High School playoffs

[rbi]

I like the double elimination. It's brutal down here with the win or go home format.

I like watchtonofsoftball's sense of humor and the ability to laugh about it. If everyone had that attitude on here, it would be much calmer, but then, I guess that's what makes Heybucket what it is....

So, backstory: Last night I was reading this post, and the "intensive" quote caught my eye. Seemed like something wasn't right...then later, watching ESPN, a commentator happened to use that phrase, and BAM, it hit me...google confirmed my suspicions...
I couldn't let it go could I?

Hey rbi, how's it going?
Have you updated your t-shirt and sweatshirt wardrobe to the new colors yet?

Walking billboard, its really bad...

[goodhands]

Not sure why you state PG is done. Do you know something no one else knows? Have underperformed for most of the year, but playoffs is a new season. Any one of the top 5 or 6 teams could beat anyone else on a given day.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Good hands....thats just it, everybody knows it! Well except for you. Everyone who knows anything about softball knows they can't hit. They haven't all year. And I stand by my comment that if they decide to HIT they can win. If they are the same team that cant get more than 2 runs, they are done! Not enough pieces on that team. Sorry!
Yah its a new season, but doesnt change what they are. Come back next week and tell me I was wrong. Just like the guy before the season started who said we should watch out for Oak Ridge and I proclaimed they would basically be a non factor because they couldnt hit. Guess what, that subject never came back up and Oak Ridge didnt make the playoffs. (I also told him to come back at the end of the season and tell me I was wrong) . A few people defended them because they have a great pitcher. However, if you cant score runs, you cant win. Pretty much the same thing with PG , although I will admit its not AS bad.
Art, maybe I heard it on espn while I was writing my post and subliminally wrote it down here on hey bucket, thinking I would get over on some unsuspecting bucketer. Guess not

[demash]

Watchtonofsoftball

I'm very surprised that you would rank HS teams then talk bad of a coaching staff. Your daughter must play for EG because I don't think you comment last year and the EG coaching staff was the only staff you comment/disrespected on. This coaching staff has coached in more CIF Championship games, then probably your daughter has played in. EG has weaknesses in the infield and on occasions they struggle with hitting. They are starting 2 freshman in the infield and at times they have not performed. One of them hits well and is very aggressive the other at times looks lost.

So before you disrespect a coaching staff you better know alittle more about them, and not take out your frustrations on a very good staff. I will also sign my name because Jeff Alexander is a very good friend and I will defend his him and his staff at all times. Look me up at a HS game and I will share 21 year of HS coaching with you. You will know me as I have sit in right field parking lot at every game.

Don Mashburn

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Dmash,
I know your friends with him. Not a problem. I got a chance to check out the Roseville game as had some work in the area. EG seemed to try and give the game away, hence my comments. I did not speak poorly other than to suggest they weren't trying to win against Roseville. Roseville killed themselves in that game and should have won when EG took out their #1. My dd is done and moved on, but thanks for thinking I'm a disgruntled parent. I call it how I see it. If you watched the Roseville game you'd understand why they need to get out of their own way. If your next comment is they needed to get their #2 pitcher some work, then I would still laugh at you as #1 will pitch the entire playoffs. So the strategy didnt make sense. Roseville squeezing twice was awful as well. There now Roseville and EG coaches need to get out of their teams way
And since when you being friends with someone have anything to do with softball coaching on the field?
*Editing my own comment so as to not make personal*

[watchtonsofsoftball]

One last note. I've been going to Elk Grove based games for the past 8 years and make no mistake I'm a honk for our area teams. This includes PG and Sheldon. I have seen each program grow for a number of years. Of those teams EG has been the most consistant obviously as Sheldon and PG are relatively new schools. So your assumption that I dont respect what EG's coach has done over a number of years is completely wrong. My comment was almost a tongue and cheek comment based on one game I saw some questionable moves leading into the playoffs.

[#1fann]

DeMash, I believe that Watchtons is definitely aligned with the former fire&ice now ladymagic crowd and is either, or both, a Sheldon/St. Francis guy. That said, i totally agree with the Sheldon prognostication, they are gonna be tough to beat. Johansen was very overrated, stellar defense, below average pitching, and anemic bats, but then again, Carda makes alot of bats anemic. If they were in the Delta River league, they wouldn`t have even made the playoffs. I was very disappointed with Vacaville`s coach and the St. Francis fans along the right field line. They have no place in the game of softball, or in having a hand in parenting/ mentoring these girls. As for the other divisions, i still believe that Del Oro has a decent shot at coming out of the losers bracket, they were stunned after their loss yesterday, but have the ability to rebound. Roseville/Casa Roble matchup should be good. In DIII, Rodriguez is no question the class of that division. I`m kinda shocked that Whitney was disrespected, their lefty has a shot at slowing down the Mustangs. The key to beating Rodriguez is keeping the top 2 hitters off base, easier said than done, but do that and Whitney will win that ballgame. For all "intensive purposes", that`s all for now. Good luck to all the young ladies, travel ball is just around the corner, hope your credit cards are paid up!

[rbi]

#1fann, thanks for the 411. I am glad we finally have an expert's opinion on here.


Way to go out on a limb with Sheldon, shoot with that draw they might as well told Sheldon to show up on Tuesday night. Besides that, Sheldon got knocked out of Nor Cal Classic by Consumes Oaks, and knocked out of Stampede by Mitty, so even though they have the easiest path, its far from being a easy road come Tuesday, Wednesday..

[#1fann]

Nice reply rbi! You complain about Sheldon`s draw? If your team would have won their league they would have had a #1 draw also. I`m certainly not a Sheldon fan, but i do recognize talent. My god, they won what was arguably the toughest league in the country! Do you think they should have had a tougher draw? In case you didn`t know, the high school game isn`t all about pitching anymore. Sheldon`s lineup is tailor made for hitting against that 43ft distance. Their team, more than any other in the section benefited from that change. When the rest of the hitting coaches start teaching hitters to load up instead of just slapping, you`ll see other teams catch up. The only teams with a remote chance of stopping them are the aces from PG and EG. Your team must be from somewhere in the southern part of the section, good luck next year! The Elk Grove teams are gonna be down for the next few years unless they can get some "transfers" in.

[rbi]

Nice reply rbi! You complain about Sheldon`s draw? If your team would have won their league they would have had a #1 draw also. I`m certainly not a Sheldon fan, but i do recognize talent. My god, they won what was arguably the toughest league in the country! Do you think they should have had a tougher draw? In case you didn`t know, the high school game isn`t all about pitching anymore. Sheldon`s lineup is tailor made for hitting against that 43ft distance. Their team, more than any other in the section benefited from that change. When the rest of the hitting coaches start teaching hitters to load up instead of just slapping, you`ll see other teams catch up. The only teams with a remote chance of stopping them are the aces from PG and EG. Your team must be from somewhere in the southern part of the section, good luck next year! The Elk Grove teams are gonna be down for the next few years unless they can get some "transfers" in.

Again, thanks for the advice I will be sure to work on that. BTW, you can give me a head start, how do you teach "load up"?