State Predictions

Got a chance to see the only game in my locale between Great Bridge and Lake Braddock.

My hats off to both teams for playing a close, back and forth, extra inning game.
Congrats to GB for some good pitching and timely hitting to ultimately win and advance.
My hat's off to LB for a very good season. If I understand correcty, LB started 5 sophomores. To me, that makes their accomplishments this year even more impressive. They should be fun to watch for the next couple of years at least.

Semi Final Match-ups:
Great Bridge - Battlefield
James River - South County

For the sake of debate, I'll kick this off with a GB-SC final. Any other takers?

It would seem that SC/GB is the most likely final but with 3 of the 4 Quarterfinal games decided by 2 or 1 run as Midlo noted any bounce could easily change things.

On a side note and granted it was only 2 games but it would appear that the Patriot and Southeast Districts are pretty evenly matched. Both games were decided on the last pitch of the game with each district getting a win.

I hope the last few games of the season are that good becasue that's what makes baseball great and why I luv it!

the thing is Great bridge still has there ace to pitch!

I need to go back and delete my amended predictions. Like a grade school math test, I had the answers all right until I went back and made "corrections."

But I'm not about to predict the next round. I just don't know enough about three of the teams. I'll root for my home team and leave it at that!

would love to have seen that NR vs SC game...cant even imagine what it would have been like on that emotional rollercoaster if i had a close tie to one of the teams. Watching the fans would have been fun for a bystander.
GB has their ace available- dont know about battlefields pitching situation- have to believe since they got ahead early maybe they saved some- one of their opponents parents said he was very impressed with their hitting- they took it to a very good pitcher in Matt Lees so that has meaning in my book.
I assume Beal is SC's top pitcher? - looks like he threw inning 5,6, and 7 so should be good to go by Friday. JR's top guy threw 2 innings yesterday so I imagine he will be good to go although they have a very strong #2.

Wish I could be there as should be two very good games. Heat could be a factor and the field they will play on is somewhat unique.

quote:

Originally posted by hsbasballfan: and the field they will play on is somewhat unique.

That is an understatement. I don't think that any field in Tidewater or Hampton Roads is like that field. ALL grass, no dirt infield, no dirt base paths. Ground balls really play differently. The distances are short and the center field fence is extremely high. I question why the state championship remains at that field, rather than rotating among the Regions, when the field being utilized is so different from what (most) players, at least most in Hampton Roads, have played on for their entire high school careers.

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:

quote:

Originally posted by hsbasballfan: and the field they will play on is somewhat unique.

That is an understatement. I don't think that any field in Tidewater or Hampton Roads is like that field. ALL grass, no dirt infield, no dirt base paths. Ground balls really play differently. The distances are short and the center field fence is extremely high. I question why the state championship remains at that field, rather than rotating among the Regions, when the field being utilized is so different from what (most) players, at least most in Hampton Roads, have played on for their entire high school careers.

I agree that the state finals would be better served playing elsewhere (CNU, Shepherd Stadium, The Diamond, etc). I think the reason it stays up there is very simple: The VHSL's preference is to have a Spring Jamboree. They want four sports at one site. So, even if they might concede that it's not ideal for baseball, the fact that they can play softball and boys' and girls' s****r at the same location (with all fields close together) seals the deal.

"S-o-c-c-e-r" is considered profanity on this board? Nice.

quote:

Originally posted by hsbasballfan:
ever notice when a team is really good people afiliated with teams they beat want to believe no one else can beat them?
If Lees , Garrett, Kirby , Roberts pitch well they will be tough in this tournament.....was just thinking how many State Baseball Champiomships James River and Godwin have between them...5 or 6
? Godwins were several year ago but they have a verty good program...JR won State tittles recently

Gosh, HS, earlier this year you were talking in another thread, about what a mediocre season Godwin was having ("middle-of-the-pack" was the reference that someone else made in that thread). Now their pedigree matters?

Games are decided on the field, in the here and now.

If he spoke right after spring break, he was spot on at that point in time. Godwin looked horrible over spring break, and in particular the head coach made some questionable moves in those break tourney games.

Perhaps there was method in his madness, in terms of getting guys' feet wet or whatever. But back when they had a losing record, they looked for all intents and purposes like they were floundering.

Pays to get hot at the right time, though, eh?

Godwin struggled out off the gate and it was very suprising to most of us in the area as the have for the past 25 years fielded some great teams and havbe always been near the top. That area is one off the best areas for baseball in the state. What Tuckahoe LL has accomplished dating back to tne '60's is legendary. Not far ffrom them JR Tucker owns 6 State Championships and Godwin owns 3 of their own...does that matter when they play the game in the sense that you speak of? we all know that answer. The perspective I was tryingg to offer is their program is not some upstart but a program that has a culture of winning...they have adults involved who have experienced ythe higghest level of baseball and second generation players who have grown up waitingg for their chance to take their shot. I think to have a culture
like that is noteworthy

I'm not sure I understand all of this stuff about the field...I've seen more and more fields over the last few years that have gone to the mostly grass infield. Over the last few years, I think my son has played on this style field in at least 5 different states. First place I remember seeing them was South Carolina back about 5 years ago. Been seeing more and more of them every year. They still have "cutouts" for the bases similar to a turf field. I've been told it significantly reduces the field maintenance costs. It also makes it quite a bit easier to protect the dirt areas with small tarps in the event of weather...I've also seen fields that have the standard cut between first and third, but no cut on the lines from home to first or third to home...

Don't get me wrong...I still prefer the dirt base paths, but I have a feeling this is going to be seen more and more...

As hot and humid as it has been for the past three weeks, the bermuda grass on the Westfield infield should be perfect.

The WCAC in Washaington went to a best out of three format this year for both thier semi-finals and finals. Worked out great.

quote:

Originally posted by TurnTwoNet:
I've been told it significantly reduces the field maintenance costs.

I've been involved in more than a few field rehabs, and I can tell you that good field mix is not cheap to purchase, level and maintain (not to mention having the right drainage beneath).