(Latest) Charlotte Observer Sweet 16 poll

Baseball Sweet 16 Poll.

Rk. Class. Team Rec. Prev.

1. 4A Providence 14-4; 2
2. Ind. Charlotte Christian 20-3; 3
3. 3A Marvin Ridge 14-1; 4
4. 3A Lake Norman 13-1; 5
5. 4A Rock Hill N’western 20-2; NR
6. 2A West Stanly 13-1; 7
7. 4A Ardrey Kell 14-5; 10.
8. 3A Kings Mountain 13-2; 14
9. 4A Watauga 13-5; 12
10. 3A East Rowan 14-3; 6
11. Ind. Providence Day 17-3; 15
12. 4A Myers Park 15-5; 11
13. 4A South Caldwell 13-3; 8
14. 2A Lenoir Hibriten 12-4; NR
15. 2A East Lincoln 12-3; 13
16. 2A Mt. Pleasant 14-2; 1


Also receiving votes: 2A West Lincoln (13-2); 4A Rock Hill, S.C. (17-5); 3A Belmont South Point (13-4); 4A Hopewell (12-6); Ind. Grace Academy (12-1).

To correct a record, or nominate a team, call 704-358-5121 or email [email protected]

 

Head to Head

2009 Jack Sink Tournament @ Myers Park
Charlotte Christian 3, Providence 2
Charlotte Christian 2, Ardrey Kell 0

 

It's great when facts trump opinion. Head to head competition cannot be ignored or twisted to satisfy a position. It is difficult to create a poll that melds schools from 4A to 1A, and mix in the private schools....but it does make for some good debate and/or controversy. I would like to see a city-wide championship for baseball, similar to the one just completed for lacrosse.

 

If the NCHSAA would allow schools to extend the number of games in a season...I would love to have a City Champion. Here is another obstacle they would have to overcome.

- if teams from the same conference end up playing each other it would count against them in seeding for playoffs. Since all teams in conference would not be participating, it wouldn't be fair. Solution: NCHSAA would have to waive that rule, but they aren't willing to do so; hence, conference teams no longer will play in the same Easter Tournaments that could match two teams from the same conference. I don't know why they changed that rule---Shelby's Easter Tournament was a lot of fun when you had Charlotte Christian, South Meck, East Meck and all of Cleveland county playing for a championship.

I like the format of the Jack Sink Tournament. It's a nice twist for the city, but there is no prize to obtain other than bragging rights between Private and Public schools.

 

By the way, Charlotte Christian is as good as advertised. They have pitching, they have defense, they have hitting and they have coaching. Nice combo for success.

This may be the best CC team I have seen since the Daniel Bard days---strong at every position and raining with studs.

 

The formula for the best programs is very similar.

• It starts with a knowledgable and personable coach who is committed to building something...not just this week, but for the long haul.
• He has to have a vision and the ability to capture the minds of others (players, parents, school administrators, and possibly some local businesses to sponsor some field enhancements).
• The coach has to teach the game the way it is supposed to be played and build a culture where hustle and skillful execution are not only expected, but required.
• The coach has to work hard to create the best facilities and playing surface he can achieve, and gain support (work & $$$) to make it better every year. Killing weeds along the fence rows, maintaining paint, etc. require work, but these are the little things that make a ballpark the showplace it needs to be to elevate the baseball mentality of all involved
• Quality assistant coaches that are good baseball teachers and sounding boards for developing players also make a significant contribution to the growth and prosperity of a program
• Coaches and parents need to promote the baseball program and take an interest in getting their players involved in the best possible summer and fall baseball programs where they can get further instruction and compete and test themselves against good competition, so they can grow their game physically and mentally. They need to take some interest in the feeder programs and middle school programs that will be their future.
• Lastly, I should mention respect. If players and coaches respect one another, respect the game and how it is played at a high level, respect their bodies and the need to condition themselves, respect their opponents, and treat their beautiful field of dreams with the respect it deserves, then good things will happen for all.

Check out Providence, Charlotte Christian, East Meck, Ardrey Kell, Charlotte Country Day, Hopewell, Watuaga (haven't been there, but I would bet on it), and others I'm sure. All of the things mentioned above are in place or underway.

Charlotte Christian has a full-size tarp that covers their entire infield, just like the pros! That says a lot about Coach Simmons, the administrators, the boosters, and the parents. Next time we have a heavy afternoon thundershower that cancels the entire schedule, you can always check out a home game at Christian to get your HS baseball fix....

 

Excellent post! Good job L&S

Coach Simmons sets a high standard that never allows his program to take a dip...they are consistently outstanding.

 

SW4A Midseason

This is a better thread for this...

SW4A - Midseason
SW4A
Providence 18-4, 11-1
Ardrey Kell 16-6, 9-3
Myers Park 15-7, 7-5
Butler 11-8, 6-6
Weddington 11-8, 6-6
South Meck 12-9, 4-8
East Meck 10-10; 4-8
Independence 7-12, 1-11

Providence - cream of the crop. Playing with confidence, great pitching, good defense, everybody hits.
Ardrey Kell - great pitching, error prone defense, bottom of the order without enough pop leaves runners stranded alot.
Myers Park - Mystery team - inconsistent pitching, defense and hitting. Can look great, can look deflated. Need to get it together to finish strong and make a run - we can do it !!
Butler - great core guys, can't seem to get enough from the entire team to push to top of the toughest league in the state.
Weddington - Seniors playing well, just not enough of them. Young guys trying hard and getting better.
South Meck - Can bite you if you are not careful, but inconsistency seems to bite them as much as they bite opponents.
East Meck - very young team that can really hit the ball. Has shown flashes of great play. Toguh draw in playoffs, and wait until next year and nobody will want to play them.
Independence - trying to rebuild with young guys, give them a year or two...