*OF vs. HF Game Thread/OF WINS 9-0*

[Guest WeedBegone]

people are not realizing HF does have other pitchers other than Shannon...yeah Shannon is a Awesome pitcher/batter but knowing you would not have her at the BEGINNING of season and KNOWING what was coming your way during spring break wouldnt you have turned up the heat on your other pitcher..come on Kendall was put on Varsity as a back up pitcher why not get her on mount experience  BEFORE and Tiff was put on Varsity this week to back up also...come on Tiff was back up for Amber last year...yeah she had a injury but has bounced back pretty well......if you have 3 strong pitchers who have been in the hot box in select ball(((yeah i know school coaches dont like that either....but facts are facts))and are use to the heat why not utilize them in high school play...hello they have played against Houston teams before and i think those teams are higher on the list than Bridge City/WOS/HF or anyone around here..the Sains are not here deal with it and let other girls step up but without praticing them they TOGETHER it is kinda of hard

Wow, did not realize that Houston is that much higher than our area.

Taller buildings--on clear days you can see Houston from Baytown.

[Guest Strosbeforehos]

Ouch!  Game Over!  Hope the girls,coaches, and the fans can let this go and prepare for the next game!  If not, it's gonna be a long season. :'( 

[ksagrl1]

....How about the fact that these girls knew they would have softball games during Spring Break and their parents chose to schedule a trip anyway?  Bottom line is if you are a softball/baseball player.....you don't get a Spring Break.  That's a fact of life.  Plan it during the summer and honor your commitment to the team......

Where do you go snow skiing in the summer?  She also has a commitment to her travel team in the summer.

Why aren't any of the multi-sport advocates chiming in here on their behalf? Those players can be "guilty" of the same thing.

You're wanting to challenge their level of commitment?  You must not know how many hours a year Shannon puts into softball.  What pct of other HS players out there have made that type of commitment to softball?  That is not a bashing of the girls do not want to commit that amount of time to the game, but to look a commitment in a different light.

I won't speak for the Sain's, but my daughter's first commitment is to travel ball.  She's part of that team 8 months of the year, with the other 4 months for the HS team.

So, you're saying that because her commitment is 8 months out of the year to travel ball and only 4 in HS ball that the HS team should suffer because she wants to take a vacay?  I respect your way of thinking but I simply don't agree.

If you sign up to play for a team, then play for it.  And yes, Mc, I do realize you can't go "snow skiing" during the summer.  However, there are many other vacations that can be planned around softball. 

Good luck to all!

[trout]

....How about the fact that these girls knew they would have softball games during Spring Break and their parents chose to schedule a trip anyway?  Bottom line is if you are a softball/baseball player.....you don't get a Spring Break.  That's a fact of life.  Plan it during the summer and honor your commitment to the team......

Where do you go snow skiing in the summer?  She also has a commitment to her travel team in the summer.

Why aren't any of the multi-sport advocates chiming in here on their behalf? Those players can be "guilty" of the same thing.

You're wanting to challenge their level of commitment?  You must not know how many hours a year Shannon puts into softball.  What pct of other HS players out there have made that type of commitment to softball?  That is not a bashing of the girls do not want to commit that amount of time to the game, but to look a commitment in a different light.

I won't speak for the Sain's, but my daughter's first commitment is to travel ball.  She's part of that team 8 months of the year, with the other 4 months for the HS team.

So, you're saying that because her commitment is 8 months out of the year to travel ball and only 4 in HS ball that the HS team should suffer because she wants to take a vacay?  I respect your way of thinking but I simply don't agree.

If you sign up to play for a team, then play for it.  And yes, Mc, I do realize you can't go "snow skiing" during the summer.  However, there are many other vacations that can be planned around softball. 

Good luck to all!

In the end if you don't like it find a way to take her spot or quit whinning.

[DAMan]

How about the fact that these girls knew they would have softball games during Spring Break and their parents chose to schedule a trip anyway?  Bottom line is if you are a softball/baseball player.....you don't get a Spring Break.  That's a fact of life.  Plan it during the summer and honor your commitment to the team.

You said it all....THEIR PARENTS CHOSE TO SCHEDULE A TRIP.....Sooooo, since Mom and Dad foot the

bills, you go.

[redheaded stepchild]

I want to repeat one word........ "COMMITMENT"..... does that have a different meaning today than I was taught to believe and practice years ago???? I do believe there is life outside of sports but I teach my kids that when they commit to doing something than they do it 100 % or do not do it at all!!! I respect your thoughts but I will just agree to differ. There is no way anyone on here can justify leaving a TEAM for a week to satisfy a personal vacation without mistaken priorities. This from an outsider with no interest either way! I believe that if this was forseen others should have been prepared to step up but the fact of the matter is if they were as good they probably would have had more chances to play more earlier in the saeson. Team chemistry is everything and it is lost when parts as big as this are removed from the puzzle, no matter who the back ups are!!!

[Guest b-a-g fan]

Well said .. We have had a pitcher throwing up all day and went out to play PNG knowing if she didnot we may still win but there was a chance we wouldnot and she wouldnt take that chance .. some of the young ladies who are commited to this game miss out on many things ,but that is the price you pay to honor a commitment and be a TEAMplayer  .. This incident may not bother the team at all but if for some reason they do not take it to the next level there will always be regret and resentment that you can be sure of

[fisherking]

I really don't think anyone is questioning the personal choice of a child or her parents. That is a given!! But I agree with the other posters on here that are questioning the timing and the selfishness of this timing. I fell that there is plenty of other opportunities to travel on vacation but you have only 4 years of your life to experience high school life including sports. You made a commitment to a team cause and anything that interferes with this commitment should be avoided.

You summer ball coaches remember what your saying if one of your players decided to go on vacation during national tournament week?? I am sure you would feel the same way and probably think twice about asking that player onto your team next year. But in high school ball you do not have this choice, you play with the players you have no recruiting. What if 6 of the team members decided to go on "spring break" what then? You forfiet the games?? Do you still feel the decision is justified?

It has to with playing for the good of the group or yourself, no way this can be viewed as acceptable or a way you can coach through!! I have never seen this team or this player but if she is as good as you say, she can not be replaced by choice without a big drop off!! An injury or something else takes her out involuntary you have to do your best but this bad for a team especially during district play. Parents are sending the wrong message to these kids about commitment, maybe they aren't committed to HS team as they are to summer ball? What about X-Mas break to go skiing, Mc??

[Mc]

Is commitment just for game day?  How much would Shannon have been missed if everyone on the team had the same commitment to practice as Shannon.  I use Shannon specifically but the same applies to many other players and teams.  Answer these 2 questions:

1. Is it fair to the rest of the team that a dedicated softball player missed a game(s) because of a vacation?  

2. Is it fair to a dedicated softball player that the rest of the team (or majority) take off for 8 months after HS softball season ends?

No one chimed in on multi-sport player commitment priorities.

[fisherking]

Is commitment just for game day?  How much would Shannon have been missed if everyone on the team had the same commitment to practice as Shannon.  I use Shannon specifically but the same applies to many other players and teams.  Answer these 2 questions:

1. Is it fair to the rest of the team that a dedicated softball player missed a game(s) because of a vacation?  

2. Is it fair to a dedicated softball player that the rest of the team (or majority) take off for 8 months after HS softball season ends?

No one chimed in on multi-sport player commitment priorities.

No neither #1 OR #2 are fair. Commitment is not a part-time thing! Dedication means improving your skills and your team all the time, year-round. And I feel players that are missing practices, or not improving their game constantly in season or out of season for various reasons are hurting the team as well no matter there position or role. Multi-sport kids are committed to competing year round, hopefully for their school, therefore, I feel they are assisting their teammates of that sport until it is over. If they are good enough to play other sports and choose not to, then they would be hurting there school and their team.

I find it hard to believe you are comparing this to vacationing during the season? A good player doesn't become such without extreme work ethic and dedication. Their innate competitive drive pushes them to compete year-round, this is how they become the best players, but with this comes the responsibility of being the best player on a team and when they put their personal interests in front of the teams interests they are selfish, as the players not committed the other 8 months are selfish, but do two wrongs make a right?????

[maddog]

People it is just a game,

Shannon is a great player I don't believe the majority of you understand the commitment and dedication needed to be a good pitcher. Judging by her pitching, she spends a great deal of time practicing with a pitching coach, at school and on her on. Pitching is a pretty lonely sport when you throw hundreds of pitches a week when everyone else is enjoying their personal time.

Heck - I would pay for her to go on vacation next time they play us.

Get a life and get off her back !!

[Mc]

.... What about X-Mas break to go skiing, Mc??

Glad you asked!  It's a crap shot going skiing at X-mas break.  I go just about every year at xmas.  Sometimes you are lucky and there's snow other years very little snow.  Not enough time for accumulation compared to spring break.  Also, xmas skiing is MUCH more expensive (holiday rates) than Spring break (peak season rates) and they can't go during regular season rates because of school.  Could have been the last year they go as a family with one kid a senior.  Will the kids have the same spring breaks in the future?  Will their future new jobs allow them time off to meet everyone's schedule? etc.

I totally understand the frustration, but their program has something good going.  They just need to go back out and concentrate on kicking some butt!

Oh, and skiing is a sport......just not a HS team sport in SETX.

[STiger85]

You people want to talk about commitment. So lets talk. From the day you were born there is a commitment to your family.  And I'll tell you there is NO greater or stronger commitment on earth than family. When a player plays all year there are very few times a family can get together. I have heard people say there is plenty of time to go on a vacation. BULL. A parent can't just pick when to be off from work for a week for vacation, especially if both parents work. Sometimes decisions are hard, especially if parents are not willing to leave their child behind. Family togetherness is important. There maybe some running at practice when the player returns, but an athlete will get over that in a hurry, you don't get over missing family togetherness, ever.  

[horndawg]

This game was not the one that makes or breaks playoffs, so how about everyone get behind them and pull for them to make a playoff run instead of trying to tear this team apart.  How about we try that for once? Get behind the Lady Hons and stop being so negative about the Sains.

I realize that commitments are commitments and everything because I was brought up to finish what I started and don't dare quit because I didn't think I was good enough or just wanted to give up.  But, it's not like this was a play-in game to make it to the playoffs or anything.  There are still plenty of games to be played and there is time to make this week up.

Before you go on about "well this could be the beginning of the end", don't even start with me about that, I know that these girls can play just as fine when they all get back and on the field together.  So like I said earlier, it would help if all of you that actually care about this team would get behind it instead of trying to demolish it.

That is all...

[fisherking]

This game was not the one that makes or breaks playoffs, so how about everyone get behind them and pull for them to make a playoff run instead of trying to tear this team apart.  How about we try that for once? Get behind the Lady Hons and stop being so negative about the Sains.

I realize that commitments are commitments and everything because I was brought up to finish what I started and don't dare quit because I didn't think I was good enough or just wanted to give up.  But, it's not like this was a play-in game to make it to the playoffs or anything.  There are still plenty of games to be played and there is time to make this week up.

Before you go on about "well this could be the beginning of the end", don't even start with me about that, I know that these girls can play just as fine when they all get back and on the field together.  So like I said earlier, it would help if all of you that actually care about this team would get behind it instead of trying to demolish it.

That is all...

I am sorry you can't see things in its true colors, but I respect your opinion. I promise nothing gets in the way of my family, but I also know my family has behind me 100% as well, meaning total support in all that I do and will do. I guess I grew up in different times then now because I know my parents never did or never would have scheduled a trip in the middle of a season because they knew I would have been destroyed to choose to stay behind a play. So again it is the way my parents raised me and the life I chose no regrets, no remorse.

No one on here that I have read has said anything about the beginning of the end. On the contrary, the hope has been the opposite for these ladies. But I know they weren't play in games but it seems to me two losses puts you back under the gun after fighting to take the lead, meaning you have no room for slip up the remainder of the season.

And as far as the team and the residual effect if any??? Only time will tell, I hope for the girls sake they can pull it together but we will have to wait and see the end result. I would welcome back star players after two losses but while they are gone I would be cussing them like a sailor, this if I was playing in before and after, but what about the girls that played in their place and now go back to the bench or the JV, how do they feel when the two get back???

[trout]

I really don't think anyone is questioning the personal choice of a child or her parents. That is a given!! But I agree with the other posters on here that are questioning the timing and the selfishness of this timing. I fell that there is plenty of other opportunities to travel on vacation but you have only 4 years of your life to experience high school life including sports. You made a commitment to a team cause and anything that interferes with this commitment should be avoided.

You summer ball coaches remember what your saying if one of your players decided to go on vacation during national tournament week?? I am sure you would feel the same way and probably think twice about asking that player onto your team next year. But in high school ball you do not have this choice, you play with the players you have no recruiting. What if 6 of the team members decided to go on "spring break" what then? You forfiet the games?? Do you still feel the decision is justified?

It has to with playing for the good of the group or yourself, no way this can be viewed as acceptable or a way you can coach through!! I have never seen this team or this player but if she is as good as you say, she can not be replaced by choice without a big drop off!! An injury or something else takes her out involuntary you have to do your best but this bad for a team especially during district play. Parents are sending the wrong message to these kids about commitment, maybe they aren't committed to HS team as they are to summer ball? What about X-Mas break to go skiing, Mc??

Summer coaches deal with this all the time and this is not Nationals or the playoffs.

[Guest WeedBegone]

Good Morning everybody.  I am enjoying all of the great and meaningful points with my cups of coffee.  I have been reading strong words like COMMITTMENT, PRIORITIES, honor the parents, families, and dedication. 

All of these words are inspiring---so inspiring --i am reminded that this weekend is Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  I am sure many of us will find ourselves sitting in a pew rather than a bleacher on Sunday morning.  Amazingly enough, we will most likely hear some of these same words.  Yet they will have different meanings to all of us. 

Perhaps priorities should be considered when thinking seriously about the meaning of the word "committment" when we hear it from a bleacher seat instead of  a church pew. 

Thanks STIGER85 for inspiring me for the rest of this week.  Your post was a wise one. 

And for everybody else---Happy Easter --and have a great celebration.

Respectfully---

WB

[Guest Robert Plant]

I have a question. What about the " 0 "? Are the missing players responsible for the 9 runs allowed as well as the 0 runs produced? Could it be that Orangefield played a pretty good game and the win would have gone their way with the missing players? I'm an outsider looking in and know nothing about HF or the missing players. For two players to be responsible for the 9 run difference, well then maybe others might need to be more committed in their preparation. It's just a thought. OK, I'm ready for karma to get slammed.

[HullaBalloo!]

I have enjoyed my daughters time in softball.  Being a part of the Crush organization...I have had the opportunity to see first hand the amount of time it takes to be "committed" to something.  Parents, grandparents, THE KIDS!!!,  it takes a great deal of time.  And i consider that time family time too!

I did a sermon at church a few months back...when i realized just how SHORT my time with my oldest was getting....i was remembering an old Harry Chapin tune...most of you know it-"Cats in the Cradle"...

a Dad suffers knowing he must work to provide for his son...and yet never seems to find the time to spend with his son...only to realize that in the end...he will have taught his son the same things...and his son will have little time for him!

We havr our kids for such a SHORT time in our lives..I KNOW IT SOMETIMES SEEMS LIKE AN ETERNITY!!!!  but 18-19 yrs isnt long.  I have come to love this game of softball...with a passion...but my time with my children...so much more important.

I would have made an effort to NOT travel at the expense of the team...BUT...if its whats available...then "a skiing we would go!!!!"

[DAMan]

Good Morning everybody.  I am enjoying all of the great and meaningful points with my cups of coffee.  I have been reading strong words like COMMITTMENT, PRIORITIES, honor the parents, families, and dedication. 

All of these words are inspiring---so inspiring --i am reminded that this weekend is Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  I am sure many of us will find ourselves sitting in a pew rather than a bleacher on Sunday morning.  Amazingly enough, we will most likely hear some of these same words.  Yet they will have different meanings to all of us. 

Perhaps priorities should be considered when thinking seriously about the meaning of the word "committment" when we hear it from a bleacher seat instead of  a church pew. 

Thanks STIGER85 for inspiring me for the rest of this week.  Your post was a wise one. 

And for everybody else---Happy Easter --and have a great celebration.

Respectfully---

WB

HAPPY EASTER to you YOUNG Man.

                           

[Guest b-a-g fan]

I will say this and let this rest .. Commitment to softball is experienced by the whole family.. It can also give a child and parent and coach an avenue to become closer than mabee they would without......I have personally seen through many years of coaching kids stop playing the game drift from the family and find other more detrimental intrest  ???  It is just a game or is it  ???...  GOD is the commitment that comes first and foremost that is not in question here ..The child is not being blamed I think its more what are the parents thinking  ??? I may be wrong on this asumption ???I would be willing to bet alot of teams in this area would pay to send C. Austin on a trip when they play Nederland dont even try  I promise she wont go  :D  Its not were you go with your family ,its what you make of the time ,playing catch pitching lessons or batting cage can bring the same bond  .. ANd it is not just a game (its a part of there life ) a part that goes by to fast and everyone should enjoy every minute they get to share watching or helping they can .. Good luck to HF I hope they do make the playoffs.. IMPO I think this thread hit a nerve because everyone has seen players miss games , this time it was the star pitcher .. and as far as the comment this is not the playoffs or nationals  ??? ??? ???  Every game in the highschool season (in a tough district anyway)could make or break a team reaching the playoffs ..YOu never want to give a game to anyone .. This all sounds like on here days of our lives ,but it is nice to see peoples love and passion for the great game of softball ..

[Mc]

b-a-g, Thank God you laid off the scrolling marquee for that post!

[Guest b-a-g fan]

Come on I learned a new trick , Heck it took me two years to figure it out (well Cheater told me how  :D)

[Guest WeedBegone]

I will say this and let this rest .. Commitment to softball is experienced by the whole family.. It can also give a child and parent and coach an avenue to become closer than mabee they would without......I have personally seen through many years of coaching kids stop playing the game drift from the family and find other more detrimental intrest  ???  It is just a game or is it  ???...  GOD is the commitment that comes first and foremost that is not in question here ..The child is not being blamed I think its more what are the parents thinking  ??? I may be wrong on this asumption ???I would be willing to bet alot of teams in this area would pay to send C. Austin on a trip when they play Nederland dont even try  I promise she wont go  :D  Its not were you go with your family ,its what you make of the time ,playing catch pitching lessons or batting cage can bring the same bond  .. ANd it is not just a game (its a part of there life ) a part that goes by to fast and everyone should enjoy every minute they get to share watching or helping they can .. Good luck to HF I hope they do make the playoffs.. IMPO I think this thread hit a nerve because everyone has seen players miss games , this time it was the star pitcher .. and as far as the comment this is not the playoffs or nationals  ??? ??? ???  Every game in the highschool season (in a tough district anyway)could make or break a team reaching the playoffs ..YOu never want to give a game to anyone .. This all sounds like on here days of our lives ,but it is nice to see peoples love and passion for the great game of softball .. One thing no one on here considered even myself  ???

After reading this post--i can visualize you driving while driving to a softball game.  You would have run three red lights, two stop signs, derailed a train, hit a grocery basket full of groceries, nailed a whole block of trash cans, trenched a couple of yards, taken out a freshly planted flower bed, windshielding a Big GOOSE,  and then skidding to a complete stop to allow a turtle cross the road. 

But dont change a thing--everybody likes the BAG just like he is.  Have a great Easter week. 

[Guest b-a-g fan]

"you can hate me if you want , Cause I love me some me " Terrel Owens  ;D ;D ;D ;D