Dominion - All District

I think SS could have some more discussion...Keith Roberts deserves consideration, and Alexander Mauricio i believe had a very good year, and Jacob Moore of Midlo hit around .400 I believe..i don't know the stats of any of the others, they are all good...I don't have statistical evidence, but my first impression is many of these guys did not have stellar batting years (some certainly did), compared to years past for all-district...I think this was a year of pitcher domination...most games it appeared to me were close and low scoring, not too many blowouts...even the teams at the bottom played the top teams pretty tough, eventually losing, but making it interesting.

definitely can make an argument for Keith Roberts over Gillis for sure.  No doubt.  Truth be told there are a number of quality SS in the district this year.  The OF was a harder task in my opinion - very few OF who distinguished themselves while the 4 SS in our discussion certainly did.

So, that's why we have the DH :-)

There is discussion (SE District?) about All District players being the "best at their position"  and not just the ones that crush the ball...and ok at their position.    

Caveat - I did not see every player and pitcher and I'm only basing this on the games I went to.  Unfortunately I saw enough of Williams and Roberts to know where they belong.

P - Hunter Williams - Cosby

P - Jack Roberts -JRHS

C -  Austin Gammon - LCBird

1B - Hunter Williams/Jack Roberts

2B - Andrew Saunders- Manchester/David Hairfield - LC Bird

SS - Cullen Large JRHS/Keith Roberts - Clover Hill

3B - Ryan Hall - Cosby

OF - Tyler Fitzgerald - Cosby,

OF - Harry Lee Watson - JRHS,

OF - Staib - Monacan

OF - KC Caldwell - Cosby

Util/DH - Riley Wilson - Cosby

POY - Jack Roberts - JRHS

COY - Tim Lowery - Cosby

Most Improved Program - Brett Mooney - Clover Hill

I thought Roberts was the dominant pitcher in the district this year from start to finish.  Butts had some top games and Williams was tough in the latter 2/3 of the season, but I don't think Jack had a single start where he wasn't in command, at least until the 7th inning.  I don't think you take the recognition from him just because his team couldn't find someone to close.

For the second first team P, very close in my mind between Butts and Williams.  Williams surely belongs on 1st team for his bat in either event.  But then, so does Roberts. 

All in all I would think it would be neck and neck between Roberts and Williams for POY.  James River's season would've been mediocre or worse without Roberts.  But I suppose, especially after his game winning grand slam Friday, you could now give the nod to Williams.  But it's a close vote either way.

I also agree with Fenway at 3B.  I'm a huge Mac Caples fan but All District is about who had the best spring season in the context of the 20 games played.  Every time I picked up the paper Ryan Hall was in there for 2-3 hits.  I just can't justify pushing him to 2nd team.

BTW, at least one player has told me where he ended up so apparently the word is getting out -- the meeting has already happened and at least some coaches are putting out the word to their guys.  So we can stop speculating soon -- and make the transition to arguing with the choices!

we will have to agree to disagree there.  While I am confident that Williams and Roberts will likely get the nods the fact is that Butts finished.  He beat every district opponent he faced and finished the games to do it. 

But that's my opinion and since they don't ask me it is very likely to go to Roberts and Williams and not Butts for 1st team P.

What I hope is that we at least have some credibility to the process and select one player to each position, POY and COY.  The trend of handing out multiple 1st teams (other than 2 P and 3 OF) is watering down the significance.  I know it's tough sometimes to have the consensus but the days of "everyone getting a ribbon" is something worth trending away from. (again, just my opinion).

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I thought Roberts was the dominant pitcher in the district this year from start to finish.  Butts had some top games and Williams was tough in the latter 2/3 of the season, but I don't think Jack had a single start where he wasn't in command, at least until the 7th inning.  I don't think you take the recognition from him just because his team couldn't find someone to close.

Exactly my thoughts.  I did see Butts struggle with secondary pitches when I saw him.  He turned it over to the bullpen in the middle of the game, and Manchester ended up losing.   He competed well, but did not have the stuff of Roberts or Williams when I saw him.

quote:

I also agree with Fenway at 3B.  I'm a huge Mac Caples fan but All District is about who had the best spring season in the context of the 20 games played.  Every time I picked up the paper Ryan Hall was in there for 2-3 hits.  I just can't justify pushing him to 2nd team.

I'm also a huge Mac Caples and Bryce Harmon fan.  But I think both of these players more than anyone else in the District was a victim of their reputations, and past successes.  Both players were pitched around in a big way this year for good reasons.  Heck, I would have pitched around them too.  So, how do you measure that....you really can't.

quote:

What I hope is that we at least have some credibility to the process and select one player to each position, POY and COY.  The trend of handing out multiple 1st teams (other than 2 P and 3 OF) is watering down the significance.  I know it's tough sometimes to have the consensus but the days of "everyone getting a ribbon" is something worth trending away from. (again, just my opinion).

  Credibility would be really good in this case.

We must've been at the same game -- Manchester's home game vs. LCB -- because that was the only outing where Butts had any struggles all spring.  What was significant about that game was that even with that being an off day he went into the 5th and probably would've finished (and won) but for his defense having just a horrible day at the same time.  I mean, they gave away all sorts of extra outs in that one.

If that's your worst day as a sophomore, you have a very bright future.

But for this one spring season, I don't think Roberts had even one of those days.  Maybe that's just because he's a senior and more seasoned, but it still happened.  The only thing  missing from his resume was, you would've liked to have seen him get the 21st out more often.  And it's true, Butts did that several times this year.  So I understand the argument and the preference.  Tough decision.

I'll throw my two cents in.  Roberts did have one of those outings, the first game against Clover Hill.  Roberts was losing going into the bottom of the 7th at river.   Clover Hill up by 1 could not finish and River won.  Although, River defense did make some errors during the game that probably helped Clover Hill, similar to what you described with Butts.

Still, I would give the pitching honors to Roberts and Butts as I think they were the most effective pitchers.  I would agree that Roberts was probably the most dominate.  Hunter is definitely in the mix,  there are arguments that can be made for all three.  I'm sure you all saw more games than I did, just my opinion.

There were a few surprises.

There is always a head-shaker or two every year, but this year was less than most. 

Congrats to all the players who received District honors and Regional consideration.

It's funny the way y'all evaluates these young kids.. This ain't a popular contest! There's such things called Baseball IQ and FUNDAMENTALS.. This ain't about who hit the farthest every other 3 games or throw the hardest everytime he's on the mound, or who plays for y'all travel team.. These are about players that makes great decision and help their team win everytime they step on the field and "played every single game".! POLITICS of high school baseball???

Huh?

The travel coaches that post on this site don't vote.  But they do go to alot of games and see alot of players.  They see more games than most parents (unless they have multiple players at differnt schools, and some posters here do have that situation).

Take a look again at the players R.Graham listed above.  He is 95% correct on the players he listed; maybe not exactly for 1st or 2nd team/position, but 95% of the players he listed got SOME recognition.  Of course, there were others that were recognized...we never know how many UTs or DHs of Cs the coaches will select.

Swamp Thing Baseball,

I'm not sure what your evaluation criteria is, but I generally look at performance, skills and results at an individual and team level.  I know "it" when I see it, as some of these players separate themselves from their peers.  Congrats to them for a year well played.  Do some kids get overlooked or selected because of reputation?  Absolutely.  It happens every year, and I guarantee it will happen next year.  But get over it, it isn't a perfect world.

Yesterday, I saw tremendous Baseball IQ and fundamentals from the Clover Hill shortstop. He hit the ball well, fielded his position, and made some veteran moves that will take him far in college.  I saw him sneaking a look (and faking) the runner tagging on an advancement to 3rd base.  The runner left early.   He appealed to the umpire, but the umpire wasn't paying attention and called him safe.   I asked the Clover Hill SS about the play after the game.   He told me that it is difficult for these 4 man playoff umpire crews to coordinate plays & action In the field.  Now, that is a kid really paying attention.

Of course there is going to be some level of politics involved when you bring together 7 high school baseball head coaches who want their guys selected.   You can't get past that, and they should want their guys picked.  Go to the games, make your own list, post it here and be done with it.  The sun is going to come up tomorrow AM.

I always love being targeted by people who rant without any idea of what they are talking about.

For example, when I supported Jack Roberts above -- perhaps Swampy assumes he plays for the Cardinals.  He does not, never has and never will.  He plays for a rival travel team run by his father (Richmond Braves).  Yet, I appreciate not only his talent but how he performed this year.  He surely helped his team in every game this year, often making the difference between winning and losing.

What the attack post shows is that some folks are walking around holding some grudge and just looking for an opportunity to say, "See, I told you so!"  And somehow, being wrong about the facts never changes the attitude.  The cast changes year after year, but with each cycle we get a new group of folks who bring that to us to hear yet again, like no one has ever said it before.  Yawn.

As of this writing I have heard of some selections but haven't seen the complete list.  If one of you has it, could you post it?  Who ultimately got the POY nod?

This is what's great about this type of thing - it's about sharing opinions.  Keep that in mind when you try to tell everyone what it is and "ain't about" because - it's just YOUR opinion.  I know the coaches do their very best to be fair and recognize those who are deserving and it's a thankless job.  There will always be complaints no matter what.

As for me - I listed 22 names and 21 of them actually got selected.  I would offer that it's not "funny" how I evaluate kids but it would be more correctly described as "accurate".  But again, just my opinion (albeit a verified and corroborated one)

As for the politics - I actually left off kids who played or currently play for my "travel" team.  I post here with my name in full view because I know that when I post something I believe in it and I stand by it and I am willing to justify it to anyone who approaches me at the games I attend.  It's not "politics" it's my opinion and it's my professional evaluation that some people get some entertainment out of and maybe even appreciate. 

I know some people will be butt-hurt over it and snipe from behind anonymous screen names but that's on them.  Others are man enough to come talk to me about it when they disagree with me and that's awesome - that's what discourse in a free society is all about.

I stand by my list and I recognize that the coaches have information and statistics that I do not have access to so it is likely their choices are more informed than mine. I admit that all of my choices are just on the talent and impressions that players made on me personally this season - and I will admit that 21 out of 22 is one of my better years so I will continue to share my thoughts and hope to get it perfect next spring.

I picked up the official list in the program today.  I first note that there were a lot of ties/multiple selections.  Where that happened, only one guy can be advanced for consideration for first team all region, and I've denoted those indicated on the published list with a *:

First team

P  Hunter Williams, Jack Roberts

C  Kelvin Marte

1B Bryce Harman

2B  Andrew Saunders

3B Ryan Hall*, Mac Caples

SS Cullen Large*, Keith Roberts

OF Keenan Caldwell, Harry Lee Watson, Jordan Staib

DH Riley Wilson

UT Nick Butts*, Kevin McCollum

Second team

P  Will Midgette, Rawlings Cumbea, Nick Butts

C H.J. Ellis, Chris King

1B Jack Roberts, Hunter Williams

2B Paul Wood

3B Darius Gillus

SS Brad McKay, Alexander Mauricio, Jacob Moore

OF A.J. Nicely, Tyler Fitzgerald, Jonathan Mauricio

DH Kevin Oakey

UT Brett Jones, Stiebel Aleman

Player of the Year:  Jack Roberts*, Bryce Harman

Coach of the Year:  Ricky Saunders, Tim Lowery

To be clear, these are not my opinions, just me passing along the published list.