lexbaseball33

Kevin is one of the finest Baseball Coaches in Kentucky. He is a very motivating coach that players will love to play for.

Not rationalizing cheating at all if LCA cheated in any sport that sport should be punished, just Stating that private schools garner all the attention and you never hear of any improprieties from public schools. Only thing I know for sure is where Baseball team has come from and it is very legit.

Not accusing Dunbar of anything just stating facts of players that have transferred into Scott Co . Maybe I should clarify I was speaking of Scott County basketball with previous MR Basketball players in Rick Jones and Scott Hundley both transferring into Scott County to help win State Championships. Dunbar lost Hundley to Scott County. Dunbar getting LCA player this year he might not be eligible to play but LCA lost player and then tried to help player gain eligiblity to play at Dunbar because they thought player would benefit academically there.Definately not accusing Dunbar of anything, Scott Countyhas had more high quality transfers than any basketball program in the bluegrass but you never hear recruiting because of it being public.

Regarding LCA I think everyone needs to clarify what teams we are talking about. The article is speaking of minority students given tuition aid from a church. Being a past LCA parent I never saw or heard of tuition assistance in the program our son played in( baseball) yet school won 05 State Championship. This team was comprised from students who had been in the LCA system for years and I'm quite sure paid many tuition dollars. I can't speak for any other program other than Baseball but would challenge anyone to name a player on that 05 team that recieved any money or was recruited. LCA has benifitted from being located in an area with very good youth sports programs. To speak of taking Titles or diminishing accomplishments of teams one should know a little of what they speak. ALL PUBLIC schools in LOUISVILLE can recruit many do. Look at Scott County basketball (Rick Jones, Corbin HS, Scott Hundley, Dunbar HS,Transfer this yr from Henry Clay). LCA has turned down many athletes in the past due to Grades, behavior issues or Beliefs. As an athletic parent I can assure you that you are not catered to ,quite opposite if you knew the whole situation. Baseball program has lost many players to local schools over the years and lost catcher from last years team to Dunbar this year. from what I have heard LCA supported the transfer to Dunbar this year because they felt it would benefit the student although this leaves this years team with no catcher.Public schools and Private Schools that WIN both will fight accusations of cheating that just goes with the territory.

Having watched youth baseball around the state for over the last 10 years the Cal Ripken teams are much stronger than AAU teams in this state. Kids we played with from South Lexington never had any trouble in the State or Region. As 13 Yr olds this group banded together with Southeastern Cal Ripken players and developed a select team that again didn't ever lose in the State completely demolishing the AAU 12U state champions out of Louisville the year before. Outside of Ky once you leave 12u age group select baseball is much better. AAU National teams are unbelievable won't agree with USAAA being as good though. Select teams are much different than you see in League play and really can't be compared. The South Lexington team was in World series team against Select teams from Savannah Ga., New Orleans, Oakland, New Jersey and Indiana and still won. Leagues offer conveience to families and for young age I believe to be the better option. When comparing select teams to the teams of Cal Ripken or Little League is like comparing apples to oranges. Obviously if you go to National events Select teams that draw from all surrounding states have the opportunity to be better.

It was very questionable whether or not the South Lexington team actually were hitting against 12 year olds. The two pitchers they faced have never been seen at any level since that year. Remember this was the same year of Danny Almonte. The difference in this team they hit as a team against very good pitchers. The Louisville team really didn't have but one guy (Osborne) that could hit good pitching. You don't go from 78 mph as a 12 yr old to 67-68 as a 13 year old . I have traveled all over the country and have never seen this kind of decline with out serious injury. That only tells me 78mph Alvy threw was inflated. Trevor Gott of Southeastern was the hardest thrower I have ever seen he was gunned at 80+ mph at Cal Ripken W/S 3 years ago thus helping to change Ripken division when they went to 50 ft mounds.and 2 divisions.

Cal Ripken team beat teams with much tougher pitchers than Aaron Alvey, Oakland and New Orleans had monsters throwing upper 70's in Cal Ripken W/S unbelievable at that age. Saw Alvey as 13 yr old expecting him to throw hard and wasn't touching 70 mph from guns behind the plate. Alvey couldn't cut it at any level past 12 yrs old. South Lexington would have hit him without question. Little League gets more publicity but not necessarily better baseball.

Jason Langfels from Lafayette High School - Eastern KY Tyler Oliver from LCA - Marshall Thomas Royse from Dunbar - Louisville Taylor Hatfield from Lexington Catholic- Cumberland, TN Chad Kruger from Dunbar- Western KY ( have not seen this official) Casey Lucchese from Dunbar- Lakeland CC- Lakeland FLA Daniel Palombi from Lafayette - Evansville Eric Mueller from Lafayette- Easter KY (heard this last week) These are all Seniors that I know of their plans Tyler Polley from Tates Creek HS have heard nothing about plans. Tyler Back Junior 1st Baseman from Dunbar and Michael Champa Junior Pitcher and Outfielder at Lexington Catholic. There would not have been a game this South Lexington team was the best team of 12 years olds in this State maybe ever but with out a doubt in the last 10 years. Between these 2 teams there would have been a run rule South Lexington would have smashed them .Team lost 2 games in 4 years collecting Championship in every Tournament ever entered. 2004 Lafayette State Runner up Langfels started at 3rd base as freshman hit 5th. 2005 LCA State Championship Oliver started at 1st and hit third leading team in most offensive categories and State All Tournament team .2006 Lexington Catholic State Champions Taylor Hatfield 1st baseman and Michale Champa pitcher(no-hitter in 1st game of the State) then this years 2007 Dunbar State Champions had Thomas Royse 2nd in MR Baseball voting, Tyler Back all State Tournament team, Casey Lucchese All State Tournament team, and Chad Kruger State All Tournament team. This team won in 2001 and is still winning today thanks to the Base that was South Lexington Baseball led by Donnie Warner with 30 years of coaching at the Cal Ripken level.

8-0 Dunbar bottom of the 3rd.

Actually Ellis had pitched in the 1st rd of Region against Lexington Catholic and was not available to pitch against LCA and a night of rain and Graduation allowed him to pitch which resulted in a 2-0 Dunbar win. Game was never rained out in the middle just delayed.

Team could throw out runner at 3rd but if there is only 1 out out recorded at 3rd but game is over as long as other runners advanced to next base

There is really no fair way seed the tournament and although it is very unfair with the strength of the 43rd district in baseball everyone does have the chance to advance. Being from LCA I have seen the last 2 seasons end in 43rd without advancing to the region, but with that said we didn't deserve to go to region either. The 11th region was much tougher before alignment but in the end you have a chance and have to make the best of it. In 5 years LCA something like 50-2 against surrounding counties that have been in the 11th region but only 27-27 against Lexington teams. Weak teams do make it to the region and strong teams are knocked out but fairness is in the eye fo the beholder. Make the best of your opportunities and you don't go home.

I agree umpire have hard job and most try their best to call consistantly but when umpires come on here and say they make adjustments due to game situations they are doing themselves , other umpires and players an injustice.

The problem with calling strikes based on direction of the game is it teaches hitters to swing at bad pitches. How many times have you seen a ball 8 inches off the plate called a strike and the hiiter then swings at a ball 12 inches off the plate for strike three? The umpire got this batter out because he didn't call game by the rules of baseball which is the reason for RULES. A strike is a strike is a strike. If the ball doesn't cross the plate it is not a strike. Teaching kids to swing at strikes and pitchers to throw strikes is a very important part of baseball. Umpires missing calls is one thing ,to admit you call strikes on balls off the plate means you don't follow the rules of baseball. I hear umpires say if the pitcher hits his spot it should be called a strike if set up a close to the plate but what is fair about this to the hitter?Good umpires try to call games by the rules.

if not the rule you would have pitchers bouncing balls into the ankles of hitters with no penalty?