Any outstanding freshman playing up on varsity or that will dominate a younger level?

Freshman Kevin Crane from Crete-Monee. He will be a starting outfielder this year. He has a cannon for an arm and has a great stick. He looks very impressive in practice and definetly has the chance to be a really special player. Season starts next week at Limestone, so we'll have to see how he does come game time.

We have two special freshmen. One, unfortunately broke his fingers and is now out. He ran a 6.3 60 in tryouts and is by far the fastest kid on our team. He beat in side by side sprints our football team halfback who was said to be the fastest player in our conference. He did it 3 times.

"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen

Wow...Another 6.3/60. This time from a high school freshman.

By the time he's a senior, he'll likely be at 5.7.

Wow...All that speed in Troy, IL.

Beenthere, I don't blame you for being sarcastic. However, I'm not some braggart that post things to get a rise out of anyone or to promote anything. I simply stated what my watch showed. I didn't post his name because he hasn't done anything as of yet. I would think that the nature of my various posts would indicate where I'm coming from. We realize that if it isn't electronically timed, you have the chance for human error. That is why we had him run against the other kid. He beat that kid 3 straight times and by a good margin. That kid is reportedly the fastest football player in our conference. I'll refrain in the future from such exaggerated posts. Guess that goes back to silence is golden.

"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen

Coach...There is no reason for you to refrain from anything.

This is a baseball forum for discussion about anything related to baseball.

I've only been watching and playing the game for 50 years.

I guess it all started when Playhard talked about all of his players at 95-99 from the mound and 6.0/60's. Funny...I've been to a ton of national tournaments and showcases and virtually no one runs as well as advertised or shows velocity as well as advertised...at these showcases. The 6.2-3 guy ran a 6.8+. Heard excuses from "long grass" to wet field (even though it hadn't rained in days) to slight hamstring pull to the kids in the next room kept him up all night..

I pay attention to the SICA West and the West Suburban and a few of the parochial, very competitive teams.

I've been fortunate to see many of my sons games and then see 20-30 other teams each spring.

Couple of players have been better than advertised. The bulk of the players, however, fall far short of everyone's representations of their ability (ies).

Just as a 5-tool player last spring that I went to see play...he just happened to have the worst game of his career. According to his teammate. Could it have been the fact that he was playing against a very competitive team?

Just my opinion...You are also entitled to your opinion.

That is what makes this game so much fun...to play and to talk about!

Coachb

please don't apolize for that last post I've gained valuable insight into the type of baseball played in the Southern part of the State from reading your many post and have found your postings to be entertaining and interesting.You guys don't have to take a back seat to anybody.Besides you don't strike me as the kind of guy that exaggerates,but one that tells it like it is.
Beenthere is right about one thing, this is a baseball forum where we should be able to discuss baseball subjects and wish the best to all the kids and parents particpating in the sport, without all the sarcastic statements that are made by a few.
Yea bragging should probaly be discouraged ,but so too should the constant negative comments that a few people seem to always have to make with every post.
Beenthere you made reference to a player and I quote "he just happened to have the worst game of his career. According to his teammate. Could it have been the fact that he was playing against a very competitive team?" Are you saying that the other teams that the kid plays against are not competive or that he does not play well against competive teams.I just don't get your point.
Well maybe I do lets see, I've watched a kid who has been ranked in the top ten in the state of Illinois for the last two years play and over that time have not seen the kid have any success.Now would I say it's because he was playing very competive teams?, No! I would say it's because they are High School kids 16,17 and 18 years old, just really learning to play the game,give them time to play ,learn and mature into men.Then if you so chose critize them at the ball park or in the bar or on this board ,until then lets encourge and support them, because there are so many other things they could be doing that would cause us concern.

Good points, joe.

Neil Mejia- OPRF

Cedric Redmond
Not sure what school he plays for, but somewhere in the Joliet area. Very good arm. High 70's, low 80's last year.