Homerun

Well said, THS Rocks. The point may be that the CAL coach help set this up?

Osbourne signed with Tennessee.

Maybe I should clarify my “Amen.” I do not think, necessarily, that the underlying reason for St. X’s loss to CAL is “just” sloppy arrogance; but the better team did not win. Player to player St. X was superior to CAL. Maybe some arrogance lies in possibly thinking that “the way we do things is the only way to do it.” Maybe there’s “ignorance,” meaning that we may not know any better (but should). Sometimes the better team loses in one game match-ups. It can happen, but in this case it shouldn’t have. Evaluation in the off-season needs to find better ways to avoid this pitfall.

Thanks

Does the team have a website?

Amen

Some would say that Mr. Roney is disruptive to the opposing team. I did not witness the CAL parent. What I allude to is what David did to try to beat Goliath. If the parent was abusive or harrasing, the police should have been called.

Will PRP win state this year, or will there be a "Shelby County" (or CAL) that knocks them out?

CAL stuns the world with wins over Trinity and St. X.....

CAL is a clever team, maximizing their ability using a lot of tools, and is a big underdog with nothing to lose. CAL’s coaches are doing a great job. Their win against Trinity was probably their biggest of their history? A post I made after the Trinity vs. CAL said: “Give credit to CAL for playing smart against a team that clearly out-matched them. They hugged the plate with the batter's feet over the batter's box line to try to affect the effectiveness of Trinity's pitchers. They bunted wisely. The used less "talented" pitching to try to mess up the timing and rhythm of Trinity's hitters. They had nothing to lose, but used everything that they had. They are a scary team to use clever tools to beat the "big dog." St. X better be ready. CAL has everything to gain and a lot of tricks up their sleeve.” The region is not finished yet…and CAL would like something to say about it. St. X needs to be ready and respectful of their opponent. Honor CAL with their best performance. St. X pitchers need to be prepared for the CAL batters hugging the plate. St. X batters and pitchers need to try to size up the umpire behind the plate. Didn’t Ted Williams say that there were 3 strike zones? The pitcher’s, the batter’s, and the ump’s? The infielders need to be ready for the bunt. St. X must keep their cool and trust their ability. Getting rattled or pressing could make things worse. St. X batters need to be prepared for different speeds from different CAL pitchers. Sometimes trying to hit a pitcher that throws significantly slower, like mid 60’s, can be harder than hitting the 88 mph fastball. CAL's cather didn't seem to have a cannon for an arm, but was very, very accurate with his throws. St. X might benefit in their pre-game talk to say how playing teams with different strength’s and skills will make us a better team. To win championships, a team needs to be able to win against different types of teams in different circumstances. I think PRP got a surprise against Shelby County in last year’s state semi-final. Good luck to Tigers. The 7th region tournament has been very exciting with some great games. With “one game and you’re out,” a lot can happen. Hate to see the tournament end.

Trinity has a fine baseball program and a very good year. They finished number 7 in the state in the final coaches' pole. They were the clear favorite to reach the 7th region finals. They lost in a shocker to an up and coming program. This was most likely CAL's biggest win of their history. The umpire did not have a consistent strike zone, but the umpire did not cost Trinity the game. Both teams got bad calls at the plate. Blaming a player (a sophomore), a CAL fan that has the courage to sit in a Trinity crowd.....for the loss of this game? There were a lot of factors, particulalry factors that Trinity could control Deeds losing his cool was a clear factor, whether people agree with the ejection or not. Maybe he did not initiate the altercation? In any sport, though, what Deeds did was so blatant and so noticeable that it cost him and his team. Give credit to CAL for playing smart against a team that clearly out-matched them. They hugged the plate with the batter's feet over the batter's box line to try to affect the effectiveness of Trinity's pitchers. They bunted wisely. The used less "talented" pitching to try to mess up the timing and rthythm of Trinity's hitters. They had nothing to lose, but used everything that they had. They are a scary team to use clever tools to beat the "big dog." St. X better be ready. CAL has everything to gain and a lot of tricks up their sleeve.

When does protecting pitchers' arm become arcane?

The 7th region is still very much open. Trinity, Ballard, Eastern, Manual, and St. X have the best shot at winning it, yet Fern Creek could be a spoiler. If Trinity beats Manual--and that is "if"--they could be in good shape for the final. If Manual wins, do they have enough depth for the final? St. X and Ballard have the toughest draw. St. X can win it if they take one game at a time. They are hitting the ball well, playing good defense, and have enough depth at pitching. But Ballard can beat anybody in it if they play well. I am sure that game with St. X will be a barn burner. Eastern has the talent to win it, but they have yet to show recently that they can do it at tournament time. All said and done, a little luck doesn't hurt. It may be the team that gets the timely hit or a lucky bounce that ends up winning it. The 7th region is one of the toughest. I am sure that everyone in it wants to win it. Unfortunately, only one of these will survive.

What happened at second? Was Mr. Fidanza escorted out of the ballfield by the police?

The toughest draw for a regional winner in the 7th would be Manual and the loser of the Ballard vs. Trinity game tomorrow. The district winner that plays them doesn't have much advantage.

In today's paper, the article about the game talks about "today's 5p.m. final against Ballard" but by the scores the game is listed for Thursday. Is the Trinity Ballard game today or tomorrow?

It’s interesting that the quote from John Doggendorf, the retiring Seneca coach, is mentioned in the Courier-Journal about the game. Although I do not know him and have never met the man, I thank him for his 30 years of service to high school baseball. I, too, respect Trinity’s Stephan’s comments that were quoted that showed respect and honor his opponent. Those comments speak highly for this young man. The quote caught my eye as well. I do wonder, could the reporter and Doggendorf talked for 5, 10, or 15 minutes and this was the one quote, out of context, that the reporter chose? Too, could the quote have been taken at an untimely moment? How many coaches and players at the college and professional level have a microphone shoved in their face at a difficult moment? A coach has to be a good public relations person, no doubt. Boy, a lot is asked of high school coaches for the amount of money they make. I do wish that Doggendorf would have been quoted in words like “I want to first thank Seneca High School for the opportunity to be part of 30 years of coaching high school baseball. I want to thank all of the kids that I have had the opportunity to coach. I want to thank my wife (?) who has been so patient with the long and demanding hours of my job. I wish Trinity the very best in the regional tournament, etc….” I guess it’s a learning lesson for coaches and us as well. How many times has Doggendorf been interviewed as far as the experience he might have? But what about the comments? I would like input as to how players and parents have changed in the last 30 years. What about the level playing field? Besides the public vs. private debate, what about schools like PRP that have worked hard over time with a dedicated coach and fan base in a baseball serious part of town? What about Ballard high school's new indoor faciltiy? But also what about the cost of pitching and hitting lessons, travel ball, college camps and showcases? Any comments?

Great comeback for the Tigers. St. X started hitting the ball well again. Hard fought win. Great job 2 days in a row against 2 very good teams.

Did Webb pitch for Heath?

Big win for the Tigers. They live for another day. Tough loss for Male to not go to region. Quality team in a tough district.

A sports radio host said on a radio sports program that a lot of sports radio call in programs do not have a lot of indepth, scrutinizing comments from listners. Sometimes I wonder if that statement applies to a some per centage of post on message boards? But the bottom line, HHS, was that your comments showed a lot of truth and frankness about PRP notching a loss in the series that they were playing. Baseball is tough for any team in one game match-ups. Number ones in the country in college baseball often have a relatively sizeable number of losses. But PRP may be better prepared for the state tournament, actually, taking a loss or two now. They might have a better focus and hunger to make their strongest run since the mid-90's for a state championship.

This has been an interesting discussion, but I think that developing a program is a little bit more complicated that strictly saying “let the freshman play” if he is better. The coach has to be wise in developing talent and a program. A particular freshman or sophomore, for instance, with experience and training may be better at the end of the season than an upper classman but would not be if not played or developed. The younger player may need “different” or more “extensive” preparation to increase his chances of success when given the opportunity. Some schools, like Ballard last year, keep younger players and give them time initially against the weaker varsity teams. They are part of the varsity roster, practice with the varsity, and also play J.V. games. Schools like Trinity and St. X have historically let grade level determine playing time. Some people feel that if freshmen plays on the freshman team, sophomores on the J.V. team, and juniors and seniors on the varsity that it decreases conflict in the program. Say if a sophomore or freshman is played up to a higher level, a parent might come back and say “why isn’t my Johnny not moved up as well?” Also, there is the challenge possibly by the player that the younger person replaces. I had heard that at PRP some seniors did not like it when Brad Corley started as a freshman. After not making the trip to Florida with the varsity team, I had heard that he started after 10 games and ended up leading the team in hitting in certain areas as a freshman. PRP made it to the state final that year. I wonder what the senior felt like that Corley replaced? I had heard that the player Corly replaced really wanted to be in the line-up in the state final. Yet Corley ended up being Mr. Baseball his senior year, made All-American at Mississippi State, and is now playing AA baseball in the pros. Do you think that someone established in the high school coaching ranks, like a Bill Miller, may be able to do that and withstand the political fallout but not other coaches? Do you think that is also relates to Bill Miller’s evaluation of talent and his ability to develop it that might help a program like PRP? There have been gripes about Trinity having the talent and not winning. Could part of this relate to the fallout that a coach like Tompkins may receive if he does something different than in the past? If a coach tries something, then loses games in the short-term; he could be “done” as a coach because he has challenged the way things were done in the past and then lost baseball games? Now, does it make it all better if Trinity wins the 7th region this year after taking some lumps early? Wonder if they lose this year, but win the region next year? Would Tompkins still be criticized harshly?

Has Berry been struggling with a leg injury?

Great job Tigers. Way to battle and win a close one. Once again proves that in a one game situation, anything can happen in Kentucky High School baseball. St. X will have a challenging road to get to the state tournament, playing in one of the toughest districts in the state. Go Tigers.

What grade is Littrell in?