Russell County High Busted

This isn’t “shocking news”. When a team rises to national prominence like Russell County has, they can expect to come under close scrutiny and criticism by their state’s athletic association and envious peers. I wouldn’t be surprise if it were a disgruntled parent from another high school or even a coach from another high school that turned in the players. From reading the article there were no coaches involved and the players were “chomping at the bit to get started”. The coaches and the administration of these high profile high school teams need to be keenly aware of the rules and to make each player and parent aware of rules and the situation. It is a misconception that everyone loves a winner! I wouldn’t be surprised if there were allegations of recruiting violations, academic improprieties, corked bats, and steroid use amongst the players before Russell County secures the coveted #1 spot in the nation.
Fungo

Agree with you Fungo, this is just tipical behavior of the jealous others.

See it all the time. Even see it here at times.

Its a shame this great program has to suffer these nit-picky allegations.

Can't they find somebody else to pick on!!!!

Totally ridiculous. Rasmus family deserves better and has made great contributions to baseball.

Guess unless "they" persecute, they don't feel like RC has earned place in baseball.

A price comes with anything...LOL

Shep Cares

My god, that is weak!

One kid soft tossing with his older brother and its a violation.

Hell, here the whole team can be there as long as there are no coaches present.

Interesting that kids are practicing and not one but two Federation Officials show up !!!

Really now ---cant kids just go out and play ball on their own

What the heck is going on down dere in bamy? Since when does one player make it a practice? Lame.

Just an update for those who just read the headlines and never care to follow up. 4 players reinstated. That great super did a fine job excluding them from their first weeks of playing and oh, the principal quit, or disappeared or, what did the super say? He was reassigned. Don't you just love our wonderful highly educated cadre of educators? When will they start to focus on the student rather than their political ambitions?

I hope justhitit reads the end of the story.

What is the latest? Have they reinstated the 5th player? It sounds like Russell County did a great job of making sure they went by the rules but for some reason people are out to get them.

quote:

Originally posted by tonyIII:
Just an update for those who just read the headlines and never care to follow up. 4 players reinstated. That great super did a fine job excluding them from their first weeks of playing and oh, the principal quit, or disappeared or, what did the super say? He was reassigned. Don't you just love our wonderful highly educated cadre of educators? When will they start to focus on the student rather than their political ambitions?

I hope justhitit reads the end of the story.

Let me play Devils advocate here. You have 5 kids who transfer in to a very strong baseball school...don't you think that might draw a little attention. You have a couple guys out on the field...no problem...are they using school equipment, is someone coaching them in the wings?

It may be completely innocent (especially the practice), but even though the "transfers" (based on earlier post) are now OK don't you think that just maybe they've learned how to work around the system?

Many of us probably have first or second hand knowledge of kids who have transferred, of course for academic reasons...but how come they never transfer to a cr@*#y baseball program or football or basketball program.

As far as who reported it jealousy maybe but Where theres smoke .....

Novicedad,
They do transfer into weak athletic program but no one really cares in that case. When my son was in elementary school I enrolled him in a school in another county because my wife and I both worked in that county and it was much easier to take him to school where we worked instead of where we lived. I just gave an address of a friend of mine and enrolled him without any problems ---- the principal knew, the teachers knew but no one complained. We later moved into the same county as we worked and everything became “legal”. Had he played sports during that time, every jealous parent would have been down to the superintendent’s office the next day complaining. The same goes for non-impact players ---- no one cares where they transfer to or from.
In the case of Russell County I would assume there are parents and players from all around the area trying to wiggle into the lineup of the #1 baseball program in the nation. I’m sure the coach is saying if they can do it legally, more power to them. What else could he say? I can site you (but I won’t) a similar situation in Tennessee a few years back where the parents of stud baseball players filed for divorce, rented an apartment in a particular school zone, listed that apartment address as where their sons lived and successfully placed their sons into the best baseball program around, and after their sons’ baseball season was over they reconciled. How clever. Looks like cheating and has illegal transfers written all over it but it doesn’t fit the criteria so we let the games begin as we should!
Fungo

Same thing happened here in IL. Parents divorced, one got an apartment in a school district with a better wrestling program. Kid attended and wrestled at that high school. When he graduated, the parents remarried. Whatever it takes for our kids!

Friday at Hogasnville
Game 1

Russell County 4101141--12 11 4
Timber Creek.. 0110022--6 7 2

WP ­ Danny Danielson (1-0) LP ­ Branden Weber. Hitting leaders ­ Russell County: Adam Coe, 2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI; Cory Rasmus, 2-4, RBI; Cody Dykes, 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBIs, Cyle Rasmus, 2-4, 2R. Timber Creek: Joey Hurtado, 2-4, HR, 2R; Justin Bannich 2-2, HR. Records: Russell County 6-2.

Game 2

Russell County 0010023--6 6 1
Cartersville..... 1000000--1 3 2

WP ­ Kasey Kiker (2-1) LP ­ Benji Farr Hitting leaders: Adam Coe, 1-3, HR, 2R, RBI; Cory Rasmus, 1-3, HR, RBI; Kasey Kiker, 2-4, 2B, RBI, R. Cartersville: Tyler Gilreath, 1-3, 2B, R. Records: Russell County 7-2.

quote:

Originally posted by Novice Dad:

quote:

Originally posted by tonyIII:
Just an update for those who just read the headlines and never care to follow up. 4 players reinstated. That great super did a fine job excluding them from their first weeks of playing and oh, the principal quit, or disappeared or, what did the super say? He was reassigned. Don't you just love our wonderful highly educated cadre of educators? When will they start to focus on the student rather than their political ambitions?

I hope justhitit reads the end of the story.

Let me play Devils advocate here. You have 5 kids who transfer in to a very strong baseball school...don't you think that might draw a little attention. You have a couple guys out on the field...no problem...are they using school equipment, is someone coaching them in the wings?

It may be completely innocent (especially the practice), but even though the "transfers" (based on earlier post) are now OK don't you think that just maybe they've learned how to work around the system?

Many of us probably have first or second hand knowledge of kids who have transferred, of course for academic reasons...but how come they never transfer to a cr@*#y baseball program or football or basketball program.

As far as who reported it jealousy maybe but Where theres smoke .....

Hmmmmm. Oh I see devilman. No other school in American had 5 students transfer into their jurisdiction. Only Russell County. And you know what. I bet a bunch of those transfers went into loser schools. Just because you spout off an incident does not make the incident a fact or even a statistic. Take a higher level math course and remember to bring matches so you can light another fire. The media has just a small bit of interest in focusing on half truths and controversy. It sells dude. Hey why would you write about 5 students who transferred into a school which had a loss ratio higher than its winning statistics? Because if you wrote about that nobody would read past the first paragraph. Makes more sense to write about controversy then it does to write about a winning program, or a winning coach, or highly talented students. It is not worth writing about the heartbreak and emotional rollercoaster these students had to go through before they were reaccepted into their team. It is so much easier to write innuendo and let the hurt fall where it may. I would like to know what ulterior motive the politicians played in this scenario. I would like to know what motives the educational hierarchy achieved by building a child's hopes up and allowing them to transfer and play on a team, only to say wait a minute you can't play even though you did everything according to the rules. Inquiring minds would like to know before someone tries to blow that smoke you mentioned in your posting.

TonyIII,
Out of curiosity, who do you think got this sensationalized story started? And who would have anything to gain by it? (other than the papers) Surely the Russell County school administration or the local politicians wouldn’t want the negative publicity that surrounds an alleged incident such as this. We went through a similar situation a few years back that saw our high school baseball’s record of 23-3 wiped away because the TSSAA and our HS coach were having a personal war. They claimed we had illegal transfers, illegal practices and the players were severely punished by being stripped of games and tournaments won, reduction of games and the team was prohibited from post season play. Just last week the private high school in our town that had won the 2005 state baseball championship was stripped of their title because there was a player (or players) that was behind on their tuition.
Fungo

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tonyIII (only portions have been reposted)

Hmmmmm. Oh I see devilman. No other school in American had 5 students transfer into their jurisdiction. Only Russell County. And you know what. I bet a bunch of those transfers went into loser schools.

Makes more sense to write about controversy then it does to write about a winning program, or a winning coach, or highly talented students.

I would like to know what motives the educational hierarchy achieved by building a child's hopes up and allowing them to transfer and play on a team, only to say wait a minute you can't play even though you did everything according to the rules.

It is not worth writing about the heartbreak and emotional rollercoaster these students had to go through before they were reaccepted into their team.

QUOTE]


Tony,

I appreciate the attack the only thing missing was a few 4 letter words but I'm sure that will come.

Anyway, the reason I wrote (and I specifically said devils advocate) was that there could be other motives besides jealousy for people to be reporting the number one ranked school in the nation. When you have 5 players, I mean students, transfer to a school and all make the Baseball team and have nationally ranked players within those 5 players, I do believe it is reasonable to look at the situation and say "hey maybe we should check on this".

Now since I haven't taken a higher level math class in a few years according to your snide remark, Maybe others can let us know how many schools out there had 5 transfer tryout for the school team and make the team in the same year. I'm sure it has happened but I feel fairly confident that it is not the norm.

I do like your quote " I would like to know what motives the educational hierarchy achieved by building a child's hopes up and allowing them to transfer and play on a team"

You make it sound like they transfered to the school to play baseball? You don't think anyone would transfer to play a sport do you? I'm sure transfer rules are in place for academic reasons and someones athletic ambitions would never be a motivation for transfer (by the way thats sarcasim...).

Have the players/students been put through a little bit of a roller coaster absolutely, should they or their parents, or the coach or the school seen the possibility of controversy...maybe. But than again maybe the kids and the coach were surprised to see each other on the first day of school! Will they suffer from this IMHO no. They have their names attached to a nationally ranked program, they are listed in national publications, the Sr is already committed.

You will see in other topics where parents make suggestions on how to transfer to another school (mailing address, course study etc.). So as you say "tries to blow that smoke you mentioned in your posting"...If you think I'm blowing the smoke so be it...

The issue of student transfers for athletics is growing and our feeble little back and forth has no impact on it what so ever. But to blame just jealousy and wallow in pity for the children and their hopes and dreams is a bit much.


Ohhh and tony just so you understand since you call me devilman and don't seem to understand the definition of devils advocate here it is.

1. a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument or to expose it to a thorough examination.

quote:

Originally posted by Novice Dad:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by tonyIII (only portions have been reposted)

Hmmmmm. Oh I see devilman. No other school in American had 5 students transfer into their jurisdiction. Only Russell County. And you know what. I bet a bunch of those transfers went into loser schools.

Makes more sense to write about controversy then it does to write about a winning program, or a winning coach, or highly talented students.

I would like to know what motives the educational hierarchy achieved by building a child's hopes up and allowing them to transfer and play on a team, only to say wait a minute you can't play even though you did everything according to the rules.

It is not worth writing about the heartbreak and emotional rollercoaster these students had to go through before they were reaccepted into their team.

QUOTE]


Tony,

I appreciate the attack the only thing missing was a few 4 letter words but I'm sure that will come.

Anyway, the reason I wrote (and I specifically said devils advocate) was that there could be other motives besides jealousy for people to be reporting the number one ranked school in the nation. When you have 5 players, I mean students, transfer to a school and all make the Baseball team and have nationally ranked players within those 5 players, I do believe it is reasonable to look at the situation and say "hey maybe we should check on this".

Now since I haven't taken a higher level math class in a few years according to your snide remark, Maybe others can let us know how many schools out there had 5 transfer tryout for the school team and make the team in the same year. I'm sure it has happened but I feel fairly confident that it is not the norm.

I do like your quote " I would like to know what motives the educational hierarchy achieved by building a child's hopes up and allowing them to transfer and play on a team"

You make it sound like they transfered to the school to play baseball? You don't think anyone would transfer to play a sport do you? I'm sure transfer rules are in place for academic reasons and someones athletic ambitions would never be a motivation for transfer (by the way thats sarcasim...).

Have the players/students been put through a little bit of a roller coaster absolutely, should they or their parents, or the coach or the school seen the possibility of controversy...maybe. But than again maybe the kids and the coach were surprised to see each other on the first day of school! Will they suffer from this IMHO no. They have their names attached to a nationally ranked program, they are listed in national publications, the Sr is already committed.

You will see in other topics where parents make suggestions on how to transfer to another school (mailing address, course study etc.). So as you say "tries to blow that smoke you mentioned in your posting"...If you think I'm blowing the smoke so be it...

The issue of student transfers for athletics is growing and our feeble little back and forth has no impact on it what so ever. But to blame just jealousy and wallow in pity for the children and their hopes and dreams is a bit much.


Ohhh and tony just so you understand since you call me devilman and don't seem to understand the definition of devils advocate here it is.

1. a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument or to expose it to a thorough examination.

Ah, definitions. First let me discuss these words with you.

Attack: 1 : to assail with unfriendly or bitter words
Discussion: 1 : consideration of a question in open and usually informal debate

I thought the original scope and content for these forums was the latter and I thought that the context of my statements was aligned towards these goals. If the content is perceived as the former than I can only construe that I have possibly voiced something that has some truth and touched a tender point of contention that has not yet been resolved. If my statements are perceived as an attack then I will clarify myself and try to make sure that those who read my thoughts know that my intention and desire is to lean in the direction of discussion. I too am only human and my emotions can sometimes be found in my discourse.

Four letter words have the context of a weak mind trying to express itself without the use of a dictionary. Emotion can always be expressed in terms that explain the depth and hurtfulness that has been experienced. Somehow the use of four letter words does not seem to fall within this framework.

I see I am dealing with someone who does have the knowledge and ability to rise above the pettiness of many who dwell in this posting world.

I seem to have struck a nerve with the use of my Neologism.
A neologism is a word, term, or phrase which has been recently created ("coined") — often to apply to new concepts, or to reshape older terms in newer language form. Neologisms are especially useful in identifying inventions, new phenomena, or old ideas which have taken on a new cultural context

I think you will agree that playing “devil’s advocate” can be a useful discussion tool but more often it is used and construed as fact so I think the neologism devilman can be quite useful in refuting the use of this tool when the possibility it only existed to attempt one-upmanship rather than discussion. Besides I thunked it up myself. lol

I too believe that we should check on things that we question but somehow I never see the media bring focus on facts that should be relevant. They are the ones who we presume are skilled in the ability to ferret out information and to present it in some sort of fair and balanced way. Maybe this would a novel new way to educate journalism students. How many students transferred to Russell county this year? How many students transfer schools each year? How many students transferred in the surrounding counties? Why focus on 5 transfers and lead the reader to believe only 5 students transferred into Russell and they were all baseball stars. Some sort of balance between truth and fiction needs to make its appearance.

Case in point: All of that media hype about Vice President Cheney. Did any reporter ever enquire about the bird? Did the Vice President shoot the bird? We might never know. All the media cared about were was their jealousy in not being the first to be notified of this horrible accident.

I find the analogy quite interesting. Now transfer this jealousy to the local arena. I do faintly remember major media networks mention the fact jealousy in the way this information was initially disclosed. No care for the poor person who was hurt. No care for the students that were hurt. Is this the face of news of the future?

Why didn’t the superintendent enquire before the debacle? Did she not know one of her high schools won some type of championship? Where is the principal’s responsibility in all of this? I hope he knew he had a winning baseball team. If the major media organizations in the United States are focusing on your team don’t you think the people who are responsible in giving the ok for a transfer to be a bit more perceptive about the consequences of their actions?

Why make our children suffer through the rigors of political correctness and petty jealousy and political aspirations? Baseball is an emotional game. We do not need all of these additional emotions distracting our thoughts and focus.

I do admit to not taking a higher level math course in more than a few years but common sense can be used to rough out some type of statistical base if you start at the beginning, not at the end of the statistical equation. One does not start with the 5 at the end but the unknown number at the start. Only then can we have a good perspective of the norm and how far outside the bell curve these five fall. Then again you can always spout statistics to back up any equation. So a future retort could be that this group is gifted and falls much higher on the curve than norm. (To play the devil’s advocate as you say. Hmmm, maybe I do know what this word means) Hey this would be a good starting point for an educational lesson. Have the results broken down by answers from the whole school, just the math classes, or by the students on the team.

I can’t think of why any student would transfer to another school to play sports. I can’t think of why any student would prefer to go to a private school. Why would low income students need a voucher to get out of the inner city school system? (This might fall into the realm of sarcasm) Why do students try to get to Yale and Harvard. Why can’t a student move out of a place of mediocrity or even failure? Is a student doomed to have to endure bad teachers, bad coaches, bad superintendents, bad politicians, bad neighbors and ad nauseum just because someone tells them they have to go to school, vote, and live in the place they were born no matter what?

Will a student suffer by not being able to play a sport that they anticipated they would be playing? Would the team suffer by not having them there? I see again you have used a statistic from the end of the equation rather than the beginning. The question should be would any student suffer from this type of action if it were directed at them? Just because the five in question have a higher level of success than many of our students who are enrolled in their individual sports you denigrate their level of suffering? The successful sports student suffers less than the average sports student or even the sub average sports student? I do not think this argument holds water.

For my last tirade in this edition I would have to say that jealousy does play a big part in all of these actions. It always has and always will. The additional problem with this area is that you have an added source of jealousy from parents and others who have not achieved this level with their children. I thought the American way was to root on and congratulate the winners, not try at every step of the way to place obstacles and behind the scene maneuvering to prevent this special cadre from being even more successful. It is hard but you can do a bit of research over the years into the politics concerning baseball in this and the Phenix City Alabama area. I bet you would be surprised at the large amount of print media criticizing (not in any constructive way but real low down mean spirited remarks) this march to success. From disgruntled parents to media prejudice. I was not trying to imply pity for the students, just a feeling of emotional remorse that they had to endure and be subjected to problems outside of the baseball diamond.

For my next installment…………You just gotta love baseball.

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:
TonyIII,
Out of curiosity, who do you think got this sensationalized story started? And who would have anything to gain by it? (other than the papers) Surely the Russell County school administration or the local politicians wouldn’t want the negative publicity that surrounds an alleged incident such as this. We went through a similar situation a few years back that saw our high school baseball’s record of 23-3 wiped away because the TSSAA and our HS coach were having a personal war. They claimed we had illegal transfers, illegal practices and the players were severely punished by being stripped of games and tournaments won, reduction of games and the team was prohibited from post season play. Just last week the private high school in our town that had won the 2005 state baseball championship was stripped of their title because there was a player (or players) that was behind on their tuition.
Fungo

Fungo,
I really would like to know how it started. It does not make sense other than to boil it down to local jealousy and media misinformation that sensationalizes any conflict and never follows up with the resolutions (Not pithy enough I suppose)

Maybe Rasmus should run for superintendent of schools. That would stir up a hornets nest. Could he be a teacher and superintendent at the same time?

Keeping the personal politics and sensationalism out of the headlines would be a nice direction to follow. It is truly amazing to me to see time and time again the remarks made by the students that sound so much more intelligent and compassionate than we adults seem to manage. The quote in the newspaper this week stated: " Case Rasmus said. "We showed them we are the better team -- at least today, we were." A touch of bravado and a hint of humbleness. That is what I want to read about baseball.

Tony III,

I don't know maybe Tony IV should run for Super. In regards to your rant maybe I'll answer it later because I have so many questions.

Let me just say a few things.
1- Student transfers on the athletic field are going to raise questions, anywhere, especially in program like your Sons which has gotten plenty of positive hype from that god awful media. So yes when you are on top are you more prone to be looked at...I can understand how you as a family member are going to come out swinging to protect their family. All I am raising is that with 5 students joining a program it deserves scrunity from the school system. If you don't recognize that, we will have to agree to disagree. Besides jealousy which yes can be one motivating factor to some, there are others such as integrity of the game, sportmanship, the idea of fair play.

2- I look forward to looking for positive updates in the media about all the top programs and of your Grandson's performance this year and his future development in College or the MLB draft. I'm sure you are very proud of his accomplishments on and off the field, as well as all of your Grandchildren.

I do have to say the bird analogy has mean shaking my head. So the media should have focused on the bird, but because of their jealousy they were more concerned with the secrecy and lack of immediate openness by the Vice President? That is a topic for another discussion. The VP was asked 5 days later by the way, in his first interview what happened to the bird...he didn't know he was focused on the bigger picture.


In closing as I said in earlier posts this is an issue (student transfers) that appears to be occuring on a regular basis. It deserves scrunity at any school district and player and student eligibility issues do occur everyday, even for non-athletes. There are consequences for those that do not follow the rules and even when following the Rules like Russell, when it comes to athletes it will raise eyebrows deservingly or undeservingly so...but it should be no surprise that there are schools, coaches, players that do break rules, that do bend rules, and do need to be addressed.

You are so correct how many others schools period have hade 5 potential college players transfer into there school, apparently all for athletics because two of the five were not doing well in acedemics at there previous school. Who's fault is that, thats right the parents for allowing the student athlete to be an athlete without holding their son's feet to the fire on getting good grades. For that matter passing grades from what I have heard.

One transfer was failing when he left his old school (after the 1st nine weeks) so how does he all of a sudden have a passing grade when he is finished the other nine weeks. I mean this nine week grade was low (like forty something).

Another transfer failed to pass the high school exam, but his parents apparently still put playing baseball ahead of this kids academics. He has transfered back to his original high school because the Russell County has only one high school exam remaining, hence the origianal school has two remaining. Oh, by the way this young man has to have surgery on his arm so I believe it wasn't for the injury he would have stayed at R/C and rolled the dice on being able to graduate (with only one high school exam remaining).

The three other young men have just beat the system. Move into the district (trailer park) by all means neccessary for baseball. For these parents to see there child play with other great athletes.

The other three came from schools within the state. Two of them from a school that was in the state semi final last year, and the other kid from a very good program that is always in the playoff picture. There is another kid, but nobody is complaining about this young man because he is just that an average ball player who transfered in from where two of the other three are being mentioned. He will play when everyone else is gone and off to college (yea right) or the pro's.

quote:

Originally posted by justhitit:
You are so correct how many others schools period have hade 5 potential college players transfer into there school,

justhitit,

I just want to say that I am not targeting Russell, if it was another school I would be saying the same thing. I don't know the players, their families or their specific situation so I don't want to attack them, because in this case I will side with tony III about them being kids. I will attack the system that allows this or winks at it. In our school district we were recruited to go play for another school and were told how to legitamately play the system, we choose not to, for a number of reasons...

In regards to athletes who do not focus on academics that blame is on the parents and kids first at any school! If there swing was off a bit they would spend $1000 bucks in a blink to have that fixed but a tutor...nahhh.

Game 2

Russell County 0010023--6 6 1
Cartersville..... 1000000--1 3 2

WP ­ Kasey Kiker (2-1) LP ­ Benji Farr Hitting leaders: Adam Coe, 1-3, HR, 2R, RBI; Cory Rasmus, 1-3, HR, RBI; Kasey Kiker, 2-4, 2B, RBI, R. Cartersville: Tyler Gilreath, 3-3, 3B, R. Records: Russell County 7-2.

Some Parents think it is important for their children to focus on Athletics and Academics. Congratulations: Valedictorian for 2006..Cory Rasmus, Russell County Alabama.

http://www.russellcountyschools.org/rchs/