MIF04

According to eyewitness account (as posted on www.eteamz.com/5abaseball, on message board, under 22-A): Gun fire erupted from the area immediately behind the stands on the home side. Apparently a group (gang?) fired the shots (no shots were returned). The bullets flew over and onto the field where players, umpires, etc. hit the ground. Fortunately, no one was hit/injured. I would imagine the district will review the situation. PA Memorial might be playing a lot of games on the road for the rest of the year....

According to eyewitness account (as posted on www.eteamz.com/5abaseball, on message board, under 22-A): Gun fire erupted from the area immediately behind the stands on the home side. Apparently a group (gang?) fired the shots (no shots were returned). The bullets flew over and onto the field where players, umpires, etc. hit the ground. Fortunately, no one was hit/injured. I would imagine the district will review the situation. PA Memorial might be playing a lot of games on the road for the rest of the year....

Heard there was gunfire in area of field, and game either ended early or was suspended. This was from post on another web site.

There is a poll. Everyone is asked to nominate, etc. I also feel pretty confident that more than 1 person is consulted on this.

Nice history. I had forgotten all about that. Maybe I need back surgery, too????

To be clear: 1. I am not a fan nor a proponent of the use of weighted balls; however, I recognize that there are those who are equally in favor of them, use them. The danger there (and I think all would agree) is when they are improperly used, etc. Even the proponents would agree it requies a very structured environment. I also think that (among those in favor of weighted balls) there is an inner debate as to what age this should begin. 2. To the extent Sam Moore feels that I have attacked him, I apologize. I think he will tell you that we have agreed to disagree, and both have heart-felt opinions on this issue. We can both quote 'very smart' people to support our respective sides. 3. I also think Sam would correct his prior post regarding overuse of pitchers on a particular select team, etc. I believe he would concede that just the opposite is true (at least on one very prominent local select team). 4. I do wonder by (for example) quarterbacks don't throw weighted footballs or golfers hit weighted balls on the range, but that just opens the debate all over again. I am trying not to do that. This board has many purposes. One is to exchange information, another to make predictions and a third to exchange ideas/opinions. Post a thread entitled "would BC beat LCM in a 1 game playoff? a 3 game playoff?", and we'd burn up our server. This same is true here. Ideas and information have been set forth here, and anyone considering this type of training is (hopefully) better informed (and IMO forewarned). To that extent, I think both Sam Moore and I would agree that we have both tried to do the baseball public a service.

Two Texas teams are in the latest (March 20th) Top 20 published by Baseball America: #3 -- The Woodlands #19 -- Brenham (not bad for a 4A, eh?)

I echo these comments. Good kids, good families....it makes no sense whatsoever. Pray hard for them....pray hard for all of us.

Rhino....really? do you a rule on that? Always learning here.....

Tommy John surgery?

An outstanding pick. Congrats to Kevin.

Think maybe BC will bite on this offer???????

I'm not sure if the words are strong or not (and I'm not sure which words you are referring to). As far as my comments about the radar gun readings regarding the 2 BC pitchers, those are based on what I've seen and what I've had reported back to me by people I trust. Truth be known, it makes me no difference as to what their 'gun' readings are...except that there be some accuracy (and that's true for any of the pitchers in the area). For example, Mattison Smith has thrown 90...on a legitimate, indepedent radar gun. But he doesn't pitch at 90. He has 'touched' 90 but sits somewhere in the mid to upper 80s. He has reasonable velocity but his 'out' pitch is his breaking pitch. Likewise, Angelle's 'plus' pitch is not his fastball -- its his hammer (and it is a true 'plus' pitch). With respect to the use of weighted balls, I am sure that my words do reflect my strong (research-based) opinions. If there was some 'magic' to them, everyone would be using them. Texas doesn't use them. Rice doesn't use them. LSU doesn't use them. Major League baseball doesn't use them. Medical and biomechanical researchers warn against them. The only ones who use them are 'quick fix' people who don't have to answer for (a) the lack of long term benefits or ( ultimate injury. Again, this is JMO....but it is my opinion (strong words or not).

Just let him stay close to his lap top !!!! Get well soon....we need ya back here !!!!

Actually, it happened earlier this year in the West Brook-Barbe game. Ferguson doubles. Barbe tries to pick off at second and throws ball into CF. CF is shaded toward LCF and catches ball running to his side and has to turn to throw. Walton sends Ferguson who scores easily. Still, it ain't a play you see every day.

Yes. Congrats to all of the Bears of these honors !!!!

I understand why HJ would 'wish' that Angelle threw 91-92 consistently...since that can't hit him and that would be a good reason. The truth is that he (on some guns) will touch 90-92 every now and then but sits at 85-87 (on a 'real' gun) most of the time. I did not see Haymon throw vs. OF so I can't dispute the 85. I did see him throw earlier at Nederland and he was much less. Of course, the nature of his rehab is such that he will continue to add velocity as his strength returns. Remember -- before his TJ surgery, a lot of folks liked him better than Angelle from a pitching perspective. If he velocity gets to a consistent 85-87 by the end of the year, McNeese will have 1 of the biggest steals of the recruiting season. As far as the weighted balls business, it is (on its best day) hype and (on its worst day) a very bad idea. I doubt that you will not find many (any?) major D-1 programs or MLB systems using it. Its just a way for some part time or former coaches to make a few bucks selling it. Its not just my opinion, it is one that is widely held by Dr. James Andrews ( 'the' baseball orthopedic in Alabama), Gene Coleman (strength and conditioning coach for Houston Astros x 20 years) and Tommy John (minor league pitching instruction and, yes, the guy they named the surgery after). Also, see article(s) at www.pitching.com.

Got some stats from last week from BC: Casey Jackson 3-3 (1.000) 1 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI (2 runners caught stealling) Kevin Angelle 5-6 (.833) 1 2B, 6 RBI (5 IP, 1 H, 11 K) Johnny Dishon 4-5 (.800) 2 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI Derrick Coleman 3-4 (.750) 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 RBI

From West Brook: John Michael Falgout 3-6 (.500) 2 3B, 3 RBI

As far as HF only having 1 person on the Preseason Team, I would think that would change on the Postseason Team, wouldn't you?

West Brook is 15-4-1 (3-1) after Friday's win vs. Westfield.

Westfield 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 = 2 5 4 West Brook 3 2 1 1 0 0 x = 7 5 0 Murphy 0-2, BB Vincent 0-0, HBP Lycan 0-2, RE, BB, 2 R McBryde 0-1 Serna 0-0, 3 BB, 2 R Wilkinson 0-1 Falgout 2-3, 1 R, 2 3B, 3 RBI Chaisson 0-1 Ferguson 0-3 Armstrong 1-3 Calvert 0-2, RE, SAC, 1 R Wallace 1-3 Balfanz 1-3, 1 R

Angelle and Haymon ????

I guess the first question is what do you mean by the 'next level'? D1? Any college? Juco?

He hurt his foot/ankle during the WB tourney while sliding into 2nd. The kid just wants to keep playing. You're right...he's one tough kid.