Baseball in Plano

I'll nibble....

Plano's pitching is unproven. But the Wildcats have something to prove and a great deal of motivation (is that redundant?) They have a number of talented pitchers (see PG Crosschecker's list) and an experienced leader behind the plate. Their new coach has skins on the wall and Plano always has dedicated athletes. I think they will contend in 9-5A, without or without Superman.

Plano West may have one of the most talented offensive lineups in the state. Their pitching is young, but the Wolves received a recent boost with two move-ins that may make varsity contributions on the hill. If they gel defensively and get quality starts, they have to be considered the district favorite. They are just beginning to build a baseball tradition and if they can get consistent leadership, they may make another deep playoff run. Last year was a good experience for West, District 2 was weak and they put it together at the right time. Kiser and Coats are D1 players, Bruce and Holmes come through in the clutch, and Ford is a beast. The key ingredient may be their un-named "role" players.

I like Plano East to finish in the top 4.

I have to commend you for chosing a good title for this discussion ---- those that aren't interested can skip it. Welcome to the message board -- do you have a Plano baseball connection?

How can I see that PG crosscheckers list? Also, who are the top players in this district? I came to a few West games last year but I wasnt able to make most of the games so I'm not sure on the team's returning talent.

Well, you have to subscribe to get the PG list. And I'm not willing to be pulled into another list. The DMN omitted the East kids today -- a few things to prove to Todd Wills, it seems.

I'm too old to get tricky here, Beast.

kirk is a fan of several of the East kids -- as I am a fan of several Wolves. As for the Wildcats, I hope Senor is a 9-5A hit in '08 and an even bigger hit in 8-5A in 2009.

I think with the move-ins you have to give the edge to West. Last year will pay dividends from a confidence level this year.

Plano will just have to see how far they can run with the emotional coaching lift they get from Robertson. What happens if they start off poorly? Will they fall back into a here we go again type attitude?

East will be tough with some quality starting pitching, I think your "role player" comment about West will be as big for ya'll PD.

Wylie started out as the favorite in my opinion, but the injury and some questions as to the health a their big man on the bump has cast a shadow of a doubt on them at this point.

Allen is Allen, no one ever seems to know who these guys are, but they are always pretty good.

Ryan Ford may be the best hitter in the district as a sophomore. Hes going to have ALOT of letters in his mailbox come September 1.

For those interested (and uninformed like me) who are the West transfers? Where are they from? Class, position? Official or rumor?

Just interested

pizzahutt -- I suggest your opinion falls under the category of premature evaluation. I think there are pills for that....I believe I can make a reasonable argument that there are better hitters on his team, with no offense to Mr Ford. (and Mr. Ford OWNS PSIII)

gl -- welcome back -- hope things are going good for your son in Tennessee. PW will welcome Drew Johnson, a RHP formerly of Lamar HS. And another pitcher from ESD -- a sophomore who played QB there. I don't remember his name and can't remember which hand he wears his glove on. My mind has premature evacuation -- need pills for that too.

Thanks PD. Long time away.

Going to Nashville next week for the opening season series vs Saint Louis. Excited as can be. Hopefully he will see some action but either way it is an awsome situation that you will enjoy next year.

If these transfers contribute West will be hard to handle with all of that offense.

PD,

My thoughts exactly, Ford is good for sure, but Coats and Kiser are better right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Bring it:
I think with the move-ins you have to give the edge to West. Last year will pay dividends from a confidence level this year.

Plano will just have to see how far they can run with the emotional coaching lift they get from Robertson. What happens if they start off poorly? Will they fall back into a here we go again type attitude?

East will be tough with some quality starting pitching, I think your "role player" comment about West will be as big for ya'll PD.

Wylie started out as the favorite in my opinion, but the injury and some questions as to the health a their big man on the bump has cast a shadow of a doubt on them at this point.

Allen is Allen, no one ever seems to know who these guys are, but they are always pretty good.

Haha perhaps, PD, perhaps. I do think Ford will establish himself as the top hitter on the team this year. Admittedly however, Plano is not my area of expertise. If they have kids better than him I feel sorry for the other pitching staffs in the district!

I saw him hit five homers in one tournament in florida...hes very impressive

I was going to list the PW hitters and their strengths, but I decided not to since one of the hitters is my son. I also don't want to give away scouting info.

That being said, Ryan Ford is not the best hitter in the district this year and won't be. But by the time he is a senior he will be the most heavily recruited player ever from Plano West. His hitting is all natural. You can't teach his size and power. Ryan Ford = Manchild. Great, Great kid too.

quote:

Originally posted by pizzathehutt:
Haha perhaps, PD, perhaps. I do think Ford will establish himself as the top hitter on the team this year. Admittedly however, Plano is not my area of expertise. If they have kids better than him I feel sorry for the other pitching staffs in the district!

I saw him hit five homers in one tournament in florida...hes very impressive

He also slapped five homers in Atlanta at the PG Super 7 in Atlanta. The kid has no idea how strong he is. If his dad will leave him alone , he will be drafted out of high school.

quote:

Originally posted by kirk:
I was going to list the PW hitters and their strengths, but I decided not to since one of the hitters is my son. I also don't want to give away scouting info.

That being said, Ryan Ford is not the best hitter in the district this year and won't be. But by the time he is a senior he will be the most heavily recruited player ever from Plano West. His hitting is all natural. You can't teach his size and power. Ryan Ford = Manchild. Great, Great kid too.

May I add, he will be one of the most highly recruited in the DFW area. He will be right there with the McKinney 2010 players.

How is Drew Johnson eligible ?? Why would he move from Lamar his senior year if not for athletic purposes ?? Something does not smell right....

The metroplex is home to several players that will be big time recruits in 2010. It has a chance to be the best class in several years.

This is where it gets tough as a moderator (thank goodness it's payday!). I think several here read posts with too much sensitivity -- including myself at times.

This player has appropriate paperwork from his old school and I have to assume he will sit out the proper waiting period at his new school. Not ALL transfers are for athletic purposes. My inside information indicates that this move was job-related. As I've said in the past, there HAVE to be a number of legitimate reasons to change schools....right? At the same time, this is a message board....and the topic of transfers is discussed often --- remember last year?

I'm not ready to become a hard-handed moderator....some think I reached that point a while ago. So, let's not turn every post into a personal attack on a kid, his parents, their situations, OR other posters. Before my PM fills up, I am not directing this post to any one person.....there are a number of topics open at the moment where people have had hurt feelings.

P Dad,

Sent you a PM.

quote:

Originally posted by pizzathehutt:
The metroplex is home to several players that will be big time recruits in 2010. It has a chance to be the best class in several years.

Pizzathehut,

It is very true that this 2010 class is a very good one. They have many good prospects and a few big time names (Lee, Lipka, Ford, etc.). Honestly I am going to have to say that in my point of view the 2009 class is a better class overall in terms of prospects compared to the 10's and the 08's. This 09 class has many great players in that area that are well recognized. I am not putting down the 2008 and 2010.....and I guess 2011 classes at all. It just seems that the 09's have many more known prospects.

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
This is where it gets tough as a moderator (thank goodness it's payday!). I think several here read posts with too much sensitivity -- including myself at times.

This player has appropriate paperwork from his old school and I have to assume he will sit out the proper waiting period at his new school. Not ALL transfers are for athletic purposes. My inside information indicates that this move was job-related. As I've said in the past, there HAVE to be a number of legitimate reasons to change schools....right? At the same time, this is a message board....and the topic of transfers is discussed often --- remember last year?

I'm not ready to become a hard-handed moderator....some think I reached that point a while ago. So, let's not turn every post into a personal attack on a kid, his parents, their situations, OR other posters. Before my PM fills up, I am not directing this post to any one person.....there are a number of topics open at the moment where people have had hurt feelings.

Which is a problem - some folks transfer and are eligible in 15 days and some AD's take a hard line approach and wont sign off on the paperwork, therefore, the kid must sit out a whole year. UIL should reconsider the whole transfer scenario.

DallasTXwatch--

After your comments, I went and looked at some lists of the top 2009 players. Coppell is ridiculously loaded.

quote:

Originally posted by Ben There:

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
This is where it gets tough as a moderator (thank goodness it's payday!). I think several here read posts with too much sensitivity -- including myself at times.

This player has appropriate paperwork from his old school and I have to assume he will sit out the proper waiting period at his new school. Not ALL transfers are for athletic purposes. My inside information indicates that this move was job-related. As I've said in the past, there HAVE to be a number of legitimate reasons to change schools....right? At the same time, this is a message board....and the topic of transfers is discussed often --- remember last year?

I'm not ready to become a hard-handed moderator....some think I reached that point a while ago. So, let's not turn every post into a personal attack on a kid, his parents, their situations, OR other posters. Before my PM fills up, I am not directing this post to any one person.....there are a number of topics open at the moment where people have had hurt feelings.

Which is a problem - some folks transfer and are eligible in 15 days and some AD's take a hard line approach and wont sign off on the paperwork, therefore, the kid must sit out a whole year. UIL should reconsider the whole transfer scenario.

So what are you suggesting be done about that? A year to sit out if you transfer to another school because your parents got a new job is not fair to the young man.

Unless you want wide spread transfers and recruitment that is the only "Fair" thing to do. How many parents get a new job but dont move because they like the school district or how many kids stay with friends their senior year so they can graduate from the school they have attended for 4 years. Does anyone really think the move was because the parents got a new job ??? A stronger possibility is THEY MOVED FOR ATHLETIC PURPOSES. What is unfair is not everyone is treated the same.

The JM situation involved moving within the same district. Even at that time, I held the opinion that the rules needed to be clarified. Has anyone ever admitted that they were moving for athletic purposes?

close friends to the johnsons tell me the father works in Mckinney and the commute was becomming very stressful and was having a major effect on drew. i think this is a legit move. ive had the pleasure of meeting drew once and he was a very nice and respectful young man. he is one of the very few young men ive come across in select baseball that i would allow my teenage daughter to date. i wish him well in whatever he does.

11sdad -- my commute to South Arlington is stressful too!

I also know the Johnsons and I agree the long drive to Mckinney/Plano had gone on long enough. Heck, it is probably cheaper to maintain two households until one is sold vs putting on over a 100+ miles a day at 3 bucks a gallon for months on end.

Congrats to Drew for finally getting the attention for his baseball/personal attributes that he deserves. He sure did not get this kind of atention when he played in Arlington.

If Drew's family had lived in Sherman and the job took them to Plano I doubt anyone would be concerned, but since Arlington and Plano are considered "metroplex" people think that a job change may not require a move..........be carefull when you throw out the "moving for athletic purposes" card unless you have had a long comute situation.

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
11sdad -- my commute to South Arlington is stressful too!

I really think you should move to South Arlington, just think of the stress it would take off your family.

quote:

Originally posted by 11sdad:

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
11sdad -- my commute to South Arlington is stressful too!

I really think you should move to South Arlington, just think of the stress it would take off your family.

what stress, he has his own driver so he can create moderator pre season award threads for the HS baseball web during his commute.

Kirk if he moved to S. Arl. then that would give him 2 extra hours a day that he could play catch with his son. Just think how good PDson would have been if he was able to do that.

Have you seen PD throw and catch?

I tried to catch PSIII the other day during a lesson ---- I felt like a t-ball player at his first practice, if you can remember the imagery.

I stopped catching 11 2 years ago, I will catch long toss but I just put the balls into the bucket so I don't have to throw them back.

I feel your pain, literally. The 60 mile per hour fastballs of three or four years ago I could catch. The 75 mph curveballs snapping into the dirt are now eating me up.

Was out in the bullpen with my son today and mostly what I do is squat on a bucket and give a target and then rise into a half squating and half standing position and try to get out of the way of the stuff that is low.

About two weeks ago he nailed me three times in the shin in the same spot and that's when I gave up sitting in a catcher's stance and grabbed a bucket. I enjoy working with him, but it's a lot more nerve racking now.

Plano- 12
Mesquite- 1

Plano- 2
South Garland- 1

Plano 3-0

Very nice.

Did you go? If so, did they get the game in before the cool front hit?

Edit: Quick summary from Plano site:

"Bo Altobelli's suicide squeeze in the bottom of the ninth scored pinch runner Chris Heinritz as the Wildcats beat South Garland
2 - 1 at the Ranger Ballpark in Arlington. Riley Senor's double started the game ending rally. Landon Stanford pitched 6 strong innings and Jamen Parten got the victory going the final 3."

Did Plano trade a tournament for additional non-district games or did they conclude their non-district schedule? This sounds like a recap from the Naaman Forrest game. Congrats Plano. The Plano teams are 12-0-1 after the first week.