Nw4a preview

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But anyways, back to the preview. I think really any team can beat any team on any given night depending on who shows up to play. Almost every team can compete except for maybe Freedom. I dont know of anyone besides Washington that they kept from going to Patton. The six other teams will have a strong team to put on the field, some more than others but mostly even. Besides Messer, nobody else in the conference really has an overpowering pitcher which will make the conference much different this year than it was last year when Bumgarner, McDaniels, Harrington, and Runion were all in there. South will have an advantage by having Messer who will be consistent every night. If i had to make a prediction I would say South, Watauga, and Alexander Central will battle it out for the top spots and McDowell, East Burke, and AC Reynolds fighting for the final 4th spot. There's not an obvious first place team this year like there was last year with South Caldwell. This will be a fun year to watch NW4A baseball.

 

I agree with you completely.

 

You will definately be surprised at how strong South's pitching will be this year. And I'm sure there will be others emerge from other school's JV squads from their respective teams. New stars will shine. That's what is exciting each year.To watch to see new talent emerge, to see whose hard, dedicated off-season workouts have paid off.

 

To finish 1st we have to beat you and ACR at home period. I think WHS will be the most talented we have had since 2000-2001. Weather or not that is good enough to be better than south I don't know. I think. The rest of the league IMO, will be down. ACR lost a ton, Freedoms kids went to Patton, McDowell has that lefty and thats it. Alexander has Russell but also lost alot. WHS and South will be head and shoulders above the rest. Why don't we just play a three game series, one at WHS, one at South and one at App. With different pitchers.

And btw- yes we have never faced Messer because since Madison was a freshman we saw him 9 freaking times and went 1-8 against him.
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Aint it great!

Madison graduates and you dont have to face him this year , in fact every again. But you get Jimmy Messer instead , probaly twice this year. Good luck!

 

Would take Messer any day of the week. I know hes good but he doesn't throw 97.
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I dont want to face

either one! IMO Messer is a better pitcher. His ability to change speeds and locate as well as command three pitches makes him nasty. Madison was a hard thrower no doubt but Messer is a more polished pitcher at least at the same point and time in hs. Do you want me to hit you in the head with a sledge hammer or an axe? Thats about how much difference imo there is between the two.

I will say this. The top level hitters that I have spoken to say they would rather face Madison than Jimmy. They said they knew what to expect against Madison and they had some success. They all say that Jimmy was much tougher to face. Because he was such an effective pitcher and threw upper 80's to 90.

Anyway good luck. Jimmy was undefeated last year. Its going to take a great effort to hang an L on that kid. But I saw your guys at App last summer and you have some fine ball players in that program. You should have a great year imo.

 

The two things that make Jimmy Messer standout above the rest is this:

- He has a ML curveball and can throw it in any count. The fact is that is his best pitch and in HS his curveball is rarely seen and is very difficult to hit.

- Just as important is Messer's competitiveness. He will not give in or give up. The kid will battle you in every at bat. I believe Jimmy's competive nature exceeds his talent (which he has plenty) and that is what will make him successful at the next level.

 

Yes

he has two types of hammers. And he can locate them as well. And he loves to compete. The guy is tough as nails. I heard he used to play football. I bet he was a beast on the football field.