cooperstown

First off, this is not any type of sour grapes because Ryle lost. Ryle lost because they were outplayed by NCC. I have decided I simply don't like games on all-turf fields. I love the environment of Florence Freedom - it's a great place and very enjoyable to watch a game. I just don't like the changes in the game because of the turf - the perfect infield bounces, never any bad hops, the changes in the bunting game, the effect on balls "in the dirt" at the plate, etc... A baseball field should have grass and dirt. I know the benefits of having a field that is difficult to rain out, but I just feel the disadvantages outweigh these benefits. And, yes, I also know that both teams are playing on the same surface and have to deal with the same conditions - but ultimately it's not a surface that is best conducive to a baseball game. Thoughts?

Why is behind home plate forbidden? What evil sins are they looking to eliminate there that couldn't also occur down the lines?

Which is stupid, IMHO. Let them there, let them whoop it up. You don't see enough of it at high school baseball games. If it's okay at football games, it's okay here as well. It isn't a tennis match.

You are correct - bottom of 4th inning. I was mistaken in my earlier post when I referred to the 5th inning.

Maybe so. Just seemed kind of odd, knowing that the batter was clearly standing out over the plate, even though he did make an attempt to duck down. Rule doesn't require his actions to be intentional though. Also, to be clear, this play had no impact on the outcome of the game.

Another nice relief outing by Ryle pitcher Justin Hoard, who likely looks to be the ace of their staff next season.

Pretty certain his recap of the 5th inning is not entirely correct. There were two errors in that inning. The second one allowed two runs to score, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm not too certain I'd agree with the first bolded part. I would think it would be pretty unusual for a batter to be positioned over the plate, even though ducking, and not affect the catcher's throw to some degree. The rule doesn't require contact, as you said, but goes beyond just causing a "delay" in his throw. it is sufficient if the batter's action "hinders" the catcher's throwing. So that would include causing the catcher to alter his throwing motion so as to avoid any contact, which is what I believe occurred in the above situation. I thought it was interference, as obviously did a slightly agitated Coach Roesel - haha. That being said, I am certain Ryle also got away with one a couple innings earlier when their batter (on a protection swing) was clearly in the catcher's way when he threw to second.

Sounds good. Best of luck.

I agree. Unless this lawyer is some slimeball that the school simply did not want to be associated, it's hardly an unreasonable request for someone donating a substantial sum of money to want the field/building/whatever named after themselves or someone else. In fact, it's pretty much the norm. It would be fascinating to know the reason the school board did not feel this was appropriate.

Just out of curiousity, is Kentucky Baseball Source a person or organization or what? Can't say I've ever heard of them/him/it.

Highlands was 9-19 on May 7th and frankly, there weren't a whole lot of "quality" wins in that 9-win total. I'm guessing the odds of them reaching the regional final at that point would have been somewhere around 200-1 and if you said you thought it was going to happen at that point you would either be lying or own a crystal ball. Here we are 3 weeks later and they have rolled off 9 wins in 10 games and the loss was a competitve 8-4 game against Dixie. This kind of turnaround just doesn't happen very often. Total props to Coach Baioni and his team. It takes a serious, big-time coaching performance to make something like this occur. Got to talk briefly with Coach Baioni after the game and you could tell he was thrilled beyond thrilled with the turnout and support of the HHS student body, especially the football team. That kind of support certainly fires up a team. HHS has a ton of momemtum going right now and not someone I'd want to be playing.

Wow. This is a pretty solid beatdown and a nice turnaround from when Bryan Station run-ruled them earlier in the season 12-2. On an 11-game winning streak to boot.

And most certainly in a one-and-out environment. Sometimes the best overall team does not make it to the end in this sport, but that's part of what makes it so great IMO. A team - like Highlands - gets hot and suddenly records and logic get thrown out the window.

I would have been willing to bet you my house that the championship game in the 9th would not consist of the two teams coming out of the 36th district. Clearly, I would be homeless tonight. NCC, who has had some fielding issues at times this year (at least from what I've seen and heard) has played outstanding defense to date and gotten terrific pitching from Cain and Bartel. Defense and pitching - the heart of quality baseball. And Highlands goes to show what happens when a team gets hot at the right time of year. They've got a ton of momemtum going into tomorrow night's game and would think a fair amount of confidence, having knocked off NCC just a week ago. Should be a great game.

Great game from NCC perspective. Not so great from Ryle perspective. NCC got a terrific pitching performance from Bartel, who went the distance. Very nice pitcher who has a solid curve that he gets over consistently, good zip on his fastball, and very good control. Surprised I haven't heard more about him up until now (probably me not paying enough attention). NCC played outstanding defense and got two plays from their RF that were flat-out ridiculous. The first one was a headfirst diving catch of a tailing foulball down the RF line in the 2nd inning (I think) that he dove at without any regard for the fact that he was headed right towards and very close to the concrete wall. The second one was not quite as spectacular, but still darn impressive, and hurt Ryle even more, as it occurred in the 6th inning with Ryle down to just a few precious outs. Ryle led this game 1-0 after the first inning and held the lead through 3 innings. In the 4th, NCC put 5 unearned runs on the board. Ryle had a couple of errors that hurt them and NCC took advantage with several timely hits. Ryle really never got much going with the sticks tonight. They put together a little rally in the 7th inning with 2 outs and had runners at 2B and 3B when the final out was made. Right before this batter struck out to end the game, he hit a slicing ball down the RF line that landed no more than 6 inches foul and would have tied the game. But it was not to be. Ultimately, NCC played the better game tonight and deserved to win. Hats off to them and best of luck going forward.

I would say TT's statement is fine if you removed the "Cov Cath fans" comment and replaced it with something like "fans around the state" or "coaches around the state." Not sure I perceive any arrogance out of CCH fans. They have a great program and great teams year in and year out and they know it and are proud of it. Nothing wrong with that.

Once these new schools are built, do you not think there are substantial operating costs? Things such as teacher/administration salaries, books/supplies, school buses, electric, heating, maintenance, and on and on? The completion of the brick structure is hardly the end point of the process. With regard to Kenton County - I have been told that because they are, for the most part, land-locked, their school populations have essentially remained steady for years. Therefore, they have no need to build entirely new schools to support such rapid growth as is occurring here in Boone County, and have the available funds to vastly upgrade their existing facilities. The improvements made to the sports facilities at Dixie, Simon Kenton, and Scott over the past five years has been staggering. No such luck here in Boone (other than Ryle's football field, which was done entirely with privately-raised money). Every extra dollar that comes in is put towards the next new school building to be built. It is even more challenging for the non-football sports at Boone Schools. Football draws a good crowd here in Boone County and the gates are substantial, regardless whether the A.D. keeps a percentage of the gate or not. But what about a sport like baseball? The games are not highly attended, so there is little income generated. There is zero dollars provided by the school itself to the baseball program - all monies are self-generated. As in 100%. And since we don't have gates revenues or substantial concessions sales (at Ryle the band works the concession standsat football games and keeps all profits), we have to come up with various other fundraising plans - working Xavier basketball games, selling t-shirts, selling Reds' Kid Glove tickets, selling "Diamond Club" memberships, etc.... All of this is essentially put on the backs of the parents.

Here's what I found on the KHSBCA website regarding winningest currently active Kentucky baseball coaches: From NKY: #4 Krumpelbeck (841) #7 Maxwell (585) #19 Roesel (386) #25 Schulkens (299) - which, btw, worries me a tad since his 300th could potentially come in the 9th semi-final against Ryle! #29 Myerhoff (272) Great job by all these fine coaches. Still a ways to go to match Kentucky's all-time winningest coach - Larry Gumm of Green County High School with 1006 wins!

I did a fairly lengthy pre-season NKY baseball preview writeup for BGP a few years ago and got to talk at length with Coach Maxwell. He was super to talk to and pretty clear he had a nice sense of humor. Love to meet the guy in person sometime.

Your son is a very good outfielder. Good luck to him if he attempts to play on, and if not, congrats on a nice high school career and many good memories. My son has been graduated for two seasons now and the game memories are as fresh as ever.

Well, perhaps in the interest of disclosing something Coach Roesel might prefer I not, I probably should not specifically say. I will only say that Lawson has been the official #2 all year long, while Ernst has indeed had a terrific season himself (35 innings, 0.61 ERA, including a complete game 3-hit 6-1 win over Dixie). I think either one will be effective and limit NCC offensively. Again, however, Ryle will need to bring their hitting sticks and not expect their pitcher to hold the opponent to 1 or 2 runs.

^ Agree with what you written, TT, but at the same time many of these NKY teams are partly responsible for this lack of respect. Until NKY makes a bit more consistent impact at the state tournament, it is an environment by and large dominated by the Louisivlle and Lexington-area schools. If you want these teams to "respect" you and the coaches to vote for you, then you need to get out and schedule - and beat - some of these teams. Playing the same NKY teams over and over and over won't get you many statewide ranking votes and, frankly, won't make you all that much better of a team either. Now, that being said, I have no idea why a school like Ryle - who played and beat quite a number of state-ranked teams this year - would not have gotten more attention. I guess some of the coaches downstate are simply stuck in their past voting ways and won't vote for any school not named Covington Catholic or Beechwood. So be it, ultimately the rankings mean little and NKY can get themselves the ultimate level of respect by capturing a couple of state championships.

Tells me that the 9th rep should be able to meaningfully compete at state, as Ryle beat Bryan Station twice this year. And no, not assuming that Ryle will be the 9th rep, only that whoever wins the 9th will be playing some quality baseball certainly on par with the Ryle team that notched these two wins. Let's face it - it's been a while since a 9th team has gone to state and made some noise. Perhaps this is the year.

Weather looking awesome for games Wednesday (80 degrees, mostly sunny) and Thursday (75 degrees, sunny with some clouds). No rain in forecast either day, nor any brutal temperatures.