They guy was drafted and made it to AA. If I said majors I was wrong and he didn't even pitch much as a pro but his work as a coach has been focused on pitching with some success.
Check out the coaches profiles on the Cowboy Booster web-site if you want to read about him.
I think very good pitching beats very good hitting in most high school games. PW discounted that theory in their playoff run last year. I think the Woodlands has outstanding pitching, as they demostrated this past weekend. When the new lists come out, TWHS should be near the top. In my humble opinion, the DFW teams will do fine in beating each other up, but in the end, who will beat teams like TWHS in 3-game series?
PantherDad,
From those people who attended the PW vs Woodlands game, they would say that PW more than held their own. The Woodlands never faced any of PW top 3 pitchers and struggled to beat PW. Granted PW was very helpful to the Woodlands by committing 7 errors in those two games. They pitched their #2 and #3 against PW. PW showed they can still play even though they are getting little respect.
Hopefully, the best teams from the DFW area and the Houston area match up in Round Rock. I think the outcome may be different.
From those people who attended the PW vs Woodlands game, they would say that PW more than held their own. The Woodlands never faced any of PW top 3 pitchers and struggled to beat PW. Granted PW was very helpful to the Woodlands by committing 7 errors in those two games. They pitched their #2 and #3 against PW. PW showed they can still play even though they are getting little respect.
Hopefully, the best teams from the DFW area and the Houston area match up in Round Rock. I think the outcome may be different.
So, why didn't West pitch their top guys? And defense is certainly a part of the game. I'm not necessarily saying that The Woodlands is better than West....all of that remains to be seen.
I'm kinda Old School (I went to school and I'm old). Pitching and defense is normally the key to a state championship (key word normally). I have not seen either Plano West or the Houston school but if PW does not curtail the errors it could be a hard road back to Round Rock.
I guess in a round about way I'm agreeing with PD.
I guess in a round about way I'm agreeing with PD.
Agree 100%, However, if PW does clean up their errors, then they should have a great opportunity to go back to RR as evidenced by their two wins over Coppell. Those three teams are probably three of the top 5 teams in the State, by far.
by far ? 
quote:Originally posted by hornsr1:
Agree 100%, However, if PW does clean up their errors, then they should have a great opportunity to go back to RR as evidenced by their two wins over Coppell. Those three teams are probably three of the top 5 teams in the State, by far.
So we can assume you have seen all the 5A teams play this year or you going by paper predictions???
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Those who make it have to win to get to Austin.
So, the teams that make it to the playoffs and win the most match-ups will get to the state tournament.
Once that happens, the team that puts it together for a week will win.
So, in conclusion, we all should know the best team come early June.
Until then, any prediction is just that........
A prediction.
And if you have ever filled out a NCAA Final Four bracket you know what predictions get you.
A big bag of nothin'.
Those who make it have to win to get to Austin.
So, the teams that make it to the playoffs and win the most match-ups will get to the state tournament.
Once that happens, the team that puts it together for a week will win.
So, in conclusion, we all should know the best team come early June.
Until then, any prediction is just that........
A prediction.
And if you have ever filled out a NCAA Final Four bracket you know what predictions get you.
A big bag of nothin'.
quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Agreed, but even then it takes a little luck. Everyone gets good about the third round.
quote:Originally posted by Letot:
by far ?
No kidding...it is a little early for him to make those type of predictions don't you think? I know Letot and Guthrie think so. And there always seems to be that 'cinderella story' team at Round Rock as well.
quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Agreed, but even then it takes a little luck. Everyone gets good about the third round.
Hahahahaha....
I guess you can debate anything.
Facts are, we'll know who the best is when the season is over right?
quote:Originally posted by hornsr1:
Agree 100%, However, if PW does clean up their errors, then they should have a great opportunity to go back to RR as evidenced by their two wins over Coppell. Those three teams are probably three of the top 5 teams in the State, by far.
"probably, by far"
quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Agreed, but even then it takes a little luck. Everyone gets good about the third round.
Hahahahaha....
I guess you can debate anything.
Facts are, we'll know who the best is when the season is over right?
Is that question? Okay, we'll debate. At the end of the year, we'll have a declared champion and they will be deserved. However, I firmly believe our Texas play-off system is not conducive to having the best team win.
All of these coin flips.. possibilities of a one game series, then you get to Austin to face the best pitcher in the state semi-final. Your team is much better (you could easily win 2 of 3), but the best pitcher in the state beats you in a good game. His team gets blown out the next night by the other semi-final victor because the best pitcher's team really isn't that good.
quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Agreed, but even then it takes a little luck. Everyone gets good about the third round.
Hahahahaha....
I guess you can debate anything.
Facts are, we'll know who the best is when the season is over right?
Is that question? Okay, we'll debate. At the end of the year, we'll have a declared champion and they will be deserved. However, I firmly believe our Texas play-off system is not conducive to having the best team win.
All of these coin flips.. possibilities of a one game series, then you get to Austin to face the best pitcher in the state semi-final. Your team is much better (you could easily win 2 of 3), but the best pitcher in the state beats you in a good game. His team gets blown out the next night by the other semi-final victor because the best pitcher's team really isn't that good.
Last time I checked, pitchers are part of a team.
If you read the post, I was not making a prediction only that there was "a great opportunity" to make it back to RR. Doesn't mean it will happen. I don't think it is a stretch to say that the defending State Champion (with 7 returning All-District players, experience etc..) may make it back to the State Tournament. Also, anyone who watched those three teams play last weekend know that the talent level playing on all three teams is probably in the top 5 in the State. Doesn't mean that they can't lose to a team with lesser talent, just that the level of play on those teams is very high.
Good luck to all this year.
Good luck to all this year.
quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Agreed, but even then it takes a little luck. Everyone gets good about the third round.
Hahahahaha....
I guess you can debate anything.
Facts are, we'll know who the best is when the season is over right?
Is that question? Okay, we'll debate. At the end of the year, we'll have a declared champion and they will be deserved. However, I firmly believe our Texas play-off system is not conducive to having the best team win.
All of these coin flips.. possibilities of a one game series, then you get to Austin to face the best pitcher in the state semi-final. Your team is much better (you could easily win 2 of 3), but the best pitcher in the state beats you in a good game. His team gets blown out the next night by the other semi-final victor because the best pitcher's team really isn't that good.
Last time I checked, pitchers are part of a team.
You said it... pitchers with an "s" for plural. Most people would consider the best team the one that would most often win head to head in a multiple game series. You know, the way the do it in the Major Leagues. They use a seven game series for the championship there. In Texas HS baseball, one team's path to the championship could easily include couple of one game series, if you can call that a series. Regardless of having a great pitcher or not, the best team doesn't always in a single game. Sometimes they fall in, sometimes they don't. Sometimes you get the call, the sometimes you don't.
For baseball, one game is not enough to determine the best team in a match. For 5A, every match should be at least a best 2 of 3, including Austin. The Texas HS state tournament is not even double elimination, like the college game or like many kids tournaments.
quote:Originally posted by hornsr1:
PantherDad,
From those people who attended the PW vs Woodlands game, they would say that PW more than held their own. The Woodlands never faced any of PW top 3 pitchers and struggled to beat PW. Granted PW was very helpful to the Woodlands by committing 7 errors in those two games. They pitched their #2 and #3 against PW. PW showed they can still play even though they are getting little respect.
Hopefully, the best teams from the DFW area and the Houston area match up in Round Rock. I think the outcome may be different.
I wouldn't say it looked as if The Woodlands "struggled" and you say #2 and #3....The Woodlands are much deeper in pitching then you give them credit for.
That said, I would agree all teams were top caliber and there's a long road to Dell. I wish the best for all three as they are very talented programs.
quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Agreed, but even then it takes a little luck. Everyone gets good about the third round.
Hahahahaha....
I guess you can debate anything.
Facts are, we'll know who the best is when the season is over right?
Is that question? Okay, we'll debate. At the end of the year, we'll have a declared champion and they will be deserved. However, I firmly believe our Texas play-off system is not conducive to having the best team win.
All of these coin flips.. possibilities of a one game series, then you get to Austin to face the best pitcher in the state semi-final. Your team is much better (you could easily win 2 of 3), but the best pitcher in the state beats you in a good game. His team gets blown out the next night by the other semi-final victor because the best pitcher's team really isn't that good.
Last time I checked, pitchers are part of a team.
You said it... pitchers with an "s" for plural. Most people would consider the best team the one that would most often win head to head in a multiple game series. You know, the way the do it in the Major Leagues. They use a seven game series for the championship there. In Texas HS baseball, one team's path to the championship could easily include couple of one game series, if you can call that a series. Regardless of having a great pitcher or not, the best team doesn't always in a single game. Sometimes they fall in, sometimes they don't. Sometimes you get the call, the sometimes you don't.
For baseball, one game is not enough to determine the best team in a match. For 5A, every match should be at least a best 2 of 3, including Austin. The Texas HS state tournament is not even double elimination, like the college game or like many kids tournaments.
You're touching on something that some people just fail to understand. Baseball has the highest variance of any sport. This is why the MLB season is long - 162 games to determine who plays each other in series' to determine the champion. Variance is one of the biggest parts of baseball and one of the most misunderstood.
I could start saying things that will get some people to drag this thread on and on but I won't.
quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:quote:Originally posted by beenthere:quote:Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
I think the best teams are the ones that win come playoff time.
Agreed, but even then it takes a little luck. Everyone gets good about the third round.
Hahahahaha....
I guess you can debate anything.
Facts are, we'll know who the best is when the season is over right?
Is that question? Okay, we'll debate. At the end of the year, we'll have a declared champion and they will be deserved. However, I firmly believe our Texas play-off system is not conducive to having the best team win.
All of these coin flips.. possibilities of a one game series, then you get to Austin to face the best pitcher in the state semi-final. Your team is much better (you could easily win 2 of 3), but the best pitcher in the state beats you in a good game. His team gets blown out the next night by the other semi-final victor because the best pitcher's team really isn't that good.
Last time I checked, pitchers are part of a team.
You said it... pitchers with an "s" for plural. Most people would consider the best team the one that would most often win head to head in a multiple game series. You know, the way the do it in the Major Leagues. They use a seven game series for the championship there. In Texas HS baseball, one team's path to the championship could easily include couple of one game series, if you can call that a series. Regardless of having a great pitcher or not, the best team doesn't always in a single game. Sometimes they fall in, sometimes they don't. Sometimes you get the call, the sometimes you don't.
For baseball, one game is not enough to determine the best team in a match. For 5A, every match should be at least a best 2 of 3, including Austin. The Texas HS state tournament is not even double elimination, like the college game or like many kids tournaments.
I'd like to debate with you, but I can't.
Because I agree with you.
Can we please disable the Quote icon. 
Coppell 11
Southlake 2
much better then this past weekend....I think that was by design but still left to many runners on base.
Southlake will continue to get better every game and is still a team to be concerned about.
Southlake 2
much better then this past weekend....I think that was by design but still left to many runners on base.
Southlake will continue to get better every game and is still a team to be concerned about.
AMEN CS! *yeah, I'm yelling!* 
Coppell is a fantastic team...up and down the lineup those kids can hit, and pretty much all switch hitters. Last night against SLCs righty (throwing 90mph I might add - no chump), they had 8 or 9 swinging from the left side. SLC didn't do themselves any favors, committing at least 3 errors, and a couple more that were tough plays (not e's) but shoulda/coulda been made. Hats off to the Cowboys. I look forward to the Dragons playing better ball soon. It's been a rocky start (5-5-1) as two key injuries and an academic issue have kept some of their key players off the field.
I like the way 6/5A schedules district games where they play a two game series in the same week.
Is this unique to the district or is this a long standing tradition for them?
Do coaches favor this scheduling format?
Is this unique to the district or is this a long standing tradition for them?
Do coaches favor this scheduling format?
Not a 6-5A parent, but my understanding is they came up with this idea because, after the last UIL realignment put 6 teams in 6-5A, they decided to play each opponent 3 times. So they came up with the two games against the same team in a week for the first two rounds, then the more traditional one time through each team after that.
Tychco, that is correct. And site for that third game is determined based on the previous Fall's football schedule. So, for instance, if Flower Mound was on the road to face SLC in football last Fall, they would also be for that third game in baseball this spring.
6-5A
School Name District Season
Coppell 4-0 10-6
Flower Mound 3-1 11-3
FM Marcus 2-2 10-5
Hebron 1-3 7-5-1
Lewisville 1-3 5-5
Southlake Carroll 1-3 6-7-1
FM over Sl 9-8
Coppell over Marcus 5-1
Hebron over Lewisville 4-1
School Name District Season
Coppell 4-0 10-6
Flower Mound 3-1 11-3
FM Marcus 2-2 10-5
Hebron 1-3 7-5-1
Lewisville 1-3 5-5
Southlake Carroll 1-3 6-7-1
FM over Sl 9-8
Coppell over Marcus 5-1
Hebron over Lewisville 4-1
quote:Originally posted by tychco:
Not a 6-5A parent, but my understanding is they came up with this idea because, after the last UIL realignment put 6 teams in 6-5A, they decided to play each opponent 3 times. So they came up with the two games against the same team in a week for the first two rounds, then the more traditional one time through each team after that.
This is very unusual, but I like it.. best 2 of 3 series, effectively. It will also put a lot of coaching strategy in play when it comes to last round where everyone plays everyone else just once in a week, rather than twice. Early there aren't as many options since each team plays each other twice in the same week, but the last round will make starting pitcher decisions more critical than ever.
quote:Originally posted by HRKB:
6-5A
School Name District Season
Coppell 4-0 10-6
Flower Mound 3-1 11-3
FM Marcus 2-2 10-5
Hebron 1-3 7-5-1
Lewisville 1-3 5-5
Southlake Carroll 1-3 6-7-1
...
Where's all of the commentary? Usually there is a good conversation going in this district. Has FM's pitching been as strong as expected? Did Coppell right their ways? I'm surprised at the teams on the bottom.... tough luck or what?
This is a fun district. Anyone can beat anyone. Every time out is an adrenaline rush because there are no dogs which is pretty cool.
Anybody hear how Coppell and Lewisville game went last night. Was not in the paper.
Anybody hear how Coppell and Lewisville game went last night. Was not in the paper.
It was rescheduled for tonight, fields were too wet.
I can only speak for SLC after a 2-4 district start. They've had a tough schedule to start district play and there are no "weak sisters" in the bunch.
Coppell - Played once and lost away
Marcus - Split weekly home/away series
Flower Mound - Split weekly home/away series
Hebron - Lost last night 5-2 away and hope to get weekly split Friday at home
It all results in 2-4. District play has been similar to the whole year. The opposing team typically has one big inning (last night was a 4 run 1st for Hebron), and SLC has struggled getting a big 2 out hit. Throughout the year there have been a ton of runners LOB. I keep waiting for them to put it all together. I think the talent is there, they just need to play with a little more confidence. One thing is for sure, the teams that emerge from this district will be ready for the playoffs. Every game has that kind of atmosphere. I think 8-7 in the district gets you in, so SLC will need to go 6-3 over their final 9 district games...tough but doable.
Coppell - Played once and lost away
Marcus - Split weekly home/away series
Flower Mound - Split weekly home/away series
Hebron - Lost last night 5-2 away and hope to get weekly split Friday at home
It all results in 2-4. District play has been similar to the whole year. The opposing team typically has one big inning (last night was a 4 run 1st for Hebron), and SLC has struggled getting a big 2 out hit. Throughout the year there have been a ton of runners LOB. I keep waiting for them to put it all together. I think the talent is there, they just need to play with a little more confidence. One thing is for sure, the teams that emerge from this district will be ready for the playoffs. Every game has that kind of atmosphere. I think 8-7 in the district gets you in, so SLC will need to go 6-3 over their final 9 district games...tough but doable.
Coppell's 11-6?
Just 2 cents from the scouting road.
Yes some decent teams beat them but you can't lose 6 games in the first month and be what they read about themselves. I have had to scout 2 games thus far and have an opinion of them. They seem to be at little out of sync. I don't know why but something is off. I think it hurts them in the long run, of course you can always get it together. Their coach is acting pretty cocky according (a rumbling I am hearing from other coaches).
Just 2 cents from the scouting road.
Yes some decent teams beat them but you can't lose 6 games in the first month and be what they read about themselves. I have had to scout 2 games thus far and have an opinion of them. They seem to be at little out of sync. I don't know why but something is off. I think it hurts them in the long run, of course you can always get it together. Their coach is acting pretty cocky according (a rumbling I am hearing from other coaches).
quote:Originally posted by Top Shelf:
Coppell's 11-6?
Just 2 cents from the scouting road.
Yes some decent teams beat them but you can't lose 6 games in the first month and be what they read about themselves. I have had to scout 2 games thus far and have an opinion of them. They seem to be at little out of sync. I don't know why but something is off. I think it hurts them in the long run, of course you can always get it together. Their coach is acting pretty cocky according (a rumbling I am hearing from other coaches).
Top Shelf,
I agree with you. They just seem a little off and there is no real stick that stirs....yet. But don't let the 6 L's fool you, they are "better than that".
There is still time to right the ship and a first place finish in 6-5A should give them a good path in the playoffs.
As for the coach, he should take responisiblity for at least 3 of the L's and he is not coaching the same way he has in the past which some would say is a good thing but I disagree.
The Cowboys still look better than most that I have seen.
We are in agreement for the most part. They look better on paper than most but thats why the games are played.
It's the coaches job to manage this thing and he seems to be caught up in the moment. I don't know him well, I have met him. Many I know say he is acting like a different guy. So for Coppell to get right the players will have to overcome that or he will have to change which seems unlikely. You would think he would be humbled by the record and have taken steps on his part to right the ship already.
It's just rare that talent wins over comparable talent that has some chemistry.
It's the coaches job to manage this thing and he seems to be caught up in the moment. I don't know him well, I have met him. Many I know say he is acting like a different guy. So for Coppell to get right the players will have to overcome that or he will have to change which seems unlikely. You would think he would be humbled by the record and have taken steps on his part to right the ship already.
It's just rare that talent wins over comparable talent that has some chemistry.
ANY UPDATES ON GAMES TONIGHT?
quote:Top Shelf,
I agree with you. They just seem a little off and there is no real stick that stirs....yet. But don't let the 6 L's fool you, they are "better than that".
Coppell 9
Flower Mound 6
The stick might have stepped up tonight, Morris hit a bomb and it was a nice team win. FM did give Coppell 11 walks, it is hard to win that way.
Nice to see the players talking to each other after the game, so many of these boys from both teams have played with and against each other over the years that the friendships are real. That speaks well about the players on both teams.
SLC 12-4 over Lewisville to get to 5-4 in the district. I haven't checked the standings but I think that puts them in a tie for 2nd with FM.
quote:Originally posted by ACowboyFan:
Coppell 9
Flower Mound 6
.... so many of these boys from both teams have played with and against each other over the years that the friendships are real. That speaks well about the players on both teams.
You were modest in not highlighting this... Great work by Danny Malone coming in for several strong middle relief innings to let his team have a chance to come back.
It was also great day for Morris playing in his old hometown. As you said, the atmosphere was very collegial between the Cowboy and Jaguar players. A lot of friends there.
There were lots of great plays in the game on both sides, and some not so great plays as well. However, IMHO, two perhaps unsung difference makers were two good Cowboy defensive plays throwing runners thrown out at 3rd base. Good pitcher working holding a runner on and a good throw and catch caught a very fast runner base steal attempt out at 3rd. On a big extra inning hit, good throws from the outfield thru the 2nd baseman to 3rd caught another fast runner out trying to make a triple. In both cases there were less than two outs.