Now that it's all over...

FIRST:
Congratulations to all who even got to state finals - a great accomplishment! And I doubt those who won them even need any more congratulations. The dogpiles are fullfillment enough!

SECOND:
Especially to coaches out there, let's get our voices together to get the NCHSAA to start the playoffs on Tuesday, instead of the Friday it now begins with. That way:
RD 1 Tuesday
RD 2 Friday
RD3 Tuesday
(Hear it comes...)
RD 4 BEST 2 of 3 series Thur/Fri/Sat
Regional Final BEST 2 of 3 series Thur/Fri/Sat (as is)
Finals BEST 2 of 3 series (as is

This could be done! Same time frame NOW used by just moving RD 1 up to a Tuesday from a Friday.

THIRD:
And this is a negative...
We have got to get teeth to all this sportsmanship punishment/promotion.
During the playoffs alone I saw a baserunner and shortstop stream profanities and threats, even exchanging a push - and nobody was dumped. "Just shows everybody is really into it," the ump said. I know because I was between the players. In the same game a hitter literally spun on the dish ump and shouted at him about a strike call - shouted. Again, nothing.

During a state finals game yesterday, I viewed a baserunner leaving 1B for courtesy runner curl over by the opposing dugout and taunt the opposition. The dugout and fans above it went balistic. Rightly so. And I really believe it was seen, but "let go". Two of the 4 man crew was within 50 feet of the action pointing out the courtesy substitution and recording the numbers of the guy running and the guy being run for. They had to see it.

Another player came out of his dugout in another finals game and taunted the opposing fans with what looked like a "dance", with fist pounding to his crotch. I can't believe not one umpire or the NCHSAA "delegation" didn't see it as it happened 1B line extended, again, outside of dugout within 30-40 feet of home plate.

Look, I know things will happen in a moment of excitement. And no, I don't think it's a coach's fault if a player makes a mistake. I just really think this stuff should be rightly penalized - immediately. If it becomes a DQ instead of ejection later when emotions are running lower, fine. However, I'm tired of hearing everybody harp on sportsmanship in July Coachs' Clinic, read prepared paragraphs on it during games all season, and mention it at pregame plate meetings 24+ times a season - only to have this stuff increase - with comments like," look we know the stakes are high in this one," or," we don't want to control the game/decide the outcome."

Just a couple thoughts...

Hey - 252 days until February 13 2012!

 

Please, tell us more oh wise Cat....

Agree playoff arrangements should be adjusted. First three rounds will always be a sore spot for first round losers. Fewer teams, all rounds 2 out of three? Other states make it work. Something should be done. At the very least, play the first game of a series at the lower seed with game 2 at higher seed and "if" game. CAT - start a TEA PARTY --- I'm sure you can get support.

Regarding the two incidents you mention about sportsmanship, I have two questions. First, who would you have tossed if you were wearing blue on the incident between baserunner and infielder? Second, when the player "spun" on the dish blue, what would you recommend?

I hope you get more than this from NCHSAA.

 

I feel that both players should have been ejected. It's what I expected.
As for the kid who shouted at the umpire, I don't know exactly what should have been done - but two innings later he was the infielder in question...

 

First Hand

What about the out of control fan who stands behind the fence and screams at the umpire and yells at opposing fans. Gosh, sometimes they scream so much they have to wear a neck brace. That's got to be embarassing to that team, but I know that's out of the coaches control.

I saw one game this year where two coaches almost got into a brawl as they ran out onto the field to separate two players.

They actually had to take one of the kids off the field and calm him down because he was so intense. He was mad because while he was busy jawing with another player he was tagged by the infielder who had the ball. Play was live and he got really mad. Umps didn't call him out. Couldn't figure that one out.

Personally, (no offense Stretchy) I don't want to give Barney more than one bullet.... There are too many of them who would clear a bench for a "Stink Eye".

 

I can't comment on what you saw because I wasn't there...but at the games that I have seen over the past few years the guys in blue have their shorts pretty tight, looking to toss someone from the time they step out of their car. The blue nazi's ... ( Stretch & Fish not included ).

 

Wow! Going to the neck brace, huh?
If you're going to get personal and really try to cut deep, you should just go with," and you call yourself a Christian!" That is the one a select few have used when they want to really attack me instead of staying on topic. I mean, we were discussing those inside the fencing. However, I can see where you would get confused. The neck brace often wears a jersey as well!

As for coaches almost brawling, let's please note here that yours truly was not one of those in question. That I won't even begin to address as it wasn't me.

And as for what is or is not "out of the coaches control," you meant to type coach's. See, coaches with an es just signifies plural form, not possession. That being said, I pay no attention to what happens outside the fence. OK, so I pay a little attention. Some things you can't miss - like (deleted - some dumb stuff I didn't need to say...)


Look, the one major problem I really have with your comments is this:
Why would you even begin to imply insult to Barney? Now those are fightin' words!


Sincerely,
Oh Wise Cat
(You addressed me as such to open a comment. Now that my wife laughed at!)

Oh! Thanks for using the phrase "stink eye" previously. I admit that I had to look it up. I learned something new! A surfer term, no less.

Now, find my grammatical errors and let me have it!

Have a wonderful night, Mr. Dog.

 

Maybe Im just too "old school", but when I grew up playing my coaches always said as long as fans pay to get in and dont use profanity, then theyre a part of the game. I can remember all the pitchers being called "rag arm", and that was in little league. Sometimes there needs to be ejections, both players and fans,,, but times have certainly changed over the years, and Im not so sure that the changes are all for the good.

Do any of you local posters remember the fan who used to follow Rowan Legion back in the 70's, and he was referred to as "Loudmouth"??? LOL, I could tell some stories about Loudmouth. I honestly believe the reason he was never attacked or tossed, was because he was just damn good at what he did, that is harassing the umps and the other team. He was funny, yet sometimes youd wanna knock him out. Ever night, they called him Loudmouth.

 

Now Andy....

I really enjoy your posts super cat.... I love me some Barney, Andy and crew. Candidly, I think you are on the right track with getting engaged with NCHSAA and trying to work a new system with Coaches driving the bus.

The other stuff, all inclusive, needs to be left alone. There will always be emotions on both sides of the fence. Sometimes emotions get too high and folks lose their cool - it's a fact. Maybe Kyle Busch needed his whiney butt kicked, but Mr. Rich ought to have one of his boys handle it - he shouldn't sully his good name be lowering himself to that level.

Now go get that Coach's Bus ready to roll on to Raleigh --- let's get loud and make some real improvements....Hope and Change...Hope and Change...Hope and Change!!!! Give 'em the Stink Eye - works every time!

 

The bus will be cranked and ready to run.

Thank you for your attitude and continued dialogue.
I wish more folks could make a statement, and then, even if "rubbed wrong", find some common ground and even share a little humor - agreeing to disagree, so to speak.

While I love a good sparring round, I've just never been much for knockout blows - especially where my delicate, handsome chin is concerned.

 

Most likely...

I'll bet we agree on more than we disagree on. Thank you for your passion.