LC Bird (4th place) @ Cosby (2nd place)
Manchester (1st place) @ James River (3rd place)
The outcome of these games could make the standings even more interesting. In each of the previous games, it was very close.
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I would have loved to have been able to catch the Manchester/ JR game.
Hopefully someone can post how both of these end up.
Hopefully someone can post how both of these end up.
1BbDad,
I wish I went to the JR/Manchester game as well. Manchester won 9-5 @ James River according to the RTD. I was at the Cosby vs LC Bird game which Cosby won 9-8. It was painful for Bird parents and fans to witness a 6 run lead blown. If Cosby was selling hemlock at the concession stand for the Bird faithful, it would have been a big seller.
Hats off the Cosby team as they never gave up, and kept poking away.
I wish I went to the JR/Manchester game as well. Manchester won 9-5 @ James River according to the RTD. I was at the Cosby vs LC Bird game which Cosby won 9-8. It was painful for Bird parents and fans to witness a 6 run lead blown. If Cosby was selling hemlock at the concession stand for the Bird faithful, it would have been a big seller.
Hats off the Cosby team as they never gave up, and kept poking away.
I was at the Manchester-James River game for the first six innings, but left due to a commitment. (I actually thought it would stop due to rain but apparently there was a fair amount of action in that 7th inning.)
JR repeatedly got itself in trouble by defensively allowing "extra outs" on errors and other misplays, e.g., throwing to the wrong base on a bunt so that no outs were gotten. Kirby had outstanding stuff but also contributed to his difficulties by losing focus in a bases loaded situation. That situation was the product of bad defense, but he walked oneguy and hit another before composing himself to get a K and a nubber to finally end it.
JR got lots of hits but none were really pounded. Overall I thought Manchester's experience helped them to pretty much control the game from start to finish. They are way too good an offensive team to be giving 4-5 outs an inning to. Frankly it was amazing the score wasn't far worse for JR. For the most part I think that can be attributed to Kirby having the ability to get K's when needed. He was throwing pretty hard but it was his curve that was just unhittable.
Morrison was in control for the most part. His slider is really nasty. His fastball is not overpowering but I suspect VCU will make some adjustments with him that will use his height better come a year from now.
Joey Cujas is one of the premier hitters this area has seen in the last few years, on par with Stadler and Shaban. I think I've seen 5 Manchester games this year and in those games he's got something like 6 HR's. I see he hit another one yesterday in a non-district game. How the heck many does he have? In the JR game he lined one into the cheap seats down the right field line (opposite field).
Augie Ayers is also a top player. I saw a double, and apparently he homered after I left. I also saw him turn some pretty nifty defensive plays. And he's just a junior.
Manchester is definitely one of the state's premier teams. Most of JR's lineup is freshmen and sophomores, so give them another year, maybe two, to get where Manchester is right now. In fact I think JR even batted a freshman in the cleanup spot. When they get to playing the game faster and being more mentally in it defensively they'll be very, very good. Manchester is already there.
JR repeatedly got itself in trouble by defensively allowing "extra outs" on errors and other misplays, e.g., throwing to the wrong base on a bunt so that no outs were gotten. Kirby had outstanding stuff but also contributed to his difficulties by losing focus in a bases loaded situation. That situation was the product of bad defense, but he walked oneguy and hit another before composing himself to get a K and a nubber to finally end it.
JR got lots of hits but none were really pounded. Overall I thought Manchester's experience helped them to pretty much control the game from start to finish. They are way too good an offensive team to be giving 4-5 outs an inning to. Frankly it was amazing the score wasn't far worse for JR. For the most part I think that can be attributed to Kirby having the ability to get K's when needed. He was throwing pretty hard but it was his curve that was just unhittable.
Morrison was in control for the most part. His slider is really nasty. His fastball is not overpowering but I suspect VCU will make some adjustments with him that will use his height better come a year from now.
Joey Cujas is one of the premier hitters this area has seen in the last few years, on par with Stadler and Shaban. I think I've seen 5 Manchester games this year and in those games he's got something like 6 HR's. I see he hit another one yesterday in a non-district game. How the heck many does he have? In the JR game he lined one into the cheap seats down the right field line (opposite field).
Augie Ayers is also a top player. I saw a double, and apparently he homered after I left. I also saw him turn some pretty nifty defensive plays. And he's just a junior.
Manchester is definitely one of the state's premier teams. Most of JR's lineup is freshmen and sophomores, so give them another year, maybe two, to get where Manchester is right now. In fact I think JR even batted a freshman in the cleanup spot. When they get to playing the game faster and being more mentally in it defensively they'll be very, very good. Manchester is already there.
I heard Cujas has 12 bombs
I believe it. Lots of games to go, too, especially if they can hold it together through the playoffs this year.
Great info folks and much appreciated.
Looks like at least for now, Manchester is on a different level than the rest of the Dominion.
Those kids can hit.
Looks like at least for now, Manchester is on a different level than the rest of the Dominion.
Those kids can hit.
They are definitely a great team that has a shot at doing alot...of course the same thing was said last year at this time - then they lost last regular season game, first round in District tournament, and finished by losing to Deep run in the first round of the regional playoffs 
This years team is only missing last years CF and their #1 pitcher from 2009
One interesting dynamic that comes into play with such a dominant team is how other teams approach them in the District...
Depending on the schedule they many end up throwing their #2 or #3 pitcher against the favored team and saving their #1 guy for the game that week they feel is more winnable...Usually whoever is perceived to be the #2 team draws the better pitcher as coaches concede a loss to Manchester or whoever is thought to be the best.
Kind of a "win the games you should win" approach.
I have not seen that as much this year as last when Manchester, being so highly touted, did not see the best pitching until the end and paid a dear price.
Did anyone notice that Matoaca lost a District game last night to PG?
This years team is only missing last years CF and their #1 pitcher from 2009
One interesting dynamic that comes into play with such a dominant team is how other teams approach them in the District...
Depending on the schedule they many end up throwing their #2 or #3 pitcher against the favored team and saving their #1 guy for the game that week they feel is more winnable...Usually whoever is perceived to be the #2 team draws the better pitcher as coaches concede a loss to Manchester or whoever is thought to be the best.
Kind of a "win the games you should win" approach.
I have not seen that as much this year as last when Manchester, being so highly touted, did not see the best pitching until the end and paid a dear price.
Did anyone notice that Matoaca lost a District game last night to PG?
There is something to be said about being tested early and often. Let's you know what you have to work on. Regionals is a bad place to find out where your holes are.
...and to face strong pitching ofr the first time
quote:I have not seen that as much this year as last when Manchester, being so highly touted, did not see the best pitching until the end and paid a dear price.
Based upon what I've seen and read, I see it differently. Because there is a distinct perceived disparity between Manchester and others, they are mostly seeing #2 and #3's this year. You had 4 teams that were neck and neck (Cosby, JR, Bird, and Clover Hill) until this week. There is some separation now because Cosby beat Bird and Manchester beat James River. I would expect this practice to continue until someone can match up "straight up" with Manchester and it won't cost them another district game because of pitching depth.
It is an interesting coaching/pitching strategy. As with most sports , it is all about match ups. It will be interesting as this plays out. Coaching experience in the playoffs can also be huge. I would never bet against Coach Lowery. He always seems to know what to do with his players at the right time.
I actually agree with your point I was projecting deeper into the season. If Manchester is not facing the Ace of most teams regularly it could be a bad thing for them in the longer run.
The old baseball nugget. Good pitching stops good hitting. If you are not seeing good pitching regularly it takes above average pitchers and makes them even better. In regionals if you draw Chrismon or some other stud he might look like Roger Clemmons after banging on 82 MPH all year.
The old baseball nugget. Good pitching stops good hitting. If you are not seeing good pitching regularly it takes above average pitchers and makes them even better. In regionals if you draw Chrismon or some other stud he might look like Roger Clemmons after banging on 82 MPH all year.
The way games are scheduled are huge - If for example Matoaca can face Thomas Dale on tuesday and Meadowbrook on thursday they can get by with one ace- same with Manchester if the can play James River on tuesday and a weaker team on thursday they are all set.
I have heard some say they should make the schedule so the two games you play each week are the same ones- example would be TD @ Matoaca on Tuesday then Matoaca @ TD on Thursday.
This way teams would have to break out their #1 and #2 against each other.
Dont know if that is right thing to do but it would change how things are done dramatically!
I have heard some say they should make the schedule so the two games you play each week are the same ones- example would be TD @ Matoaca on Tuesday then Matoaca @ TD on Thursday.
This way teams would have to break out their #1 and #2 against each other.
Dont know if that is right thing to do but it would change how things are done dramatically!
That's actually a good idea. I would also like to see the schedule expaned to play 3 games a week (M W F) during the second half of the season so that teams play 25-26 game regular seasons.
It would allow for more out of district games and for more options during Spring Beak.
BTW same for basketball.
It would allow for more out of district games and for more options during Spring Beak.
BTW same for basketball.
I guess if you expanded to play more games you could run into a problem with rain outs - what about playing the out of District stuff early in the year then goin into District play after a certain date. The out of District stuff would just not get made up if it rained out?
I heard this week from a varsity basketball coach that Chesterfield Co. is cutting the number of games for JV and V for the upcoming season. I can only imagine that it may be the same for baseball....not likely to increase the number of games per week.
Maybe there is a way around less games if you approach the AD with less dates, but with doubleheaders as the solution.
If so then I wonder if non district doubleheaders with two year "agreements" would be an option. For example, maybe in 2011 Matoaca plays a doubleheader at Cosby, and they both agree that in 2012 they will play a doubleheader at Matoaca. Then you only have one road trip for two games.
Or, schools could consider going the "three way" route like travel ball...three teams get together on a Saturday afternoon, with team A playing B, team B playing C, then team A playing C. There might be some ways to work within these restrictions if they are reality. Twenty games is already too few.
If so then I wonder if non district doubleheaders with two year "agreements" would be an option. For example, maybe in 2011 Matoaca plays a doubleheader at Cosby, and they both agree that in 2012 they will play a doubleheader at Matoaca. Then you only have one road trip for two games.
Or, schools could consider going the "three way" route like travel ball...three teams get together on a Saturday afternoon, with team A playing B, team B playing C, then team A playing C. There might be some ways to work within these restrictions if they are reality. Twenty games is already too few.
VHSL permits 20 regular season games, max.
Chesterfield can only set budgets, and truth be told, they give little to nothing for baseball as it is. There isn't much (if anything) left to cut.
The programs will control how much they schedule, when they schedule, and how much they spend, based on what they can generate through fund raising, etc.
I don't foresee baseball losing anything much. It isn't spending any county money to speak of right now anyway.
Chesterfield can only set budgets, and truth be told, they give little to nothing for baseball as it is. There isn't much (if anything) left to cut.
The programs will control how much they schedule, when they schedule, and how much they spend, based on what they can generate through fund raising, etc.
I don't foresee baseball losing anything much. It isn't spending any county money to speak of right now anyway.
I did see the other night the coaches are losing some supplement money. I think that is the only money the County contributes to Sports in cfield.
Coach Vic Williams just won a State football Championship at Thomas Dale and has stepped down.
When interviewed on TV last week he pretty much said the cut in pay is what put him overboard- he has been at TD for years and is one of best coaches in the Region.
He went on to say he felt they should have cut all teachers pay another percent or so and used the money to maintain his pay level since he spends 10-12 hours at the school and others are there for the minimum of 8.
Pretty strong stance indeed!
Coach Vic Williams just won a State football Championship at Thomas Dale and has stepped down.
When interviewed on TV last week he pretty much said the cut in pay is what put him overboard- he has been at TD for years and is one of best coaches in the Region.
He went on to say he felt they should have cut all teachers pay another percent or so and used the money to maintain his pay level since he spends 10-12 hours at the school and others are there for the minimum of 8.
Pretty strong stance indeed!
The coach pay cut is a way of pushing this off onto the programs to do their own fund raising. It replaces tax dollars with donations. To a certain extent, it follows the university sports model. In the main, when people really get into the fund raising, they find they really have been leaving a lot of money on the table for years. Those who start beating the bushes have found all sorts of parental and business support.
BTW, the best way to raise money is to ask for donations. Bake sales, car washes, selling soap on a rope, etc., are all heavy on effort and short on money raised.
BTW, the best way to raise money is to ask for donations. Bake sales, car washes, selling soap on a rope, etc., are all heavy on effort and short on money raised.
SOme schools will not miss a beat nor will the coaches- Other coahces will have to make a decision as to whether they want to do what they have been doing for less money.
Unfortunately the scholls without the parental support/involvement are the ones where the kids need the coaches the most in the role of a mentor.
Sports involvement is vitally important to many young men and women as are the people who make it possible by working for little or no money.
We are in a vicious cycle- without sports programs in place with strong leadership we could find many teenagers on the wrong side of the law or out of school. This, as we know ,will create even more of a cost as the local government must provide services.
Kind of a "pay Me Now or Pay me Later" proposition.
Unfortunately the scholls without the parental support/involvement are the ones where the kids need the coaches the most in the role of a mentor.
Sports involvement is vitally important to many young men and women as are the people who make it possible by working for little or no money.
We are in a vicious cycle- without sports programs in place with strong leadership we could find many teenagers on the wrong side of the law or out of school. This, as we know ,will create even more of a cost as the local government must provide services.
Kind of a "pay Me Now or Pay me Later" proposition.
Cosby plays James River today. This is a big game to solidify or tie up 2nd place in Dominion District standings.
Will Cosby pitch Mooney for JR rather than for Manchester later in the week? That's where my money is going......likewise, I expect JR will pitch their #1 today. Should be a lot like a playoff game.
Will Cosby pitch Mooney for JR rather than for Manchester later in the week? That's where my money is going......likewise, I expect JR will pitch their #1 today. Should be a lot like a playoff game.
I saw the standings on another site (Virginiapreps.com)and it looks like winner here will all but lock up second place- which given the playoff format in that District is extremely important
Cosby/JR should have all their guys ready to go on the mound...kind of like in the World Series when they bring starting pitchers in as relievers because its all on the line (I love when that happens)
According to standings the Cosby/Manchester game will just be a playing for pride type game as I do not think anyone can catch Manchester in the District standings- Not sure who they all have left to play but Manchester has no losses and the others have 2 or 3 losses.
If that is the case I would not think either team would throw their best guy as in a short time they could be facing each other again in a District Tournament
Looks like Central,Colonial, and Capital are up in the air til the end. Freeman and Godwin in a battle with one District loss each- Matoaca,Dinwiddie,TD, and PG are in a battle in Central. Atlee is heading the Capital at this point with Lee Davis right on their heals one game down....If Atlee squares off with LD and both have their #1 pitchers it will be a heck of a game!
Cosby/JR should have all their guys ready to go on the mound...kind of like in the World Series when they bring starting pitchers in as relievers because its all on the line (I love when that happens)
According to standings the Cosby/Manchester game will just be a playing for pride type game as I do not think anyone can catch Manchester in the District standings- Not sure who they all have left to play but Manchester has no losses and the others have 2 or 3 losses.
If that is the case I would not think either team would throw their best guy as in a short time they could be facing each other again in a District Tournament
Looks like Central,Colonial, and Capital are up in the air til the end. Freeman and Godwin in a battle with one District loss each- Matoaca,Dinwiddie,TD, and PG are in a battle in Central. Atlee is heading the Capital at this point with Lee Davis right on their heals one game down....If Atlee squares off with LD and both have their #1 pitchers it will be a heck of a game!
Looking pretty much like a washout from my window right now. It's going to stress the schedule to fit this in.
If anyone gets any official word, please post.
I'd have to put my money on Cosby whenever it's played, though. JR has talent but still is prone to youthful mistakes 3-4 times per game. Cosby is hitting its stride and could be expected to play nearly flawlessly this time of year. JR was fortunate to get past Cosby earlier this year at Cosby, but pulling that off twice with a young team strikes me as not terribly likely.
If anyone gets any official word, please post.
I'd have to put my money on Cosby whenever it's played, though. JR has talent but still is prone to youthful mistakes 3-4 times per game. Cosby is hitting its stride and could be expected to play nearly flawlessly this time of year. JR was fortunate to get past Cosby earlier this year at Cosby, but pulling that off twice with a young team strikes me as not terribly likely.
where I am it is raining pretty steadily- Just walked outside and it is not very nice weather for baseball!
Someone told me JR has a tarp for the whole field?
Someone told me JR has a tarp for the whole field?
Not that I know of.
But maybe they can close the dome for today.
But maybe they can close the dome for today.
Everything is still on as of 3:30 per www.highschoolsports.net and the rain has stopped in my neck of the woods. No dome for JR, but a large tarp to cover the mound helps (for the swamp that it is). I am heading out to Cosby now to watch the JV players battle it out.
I think JR would've just as soon had a gully washer that day.
Looking at the line score in the paper looks like a storm showed up at JR in the middle of the game...a storm of hits and runs for the visiting team!