Baseballinmyblood

For me, it has to be when I faced the "Fleming Flame" himself, Woodie Fryman, from Fleming County when I was young. He was playing for the Flemingsburg Aces out of the Blue grass League. He was a beast, and a true "fireballer" before there were any left-handed pitchers really throwing that hard. He was a legend in the blue grass league long before MLB, and was in his mid-20's when he signed. He ended-up playing 18 years in MLB, and is in the Expos' Hall Of Fame. I think he died a few years ago, but he was still tending to his tobacco up-until he died. He was fascinating, and an intimidating guy to face when he was pitching. I don't think he even made it to high school, but was by-far one of the smartest pitchers in the league. Which is probably why he was able to have such longevity as a pitcher. He actually turned down several coaching jobs to go home and work on his farm. That sounds just as crazy now as it did in the early 80's when he retired. Regardless, he was by far the toughest pitcher I ever faced.

Revere has turned into a great player. Should have a good career. You also have Robbie Ross and Colin Cowgil as well. Robbie has pitched a lot so far for the Sox this year, and I think anyone that ever watched Cowgil play knew he wasn't going to stop until he made it. They are great ambassadors for the state, even though I think Revere claims to be from somewhere else too. I think he only was at Lexington Catholic for a couple years? He originally is from Georgia I think.

How'd it go?

I think like most people, he thinks the silly part is anyone suggesting he should have gotten the job over LeMaster, and then trying to throw in that resume shouldn't matter. Haha! That's the silly part. I really don't mind that nonsense, but what I do hate is going beyond that by claiming a bunch of unfounded fabricated stories in am attempt to somehow tarnish LeMaster's reputation. None of it can be backed-up factually and I know for a fact it's false. Like I said before, I think the best thing is for everyone to jump on board before you lose the best thing that's ever happened to Ashland. By the way, I agree with the "what have you done for me lately," comment because apparently they have been under his coaching and have underachieved. Most assistants learn how to coach from the head coaches they're around and watch do the job. So I'm sure the administration was very aware of that, and knew the results would not change. I think the baseball community from Ashland should be thanking the administration for making the decision they made, especially if they care anything about winning.

Of course you don't. Well, we know Dwight doesn't have anywhere close to the resume or coaching reputation LeMaster has. So whom do you think was the better candidate?

Regardless of whether it was Lemaster or somebody else, it's a good sign for Ashland athletics that they chose to go with the best option instead of allowing "small town politics" dictate the decision. I hope others in the area will take a cue from that decision.

I can appreciate someone having an opinion about another coach. However, something that really bothers me is when you have to resort to creating fabrications in order to prove your point. I know for a fact that LeMaster never did anything close to what you are insinuating about weekend practices. The only way that could be a true statement is if it happened in his last year there, and that was the year he had an assistant coach. So insinuating that he left the players there with no one to lead practice is just not true. You're trying to darken a man's reputation that has done nothing but good things for eastern KY. You're talking about somebody that even though he wasn't getting paid a dime, he drove from Paintsville To Pikeville at 5:00Aam during the fall for morning workouts. Your argument about his coaching is incorrect and not based on any real truth. As far as him shopping themselves around, I've yet to hear you name one school where that was the case. I know the jobs that were open in eastern KY, and I know for an absolute fact that they did not go after Prestonsburg and Sheldon Clark. Nor did they go after Russell. They also did not go after any jobs that were not open. You mentioned Paintsville, but LeMaster never went after that job because it wasn't open. You're crazy if you think Paintsville wouldn't jump at a chance to have him as their coach. When it comes to Craig getting a teaching job, you're simply talking about a son-in-law being helped by his father-in-law. As far as Craig goes and his reputation, that's something I am kind of in the dark about. I'm not that familiar with him, but I do know he has as good or better credentials than anybody in eastern KY to be an assistant high school. I know his personality was never that great, and he wasn't exactly Mr. Popular with his teammates. However, I do not know if that is him today? He could be different, and he could be worse. Coaches also need someone they can trust helping them. So why wouldn't you bring Craig. He knows he doesn't have to worry about him doing anything behin his back, and that is priceless for a head coach to have. Him bringing his grandson along is a no-brainer, anyone would do the same thing. However, I promise you and you will see for yourself, he will do everything in his power to promote every kid on that roster. I realize your guy did not get picked. I understand you're bitter about it. I get it. I really do. It happens every time a coaching change is made to somebody. However, your attempts to fabricate details that are unfounded is not the right thing to do to LeMaster. If it were somebody else that maybe has been shady in the past then that's fine. However, you're talking about a deacon in his church. He lives his life better than most, and he gives back to his community when it's needed. He doesn't deserve being talked about the way you are talking about him. The truth is Ashland just got handed the best coaching candidate east of Lexington. The sooner everyone jumps on board and "buys-in" to his philosophy, the sooner he's going to put a winning team on the field. There is nothing you can do about the other guy not getting the job. So move on and embrace what you have. If not, you all may end up running off the best thing that's happened to Ashland since Brandon Webb.

Your information is a little off. While LeMaster was at Pikevillle they only had two seasons where they were bottom-half of the MSC. That was his last two years. Also, it wasn't 2002, it was 04' or 05'. The reason behind that was over half his team went back to Puerto Rico. When he had his grandson he wasn't able to give everything he could, and the recruiting suffered because of it. He went the easy way of recruiting taking a Christmas trip to Puerto Rico for a couple years, and brought back players. It was risky, and that year you are referring to is why that happened. Those players had a chance to play on a semi-pro team in their home country, and they all decided to do so. Of course, it was LeMaster's fault, but you have to understand the cards he was dealt. Which leads to his character also. From the time he took the job at Pikeville he decided not to take a salary. Even with that, the school would not approve him a full-time assistant. There was only a handful of season where he had an assistant, and they were all graduate assistants still in school. So he had no one to help recruit. Not too mention, any recruiting he did do was paid out of his own pocket. I would be very careful to speak about someone's coaching history unless I knew the hand they were dealt. Considering all that, he still maintained a winning record at Pikeville. If they hadn't moved to the MSC, Pikeville would have easily won four or five consectutive conference championships in the KIAC, especially the 2001 season when they were 49-11. I understand the argument with Craig. I've never been a huge fan of him either. However, he would never do anything that would jeapordize LeMaster's reputation. He's been riding his coat tails for awhile now, and he's not going to do anything to mess that up. His son, Braxton, just started football practice this week at Ashland as well. One thing I do know, and I am pretty confident in saying, is that he won't see any special treatment at all. If anything, he will have it worse than anybody. LeMaster will always go out of his way to help promote kids, especially from eastern KY. So anyone expecting an agenda of some sort will soon learn how good of person he really is. All of this negativity that is starting before he even meets the team will do nothing but hurt progress. I understand some people wanted the other guy, but sometimes other people are going to beat you. How you respond to that says a lot about your character. It's best to just tip your hat, and hope the next job you apply for doesn't have this caliber of applicant going-up against you. Because I can tell you that trying to discredit someone with a resume like his, that conducts himself as a man of God in every part of his life, will only come back and discredit you in the end.

I think some of the posts in this thread are good examples of how messed up high school and youth sports are. Ashland, who has always underachieved in baseball, gets a "top-shelf" coach. However, instead of embracing that, it automatically turns into him having an agenda. He was a 14-year MLB veteran that was highly respected in the sport. He is the all-time winningest baseball coach in Pikeville College history. He has had a few years where they have won close to 50 games. They moved to the mid-south conference at a time when the top half of the teams in that conference could have, and did, beat several Division 1 schools. The program took a hit when he tried to juggle being a new grandfather and a head college baseball coach. Once he figured out he wasn't going to be able to give Pikeville everything he could, he retired. The problem with the Pikeville program hinges from the decision not to search for a new coach when LeMaster retired. They simply put a guy in his place that had never coached baseball on any level and I don't think even played past little league. That is the administration's fault, not Coach LeMaster. Now that his oldest grandson is in high school he is getting back into it after coaching him all throughout little league. I think he used it as an excuse to get back into coaching. He is not, nor will he ever, be a man that has an agenda or uses a school to fulfill that agenda. He is not looking for Ashland to be a shortened stay. There is also no agenda when it comes to his grandson. If there was an agenda, I am pretty sure he wouldn't be letting him play football, which I think he started practicing this week. Granted, his grandson will probably take somebody's position, and that will also cause a riff. His son-in-law is helping him, and has more than enough credentials to do so. He was a Division 1 pitcher, and also played in the Baltimore Orioles organization until his arm surgery. I can tell you that Coach LeMaster could end up being the best thing that has ever happened to Ashland Baseball. However, if you guys involved with the team do not embrace him, and welcome him to your community, he will not put up with it. He has done more in the sport of baseball than all the applicants combined that applied. It was an easy decision for the administration to make. He is baseball royalty in the state of KY, and an even better man of God, and church deacon. Sour grapes should not play into how he is treated. I don't care who everyone thought should have gotten the job, the best candidate got it. I commend the administration for not falling to the "good ol' boy" way of doing things that has plagued small-town athletics. He does a lot for every community he has ever been involved with. I hope he gets treated better to his face than he has been anonymously on here.

Does anyone have details on this one? I have been told that Central could very easily be one of the favorites to win a state championship this year, but I haven't seen them play. I was wondering if this was a "#1 v. #1 " game and how exactly this one played out?

I agree. They have the talent no-doubt to compete in that region. I think they have the best defensive shortstop in the region as well as the best catcher when Coffey is back there. I hope they figure it out by post season.

Does anyone know what is going on at Boyle? They have a great #1 and a very solid middle of the lineup that matches up with anyone offensively. Their talent level is always strong, and I just don't see a scenerio where Boyle should lose to Madison Southern ever. Is Southern a better team than what I am giving them credit for?

I just assumed it was him? I know they offered to somebody but I haven't heard a name yet?

I was told the guy from NKU was offered it this morning?

As sad as that sounds, it is probably what coaching will turn into over the next twenty years.

Apparently

It seems LC is way overrated every year? They did the same thing coming out 7-0 last season only to finish 3-4. Losing Dalton for the year will either unite them or cause dissention depending on how its handled? There doesn't seem to be any consistency with how things are being ran. I don't know if its the 20+ coaches telling players different things, or if its just a matter of accountability? Regardless, after seeing the Breathitt game and now this, I don't think they are mentally tough enough to finish on a high note. Their defense is giving up on average 27 points/game, and that is even the teams they've blown out. So knowing a team is going to put those type numbers up on them each game, it doesn't look good. I look for them to most likely go .500 or less the rest of the way and a first round exit in the playoffs. Unless of course they get magoffin again in the playoffs?

Heard today the announcement will be September 29th

You seem to forget who DeSales competes with within the private sector? Tell me who you think gets the pick of the litter? Its not DeSales...... St. Xavier Trinity Holy Cross Christian Academy of Louisville KY Country Day Bethlehem Also...... Christian Academy of Indiana Providence

I think hazard is a better team than LC. They would run circles around the LC defense. They are better on both sides of the ball, mentally, physically, and are better coached. Fairview had an opportunity to win that game against Lc.

1. DeSales 2. Caldwell County 3. Bardstown 4. Christian Academy 5. Murray 6. Owensboro Catholic 7. Glasgow 8. Middlesboro 9. Danville 10. Prestonsburg My changes 1. DeSales 2. Caldwell 3. Owensboro Catholic 4. Christian Academy 5. Bardstown 6. Prestonsburg 7. Murray 8. Glasgow 9. Middlesboro 10. Danville/several others possibly

Getting away from this style is how you've slowly seen kids learn proper techniques and not look silly. This is not the proper way to address a ball coming at you. Putting your ear to your shoulder and falling backwards? Really? That not only still leaves you exposed, but statistics are the reason baseball moved to giving up your backside. Less injuries happen when struck in the back area. Everything to the side and to the front of the body are 10 times more fragile and easy to break. Giving up your back also takes your hands and the bat out of the equation. Hand bones are by the easiest to break. It use to be common to see kids bail out like this. Until of course they got tired of looking silly from staring up from the seat of their pants at catcher holding a ball that didn't even hit them. The main reason for giving your back up is to reduce the risk of injury, but I'm sure looking crazy is a close second.

I agree with most of that. Maybe slight changes...... 1. Mayfield 2. Pikeville 3. Williamsburg 4. Beechwood 5. Frankfort 6. Hazard 7. Raceland 8. Russellville 9. Fairview 10. Holy Cross Williamsburg is hard to predict based on their schedule, and I think they could be anywhere from #3 to #8? Who knows?

I believe Casey County broke Powell County's record for consecutive losses. I think Powell's got up to 33 games at one point in the late 90's? Casey broke the record in 98' or 99.'

You're absolutely right. I did forget. Them moving up to 3A threw me off. They interrupted a nice little run Highlands had been on up to that point.