cooperstown

Anyone know who all pitched for PRP and how many innings each threw? Who will be their likely starter for Thursday's game?

Great news for Breds and NKY! Hopefully Cain will be alright. His getting hit by pitch could potentially be a fortuitous event if he is able to play Thursday, as NCC would be able to pitch him since he only threw an inning tonday. Best of luck to him and NewCath.

I don't believe this is true anymore. Midland had a bit of a paradigm shift after last season - they disbanded their existing 16U and 17U teams and were told by Papa Joe to concentrate on recruiting more local-based kids. I believe "local based" to Midland now means within a 200-mile radius or something like that. I'll have to check with my Midland contact to see the actual makeup of their roster this year, but I'm told the days of them having a roster full of Georgia, Florida, Texas, California, etc.. kids are done or will be done next year. Obviously, even drawing from a radius of 200+ miles still puts you ahead of most everyone else recruiting-wise, but it is certainly not impossible that the overall talent level at Midland may be down a little and might make it possible for other teams to win the Connie Mack.

At this point, you have to think Conner has a great chance. I liked NCC from the outset, though I did think Boone would beat them. Conner is absolutely on a huge roll right now and you just can't discount that momentum factor. It'll be very interesting to see who Conner throws against a good-hitting NCC club. I like both teams, but I have to root for the District 33 team to win it all! Best of luck Cougars.

Yes! Very much so.

Started the year at 2B, but subsequently got moved back into CF when Ryle had of OF'ing issues. You figure if a team is going to have at least one solid OF'er, he's going to be in CF, right?

If you're going to have a discussion about top defensive OF'ers in NKY, there is zero question that Ryle's Caleb Lonkard should be in the conversation.

I don't know BW's staff well enough to suggest who should have/could have been brought in. I'm just assuming that with 30 wins on the season, they have someone on the staff that would have potentially been a solid relief replacement for a starter that was pretty clearly tired and starting to struggle and get hit. If not, so be it and I won't argue otherwise. But I do think the last 2 or 3 runs scored by NCC were pretty critical and were simply too big a mountain for BW to climb in one final inning.

OK, but would a full-strength Johnson fastball not be a better option than a tiring Bertke fastball/curve? Just asking, don't really know. Just seemed like Bertke was really tiring. He's got outstanding control obviously, but in the sixth he appeared to be struggling to hit his spots or throw strikes at times.

Why not Johnson at that point? You got to pull out everything you've got at that point because your season is on the line. Of course, I know nothing whatsoever about Brennen - maybe he was the best relief option.

That is commonplace occurrence on BGP. You only cross the line when you start questioning and naming specific kids, which I have never, ever done. The competitiveness of the 36th in baseball is an issue and worthy of discussion (not in this thread). Again, I have no problem whatsoever with a district having occasional "off" years when they just aren't that strong. It's an entirely different animal when a district is weak year after year after year. And the 36th is. You really can't debate it. Go look up the records. When is the last time Dayton or Newport had a winning season? (further back than contained on KHSAA website). How many winning seasons in the past ten years for Bellevue (2) or HHS (3)? OK, so that's really my last word on it. Newport did themselves proud today and pushed CCH to the limit. Good for them and good for the tournament.

Been there twice. Incredible place. Will no doubt go back again before I get old and feeble. So basically I have like two years to get there . . . .

Who was the pitcher warming up in the bullpen in the 6th? Sure looked like Meyerhoff was going to bring him in in the 6th since he had him jog all the way in from the bullpen. And, yes, a 30-win season is impressive.

I'll bet they would have loved to have been able to pull him after two innings so he could be used in relief on Wednesday if necessary. Of course, I'm sure the plan is to ride Laumann as long and hard as they can against NCC.

So basically, I'm Hall-of-Fame worthy?

:lol: Sure. Anytime you want to compare baseball knowledge, let me know. I'm glad Conner won. Didn't think they would, but I was wrong and have no problem admitting I was. I didn't think they could score six runs on Sexton, so good for them. Ultimately, I've seen Conner enough that I'm not overwhelmed with their hitting. Not a bad hitting team at all and never said otherwise. Just don't think they have the type of hitting that can carry them. IMO, of course. Which pales to your vast sea of superior baseball knowledge.

Regarding Bertke, I was immensely impressed with his composure on the mound. He stays calm and collected no matter what happens behind him. Doesn't show the slightest sign of upset if an error or passed ball occurs or if he personally struggles. I think what may have impressed me the most was in the 6th inning - no doubt he was disappointed and knew his senior year could be coming to an end, but he always backed up 3B and never stopped hustling. Never any outward sign of frustration. His curveball is outstanding and he can throw it for strikes at will. As I was watching with my buddy Straycat, he pointed out that you will never see Bertke throw an 0-2 pitch near the plate - the hitter will have to hit his pitch. He did a nice job today. Ran out of steam a little at the end, but nonetheless a very solid performance.

It would be hard to make a case that Meyerhoff did not leave Bertke in too long. He was clearly tiring in the 6th. It was very hot out there today. After Meyerhoff left him in, Bertke hit the next batter, walked the next, and gave up several hits. No discredit to Bertke at all - kid is clearly a total gamer and was giving it his all. But I think he was spent and BW would have been better served to bring in someone fresh. Hold the score to 5-2 or 6-2 and maybe BW still has a shot in the 7th, albeit a long shot. But 8-2 is a hard score to come back from.

I beleive Cain pitched the first 5 and Doyle threw the last two. Of course, my "half-szheimer's" seems to be kicking into high gear these days.

Relax junior. Yes, they played CCH tight and made them earn it. Good for them. Not sure which of my above posts contained something not accurate. At the end of the day, they got to qualify from a district that perenially places a second seed with a sub-.500 record, who has to beat no one of signuficance to advance, and has little chance of winning a game at region. With respect to your "all sports have divisions and all disvisons aren't as strong . . .", when is the last time two teams from the Highlands/Newport/Bellevue/Dayton grouping had above .500 seasons in the same year? I don't know the answer to that question, I'm only thinking aloud, but I'm going to guess a long time (possibly 2009 when Bellevue had Hunter Jones). I'm cool with a district/divison's strength fluctuating, but this 36th's doesn't. NCC is good year in and year out. The others are weak, year in and year out. Enough on this topic. Newport put up a good fight and I'm glad CCH was tested, but ultimately Newport was shut out for the fifth time this year. That's alot. CCh is going to have their hands full with Conner. . . . .

Is Sexton's arm healthy? Heard rumor that he's been having some arm issues. Didn't see this game, but told he just didn't look like his normal self. Congrats to Cougers. Before Cuban Missile reposts my prior prediction about Dixie winning, I've already had my slice of humble pie. I slathered it in A-1 sauce so it wouldn't taste so sour. For the record, though, I was hoping for a Conner win and will be next game also. If Ryle can't play in the region, may as well root for an all-district 33 final of Conner vs. Boone.

Would be one of the biggest upsets in 9th Region history. I'd say the chances are around 100-1. Just because I'm in a generous mood.

Bellevue. Newport was 7-15 on the season. Wins were: Dayton (2x), Bellevue (2x), Villa Madonna, Highlands, and St. Henry.

NCC vs. Beechwood alone should be worth the price of admission. I have a feeling the Dixie will take it to Conner. Not hoping it happens, just a feeling. Conner doesn't really have a true "ace" and I don't think they have anyone that can shut down Dixie. And I just don't think they have the offense to carry them. A couple of decent hitters in the upper part of their lineup, but not a strong hitting team overall. The CCH/Newport and Boone/St. H games should be run rules.

I'd be surprised if Boone doesn't come out with one of their aces, try to get a decent lead (they will) and pull him after 2-3 innings. The way the format is set up, it would still allow this pitcher to be available on Wednesday if needed and then come back to start on Friday. No sense taking a risk that isn't really necessary. If Boone had only one ace, I'd say they may well try to get by with a lesser pitcher against someone like St. Henry, but with two very, very good pitchers, I just don't see them not putting one out on the hill to start.