Rake1

A Bridge City point of view in a  "non homer" version ::).  One that gives credit to the other side when they deserve it, unlike the "die hard homers" of the world who look thru "rose/maroon" colored glasses. Sorry, I couldn't help myself! ;) Just having some fun with ya.

Another version of the game report from a "non-Silsbee" spectator. :D Opening series for both offenses was a serious contrast of styles to say the least. Not sure about all these stats and numbers posted earlier in the thread because several of the big plays were negated by penalties. Lumberton busted 3 really big plays and not a whole lot after that so the "official stats" are a bit misleading. Lumberton showed off a really nice running back who was fun to watch, sorry I don't know his name but he ran it well. The "Full House" backfield worked well for the Raiders and gave BC fits at times, with more reps that offense will be a Defensive Coaches nightmare because it takes some serious discipline to stop. BC sported a really balanced attack and by far had the more sustained drives of the 2 #1 offenses. Bridge City showed good speed at the skill positions and Menard was as good as advertised. On both the offensive and defensive side side of the ball the biggest concern for BC may be size or lack of it. They compensate well offensively by taking advantage of Menard and his mobility with the spread. BC did get the run game going with Clark during the second session for the first offenses. Defensively BC had some issues on the first series that ultimately were resolved but not before Lumberton scored a pair of long TD's. BC held the Raiders in check for the most part after that. Lumberton got good penetration several times from their defensive front line causing a few disruptions for the BC offense, especially on that inside run from the spread formation. Overall both squads have to feel good about their performances. Relatively clean game for both sides as far as penalties and turnovers are concerned. And the biggest thing for both sides was no injuries!!

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1031301" timestamp="1312422969"] [quote author=Rake1 link=topic=86283.msg1031239#msg1031239 date=1312416673] [quote author=AggiesAreWe link=topic=86283.msg1031197#msg1031197 date=1312409599] ;D and I like Silsbee's chances against BC. ;D [/quote] Man you just gotta love some AAW! If there was ever a "true fan" this is the guy. Never seen anyone "drink the kool-aid" for his team in any and all sports like he does. Hats off and applause, a true die hard and dedicated fan.   [/quote] ;D 30-7-1     I like their chances. ;D [/quote] I think 26-22 is the most recent number that means anything. ;) And for the record I do think you are a great fan, in all honesty.

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1031197" timestamp="1312409599"] ;D and I like Silsbee's chances against BC. ;D [/quote] Man you just gotta love some AAW! If there was ever a "true fan" this is the guy. Never seen anyone "drink the kool-aid" for his team in any and all sports like he does. Hats off and applause, a true die hard and dedicated fan. 

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1030736" timestamp="1312318946"] [quote author=HubTx link=topic=86234.msg1030731#msg1030731 date=1312318773] Saw Menard and [b]Dishon[/b] last season, they will make plenty of noise this year.... [/quote] If Dishon plays. Heard he was considering just playing baseball. [/quote] Sorry AAW and Silsbee faithful, No such luck!! Dishon will be back in football pads.

Congratulations to the Mid County Babe Ruth 16's for capturing the title at the Bridge City Invitational this weekend.                                       W    L     T        Runs Allowed    Runs Scored Mid County Babe Ruth 16's    3     0     1        20                  39 Louisiana Blue Claws 16U      2      0     2       10                  17 Mid County Babe Ruth 15's    1     1     2        20                  13 Hurricanes                         0      2     1        13                  9 Thunder Baseball Lake Chas   0     3     0       31                   16 There was some outstanding baseball played this weekend on both days from all the teams entered. Local high schools were well represented. The Babe Ruth All Stars got a chance to polish up before their next tournaments while most of the select teams in attendance used this as their season finale. Despite some difficulties with rain the tournament was able go on without a hitch. There are several people to thank for a ton of hard work and help pulling this off, especially folks from the Babe Ruth League like Clint Landry and Everett Sanderson. These guys are what the Babe Ruth experience is all about and exactly why that league is as good as it is. Also our parent volunteers from the Louisiana Blueclaw's who ran concessions and gates. The grounds crew folks (Chad Landry, Elmer Laird, Alex Moshier and others) did a terriffic job making sure the fields were just right. A very big thank to you all of the folks who helped made this event a huge success. Looking forward to the next one. Chuck Uzzle    

Orangefiled got a great new coach!! Excellent choice!! Coach Trawhon teaches the game with the best of them, very good with X's and O's as well as preaching fundamentals. Look forward to seeing him back in a dugout and doing what he does best.

Here are a couple of thoughts..... 1. I would rather play 4 or 5 innings of "competitive" select baseball than 3 or 4 innings of league ball where the score is 25-14 with 20 walks in a game. That's the baseball equivalent of Nyquil! Now before someone gets offended I'm not saying all league ball is this way, it's just way more prevalent in league than select. Plus it depends on age. The Babe Ruth league is incredibly talented and they play some great ball, of course these guys are high school level and that makes a big difference. 2. You could possibly change the format of the select tournaments and lock in a set amount of games. Take fewer teams, make them round robin, 2 on Sat and 2 on Sun, champ has best record or some sort of tie breaker. Still competitive but takes away the extended play of 4 or 5 five games in a day as well as over use issues etc. Set a pitching and defensive rotation that spreads out playing time which helps develop players at different positions. This also would allow coaches to hit 9 or 10 guys instead of the whole lineup. Let the starting pitcher for the 2nd game sit out and be fresh for the next game, take the first game starter and let them sit out the 2nd. Same could be done for catchers. It all basically boils down to how coaches want to play it. Are you chasing records and trophies or really trying to make kids better. If you make your intentions clear up front about what you want to do with your team (develop and not worry about your record or trophy hunt) then everyone goes into the season on the same page. Parents have to be realistic as well. The burden falls on many peoples shoulders. . 

Congrats to the Gulf Coast Storm 12AAA team for winning the State Tourney this weekend!! I'm sure TD will be on here giving us the scoop soon. I do know they had 4 games on Sunday and won it around 10pm last night. Tough deal in that heat! Congrats to Coaches and players.

Oh man I tried like heck to stay away from this thread but I just couldn't so here goes...... Select baseball is just like any other sport including local league or recreational ball in more than one way. The "entitlement" that you speak of happens at the local level too, sometimes even more than select. Little Jimmy is the best player on a team and is allowed to basically run his little league team since no coach wants to upset the apple cart and sit him out. Same little jimmy on a select team where the level of player around him is equal makes it easier to discipline him, in most cases. Now rather than focus on the negative I would rather look at the positive side of select, especially when done properly. For nearly 10 years we have been involved in select baseball and it has been an absolutely wonderful experience. We always set our teams up on the basis of 3 parts. First part was we wanted good kids who wanted to play at a higher level than what they were getting in local leagues. Second part was we wanted good parents who brought no "baggage" with them, the more open and objective the better. After watching these teams that were full of mercenaries bicker among themselves about who hit 3rd and played short stop it was clear that was not the direction we wanted to go. And last but not least we wanted to play competitive baseball that would challenge the kids and hopefully make them better. This recipe has worked well for us for many years and looking back I wouldn't change a thing. I would rather have a good group of A- or B+ talent level kids that wanted to work and had good parents than a team full of "ME" guys any day. A well run organization that puts realistic goals, expectations, and rules to good use is hard to beat. We took great steps to consult with trainers, coaches and doctors about subjects like pitch counts and arm care. We instituted a very conservative pitch count rule for our staff and followed it closely. Our thought was we would rather a kid look like a stud when he was 17-18 so we wouldn't jeopardize their health at 11 or 12. Yes, a ton of guys made it to college and beyond playing nothing more than summer recreational league baseball, a point that can't be denied. Yes a ton of parents believe that if little Jimmy goes 4-4 in a coach pitch game he is now a "PROSPECT". Again all this goes back to realistic expectations, some have them some don't.  For us it was about competeing, seeing just exactly how good you really were against some other players  who were at the top level of their age group. One other aspect that we promoted with our kids was down time, an opportunity to enjoy other things. We rarely if ever played fall ball since most of our guys hunt and fish as well as play football. A well rounded young man is another joy to behold. A young man who doesn't get an opportunity to be a kid and do fun stuff every now and again will often times grow tired of the repetition and grow to dislike a sport they once never dreamed they could dislike. Whatever you do don't make it a job. Chuck Uzzle Proud member/Coach/Manager of: Mavericks/Southeast Texas Tigers/Dirty Dozen/Johnny's Drakes/Gulf Coast Baseball/Louisiana Blueclaws  

The 105 route is without a doubt the most "stress free" route to the park, just watch out for the deer! From 105 we took 59 south and crossed over on 242 for the last series, came out on 45 just about exactly at the exit for the park at Oak Ridge, perfect. Looking forward to a great series. Safe travels to all.

Gonna be awful tough to pick a pitching staff for 21-3a! Zoch and Lemoine from BC will be difficult to top. The Silsbee staff will certainly get at least 1 guy, probably Brown. Anderson from WO-S will get some attention as well. Only thing that's for sure is someone will get snubbed from the first team. Possibility is one of these guys turns out to be MVP of the district and won't show up as a pitcher on the All District squad.

Bridge City JV also clinches title on tie breaker with Silsbee. Both teams end up 8-1-1, head to head BC wins 1 and the other game ends in a tie. Both games were excellent and unfortunately ended due to time. Look for some great games between these two squads for years to come.

Just curious as to what format would be used to break a tie that involved more than 2 teams? In a district like 20-4A that takes 4 teams to the playoffs a scenario like 4 teams tied could happen, then what? It appears that 21-3A could be headed in that direction as well with 3 teams. I understand about the obvious tie breaker used with head to head record and or a playoff, but how do you decide when it involves 3 teams? Who would play who and how is that determined? Or do they go to some sort of run differential system when it involves that many teams? I have heard different theories from many but nothing concrete. What say you??

BC and Silsbee's Soph teams played at BC on 3/22 according to their schedules. I spoke to parents from both schools and confirmed that as well. BC sophs won.

Not real hard to keep up with my friend. 1-0 late, left with a final pitching line of 1 unearned and 3 earned along with 4 BB's and 4 K's. No I don't have the official book. No I don't have a direct affiliation. As far as getting information goes it's like the commercial says "I got people". ;D Good luck to both squads the rest of the season.

Okay Bru, 1 more time, real slow, and if need be in crayon. Ledoux left with 2 outs in the 4th, 1 unearned run on a passed ball, and 3 earned runs which came from the 3 guys he left on base when he was pulled from the game. That did come from a scorebook and is being "used properly" so where you get 7 or 8 runs is beyond me. He also gave up 4 walks and had 4 K's to go along with them. Now in no way did I say that Nederland "didn't hit the ball hard, or often", that's just you interpreting information or opinion that is contrary to your own. Show me where I said any of that......you can't and you know it. Even if a guy gives up a few hits but doesn't allow any runs that in my opinion is "not getting to the guy" which is exactly where PNG was until nearly the 5th inning. If you bang crooked numbers every inning and make the guy look like Charlie Brown tumbling on his backside that's a different story.  All I have stated in this spirited bunch of banter is that there are 2 sides to the story, period. Now with all that being said I will continue to say I wish I had gotten to see the game and the quality baseball that was on display.

Please forgive me all knowing and wonderful Brubaker for daring to dispute or offer up another opinion. TrueBlue75 had a great post giving a nice re-cap. As far as "homer reports" go all you have to do is scroll back through this thread and start marking down each comment from each school and see who shows up the most ;), especially in coaching criticism and or general un-happiness ;). I don't have a runner in the race, no affiliation with either school other than I have coached players from each of these teams, and I am just a guy who sees a ton of baseball and appreciates the effort these young men make. Good luck to all, even if you are a "homer". ;D ;D P.S. 1 unearned and 3 earned is a long way from giving up 8. If you use stats please be sure to do so properly. 8)

Like I said in the earlier post it must have been later in the game when Nederland finally got to "whoever" was pitching. It's no secret the lefty from PNG has had their number in the past. By no means does this diminish the win for Nederland or the effort from PNG, this was never implied. Just giving another view from an impartial outsider. Goodness knows we have to read all the "blatant Homer" reports on this thread. IMHO it's always nice to give credit where it's due, even if that involves "actually saying something good" about your opponent. I know for many on here that's difficult. Remember this, there is always 2 sides to every story and more than 1 view of a ballgame. Again, I wish could have been there to see it because I know there was really good baseball on display.

The wheels must have come off late for PNG because the Bulldogs couldn't get to PNG's lefty (again) was the report I got. It was 1-0 late and that Bulldog run came on a passed ball. Must have been a pitching change in there some where or the starter finally ran out of gas? Game sounded closer than the score ended up if that makes any sense. Either way I sure wish I could have seen it because both squads have some quality players. Should make for a great district rivalry for the next few years and beyond.

If Finney pitches against Silsbee and throws as well as he did against Orangefield he could give the Tigers problems. WOS must guard against a big let down after a very big emotional win against BC. The Tiger lineup is gonna be tough for the Mustangs to handle but the one opportunity they do have is the fact that Silsbee's defense has been a problem this year. Even in their wins Silsbee has had plenty of errors and it's been documented on this site by their fans. If anyone can make something out of nothing it's WOS. Conventional wisdom says Silsbee takes this one easily but you never know what happens when you play WOS. I guess it was 2 years ago Silsbee came to WOS and basically no hit the Mustangs, gave up a few errors and a ton of walks in a 10 or 11 inning game and WOS figured out a way to win (stole home I think). It's high school baseball and it should be a good one. All that being said the Tigers take this one but don't be shocked if it's close or even goes the Mustangs way. Looking forward to it. Good luck to all.

Let me clarify my earlier statement when i said "nobody" I was referring to myself. My bad.

That didn't take long.  ;D Nobody blamed the officials for the loss, I agree that can't be used as an excuse. Silsbee had the timely hits, no doubt. The statement was made that the officiating was bad and you hate to have that for either side in a game like this. Both sides suffered with the strike zone. Now the calls in the field..... :o  Looking forward to the next one. I may have some tailgaters from Tiger Town over to enjoy a pre-game snack and beverage. ;D

A couple of random thoughts: Random thoughts... 1. Odds of Silsbee and BC playing 3 times to decide the district title (split home games and then playoff) are better than average. 2. Flip the script from last night and our "resident homer" leads the pack in calling for a congressional investigation into umpire eyesight. 3. All I know is that any time these 2 teams play each other I will be there because they are very evenly matched and provide the fans a great game to watch no matter who you pull for. 4. Running on Dishon's arm and trying to run over Menard will certainly be scratched from the Silsbee playbook. ;) 5. A couple of really talented Silsbee Freshmen served notice last night that they will be a big part of this rivalry for quite some time. Gore with the HR and Powell from the mound.

The double play in the first Silsbee turned was one of the calls the guy in the field missed, shortstop never had the ball and don't tell me it was on the transfer either. Blown call #1 and it just got worse after that. Same 2 guys butchered the JV game. Silsbee did earn the W tonite with some very timely hitting, congrats to them. Great atmosphere at the park and a very enjoyable evening watching some good baseball. As far as "best team won tonite ;)" that's still up for debate. Can't wait for the next one. I am now patiently waiting for the inevitable spin on this opinion from our resident "homer".