I agree, Superball, on the extraordinary nature of the 2008 class.
As for 2009s and even 2010s, I think it just is taking some time for many of them because they did not get playing time with all those 2008s hogging the field. I think the talent is there--it just has not had any chance to blossom. It is too bad for those kids. Who knows how good a kid is until he gets about 20 consecutive at-bats over 5 or 6 straight games?
I do believe the WCAC is way down from what we have all started taking for granted (the 2008 level of play). That is our mistake. We cannot expect other classes to live up to that expectation. I am the most guilty. When I watch a WCAC game and see errors I thought were done at the JV level, it shocks me. But I need to understand that the last time some of these kids were on a high school field they were JVs. Again, though, many are coming along now with 15 or 20 games down.
How does a team get absolutely annhilated by another team in a mercy-rule game, then three or four weeks later turn around and nearly mercy-rule the team that crushed them? Is it a matter of coaching? The vagaries of the 16 and 17 year old mind? Purely a function of pitching? I don't know, but O/C has turned its season around, beating DeMatha yesterday after crushing PVI last Thursday. O/C is now a top team in the WCAC when, in its first matchup against PVI, it looked like a JV team. Can anyone explain how they did it?
DeMatha appears to be going in the wrong direction. They had better get back to the club they were in March if they want to waltz through the WCAC tournament as they did the first part of their WCAC schedule.
BI, PVI, Good Counsel, Gonzaga--who knows from day-to-day, game-to-game? BI has been losing the close ones while PVI has been winning them. Tournament seedings may not make a lot of difference, as all these teams seem to be at the average level with the exception of DeMatha at the top and SMR and McN at the bottom.
DeMatha appears to be going in the wrong direction. They had better get back to the club they were in March if they want to waltz through the WCAC tournament as they did the first part of their WCAC schedule.
BI, PVI, Good Counsel, Gonzaga--who knows from day-to-day, game-to-game? BI has been losing the close ones while PVI has been winning them. Tournament seedings may not make a lot of difference, as all these teams seem to be at the average level with the exception of DeMatha at the top and SMR and McN at the bottom.
-- pitching.
-- rain-outs and rescheduling forcing teams to use pitchers they wouldn't ordinarily use -- which, I guess is a function of pitching. ;-)
And, OK, I have to say this, I know I'm a mother of a pitcher and maybe I'm too sensitive -- but good pitching sometimes seems like more of a result of the size of the umpire's strike zone than how well the kid on the mound is hitting his spots. Some won't call corners, some don't seem to recognize a slider, some will call the inside corner but not the outside... those games usually turn into slugfests or lots and lots of walks.
And that too comes back to pitching.
It occurred to me a few days ago that people often call baseball a game of failure in which a hitter can fail 7 out of 10 times and still make it into the Hall of Fame. No one ever says that about a pitcher or a shortstop. I think the game is really played in the field and not at the plate. In that respect, it's not a game of failure at all. You make your pitches, your defense makes the plays, or you lose the game.
Play-offs at George Mason this year?
LHPMom
-- rain-outs and rescheduling forcing teams to use pitchers they wouldn't ordinarily use -- which, I guess is a function of pitching. ;-)
And, OK, I have to say this, I know I'm a mother of a pitcher and maybe I'm too sensitive -- but good pitching sometimes seems like more of a result of the size of the umpire's strike zone than how well the kid on the mound is hitting his spots. Some won't call corners, some don't seem to recognize a slider, some will call the inside corner but not the outside... those games usually turn into slugfests or lots and lots of walks.
And that too comes back to pitching.
It occurred to me a few days ago that people often call baseball a game of failure in which a hitter can fail 7 out of 10 times and still make it into the Hall of Fame. No one ever says that about a pitcher or a shortstop. I think the game is really played in the field and not at the plate. In that respect, it's not a game of failure at all. You make your pitches, your defense makes the plays, or you lose the game.
Play-offs at George Mason this year?
LHPMom
LHPMom,
I have to agree about the strike zones. I have sat there and watched 2 good pitchers match up and both are out of the game by the 4th or 5th inning of a 8-6 game, and 2 medicore pitchers pitching into the 6th inning of a 2-1 game. The difference in the games was the strike zone.
It seems at this age, a lot of pitchers have a hard time adjusting to some of the strike zones that they see.
Plus, few pitchers at this age have the stuff to dominate hitters when there is a small strike zone and you have to pitch more in the middle of the plate.
These kind of strike zones usually result in a lot of walks, a lot of hits, or both. But it usually is not a good crisp baseball game.
I have to agree about the strike zones. I have sat there and watched 2 good pitchers match up and both are out of the game by the 4th or 5th inning of a 8-6 game, and 2 medicore pitchers pitching into the 6th inning of a 2-1 game. The difference in the games was the strike zone.
It seems at this age, a lot of pitchers have a hard time adjusting to some of the strike zones that they see.
Plus, few pitchers at this age have the stuff to dominate hitters when there is a small strike zone and you have to pitch more in the middle of the plate.
These kind of strike zones usually result in a lot of walks, a lot of hits, or both. But it usually is not a good crisp baseball game.
quote:Originally posted by getagoodpitchtohit:
LHPMom,
I have to agree about the strike zones. I have sat there and watched 2 good pitchers match up and both are out of the game by the 4th or 5th inning of a 8-6 game, and 2 medicore pitchers pitching into the 6th inning of a 2-1 game. The difference in the games was the strike zone.
It seems at this age, a lot of pitchers have a hard time adjusting to some of the strike zones that they see.
Plus, few pitchers at this age have the stuff to dominate hitters when there is a small strike zone and you have to pitch more in the middle of the plate.
These kind of strike zones usually result in a lot of walks, a lot of hits, or both. But it usually is not a good crisp baseball game.
getagoodpitchtohit--You raise the age-old debate about the strike zone by suggesting that pitchers and hitters need to adjust to an umpire's strike zone, while, of course, the rule book sets forth a clear strike zone in black and white. This indicates to me that umpires may call a strike zone that is different from the one in the book, and, as I have argued many times, that is unfortunate. It allows for subjectivity, inconsistency, and failure for all concerned. It diminishes the game. But, in this imperfect world, the players who adjust will succeed more often than those who don't.
High school baseball is in tough shape with the weather and tournaments ongoing. It will wreak havoc and may separate the teams with pitching depth from those that might have succeeded with one or two aces at the top. Should be interesting.
Yes, the GMU site for the WCAC tournament was a shocker. I wonder if Shirley Povich was already taken or got more money from someone else? GMU does not have lights. The drive will be a lengthy one for DeMatha, St. John's, GC, and Gonzaga. PVI is in good shape, but can PVI even get to GMU (they will have to beat O/C or GC to even get there). Mason also seems awfully sensitive about field conditions--will the WCAC even get this thing off the ground if the rains continue?
I assume Povich was already taken; U14 and U13 select teams play there, so does Georgetown (their season's probably over with already though)... they are busy just about every night of the week.
Drivewise, GMU isn't that bad... it's not Ryken after all...
I hope they can get these games in. Looks like it's going to rain every day this week!
Drivewise, GMU isn't that bad... it's not Ryken after all...
I hope they can get these games in. Looks like it's going to rain every day this week!
DC sports fan lists the games at Bowie - Not GMU. Don't know about the reliability of the source, but that's what it says.
The WCAC Semi-Finals and Finals will now be at Bowie Baysox Stadium. Semi-Finals are Sunday, 5:00 & 8:00, I believe. Monday's final will be at 7:00pm.
THink they'll play the remaining games before the playoffs? Or just go with the seedings as they are?
If games are a wash today & tomorrow, they will just start the playoffs Friday or Saturday!
WCAC dropped some games because of rain. First round games are at higher seeds today. Semifinals moved to Baysox Stadium on Sunday and Finals there Monday (7:00). Weather reports are for possible thunderstorms today (30% chance), thunderstorms Saturday (60%), but very good weather Sunday through Wednesday.
DeMatha in a slump. St. John's, O'Connell, Good Counsel, or PVI could pull some upsets. DeMatha may not win this thing. And you cannot count out Coach Gallagher's s****** Cardinals--maybe the best coached team in the WCAC.
DeMatha in a slump. St. John's, O'Connell, Good Counsel, or PVI could pull some upsets. DeMatha may not win this thing. And you cannot count out Coach Gallagher's s****** Cardinals--maybe the best coached team in the WCAC.
First off, wrt the post above, it appears HSBBW has a program that turns a positive word s-c-r-a-p-p-y into an apparently negative word s******. Strange. The Cardinals are as described--very much so. Coach Gallagher gets the absolute most out of his kids and somehow they compete every game, regardless of odds.
Now, it turns out, and don't ask me how, #5 BI plays #6 PVI for the WCAC Championship. Tell me that's not crazy. It just goes to show you what a topsy-turvy year it has been in the WCAC. DeMatha dominated the regular season (but could hardly win outside of conference) while PVI was #6 during the regular season (and won nearly every out-of-conference game, including the SBC Tournament). PVI has pitching depth, so had Costello to beat O'Connell on Friday and Mancari to beat St. John's last night. McGee would seem to be the likely starter tonight. Who does BI have left? Kraft? He pitched against Good Counsel on Thursday, so should be good for tonight. Hard to predict this one, too. BI beat PVI once and PVI beat BI once (in extra innings, 1-0).
Game is at Bowie Baysox Stadium at 7:00 if interested.
Both BI and PVI start the VISAA tournament tomorrow. PVI is seeded #2 and BI #7.
Now, it turns out, and don't ask me how, #5 BI plays #6 PVI for the WCAC Championship. Tell me that's not crazy. It just goes to show you what a topsy-turvy year it has been in the WCAC. DeMatha dominated the regular season (but could hardly win outside of conference) while PVI was #6 during the regular season (and won nearly every out-of-conference game, including the SBC Tournament). PVI has pitching depth, so had Costello to beat O'Connell on Friday and Mancari to beat St. John's last night. McGee would seem to be the likely starter tonight. Who does BI have left? Kraft? He pitched against Good Counsel on Thursday, so should be good for tonight. Hard to predict this one, too. BI beat PVI once and PVI beat BI once (in extra innings, 1-0).
Game is at Bowie Baysox Stadium at 7:00 if interested.
Both BI and PVI start the VISAA tournament tomorrow. PVI is seeded #2 and BI #7.
My son just passed on some gossip that PVI has an import from Venezuela who lives with the coach? He said the boy hit a triple in yesterday's game.
If true, maybe the other schools need to go to the Dominican and pick up some guys...
If true, maybe the other schools need to go to the Dominican and pick up some guys...
Now THAT is hilarious. Puentes, Mateos . . . Hispanic names = Venezuelan ringers? Very funny. And the Murakami boys are Japanese imports! Which coach is playing Mr. Mom to the Venezuelan?
WCAC Championship Game:
BI 3 v. PVI 2
Game suspended heading into the top of the 6th (PVI is away team as the lower seed). It will resume Wednesday night at 5:00 at Annandale HS.
BI and PVI both play first round VISAA games tonight. BI at St. Christopher's and PVI against Trinity Episcopal at Waters Field.
Venezuelan. That really is funny.
WCAC Championship Game:
BI 3 v. PVI 2
Game suspended heading into the top of the 6th (PVI is away team as the lower seed). It will resume Wednesday night at 5:00 at Annandale HS.
BI and PVI both play first round VISAA games tonight. BI at St. Christopher's and PVI against Trinity Episcopal at Waters Field.
Venezuelan. That really is funny.
PVI beat BI 4-3 in the suspended finals. Tyler Costello pinch hit in the 6th for PVI and tied it with a HR. He then won it in the 7th with a sac fly.
Congratulations to PVI and BI both. Neither was supposed to be in this game, and both persevered through low seedings, long bus rides, bad weather, the intervention of VISAA games, and the suspension. Both are very deserving of their places in the finals.
Congratulations to PVI and BI both. Neither was supposed to be in this game, and both persevered through low seedings, long bus rides, bad weather, the intervention of VISAA games, and the suspension. Both are very deserving of their places in the finals.
Props to PVI. Some (inc me) doubted they could lose so much and maitain high level and they showed they could by winning both the WCAC and VIS titles.
PVI in 2009 did something even the great team from 2008 failed to do--win THREE Champsionships:
--Southeastern Baseball Classic
--WCAC Championship
--VISAA Div I State Championship
No other team in PVI history has accomplished this TRIPLE. It is a great accomplishment for a team that was expected to be "down" this year. And PVI was down.
They started out playing sub .500 baseball. When seniors Justin Puentes and Charles Beacom began playing full-time, and when senior Torey Mancari was given the opportunity to be a starter on the mound, the Panthers got on a tear and never stopped. (Tyler Costello's junior bat also played a huge role in their success--he had played almost exclusively as a pitcher until the WCAC tournament, when his timely hits saved them.)
The key to the season was the adjustment made by Coach Emerson, after recognizing he was putting way too much pressure on his inexperienced sophomores (who seemed to be a combined 4/96 after about 12 games), to insert his seniors into starting roles. Had this been done from the start, PVI may have been close to last year's 3 losses instead of this year's 9 losses. In any case, the coaches eventually got it right and the seniors saved the season.
That is not to say that the sophomores won't make up a great team when it is their time. Next year and the following year they will be center stage, trying to duplicate the past accomplishments of the PVI program. They are more than capable of doing it.
As for the WCAC, any coaching changes coming? Can PVI hold onto Emerson forever? When will a college (or another high school) make him an offer he cannot refuse? Is Gallagher a permanent fixture at BI? Will the new blood at Gonzaga "stick"?
--Southeastern Baseball Classic
--WCAC Championship
--VISAA Div I State Championship
No other team in PVI history has accomplished this TRIPLE. It is a great accomplishment for a team that was expected to be "down" this year. And PVI was down.
They started out playing sub .500 baseball. When seniors Justin Puentes and Charles Beacom began playing full-time, and when senior Torey Mancari was given the opportunity to be a starter on the mound, the Panthers got on a tear and never stopped. (Tyler Costello's junior bat also played a huge role in their success--he had played almost exclusively as a pitcher until the WCAC tournament, when his timely hits saved them.)
The key to the season was the adjustment made by Coach Emerson, after recognizing he was putting way too much pressure on his inexperienced sophomores (who seemed to be a combined 4/96 after about 12 games), to insert his seniors into starting roles. Had this been done from the start, PVI may have been close to last year's 3 losses instead of this year's 9 losses. In any case, the coaches eventually got it right and the seniors saved the season.
That is not to say that the sophomores won't make up a great team when it is their time. Next year and the following year they will be center stage, trying to duplicate the past accomplishments of the PVI program. They are more than capable of doing it.
As for the WCAC, any coaching changes coming? Can PVI hold onto Emerson forever? When will a college (or another high school) make him an offer he cannot refuse? Is Gallagher a permanent fixture at BI? Will the new blood at Gonzaga "stick"?
... stay tuned for the next episode of "As the WCAC Turns..."