No Respect for Raleigh

Coach Evans - I think the process is actually ok -I just believe the decisions are poor - speaking particularly of the last 3 years, in that many of the best players are not being chosen because the coaches are taking to many their own conference, team, etc. - there are always going to be deserving kids left out, but it has just gotten out of hand in this region. While all the time and effort of the
coaches is greatly appreciated, I don't see where that automatically gives
the coaches the right to have spots for their "kids."

Afterall, there are only 20 spots - possible solutions.

1. have 3 coaches from conferences other than where the coaches are from help choose the team - that would give more insight on players not
everyone knows or has seen and give more checks and balances

2. take rising juniors out of the mix - they will have their turn

3. limit # of players from one team to max of 2 - could be a little dicey, but something to throw out there

Maybe I am way out of line - I don't know - I'm at a disadvantage because I will not name names and give examples because it is not what this board is about. But I am very passionate about this - it is to late for
my son, but maybe if something positive comes out of this, it will help someone elses.

 

All are valid points, however there are things to consider...

1. Many coaches may not volunteer if they arent coaching the team. I remember that there were not many coaches that applied to coach in the state games.

2. taking rising juniors out of the mix.... That was attempted several years ago and many coaches felt that this was about picking the best players (I realize that may be a double standard here based on what you previously stated)... Actually some of the regions with more schools could be subdivided into smaller regions... like regions 3, 6 and 5...

3. no more than 2 from any team... may hurt regions 1, 7, and 8 in most years... I know it has in the past in terms of qualtity and quality...

No, you arent out of line... as long as humans choose mistakes will be made. BTW.... there hae been times when high school coaches dont nominate their own players... I can speak of 2 cases where a well established coach in region 3 (i will not name obviously) did not nominate deserving players and they did not get the opportunity to participate...

just know there are more issues here than meets the eye...

 

The N&O is supposed to be a professional publication and if they can't figure out a way to crosscheck each and every stat then they should look for a different line of work. Perhaps Alferd E. Newman is looking for some assistance.

If they really don't care, then why even bother to print any stats at all?

Their stats are NOT "News that is fit to print."

 

state games

Is it true that Knightdale Coach Worley is an assistant? Did he get picked? What will his contribution be with his record?

 

Here's how it works...

Coaches apply for vacancies on the region staff. The head coach of the region picks from the applicants. Many times there are only 1-2 applicants, and sometimes there aren't any in some regions. The state games leadership will place priority on coaches who have never participated. Coaches are recycled when nobody applies. You rotate to head coach. East-West coaches are the coaches from teh east and west that did the best the previous year.

 

Two statements that immediately invalidate everything you've said. Coach Evans is being very kind to you.

 

Raleigh Teams

I just had to respond to "dabatboy". I must be the WJHS dad you are mentioning. I probably have been more vocal regarding my son based on some of the blog headlines asking us to relate what our son's have done. Call it bragging, self promoting, whatever, but it was within the nature of the thread. I'll not apologize because it became obvious thru time if the parents aren't willing to stand up for their child's talent, work ethic or behind the scenes sweat, then very few will. We've been lucky to have some coaches with skill and baseball savvy to coach him and push his efforts, but I know not all are like this.

It's apparent by your comments that you feel a little chapped at the state of the state in AAU or Raleigh ball. In some cases, I don't disagree with what your saying. I remember the Rockhounds and other than the annoying "Who let the Dawgs out!" song they played and/or sang, they were a pretty good team. I do remember the South Wake Storm being a pretty solid club back then, as well as, some of the Kinston teams, the Carolina Thunder (Clayton) and some of the Durham teams. I can tell you this about the teams that West plays and the talent level of the kids. There are some good ballplayers in the Greater Neuse and each team has some that shine. Garner was down, but has some D-1 talent on the team, Holly Springs --- I sure wouldn't want to play them next year with what they have returning (awesome club, good attitudes and never give up), Knightdale --- young but upcoming program and Cam. Richards is a top notch prospect next year, Clayton --- always finds a way to win and be good, SSS --- underachieved this year but should be a monster next year and that's not even counting in Harnett Central that will be in the GNR conference next year.

I too have written Tim Stevens from the N&O a couple of times this year regarding baseball coverage, stats, etc. They have a process they follow to get the stats from the coaches and the schools but it is no doubt flawed. Is it the N&O's fault or the HS coaches fault? Your guess is as good as mine.

It seems that you have been able to achieve great things in the AAU world even without being on the ol' Rockhounds and that is to your credit and skill. Being on the right team, the right parent mix, the right kids personalities and not necessarily the right number of wins defined what I consider a good AAU experience. We played on the old South Johnston Sabres (weren't very good but had one of the best experiences ever), the Carolina Thunder (experienced the Cooperstown tournament --- GREAT!), and the Lumber & Lightning from Mt. Pleasant (Concord area) that was a team of solid kids that are playing ball at the next level. We sure didn't know it at the time (i.e. how good they might be), but it was a pleasure having the kids hang around one another and deal with the parents.

I think if we're waiting on the N&O to enlighten us on baseball, then it's not going to happen. Too many stories and too few staff. It's getting to the point that I just wish they would put in more of the college game stories for baseball and not just local ACC and the "occasional" ECU stats. The kids in this area are feeding a number of teams and reading about them in college would be nice too!

 

You are exactly right. That was what the thread is about. "Parents being proud of their son's." Kudo's for posting in there...I appreciate it. Without your posting in that thread I wouldn't have known it was your son or the accomplishments he has made.

 

HEELS25

Mr Richards,
I did not attempt to call you out. I think it is great that you are proud of Kris, but WJ had more than one player this year. Rarely have I ever heard you talk about any of them and not just on this board. All I ask is that you commend others and not only from WJ, but also some the other players in the conference would be nice (and by name not just some players from garner etc). WJ's team won the conference by solid play from everyone, not overwhelming but good pitching, and better defense than the rest of the conference had this year. As for the conference, GNR went 1-5 in the playoffs with WJ winning their first game against the lowest seed. Numbers dont always tell the story, but these particular numbers would make the cream of the crop in the GNR conference not look that great. You have always been kind to me and said positive things to me and I always will respect you for that. All I ask is that you SPEAK LOUDLY about others too!

PS: out of curiousity, who lead WJ in errors?

 

Childish Remarks

Heels_25 has always had kind words for others and his son is a class act.This whinning you continue to post dabatboy is quite unbecoming to ANYONE claiming to be in high school.Commitments are posted here and the player and his family are congratulated on the accomplishment as they should be.You say you respect Heels_25 but you show a lack of it right up to your last sentence.It sounds as if you are looking for a cheering section for yourself and quite frankly this is a baseball site and not a cheerleading format.Layoff the sour grapes and show more maturity and respect, it will serve you much better in acheiving a result more to your liking relative to this topic and life.