Eastern Regionals

im pretty sure its monday may 26.

Monday quarters 10, 1, 4 and 7.

does anyone know how the bracket is working for this tournament..

who will the winners of each game play??

EASTERN REGION TOURNAMENT
All games at Old Dominion University
Monday, May 26
Granby (Eastern No. 2) vs. Landstown (Beach No. 1), 10 a.m.
Indian River (Southeastern No. 2) vs. Hampton (Peninsula No. 1), 1 p.m.
Ocean Lakes (Beach No. 2) vs. Maury (Eastern No. 1), 4 p.m.
Bethel (Peninsula No. 2) vs. Western Branch (Southeastern No. 1), 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 27
First two winners play, 5 p.m. Second two winners play, 7:30.
Thursday, May 28
Championship

I missed a report somewhere along the line. How did Menchville get knocked out of contention? I thought they were supposed to be one of the region's better teams?

Midlo Dad
Here's my Vapreps article on the PD semi-finals.

VirginiaPreps Bethel-Menchville

Bethel beat Menchville 7-4 to get to the regions.

Sounds like you guys had a few upsets in Richmond.

Sorry to see that Ethan had a tough game. After losing a no-hitter last year (1-0 on an E and a sac fly) in the state quarterfinals, he deserved a break. But, I'm sure he'll have plenty more shining moments next year and beyond.

I think the top 2 teams advanced out of every region. Cosby maybe came out a bit flat in the district tourney, given that they already had a top seed in the regional sewn up. The fact that Deal was "on" that day kept them from coming back all the way.

I wouldn't suggest anyone get their hopes up, however. Coach Lowery will use that loss to remind them constantly that there can be no letdowns at this stage. I would hate to be Cosby's next opponent.

If Henrico can get Seth Cutler Voltz a couple of runs and play good defense, they might just send Cosby to an early exit. Sure, it would be a huge upset, but there's not many players more competitive than "Coach Seth". Cosby better not be looking past them.

Granby 7 Landstown 3
W-Abetz L-Lawhorn

Grandby jumped out in the first with 1-0 lead; Landstown countered with 3 of their own in the bottom half of the first after a leadoff triple by Robert Perkins. (L)3-1.

Both pitchers would settle down and take command of the game with each cruising along.

In the top of the 5th; a walk following a strikeout; things would unravel for the Eagles pitcher. A triple and a couple more hits would give Grandby the lead which they would never relinquish.
(G) 4-3 after 5innings.

Grandby would score a couple more in the top of the 6th after a miss-played flyball which should of a been the final out without any damage done.
Cameron Butler relieved Lawhorn.

Landstown would try to get something started with one out, Cameron Butler and Mike Fedunewiecz would each record their 2nd hits of the game. But they were left stranded.

Grandby would add another in the top of the 7th, when another flyball was lost in the sun which should of been the final out.

Granby was very clean in the field playing a solid game defensively and were able to string hits together at the right time.

Robert Perkins and Cameron Day also had multiple hit game's respectively for Landstown.

Congratulations on the win Grandby.Best of luck Ocean Lakes. Great season Landstown.

That was quick:

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/05/region-baseball-update-...landstown-first-game

ALL THE NUMBER 1 SEEDS LOST. HOW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR THAT?

quote:

Originally posted by XTRAINNINGS:
ALL THE NUMBER 1 SEEDS LOST. HOW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR THAT?

The #2 seeds beat them.

IMO, play was pretty sloppy all around.

quote:

Originally posted by XTRAINNINGS:
ALL THE NUMBER 1 SEEDS LOST. HOW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR THAT?

That's High School Baseball!!The teams that played the best won their games.

Two of the teams that won yesterday,Indian River and Ocean Lakes were a couple of the hottest teams in the region coming into the tourney. Conversely, Landstown which clinched it's District title back on May 9th came in losers of their last 3 out of 4 games. Not a good sign for a still relatively young team. Ocean Lakes went through the Beach Tourney winning in convincing fashion,confidence and momentum on their side. Plus it also helps that they have been there before.

Indian River had to go through the gauntlet of the SE District, they have been tested and now full of confidence.

Western Branch vs Bethel sounds as if that was a good match-up. Hampton,I know little of.

The storyline with "All No 1 seeds falling", makes for a good read, but this is not March Madness(NCAA Basketball tourney). The No 1 is a number to assist with aligning the brackets; the teams facing each other on the first day were not in each others districts during the regular season play; therefore did not factor in their positioning.

It all comes down to who plays the best on a given day; yesterday the #2 teams played better than the #1's. Yes, it is ironic the way the day turned-out!!!

how was the field conditions yesterday at the bud? apparently there were many errors and or sloppy play according to Red Bird. pitching and defense usually wins these type of post season games but scores indicate quite a few runs being scored in all four games. any thoughts on that?

also, just read paper. anyone actually see a brawl break out during the bethel- w. branch game? only players and coach from bethel were ejected? hoping for more details from someone.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. C:
how was the field conditions yesterday at the bud? apparently there were many errors and or sloppy play according to Red Bird. pitching and defense usually wins these type of post season games but scores indicate quite a few runs being scored in all four games. any thoughts on that?

Mr C,

The field looked worn(especially near home plate), but in our game (Landstown vs Grandby), it was our outfield play which unhinged us. Additionally, there was an underline story which is not being told:

Abetz recovered from a shaky first inning. The hefty righthander scattered eight hits – only three after the first – and struck out six and walked one.
Abetz (8-3) didn’t walk a batter until there were two outs in the seventh inning.

Only four of our hitters accounted for the hits.
Abetz command of his pitch's is miss-leading; 1B Colton Langejahns suffered a brokenwrist on a pitched ball. But, he deserves credit for getting the job done. We should have bunted more.

Landstown’s Lawhorn (6-3) allowed six runs(four earned) over 52/3 innings, allowing six hits, striking out six and walking three.
If a pitcher is forced to elevate his pitches or cannot get strike calls on his breaking ball he will get hit. Questionable walks!

Should of thrown inside more.

Sorry if I'm misinterpreting the intent of your post, but I can't accept the excuses in this case. The pitcher has to pitch to the strike zone he is given. From up in the stands directly behind home plate, I couldn't tell too well about the umpire's zone vertically, but horizontally he had one of the widest I have seen all year (in fact, that was pretty much the theme of the day with all the PU's). Abetz and the Granby catcher did a good job of using that to their advantage and consistently kept the pitches just off the plate on the outside for the called strike.

Also I have to give credit to the Granby hitters. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot after hearing how Coby Cowgill shut them down (not a slight to Coby at all...in fact I am more impressed with him now after seeing the Granby hitters), you just don't expect to see that many K's from a good hitting team. Granby, however, hit Butler better than anyone has all year...that impressed me.

I do agree that the Eagles should have bunted more

1) The field looked bad. The IF grass was spotty. However, it had nothing to do with the play. OF play was shaky at best.

2) There wasn't a brawl at the game. No punches were thrown but, IMO, the umps did a HORRIBLE job of controlling the game.

Here is the scenario:
Bethel hits a ball deep to LF that gets stuck in the fence. WB's LF raises his hands and then goes into the fence to get it before the ump makes a ruling. The runner continues to run and, after a conference, in which the LF ump showed NO CLUE what he was doing, it was ruled a ground rule double. As Coach Wheeler is calmly discussing the call with the LF ump, he realizes he was stuck with the double. (Side note: the ump ACTUALLY raised his hands to signal foul ball but that's another story). As he is walking away, the home plate ump started jawing at him. Wheels gets tossed after an animated discussion.

Next play...some 5 minutes later... WB's 2B (Jankowski) and O'Connor tried to pick off Bethel's runner at 2B. Jankowski dropped his knee and was "arguing" with the ump that the runner never made it back to the bag. At the same time, Bethel's runner tried to get up and pushed Jankowski, who pushed back with his knees. As the Bethel runner got up, he pushes the WB player in the chest. Bethel's bench runs onto the field with WB being restrained at the dugout by their staff. The 1st 2 out of the dugout are Bethel's P and C who are ejected.

If I am correct, everyone who leaves the dugout area should be ejected per VHSL rules. Bethel is VERY lucky to have not had EVERYONE ejected and forfeited. Miraculously, the runner at 2B was not ejected. A couple of WB players should have been ejected as well.

Again, I thought the umps handled this VERY poorly. Their no call and then indecisive actions created this mess and they didn't try to clean it up. Bethel's kids should have just shut up and kept ripping O'Connor, IMO.

Redbird has it right, the umpire(Joe) contributed to the heat.I saw him call the coach from Bethel back and purposely push until he got the desired result-eject.I then saw him again confront and prod the 2nd coach until he moved continuously backwards hoping to eject him.I sat with a group that knows this umpire well and called it from the beginning- hold on to your hat!Bethel and Western Branch fought hard and Bethel was simply the faster team at capitalizing on the other teams mistakes and there own hitting.He also has the other aspect right as well,the 2nd seeds won,and equally capitalized on the others misfortune, as far as, coaching and playing.The kids played with a lot of heart and deserve credit regardless of the win or loss.

That umpire has a history of trying to show everybody who is boss.

Wheeler told me the umpire asked him twice what did he say and Wheeler told him he was talking to someone else.

Wheeler also asked him the umpire if he was certain the ball that was in the fence was indeed the one that was hit. The umpre said no, so Wheeler asked him how he could change the call.

I hope he gets to coach on Wednesday because I dont feel he should have been ejected. I realize everyone makes mistakes and it probably wasn't a homerun, but the umpire also lost his cool and it wasn't fair to Wheeler.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Taylor:
Sorry if I'm misinterpreting the intent of your post, but I can't accept the excuses in this case. The pitcher has to pitch to the strike zone he is given. From up in the stands directly behind home plate, I couldn't tell too well about the umpire's zone vertically, but horizontally he had one of the widest I have seen all year (in fact, that was pretty much the theme of the day with all the PU's). Abetz and the Granby catcher did a good job of using that to their advantage and consistently kept the pitches just off the plate on the outside for the called strike.

Also I have to give credit to the Granby hitters. To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot after hearing how Coby Cowgill shut them down (not a slight to Coby at all...in fact I am more impressed with him now after seeing the Granby hitters), you just don't expect to see that many K's from a good hitting team. Granby, however, hit Butler better than anyone has all year...that impressed me.

I do agree that the Eagles should have bunted more

Maybe, I did not explain as well, but ANY pitcher (that is not a power-pitcher,and some of them still do) will get hit hard if he leaves his pitch's up. When Abetz left his pitch's up, we (Landstown) hit him hard. But, the problem for us was that we only had four-hitters that got base-hits (DH/J. Scott did hit one deep to left the fielder made a nice play on).

From my vantage point, behind home-plate near the scouts boxes, the low at-the-knees was not there. Additionally, there were two consecutive no-call breaking balls that were NOT high at the break.

Reminded me of the game in the District Tourney with you all (Cox) and Kellam; In the first inning, Difulgo threw two-splitters for strikes that were non-calls; the ump froze.

No, there was no attempt to make an excuse, but to examine the game inside the game. For young pitchers that have been instructed by professional pitchers and have worked on effectively hitting their spots. When they do hit those spots (as they see it)and a no-call follows; this can be difficult altering confidence and effecting psyche with executing their pitch's.

Edit: Certain pitchers need those area's to be effective. "Live-low,live-right"

Yes, I agree Granby can hit the ball; better than I thought also.

Now, which umpire are we talking about here.....????

The one that made the original call (3B), then came running in to the home plate umpire to let him know that he made the wrong call or the one who actually ejected Wheeler (HP).

The HP umpire was actually watching the Batter/ Runner touch home plate and then was cleaning the plate when 3B umpire came done to him to let him know he (whatever he said)!

After the umpires had their discussions, then the HP umpire called over Wheeler and then made sure the 3B umpire did not go anywhere until he (HP) explained what 3B umpire saw.

After this....it's a free for all, none of us was on the field to hear what Wheeler said; the 3B umpire said; or the HP umpire said. So, I don't think you can just say the umpire was trying to show "he was the boss" because if that was the case, the player for Bethel would have been ejected for pushing the WB Player; and all but ONE of Bethel's players would have been ejected for leaving the bench, not just the pitcher and catcher....

Take in to consideration, the umpire crew was split.......the one that called the Home Run Back was from the Peninsula and the Home Plate Umpire was from the Southside.

it doesnt look good for today like the games will be played.

From my vantage point in stands near 3rd base it appeared that the WB player was pushing the Bethel runner away from the base after he had been called safe. When the Bethel runner got to his feet he shoved the WB player back. I could not tell if the runner was safe or out (very close) but it was a good no call on the pushing and the shove.

As for running the Bethel coach, it seemed to me that the coach and the ump were both to blame. The ground rule double call was correct and the Bethel coach should not have carried on so long. However, at one point the coach turned his back and headed back to the 3rd base box and rather than return to home plate and call "play ball" the HP umpire reinitiated a heated debate. I've no sympathy for the coach but the HP umpire made himself the show rather than just return to his position and get the game back on track. Too much ego by two grown men took away from a good game played by kids.

Actually the 3rd base ump raised his hand to indicate a homerun but that is another story.

Saipan,

I take it you were at the game? How much contact was there at second?

Wgarlick
Did wheels tell you this during or after the game?

Knight,

I was at the game.

WB player dropped a knee with the ball (legal) to block the bag, but Bethel runner was called safe. I believe it was the right call. But then the WB Player did not get up in a timely manner and the Bethel took offense to it and when he stood up, he shove the WB Player.

.....from my point of view, two kids playing hard in an emotional game and we were not on the field to hear if their were words exchanged. Neither were ejected with an umpire right there!

However, the two kids did shake hands after it was done with.

Are you going to be at the games tonight or are you working? I think I am going to get a good seat for the 5 o'clock game so I can also have a good seat for game two.

Should be interesting to see if both the players are around since I believe that they have to sit 2 games. I know that the coach can't be in the park at all.

Are the games still on for today? looking forward to seeing the Ocean Lakes game.

They have had an outstanding yr. considering how many Seniors they lost off of last yrs team and how many Freshman and Sophomores they have in the starting lineup.

As of right now they are still on! Better bring a warm coat with this wind coming off of the water it will be a cold evening at the Bud tonight!

saipan,

Neither the 3B/LF ump or the HP ump did a good job, IMO.

The 3B ump signaled HR, then foul ball and then asked for help from the HP ump. Also, if it were a ground rule double that got lodged into the fence, the umpire should have checked it out before allowing the fielder to pull it out of the fence. Otherwise, it was a live ball.

Wheels argued with the 3B ump and the HP ump got involved. As Brett was walking back to the coaches box, the HP ump chirped at him again and Brett came back at him.

I talked to Brett right after the ejection.

Regional finals = IR vs. Bethel.

I thought if a coach is ejected he is supposed to leave from sight and sound of the playing field?

How did you get him right after the ejection?

He was leaving the field. I played with Brett and consider him a friend.

Redbird,

I too think the 3B/LF umpire did a poor job and his poor judgement caused this whole situation. The first thing he should have done was to go all the way done the line to check....not just a couple of steps....this would have settle the problem right then.

You talked to Wheeler and I talked to the HP Umpire (I consider him a friend as you do Wheeler). There are two sides to every story. Again, you and I were not there.....and now Wheeler will get to come back tomorrow. Congrats to both IR and Bethel.

Wheeler never left the park....he was behind the 3rd Base stands pacing.....which I would have been doing the same. And I'm sure he was out in centerfield watching...as I would have been too!

Sorry, 1B stands......

quote:

Originally posted by saipanwarrior:
Wheeler never left the park....he was behind the 3rd Base stands pacing.....which I would have been doing the same. And I'm sure he was out in centerfield watching...as I would have been too!

He was behind 1B dugout. He wasn't in CF.

Brett's story seems to match his actions but I am sure there is another side to the story

He was suposed to leave the park!

quote:

Originally posted by Knight:
He was suposed to leave the park!

And he didn't! <gasp>