No upsets coming on Friday. The top tier will take care of business and jockey for playoff position. The Swami says................
LH- 12 Plano- 2
Allen- 12 Berk- 2
Rock- 12 East- 2
McK- 12 West- 2
4 run-rules. The Swami has spoken. A good day to all.

Good picks Swami. I can't really disagree with them. The district championship is still wide open between LH, Rockwall, and Allen.

i dunno, i have the feeling mckinney is gonna find themselves in a game, theyll still win but it wont be a blow out

I agree with the outcomes -- the scores are for shock-value Swami is trying to light a fire under this Forum....hmmm, can't say I disagree with the tactic. Despite having 3 very good teams, the distrct race has been a yawner. Looking back, 1 "true" upset so far??? If Swami had't been bored with his picks -- he might be 111-1. We'll see what he's made of in the playoffs!

Allen was leading 9-0 in the top of the 3rd. They looked good.

dfwbbfan,

McKinney - 5.....Plano West - 0.

Rockwall 8 East 7

Bishop starts the game and struggles a bit after not being on the mound for 2 weeks to rest his arm. Sawyer comes in in the top of the fourth with 2 outs and pitches the rest of the game. Rock down 7-6 entering the bottom of 7th. Wallace lead off with a pop up error to second and reaches second base. Arrieta comes in for East with runner on second no outs. Kieshnick is up and hits an RBI double to tie it up. Blair is out the next batter. Leverton hits a shot to short and the ball is underthrown and the run scores. Scary Game! East came to play tonight.
WP Sawyer 4 1/3 IP 5H 2k's 1ER
LP Arrieta 1IP 1H 1ER

HR: Clark, Leverton

Allen won 20-0. It will be interesting next week!

Panther Dad - If Friday night's game was typical of the East season so far, and it must be because of the team's record, then I think I see a major contributor for the poor showing.

I can't say that East deserved to win or that Rockwall deserved to win, but with the coaching moves and also lack thereof during this game, East deserved to lose.

There were 4 or 5 specific circumstances where coaching cost you outs and runs, and consequently the game.

I don't think Rockwall coaches out coached the East coaches; I think the East coaches failed to do their job.

Is that first base coach for Rockwall a cocky little rooster or what?

Just my humble opinions and food for fodder.

UTPamAM....your assessement is intriguing, as always

Sizzle's recap indicated 2 infield errors in the bottom of the 7th -- both of which led to runs. In a 1-run game, that is usually the difference (duh). If East makes two plays in the 7th, all coaching decisions are moot. The Panthers surrendered 4 runs on 2 hits - with 3 of the runs coming in an inning where there was no hit - in the game at East earlier in the year. From my perspective, the defense bit them in the b-u-t-t again. Before anyone reacts negatively here, my son is an infielder and he has made his share of errors....I am not calling out anyone. I was not at the game, so I don't even know who played. I remain behind the Panthers and Coach Collins.

UT....it's easy to coach from behind the screen. I am interested however in additional detail on the "poor" decisions -- even if you want to share them in private.

If you are referring to the decision to hold Jake until the 7th, well....as I said....hindsight (I don't even know who pitched the first 6)......it is my impression that Wroblewski was unavailable(?) -- whoever it was must have done a nice job.

Anyway, this season has been a roller coaster ride for East (players, coaches, parents, fans). They were unable to beat the playoff teams (0-6) -- despite having Rockwall on the ropes twice. Disappointing? Sure.

It seems there might be an equal number of questions concerning moves from the other dugout. Shouldn't the Orange Jackets handle the mid-tier teams....if they indeed deserve the high state ranking?

JMO.

UT --- share more

-PD (& Panther fan)

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A cocky little rooster??? hehe.

Panther Dad-

Don't know that much about Rockwall handling the so called mid tier teams. That's really not my bag.

To expound:

1. Why have your pitcher "waste" 8 pitches to the Rock all star catcher, who East undoubtedly was intentionally walking anyway. Your coach had your pitcher throwing a foot outside. Pitches weren't even close to the plate. 4 pitches, 4 balls, a base on balls - TWICE!! The HS rule that allows intentional passes is there for that reason. No one was fooled; certainly not the hitter (Clark) and neither was us watching this take place.

2. Why wait until the tying run is on in the 7th before bringing in your "ace"; who by the way does not throw 90-95 as posted on another thread. He hit 87 (once)last night on the jugs. If you have plans to use him why in the world wait until that tying run reaches. Silly decision. Bring him in to start the inning, let him get warmed up properly.

3. With runner's in position to be moved up via the bunt, a coach must make sure that his hitter knows where in the heck the ball must be bunted - at least to which side of the playing field it needs to be bunted at. Call time out and tell him.. My goodness, after faing to bunt the first pitch, the Rock 1B is 5 ft from home plate and the kid bunts a HARD bunt right at the Rock fielder.... He picks the ball clean throws to 3B to out the advancing runner.

4. Two or maybe three times, a certain bunting situation. The coach has the player either take a strike or not even attempt the bunt before asking the kid to bunt and you saw what happened. A foul ball off the squared bat takes away a PERFECT opportunity to advance a runner. I would have been inclined to go ahead and bunt the hitter with two strikes anyway in that situation.

5. East has runners at 1st and 2nd and there's nobody out. The runner at 1st must be made aware that the LEFTY on the mound has at the very least a decent move to first. The 1st base coach should have made it very clear to HIS runner what could happen and that East could not afford a silly base running mistake...Well he's picked off first in the old "slide the 1B behind the runner" move.. My goodness, you know Rockwall is well coached in this regard. You know they're going to try it... Runner out, coach embarrassed.

6. Not sure what that SS sliding by the runner as he takes his lead from 2B is all about, but by doing that your SS was completely out of position to handle the routine ground ball that allowed Rockwall to score a run that they should not have scored. Play baseball - this ain't the world championship of chess.

You asked - I replied. Once again with all due respect - my humble opinions offerd on request.

P-Dad -
Wroblewski pitched the first 4 or 5. He did OK...but in truth, nobody's pitchers were having a stellar night. When Jake came in, the Panthers led by one run.
East started out very strong offensively getting 3 runs in the top of the first. Rock's hits fell short most of the game, but they managed to pull it out in the bottom of the 7th.
You may have something regarding Rock's state ranking. But when they are on, the Rock is unstoppable. I'm sure you'll agree that all teams, all pitchers, and all hitters have good and bad days. But, the better teams somehow manage to grab the win even when they are having an ugly day. Rock has done that MOST of the season...but have fallen short against at least one of those mid-tier teams. That's just baseball!

PanAm-

You covered all the bases concerning last nights East-Rock game. I'm a parent who has a kid on the East team and I know I can speak for the majority who were ready for this season to be over before mid-way. I'm not trying to assess blame, but the dumb coaching moves (or lack thereof) last evening were typical of most this season...Not sure what it's gonna take but unless somethings done, I don't see East improving much in the seasons to come...

PanAM....again, I was not at the game, so I did not see all of this unwind....and I am not arguing that there were mistakes made....

But a high school kid should know where to bunt the ball....and should be able to sacrifice with one strike most of the time....many coaches take until there is a strike, even when sacrificing -- that's not an odd thing. Also, a coach shouldn't have to remind a kid not to get picked off first with a runner ahead of him -- come on! You're blaming the coach for that? I guess if the kid is safe getting back, the coach is a genius?

Concerning intentional walks....who cares? Sometimes it's a challenge to throw it to a catcher standing up with his hand out too. If Clark gets overanxious and grounds out -- WOW, another genius move by the coach? Did throwing 4 balls hurt anyone or change the situation? I'm sure the decision wasn't made to "fool" you -- you're too quick.

Let's be careful about blaming coaches for mis-plays. I'm not here to blame the kids either....but coaches don't hit or field or pitch. They apparently played well enough to lead entering the 7th. Obviously, that's not good enough if you can't finish it.

I probably would have brought Jake in to start the 7th -- whether he was throwing 87 or 97. And why are prior gun readings relevant? One the one hand you act as if you would have brought him in earlier, then you make what sounds like a negative comment because the gun didn't glow.

Bunting with 2 strikes -- some coaches do it and it works....others do it and it doesn't work....others choose not to take the risk. When it works, the coach is brilliant, when it fails, he "shows no confidence in his hitter".

Hindsight. Monday-morning QB. What was your coaching record, UTPANAM?

Okokok....I'm done defending Coach Collins -- that isn't necessary anyway. It's a shame that some parents decided mid-way through the season that it was a bust and that the coaches are the reason (not trying to assess blame, strikemout?) Did your son feel the same way? Perhaps you should have suggested that he "go hard or go home" <-- an expression passionate ball players write inside their hats.

So, East parents -- what will it take? Some think he played too many young kids and not the right mix of seniors (a freshman lead-off hitter??? THAT'S ABSURD!!!....oops, the kid hit .380). There are high expectations in Plano -- for football, baseball, band, etc. When preparing to grumble -- look west......

-PD

But a high school kid should know where to bunt the ball..

PDad - In a situation as such, where your team has struggled all season long and they are now in a tight situation, where ball placement on the bunt is the most critical play of the game; you're dang right, if I'm the coach, I am asking for 5 seconds to EXPLAIN to the hitter exactly where the ball should be bunted.. It was either a mistake on the hitter's part or a mistake that your coach ASSUMED too much.

many coaches take until there is a strike, even when sacrificing

Why? You're sacrificing a bunt...In the particular situation it was a mistake...I told my acquaintance next to me that they would be bunting and was astounded that he had the take on TWICE.

Concerning intentional walks....who cares?

Tell me you don't count pitches, tell me pitching coaches don't count pitches, tell me that EIGHT more deliveries don't offer the opposing team EIGHT more chances to pick something up - ever how slight - that enables their cause. Not only that, there's now EIGHT 82 mph fastballs wasted...Again, another mistake.

If Clark gets overanxious and grounds out --

What are you talking about here??? I can't see a third string Pony ball player getting overly anxious about fastballs off the plate by 12 to 18 inches. It would have been different if the placement would have been in a more realistic spot, if indeed the coach thought Clark may get anxious, but that wasn't the case. Intentional walk not so slyly masked was what was going on here.. "Free pass" and get on to the next hitter.

Also, a coach shouldn't have to remind a kid not to get picked off first with a runner ahead of him -- come on! You're blaming the coach for that?

There isn't a first base coach worth his weight in salt that doesn't advise his runner at first base each and every time that runner is at first base.. That's just about the only time a 1st base coach has an opportunity to "coach" in a game...He better make dang sure that runner hears him and understands him..Like I said earlier, that may have been the case last night, but I don't think so...Way Way to critical of a point in time in this game to have this kid picked off on a "timing" play. Another mistake.

And why are prior gun readings relevant?

Arrieta-KU stated on an earlier post that he threw 90-95.. I just didn't see it last night.

They blew it P Dad...Like I stated - I saw last night why there may be some concern and disappointment in Plano at East.

Big Hit would get 'em straightened out.

Okok, I'm sure we've put 1001 visitors to sleep with this discussion, but let's continue (zzzzz'ers ignore us)......

So, you're telling me that it was obvous before the at bat that Rockwall would cover the bunt with the first baseman -- and not use the wheel play? Why would Coach Tally tip off his defense that early? If he did, shouldn't the hitter have been able to see it too? Perhaps he bunted it in the wrong direction -- go figure. You're saying that the bunt situaton was "the most critical play of the game"??? Didn't they take a lead into the bottom of the 7th? How could a bunt situation, with the lead, be labeled a critical play? Important? -- yes -- all scoring chances are important. Critical? -- only in hindsight. And only if the next hitter would have plated the runner on 3rd. Maybe it becomes "critical" when you lose by one run. How 'bout making a few plays in the 7th to end the game?

Why take a pitch before sacrificing? Ummm, in case it's a ball? If so, ummm, why take the 2nd pitch? Ummm, same reason? It sounds like the Rockwall pitchers did not have their best stuff -- the decision to take could have been based on a number of things.

Sure coaches count pitches, did you? What was the pitch count? Was it dangerously high? East is off until next Thursday -- think those 8 pitches took a lot out of the Panther pitcher -- 25 games into the season? I wonder if Coach Collins ordered 8 pitches, 18 inches outside? Hmmm....maybe the guy missed....hmmm, maybe the goal was to be a bit more enticing. Ok, Clark didn't bite....ok....the pitches were bad....ok. I'll stick with my "who cares?" comment.

I think you are making a huge assumption that the first base coach didn't warn the runner about a pickoff. If it wasn't mentioned, shame on the coach, I agree that it is part of his job. If the coach did provide a reminder, then shame on the runner.

Have you seen every one of Jake's outings this year? Are you telling me that he doesn't touch the low 90's? So, OSU signed a righty that throws 87? Hmmm. Your comment was out-of-line. I don't think the previous poster claimed that he threw 90-95 on every pitch -- so why bring it up? Did you think it was the wrong move to go to Arrieta?

I've stated on more than one occasion that I understand the disappointment in Plano (West, Central, and East). I understand the frustration at East -- they made the Regional Finals last year. Concern? Most of the concern that has been expressed here seems to have originated in the minds of people that think their kids should be playing more. As for me, I'm disappointed in the results....and slightly discouraged that there wasn't more of a circling of the wagons at East. Tell you what, I'll survey a number of "neutral" observers -- who saw the team in action more than I did -- and find out what kids SHOULD have played that didn't this year. And come back and name them. Maybe Coach Collins is a bum after all

I'm hoping my son plays at East sometime soon -- next year, year after that, 2 years from now? I don't know. I thought my oldest son should have played more for Coach English during his senior season, in '00. But I cherish his time there and the years when my '03 son was a Panther. I'll admit my bias and I'll admit to being a fan of the current coach. If you look at the comments I've made this year, they are not specific to the kids (except Arrieta and Wroblewski) -- I don't know most of the current team. I never said they need a new infield or a new catcher or a quicker outfield --- defense did seem to be a weakness on a few occasions.

UTPanAM, you claim to be a "scout" -- an evaluator of talent...and you tout yourself as a follower of 9-5A. Did Plano East have as much talent this year as the 3 playoff teams? If so, let's fire the coach today. If not, let's give him more than 1 year to prove his worth.

JMO.

-PD

Why take a pitch before sacrificing? Ummm, in case it's a ball?

P Dad - You square the hitter and if it's a ball you take it....If it's in the zone really spicy you bunt it for a base hit....Or to some degree to your benefit somewhere in between the two. Same result except you are making it happen on your end..Not theirs... Get it? Take the pitch if it's a ball, bunt it if it's a strike...

There's so much more here, but I'm not going to sit here and justify my justifications...

Play baseball and play a baseball game on your terms, not theirs...

And another thing... A moment in a baseball game, at that very point, can be and was Friday night the most critical play of the game UP TO THAT POINT...

Let's move on,; if you want to reply that's fine...I won't be commenting on this subject anymore although I respect your time and replies on this topic...Good stuff...

I noticed that strikmout reappeared to jump on the negative comments made about the P.E. coach regarding the East/Rock game Friday night. If I remember correctly, didn't East start 7-8 seniors on last year's team? That was a loaded team. Not many teams can replace that many seniors with a team that will have similar success. I think Strikmout is being a little unfair blaming the coach for this year's mediocre record. Without even mentioning any activity that may have served as a distraction off the field....you have at least one disgruntled parent on a public forum stirring up negative chatter against that coach...and indirectly against the team. And if you are doing that here, I'm sure you are a "treat" to sit next to in the stands! I've got news for you, Strikmout. You are sadly mistaken if you think that you are going to get rid of ANY coach in ANY sport after only two years at the helm in ANY high school.
In one of your earlier posts, you had suggested that the coach cash it in for this year..bench the current starters and work toward next year. That was at the beginning of the 2nd half of the district schedule. Now, THAT would do wonders for a team's morale, wouldn't it! Clearly, you haven't supported this guy from the day your kid was not given a starting post. Spend your time more wisely, Strikmout. Encourage your kid to finish out the season giving 100% at every practice. We call it "Paying Your Dues". Get him on a competitive team where he will be pushed to become the best player he can become. Get involved in a positive way with next year's booster club. And refuse to allow negative baseball talk around your kid. Kids really do much better in a POSITIVE environment, you know!