29 replies to this topic

[yoyoallstar]

Hows the team looking this year...from what i hear they only lost acouple players from last years team???

[chuckfinster]

O yes it's almost that time (not) however, this years team should be even better than last years 11-9 team. The team only lost 3 seniors and only one of those players was a every day starter in right field. This years team has matured and I expect a solid ball club with some very tough pitching

Edited by chuckfinster, 02 October 2007 - 07:51 PM.

[mrclutch]

DJ should be a NWC contender this year. Do they have a true #1 pitcher? Do they have quality at all 9 spots? Why didn't they play in the ACME tournament last summer? One would have to favor LCC in the conference though ... you have to beat Kottenbrock.

[chuckfinster]

DJ should be a NWC contender this year. Do they have a true #1 pitcher? Do they have quality at all 9 spots? Why didn't they play in the ACME tournament last summer? One would have to favor LCC in the conference though ... you have to beat Kottenbrock.

Yes, I agree with you mrcluth that Jefferson if they play to full potential then they will be a contender. As for a true #1 pitcher I don't really think they have one, however, I believe we could find out who that is as the up coming season approaches. They have from what I think a pretty solid infield and outfield. The team didn't play in the ACME tournament from what I heard in PCL country because they didn't have enough. They had 4-5 out for basketball and 3-4 out playing legion ball. As for Kottenbrock, he is a very good pitcher I do agree I got the chance to watch him play last spring and he is very talented.

[mrclutch]

Who else has a lot returning in the NWC? I saw Paulding had a good summer. I think LCC lost a lot of offense. I watched Grove in the ACME tournament and they seemed better than I thought they'd be. Bluffton was unable to field a team, Spencerville won their ACME district, and Allen East had a good record this summer.

[chuckfinster]

I see LCC, Jeffcats, Ada, and Paulding running for the tittle this year. LCC as mentioned before has a great pitcher in kottenbrock with good team offense. Jefferson has a talented and expierenced pitching core to go along with some solid hitting, they just need to work on cutting down some errors. Ada has as everyone knowes a great catcher in Dysert, but i dont no if they have any more pitching after losing last years ace. Then, there's Paulding who was a solid club last year with good pitching, defense and hitting. I look for those teams to be at top. What players stand out to you Mr. Clutch to really help thier teams this year?

Edited by chuckfinster, 08 October 2007 - 08:43 PM.

[marbletowner]

I think Jefferson has a great shot at it from watching their ACME team and the offense that they showed without their top players who were playing legion ball. They just need to get a good pitching rotation that would suit the great pitchers that they have, maybe let them pitch deeper in the game since they have so many good pitchers.

[chuckfinster]

I think Jefferson has a great shot at it from watching their ACME team and the offense that they showed without their top players who were playing legion ball. They just need to get a good pitching rotation that would suit the great pitchers that they have, maybe let them pitch deeper in the game since they have so many good pitchers.

I could not agree more with you marbletowner. They played good ball in ACME and from what I saw the other players really helped out the Van Wert legion team. Like you said I don't really understand the pitching philosophy if someone could explain it to me then i'm sure it will make sense to me. However, untill they do I dont see why the left handed kid Joseph pitches almost every game but only 2 innings. If he goes a whole game or until he can then come in with a closer they will be tough. Same goes as if Fisher, Miller, Rahrig, or Gerdeman kid pitches.

Edited by chuckfinster, 08 October 2007 - 09:01 PM.

[marbletowner]

Well from what i hear the Gerdeman kid doesnt pitch but the rest of them are pretty darn good pitchers. Well I'm off to the old bar tonight.

[chuckfinster]

Whoops.... must have my names mixed up again. HAHA!! Well, looks like i may see you up there nothing like a glass of milk at a bar with corn chips.

[gonemad]

The Cats will have solid pitching fo sure.Joseph, Rahrig, Fisher, Miller, Antalis & Carder could pitch for anyone and Jettinghoff, Clarkson & Hessling can come in for an inning or two. The infield should be fairly set with Kraning behind the plate and Jettinghoff as his back-up, Hessling, Rahrig, Gerdeman & Wilkins at first. Miller & Bastion at 2nd. Schuerman at SS. Rahrig, Fisher & Miller at 3rd. The outfield won't be a weakness either with the likes of Joseph, Antalis, Menke, Carder, Jettinghoff, Gerdeman & Wilkins. I could see a lineup like.....

SS Schuerman
LF Joseph
CF Miller
3B Fisher
1B Hessling
C Kraning
RF Antalis
P Rahrig
2B Bastion

That leaves Carder, Gerdeman, Menke, Jettinghoff, Wilkins, Kortokrax, Clarkson, Wallenhapt as more than capable replacements. I'm looking forward to the baseball season the Cats might have but there's still the rest of football season & all of basketball season to get through healthy yet.

Edited by gonemad, 09 October 2007 - 07:59 AM.

[DSJforever]

The Cats will have solid pitching fo sure.Joseph, Rahrig, Fisher, Miller, Antalis & Carder could pitch for anyone and Jettinghoff, Clarkson & Hessling can come in for an inning or two. The infield should be fairly set with Kraning behind the plate and Jettinghoff as his back-up, Hessling, Rahrig, Gerdeman & Wilkins at first. Miller & Bastion at 2nd. Schuerman at SS. Rahrig, Fisher & Miller at 3rd. The outfield won't be a weakness either with the likes of Joseph, Antalis, Menke, Carder, Jettinghoff, Gerdeman & Wilkins. I could see a lineup like.....

SS Schuerman
LF Joseph
CF Miller
3B Fisher
1B Hessling
C Kraning
RF Antalis
P Rahrig
2B Bastion

That leaves Carder, Gerdeman, Menke, Jettinghoff, Wilkins, Kortokrax, Clarkson, Wallenhapt as more than capable replacements. I'm looking forward to the baseball season the Cats might have but there's still the rest of football season & all of basketball season to get through healthy yet.

I see this for DJ:

SS Schuerman
LF Joseph (Antalis when Joseph is pitching)
CF Menke (Possibly Antalis, Carder, or Gerdeman)
RF Gerdeman/Carder
3B Fisher
1B Wilkins
C Kraning
2B Miller

Rumor is Wallenhaupt and Jettinghoff might not be playing. There will be a lot of talent on the team with a good pitching staff. If they get consistent we are going to have our hands full with them again this year.

[chuckfinster]

I heard the same thing about the Wallenhaupt kid but not Jettinghoff. If Jettinghoff doesn't go out this year it truly will be a big lose. The kid is a solid athlete, who is a good catcher and carries a nice bat with him too.

[yoyoallstar]

In my opinion the line up will most likely go like this:

SS Schuerman
P Joseph
2B Miller
3B Fisher
C Kraning
LF/RF Gerdeman
CF Menke(hit for by Bastian)
1B Wilkin
LF/RF Antalis

B Rahrig
B Carder
B Hessling

Of course they would have many different line ups because it all depends on who is pitching.

[chuckfinster]

My lineup would go:
1) SS Aaron Shuerman
2) LF/CF Damon Joseph
3) 2nd/3rd Josh Miller
4) P Sean Fisher
5) C Adam Kranning
6) RF/LF Matt Gerdeman
7) CF/LF Matt Antalis
8) 1 Chris Wilkin
9) 2nd/3rd Mike Rahrig

The lineup would change depending who is pitching. DSJforever how's St. Johns going to be after loosing an AMAZING pitcher Nick Johnson to graduation. Who's the ace? How's it going to look there?

[gonemad]

Michael, Bill, & Josh Menke all lacked consistency at the plate last year, and we'll have to see how Damon & Menke heal, but offensively the Cats look very solid on paper. Aaron hit the ball well last year with not a whole lot to show for it. Cory came on as one of the better clutch hitters late. Sean, Josh & Mathew all had good years at the dish & Craig may suprise a lot of people with his skills. Adam progressed as the year went on and became a solid backstop with some pop in his bat. I hadn't heard about JJ not playing and I'll belive it when I see it. All in all the Jeff-Cats have a nice mix of speed, power, pitching and defense. Like I said, I'm looking forward to the Jefferson baseball season.


As for the Jays.......... They'll rely heavily on Taylor Bowersock and Bob Koester. I would have put Nate Webb in there as well but we'll have to see how his broken wrist heals. I wouldn't be suprised to see Brandon Hemker eat up some innings as well. I think the Jays will lean heavily on their Freshman class too. Bergfeld, Leininger, Pohlman, Bockey and others might see considerable time for the Jays.

[bruno82]

I thought Kraning had a heart problem?? That was why he quit football from what I understand.

[DSJforever]

Michael, Bill, & Josh Menke all lacked consistency at the plate last year, and we'll have to see how Damon & Menke heal, but offensively the Cats look very solid on paper. Aaron hit the ball well last year with not a whole lot to show for it. Cory came on as one of the better clutch hitters late. Sean, Josh & Mathew all had good years at the dish & Craig may suprise a lot of people with his skills. Adam progressed as the year went on and became a solid backstop with some pop in his bat. I hadn't heard about JJ not playing and I'll belive it when I see it. All in all the Jeff-Cats have a nice mix of speed, power, pitching and defense. Like I said, I'm looking forward to the Jefferson baseball season.
As for the Jays.......... They'll rely heavily on Taylor Bowersock and Bob Koester. I would have put Nate Webb in there as well but we'll have to see how his broken wrist heals. I wouldn't be suprised to see Brandon Hemker eat up some innings as well. I think the Jays will lean heavily on their Freshman class too. Bergfeld, Leininger, Pohlman, Bockey and others might see considerable time for the Jays.

Who's Bill?

I thought Kraning had a heart problem?? That was why he quit football from what I understand.

Thats what I heard too but he is playing fall ball for the River Bandits.

[chuckfinster]

Yes, the Kranning kid is playing fall ball for the River Bandits. However, I didn't know he was having any heart problems.

[gonemad]

Who's Bill?

Chris Wilkin........ Sorry, I call him Bill 9 times out of 10.