Sidelines

There was a Johnson County League years ago that was Babe Ruth. It was for ages 13-15. There were no leagues here for older kids after Little League so after your 12 year old year, you played Babe Ruth. I am not sure when it folded, but I think it was close to the time or maybe a few years befor Paintsville Little League started having leagues for older kids. The Bambino League was formed in the mid 80's and lasted around 10-12 years. It was a very good league that had players from both Paintsville and Johnson Co. It was not County exclusive, and that subject never came up,....ever! The Bambino League started out as a 9-12 year old league and had 8-10 teams! Around 1988 or 89 They decided to make the league, 9-10's and 11-12's. This IMO is what led to the fall of the league. As long as they don't try and pit County against City, then the Cal Ripkin L. will do well. But I still would rather see a combined effort for a single , great league.

I also heard that PLL was raising the cost for sign ups!!! Not a very good time for that. It will be very interesting.

You all are taking me the wrong way!!! I am sorry if I have led you to believe that I am dogging anyone!! What I am trying to say is that Johnson County can't support 2 different leagues!!! I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way or as a personal attack from me. But there have been many, many disgruntled people who wish to have a sayso but for reasons unknown can't. I have heard from many that they want change, maybe it would be good and maybe not. What I am trying to point out is that PLL has been a great thing for the entire county for many years. If all the powers that be, and I am talking about both sides, need to get together and try to do what is best for our youth!!! If that means a time for change so be it!!! If a change is not neccessary, then great!! But simply deviding the youths just so one league will fall....and trust me, that is why they want to put another league in, is wrong!!! And when I say that if it means PLL doesn't get to host a State Tourn next year....all I am saying is that would be a drastic measure, but if it was needed to save a great organization for our youths....shouldn't it be done??? I am not saying it needs to or should be. But I had to put something or it would for sure seem as though I was trying to put down the people that want a new league. And I am not trying that either!!! statman101.....you and I both know it always starts out as being there for the kids....but for than a few times it becomes about some of the kids and then a complete ego trip for the grownups! Do I think PLL will fold???? A very good chance IMO. If what I have heard from very good sources is true, and I believe they are. PLL does not have the $$ to compete!! If they expect to sit in a room and wait for people to come to them to sign their kids up....they will lose drastic numbers....and numbers is what keeps a league going!!! Don't worry yourself to much about what I type about my opinions on a public forum....the officers and board members could care less what I think!!! The things I have stated that you refer to as rumors......are all things I have been told. It was my opinion that the reasons were petty. A2000, I know that they are there for the kids!!! They always have been!!! But sometimes the best interest is not always served. But a lot of those are petty as well...I could PM you about that. And yes, they do advertise for coaches, umpires and volunteers!!! But sometimes it just doesn't matter!!

One thing that has stood the test of time at Paintsville LL, is that no matter what school the kids attend. They are friends and teammates in LL and if the so called grown ups would work as hard on doing whatever they can to make everything better for the kids, as they do trying to keep some out of the league or trying to take over the league then it could be the best in the state!!! Cause even with all the petty grown up problems they have....they are still one of the most respected. Here is a suggestion to the powers that be and the wannabe powers that be....... GROW UP AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR YOUTHS!!! p.s. even if it means we don't get to host a State Tourn. next year! and even if it means you have to watch from the stands, no matter how much you want to be the coach! There are enough people out there that would coach that do not have kids involved and would make excellent coaches but won't get involved because of all this childish hawgwarsh!

It will definately hurt!!! You have one side that has control and won't relinquish it to anyone. And you have another side that has always been jealous and wants to take their ball and go to another field! Neither are willing to work together and Johnson County is not big enough to be competitve in all-stars trying to support 2 leagues!! It wouldn't surprise me if both leagues folded!!! The kids, who ironicaly it is supposed to be about will be the ones hurt the most!!! I have seen Paintsville Little League for many years and can honestly say IMO that refusing to surrender any control of the league and only one person in charge has caught up with Paintsville Little League!

I believe what I was told, the meeting was on 4-12-05 and they said in 2 months.

This is the view from our third base dugout to our first base dugout. :confused:

This is the new parking lot for our PHS-FOD-SC. :thumb:

This is a view of right field towards homeplate..... can't you hear the crack of the ball off the bat as the team is taking infield?

I have been asked to share some pics of the progress @ the Paintsville Field of Dreams Softball Complex. Just so everyone knows, I am NOT trying to "start" anything, but @ the April Paintsville BOE meeting it was reported that a lot of progress would be made on the field and that the infield would be in place by June 12th. Just thought some might like to see how the project is progressing.

First off....Cal Ripkin is not Little League. And I probably wouldn't believe it if I saw it. 81 mph is great for a 16 year old! Not that it can't be done....I just won't believe it! Is this the team that former major leaguer Willie Blair coaches with? If so....it is almost as hard as his coach did for 10 years in the bigs.

Quite possibly the best basketball thread I have seen in a WHILE!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: