Auburn High School Claims 6A Title with 13-3 Win

May 15, 2009

The Auburn High School Tigers won an impressive victory over Oxford High School to claim the Alabama 6A State Championship. Coach Matt Cimo relied on a soft lefty to keep the Yellow Jacket bats quiet in Game 2 and it worked to perfection. Junior southpaw Andrew Eiland kept Oxford off stride for six innings until his teammates could put it away with their bats. The lefty's fastball would frustrate the Yellow Jacket hitters all day.

Eiland got plenty of help from his teammates at the plate. The Tigers were led by a couple of impressive sophomores - Tanner Cimo and Grant Massey. The two hit every ball hard and found themselves on base most of the afternoon.

The Tigers got out of the gate quickly with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. They would add one in the third, three in the fifth and put the game away in a ten run rule with five runs in the bottom of the fifth. All that remained as the dogpile at home plate.

Mike Good's Cardiac Kids

May 15, 2009

Wow! They have done it all year, but it doesn't help the heart rate of their coaching staff. Mike Good's cardiac kids captured the Alabama 3A State Crown today, but it wasn't easy. It began last night while trailing the Trinity Wildcats 2-6 in the top of the seventh inning. The Madison Academy Mustangs won in their cardiac fashion 7-6 to leave a stunned Trinity crowd wondering what had just happened.

Game 2 started as though the Mustangs would walk away with it and even had a chance to run rule the Trinity High School team with a run in the fourth inning, but came up a little short at 8-1. The Wildcats would not go without a fight and with the aid of a few walks in the top of the sixth inning came roaring back to tie the score at 8-8. Ben Seabrook (MVP) relieved starting pitcher Drew Mobley, who had been dominant until the sixth when he got into trouble with walks, in the sixth inning and shut the Wildcats down in the top of the seventh. The stage was set for another come dramatic finish. With one out and runners at second and third the a SAC fly into right field was all it took to seal the deal and a season the Mustangs won't soon forget.

American Christian Academy Wins 2A Crown
May 14, 2009


Coach Matt Moore's American Christian Patriots came away with an impressive sweep of Lexington High School today. The Patriots threw up 11 runs in five innings to walk away with the coveted "blue trophy". They were led by an impressive sophomore pitcher - Dillon Williams. Williams dominated the Lexington hitters in closing out yesterday's Game 1 and then again in Game 2. His 80-82mph fastball and 62-64mph slurve was just too much for the Lexington hitters. Williams worked both games off spotting his fastball to both sides of the plate, while using his slurve as an out pitch.


Two other young Patriots caught our eye during the series - sophomore Eric Hall (OF) and freshman Landon Fancher (RHP). Both are quality prospects and players to watch closely the next two years to see how they develop. Hall hit in the lead off spot for ACA in both games and showed good pitch selection, while controlling the bat well. He also showed nice speed that translates well in the field and at the plate. Fancher pitched in Game 1 and showed nice mound presence, while locating a 78-80mph fastball. He has a nice pitchers frame and shows some projection in his frame.


Congratulations to the Patriots!

Hartselle at 50-9 Wins Their Seventh State Title
May 14, 2009

With the series now even at 1-1 Hartselle Skipper William Booth went again with a seasoned veteran on the mound in Garrett Turrentine. The large right hander has mastered a change that can buckle the knees. Add an 81-84mph fastball to the mix and 68mph curve ball and he can dominate a team. The big boy did exactly that as the Tigers cruised into their seventh state championship and extended their single season win record to 50 wins.
Briarwood tried to match Turrentine with sophomore Logan Crook. The young sophomore can run his fastball up to 84-85mph, but struggled with his command in this outing and the Hartselle lineup quickly struck for a lead in the top of the second inning that they would never relinquish. Luke Bole sealed the deal with his 20th home run this season to plate 3 more RBI and a 4-0 Hartselle lead.

Coach Lee Hall and the Briarwood Patriots have a lot to be proud of this season. The team never rolled over and made a run in the bottom of the seventh that put the outcome in question for awhile. They were one of two teams to make it to Montgomery in the 5A classification. Few expected them to be here, but they proved they deserved to be here and with the young talent we saw on the field expect to see them back before long.

The Hartselle win brought William Booth's all-time winning record up to 775 wins!

Hartselle Calls on Their G-Man
May 14, 2009

With their back against the wall Hartselle High School's skipper William Booth went to a familiar face their G-Man - Chad Girodo. He knew the Mississippi State signee had what it took to even the Alabama 5A State Championship at 1-1 against an impressive Briarwood Christian High. It was the logical move. Girodo had been tested for three years and can elevate his game. Booth was right. Girodo's bulldog mound presence and competitive spirit is impressive to watch. He can carry a game on his arm and did so in Game 2 today at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery.

The Tigers got out of the track fast scoring one in the top of the first and three more in the top of the second to hold a 4-0 lead at the end of two complete innings. It's all Girodo would need. Briarwood would strike for one in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to narrow the Tiger lead to 5-2. Hartselle would strike for two more in the sixth and one in the seventh, before Briarwood threatened with one more in the bottom of the seventh inning to close out the score at 8-3. The Hartselle victory even the series at 1-1 with the championship game to follow. With the win Hartselle High School set a new single season win record at 49 wins.

Report From State Championship Games

Brantley Wins Thriller in Bottom of the Eighth to Capture 1A Title

May 14, 2009

Both of these teams represented their schools and areas well. Both games were close and thrillers. The game at Riverwalk today was highlighted by several highlight reel defensive plays by both teams and come from behind offensive displays. The games was tied 7-7 after seven complete. ABS took the lead off a home run by senior Conner Brown, but it was short lived as Brantley won later in the bottom of the eight to win this year's 1A State Championship.

Both starting pitchers pitched well. ABS starter Jesse Gibson worked out of several jams early and was aided by several nice defensive plays that saved runs. Branley's starter Jerry Walker also pitched well. We also see what the Auburn football staff see's in Brantley's Anthony Gulley. He is quite an athlete and should do well catching footballs for the Tigers in the next few years.

Haleyville Wins 4A Title

May 14, 2009

It took three games, but Haleyville avenged their second place finish last year to win the Alabama 4A Title. I was unable to watch the two games today, but yesterday's game was another thriller. Several promising young players caught our eyes. Thomasville's James Williams (Jr.) pitched well and ran his fast ball up to 82mph with a nice 62mph slider that was very effective against a good hitting Haleyville team.

Haley's starting pitcher Ryan Forester was a warrior. He kept the Thomasville team off balance most of the afternoon. His fastball sat upper 70's and low 80's and he spotted it well to both sides of the plate. He is a bulldog on the hill.

American Christian Takes Game One in 2A Opener

May 14, 2009

American Christian won a hard fought 4-3 opener against a gritty Lexington team. ACA's starter freshman Landon Fauncher pitched well through five innings, but got into some trouble in the sixth. Dillon Williams (soph.) woked ACA out of the jam and closed things out in the seventh inning. Several of ACA's young players caught our eyes including Fauncher and Williams. Shortstop Andy Cooke (Soph.) and outfielder Eric Hall (Soph.) both played well. Reports will be forthcoming on several of these young men.

Bracewell Wins Bulldogs Fight Against Future Teammate Bole

May 14, 2009

Ben Bracewell may well have pitched his best game of the year last night against Hartselle Tigers as he came away with a tough 2-1 win. He held a very good hitting team to only three hits and one earned run. But his future teammate at Mississippi State Luke Bole pitched a one hitter and lost! Both young men should be proud of their performances. They threw well as expected and the 1500-2000 fans enjoyed every pitch.

Briarwood earned their two runs by playing small ball. The Patriots would strike first in the first inning plating one run. They would add another in the fourth inning on a throwing error to third base by Hartselle's catcher. It's all Bracewell would need, but it wasn't without suspense. Hartselle pushed the hard throwing righty in the bottom of the seventh and scored one run, while leaving two on base at the end of the game.

Briarwood definitely won the winners seat, but still have an uphill battle against a strong Hartselle pitching staff. They will have to beat their second Mississippi State LHP in game two tomorrow in Chad Girodo. If Hartselle comes away win a win in game two General Booth has two more righties waiting their chance in Garrett Turrentine and Josh Doyle (Pensacola JC).

Playoffs Heating Up!

As we reach week three of the playoffs things are heating up. The 6A north has been a war zone this year and Grissom seems to have the upper hand for the moment. The Coach Adam Moseley and Tigers have had an uphill battle though in beating a tough Sparkman team in week one and then last inning heroics over Austin this past week. Sparkman was a challenge for them, but lacked the pitching depth to overcome Grissom's hitting. Austin had the pitching and hitting, but just came up short giving up two last inning home runs to lose to the Tigers in heart breakers. Grissom will have their hands full with Oxford this weekend. Oxford brings in two power pitchers in Trey Pilkington (Alabama signee) and freshman Tucker Simpson. Both have upper 80's velocity and can pitch. They should match up well with Grissom's Dillon Ortman, Jonathan Black and Kyle Jeter (UAH). Grissom has an edge in pitching depth with Grant Bush and Alex Luna out of the pen, but at this stage its any body's game and which team wants it the most. One thing is for sure it will be a wild day at Grissom High School this Friday afternoon when these two meet again.

The central 6A race has been almost as exciting and Rick Davis has his defending state champion Hoover Bucs peaking at the right time again. The Bucs had impressive series against a tough Hillcrest team this past weekend, but dominated the series final on Saturday. Their pitching has been enough to get wins behind Robby Lilly (Jacksonville State), Steven Glasgow (Shelton State) and Dylan Breeding. But Hoover's strength lies in their bats. Their offense is clicking right now led by Sam Frost (Mississippi State), junior Tyler Mims, sophomore Josh Magee and Steven Glasgow (Shelton State). The Bucs problem lies just across town in their old foe Vestavia Hills. The Rebels likewise are playing their best ball of the season and they are playing at home. If the Rebels can pitch well enough to keep the Bucs bats in check they have a chance, otherwise the Bucs could sweep them in two and wait to see who they will face the following week (Oxford or Grissom). Again, it will be the team who wants it the most and when cross town rivals are involved it is always exciting.

The team in the south to watch is Fairhope High School. The Pirate's skipper, Stuart Fuller, has a young but powerful team with power arms, strong defense and an offense that can throw up numbers in a hurry. Their foes have to be concerned about the big inning. On the hill the Pirates are lead by junior right hander Daryl Norris. Norris has a power arm and a fastball that reaches 92mph at times, but sits comfortably at 87-88mph. He compliments it well with a nice change and slider. When he is on he can dominate. Behind Norris comes sophomore Evan East, sophomore Peyton Fuller, Junior Corey Staab and junior Ashton Johnson. Offensively the Pirates can explode behind juniors Daryl Norris and Garrett Pitts; as well as sophomores Evan East and Wes Kent; freshman Jordan Ebert and seniors Dusty Baker and Adam Williams. Their next obstacle lies in a strong Mary Montgomery team who always plays the Pirates tough. There is still a lot to settle in the south end of the state in 6A. Auburn/Prattville and Mary Montgomery will not give in to the Pirates for sure, but in our opinion the south is Fairhope's to lose. They will determine their own destiny by the way they play between the lines each game.

The 5A state championship is likely to once again come through the north, but just who that representative will be is yet to be determined. If you aren't doing anything Friday afternoon and can drive to Hartselle, you should. It might be the best playoff experience in the southeast. I know that is saying a lot, but once there you will know what I mean. Many schools would dearly love to get 500 fans in their stands at this time of year. Hartselle will have over a thousand there Friday night. All of the fence area will be surrounded several layers deep and the seats will be packed. You better get there early if you want a seat. The Tiger Nation comes into the playoffs strong and Coach William Booth always has his team playing with a confident swagger. What makes this weekend's series so special is that it is against an old foe - Southside Gadsden. Who can forget the wars between these two foes in 1999, 2000 and 2001? The 1999 series may be the best high school baseball games I have ever watched (and I've seen a bunch!). This year's series will likely live up to them. Second year Southside Head Coach Blake Bone has Southside fans and players thinking championship again. To get there will be a tough road. His first step comes Friday afternoon against Hartselle. Southside is young, but talented. They do the things required to win and rarely beat themselves, because they are fundamentally sound. Hartselle has the advantage in this one with eight starting seniors who have been down the playoff road before and even more importantly is they are playing at home. The Tiger Nation can be very rowdy and can easily intimidate the unprepared. Another factor is Hartselle can hit and score runs, which makes them a difficult win because they have a lot of depth on the mound with two good southpaws Luke Bole (Mississippi State) and Chad Girodo (Mississippi State) that likely will start the first two games. There pitching depth is found in senior Garrett Turrentine, Josh Doyle (Pensacola JC) and five other underclassmen waiting patiently for their day on the mound. Many of Alabama's high school coaches will be glad to see this crop of pitchers moving on into college next year. But then there is Luke Bole and Ryan Joy to contend with at the plate who have combined for 30 home runs already this season. Southside has their work cut out for them.

If Southside can pull the upset in Hartselle things don't get any easier the following week. They will face the winner of the Cullman/McAdory season. Believe me the Bearcats have not lost a step with new Head Coach Brent Patterson. Last week's hitting display against Pleasant Grove was impressive. They score runs and a lot of them. Put senior southpaw Drew Bryson (Calhoun), or senior righty Austin Golden (Northwest Shoals) or junior right hander Chase Mallard, or sophomore righty Daniel Moore on the mound and opponents scoring becomes a problem. One thing it is difficult to do as an opponent of Cullman is to keep them from scoring runs. Behind the bats of sophomore Ben Moore, sophomore Matthew Britton, senior Kyle Haga (Calhoun), senior Chase Mathis (Wallace State), senior Drew Bryson (Calhoun), senior Austin Golden and junior Chase Mallard they are a threat to throw up big numbers on the scoreboard quickly.

While the 5A north is strong you can't rule the south out yet. St. Pauls has shown they can play and Charles Henderson has some quality players from last year's team that made it to the finals. Briarwood Christian is young, but talented and well coached. We hope to be at the Friday series against Beauregard who has played well this season. More to come on them later.

More later on 1A through 4A.

Alabama's New Crop of Baseball Coaches

A new day has dawned for Alabama baseball and the future looks bright largely due to a new promising group of young talented baseball coaches. Hopefully gone forever are the days when the high school baseball team was just another stipend opportunity for a Junior High football coach, or was pushed off on the football coach with the least seniority. Today we are seeing baseball coaches coaching baseball. The results can be seen throughout the state in greater parity among teams than ever before.


The greatest example of this might be found in northern Alabama. In an area that often was dominated by a few schools in the past has now opened up. 6A and 5A baseball in the norther part of the state has not been this strong since I returned in 1995. For years 6A baseball has been largely powered by the Birmingham and Mobile schools. The 5A state championships have largely been settled early by the winner of the Cullman and Hartselle match up. Such is no longer the case. We see the effects now as the championship brackets are narrowing, but was it was also seen in the run up to this week's series. You would have been hard pressed to have found better series anywhere in the state than the ones between Grissom and Huntsville high schools three weeks ago to settle the area championship and last week's playoff series between Austin and Grissom. They were wars and exciting to watch.


This parity is the direct result of a foundation laid years ago by dedicated baseball coaches who sought to make baseball better in Alabama. They led the way to the success we see today. Men such as the late Sammy Dunn of Vestavia Hills High School, Hartselle High's William Booth and Lloyd Skoda now at Faith Academy in Mobile, but won several state championships while at Daphne High. These men pioneered baseball in the state and made way for the likes of Rick Davis at Hoover High, Mark Mincher at Huntsville High, Tommy Youngblood at Oak Mountain, Mike Good at Madison Academy, former Cullman coach Bryan Bowen, Tony Rasmus at Russell County and Jeff Mauldin at Pelham High to raise the bar even higher.

But it is the young crop of coaches that excite me the most. Their passion and ability show signs for potential greatness in Alabama baseball as never before seen. Their success and accomplishments can already been seen - Adam Moseley of Grissom High, Fairhope's Stuart Fuller, Austin High's Jake Miles, Todd Agee at Hillcrest High in Tuscaloosa, Chris Heaps at Hartselle High, Sparkman High School's Kellen Greer, Jeff Colegrove at Etowah High, Blake Bone at Southside Gadsden, Gadsden City's Todd Lamberth, Will Smith at Spain Park and Tuscaloosa County's Chad Shannon just to name a few. These young coaches have elevated the skill of high school baseball in the state and their instruction in the game have made their players more skilled than past players.

This can only help as our young players move forward while seeking to better their game and have hopes of living out their dreams of playing college and professionally one day. My hat's off to them for their dedication in making baseball better in the state.

*(photos courtesy of Randy Felder)

Things Are Changing with Alabama High School Baseball

High school baseball in Alabama has changed and for the better. We are finally seeing a level of baseball at the high school level that is where it should be in a football crazed state. And its about time in my opinion. In the last five years things are looking better and high school baseball is improving. There are some definite reasons for this improvement.

Its starts at the bottom - youth baseball is better.

When I returned to Alabama in 1995 after stints in North Carolina and Oklahoma I was awakened to the fact that my home state was behind in developing young baseball players. The competitive comparisons in some cases were alarming. To watch the advanced skills of young players in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and California against our state was sometime embarrassing. It wasn't the kid's fault or a lack of raw skill in them, but the lack of development that was so alarming. Watching nine and ten year old players from other places turn double plays, take proper leads off bases, make reads on balls hit to the outfield, select good pitches to hit at the plate and pitch to locations wasn't uncommon. Well, at least it wasn't to them. Such wasn't the case here at home. Many of these things couldn't been seen here watching a high school game, much less a nine or ten year old game.

Yes, you could find recreation "all star" baseball teams making their runs against other states and competing within recreational organizations, but if you were to compare their "skills" on a national level they were lacking. While I lived in Oklahoma I found that there was a level of baseball at the youth level far above what many see who don't venture far from their local parks. It wasn't what is commonly referred to today as "rec ball". It is what has grown into a huge venue today and commonly referred to as "travel ball". Like it or hate it, it has helped baseball. It is not for everyone and as with any youth sport it has been abused by some. But it has been no more abusive than "rec ball" or recreational leagues. "Daddy ball", politics and player abuses can be found at all levels. It's not just found in "travel ball". While some complaints against travel ball are justifiable, others are just grievances largely associated with the effects felt by local leagues and boards. Most are just mad because their all star teams are just not as good as they used to be and admittedly they are not. The sad fact is that travel ball started because of their failures. The three most prominent are: (1) the politics behind local board's all star selection, (2) most talented players want to play with those playing at their own level and (3) most kids want to play more than ten to fourteen games a summer. All three were and are major problems in recreational sports. Let's look at all three briefly:

1. Local recreational board politics. Unfortunately politics can be found at all levels and most facets of life. There are few circumstances more abusive than when grown ups get involved in children's activities. It can bee seen each year when the selection committee meets to choose the all star team. What normally follows is what I refer to as the "my boy and the best other eight" syndrome. After "my boy" is selected I want to surround him with the best other players I can find, but so does each other board member. What normally occurs afterwards is a political compromise that often leaves out the unrepresented players. I served on a National Little League board several years ago and after several confrontational board meetings convinced them to allow the players to vote on the all star team. Each player's vote counted 50% and the coaches vote counted at 50%. The board then had the discretion to appoint two players at large to fill the team. It was the best team they ever had and they NEVER used the system again. You can judge for yourselves as to why!



2. Spreading the talent pool. There is nothing more disheartening to a talented player than to surround him with teammates who cannot play at his level. For example a shortstop who cannot make his normal hard throw to first base because the first basemen would likely eat the ball to his face instead of catching it. For this reason his talents are throttled back and his development hindered because he is not able to play to his level or be pushed to get better. When leagues draft teams they try to equalize talent so no one team dominates the league. Often teams are given two above average players and then surrounded them with players with lesser talent. While this system provides equality in league play, it does little to develop the more advanced players. There is a better way - take the advanced players out of the recreational pool into travel ball and fill the recreational teams with the players needing further help. Both will then become better players and make the game better. There is a place for all to play the game and enjoy it.



3. Fourteen games and you're done. Unfortunately, most parents become tired before the kids. I saw an eleven year old team play over 100 games one summer from May through October and then cried because the coaches would not schedule more games. No, kids don't burn out from playing baseball, but more often than not because the love of the game is taken from them. When the game is made to be fun, competitive and rewarding they will play it as long as you let them. It is when grown ups take the joy from it that they "burn out". I've heard people make the comment, "Well, his dad just burned him out on baseball by playing too many games and not letting him do other stuff!" The reality of the matter is that most often it is because someone started making the game no fun to him and burned him out, not the game of baseball or the amount of games he played. Fourteen games and you're done is generally for the convenience of the rec department and parents, not for the kids. Most want more. Where the rec departments failed the travel teams venue supplied.

Player enhancement and instruction are better.

Young players today have the advantages of development techniques that generation prior did not. Don't let any old fogey like myself tell you that the players "in my day" were better than the players today, because they were not! Players today are bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled than ages gone by. Training techniques have become advanced and sport specific, which allows today's player to reach height we never could in our generation. For example: In my era it was a huge "No, No!" for a baseball player to lift weights, because "it would tighten you up and not allow you to be flexible." In today's generation we understand that weight lifting is a huge development tool and used by high schools, colleges and the pros because they now know better. Not only has weight lifting become a necessity it has become an art that is not only sports specific, but position specific.

Today's young players also have the advantage of hitting and pitching facilities that allow them to gain better instruction of the mechanics of the game. And a tremendous advantage is that it can be done year round now and is not seasonal. With indoor facilities players can hit and throw indoors, while working on bettering themselves. They also have the advantage of good instruction from some who have mastered the art. (Disclaimer: not all facilities and instructors are created equal. And just because a person played as a professional does not mean he has the ability to teach you anything about the game. There are some excellent instructors available within our state, but likewise there are some who are more destructive than helpful. Let the buyer beware!).

Nutrition is better today than in times past and coaches are learning from it. I remember in ages gone by where all we got was a hand full of dirty ice in two-a-days and that was only when the temperature got over 90 degrees. Today's coaches have learned better and not only provide enough water to prevent dehydration, but sports drinks that get into your system quicker. Nutritionist have learned the foods that facilitate muscle growth and recovery, as well as the foods needed for energy. All of this has helped make today's athlete better and less injury prone.

Better medicine and sports saving medical procedures.

I can remember well career ending shoulder, elbow and knee injuries to friends of mine. Today's medicine not only allows for the reconstruction of joints after injury, it allows procedures to help alleviate them in the first place. One positive improvement in helping alleviating injuries was mentioned earlier - proper instruction in mechanics. It cannot be stressed enough the need to find someone knowledgeable about throwing, fielding and hitting mechanics not just to better your game, but to help avoid injury. Today's youth has many advantages in this regard. We are fortunate to have one of the nation's top sports physiologist in Huntsville, Alabama - Mark Noble. Mark has been a leader and pioneer in the sport's injury prevention field. Through his flexibility and strength testing procedures he has helped numerous athletes avoid injuries that could have hampered or ended their careers. We also have some of the nation's best orthopedic surgeons in our state including the renown William Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. Doctor Andrews has likely saved more sports careers than any person alive today and sees not only the professional athlete, but also the youth athlete alike. Both of these men are invaluable to our area and youth.

Last but not least - better high school coaches.

Today's youth are blessed with some good, knowledgeable high school baseball coaches. There was a day that Alabama high school baseball was just another stipend opportunity for the junior high school football coach. Schools were filled with men that may have known the game of football, but not much about baseball. It was a time that real baseball coaches could dominate the pack and build impressive career stats. It is not a bad reflection upon these men, because they did much to get us where we are today. The state owes a dept of gratitude to men such as Sammy Dunn and William Booth who are legends in Alabama high school baseball. They made it possible for the generation of good young baseball coaches we see in the state today. These two men's records will not soon be matched due to today's parity among schools. It will be hard to find a string of state championships to match theirs.

From north Alabama to the gulf coast high schools have hired "baseball" coaches and it shows. The game not only has gotten more competitive, it has gotten much better. I watched a high school playoff game this past week that any professional scout would have enjoyed watching, not necessarily for the individual talent level, but for the "skill" present among both team's players. They positioned themselves well, their mechanics were solid, pitchers pitched to spots, double plays were turned - they knew how to and played the game well! I came away impressed, because baseball coaches had taught the game to baseball players. Baseball has arrived in Alabama!