Hit and Run Online

The bucs have released their 2010 schedule.  Check out the full story at The college baseball blog.  http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/01/07/east-tennessee-state-releases-2010-schedule/

Yahoo sports is reporting that cuban left hander Aroldis Chapman has signed a 5 year 30 million dollar deal with a National League team believed to be the Reds.  Does this mean I can start wearing my Reds hat again?..Probably not

Any baseball fan over the age of 35 remembers the HAWK, Andre Dawson and his career with the Montreal Expos.  On Wednesday he was elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame.  Congrats to the Hawk.   Full story can be found here: http://community.baseballhall.org/Page.aspx?pid=329

Click on my product  page located at the top right of this page and check out my new book, “Have Bat will Travel”.  For baseball coaches, and parents, of all age groups.  Get your copy TODAY!!

Check out the full story from the Daily news below.

http://www.middlesborodailynews.com/pages/full_story?page_label=news_sports&id=2349330-Jackets+rout+Barbourville+to+win+first+13th+Region+All+%E2%80%98A%E2%80%99+title&widget=push&instance=lead_story_left_column&article-Jackets%20rout%20Barbourville%20to%20win%20first%2013th%20Region%20All%20‘A’%20title%20=&open=&

The Middlesboro Yellow Jackets continued their hot-hitting ways in Florida Friday, but fell victim to a big inning and dropped a 10-8 decision to Pedro Menendez High.

Middlesboro went 2-1 on the Florida trip with one rainout. Coach Billy Powell said it was an encouraging week as the Jackets had only played one game before facing Sunshine State teams in the middle of their season.

“Overall I feel real good about it,” the coach said. “We made some great strides and proved — to ourselves as much as everyone else — that we can be a pretty good team.”

Friday the Jackets were rolling right along behind starting pitcher Matt Cox. They scored three runs in the first, two in the second and led 6-0 after Jake Partin stole home in the fourth inning.

Cox had allowed just one run and one hit through four but tired in the bottom of the fifth. Menendez took advantage of an error and scored six runs on five hits to take a 7-6 lead.

The Jackets took advantage of a pair of errors in the sixth to go back out in front 8-7.

Scott Mason, who had come on to pitch out of a jam in the fifth, couldn’t hold the lead in the sixth as Menendez got to him for three runs on two hits, two walks and an error.

Alex Pratt got the final three outs, but the Jackets couldn’t get anything going in the seventh and lost 10-8.

“We had a bit of a setback tonight, it’s dissapointing,” Powell said. “We had opportunities to put the game away after going up 6-0. We had some baserunning mistakes and a couple of defensive lapses.”

Evan Womack led the Middlesboro offense with three hits, including a double. He drove in a run and scored one.

Mason went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI and three runs scored. Brett Pittman singled, drove in two runs and scored one. Hunter Adams, Josh Branham, and Holden Moyers all had one hit each. Partin scored two runs, including that steal of home, and Eddie Gilbert also had a run scored.

On the mound Cox went 4-2/3 innings while giving up seven runs on six hits. He walked five and struck out three. Mason surrendered three runs on two hits and two walks over 1/3 of an inning with a strike out and Pratt retired all three batters he faced with one strikeout.

“We’ve had good performances from out pitchers (this week) and our hitting has improved greatly,” said Powell. “Hopefully we’ve learned from it and it will help us to get better.”

The Jackets (2-2) host Pineville Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the opening round of the 13th Region All “A” Classic.

— — —

Middlesboro 320 102 0 — 8 9 2

Pedro Menedez 000 163 x — 10 8 4

Cox, Mason (5), Pratt (6) and Branham; Dooley, CPiagno (3), SPiagno (4), Godwin (4). W—Godwin. L — Mason (0-1).

Coach Billy Powell returns to the helm of the Jacket baseball team in 2009.  Here is his 2009 season outlook:

  With starters returning at every position and the addition of a couple of newcomers who should make an impact, the yellow jackets are hoping to improve on their 12-17 mark of last year.  Josh Branham, a 3 year starter, returns at catcher.  With good throwing skills he will anchor the defense.  First Base duties will be shared by senior Scott Mason and junior Alex Pratt.  Mason, 6′2″ and a former shortstop, should provide a large target and a good glove for the Jackets.  Pratt will provide some pop in the lineup when at first base. Second Base will be manned by senior Holden Moyers.  The speedy 2nd baseman is solid defensively and a constant threat when on base.  He will be pushed by Evan Womack.  A transfer, returning home to Middlesboro after 2 years in South Carolina,  Evan brings a potent stick and if he improves defensively, could really push Moyers for the  job. 

     Shortstop will probably be manned by freshman Thomas Epperson.  A solid glove and arm, Thomas has a great deal of “moxie” for a freshman.  He will get better as the season progresses.  Third Base will be handled by senior and 3 year starter Brett Pittman.  His strong arm makes him ideal for 3B and he is definitely one of the top players in the 13th region.  He will be capably supported by Matt Cox, a sophmore who played outfield for the Jackets last year. Both Matt and Brett will be in the pitching rotation and play third.

     The outfield will be anchored by Jake Partin.  A 2yr starter, Jake is also one of the top players in the 13th region as well as this part of the state.  A 5 tool player, Jake has power, speed, and a great arm.  He will be helped by 2yr starter Eddie Gilbert and Kendall Ferguson in Left, and Hunter Adams in right.  Hunter, a football standout has an incredible upside.  He possesses great power and speed.  Eddie is solid defensively and is a leader for the jackets on and off the field.  Kendall has a strong arm and will spend time on the mound this season. 

     Pitching for the Jackets should be one of their strong suits.  They will be led by Brett Pittman.  Possessing a mid to upper 80’s fastball, an excellent change, and a sharp curveball.  The senior righty may very well be the top pitcher in the region.  He will be aided by lefty Alex Pratt.  Alex has picked up a couple of mph on his curveball and should also be one of the top pitchers in the region.  The other  spots in the rotation will be filled by Ferguson, Cox, and Mason.  Each one throws in the low 80’s and has an excellent change.  Ferguson and Mason both have good  movement and Cox throws a sharper curve. 

Good luck to the Jackets this baseball season!!

Bell County High School is a local school in my area.  Coach John Smith will have a strong club this year and should be one of the favorites to win the Region.  Here is their 2009 baseball season outlook:

Ichiro Suzuki snapped a 3-3 tie with a 2 run single in the top of the 10th inning.  Japan repeats as world baseball classic champs with a 5-3 win over korea.  Dice-k also repeated as MVP.  I know the wbc has taken a beating in the media.  But I love it!  The emotion the fans for both teams showed made for a great game!  Japan has a classic model for a fantastic baseball team.  Pitchers throw strikes.  Great closer.  Defense makes the fundamental play.  Hitters put the ball in play.  Baseball coaches of all levels take note!!!

Folks , I gotta tell ya, I LOVE watching the WBC.  It’s awesome watching the passion the players and the fans have for the sport.  Gets me fired up!  Here are some updates:

Pool A

Korea 14 ; China 0.   china eliminated

Korea 1; Japan 0.  Instant classic!   Korea wins pool A

Pool B

Cuba vs Australia @ 10pm tues.   Winner qualifies

Pool C

Italy 6, Canada 2.  Canada eliminated

Italy vs Venezuela @ 5pm Tues. Loser elimiated.  Winner plays USA wednesday @ 6:30

Pool D

Puerto Rico 3, Netherlands 1.   Puerto Rico qualifies

Dominican Republic vs. Netherlands @ 6:30 Tues.   Loser eliminated