at runners who are standing up and/or running through the play but I have even seen very rare instances when it was applied to a sliding situation. (And I do mean rare cases but I have seen it) The easiest way to avoid any such ruling against the runner is to slide, therefore the misperception that players "must" slide. In the event that a player does go in standing, there also is no automatic ruling that they are either out or out of the game. It is the umpire's interpretation of the intent of the runner as to how those situations are handled.

Final 1st round of the Doc Morris at CovCath

With Curley or Moore on the mound Beechwood is the better choice IMHO. That said, I doubt they'll see either one before District or Regional tournament time, even if this is a seeding game.

From personal experience in dealing directly with Coach Detzel on several occaissions, I'll echo the above sentiments about how classy this gentleman is. Great competitor, classy, classy coach and human being. Always ready to give credit to his opponents, always a kind word. This is the type of guy that needs to be in coaching. Our region will be less for having lost him, but I'm certain he will now become even more of an asset to the great fans and players at NewCath.

Beechwood at Bellevue Thursday 3/23 at 4:30 p.m.