cooperstown

Dixie vs. Highlands (5:00 start, I think) on Wednesday Ryle vs. NCC (7:30 start)

Kind of tailed off a bit after that start.

Obviously your opinion. I certainly don't think CCH had the best talent out of all the teams in the 9th this year. They have about the same as Ryle, Dixie, HC. I'm sure it's an extremely disappointing day for CCH fans, but as has been pointed out already - sometimes the best team doesn't take the crown in a one-and-out format. It happens. CCH is clearly one of the top two teams in the 9th this year and a huge part of that has to do with their coaching. 31-6 is nothing to sneeze at. I'm sure loss #6 kind of stings a tad right now, but hopefully these CCH players will be able to look back and realize they put together a pretty impressive season.

Allows him to come back and pitch on Thursday should Ryle make the championship game.

Holy Cross will have trouble putting runs on the board against Downs. Ryle wins that game, the next, and then beats CCH in a very tight ballgame for the championship.

I don't know that it was so much an uninspired effort as it was an absolute bashfest by Ryle that day. Which to me proves the problem they have - the two pitchers that threw against Ryle simply aren't of the quality to beat a team like Ryle or CCH, so they might be best served to take their chances with them against HHS and save Maines for the next game - be it CCH or Dixie.

At the end of the day, I think the brackets worked out pretty even. Based on NKY rankings (I removed #7 Brossart and #9 Scott since they are in dfferent region): #1 CCH, #4 Dixie, #7 Conner, #? Highlands #2 Holy Cross, #3 Ryle, #6 NCC, #8 St. Henry Maybe not so much with some of the first round games, but such is luck of the draw. I do wish they could just seed teams 1-8 going into the tournament and bracket based upon that, but realize there would be some challenges doing so.

Hot & humind, chances of showers, 90 degrees on Monday. Gonna be 94 tomorrow (Sunday) - pushing a recond. Boys are gonna be a tad warm during the games.

Just a thought though: Conner beat CCH on May 8 this year pitching Maines. He's very good, no question. Not sure Conner has another pitcher that can keep them in game against CCH. Do they give some thought to throwing off on Monday and try to hit their way to win over Highlands? I don't see how you don't at least consider it. Conner can hit, without a doubt. I think the rest of their staff should be more than able to keep them in the game against HHS, while Maines really gives them their most (only?) legit shot to beat CCH. Again, not saying it's the way to go, but it has to cross Arlo's mind.

Probably safe bet everyone comes out with the #1 and then hopes like heck they can pull them after 5 innings so they'd be available to use on Thursday. In this heat, not sure it'd be worth leaving starter in behind 5 innings anyways, unless they had some short innings.

Guess Roman Empire willed his way to his requested Conner/Highlands matchup. Guy must have connections.

If you use end-of-year NKY rankings, you have #1 CCH vs. #4 Dixie and #2 Holy Cross vs. #3 Ryle. Interesting matchups. Dixie is one of few teams to have beaten CCH. Ryle and Holy Cross did not play one another this season.

Ryle v Holy Cross is at 6:00 on Monday. They play winner of St. Henry v NCC, who plays at 8:30. CCH v Dixie and Conner v. Highlands in other side of bracket.

Tournament based on seeding: If your team regularly finishes at the bottom of a 5-team district, you have to face the #4 seed in a play-in game just for the right to then face the #1 team in the semis. Tournament based on blind draw: Your #5 seeded team may luck out and face the #4 seed on the side of the bracket that allows the winner to automatically make the championship game (and advance into the regionals as at least a #2 seed). Clearly, if your team usually finishes at the bottom of the district standings (i.e., Newport, Dayton), it is beneficial to have a blind draw and the possibility you don't have to play one of the top seeds in a first round tournament game. For the record, I hate blind draws. And I don't think individual districts within the same region should have the opportunity to vote their preference. The region should vote as a whole and all districts within the region handled the same. But . . . . I can certainly understand why the coach of a team at the bottom of standings would vote for a blind draw if given such a choice. After all, it would be what best benefits your team.

May not have walked a lot, but at least two that he (or whoever was pitching for NCC) did walk scored (one in 4th and one in 7th). Walks kill, errors kill.

Certainly sounds like that was the case in this one. Highlands scored 5 runs in the 4th and 7th innings on TWO singles (and a bunch of errors/walks). Ultimately though, it doesn't matter how the runs scored, just that they scored.

Wow, in reading jpa's scoring summary, it sounds like NCC handed this game away. I don't believe HHS scored a single earned run. That's the stuff that'll drive coaches crazy!

Why is that?

Watched one Conner player (won't mention name) yesterday throw his bat so hard after popping up that it almost hit his on-deck batter. As he was stomping towards the dugout, the guy next to me said "I'll bet we get to see a helmet toss as well." Sure, enough, took off his helmet and flung it in the dugout. That being said, seems to be the exception and not the rule. I have always been extremely impressed with Arlo's demeanor on the field and I'm sure he expects the same from his players.

Boys Varsity Baseball HighSchoolSports.net-Massey Top 25 Ratings HighSchoolSports.net is the nation's #1 internet site devoted to high school sports and is connected with the Massey Ratings. NKY schools of note: #4 Covington Catholic #19 Ryle #30 Dixie Heights #40 Boone County #43 Holy Cross

OK. Thought as much, just making sure. :thumb: I would agree. Decent pitcher, but not special. Certainly would be of value to Conner in the tournament, however. Shame he was unable to accept his role. And your comment about "Little Timmy's" parents is spot on.

I can't help but ask - are you serious about this? Do you think he's a draftable player?

Indeed. There are situations when it is a worthy risk, but it has to be right. As TOG pointed out, St. Henry would probably not be a worthwhile risk because they have a very good pitcher that can cool down good offenses. Ryle played them twice this year and only won 5-2 and 3-2. Not as certain about Highlands and could see someone taking a calculated risk there. Generally speaking, I am also usually of the mindset that you can't win the next game if you're not playing in it. I can remember a couple of tournaments as a coach in which I had perfectly strategized to save my ace in the championship game. Slightly disappointing when we watched that game from the bleachers. Though at least my ace's arm was totally fresh for the next league game during the week.

Someone needs to tell Conner that if the bunt defense they are going to use with a runner on second base is charge their already-pulled in 3Bman, have the SS attempt to hold the 2B runner at the bag and then try to wheel him over to third to cover the base (and catch any throw from the catcher on a dead run, if the catcher even bothers with a throw), they are going to give up a ton of free steals on fake bunts. Not an effective bunt coverage at all.

Certainly not with Maines pitching. I am wondering, however, were the two kids that threw tonight (Herman and Ross) their #2 and #3 guys?