Beach Predictions

They sat Fairbanks alot (coaches decision). He was thier most dynamic hitter. Could have used his bat in low scoring games where 1-2 runs make a big difference.

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Originally posted by Go Dawgs:

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
Don't throw the kids under the bus either. What I saw was a team with 3 D1 pitchers that lost alot of low-scoring games. Fielding was good enough to win. Hitting was weak. Perhaps most powerful hitter (Fairbanks) sat the bench often to put the better fielders on the field.....with that pitching they probably could have used his bat more often.

Not sure I follow your comment. You say they had 3 D1 pitchers and lost a lot of low scoring games, but close by saying they needed the bat of their most powerful hitter because of their pitching?

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
Don't throw the kids under the bus either. What I saw was a team with 3 D1 pitchers that lost alot of low-scoring games. Fielding was good enough to win. Hitting was weak. Perhaps most powerful hitter (Fairbanks) sat the bench often to put the better fielders on the field.....with that pitching they probably could have used his bat more often.

1) I'm not throwing anyone under the bus. But, who else is to blame for the lack of offense and defense? Does the blame lie on you as a parent? Oh, that's right...the coach!

2) No, the fielding was not very good at all. 2 of the 3 games I saw them lose was directly related to defense.

3) The best bat at PA was Tomchick. Period. It was not even close. I've seen the kid hit that you mention.

I know from an opposition's standpoint, the feeling usually was if you could muster a few runs off the trio of Tomchick/Lemaster/Begley, you had a chance to win because of PA's average offense.

Easier said than done, and it didn't work out that way a lot because of their very good pitching.

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
They sat Fairbanks alot (coaches decision). He was thier most dynamic hitter. Could have used his bat in low scoring games where 1-2 runs make a big difference.

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Originally posted by Go Dawgs:

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
Don't throw the kids under the bus either. What I saw was a team with 3 D1 pitchers that lost alot of low-scoring games. Fielding was good enough to win. Hitting was weak. Perhaps most powerful hitter (Fairbanks) sat the bench often to put the better fielders on the field.....with that pitching they probably could have used his bat more often.

Not sure I follow your comment. You say they had 3 D1 pitchers and lost a lot of low scoring games, but close by saying they needed the bat of their most powerful hitter because of their pitching?

High School baseball will have some errors. PA's defense was not bad....many games were close and the errors contributed to losing. I just would have had Fairbanks bat in the game at all times unless protecting a lead late in the game is what I am attempting to say. He hits the ball hard every time he makes contact (which is most at bats). I am not his parent but I have seen him hit the ball harder than anyone else on the team consistently. Tomchick was a better all-around hitter, but to leave out Fairbank's pop in a line-up that lacked hitting was an oversight.

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Originally posted by bball_lifer:
I know from an opposition's standpoint, the feeling usually was if you could muster a few runs off the trio of Tomchick/Lemaster/Begley, you had a chance to win because of PA's average offense.

Easier said than done, and it didn't work out that way a lot because of their very good pitching.

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
They sat Fairbanks alot (coaches decision). He was thier most dynamic hitter. Could have used his bat in low scoring games where 1-2 runs make a big difference.

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Originally posted by Go Dawgs:

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
Don't throw the kids under the bus either. What I saw was a team with 3 D1 pitchers that lost alot of low-scoring games. Fielding was good enough to win. Hitting was weak. Perhaps most powerful hitter (Fairbanks) sat the bench often to put the better fielders on the field.....with that pitching they probably could have used his bat more often.

Not sure I follow your comment. You say they had 3 D1 pitchers and lost a lot of low scoring games, but close by saying they needed the bat of their most powerful hitter because of their pitching?

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
High School baseball will have some errors. PA's defense was not bad....many games were close and the errors contributed to losing. I just would have had Fairbanks bat in the game at all times unless protecting a lead late in the game is what I am attempting to say. He hits the ball hard every time he makes contact (which is most at bats). I am not his parent but I have seen him hit the ball harder than anyone else on the team consistently. Tomchick was a better all-around hitter, but to leave out Fairbank's pop in a line-up that lacked hitting was an oversight.

I guess we have a different opinion about 'good' and 'bad' defense as well as evaluating hitters.

Redbird5 what three games did you watch last year?

I saw Fairbanks bat around 150 times over the past 3 years, and Tomchick around 60. Tomchick is a better hitter (singles and doubles), but Fairbanks hits doubles, triples and homeruns on a regular basis. I base my evaluation on statistics. Not a long-term personal evaluation of college potential.

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Originally posted by redbird5:

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
Don't throw the kids under the bus either. What I saw was a team with 3 D1 pitchers that lost alot of low-scoring games. Fielding was good enough to win. Hitting was weak. Perhaps most powerful hitter (Fairbanks) sat the bench often to put the better fielders on the field.....with that pitching they probably could have used his bat more often.

1) I'm not throwing anyone under the bus. But, who else is to blame for the lack of offense and defense? Does the blame lie on you as a parent? Oh, that's right...the coach!

2) No, the fielding was not very good at all. 2 of the 3 games I saw them lose was directly related to defense.

3) The best bat at PA was Tomchick. Period. It was not even close. I've seen the kid hit that you mention.

I agree with VB Baseball. I not only saw Fairbanks play I also coached him. Putting him in the lineup and yanking him out would not allow him to get in a groove. I can attest that he was a great hitter. Sad but at PA he did not get to prove it.

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Originally posted by playright:
Why does everybody have Bayside at the bottom? I think they will surprise everybody, I say they will finnish top 4.
1. Kellam
2. Salem
3. bayside
4. FC
5. Landstown
6. Kempsville
7. Ocean Lakes
8. PA
9. Cox
10. Greenrun
11. Tallwood
Honestly I think 3 thru 9 is up for grabs but Kellam and Salem should dominate the beach.

Not sure about Salem at number two. Their lefty pitcher is fairly untouchable with a great change up. But not much pitching after that. Lost some good power from two seniors and their best overall player. Sorry don't know names but a lot of kids who didn't play to potential and some new ones will really have to step up big for Salem to finish at 2. Not impossible but just think it will be a reach.

Rainoutsux, I agree with you but the fact is they did not play to potential and where still in the hunt last year. They didn't really lose anybody that significantly helped them last year other than Schwanke. I stand by my prediction, if I'm wrong it ain't the first time and won't be the last either.

Paintboy, I've watched probably 60-70% of the PA games since 2007, Fairbanks was a decent hitter but to say better than Tomcheck is a huge stretch. PA doesn't hit as whole and can not afford to play sloppy defense if they want to have a chance. They lost a lot of close games, games their pitchers kept them in and there defense and lack of run production lost for them.

No disrespect to the Fairbanks kid, but he could not hold Tomcheck's jock. No coach wanted to pitch to Tomcheck when the money was on the line, they would love to pitch to any other player but him, so all this talk is fruitless. I watched at least 6 of PA games last year and the Tomcheck was their only threat. They averaged about 3 runs a game and Greg produced many!

Playright I did not say that Fairbanks was a better hitter than Tomchick. I believe that someone else said that. I agree that Fairbanks was a very good hitter and would have provided Tomchick some protection.

Does anyone know if Green Run has a tarp?

Playright, I commend you on standing by your prediction! And I was wrong once too! lol I'm guessing the kid you mentioned was their ss. But I remember a big kid that played outfield. He was at least 6'3'' or 6'4''. He hit a few out and looked pretty good most times at the plate. Although I don't think he played as an every day starter.

Looking forward to watching some of the first games this week.

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Originally posted by playright:
Rainoutsux, I agree with you but the fact is they did not play to potential and where still in the hunt last year. They didn't really lose anybody that significantly helped them last year other than Schwanke. I stand by my prediction, if I'm wrong it ain't the first time and won't be the last either.

Paintboy, I've watched probably 60-70% of the PA games since 2007, Fairbanks was a decent hitter but to say better than Tomcheck is a huge stretch. PA doesn't hit as whole and can not afford to play sloppy defense if they want to have a chance. They lost a lot of close games, games their pitchers kept them in and there defense and lack of run production lost for them.

Yes they do, it sits behind the rightfield fence, not too sure how they use it because you would have to lift it over, which is impossible. I sat on it last yeat when we played them.

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Originally posted by basballdet:
Does anyone know if Green Run has a tarp?

If the younger Rienerth is like Michael, WATCH out!! He has another season to grow too! Orzell is going to be really good too, bot nice kids!!!!

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Originally posted by Pilots81:
Orzell will be good at F.C, just needs some mound time, F.c also has 3 Lefty's in Freshman Bode?Jr. Luke? and I think Dylan Short, they also have a jr. Righty in Rienerth and senior Clay Frizzel. Clay could be very special.

TELL ME WHAT THE FAIRBANKS KID DID TODAY?

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
I saw Fairbanks bat around 150 times over the past 3 years, and Tomchick around 60. Tomchick is a better hitter (singles and doubles), but Fairbanks hits doubles, triples and homeruns on a regular basis. I base my evaluation on statistics. Not a long-term personal evaluation of college potential.

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Originally posted by redbird5:

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Originally posted by VB Baseball:
Don't throw the kids under the bus either. What I saw was a team with 3 D1 pitchers that lost alot of low-scoring games. Fielding was good enough to win. Hitting was weak. Perhaps most powerful hitter (Fairbanks) sat the bench often to put the better fielders on the field.....with that pitching they probably could have used his bat more often.

1) I'm not throwing anyone under the bus. But, who else is to blame for the lack of offense and defense? Does the blame lie on you as a parent? Oh, that's right...the coach!

2) No, the fielding was not very good at all. 2 of the 3 games I saw them lose was directly related to defense.

3) The best bat at PA was Tomchick. Period. It was not even close. I've seen the kid hit that you mention.

He went to work today since he graduated last year.

And now what did Tomcheck do today? ODU MAYBE???

This debate makes me wonder how much impact a coaches' belief in a player has on his performance. I have seen two players make identical errors and poor at bats yet player one is apple of coaches' eye and gets encouragement and patience while player 2 gets put in 9 spot or benched. Player one struggles thru slump but comes out the other side, same capable player as always. Player 2, also a consistant and capable player, with no encouragement or patience from coach just continues a sort of self fulfilling prophecy of failure. Me? I think it is of huge impact. And I think more coaches should realize this.

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Originally posted by shoelessjoe2012:
This debate makes me wonder how much impact a coaches' belief in a player has on his performance. I have seen two players make identical errors and poor at bats yet player one is apple of coaches' eye and gets encouragement and patience while player 2 gets put in 9 spot or benched. Player one struggles thru slump but comes out the other side, same capable player as always. Player 2, also a consistant and capable player, with no encouragement or patience from coach just continues a sort of self fulfilling prophecy of failure. Me? I think it is of huge impact. And I think more coaches should realize this.

Coach is trying to win today. He should put what he thinks is his best chance to win out there. If the roster is deep enough he doesn't need to care about any given player holding up under the pressure. He can just keep plugging players in until something works. Most teams have 2-3 players that are clearly better althetes or skills than the balance of the team and that's why you'll find 100 strings out here banging on the coach. It's his team and he decides who plays for whatever reason and someone isn't going to be happy.

Baseball is not about your 2 or 3 best players it's about about how bad you can be. The opportunity is to work to minimize the weaknesses so the 2 or 3 standouts are not minimized. This requires providing leadership to this group and developing confidence. I agree with shoeless... this is "one" factor that differentiates good leaders.

Kellam, Salem, PA, Kempsville and possibly Green Run are the top teams in the beach if they keep it up. Every other team is overrated in my opinion. INCLUDING FC

I posted Kellam, Salem, and Cox are top 3 with others as a toss up, Don't think F.C is overrated, but they are not as good as they will be once they get some experience, Kempsville will surprize people, but F.C does have 4 or 5 decent arms and they'll be better pitchers once they gain experience, teams 3 thru 8 will all have about 6 or more losses going into the district tournament. Kellam looked good and Petey Danielson pitched a gem for P.A,

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Originally posted by pirates21:
Baseball is not about your 2 or 3 best players it's about about how bad you can be...

I'm not sure I understand this or agree with this. Can you please expand on it?

With just a decent supporting cast and 3 strong players up the middle, you can be a pretty darn good team.

Did not say Fairbanks was a better hitter than Tomchick....or a better college prospect.....Tomchick was both.....

Fairbanks had a .300 batting avg., .570 slugging percentage and .571 on-base percentage in the games I saw.

Tomchick had a .391 batting avg., .478 slugging percentage and .519 on-base percentage in the games I saw.

This is from alot of games (both high-school and summer ball). Tomchick was and is a great player.

ALL I am saying is that Fairbanks had no business sitting the bench for a team that could not score for thier great pitching staff.

I don't like to see guys that can perform not get a shot to play. That is the only point. I wish more coaches published stats. It would tell alot. I think they don't like to so they can avoid critique and play favorites.

Stats are not the entire story, but they don't lie.

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Originally posted by Billy Buckstone:
And now what did Tomcheck do today? ODU MAYBE???

well said about fairbanks, he was a player that hit a BOMB off a D1 pitcher 1st game last year and then was done, alot of guys dont get a chance cause coaches fall in luv, hey, its high school, I know a player who signed a D1 scholarship and is a stud who never played at the school of his district, yeah

I stand by what I posted earlier. It was not the hitters fault it was the coaching.

Redbird you are correct about the "3" up the middle and that I did not explain my point real well. Very simply lots of teams have their "3" stars. Depth can be a critical difference maker and therefore developing depth and increasing confidence can only happen through game experience. I agree with shoelessjoe that if there is only marginal differences between 2 kids then it is better to create a "competitive" environment by getting each playing time rather than picking favorites. Playing both will make both better and ultimately will give the coach a real basis for making decisions about the team.