Congratulations to both teams on making it to states!
"When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stone-cutter hammering away at his rock perhaps 100 times without as much as a crack showing. Yet at the 101st blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before." mtownfan
Posts: 67 | Location: Va | Registered: March 08, 2006
2 good games last nite but i would like to see some of the purple and gold patriots' fans take a chill pill and not berate opposing players like they were doing last nite. watkins was very impressive in relief. infield defense was solid for mhs too. lenda was brilliant on the mound. he pitched his guts out. good luck to both patriots in the next round.
Posts: 62 | Location: seva | Registered: May 09, 2003
Mr C, That's the way they are on the Peninsula. They have always been rowdy classless fans. I'm not sure if they forget that they are high school kids out there or they don't care. My personal belief is the latter. Regardless of the fans, Menchville is a darn good team. There aren't may years that the Peninsula can compete in the regionals.
Posts: 142 | Location: Norfolk, Va | Registered: January 13, 2004
Wasn't there last night, but I noticed some of the same things at the kellam game as far as heckling from the Menchville fans (BTW they are the Monarchs, not the Patriots...despite what the Pilot said. Denbigh, which FC beat in the quarters, is the Patriots). What bothered me more than their fans, were some of their players actually yelling at Kellam fans in the stands. Obviously their coach doesn't dicipline his kids the way my son's coach does...Agree that Watkins is impressive, but I think it may be time to mandate certain rest periods based on pitch counts. I'm sure ODU probably wasn't real happy to see their recruit come in on 1 day of rest (after a complete game, 100+ pitch win)and pitch 3 more innings in relief. That, I know, is not the only instance of what many would consider abuse of a pitcher. I think it may be time to take that decision out of the coach's hand.
"Character: How hard you work when no one is watching."
Posts: 272 | Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA | Registered: January 02, 2003
I agree also that fans should support their teams as loud and proud as possible....but however, last night some fans not in the stadium caused alot more destruction.....some cars where actually spray painted in the parking lot during the FC/Hickory game.....just be aware if you are going tonight.
Posts: 197 | Location: Virginia Beach | Registered: May 03, 2004
looking forward to another good game tonite. hey, wouldnt it be nice if there were a website that showed the vhsl bracket to see who was still playing and who was getting ready to play who. anyone know if there is a site like that?
Posts: 62 | Location: seva | Registered: May 09, 2003
jbbaseball has been updating the northern bracket in a separate thread under Va. Forum. Apparently Madison got knocked off in the first round.
Haven't seen the western region but you might check out Virginiapreps.com
In the central, Freeman beat Prince George, Hanover beat Deep Run, Matoaca beat James River, and Monacan beat Varina in the quarterfinals. Tonight's semis are Freeman v. Monacan and Matoaca v. Hanover.
Both should be tough games and baseball being baseball, you can't say how it'll turn out, but if I were a betting man I'd look for Monacan and Matoaca to advance. I hear Matoaca has deeper pitching, and if that's true then they would have the leg up for the regional finale if they can get there, but tonight's games are the keys to the state tourney bids, so look for all 4 teams to shoot the works.
For my money Monacan is the region's best team when their ace (Chris Duty) is on the hill, but their other pitchers are not as dominant. So I would look for Duty and Monacan to win tonight but probably not the finale.
Posts: 2445 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 01, 2006
Chris, I agree with you 100%. I'm sorry to say that some of our high school coaches have no regard for these kids arms or should I say they are more concerned about winning championships Last year Hudson threw over 160 pitches in the state championship game than Woods came in after throwing a complete 12 K game with one day rest. I understand that Ray threw over 145 and over 125 pitches in two games this year. Ramirez never throws over 100 pitches, Conroy, Lee and Stubbe are other coaches that never over use their pitches. The good thing is that all of our high school coaches want to win championships but not all of them want to win at the expense of throwing a kids arm out.
Posts: 142 | Location: Norfolk, Va | Registered: January 13, 2004
doc- I'm not trying to single anyone out here. I know from experience how easy it is to get caught up in winning a ballgame (for both the kids and the coaches). I also know that kids are all different and that some can throw much more than others with no ill effects. That said, the vhsl should step in and create some limitations so that there is an even playing field for all teams and coaches aren't tempted to over pitch a kid "because the other team is doing it". I'm sure a panel of coaches could come up with some reasonable numbers based on pitch counts (not innings).
"Character: How hard you work when no one is watching."
Posts: 272 | Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA | Registered: January 02, 2003
Another thing is the Menchville players were pointing to the scoreboard once Watkins hit his bomb against Kellam. Poor sportsmanship, on the players and coaches part.
Posts: 45 | Location: Virginia Beach | Registered: March 20, 2006
I know that in the Northern region it is Lake Bardock vs. Oakton. In the Northwest Region it is Osbourn vs. North Stafford.
quote:
Originally posted by Mr. C: looking forward to another good game tonite. hey, wouldnt it be nice if there were a website that showed the vhsl bracket to see who was still playing and who was getting ready to play who. anyone know if there is a site like that?
Posts: 57 | Location: Va | Registered: June 01, 2006
Redbird, what's your point? If you want to add something to the topic than say it. Your always trying to start something. I've dealt with the Peninsula teams at all levels for many years and their fans are always rowdy and very outspoken to other teams and their fans. AND THAT'S A FACT
Posts: 142 | Location: Norfolk, Va | Registered: January 13, 2004
DOC: I haven't made a post in some time but I need to address yours.I have acouted a number of teams on both sides of the water and I haven't seen any difference in the fans at all.We are seen as a bunch a "snobs" by the peninsual fans and I was told that a couple of coaches from FC went to scout the Peninsula Dist tournament and very blatantly declared that the Peninsula Dist was "trailer park baseball ", which proved their theory.Well, they sure kicked our butts. Another thing is, I understand, that the pitching coach for Menchville IS WATKIN'S DAD, so the coach who let him throw that many pitches on those days was his own father. It is not understood, by many, as to why ODU even wanted this kid, what with all the attitude and the abuse of his arm from the 9th grade on.Great talent, great hitter, but there has always been a lack of discipline. With that being said, we, the Beach dist has our problems also, with players and fans alike. My point, "IF YOU LIVE IN A GLASS HOUSE DON"T THROW ROCKS " Two good teams are going to the regionals, be happy, not judgemental.
quote:
Originally posted by doc: Redbird, what's your point? If you want to add something to the topic than say it. Your always trying to start something. I've dealt with the Peninsula teams at all levels for many years and their fans are always rowdy and very outspoken to other teams and their fans. AND THAT'S A FACT
SWING & MISS
Posts: 50 | Location: TIDEWATER | Registered: March 12, 2006
I "bird dog " for some people that are interested in high school talent. I go from the Beach to Richmond and maybe alittle west. I have seen some very good talent and we have as good as anywhere.
SWING & MISS
Posts: 50 | Location: TIDEWATER | Registered: March 12, 2006
OK, the fans/players may have gotten out of hand a bit. Competition can sometimes bring out the worst in people. But it also can bring out the best, as evidenced in the level of play in the tournament. Alot of outstanding plays made and clutch hits ! If you see enough games, it's easy to overlook alot and focus on the game on the field. Anyway, who won ??? FC or Menchville ?
Posts: 64 | Location: Virginia Beach, VA, USA | Registered: December 30, 2002
