St. Chris & Trinity must have really gotten some talent this year. From what I saw in the past between the two schools they could not have put a team that would challenge uper echelon schools
Shifflet is a wonderful player and does make an impact-if he is getting on base.You keep him off base and that impact shrinks.Then you take someone like Cullen who can make an impact with his bat,his arm,his speed(hes not slow either), defense and power and I think that has more of an impact on the outcome of a High School game.Don't get me wrong-I'm not trying to pick on any one kid,but I think someone like Cullen or even Chris Ayers has more of an impact because they do more.Just my opinion-not trying to start anything
quote:Originally posted by fritzy:
St. Christopher's and Trinity Episcopal will be as good as any of the public schools this year. Call them, they would love to "have a catch" with the upper echelon of the public schools.
Maybe because the public schools are down. Trinity and St Chris aren't even as good as they were last year in both cases. Include Benedictine in the conversation as well - but the fact still remains that they could only finish in the middle of the pack in a public district at best.
All 3 schools have some talent at the top of their rosters but 6-9 in their orders couldn't even get on the field for a better than average public school. Which is why they (6-9 in the lineup) go to private school. And that drop off of talent only increases when you talk about the pitching staffs beyond the top 2 kids at the Privates.
Excellent- his red-shirt year is finished as of this semester, and he has been working hard. Played in the Valley over the summer and had some excellent outings and some not so hot. As best I can figure, he has earned the ball, now it's just a matter of what he can do with it. I think Tech will let him go as far and as quickly as his ability will take him. Looking forward to the season, thanks for asking Midlo.
Hopefully we can see some action in Blacksburg March 26-28!
Wear your earmuffs.
I have learned many such tricks of the trade!
Flamethrower has made some false accusations and "stepped over the line" with regards to the Midlothian baseball program. Unless he is part of the Midlothian program, he can not fairly comment or have knowledge of the motivation/commitment of the young men that were part of the baseball team at Midlothian over the past few seasons.
As a parent of a Midlothian baseball player, I saw first hand an Assistant Coach ruin a program and break the spirit of some fine young men. The Head Coach is to blame as he allowed his "Drinking Buddy" to do this (though he had many leadership failures of his own).
At the end of the day, this is much bigger than baseball and the Princpal of the High School is ultimately accountable. She made the right professional decision to replace the baseball coaching staff at Midlothian. Reports from the team are already positive and refreshing. Some of the young men are even regaining their "Love of the Game."
Flamethrower...It all DOES stem from the Head Coach. He sets the tone, he develops the talent and he puts the players on the field. He also is the paid professional and the adult role model spending several hours a day supposedly "teaching" our sons about life through baseball.
Yes it was "about time" for a coaching change.
As a parent of a Midlothian baseball player, I saw first hand an Assistant Coach ruin a program and break the spirit of some fine young men. The Head Coach is to blame as he allowed his "Drinking Buddy" to do this (though he had many leadership failures of his own).
At the end of the day, this is much bigger than baseball and the Princpal of the High School is ultimately accountable. She made the right professional decision to replace the baseball coaching staff at Midlothian. Reports from the team are already positive and refreshing. Some of the young men are even regaining their "Love of the Game."
Flamethrower...It all DOES stem from the Head Coach. He sets the tone, he develops the talent and he puts the players on the field. He also is the paid professional and the adult role model spending several hours a day supposedly "teaching" our sons about life through baseball.
Yes it was "about time" for a coaching change.
WOW
Not sure you can fairly comment on my comment
lost the luster to combat your fogged opinion
But will address one thing:
It is not the coaches responsbility to Keep his love of the game, his job is to put the best team on the field. The kid is playing for his love of the game not for the coach. Saying the coach was the reason is a excuse. Every kid will be confronted sooner or later with a coach who doesnot appear to have the same vision as him and it is easy to blame the coach & that is part of teaching the kids lesson in life. Don't let someone elses bad attitude or misdirection effect your dreams/goals stay focused and work each and everyday. NO EXCUSES
GOOD LUCK
hope it works well for all
Good luck
Not sure you can fairly comment on my comment
lost the luster to combat your fogged opinion
But will address one thing:
It is not the coaches responsbility to Keep his love of the game, his job is to put the best team on the field. The kid is playing for his love of the game not for the coach. Saying the coach was the reason is a excuse. Every kid will be confronted sooner or later with a coach who doesnot appear to have the same vision as him and it is easy to blame the coach & that is part of teaching the kids lesson in life. Don't let someone elses bad attitude or misdirection effect your dreams/goals stay focused and work each and everyday. NO EXCUSES
GOOD LUCK
hope it works well for all
Good luck
That's easy to say for the high level or college-bound player. But for most of your roster, HS is the highest level of baseball they will ever play. And when the coach makes it miserable to spend 3 or more hours/day, 5 days/week out there, players will go ahead and hang it up early. Sometimes you'll see lack of effort creep in during the games.
In addition, you can tell kids to "buck up" all you want, but every human being responds to how they are treated. We're all wired that way. So, to suggest it's all on the players is just plain wrong.
In fact, if a coach thinks any one player is leading the team astray (the "poison" player), the best thing to do is cut that kid. Even mid-season. The bad apple will spoil the bunch if you keep him on. If the coach doesn't do that, then yes, that is on the coach.
I'll be interested to see how Midlo does this year under new Coach Roarty, who moves over after coaching JV and then as a varsity assistant at James River. Roarty was a part of Schumacher's coaching team that turned JR around after, yes, a very bad coaching experience.
One thing the players won't ever doubt is Roarty's desire to play right and to win. He sometimes gets a little overly excited even, but not in a way that would be detrimental to the team.
If there's a nucleus of talent there, I think you could look for that team to get into playoff contention. It appears to me that in the Dominion this year it's likely to be Manchester going away, then everyone else fighting for playoff spots and that second regional berth. Based on who's leading the teams you'd have to put your money on JR, Cosby and now maybe Midlo being the main competitors for # 2 in the district.
In addition, you can tell kids to "buck up" all you want, but every human being responds to how they are treated. We're all wired that way. So, to suggest it's all on the players is just plain wrong.
In fact, if a coach thinks any one player is leading the team astray (the "poison" player), the best thing to do is cut that kid. Even mid-season. The bad apple will spoil the bunch if you keep him on. If the coach doesn't do that, then yes, that is on the coach.
I'll be interested to see how Midlo does this year under new Coach Roarty, who moves over after coaching JV and then as a varsity assistant at James River. Roarty was a part of Schumacher's coaching team that turned JR around after, yes, a very bad coaching experience.
One thing the players won't ever doubt is Roarty's desire to play right and to win. He sometimes gets a little overly excited even, but not in a way that would be detrimental to the team.
If there's a nucleus of talent there, I think you could look for that team to get into playoff contention. It appears to me that in the Dominion this year it's likely to be Manchester going away, then everyone else fighting for playoff spots and that second regional berth. Based on who's leading the teams you'd have to put your money on JR, Cosby and now maybe Midlo being the main competitors for # 2 in the district.
The Trojans have no talent. All the coaching in the world can't help that particular group. It's just one of those cycles that happens from time to time and this is as thin a group of players that Midlothian has had in 15 years.
If they make the playoffs then Roarty is the Dominion District coach of the year.
Clover Hill and LC Bird have much more to offer than Midlo and they are average. Midlo will be lucky to win 5 games this season.
If they make the playoffs then Roarty is the Dominion District coach of the year.
Clover Hill and LC Bird have much more to offer than Midlo and they are average. Midlo will be lucky to win 5 games this season.
With regards to the Midlo principal firing the baseball staff. That is simply not true. The firing of Coach had nothing to do with anything that happened at Midlo. Without divulging info. that is not pertinent to this board, the firing had to do with things that happened at Thomas Dale (where he teaches). I guess it is easy to throw the guy under the bus after the fact, but at least get your facts straight.
What does Cosby High School have coming back this year? I heard they only had two seniors graduate. They won the District Tournament last year so maybe they have some good players returning?
Manchester lost their best pitcher and not sure who else will not be returning.
Sounds like it should be a pretty good battle if my assumptions about who left are right
Manchester lost their best pitcher and not sure who else will not be returning.
Sounds like it should be a pretty good battle if my assumptions about who left are right
Not an expert on the Dominion by any means, but Cosby will be good. Manchester could be great. But, it wouldn't shock me if Cosby won regular season. That confusing enough? Haha
Cosby has gamechanger Mitchell Shifflet, a UVA signee. One of the fastest players in the U.S. # 1 Pitcher signed with Davidson and is pretty filthy. Overshadowed by Hauser et al the the last few years. Lowery will overachieve as usual. Depending on the schedule, Cosby could have Mooney on the mound for both Manchester games. Manchester has a murderers row in the middle of their lineup. Although, I think Mooney would pitch well enough to give the Titans a chance. I would pick Manchester, but the district will be decided on those 2 games. I doubt anyone else in district beats either one of them much.
Cosby has gamechanger Mitchell Shifflet, a UVA signee. One of the fastest players in the U.S. # 1 Pitcher signed with Davidson and is pretty filthy. Overshadowed by Hauser et al the the last few years. Lowery will overachieve as usual. Depending on the schedule, Cosby could have Mooney on the mound for both Manchester games. Manchester has a murderers row in the middle of their lineup. Although, I think Mooney would pitch well enough to give the Titans a chance. I would pick Manchester, but the district will be decided on those 2 games. I doubt anyone else in district beats either one of them much.
Papelbon,
Whats your take on the Central? Aren't the Central and Dominion paired up in Regionals this year? Who does Dale and Matoaca play their out of District games against this year?
Whats your take on the Central? Aren't the Central and Dominion paired up in Regionals this year? Who does Dale and Matoaca play their out of District games against this year?
I am more familira with southern part of county but I hear Manchester has a great pitcher too. Sounds like it could be a great pitchers dual between them and cosby. Sounds like manchester has a good offense to support the pitcher. Is Cosby a one trick Pony in this shifflet kid on offense? If that is it they may have trouble.
I think Cobsy has a good offense and is a team that will manufacture runs rather than a team like Manchester that'll out-slug any team on any day. This bolds well for Cosby in a pitchers duel at their place, were the game might not be decided by one swing of the bat.
Cosby has Christian Hamlet as well as Shifflett - Hamlet might be the most dangerous hitter in the district this year outside of Cujas. He has the same pop as Chris Ayers but makes more contact.
After Shiflett and Hamlet though the bats are basically grinders and field rats - which is nice filler around a couple studs.
Manchester is more talented though. They're staff is deeper and they are a little more potent from top to bottom - it's the things you can't measure that will be the difference. Coach Lowrey always finds a way to succeed and it seems like Manchester seems to find a way to fall just short. The Lancers have so much though. It will be a very interesting spring to be sure.
After Shiflett and Hamlet though the bats are basically grinders and field rats - which is nice filler around a couple studs.
Manchester is more talented though. They're staff is deeper and they are a little more potent from top to bottom - it's the things you can't measure that will be the difference. Coach Lowrey always finds a way to succeed and it seems like Manchester seems to find a way to fall just short. The Lancers have so much though. It will be a very interesting spring to be sure.
so with only two hitters you could basically pitch around them and have a good chance. probably wouldnt consider them a regional contender based on that. I thought they would have more "studs" given their success last year
IMO, the Central has more talent than they've had in awhile. One would think that it will come down to Matoaca and Dale, but Dinwiddie and PG could beat either one on any given night. Yes, the Central does match up to the Dominion. Those 2 first round matchups should be entertaining. Dale plays Varina, James River, Bird, Manchester, Tucker, and Kellam out of district. (Last 3 are games in the Manchester Spring Break tournament). I know that Matoaca plays Cosby early and I believe they are still in North/South tournament. Both should be battle tested by the time they play each other about halfway through the season. They also matchup on the last Thursday of regular season.
quote:Originally posted by stilllearning:
so with only two hitters you could basically pitch around them and have a good chance. probably wouldnt consider them a regional contender based on that. I thought they would have more "studs" given their success last year
Maybe - or you could say that the only bat they lost from last season was Bradley Shaban - other than that they return the same team. They've really been without a lineup full of "studs" for a couple years and still manage to be there in the end with an assortment of quality role players.
In which case one would think that they would be better this season than last since they have a year of experience under their belt.
And I'd advise against "pitching around" Shifflett unless you're just looking to have him turn every walk into a triple.
Papelbon is right though - the Central has more depth in their district this season. This should be Matoaca's year if the games were played on paper - which they never are.
Afer much thought, I'm going to stick to my original prediction on the Dominion with Manchester, Cosby, JR/Bird pick'em, Clover Hill, Monacan, Midlothian, etc...
I'm off the fence and picking Matoaca in the Central. They have 11 returning seniors and some talented players who have committed to D1 schools. They should run away with it this year. I know that has not always been the case in years past where they have had more talent.
I may have to check out that Matoaca/Cosby game. I'll see you all there. I'll be in my best incognito disguise.....as a middle aged ex athlete with nothing better to do.
fenwaysouth
I'm off the fence and picking Matoaca in the Central. They have 11 returning seniors and some talented players who have committed to D1 schools. They should run away with it this year. I know that has not always been the case in years past where they have had more talent.
I may have to check out that Matoaca/Cosby game. I'll see you all there. I'll be in my best incognito disguise.....as a middle aged ex athlete with nothing better to do.
fenwaysouth
Cullen has owned Matoaca last couple of years...maybe this will be the year they beat them. I have also heard Dinwiddie has a kid that can throw the ball.