Anybody else attend MSABC at Shipley?

I thought the games were pretty good. Good talents overall for sure. What were your thoughts?

Might be the strongest Class of 2011 I have
seen in a decade!

Very strong class I'll agree with that. I saw a lot of strikeouts yesterday. That being said, I was relatively unimpressed by the pitching. Obviously. there were effective pitchers, but I'm more speaking on velocity. Would you agree, or disagree?

If simply seeking velo's, there was several arms that were mid to upper 80's.

Some expected and known. A few discoveries.

when do they pick?

The West team had some very good 2011 pitchers. RJ Smith from Catoctin made a great impression on the college scouts that were there yesterday. He was 87-89 with a nasty curve.

Thanks for the info Bear and FredCo...

I think there were a lot of talented players there yesterday as every year. I played in the 2nd game of the day, but must say I was more impressed with the play of the 1st game overall. Not taking away from the play (or any players) in the 2nd game at all, but personally I thought the South/East team was stacked.

I think they are announcing the team following the Orioles game on June 9 via press conference

quote:

Originally posted by MidAtlanticBaseball:
Thanks for the info Bear and FredCo...

I think there were a lot of talented players there yesterday as every year. I played in the 2nd game of the day, but must say I was more impressed with the play of the 1st game overall. Not taking away from the play (or any players) in the 2nd game at all, but personally I thought the South/East team was stacked.

MidAtlantic - sounds like you are a player on the North or west team? is that right? who?

Yes. I was a catcher for the North Team. Zach Fitzpatrick from McDonogh in Owings Mills.

You are a terrific player - congrats on a great season!

Thank you, I really appreciate it. Does anyone know when the rosters will be announced?

I hear it will be announced in a press conference on June 9 after the Orioles game.

After many years (over 30+) The Sunbelt Classic (in Norman OK) has died and is being replaced by
the Heartland Baseball Classic.

One would think MSABC web page, Team Maryland would have made note.

The new Classic games are June 21-26 and at Oklahoma’s Mitchell Field, Norman High and Norman North.

Good Luck Team Maryland

MSABC 2010 Team Maryland

Austin Richards C
Zach Fitzpatrick C

Kyle Convissar IF
Mike Draper IF
Brandon Glazer IF
Eric Upton IF

Dom Fratantuono OF
Justin Fratantuono OF
AJ Lardo OF
Abe Batal OF
Jordan Gowe OF

Troy Bennett P
Kyle McKelvey P
Adam Parks P
Nick Riley P
Bobby Ruse P
Matt Selmer P
RH Smith P
Zack Sterling P

Did anyone attend the Brooks Robinson All Star game today and if so what were your thoughts?

South defeated the North, 16-3. Does not sound like it was much of a game.

I attended the game and it was entertaining and the kids played well on both sides, but the pitching on the South side was MUCH better than then North. Markey, Sgori, Ndolny, and Driscoll all struggled throwing strikes and with their location.

Offensively, Frantanuono was fantastic (inside the park HR), the Good Counsel player was great also.

Defensively - Travis Clark, Kyle Convessar, and Patrick Ramsay stood about in my eyes.

The Good Counsel player is George Smith.

George Smith is an excellent player and a great kid. LaSalle is going to like this guy.

I wasn't there but with a score like 16-3 doesn't sound like there was any North defense played. Or offense for that matter. I heard from a friend that the North was completely outclassed.

Who remembers Pickle Smith?

Without a doubt the South had the better team that day, but to make a statement like it sounds like there was no defense played because of the score is completely ignorant. The South hit the ball well and certainly deserved to win, no doubt about it.

The North had their moments, just not as many as the South. Still, congrats to all the players - great honor for them at a great venue.

Might want to read the Annapolis Capital account the game. They were the ones that considered it a blowout. I think they said it was no contest.

Charles Pickle Smith from Olney, MD

I looked him up and here's what it said about him:
What happened to Charles "Pickle" Smith? His common name prevents a proper Googling. He never reached the big leagues. Perhaps he was beset by injuries (vinegar poisioning?) Or perhaps that "raw" talent never translated to success in the higher levels of the minors (the Gary Thurman Syndrome). There are so many things that can derail a promising young minor league career.

Pickles Smith is George Smith's uncle. He played at Sherwood High School and later for the Kansas City Royals and reached AAA ball. He was to take Lou Piniella's place in KC's outfield when Piniella went to the Yankees. Unfortunately, Pickles lost part one of his fingers in an accident. Unfortunately his professional playing days came to an end. He played for the Black Soz in the Industrial League for many years after and still hit bombs with 9 fingers.

Sorry...Pickles played for the Black Sox in the old Washington Industrial League.