Rivalries???

Are there any more heated rivalries in HS baseball? If so, which teams? I don't mean the one's that are friendly rivalries, but community rivalries (where the fans honestly don't like the other.)

There used to be those in Charlotte, but ended in the mid-2000's. Anybody remember the days of the South Meck-Providence series? South Meck-Myers Park? Anybody vs Butler? Now those were rivalries! Players didn't like each other, parents didn't like each other, students were insane....and if a parent actually dared to speak to a rival parent--they were ostracized!

I know it sounds crazy, but that's how it was. Later I will describe an actual game between South Meck vs Providence. During this current political correctness environment, most people wouldn't believe what happened before, during and after those games.

 

I think times have just changed. For example, I know "around here" the Cary-Garner rivalry used to be very bad. Slurs, mooning, rock throwing, etc. at team buses was common. In football, the rivary has been put on hold as far as I know for the last 10-15 years (someone correct me if I am wrong) because of how heated it can be.

With the increase in schools, there's not much "community" hate anymore. Kids just have too many options and neighborhoods are often split up depending on what side of the street they live on, if they prefer a Magnet school, etc.

With all that said... I was raised in the heart of Cary and really do not like Apex. As I have gotten older, I've become friends with some (especially coaches) but the Cary-Apex rivalry is still living in me. Cary-Apex has to be one of the state's most traditional rivalries. Two landlocked schools who have been greatly effected by new schools, but those students who were raised in either Apex or Cary districts understand the rivalry and the tradition.


Middle Creek-Garner has also become a popular rivalry.

One thing for sure, "if you ain't from Garner, you don't like Garner." Lol!

 

Yeah, you're right JM. I believe another component has been the advent of Showcase baseball. Many crosstown rivals end up playing with each other...and the parents become friends. Kinda hard to get mad at someone that is your friend. I guess this is a good thing (being civil and friends), but I sure do miss those heated rivalries---those were the days!

 

Good point... There are still rivalries in legion ball.

 

Rivalries seem to change as coaches change. I know some of the long standing, fierce rivalries here in the mountains have gone by the wayside with coaches retiring or moving on.

 

Checking into a couple of games last year, it appears that the SW4A has toned it down a notch or two. I remember 4,5,6 years ago the "Butler 5" and "Philly P" just giving a ton of crap to the other team and its fans the entire game. They did not use profanity but they were relentless and they did it at home and away games! I know the opposing teams hated it, but I kinda miss that.