Not off the Press: Home run derbies and strikeouts
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
So did anyone else enjoy the weather we had on Sunday? I forgot what sunshine felt like.
OK, enough of the weather report, we have plenty of sports to talk about.
First, let's talk about two games on Saturday morning at Fairfield High School involving the Fairfield and McClain varsity baseball and softball teams.
Both of these games were good games. They were played on actual fields that high school players should play on, and that made the game better, in my opinion.
McClain baseball took over in the late innings for a 9-6 win, and the Lady Lions scored a game-winning run in the eighth inning for a 2-1 win.
I'd much rather watch a pitchers' duel where strategy comes into play than a home run derby.
Back to home run derbies later on in this column.
The games on a foggy Saturday morning began at 10 a.m. when the baseball teams began their games.
Yes, I woke up early in excitement for 10 a.m. baseball. I will watch almost any kind of baseball, at any time, but games involving two teams from Highland County always mean just a little bit more.
The baseball game had one of my favorite plays, also a rarity … a steal of home. I am pretty sure the Tigers did this last season against the Washington Blue Lions en route to their co-SCOL championship, but seeing a player steal home on a hard charge from third base never gets old.
I happened to get a photo of the stolen base as I was standing at the fence right by home plate. As the play was happening, I was getting a photo of batter Jacob Dillon, but I saw Ryan Duff running, thinking he was getting a really good lead, then he just continued to run, beating the pitch to the plate, avoiding a tag for the run that tied the game at six.
Again, I can't say enough about that play, but that is the kind of baseball I live for. I am a boring baseball fan who enjoys a good 3-2 pitchers' duel. I'm not a fan of games where each team reaches a score that could be mistaken for a football score.
Also on Saturday, the MHS-FHS softball teams had a great 2-1 battle where MHS tied it on the seventh inning on a infield miscue by the Lady Lions. FHS did win the game in extra innings, and that made the Lady Tigers' third extra-inning game of this season, which is almost at the halfway point in terms of games being played. MHS is 2-1 in their extra-inning games.
It was just a good day of baseball and softball in Leesburg, and both games just were completed before the downpours came, which made it even better.
Days like Saturday are why being a sports writer, though it may take many hours of my day, is the only job i'd ever want.
• Politics and sports metaphors
Mixing sports and politics: my biggest pet peeve is when politicians use sports sayings. For instance: Haley Barbour, a former Mississippi governor, said something to the effect of if the weekend budget deal was played on a baseball field, than the Republicans did well on their first at-bat.
Actually, he said: "You can't always get everything you want in the first time at bat. The good news is Boehner and his good Republicans have left us two more times at bat just in this inning."
AHHHHH … I honestly just want to throw a brick at my TV … I really do.
• Pitching in Highland County
The talented pitching that has shown up the past two weeks on the ball diamonds has been outstanding at times. In one day, the school of Fairfield celebrated no-hitters by Lauren Larrick and Nathaniel Miller in their respective sports. Though I was covering track and field that day, there is nothing like watching a no-hitter in person. I was lucky enough during the Legion baseball season to watch Logan Wise toss a no-no, and that is one of those games I will remember.
But, again, I am the type of baseball fan who enjoys a 3-2 game.
Two relief appearances I watched recently stand out from the baseball diamond. One was Zach Uhl of MHS against Fairfield, and the other was Ryan Doss of LC against West Union.
Uhl, as his head coach Brandon Streitenberger said following Saturday's game, has been slamming the door in his relief appearances. I can't describe it any better myself.
In the two-inning relief appearance by Doss last Wednesday at Lynchburg-Clay High School, well, he slammed the door shut and then proceeded to lock it and put a chair under the door knob.
Here is the paragraph from the game story I wrote about Doss' appearance on the hill:
"Ryan Doss returned to the mound after suffering a calf injury in the season opener. Doss, a senior right-handed pitcher, finished with four strikeouts, striking out the side in the sixth inning. Doss allowed no hits in his two innings on the mound with all hits out ending via strikeout or ground outs to the third baseman."
The senior was dominant, and from the information that was sent to me, he, again, was lights out from the mound the next day against Ripley. In that game, he pitched three innings, allowing no runs and just one hit. He struck out five batters, throwing 40 pitches in his second consecutive relief appearance coming off an injury.
I'm a fan of good pitching, and this week Highland County brought good pitching in heavy doses.
• Even more pitching talk
One pitcher that has just been completely on fire the season is Fairfield junior Lauren Larrick.
She not only has pitched a no-hitter this season (two during her varsity career), but here are her stats after seven games: 45 innings pitched, 25 hits, 12 runs, four earned runs, six walks … and 70 strikeouts.
Larrick is as dominating of a pitcher that I have seen in either baseball or softball in the five seasons I've covered sports, and I think I've seen some pretty good pitchers.
Plus, Larrick has a good catcher in Whitney Hanenkrat.
"Lauren and Whitney were both All-Southern Hills League and All-Southeast District players last year as sophomores. They do make each other better, and they both work hard every day in practice," FHS assistant coach Tom Purtell said.
She has an arsenal of at least five pitches she'll throw to hitters, and she's been productive in all types of weather.
The start the Lady Lions have had is amazing. In 2000, FHS started off 10-0, so three more wins can tie that feat. This year FHS has won close games, like on Saturday against McClain, and they have won in run-rule victories.
They are learning how to win games, many different ways.
• Varsity baseball on a Pony League diamond
One thing I'm not a huge fan of is varsity baseball being played on a field built for kids in their early teens to play on. I know field conditions aren't that great right now at the big field games are usually played on, but seeing 326-foot home runs to centerfield in varsity games just doesn't do it for me.
My guess is all the home runs hit would have stayed in the park on the big field, as that field has 40 more feet of space for a baseball to travel.
The game was Hillsboro hosting London. Though it was a game that had exciting moments and was played hard by both teams, I think if there was a big field available to have not only a varsity game, but a league game, the 15-14 score would have not been higher than when the two schools played each other in football this past fall when LHS defeated HHS, 13-9.
• High School football news
This was from the OHSAA April Board of Directors meeting: "The Board unanimously denied a proposal from the football coaches association to allow a two-week period of skill instruction in May, citing concerns over the impact it would have on other spring sports, as well as the requests that would come from other sports. However, Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross and Board President Dave Gray indicated that the OHSAA will examine the possibility of expanding the 10 days of coaching that are currently permitted during the summer period (June 1 to July 31) in all team sports."
I don't agree with the ruling, but I guess I can understand it. I know in other states bordering Ohio they are allowed to have extra practices in May, and I think their spring sports are perfectly fine.
I don't see what it can hurt because there is never a thing as too much football.
• High School soccer news
This is good news for Highland County soccer teams, which came for the April OHSAA Board of Directors meeting.
"By a 6-3 vote, the Board approved a proposal from the soccer coaches association to expand the girls’ soccer tournament to three divisions beginning this coming fall."
• High School basketball news
"The basketball coaches association made two proposals. First, that regular-season schedules be permitted to increase to 22 games. Second, that basketball coaches be permitted to provide individual skill instruction during open gym sessions, which is currently not permitted except on 10 days during the summer period (June 1 to July 31). The Board will act on the proposals during its June meeting."
My thoughts: How many more games does basketball season need? Four months not enough? There is no need for two more games.
• Cincinnati Reds baseball
It was a productive first week for the Reds, though they did lose their first series of the year to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Reds have lost three of their last four games, but that is just baseball.
One positive is Joey Votto. He's off to even a better start this season that what he had last year when he won the 2010 NL MVP.
When I went to Cincinnati last Thursday, covering the afternoon game against the Astros, the Reds did get their first loss of the year, but it wasn't like they were beat up or anything. In baseball, you have to expect losing … no team is going 162-0.
The season is early, and I see no need to panic … at least not yet.
• 10 Thoughts on high school sports
1. Will it ever stop raining so we can get a complete week's worth of games?
2. I've seen all five schools play games this season, and I honestly can't say who is the best so far after two weeks. Each team has their strengths and weaknesses. Should be interesting as the season progresses.
3. It would have been helpful if the OHSAA would have passed the 10 days of football practices in May.
4. I don't think the upcoming high school basketball season next fall needs additional games. I think 20 games is enough.
5. I'm a fan of the new hats of the Fairfield Lions baseball team.
6. The weather is starting to turn to sunshine (hopefully rain holds off), so I hope more fans start going to baseball and softball games. SCOL home baseball games are free to attend.
7. I can honestly say the HHS-LHS baseball game the other day was the first time I have seen two grand slams in the same inning. Though it was on a short field, it was still something I don't remember seeing.
8. McClain is off to a good defense of their co-SCOL championship standing at 2-0 in league play. They have a big week ahead in league play if the weather holds up.
9. Congrats to Hillsboro senior Chris Butler on his signing to play football at Wittenberg University, a Division III school a member of the NCAC conference.
10. I really want the rain to stop so we can get more games in this week.
• Stat of the Week
Whiteoak's Gage Carraher has two one-hitters this season and no wins. He has struck out 20 batters in two games this season.
• Another Stat of the Week
The Fairfield Lady Lions have scored a total of 65 runs in seven games this season. They have scored in double figures three times.
• A third (and final) Stat of the Week
The London and Hillsboro baseball teams outscored their football teams at 29-22 if you combine the scores of both games.
• Quote of the Week
"We are finally coming together as a team … we are playing as one unit. Our assistant coach Brian Williamson is doing an excellent job with the kids … I'm proud of them and how they are working together." — Krista George, head coach HHS softball
• Another Quote of the Week
"This was a great up-and-down game, and being down seven runs, Hillsboro could have easily folded tent, but they didn't. They came back and battled." — Jimmy Wolverton, head coach London baseball
• A Third (and final) Quote of the Week
"You want every month to be a good month. If you can do that, September will take care of itself. We are one step closer to the finish line, but the finish line is a long ways away. But every game you play is one step closer to it." — Dusty Baker, manager of the Cincinnati Reds
• Non-high school sports thoughts
I just read a book by Jeff Pearlman titled "The Rocket That Fell To Earth: Roger Clemens And The Rage For Baseball Immortality." This was a very interesting book on the life of Roger Clemens, and I think it was well worth reading. Plus, it didn't hurt I purchased it from a book bin at Big Lots for $2.
Pearlman writes very thorough sports books. His book on the '90s Dallas Cowboys is really good as well. If you haven't read a book by Pearlman, I suggest you do. He interviews hundreds of people for his books and leaves nothing unturned.
• One last item of business
Anyone who says golf is a boring sport didn't watch the last few holes of the Masters on Sunday. If you want drama in sports, the Masters on Sunday was full of it. I didn't see all of the holes on Sunday, but what I watched kept me on the edge of my seat.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]
OK, enough of the weather report, we have plenty of sports to talk about.
First, let's talk about two games on Saturday morning at Fairfield High School involving the Fairfield and McClain varsity baseball and softball teams.
Both of these games were good games. They were played on actual fields that high school players should play on, and that made the game better, in my opinion.
McClain baseball took over in the late innings for a 9-6 win, and the Lady Lions scored a game-winning run in the eighth inning for a 2-1 win.
I'd much rather watch a pitchers' duel where strategy comes into play than a home run derby.
Back to home run derbies later on in this column.
The games on a foggy Saturday morning began at 10 a.m. when the baseball teams began their games.
Yes, I woke up early in excitement for 10 a.m. baseball. I will watch almost any kind of baseball, at any time, but games involving two teams from Highland County always mean just a little bit more.
The baseball game had one of my favorite plays, also a rarity … a steal of home. I am pretty sure the Tigers did this last season against the Washington Blue Lions en route to their co-SCOL championship, but seeing a player steal home on a hard charge from third base never gets old.
I happened to get a photo of the stolen base as I was standing at the fence right by home plate. As the play was happening, I was getting a photo of batter Jacob Dillon, but I saw Ryan Duff running, thinking he was getting a really good lead, then he just continued to run, beating the pitch to the plate, avoiding a tag for the run that tied the game at six.
Again, I can't say enough about that play, but that is the kind of baseball I live for. I am a boring baseball fan who enjoys a good 3-2 pitchers' duel. I'm not a fan of games where each team reaches a score that could be mistaken for a football score.
Also on Saturday, the MHS-FHS softball teams had a great 2-1 battle where MHS tied it on the seventh inning on a infield miscue by the Lady Lions. FHS did win the game in extra innings, and that made the Lady Tigers' third extra-inning game of this season, which is almost at the halfway point in terms of games being played. MHS is 2-1 in their extra-inning games.
It was just a good day of baseball and softball in Leesburg, and both games just were completed before the downpours came, which made it even better.
Days like Saturday are why being a sports writer, though it may take many hours of my day, is the only job i'd ever want.
• Politics and sports metaphors
Mixing sports and politics: my biggest pet peeve is when politicians use sports sayings. For instance: Haley Barbour, a former Mississippi governor, said something to the effect of if the weekend budget deal was played on a baseball field, than the Republicans did well on their first at-bat.
Actually, he said: "You can't always get everything you want in the first time at bat. The good news is Boehner and his good Republicans have left us two more times at bat just in this inning."
AHHHHH … I honestly just want to throw a brick at my TV … I really do.
• Pitching in Highland County
The talented pitching that has shown up the past two weeks on the ball diamonds has been outstanding at times. In one day, the school of Fairfield celebrated no-hitters by Lauren Larrick and Nathaniel Miller in their respective sports. Though I was covering track and field that day, there is nothing like watching a no-hitter in person. I was lucky enough during the Legion baseball season to watch Logan Wise toss a no-no, and that is one of those games I will remember.
But, again, I am the type of baseball fan who enjoys a 3-2 game.
Two relief appearances I watched recently stand out from the baseball diamond. One was Zach Uhl of MHS against Fairfield, and the other was Ryan Doss of LC against West Union.
Uhl, as his head coach Brandon Streitenberger said following Saturday's game, has been slamming the door in his relief appearances. I can't describe it any better myself.
In the two-inning relief appearance by Doss last Wednesday at Lynchburg-Clay High School, well, he slammed the door shut and then proceeded to lock it and put a chair under the door knob.
Here is the paragraph from the game story I wrote about Doss' appearance on the hill:
"Ryan Doss returned to the mound after suffering a calf injury in the season opener. Doss, a senior right-handed pitcher, finished with four strikeouts, striking out the side in the sixth inning. Doss allowed no hits in his two innings on the mound with all hits out ending via strikeout or ground outs to the third baseman."
The senior was dominant, and from the information that was sent to me, he, again, was lights out from the mound the next day against Ripley. In that game, he pitched three innings, allowing no runs and just one hit. He struck out five batters, throwing 40 pitches in his second consecutive relief appearance coming off an injury.
I'm a fan of good pitching, and this week Highland County brought good pitching in heavy doses.
• Even more pitching talk
One pitcher that has just been completely on fire the season is Fairfield junior Lauren Larrick.
She not only has pitched a no-hitter this season (two during her varsity career), but here are her stats after seven games: 45 innings pitched, 25 hits, 12 runs, four earned runs, six walks … and 70 strikeouts.
Larrick is as dominating of a pitcher that I have seen in either baseball or softball in the five seasons I've covered sports, and I think I've seen some pretty good pitchers.
Plus, Larrick has a good catcher in Whitney Hanenkrat.
"Lauren and Whitney were both All-Southern Hills League and All-Southeast District players last year as sophomores. They do make each other better, and they both work hard every day in practice," FHS assistant coach Tom Purtell said.
She has an arsenal of at least five pitches she'll throw to hitters, and she's been productive in all types of weather.
The start the Lady Lions have had is amazing. In 2000, FHS started off 10-0, so three more wins can tie that feat. This year FHS has won close games, like on Saturday against McClain, and they have won in run-rule victories.
They are learning how to win games, many different ways.
• Varsity baseball on a Pony League diamond
One thing I'm not a huge fan of is varsity baseball being played on a field built for kids in their early teens to play on. I know field conditions aren't that great right now at the big field games are usually played on, but seeing 326-foot home runs to centerfield in varsity games just doesn't do it for me.
My guess is all the home runs hit would have stayed in the park on the big field, as that field has 40 more feet of space for a baseball to travel.
The game was Hillsboro hosting London. Though it was a game that had exciting moments and was played hard by both teams, I think if there was a big field available to have not only a varsity game, but a league game, the 15-14 score would have not been higher than when the two schools played each other in football this past fall when LHS defeated HHS, 13-9.
• High School football news
This was from the OHSAA April Board of Directors meeting: "The Board unanimously denied a proposal from the football coaches association to allow a two-week period of skill instruction in May, citing concerns over the impact it would have on other spring sports, as well as the requests that would come from other sports. However, Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross and Board President Dave Gray indicated that the OHSAA will examine the possibility of expanding the 10 days of coaching that are currently permitted during the summer period (June 1 to July 31) in all team sports."
I don't agree with the ruling, but I guess I can understand it. I know in other states bordering Ohio they are allowed to have extra practices in May, and I think their spring sports are perfectly fine.
I don't see what it can hurt because there is never a thing as too much football.
• High School soccer news
This is good news for Highland County soccer teams, which came for the April OHSAA Board of Directors meeting.
"By a 6-3 vote, the Board approved a proposal from the soccer coaches association to expand the girls’ soccer tournament to three divisions beginning this coming fall."
• High School basketball news
"The basketball coaches association made two proposals. First, that regular-season schedules be permitted to increase to 22 games. Second, that basketball coaches be permitted to provide individual skill instruction during open gym sessions, which is currently not permitted except on 10 days during the summer period (June 1 to July 31). The Board will act on the proposals during its June meeting."
My thoughts: How many more games does basketball season need? Four months not enough? There is no need for two more games.
• Cincinnati Reds baseball
It was a productive first week for the Reds, though they did lose their first series of the year to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Reds have lost three of their last four games, but that is just baseball.
One positive is Joey Votto. He's off to even a better start this season that what he had last year when he won the 2010 NL MVP.
When I went to Cincinnati last Thursday, covering the afternoon game against the Astros, the Reds did get their first loss of the year, but it wasn't like they were beat up or anything. In baseball, you have to expect losing … no team is going 162-0.
The season is early, and I see no need to panic … at least not yet.
• 10 Thoughts on high school sports
1. Will it ever stop raining so we can get a complete week's worth of games?
2. I've seen all five schools play games this season, and I honestly can't say who is the best so far after two weeks. Each team has their strengths and weaknesses. Should be interesting as the season progresses.
3. It would have been helpful if the OHSAA would have passed the 10 days of football practices in May.
4. I don't think the upcoming high school basketball season next fall needs additional games. I think 20 games is enough.
5. I'm a fan of the new hats of the Fairfield Lions baseball team.
6. The weather is starting to turn to sunshine (hopefully rain holds off), so I hope more fans start going to baseball and softball games. SCOL home baseball games are free to attend.
7. I can honestly say the HHS-LHS baseball game the other day was the first time I have seen two grand slams in the same inning. Though it was on a short field, it was still something I don't remember seeing.
8. McClain is off to a good defense of their co-SCOL championship standing at 2-0 in league play. They have a big week ahead in league play if the weather holds up.
9. Congrats to Hillsboro senior Chris Butler on his signing to play football at Wittenberg University, a Division III school a member of the NCAC conference.
10. I really want the rain to stop so we can get more games in this week.
• Stat of the Week
Whiteoak's Gage Carraher has two one-hitters this season and no wins. He has struck out 20 batters in two games this season.
• Another Stat of the Week
The Fairfield Lady Lions have scored a total of 65 runs in seven games this season. They have scored in double figures three times.
• A third (and final) Stat of the Week
The London and Hillsboro baseball teams outscored their football teams at 29-22 if you combine the scores of both games.
• Quote of the Week
"We are finally coming together as a team … we are playing as one unit. Our assistant coach Brian Williamson is doing an excellent job with the kids … I'm proud of them and how they are working together." — Krista George, head coach HHS softball
• Another Quote of the Week
"This was a great up-and-down game, and being down seven runs, Hillsboro could have easily folded tent, but they didn't. They came back and battled." — Jimmy Wolverton, head coach London baseball
• A Third (and final) Quote of the Week
"You want every month to be a good month. If you can do that, September will take care of itself. We are one step closer to the finish line, but the finish line is a long ways away. But every game you play is one step closer to it." — Dusty Baker, manager of the Cincinnati Reds
• Non-high school sports thoughts
I just read a book by Jeff Pearlman titled "The Rocket That Fell To Earth: Roger Clemens And The Rage For Baseball Immortality." This was a very interesting book on the life of Roger Clemens, and I think it was well worth reading. Plus, it didn't hurt I purchased it from a book bin at Big Lots for $2.
Pearlman writes very thorough sports books. His book on the '90s Dallas Cowboys is really good as well. If you haven't read a book by Pearlman, I suggest you do. He interviews hundreds of people for his books and leaves nothing unturned.
• One last item of business
Anyone who says golf is a boring sport didn't watch the last few holes of the Masters on Sunday. If you want drama in sports, the Masters on Sunday was full of it. I didn't see all of the holes on Sunday, but what I watched kept me on the edge of my seat.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]