KFDM COOP

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Bagwell named Astros hitting coach     HOUSTON -- Former Astros All-Star Jeff Bagwell is taking over as the Houston Astros' hitting coach after the team fired Sean Berry on Sunday. Berry became "a victim of circumstances" as the Astros' offense has sputtered this season, general manager Ed Wade said. Still, Wade believes the offense can do more and hopes Bagwell can help that happen. "We know we can get better, but we also know there are players here that should be better and hopefully with a different voice in Jeff Bagwell, they'll recognize the measure of accountability that they have in this whole process so we will get better," Wade said. The move gives Houston hitters a chance to work with one of the most beloved and successful players in franchise history. In 15 seasons with the Astros, the former first baseman set franchise records with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs. Bagwell was the National League rookie of the year in 1991, the NL's most valuable player in 1994 and a four-time All-Star. Berry, who has been the hitting coach for the past five seasons, was given a chance to remain with the franchise in a development role. He hadn't yet decided if he'll accept that opportunity. Wade knows great players don't necessarily make good coaches, but believes Bagwell will be successful after what he's shown working with the team as special assistant to the general manager since retiring in 2006. "He's very levelheaded," Wade said. "He communicates very well, particularly with regard to the nuances of the game. We've seen him have a significant impact on some of our minor league hitters with the information he's able to convey. So he's got the interest and the passion in doing this and we think it's appropriate to give him the opportunity to see if it works or not." Bagwell was not in uniform for Sunday's game against the Cardinals and will join the team Thursday in Pittsburgh for a workout before the start of Friday's series with the Pirates. "Fans love Bagwell so that's the first thing. He's a legend here," center fielder Michael Bourn said. "[He] did a lot of damage here so of course he knows how to hit. So I'm pretty sure he has some [things] he could point out to us and he's probably been seeing some things from up top. So we'll see what it does for us." The Astros entered Sunday's game with the second worst batting average in the majors (.237), the worst on-base percentage (.295) and are tied for 28th with just 57 home runs this season. Only Seattle and Pittsburgh have fewer hits than the 691 Houston has managed this year. Star slugger Lance Berkman entered Sunday's game hitting .252 and cleanup hitter Carlos Lee is batting .238. Each has 12 home runs. Second baseman Jeff Keppinger has the best average in Houston's starting lineup at .279. Berkman said it stings to know the struggles of the offense cost Berry his job. "I haven't hit and Carlos hasn't hit like he can and others haven't and it's not Sean's fault," Berkman said. "It's one of those things that when things aren't going well with the players, you have to shake something up and the most expendable pieces a lot of times are the coaching staff." Though he was disappointed to see Berry leave, Berkman is looking forward to working with Bagwell. "Jeff has always been one of my mentors in the game and I'm excited that he's going to be around more," Berkman said. "I told him [Saturday] that he helps me more than anybody even when he's not around just from all the things that he told me during the time that we played together. So it will be great to have him around and have his expertise available."

Bears find success at 7-on-7 tourney Van Wade CNHI COLLEGE STATION — Little Cypress-Mauriceville found solid success at the Texas State 7-on-7 Tournament at Texas A&M University. On Friday, the Bears toppled state power Southlake Carroll 33-32 in overtime to advance to the championship portion of the bracket. LC-M dropped a 21-14 decision to DeKaney and absorbed a 47-42 loss at the hands of West Mesquite but with three teams tied at 1-2 in the bracket, the Bears advanced to the championship portion of the field. In the championship bracket, the Bears took down Klein 40-27 in the first round and then dropped a hard-fought 46-45 decision to state powerhouse Lake Travis. Beaumont West Brook went 2-1 Friday to move to the championship bracket. The Bruins downed Klein Collins 32-20 and defeated Grand Prairie 40-13 and fell to Wylie 35-21. In the championship bracket, the Bruins downed West Plano 35-28 and then took down Plano 52-33 and then fel to Lake Travis 42-14. West Orange-Stark captured one of its three games Thursday. The Mustangs, competing in Pool P, fell to Godley 26-6 in their first encounter of the day. In their second contest, the Mustangs dropped a 19-14 decision to Navasota. WO-S rallied back to take a 25-20 decision over Bandera. Innthe consolation bracket Friday, the Mustangs toppled Whitney 21-12 before falling to Hardin 13-7. The top two teams from each pool advanced to the Championship round this morning while the remaining two teams from each pool advanced to the Consolation championship round. In other Division II action Thursday, in Pool L, Newton edged Second Baptist 32-28; the Eagles then got nipped by Sanger 44-42 in their second tilt and came back to defeat Palacious 34-32. The Eagles were eliminated in the championship round by Brownwood 45-29. In Pool G Hitchcock downed Hardin 46-14 and then Hardin fell to Lorena 27-20. The Hornets bounced back in their last game, downing Somerset 28-27. Hardin then downed Canyon Lake 28-21 and WO-S in the consolation round before falling to Burnet 27-21 in the semifinals. In Pool K, Anahuac fell to Graham 24-12 but bounced back to take down Rice 34-27 and Marion 39-33. The Panthers opened the championship round with a 32-12 victory over Glen Rose before falling to Sanger 53-35. In Pool E, Hardin-Jefferson drpped a 40-26 decision to Kincaid and then lost to Brownwood 51-15. The Hawks then fell to Rosebud 33-14 in their finale.

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Does it have anything to do once the pads are on? NO! Is it great practice? Yes it is!

Congratulated them on doing well in the event.

That's correct!!!!  Glad it has no effect come August. Havent seen to many teams win State titles in 7 on 7 and do the same in pads.

LC-M was a few seconds away from being in the State Championship.

Yes that is a final. Looks like LC-M played LT closer than anyone up to now.

20-0 LT 2nd Half according to The Old Coach.

Great run LC-M LCM falls 46-45 to Lake Travis

I hear it's good!

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WO-S 21 Whitney 12

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[quote name="WOS1986" post="816879" timestamp="1278626015"] Wow! Unbelieve and look like they are not ready. There is no excuse since they have been work hard during off season now they choked mmmm... [/quote] Spoke with Toby and even though he isnt there he thought they may be real flat, especially in game 1. They havent played a 7 on 7 game since the Anahuac Tourney said Toby.

Why not?