WOW What a Schedule!

I just checked out the Charlotte Christian schedule and just have to say WOW!

It is no wonder that Coach Simmons has put together one of the best programs in the state, public or private, when you look at the time and attention he puts into providing a wonderful experience for his players and families. I must say I am jeolous.

Christain will play at least 35 games before their state tournament, with early games against public schools Weddington, AL Brown, and Ashbrook, the Northwest Guilford tourney with an opener against RJ Reynolds, a double header with Cardinal Gibbons, a spring break tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and games at Florida powers Westminster and University Christian (Jacksonville) on the same trip, games with Greenville Rose and Richmond County, home and home with Coach Mennitt's Piedmont team, the Shelby Easter Tournament, a Myrtle Beach trip for a double header with Socastee, a rivalry game with Wesleyan, all before the conference season in the second half of April and early May.

Congratulations to Coach Simmons on what he has accomplished and continues to accomplish at Christian. It is no surprise that his program has turned out such talented players as Daniel Bard, Reid Fronk, Chris Carrerra, Stuart Bost and others just in the last couple years who are well prepared for college baseball.
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All the whining in the past about Christian's weak schedule is a long memory. Each year they play one of the most aggressive schedules in the State. I sure hope they allow some private schools join the public conferences, but that opens up another can of worms.

 

i agree with what you guys have said, coach simmons has really put in alot of time in creating an amazing schedule. some games i wouldn't wanna miss are the ashbrook, rj reynolds, jh rose, and the south meck game in the 2nd round of the shelby tourny should all be great games. it'll be interesting to see how the loaded junior class handles all these big games. good luck to christian and congrads to coach simmons on an outstanding program

 

Cardinal Gibbons will be a 2A team next year in the same Conference as Orange... At least that's what I have been told, but they must then play to the game same rules as the rest of us. (AS far as the NCHSAA goes, not in any way to imply unethical behaviors, cause Jim Liebler is of the highest integrity in my opinion)

 

Not to get off the subject but Coach Liebler has done one heck of a job at Cardinal Gibbons HS. We have been playing them for some time now and each year they get better and better. They are always well coached and they are a class act. Gibbons has always played a very tough schedule.

 

A differnt view

I believe that if a team wants to be the best, they need to beat the best. With that thought in mind, I applaud CC for playing some of the tougher teams in our state and beyond. I do question however if it is wise to play 40+ games in HS? A couple of posters above mentioned Cardinal Gibbons and how they have an excellent program. I agree, Gibbons does have an excellent program but the general consensus of many of the players and parents is that they play too many games. Cardinal Gibbons plays approximately 40 games over the course of their season and I can tell you that by the time the season is 2/3 over, the kid's are dragging. The reason they are worn out is because they are playing an average 4-6 games a week, plus handling all the school work that they are required to complete. They also have games most Saturday's which means the kids have only one day off a week.

I am sure some of you might be accusing me of being a softy by now but that couldn't be farther from the truth. What I am trying to say is that at the HS level you are dealing with very few players that will go on to play baseball at the college level and you are also dealing with kids as young as 15 years old. So while a 40 game schedule might be great prep for the kid that will go on to play college ball, it has the potential to burn the kid out that just likes baseball, but has no desire to play at the next level.

Considering that most of the college recruiting takes place in the summer, you don't want your kid worn out when it really counts. This is especially true for pitchers. I just think a coach needs to weigh a lot of variables before they schedule that many games in HS. It sound like the CC coach knows exactly what he is doing and I am sure he has the players that can handle that load.

 

Those are some good points. I'd love to hear from the CC guys on their thoughts on this. We have some members affiliated with this program, so it would be nice to hear from them and get their opinion.

I understand some schools will be joining conferences, but the problem as I see it is there are not neighborhood boundaries that a school like CC would have to adhere to. I can hear the complaints now about "Recruiting, unfair advantages, etc.". But it is always fun to play a team like Charlotte Christian...no matter where you get the opportunity.

 

The school (char. christian) is very generous and flexible with the players work load during baseball season, students can take a study hall so they can do their homework, makeup work, do projects in school rather than spending a couple hours a night cramming for the next day. public schools on the other hand do not allow study hall. The school can organize all the students' makeup work theyre going to miss if they go on a trip (i.e. ft. lauderdale) and give it to them so they can get started on it asap. the school knows what spring meens and thats baseball, they do a great job in balancing the work load with the games. personally at CC, i know the players do not get worn out with all these games, they love getting a chance to play so many games and playing against top competition and getting to travel places. i think thats one reason kids want to play at charlotte christian, look at the opportunity they get. recruiting is not a factor. the players do all the recruiting in getting their friends to come to the school, coach simmons does not have a factor in bringing kids in. overall, christian runs a great, clean, organized program and good luck to those guys this year

 

Dynasty- how do you think this year's team compares to the State Championship teams of '02,'03,'04? I know they return 3 year starters Hill (3rd base)and McGuirt (OF). C. Bradley (2nd ) started the last half of the season and had an incredible summer. J. Bard as a starting pitcher/1st base/dh. Barthelson (starter/winning pitcher in '04 Champonship game) will either start as a pitcher or be in a regular closing role. Chris Whitley was the fourth starting pitcher last year. M. McVerry (C) started almost every game last year. New Starters include: Tyler Kirkpatrick(transfer from Indy-started as Soph) will probably take a middle infield spot. M. Fulginiti projects as outfielder(RF). C. Fulginiti will probably hold down 1st. Chase Martin has to be in the starting rotation. Not sure about the remaining outfield position- up for grabs. Simmons has about 7 arms in the bull pen.(Don't know all the names) I think they'll get off to a similar start to last year- while coach Simmons figures out the pieces of the puzzle, tweaks the batting order and pitching rotation while this young team gains experience. I'll think they'll close strong and capture another NCISAA State Title.

 

the knights don't have the guy going to UNC this year or any major acc program but they do have alot of talent. maybe more than last year 1 through 9. either i or 12to6 will do a complete team preview of them in the next day or 2