geep06

I played for HJ in the 90’s and never thought not having lights was an issue. I do think they should work to get lights, but not as big of a deal as some want to make it. I also think that they should not even think about playing at the city park again. It’s hard for the coaches and players to have ownership of a field that they cannot make adjustments to, plus the school doesn’t want to pay for the use of their lights either

It was a pretty good battle but Hardin lost in 5 games (25-22, 14-25, 21-25, 25-19 & 11-15). Great hustle all around. 

I'll leave it to the learned members of the forum as to who decided to make this personal.
And fortunately, the employment status lands strictly in the hands of Darrell Barbay, not you.

I, like most coaches stay silent and look daily for any comments of my team, and pray that they come from a positive place and are not negative because they are still kids after all that play a game. I was one of them. I was a son of one of those Jasper Baseball Head Coaches to never win state, and I was a player of one of those Jasper Baseball Head Coaches that never won state, as was I a player of one of those Jasper Baseball head Coaches that actually Won state. It is that fact, that I feel compelled to speak up. This is not an easy profession that we chose to be in, and Jasper Baseball Certainly is not an easy place to work, especially if decisions have to be made that make other people unhappy. But gentleman, I beg you, please consider the young men that play this game, their moms and dads, and girlfriends that come on here to read. This is a hard game, as hard as any, and certainly does not need to be made any harder for any young man by coach bashing or questioning. Jasper High School Baseball has a long tradition of success, and hopefully will continue that tradition, but I refuse to sit back and allow it to be cheapened by anyone who would ever question a coaches ability. Coach Westbrook, Kirkland, Smith, Mixon, Rogers, Ratcliff, Peace, Buckmaster, and Price would all say that this tradition and success is always about the kids, never the coach. I'm proud of my time as a bulldog baseball player, but please don't cheapen my memories and memories of others because of coaching decisions. 
Sincerely
Chris Ratcliff - JHS 2004
Head Baseball Coach Hemphill

What in the world makes you say that? That team ended w/ a 27-5 record? That team lost by a combined 6 runs the entire year. Jasper lost in the regional semifinal, the team that beat them (LCM) lost the next round (Robinson) which, in turn, lost their 1st game in the state tournament. So, not only was it a very impressive year by Jasper, they had a long way to go to win the state championship. You could, maybe, make an argument that they should have gotten past LCM, but thats about it. Saying coaching was the reason is ignorant. Team was 27-5 and competitive in every game they played. 

Kirkland? You mean the guy the fine members of the Jasper community cussed at as he left the field a few years ago after losing a hard fought game in the playoffs? Coach Kirkland is doing fine and is better off out of Jasper, but unfortunately you are still there. Coach Barbay has it under control, if he needs poorly worded and spelled opinions I am sure he will reach out to you.

Robb Kirkland taking over at Liberty. 

FINAL FROM CROSBY:
Nacogdoches Central Heights      2
Kirbyville                                     0
Central Heights wins the series 2-1
 
To Coach Bennett and the guys,
After all that has gone on in the last couple of weeks, nobody would have blamed you for folding up like a cheap tent.  But you guys managed to go farther than any other Kirbyville baseball team ever did.  Your community should be proud of you on so many levels.
Great season, Wildcats.

Grad,
Do you think that Hudson things the public outcry won't be 10X worse if he goes that route? I believe that this thing is working itself toward a resolution that allows Coach Barbay to remain at JISD for, at least, next year. I agree with you that I think this is far from over, but I think it at least buys him a year to be on people's radars for future jobs. The wisdom here would be for Coach Barbay to pursue other jobs and leave, but I do not think he will do that. I truly believe he loves that community and his concern is not for his own employment, but rather for the stability of his daughters. The tragedy in this entire situation is that those two girls are caught in the middle of it all. One is a freshman at Jasper High School and had to ensure a week of classes under the immense pressure that this situation has brought to her family. When the Barbays took the Jasper job, Coach Barbay stood at the board meetings and boldly told the crowd that both of his girls would graduate from Jasper High School. This was done to assure the town of Jasper that they were not a stepping stone for him, but rather the culmination of a journey back home. I believe he meant those words and I believe that he will stay is there is any way to stay. Not just for the girls, but for his mother, his wife, and the rest of his family that is in that area.

It certainly can't be discounted that Hudson is fulfilling the will of either the board of trustees or other forces in Jasper.  And you being in the Jasper area probably know more of those goings on.
It is just that at this point, the only person in the situation (that we know of anyway) who has set out written evidence of a decision and has yet publicly denied that decision is Hudson.

Coach Barbay ,as a concerned friend. I tell you to walk softly and beware that you are in a arena full of water moccasin-es. Old saying is, "its hard to concentrate on fishing when you are up to rear with alligators.jaf

Think there are more involved than just the superintendent in all this.

I think Hudson is taking the fall for this but last Tuesday night at school board meeting it was voted on not to renew Barbeys contract.I will tell yaw what happened . A lot of people in Jasper wanted a certain coach in woodville to come back to Jasper after he got through coaching his daughter. I wanted him back also but him & Barbey butted heads & he wasn't coming back as long as Barbey was there. Now Barbey gone but I don't think baseball coach is coming back and be drug through all this mess . I blame the fireing on school board . I just hope they can find a coach up to Barbeys qualification.Lots of people is upset about this but they going to have to vote on school board elections and get certain people out of their.

Cussing?? Give me a brake! If that's the main reason for his removal then that answers any questions about the board/sup, maybe they should hit the 2 a days this year so they want be so soft and sensitive for the next coach in line....Good luck to the barbays wherever they go, and good luck to the Jasper athletics on finding the right guy for the job.

I heard that, other sports as well.  Hard to explain "neglect" of the baseball program.  Sure, they lost Mixon but replaced him with very talented coaches in Robb Kirkland and then Stephen Westbrook.  And he oversaw the building of what was at the time, the only artificial turf baseball field in the area (which was used HEAVILY during the playoffs last year).

I heard rumor the Saturday after the Aubrey game that this would be his last year at jasper, not sure when the new sup hired on but makes me think it is all school board driven

I know more about this than I want to know. Was Barbey perfect heck no but tell me who is. Barbey is a great coach lm not worried about him I'm praying for his wife & kids he'll get another job . He built a nice house and was planning on raising his kids here. I don't think they know who fired him school board or Supt. He was told Friday  his contract wouldn't be renewed. All I know we got several snakes in the grass &I we got a heck of a mess

There were complaints about him "neglecting" other sports.  But it makes little sense when you hear what sports were complaining as those were some of the most successful at Jasper.

There have been no reasons given so far. The superintendent and the school board have shown their true colors with this whole situation. They keep saying it's in the best interest of the students but I think the outpouring of love and support and even the protest put on by students and staff yesterday, just goes to show that this move is to fulfil some sort of "agenda" on their behalf. They are a bunch of spineless cowards. 

Wow... someone will get a great coach with Barbay. Jasper dropped the ball big time with this one. Best of luck and speedy employment  with where you want to go to coach! 

It is a shame.  The Jasper ISD administration, which evidenced its' incompetence by dismissing a Coach with a .693 winning percentage at the school, has also shown its lack of trustworthiness by the manner in which it handled the dismissal.
This has launched this issue well beyond the athletics department.

Yep.  Go ahead and add Jasper to the list of schools that will get what they deserve.

It all sounds fishy.  I hope he bounces.

I was told by a friend who's son plays at Hardin, that no matter who they hire, it will be just a title, that the town business owners run the schools business which includes the football team. I'm afraid they'll be at the bottom a long time like that, remember the show Friday Night Lights, the series, well that coach dealt with some of Hardin's crap on there.

Who would even want that job might be better off at a junior high loose 5 and then get fired no class at all nobody will win there  with support like that word does get around to other coaches like I do not think so