63 replies to this topic

[shark]

which teams should the others look out for to make a run in the pcl........... predictions?

[FrOnT RoW JOE]

Kalida is definately a favorite to win it...Ottoville I am sure will be a decent team because they usually are...I am just hoping that coach Miller can successfully turn Continentals program around...He is knowledgeable about the game and has been working very hard at turning the program over but it has been very hard to do with the lack of dedication to the sport....that is somewhat a result of many many poor seasons in a row now...Good Luck!

[labatts69]

I would have to say Kalida is the favorite and probably O-ville, Jennings, and Grove being the other contenders. Not sure what Leipsic, MC, or Pandora are bringing this year to the table. C-town will depend on how well their pitching and fielding can do this year. I think they will score runs but just keeping the other team from scoring off of mental errors will be key to them. I agree with you Joe, Coach Miller has turned the program around nicely compared to what it was a few years back. Hopefully we can get the younger kids interested so they pick up a glove before March!!

[FullCourtPress]

what players does continental have comming back and where do they play?

FCP

[FrOnT RoW JOE]

Nik Louiselle will be their number one pitcher, Ben Miller will catch and play short, Dustin Ladd third base may even pitch some...these are I think the only positions filled as of yet...hopefully David Burke will go out and he can play left field maybe even a little second base....Scott Keck can play second base, first base, maybe even outfield also pitch a little if you need strikes...Derek Simon hopefully goes out and can play a little first and maybe catch

[labatts69]

Nik Louiselle will be their number one pitcher, Ben Miller will catch and play short, Dustin Ladd third base may even pitch some...these are I think the only positions filled as of yet...hopefully David Burke will go out and he can play left field maybe even a little second base....Scott Keck can play second base, first base, maybe even outfield also pitch a little if you need strikes...Derek Simon hopefully goes out and can play a little first and maybe catch

Joe, Dustin played primarily in the OF last year and doubt he will play third as they have few outfielders returning. They already have plenty of infielders in Keck, Louiselle, Mansfield, Miller, and Lleywellen (spelling). Returning pitchers are Louiselle, Mansfield, Miller, and Lleywellen. I have heard that Burke and Simon are not going out. If they do Burke will probably be in the outfield and Simon would be out there also and could fill in at catcher and 1st. I have heard we have some freshman coming out that could help fill in some gaps. I could see Ladd filling in at catcher if Miller is not there but I don't think at third. Hopefully the numbers keep growing so we have some choices for the future.

[FrOnT RoW JOE]

thats were I personally think Ladd is best at because it takes alot to be a third baseman and hes IMO the best one other than Miller that can stop a hard hit ball that way...I actually ALMOST wouldnt consider anyone else their..but thats just me...but being short on outfielders coach may have no choice..maybe put llewllyn there..

Edited by FrOnT RoW JOE, 19 January 2007 - 12:38 PM.

[Dr. Hibbert]

Joe, you are right about the dedication thing. However, it is hard to be dedicated to baseball and BASKETBALL in Continental. "NO WAY" can a kid go throw in the gym on a weekend during basketball season. But it is ok for that same kid to be in the gym shooting hoops during baseball season...go figure. "NO WAY" can I figure out that logic. I guess when coaches have to dip from the same talent pool there is "NO WAY" they can share < <<< SARCASM ALERT !!! Did I mention.... "NO WAY?"

Edited by Dr. Hibbert, 19 January 2007 - 10:56 PM.

[FullCourtPress]

Derek Simon hopefully goes out and can play a little first and maybe catch

If my memory serves me correctly, didnt he also play outfield?

[GoBlue08]

Yes, Derek Simon did play outfield I believe LF I think and I also believe that he should play. It is his Senior year and why not finish it off that way. I know he has played every year of little league and up I believe he should just finish it and help his teammates out.

[FrOnT RoW JOE]

Hibb I agree it is hard no doubt....that is the problem when you have a small school and not a good baseball prgram for years...I think with the people we have working with baseball and softball we will have a nice program going in a couple years and have a few more interested baseball....I just hope Miller dont give up and is in for the long haul....we had a decent coach in Steffan and since he didnt get the teaching job (he should have gotten) he left...

[labatts69]

If my memory serves me correctly, didnt he also play outfield?

Yes he did as my post had mentioned. He played mainly right with a little left if memory serves me correctly.

[GoBlue08]

Yes that is correct.

[Dr. Hibbert]

Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in the fact that the kids are ALWAYS in the gym hooping it up - no matter what season it is? But they cannot be throwing during basketball season? We will never have a strong baseball program in Continental if this persists.

[labatts69]

Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in the fact that the kids are ALWAYS in the gym hooping it up - no matter what season it is? But they cannot be throwing during basketball season? We will never have a strong baseball program in Continental if this persists.

I have heard it is starting to be the opposite in places like Kalida. They are hitting in indoor cages during the off season. Bottom line is one has a better chance of playing baseball in college than basketball. Tell me the last one from the area to make it to the NBA let alone D1 basketball?? I can name at least 4 that have in baseball.

[Dr. Hibbert]

Labatts, O-G's coach told me how many kids his program had put into D I college as baseball players - I can't recall the exact number but it was fairly impressive. Basketball on the other hand, only the Pollitz brothers. I just wish that the coaches would loosen up and let the kids do both. Oh well, what are ya gonna do?

Edited by Dr. Hibbert, 20 January 2007 - 10:38 PM.

[bbdad]

It's not hard to see why baseball has never achieved the success, in terms of participation and skill level, that basketball has in the county. A lot of kids are going to see the glory given to those who play hoops - 1000-2000 fans for bkball vs. 10-20 for baseball. More press, better prestige, etc.

What's going to change it? I've written about this in other posts but it isn't hard to see:

Start them young. You have to have strong youth programs that play more than 12 games a summer.

Travel ball helps bring up the skill level

Clinics in the county would help.

Indoor facilities for year round practice for those who want to play.

Experienced coaches who have played beyond high school or who run a better practice than infield practice and everyone stand around and hit.

Promotion of the games - find something to bring people out.

More Saturday games when parents can come out.

[labatts69]

I must say, I like your insight into the game. Like you mentioned it is hard to get kids involved when the hoops program is doing such a successful job. It is always more fun when you are winning. I know coach Miller and his staff are trying hard to turn that around at C-town and get to the winning ways of the hoops program.

[Dr. Hibbert]

What if a kid wanted to go to the gym and throw a couple of days a week but his hoops coach says "no way? " But the same coach expects that same kid to be in the gym playing basketball during baseball season....things that make you go hmmmmm............My point is that coaches can't have it both ways.

Good points about the youth programs being better coached (not just dad coaching so Jr. gets to play). I know Continental's little league coach gets more out of less than most coaches could. But still, playing untill the Fourth of July weekend doesn't get it done; maybe a fall league or weekend tournaments would be beneficial.

[bbdad]

My point is that coaches can't have it both ways.

Good points about the youth programs being better coached

I think people need to look at it another way; let the basketball kids play hoops and then play baseball when they can. Your baseball program will be made, however, with the non-basketball players. I realize in the small schools the basketball players are sometimes the school's best athletes. They usually only make up half your baseball players, however.

HS coaches would be better served if they would recognize their non-basketball players and make them the leaders of your baseball team. Even if they aren't the best players. It is those leaders that will encourage other kids to throw, hit and lift in the off season.

Another thing is that youth coaches, parents, etc. HAVE to get away from this parochial town ball attitude. The goal should be to improve the skills of players county-wide, not just in the indvidual towns. County-wide travel ball would help. You can still have town ball in the middle of the week and travel on the weekends. If the county can have a competitive Legion team in HS they can have a competitive travel team at the lower ages. I can tell you from my sons' experiences that travel ball makes for better players. Better competition leads to better players.

If it is legal in Ohio, HS coaches should have combined (all coaches) or separate baseball clinics or day-camps in the summer. Where I live, half the HS coaches have clinics that they and their programs make money on. Some of them are one day, three day, week long half days or two week half days. It can improve the level of play a little, make the coaches and programs some money and most importantly, encourage interest in the kids. Bring in some college coaches or minor leaguers on their off days from Dayton or Toledo or Ft. Wayne to make some cash. They would do it for the money.

Have a clinic for the youth coaches. A number of them could probably use some instruction.

Do the baseball teams hold any fundraisers during basketball or soccer? Do you sell old high school jerseys, or hats or anything like that at the basketball or soccer games? It could help to pay for new uniforms. A number of the minor league or major league teams sponsor ticket sales that can profit organizations. How about a Contintental High School day at Fort Wayne Wizards? You could sell tickets, spark interest, etc. It could be a Putnam County Little League day. I know from experience that kids eat that up. The minor league teams let the kids come on the field, meet the players, run the bases, etc.

You could sponsor small travel team tournaments to make money. There could be a Putnam County baseball association that promotes baseball. Gene Stech or Chad Ehrnsberger could talk to kids, tell them that pro baseball is a possibility.

But it has to start with the little kids. Why can't it happen in Putnam County?