bronco1

Part 1 [Hidden Content] Part 2 [Hidden Content]

Baseball Players are Buck Commanders [Hidden Content] By and large, the mainstream media does a tremendous job covering Major League Baseball, but one significant story slipped under the radar this week. Willie Robertson, the current leader of the famed Duck Commander clan of Louisiana waterfowl hunting icons, was in D.C. for three days, conducting business and also hanging out with Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche and Nats outfielder Ryan Langerhans. He left behind several autographed copies of "Duck Commander: For a Few Ducks More," the company's latest duck-hunting DVD. Willie Robertson, one of the Duck Commander Duckmen. (Courtesy Duck Commander)That DVD has a 10-minute trailer for next year's "Buck Commander," the first in what's scheduled to be a series of deer-hunting videos that will likely feature, among others, Todd Helton, David Dellucci, Chipper Jones, Mike DeJean, Brad Hawpe, Aaron Cook, Langerhans, LaRoche and several more Major Leaguers. Which is noteworthy. "I realized someone was going to see this and say 'What the heck'?" Robertson just told me. Indeed. You can watch brief snippets of footage on BuckCommander.com, which will have its formal launch in the next few weeks. I think I spotted Chipper Jones, David Dellucci and someone's bloody hands during the site's video intro. This all started via Helton, a huge duck-hunting enthusiast. About a year and a half ago, Robertson flew out to Colorado to meet him, and was then introduced to several of Helton's hunting teammates. Robertson's family knows a thing or two about hunting videos--"I've had the number one waterfowl video at Wal-Mart eight years in a row; I know how to sell videos," he told me--and a few months later, Robertson and his MLB friends got to talking about branching out from ducks to deer. Independently, LaRoche had called Duck Commander HQ and requested a hat; the Duck Commander guys had never heard of him, although it would seem that everyone's heard of the Duckmen, who are famous for their huge beards and wild look. "In the hunting industry, they're pretty big time," Langerhans said. "They're kind of the big leagues of duck hunting; any water fowler knows the 'Duck Commander' series," LaRoche agreed. (For the record, LaRoche has a duck-hunting icon tattooed on his right arm. It's the image of a Drake, which is also the name of his son.) So Robertson reached out to LaRoche to discuss this deer-hunting project, and the family of players kept growing; the Buck Commander folks have also been in touch with J.D. Drew and Jon Lieber and Aaron Fultz and Roy Oswalt; "pretty much everybody who hunts in the Major Leagues, we've contacted," Robertson told me. They launched the company in the fall and had thoughts of putting out the first feature-length DVD this spring, but decided it would be best to tease it now and come strong in 2008, after a full offseason of taping. "It's got a chance to be a pretty big deal, and the best part is, the guys that are in it have a passion for hunting," LaRoche said. "Baseball's so short. Later on, [hunting's] something we'll have to play around with." The idea is to make a yearly DVD with deer-hunting highlights from a variety of Major Leaguers and their friends, although the idea is not to traffic in their baseball success. "I guess what I'm trying to say is it doesn't hurt that they're Major Leaguers, but they've got to carry a good hunting show regardless," Robertson told me. "Because a lot of people won't know who they are. I guess a lot of people will know Chipper, but unless you live in Denver you're not going to know who Brad Hawpe is anyways. It's not a bunch of paid employees that I sent out; it's just really a group of buddies, and I think that comes across on camera. It's about them. I didn't want to use anybody, I didn't way to say 'Chipper Jones with the Atlanta Braves!' It's your project guys, and I want you to carry it through because you're a good hunter and you're good on TV and you're entertaining, not just because you happen to be a Major Leaguer." (The Nats clubhouse, for the record, would seem to be a fertile ground for future recruits. Yesterday, Jason Simontacchi was looking at the 2007 Cabela's catalog while he and several teammates watched "The Outfitter," an episode dealing with gator hunting. "They have a spot, about yea big, where you can hit them with a bullet in the brain," Simontacchi was narrating. "Same with a crocodile. Oh, here we go. Bang! Look at that hole in its head.") Anyhow, I asked Willie Robertson which of the baseball players was the best deer hunter, and he punted. "Oh God, you're gonna get me in trouble," he said. "The debate's still out. They're all competitive; they all want to be the best at what they do. When the first video comes out, who's going to have the best hunt? Who's going to look like the best hunter? That's what we're shooting for. So I guess I'll just let the public decide."

Taking of record hog begs the question: Who shot Fred? By DAVE SHADOW [Hidden Content] This story got clear out of hand, and possibly theres more questions than Who shot Fred? Like, who was Fred? What was Fred? Where did Fred come from? What happened to Fred later? Is Fred bigger than the famed Hogzilla? Who shot Hogzilla? And are they really making a movie from all of this? Well, Hogzilla was the original big hog and big story, and whether hes fact or fiction may depend on your frame of mind and the assimilation of the facts. Theres a bunch of stories out regarding him, and even several pictures. There was a day when we thought that a picture was proof, but that was before digital photography. First claims told of a 12-foot-long wild hog weighing in at 1,000 pounds. He was killed near Tifton Ga., by Chris Griffin, by some accounts, who is a hunting guide in the area. However, one account says National Geographic experts who unearthed the beast estimated the weight at 800 pounds and eight feet long. Either way, it was one big porker! Hogzilla-II was neater story. An 11-year-old boy named Jamison Stone shot the monster while hunting on Lost Creek Plantation in Georgia. Jamison shot the pig eight times with a 50-cal. handgun during a three-hour chase, according to one account. They loaded it with a backhoe and took it to a nearby scalehouse, where it weighed 1,051 pounds or possibly 1,060 pounds, depending on the version of the story. They estimated that they would get 500 to 700 pounds of sausage from it. The head is being mounted by a local taxidermist. Jamison has been offered a small part in the upcoming Hogzilla movie. Now, the rest of the story. Hogzilla-IIs real name was Fred, according to a farmer who says he raised the big pig and sold it to the plantation just four days previously. He said he decided to get rid of all of his pigs and that no commercial buyer would buy him. The Stones believed the pig to be wild, and since feral pigs are a common thing in the area, is quite believable. Evidently the young hunter is not accused of doing anything wrong, but officials want to know how the pig came to be in the plantation. Feral pigs are descendants of domestic hogs that got loose and continue to multiply in many locations across the country. In some cases they have crossed with Russian or Eurasian boars that also run wild in much of the rough county of the South and West. These critters are devastating to corn and other crops as well as to the gardens planted in the outlying and suburban areas. Ive seen some of the devastation that they wreak on lawns and gardens in Texas and Louisiana. Anyway, Jamison hunted and shot the big pig no matter what else happened or where it came from, or what someone else had named it. I hope all of the secondary publicity doesnt ruin the sense of accomplishment of having shot what is possibly the biggest pig of all time. He didnt know of the other information, so it is irrelevant to his hunting experiences. Good job, Jamison!

June 11, 2007 TPWD Director Robert L. Cook Announces Retirement Plans AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Robert L. Cook today announced his intention to retire Aug. 31. Cook has been executive director since February 2002 and has spent the majority of his professional career at the agency. Cook began his career at TPWD in 1965, after graduating from Texas A&M University with a wildlife management degree. He was first stationed in Junction as a wildlife biologist, and in 1972 was promoted to area manager at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area in Hunt. In 1975, Cook was promoted to program leader for the statewide white-tailed deer program and established standardized deer data collection and analysis procedures for the Wildlife Division. Cook left TPWD in 1979 to work for the Shelton Land and Cattle Company. While there, he served as wildlife biologist and director of ranch operations for six large ranches in Texas and Montana. In 1990, he returned to TPWD and served as chief of wildlife for more than three years in the combined Fisheries and Wildlife Division. In 1994, he was promoted to director of the Wildlife Division. Cook was then promoted to senior division director for TPWD land policy in 1997 and served as acting division director for the State Parks Division for almost two years. He then became chief operating officer for TPWD until he was named executive director. “Bob Cook has devoted his entire professional career to conservation, and Texas is better for it,†said TPW Commission Chairman Joseph Fitzsimons. “I have known Bob for more than 20 years, and he has served the agency and the state of Texas well. His contributions to conservation in Texas and his steady leadership during his tenure as executive director have left the agency well-positioned for the future. We wish him the best as he prepares to embark on the next phase of his life.†According to Chairman Fitzsimons, an executive search committee will begin the process of recruiting the next executive director for TPWD. The search committee will have two principle charges: (1) identify and interview prospective candidates and provide a recommendation to the commission for final approval, and (2) conduct the search in a timely manner to ensure continuity of leadership and minimize disruption of department operations. [Hidden Content]

I agree with Diamond-J, it is good football but it is a bit taxing on the school district and the parents. Every away game includes that 50 mile stretch of Hwy 90. Which wouldn't be as bad if we weren't used to 10-20 miles trips. ;D

Me too. I went and helped serve food to the players last night at the fan fest. Seems like an excellent bunch of boys. It is going to be an excellent game. There will be a battle of the bands at half time. Should be good, I heard one of the bands was Kashmere.

We will post the winners and their pictures on June 22.

Yeah we will post the winning pictures here. As far as seeing the pictures not real sure. Sounds like your computer is not allowing you to view them. Maybe try to update your windows explorer or something.

TSRN will be broadcasting the Bayou Bowl-Pregame show starting at 7:35. [Hidden Content]

I know this isn't a complete list but, I think it is most of the popular ones. Feel free to suggest another and I will add it.

DU - Waterfowl ID Gallery This is a great place to brush up on your Duck Identification. [Hidden Content]

September Teal: Mayhem in the Marsh By Wade Bourne Imagine taking a handful of stirred-up hornets and throwing them in front of a hunter. This is similar to what the latter faces when a flight of blue-winged teal swarms over his decoys. The main difference is, with the birds he’s not in danger of being stung, except perhaps by the embarrassment of empty shell hulls floating on the water with no feathers beside them! Truly, these little ducks are tricky targets. They come in a darting mass rather than a graceful formation like mallards or pintails. While bigger ducks glide with natural grace, teal scramble like a midget hockey team. In September, waterfowlers take to marshes, ponds and sloughs to try for these feathered rockets. Blue-wings, especially, leave their northern nesting grounds at the first hint of fall, heading toward wintering areas in Mexico and Central America. Most of these birds are long gone by the time later, regular duck seasons open. Thus, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service allows a special early teal season in years when the population forecast is abundant for these birds (in excess of 3.3 million) on the breeding grounds. These seasons are held between September 1 and 30, and season lengths vary by flyway. The bag limit is usually four birds. Some states like Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee have a five-day special teal and wood duck season. (Check your state game regulations for season length and bag limit in your state.) This early season is typically a time of sweat-mopping, mosquito-slapping and shell-popping fun. It also offers a preview/tune-up for later seasons when the big ducks arrive. Here’s how you can score on the early season fun: Scouting - Blue-wings migrate on the leading edge of cold fronts that sweep across the country. Quite literally, one day a marsh or lake may have none of these little birds; the next day, after a front passes, it’s covered up. Good habitat is critical to attracting teal in September. These birds like to feed in very shallow water, and often loaf on mud flats bordering these shallows. Find these areas before opening day, and be there when the season and the little ducks’ arrival coincide. Watch the weather forecast for any northern cold front activity – however slight. When the wind turns out of the north, go hunting the next morning. Decoys – Use plenty of decoys to be noticeable to passing birds. Teal decoys are effective on close-flying birds, but mallard decoys will work as well or better, since they are larger and more noticeable from a long distance. One good set would be two dozen mallard decoys (mostly hens) set close to the bank, with another two dozen blue-wing decoys scattered beyond the mallards. Leave an open landing hole 20-30 yards out. Calling – Blue-wings are susceptible to calling when there’s not too much shooting. Hens make a sound similar to a five-note call of a mallard hen, except it’s higher pitched, faster and softer in volume. Call makers sell teal calls that closely imitate these birds’ calls, and they’re good for grabbing passing birds’ attention. Blinds – In September, teal aren’t very wary, and blinds don’t have to be too sophisticated. Natural on-site vegetation may offer plenty of concealment – cattails, buck bushes, willows, etc. In September, such vegetation is in full foliage, offering a good screen from incoming birds. If natural cover is sparse around a watering hole, a hunter might stretch a camo net between poles jammed into the mud. In either case, the main concerns here are to wear full camouflage clothing, hunker down, and remain absolutely still when a flight is coming in. Guns/loads – While teal are fast fliers, they aren’t difficult to bring down. Thus, guns/loads for teal hunting should be selected for ease and quickness in swinging and pointing and also for good pattern density. This is why a 20-gauge might be the ideal gun for blue-wings, especially over small, confined waters. Major shotshell manufacturers offer non-toxic 20-gauge loads in 3-inch and 2 ¾-inch loads in shot sizes from No. 2- No. 7. Size No. 4 is a good median choice. Best choke for small potholes and ponds would be improved cylinder or modified. Table quality – A special note should be included about the fine table quality of blue-winged teal. These ducks have a tender consistency and delicate flavor that many consider the best among all waterfowl. One favorite way to prepare them is to skin freshly bagged birds and grill them on a slow charcoal fire. Before grilling, wash the birds and marinate them at least two hours (cook’s preference on the marinade). Then, wrap them with bacon secured with toothpicks. (Slices of jalapeno, onion or mushrooms may be included, if desired.) Place the teal on the fire, and baste every few minutes with barbecue sauce, garlic butter or Italian dressing. The secret to a delicious result is not to overcook the meat. Breasts should be removed from the fire while the meat is still pink and juicy. [Hidden Content]

[Hidden Content] Bayou Bowl set for Saturday By Doyle Barlow Baytown Sun Published June 3, 2007 Let’s see. Thermometers are headed north, and with all the rain we’ve had lately saturating the ground, so is the humidity. People are flocking to pools, beaches, and water parks, and our air conditioners have replaced the family dogs as our best friends. It’s hot and only going to get hotter, which means one thing: It’s time to play football. The Fifth Annual Bayou Bowl will be held at Stallworth Stadium at 8 p.m. next Saturday, with a week’s worth of activities leading up to the game itself. The Bayou Bowl features 40 of the best graduated seniors from the Houston area against the 40 best senior football players Louisiana has to offer. The result is an awesome array of talent, with many of the participants going on to experience tremendous success at the college and professional level. Texas’ Brian Arakpo, Iowa’s Drew Tate, Texas Tech’s Danny Amendola, and LSU’s Trindon Holliday and Brandon LaFell are all Bayou Bowl alumni who have made their presence felt at the collegiate level. “This is a great game for fans who like to watch quality football players,†Bayou Bowl executive committee member Dick Olin said. “You’ll be watching a lot of these players on Saturday’s in the upcoming years and some of them will go on to the NFL. We’d like to encourage everyone to come out. It will be a good time.†The series is currently tied 2-2. Texas won the first two Bayou Bowls, with Louisiana capturing the last two. All of the games have been close, with the Texas wins coming by scored of 32-29 and 18-15, and Louisiana winning by scores of 10-7 and 7-3 a year ago. The Pelican Staters only look to be better this year. Last year the Louisiana High School Football Coaches Association decided to do away with the All-State game, making the Bayou Bowl the only all-star game for Louisiana players. Head coach for Team Texas is Deer Park head coach Chris Massey, while Team Louisiana head coach is Chris Carrier, who has served as defensive coordinator for Team Louisiana the past two years. The top-rated player on the Louisiana team is safety Chad Jones. Jones (6-3, 222) the top-rated safety prospect in the nation by Rivals.com is a Parade All-American and he played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he was joined by Team Louisiana teammate Stefoin Francois (6-2, 205), the No. 5 safety prospect in the nation according to Rivals. Leading the way for Team Texas will be Lufkin wide receiver Dez Bryant, who was rated the No. 7 prospect in Texas by Rivals.com. Bryant (6-2, 203) has signed to play at Oklahoma State. The players will report Tuesday, with Media Day and opening practice sessions set for later that day. After that, the rest of the week will be filled with activities, leading up to Saturday’s game, which will be televised live on the NFL Network. Included in the activities for the players during the week are trips to Schlitterbahn in Galveston and a Houston Dynamo soccer game, as well as FanFest at San Jacinto Mall in Baytown, where players will be on hand to sign autographs. Money raised from the Bayou Bowl and the Bayou Bowl Golf Tournament, will go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Bayou Bowl golf Tournament will be held June 8 at Goose Creek Country Club and the 32-team field is already filled. In the last four years, the golf tournament has raised $66,000 for the Shriners, including $25,900 last year alone. Tickets to the Bayou Bowl are $10 for adults and $5 for students. They can be purchased in advance at Amegy Bank, located at the corner of Garth and Rollingbrook or online at www.bayoubowl.org.

Friday night is the Bayou Bowl Fan Fest at San Jacinto Mall in Baytown. @ 7:00pm.

New pictures taken this morning (6/6/07) Reserved seating going in. New concession stand and restrooms.

This guy is doing wetlands research for the Ducks Unlimited Nesting Project in Prairie Canada. He set up a floating trail cam to aid him in his research.

I thought Vidor had a good team last year. They should have won more games. Had some good talent on the field. I agree that if they win the games they are supposed to and then a couple of upsets it will be a good season for them. It gonna be an exciting year.

knightrider 4 wheeler for sale 2004 polaris 600 twin 4 wheel drive with lift and 27 inch mudlites, call 936-258-1957. $3500 obo also 1994 Chevy z71 with 350, magnaflow exhaust and transmission being rebuilt, I think its done now. extended cab and 3/4 ton rear suspension. $4000. truck is blue and silver, and runs well. 4wd works well, will also have new drive shaft. « Last Edit: Today at 02:39:29 PM by knightrider »

Please put any items for sale or trade in this thread.

It is looking good, new reserved seats are going in and handrails. I will try to get some pictures this evening.

As of June 5 at 11:00am Entries per Category: Hunting - 1 Fishing - 2 Family - 2 Nature - 4 You have till Friday to get your pictures in. Just email them to [email protected] .

As of June 5 at 11:00am Entries per Category: Hunting - 1 Fishing - 2 Family - 2 Nature - 4 You have till Friday to get your pictures in. Just email them to [email protected] .

Come on WOS fans help me out, anybody.

Updated Article: Texas Game Warden Dies during Search-and-Rescue Operation GLEN ROSE, Texas — Texas Game Warden Teyran "Ty" Patterson, 28, died in the line of duty Wednesday, May 30 during a search-and-rescue operation on the Paluxy River near here. Patterson drowned after his boat capsized in floodwaters. He was transported to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth and pronounced dead there Wednesday morning. "Ty died doing what he loved. He died serving a Texas family dealing with its own tragic loss," said Col. Pete Flores, Law Enforcement Division director with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "We are going to miss this courageous young game warden, and our hearts and prayers go out to his parents and loved ones." Patterson and his partner, Game Warden Danny Tuggle, were attempting to recover the body of a suspected drowning victim where the river crosses FM 205 in Somervell County when the accident occurred at about 8:10 a.m. Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon, Courtney Butler, 16, of Stephenville, was swimming with friends on the river. Friends reported her missing around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. This afternoon, a team of enforcement agencies continues to search for Butler. TPWD law enforcement officials are investigating the incident. No additional details about the incident are available. Tuggle, a 25-year veteran game warden, suffered near-drowning injuries and was also transported to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, where he was treated and released at noon today. Somervell County Sheriff Greg Doyle and several deputies were observing the search Wednesday morning when the boat carrying Patterson and Tuggle capsized, and several deputies immediately entered the water to aid the game wardens. Members of the Somervell County Fire and Emergency Medical Service also entered the water to help the game wardens, and provided emergency medical aid immediately after the incident. “Swift and effective action by Sheriff Doyle and his deputies probably saved the life of Warden Tuggle,†said Maj. Butch Shoop, TPWD Law Enforcement Division regional director out of Fort Worth. “Somervell County Fire and EMS immediately went to work trying to help Warden Patterson. We deeply appreciate the assistance we have received from these and other organizations involved, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, which provided a helicopter to help search the river.†Patterson was the second Texas game warden killed in the line of duty in less than three months. Game Warden Justin Hurst was shot and killed on March 17 during an exchange of gunfire between law enforcement officers and a suspected poacher. Since 1919, 17 Texas game wardens have lost their lives in the line of duty, five by drowning. Patterson earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University, and was a graduate of the 51st Texas Game Warden Academy in 2005. He was stationed in Johnson County. He is survived by his parents, Viann and Joe Patterson of Seguin, Texas.

Little League Limits Pitches Per Game [Hidden Content],2933,276037,00.html Tuesday , May 29, 2007 Coon RAPIDS, Minn. It's Little League night in Coon Rapids and the Cardinals and Giants are playing for first place. As the Giants' Nathan LaBrant steps into the batter's box, all eyes are on the pitcher's mound, where Tanner Lowe, 12, twists and kicks before throwing another fastball. As the ball hits the catcher's mitt, volunteers for each team stand by their dugouts and mark a scoresheet. After each inning, they meet behind the backstop and count the pencil marks to make sure their totals match. In the highly competitive world of kid baseball, where the wear on young arms has become an alarming problem, counting pitches is now a big deal. So big that Little League International this year has instituted its most significant rule change yet to limit the number of pitches its 2-million-plus players can throw in a game. "It's really going to save these kids' arms," said Mitch Wachman, president of the Golden Valley Little League. "Your kid wants to pitch, man. But on the other hand, you don't want to turn your kid's arm into mincemeat." Little League made the move after studying research by the American Sports Medicine Institute that showed a dramatic increase in arm injuries among teenaged players. The most startling finding: reconstructive elbow surgery for teens, often called "Tommy John surgery" after the major leaguer who was the first to successfully undergo the procedure, had soared from overuse. Glenn Fleisig, research director for ASMI, and James Andrews, the surgeon who gained fame for his expertise with the surgery, compiled the data by reviewing more than a decade of Andrews' cases. --From 1995 to 1998, nine of the 119 elbow surgeries performed by Andrews involved high-school-age pitchers, Fleisig said. --From 2003 to 2006, 148 of the 619 surgeries were on teenagers. Fleisig said a player's height, weight, age and tendency to throw curveballs, which stress the elbow, were considered contributing factors. None, however, had as much impact as overuse. "How much you pitch was the Number One factor for who got hurt," Fleisig said. Under old guidelines, pitchers could throw no more than six innings a week, regardless of the number of pitches thrown. Under the new rules, league players worldwide are limited to a set number of pitches per game, depending on age and the number of days of rest between games. An 11- or 12-year-old, for example, is allowed as many as 85 pitches in one outing. Players 10 or younger max out at 75. But all players, ages 7 through 16, are required to follow the same requirements for rest. Players who throw at least 61 pitches must rest for three days before they can pitch again. Those who throw 41 to 60 pitches must rest two days, while those who throw 21 to 40 pitches must take one day off. "In the past, if coaches didn't know how to coach, they could really overuse a kid's arm. And let's face it -- these are (kids)," said Scott Latta, president of Coon Rapids National Little League. "Unfortunately, there is a lot of insanity out there," said Jerry Sandler, administrator for the Minneapolis-area Little League district, which includes 20 leagues. "Everybody wants to win and they push these kids too much. It's not good." Sandler and Fleisig said they hope the decision encourages other leagues, and particularly travel-team administrators and parents, to trim schedules -- some teams play 50 or 60 or more games a season -- and allow players more time to rest. "The last 10 or 20 years there's basically been a revolution in how baseball is done," Fleisig said. "And the revolution is why we have this big problem here. Independent teams and all-star traveling teams have become more popular. ... There are no rules on the number of games kids are playing now. And they are pitching much more. "Today's 15-year-olds and younger are playing year-round baseball. And they are the ones ending up on our surgery table here." Gary Tonsager, vice president of the Robbinsdale Little League and a longtime coach, said that, to his knowledge, there haven't been many serious arm injuries over the years. But sore arms aren't unusual. In one case, he said, one coach overused his son, leading to soreness that kept him from pitching in the playoffs. Coaches "are very competitive," Tonsager said. "And when you are in the heat of the battle, and you just want one more out ... and it's a big game for first place, maybe you keep 'em in." In Coon Rapids, a volunteer from each team -- usually parents of players -- counts pitches. After each half-inning, they huddle behind the backstop to make sure their numbers agree. In Robbinsdale, each team keeps track with a hand-held clicker and compares totals between innings. Now, a coach's competitive fire comes out in more cerebral ways. "You have to do a lot more thinking about where you are going with a pitcher," said Wally Langfellow, a Robbinsdale coach. "You have to know what your schedule is, when the next game is. You think, 'If you use this guy this day, is he going to be available two days from now? Three days from now? Are we winning or losing? Am I up by enough runs where I think I can pull him out and save him?' "There's all kinds of stuff going on right now you never thought about before." Pitch limits also force coaches to develop more pitchers. "Instead of having a team of two or three pitchers, you are going to be grooming four, five or six kids on each team," said Tim Keefe, president of the Robbinsdale Little League. "Without the pitch count, we have had a few pitchers in the league who can just dominate the league," Tonsager said. "They are so good and so far above and beyond anybody else's skill level, they just dominate. Now, those kids don't pitch as much." A few veteran coaches say they prefer the old way of doing things. Unskilled pitchers tend to walk more batters and give up more hits, Langfellow said, leading to longer games. He said one recent game in Robbinsdale lasted 3 1/2 hours and ended in a tie. The rule also creates a scenario, although unlikely, where players could pitch more than before. Previously, a player could pitch only six innings a week. Now, a pitcher might throw 85 pitches on a Monday, then 85 more on Friday. "If you are on top of it, you know when a kid has thrown enough," said Langfellow, who has coached for nearly 30 years. "You reach that 60 or 70 pitches mark and you know he's done. You don't want anybody to get hurt. "The people I've talked to would prefer that the change wouldn't have been made. But it's here." Earlier this season, with Tonsager's team trailing in a game dominated by the opposing pitcher, he noticed the boy was nearing his limit. In the middle of the inning, he called out to the opposing coach to say that the boy had thrown 83 pitches and could throw only two more. "It was sort of an exchange that would never ever have happened before," Tonsager said, chuckling and adding: "Before he would have gone the whole game. ... This year, we haven't had anybody even close to going six." With first place at stake in Coon Rapids a few days ago, the Cardinals' Tanner Lowe did just that. Tanner threw 78 pitches in five innings, then retired the first two hitters of the sixth (and final) inning on six pitches, putting him one short of his limit. However, the rules permit a pitcher to face one more batter if he is under the limit at the start of the at-bat. He ended the game with a strikeout. "I've thrown close to six innings twice this year, but I couldn't finish it," Tanner said excitedly. "I was one batter away each time. This was my goal, because I haven't been able to finish one since last year."