Southeastern and Eastern District Predictions

can-o-corn,
Please before you post something know the facts. Cox and Ingram are far from (basically pitchers) they carried two of the highest batting averages on there team last year and have won several games with their bats as well as on the mound. Not to mention made some great plays defensively. As far as manufacturing runs IMO is has nothing to do with paying there dues and very little to do with lack of experience. Remember they play 9-12th graders just like all the other high schools. Believe me base running and lack of timely hitting and lack of unselfish at bats is what has killed this program over the last couple of years. If that does not change they will not win the close games. As far as Rian being just a thrower, maybe when he was 10 or 11 but i think as long as he is healthy this year a lot of peoples opinion are going to change.

D Cheat I was refering to the fact that pitcher is the "primary" position that Cox and Ingrahm are (basically) known for while Ellis is thought of as primarily (basically) an infielder who can pitch. No where did I or anyone say either couldn't hit or play other positions, I don't know what you are complaining about. Nobody including myself had anything but praise for both those two on this site.

As to the other issue I think what you describe as issues at Grassfield are exactly what I mean by a lack of chemistry, the players haven't bought into what Todd is teaching yet. They don't trust him or each other yet. Heck the program only has played 2 seasons and has come miles already, but it's hard to mesh players from 3 programs overnight. That just takes time. Our differences are really just a matter of terminolgy.

redbird,i think the name i was thinking was beard.

ofs10, Beard is the one who transferred to GB

Can, What do I have to complain about? Questioning a post is far from complaining, but I will agree with the terminolgy reference.Please don't confuse my post by mentioning past praises, I never said you were critical of these kids just innacurate (IMO) of your analogy. This site is made for healthy discussion right? My opinion is based on watching basically every game for 2 years. Last year I felt going into the season chemistry was very good, but an attempted mutiny by a few seniors caused problems for sure. Coach Todd handled the situation very well, but replacing 3 senior contributors would be tough on any program. Thanks for the previous praise of these kids, they are great kids.

cool topdawg.

Not much here on Eastern District. A lot of SE fans, where are the Norfolk guys? Just wondering...

Maury lost two excellent pitchers (Garrett and Cowgill to VMI) so Maury will have to score some more runs this year. But Maury still has some good arms and will be an experienced team with alot of Seniors that should not be written off.

i will probably change my pick to maury qwinning the district after talking to the churchland j.v.coach at a legion meeting its got be hard with no srs.

Even with the lost of RHP Cowgill and 3B/RHP Garrett, Maury will still have Senior 2B Drew Williams, Senior SS Brian Bashara, Senior OF Tyron Ore (Delaware State). What will hinder them is pitching. Not sure who will pick up the slack, but they will score.

Don't sleep on Granby. They still have Senior P Louis Singleton who can bring it 87-88 MPH, and Senior OF Avery Upshur, but they have lost too many other stick. Singleton will have to be dominant for them to uptake Maury.

fyi rlscosta: Avery went back to booker t so he could play basketball with his brothers so all granby has is singleton

Samboni,
wow...did not know that. BT can sure use him, good player.

Posted January 11, 2010 11:09 AM Hide Post
Can, What do I have to complain about? Questioning a post is far from complaining, but I will agree with the terminolgy reference.Please don't confuse my post by mentioning past praises, I never said you were critical of these kids just innacurate (IMO) of your analogy. This site is made for healthy discussion right? My opinion is based on watching basically every game for 2 years. Last year I felt going into the season chemistry was very good, but an attempted mutiny by a few seniors caused problems for sure. Coach Todd handled the situation very well, but replacing 3 senior contributors would be tough on any program. Thanks for the previous praise of these kids, they are great kids.

I am assuiming that DCHEAT is a parent or close affiliate to the Grassfield program. First of all I would like to say that I am very close to the grassfield program and as well as with the seniors of last seasons baseball team. The seniors of last season were cheated. I repeat cheated. Delgado- SENIOR, McDermott- SENIOR, Hudgins- SENIOR, Iley- SENIOR, Mani- SENIOR, Best- SENIOR. These young men were cheated by a coach who was looking forward to this year. Yes the team does look good for this season but I have never ever in my 20 years of being affiliated with baseball seen a coach degrade and bench one of the more talented senior classes to come through in a while. These boys were there from the begining back to the deep creek summer practices. They put their blood, and sweat by the boatloads into this program. To say these boys attempted a mutiny is absolutely outlandish and extremely subjective. How are you going to bench one of your best power hitters in Hudgins and say that he is no good to the team without giving him a chance? I have never ever seen a coach jerk around his all-district player so much before. Iley made the all-district team with pure hardwork and killer instinct to do the job. I have never ever seen a kid be degraded so much by giving his position away to not 1 but 2 untested players and throw lies at him saying this was his position in the future! As for McDermott and the rest of these boys, they were out at the field every single day of their junior and senior years. They put in almost ten times more work in then anyone on the team. Typically a normal coach would put his boys on the field and let them play, that was not the case! It will be the same for a long time until Todd is gone. This years team has a lot of hype around it just as last seasons did. Cox and Ellis are very good players and will be great one day as well as Ingraham. Ingraham has been a great player for the first three years and is one of the best kids you will ever meet. I am appalled that you said their was a mutiny when what the boys were clearly standing for was what was right. I know everyone has their own opinion but this is an absolute mochary. Good Day.

Baseballfan777, Haven’t seen the degrading before? From what I have heard, Coach Todd does not have a lock in the Southeastern District on the characteristic of being degrading towards players. I hear there are a few coaches like that, at least three of which coached at the same SED school at one point. And I have been told that the foul language of one of those coaches, which does violate VHSL rules, was quite audible by spectators at the 2009 SED district tournament. If students used the language in schools that these coaches spit at the players, they would be summarily suspended. People do not perform to their potential when being degraded, be it in the work place or on the ball field.

"People do not perform to their potential when being degraded, be it in the work place or on the ball field."

AMEN!

To defend baseball coaches everywhere, baseball has nothing on wrestling or football, as an example, when it comes to what is considered "degradation". What one kid considers "degrading" another considers a challenge. There were parents and kids who continued to play for Bob Knight late in his career. Obviously some kids thought he offered them the best chance to become better basketball players, and some kids could NEVER play for him. I am a contemporary of coach Todd, and he is tough, but he can't be any tougher than my college coach (no names), and he happens to be the best pure pitching coach I ever had. He also made a kid cry on the mound in the middle of a D-I college game. That kid and I each got the opportunity to play pro ball. Neither of us "liked" our coach a ton, but he made us tougher. In a society where every kid gets a trophy and we don't keep score in Little League games for fear of making little Johnny "feel" bad, I think we should be careful about speculating on a public board.

Defend a high school coach or don't defend a high school coach! The fact is, they are still working in a school system that has rules and regulations to address all of these issues.
The question is: What parent in the world would tolerate any other school district employee to talk to or treat their child in such a way?
With that being said, What grown man coaching a high school kid would place themselves in a position to be fired from their position in the school system???? Their career???
A coach can be "tough" and not necessary liked without being abusive.
Parents, don't condone abusive behavior from a coach. When you realize that it is the norm, deal with it. Be pro-active! It is absolutely amazing what a parent will tolerate from a coach.
Obviously, none of us know each coach out there, or each individual situation, but we all know there is a difference from being "tough" and being abusive! So, captainhasbeen, any parent who condones any man, coach or not, to abuse their child in order to "become better", shame on them!

Lynn Metheny

Well put. The goal is to get better, not "tougher" (or foul mouthed). I would not tolerate that behavior at my workplace, and the players should not be subjected to it on the ballfield.

I watched all three games of the 2009 SED district baseball tournament. My ears heard the repeated use of the F word by one head coach on the first base side. When I said something to some parents of players on that team, the response was that it was a waste of time to complain. Complaints in the past to administration had fallen on deaf ears. Clearly a double standard exists as to what a teacher can say in the classroom and what is acceptable for a coach to say at the field. I even heard one parent, from another SED team other that referenced above, comment that in one post-game speech (where the team had lost), his son counted over 50 uses of the F word.

Contrast that with the approach of a head coach in the 2008 Beach District tournament, whose team in the tournament finished well above its place of finish for the regular season. In the top of the 7th (my recollection), a player made a very bone-head play. He was picked off first base while not paying attention. The head coach did not demean, yell, or curse. Instead of pounding the player into the ground emotionally, the coach made light of the situation, telling the player not to worry about it, that he (the player) was just anxious to get back on defense so they could end the game and win (which they did). That coach's positive approach and encouragement, as well as coaching, through that whole game clearly contributed to an unexpected win.

This is not the 1960’s or 1970’s. A person who cannot motivate players or employees without cussing or swearing at them, or being demeaning, should look for other employment.

Captainhasbeen, Are you referring to the same Bob Knight whose inability to control his emotions and his words cost him his long-time job at Indiana?

I agree that there does seem to be a double standard for some coaches. There is a fine line between "tough" and insane and coach todd flirted with that line many times from what I have been told by some parents. I was told of an email that was sent out by coach saying he wanted absolutely no parent invoilvement with anything baseball accept for the concessions. He wants nothing to do with parents typically. I can see that a coach wants full control of what goes on but to have no involvement with parents is ludacris. These boys are playing high school baseball not proffessionally. Coaches are held to a double standard and it is quite sad.

I would be willing to venture that in this day of technology, any coach that is either ignorant enough, or stupid enough, or just plain too egotistical should be put on you-tube!
I can guarantee that if the coach was video taped during a game and that tape displayed the kind of behavior discussed, the school board would be forced to address the issue.
I stated before, a coach is still an employee of the school board. Depending on the infraction, a coach may be terminated from the school division. This means that they may jeopardize their career.
I will reiterate that if a parent complains and the behavior continues, shame on the parent for not taking it to the next level. Isn't it funny that the coach who wants no parent involvement expects those same parents to do fundraisers, to help build press boxes, to cover concessions and then hand the cash over to him, etc. Parents, give him what he ask for, nothing!!!!!! But the day he thinks that he doesn't have to answer to the way he handles a minor in his care, is the day he needs to be taken off the field!
With that being said, there are plenty of coaches out there that do the right thing, they handle many issues with both parents and players very well.

Lynn Metheny

Lynn you are absolutely right. And in these days you not only look for the coach to treat the kids with respect, but build a realtionship off the field where they feel comfortable talking to the coach about life and personal isssues. I have never seen this in high school baseball...All the coaches in sports usually are the eyes and ears for their student athelete. And as a parent it makes me feel great that they are watching them on and off the field...These relationships show in the sports and get results. Not spitting and cursing. My kid would probably respond just the opposite.....

Wow, I feel the love! You guys must think I am an abusive guy, huh? I am the proud father of 2 kids under 5. I am a coach. I grew up in gyms and on baseball fields. Somehow this turned into condoning "abuse". I said no such thing. In fact, I alluded to Bob Knight because even AFTER the allegations of abuse and his dismissal he was able to get a good job doing what he loves because SOMEWHERE OUT THERE parents and kids wanted to play for him. You guys make high school kids sound like 3 year olds. These kids are, in some cases, less than a year from being in the military, playing college baseball, taking pre-med courses, and they are becoming young men. My problem with parents often times is a lack of communication between parent and kid, and the coach is painted as a "bad guy" because of it. Of course coaches shouldn't abuse kids, but to post comments about cursing on a baseball field to prove abuse is ridiculous... Lack of an extensive vocabulary, maybe. My comments were about being careful what is posted on PUBLIC boards about individuals, be they coaches or players. The conversation should be between player, parent, and coach, NOT on a public board. That's just my opinion. Did I mention that 3 of our former players are at VMI? If you think dropping F-bombs is abuse, don't send your kid to one of the finer institutions in our country.

This thread has really gotten off topic. If the individual coach being discussed hasn't been dealt with by the AD or the principal then take it to the school board. It's an isolated incident at one school and not systemic throughout the SED.

Captainhasbeen, no intention of sending you love! Don't know who you are or that you are a coach. But since you put it out there, yes, these boys are close to being of age, but they are not yet of age. Yes, a high school coach is just that, when you become a college coach and my son gets some type of compensation for playing(scholarship), the game is different.
When my tax dollars pay your stipend to coach at a high school, that job comes with additional requirements.
I would have to assume that the coach on first base yelling and cursing at the child (under 18) is either you or a coach on your team. A parent should not condone the behavior (overlook, do nothing to stop).
So, as ****** as it sounds, if you are the coach and you are the proud parent of 2 children under 5, vidoe tape yourself. Evaluate how you're treating the boys under your guidance. Better yet, please send me your schedule, I would love to come out and watch you coach.

It appears Captain Hasbeen was coming to the defense of a coach he knows (and who I do not know) who was personnally under attack. I don't know if those attacks are warranted or not but an anonymous message board seems like an unfair forum for such personal accusations.

As the father of a son who has played on a team that Capt. Hasbeen has helped coach, I can say that he has always conducted himself as a gentleman during games and practice. He pulls players aside to make his coaching points and does so without any unnecessary drama. He is definitely not abusive or a ranter.

I am also aware of an extraordinary occassion when he kept his cool and acted professionally when confronted in a threatening manner by the out-of-control parent of an opposing player after a game - a very dangerous situation.

The debate about what constitutes abusive coaching, bad coaching or good coaching are great topics for this board, but making that debate personal won't advance the discussion.

is david rice still at deep creek or did he graduate last yr.?

quote:

Originally posted by ofs10:
is david rice still at deep creek or did he graduate last yr.?

Reliable source says he graduated and entered a Navy seal training program.

... Duly noted. If a kid gets "compensation" from a program, "abuse" can be overlooked. I look at kids as individuals, and a kid that drinks, intentionally throws 90 mph fastballs at batters, fights, curses, and does some of the other things which "kids" are prone to do, a light pat on the rear and a "go get 'em tiger" may not get through. I am not going to argue anymore since you failed to understand my point about hearsay on public message boards. As for video, a delusional coach is NOT going to watch a video and have an epiphany. Parents and kids should handle these things with the school and the coach. If the school does nothing, well maybe the coach isn't the problem.

ty wb. hope to meet u at the games this year.

Realizing that this forum is only the opinions from some really loyal fans and that opinions will not matter much probably by the 3rd week of the season (if that), but after watching Hickory’s scrimmage against Princess Anne and Hanover last weekend, “my opinion” would be that Hickory is better than most would give them credit for.

Bottom line… Hickory might be a Tier 2 program (I am only referring to can-o-corn’s comments not to single this person out but because it was the only thoughtful analysis to reference) but I will bet that neither Coach Lee/ Coach Wright/ Coach West or Coach Todd will treat or play Hickory as a Tier 2 program as Hickory will see the likes of Ali, Thompson, Johnsonbaugh, Stokes, and Flaherty etc on the hill every time they play one of their teams. Might I mention that no one gave Hickory any chance last year and I believe they ended up second in the district.

Hickory has 6 or 7 returning seniors as well as a couple of new ones. There are 2 or 3 returning starters (which is probably normal for a large program) and they have several players that play for a showcase organization that have seen some of the best pitching in the nation let alone the South Eastern district. Hickory may or may not have issues with winning this year (for reasons that have been mentioned but I will not discuss) but I don’t think experience is one of them.

As for the player (I have only seen one name mentioned) with talent that left the Hickory program after last season, from what I can tell his departure will not have an immediate effect on Hickory’s 2010 season if ever. Maybe next year or the year after when we are all discussing the SE district predictions again, but this year Hickory has more than enough talent to compensate for this player’s defection.

Just thought I would stir the pot again on this subject a week before the start of the season.

Mathews41, Agree that Hickory frequently rises higher than folks give them credit for preseason. Never to be taken lightly.

You mentioned that Hickory has "6 or 7 returning seniors as well as a couple of new ones." Did you mean a couple of new players or a couple of new seniors. If the latter, curious as to who the new players are.

Both. One is a transfer from North Carolina and the other has risen above adversity (he has never made the team before).

What year is the transfer from NC and what position(s) does he play?

Senior. Not sure what position he will play. He has been on the DL. But I here he has some talent.

redbird5 stated that

"They did get a transfer back into the area - Brock Jaeger - who pitches. He was 83-85 and was effectively wild this fall. He may be the ace and Grauer staying behind the plate more."

This is who I am referring to.