Enjoying Spring Sports

[mikesalem]

I've been making an effort to see some baseball and lacrosse games the last couple of weeks.. Both of Salem's teams are advancing and it's been exciting to see. At the baseball game tonight Noah Becklley (Salem QB) was diving back to third and jammed his throwing hand into the base dislocating his pinky or ring finger. He was waiting on the trainer with his hand in the air for all to see. The trainer popped it back in place ((You could hear it where I was sitting) and Noah retrieved his glove and trotted out to CF to play defense. I'm guessing he will probably be a captain this year for the football team. I ask you isn't that a guy you want to go battle for and with? He's always impressed me, but his stock rose just a little more to me tonight (although I don't think it has anywhere else to climb, it's already through the roof)

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Ok, Noah is fine, but has anybody checked on Mags? LOL

 

[SpartanOfYore]

It's been a good spring thus far for Salem. The Spartans have won Conference 24 titles in baseball, boys soccer, boys lacrosse, boys tennis, girls soccer, girls lacrosse, girls tennis, and girls track. Both track teams, especially the girls, did pretty well at the 4A West Regional meets yesterday, though I haven't been able to find the team results yet.

Perhaps mike can verify, but I believe both lacrosse teams host first-round regional games today? I keep saying I'm going to go to a few lacrosse games every year, but I have yet to follow up. I've enjoyed the Roanoke College games I've attended over the years, although I'm hazy on most of the rules. Sometimes it seems the players can flail away at each other with impunity, while at other times what looks like minimal contact will draw a penalty.

 

[mikesalem]

It's been a good spring thus far for Salem. The Spartans have won Conference 24 titles in baseball, boys soccer, boys lacrosse, boys tennis, girls soccer, girls lacrosse, girls tennis, and girls track. Both track teams, especially the girls, did pretty well at the 4A West Regional meets yesterday, though I haven't been able to find the team results yet.

Perhaps mike can verify, but I believe both lacrosse teams host first-round regional games today? I keep saying I'm going to go to a few lacrosse games every year, but I have yet to follow up. I've enjoyed the Roanoke College games I've attended over the years, although I'm hazy on most of the rules. Sometimes it seems the players can flail away at each other with impunity, while at other times what looks like minimal contact will draw a penalty.

Boys today Front Field 5pm vs JF
Girls to follow, not sure of the opponent.
I've only seen 4 lax games, with the girls the whistle is blown every 30 seconds for a stick slap or light bump. In the boys game when they blow the whistle or throw a flag somebody was getting up off the turf. Major differences between the way the games are called and the strategies/schemes. Girls run up the field, not as much passing, no real checking. Boys pass a lot, very rare they break away from the pack without getting checked or stick slapped. Offensive and defensive schemes are more elaborate with the boys. I don't mean to belittle the girls game, like they just run up and down the field haphazardly, but in my limited experience there do appear to be big differences.

 

[Clarkefan]

Boys today Front Field 5pm vs JF
Girls to follow, not sure of the opponent.
I've only seen 4 lax games, with the girls the whistle is blown every 30 seconds for a stick slap or light bump. In the boys game when they blow the whistle or throw a flag somebody was getting up off the turf. Major differences between the way the games are called and the strategies/schemes. Girls run up the field, not as much passing, no real checking. Boys pass a lot, very rare they break away from the pack without getting checked or stick slapped. Offensive and defensive schemes are more elaborate with the boys. I don't mean to belittle the girls game, like they just run up and down the field haphazardly, but in my limited experience there do appear to be big differences.

I try to avoid chicks with sticks.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I try to avoid chicks with sticks.

I think someone with a stick already got to him!

I've heard that it is almost as expensive to outfit a lacrosse team as it is a football team? I can see where the gear would be expensive, plus the requirement to send it off periodically to have it tested and recertified. On an athlete to athlete comparison, I can see where the cost could be similar. But, I would guess a lacrosse team roster is only about 20-30 players?

 

[SpartanOfYore]

Boys today Front Field 5pm vs JF
Girls to follow, not sure of the opponent.
I've only seen 4 lax games, with the girls the whistle is blown every 30 seconds for a stick slap or light bump. In the boys game when they blow the whistle or throw a flag somebody was getting up off the turf. Major differences between the way the games are called and the strategies/schemes. Girls run up the field, not as much passing, no real checking. Boys pass a lot, very rare they break away from the pack without getting checked or stick slapped. Offensive and defensive schemes are more elaborate with the boys. I don't mean to belittle the girls game, like they just run up and down the field haphazardly, but in my limited experience there do appear to be big differences.

RT says the girls are hosting Glass.

 

[mikesalem]

RT says the girls are hosting Glass.

That is correct @SpartanOfYore, I just got here. If you come stop by and say hi my friend. Take care. I'm hoping for a win today, but it's possible with all the Salem teams advancing I'll have to choose between 2 things I want to see that may both be played at the same time on Monday. I'm enjoying watching both lacrosse and baseball. Also at some point even if they continue to advance they'll be the lower seed and have to hit the road. I'll enjoy it while I can and look forward to 7 on 7 & football practice starting in late July. I'll catch the intra squad scrimmage, but both of the scrimmages this year are away. Amherst will be here before you know it though.

 

[salemfan32]

It's been a good spring thus far for Salem. The Spartans have won Conference 24 titles in baseball, boys soccer, boys lacrosse, boys tennis, girls soccer, girls lacrosse, girls tennis, and girls track. Both track teams, especially the girls, did pretty well at the 4A West Regional meets yesterday, though I haven't been able to find the team results yet.

Perhaps mike can verify, but I believe both lacrosse teams host first-round regional games today? I keep saying I'm going to go to a few lacrosse games every year, but I have yet to follow up. I've enjoyed the Roanoke College games I've attended over the years, although I'm hazy on most of the rules. Sometimes it seems the players can flail away at each other with impunity, while at other times what looks like minimal contact will draw a penalty.

http://va.milesplit.com/meets/242012/results/454547/formatted#.V0dqyZj3aJI. The girls did do well. The girls 4x1 relay team is really good, they have a good chance of winning states. Their best time is actually much better than what they ran at regions.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

Thanks for the link. I should have thought to check Milestat to begin with. I still didn't see any team scores on there, though; I probably didn't look in the right place.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

That is correct @SpartanOfYore, I just got here. If you come stop by and say hi my friend. Take care. I'm hoping for a win today, but it's possible with all the Salem teams advancing I'll have to choose between 2 things I want to see that may both be played at the same time on Monday. I'm enjoying watching both lacrosse and baseball. Also at some point even if they continue to advance they'll be the lower seed and have to hit the road. I'll enjoy it while I can and look forward to 7 on 7 & football practice starting in late July. I'll catch the intra squad scrimmage, but both of the scrimmages this year are away. Amherst will be here before you know it though.

Well, I wasn't able to make it, so you'll have to root the Spartans on to victory.

 

[salemfan32]

Thanks for the link. I should have thought to check Milestat to begin with. I still didn't see any team scores on there, though; I probably didn't look in the right place.

If you click on "completed results" at the top and then scroll to the bottom you'll see the team results.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

If you click on "completed results" at the top and then scroll to the bottom you'll see the team results.

Thanks again!

 

[mikesalem]

Well, I wasn't able to make it, so you'll have to root the Spartans on to victory.

Mission accomplished, for both the boys & girls squads.

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

Since you guys are talking about spring sports. I just finished umpiring a regional quarterfinal softball game between Briarwood and Atlee. The game was close, but the defending state champs, Atlee put it away in the fourth. The Briarwood (loudon county) kids coaches and fans were a class act. Could be all Richmond final in 5a states. Both Atlee and Lee Davis are playing well. Neat thing is atlee plays in the north and lee davis in the south. The schools are two exits apart. Go figure.

 

[mikesalem]

Since you guys are talking about spring sports. I just finished umpiring a regional quarterfinal softball game between Briarwood and Atlee. The game was close, but the defending state champs, Atlee put it away in the fourth. The Briarwood (loudon county) kids coaches and fans were a class act. Could be all Richmond final in 5a states. Both Atlee and Lee Davis are playing well. Neat thing is atlee plays in the north and lee davis in the south. The schools are two exits apart. Go figure.

I guess I opened the floor for different subject matter since I figured no one would see it or read it under the Spring sports section. I know I don't generally look anywhere but the fall section myself, don't know if that's just me.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I guess I opened the floor for different subject matter since I figured no one would see it or read it under the Spring sports section. I know I don't generally look anywhere but the fall section myself, don't know if that's just me.

Me either Mike. I usually check the six fall sports, and the "Ask the Official". Assuming most members this time of year are doing like you and I, I have a baseball question.

Since MV won the conference championship last night, I was wondering what the format is for the 3a west regionals? Is there a link to the brackets somewhere? The VHSL page has a heading for this, but it only goes as far as conference playoffs as of yesterday.

 

[mikesalem]

Me either Mike. I usually check the six fall sports, and the "Ask the Official". Assuming most members this time of year are doing like you and I, I have a baseball question.

Since MV won the conference championship last night, I was wondering what the format is for the 3a west regionals? Is there a link to the brackets somewhere? The VHSL page has a heading for this, but it only goes as far as conference playoffs as of yesterday.

Honestly DP, I don't understand the whole bracketing thing. Staunton River lost so they'll travel for the first game in the regionals. If it's setup like basketball then they will have to play a Conference champion from 3A West Conference 32 I think which I'm not sure who that is, but it's probably going to be Christiansburg? Magna Vista was the Conference 31 champion so I think they'll play the Conference 32 runner up at MV which will probably be Abingdon? I guess the Conference 32 Final is tonight, I read Abingdon beat Hidden Valley so they're one of the C32 finalists. I haven't heard who the other C32 finalist is, but I know Christiansburg has been good all year and my guess is it's them. I could be totally wrong though, If it's not football I'm not the right guy to ask. I do know now that they are at the Regional level it's single elimination. (I'm guessing it's set up like they do the basketball, but I'm out of my element with baseball and lacrosse bracketing) I just see it in the paper and if it's home I try to make it. This is my 1st year of really trying to follow anything other than HS football, so I'm the guy asking all the questions now instead of the one trying to answer the football questions.

http://www.roanoke.com/sports/high_...5d54-9567-b1b4d2acada9.html#facebook-comments

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Thanks, I'm sure more info will be posted in the RT soon. My friend from MV, (whose son was a JV player and got pulled up for the playoffs), knows they will host next week. But who and when, and what happens after that is the big unknown.

I'm like you, just following sports along right now, (and enjoying it), waiting for football season.

Navy is having a blast right now calling meaningful softball games between top teams. I went to the D1 private school championship game he worked last weekend. I got to hang out with him and the rest of the crew before the game. Let me say this. There is nothing an angry coach can throw at them that comes close to how hard they are on each other before the games. They have a blast ragging on each other. And I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It's good to know the officials have as much fun as the teams.

 

[cutnjump]

If you guys go to the vhsl website, www.vhsl.org, and click on the spring sport you are interested in you MIGHT find bracket information for conference tourneys, region playoffs and state brackets. The reason I say might is that some conferences/regions are better than others at updating the info and results and that typically falls on the administrator in charge of a particular sport for the conference or region who is responsible for reporting results to the appropriate contact at the vhsl who in turn updates the website. The hard part is depending upon sport, conference and region agreements the actual format may vary as to how teams advance(i.e., tourney winners advance, regular season champ gets an automatic bid, etc.). One I am familiar with is lacrosse, specifically 5A. In that sport there are four conferences, 2 in each region. The conference tourneys provide 2 teams, conference champ and runner up as determined by tourney to move to region, 4 teams total. In the region, the conferences are cross bracketed, #1 from one conference plays runner up from other conference and then winners meet in region final. Both teams in region final advance to state semis under a similar cross bracket scenario and then winners meet for state championship.

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

In my travels umpiring, I always get to the field at least an hour early to relax and get ready for game. For the past three weeks I have enjoyed watching the individual football team's workout's of the various schools in Richmond and surrounding areas. The teams seem to be concentrating on agility drills speed and footwork. It amazed me how well organized these session are as they are being run by the players.

I know this is a 4a board, but I was really impressed by two apparent offensive lineman from Deep Run in Henrico County. Those two kids went at it for an hour. One would block while the other rushed. They appeared to be giving each other feedback and discussing good or bad footwork. The intensity was unreal. The best part of the whole thing occurred when I watched them walk off soaked from head to toe with sweat and jabbing at one another smiling the whole time. I clapped and told them they did a great job. The biggest of the two said "thanks for noticing, I hope it pays off, because we are tired of losing".

 

[DinwiddieProud]

It just didn't work out for Coach Davis at Deep Creek. Sometimes, it's just not a good fit.

It sounds like at least two of their players recognize what it takes to win. Let's hope their attitude is contagious.

If I know you Navy, it was all you could do to not find a helmet and get on the field and knock heads with them!

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

They did not have helmets on and i can promise you the thought of clashing heads with the big boys never crossed my mind.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Back when you played, didn't they have those old leather helmets?

 

[Clarkefan]

Back when you played, didn't they have those old leather helmets?

They were new then.

 

[mikesalem]

They were new then.

Yeah I think BleedingNavy's part was portrayed by George Clooney in the movie "Leatherheads."

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0379865/

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I think he is umpiring tonight. He will be all over us when he gets home.

 

[mikesalem]

I think he is umpiring tonight. He will be all over us when he gets home.

Yeah even though I'm a few hours from him, I'm expecting to receive full retribution the next time he comes to Roanoke to see his family. I'm going to go ahead and say I've bitten off more than I can chew. I'll go ahead and start screaming Uncle now! But on the other hand it was all in good fun, that's my story and I'm sticking to it DP & BN!

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

Ok you knuckleheads have put it on me good tonight. A 2 1/2 hour drive each way to umpire a blow out and you guys want to be funny.

Mike, the George Clooney inuendo was quite funny. DP I know where you live and Clarkfan you were close. I did wear a one bar box helmet in peewee football. The biggest suprise was HAMSPEAR liking your post. I thought us wrestlers stuck together.

Heck, the only wrestling DP does is trying to get the remote from his wife. Mike, I would never harm you, but i may flatten the tires or remove the battery cable on your transportation.

By the way, i have to tell on myself. I was the first base umpire tonight and i ran to the outfield thinking there were three outs. When I turned around they were waiting on me. There was only two outs. Had to buy the crew a beer for that one.

 

[mikesalem]

Ok you knuckleheads have put it on me good tonight. A 2 1/2 hour drive each way to umpire a blow out and you guys want to be funny.

Mike, the George Clooney inuendo was quite funny. DP I know where you live and Clarkfan you were close. I did wear a one bar box helmet in peewee football. The biggest suprise was HAMSPEAR liking your post. I thought us wrestlers stuck together.

Heck, the only wrestling DP does is trying to get the remote from his wife. Mike, I would never harm you, but i may flatten the tires or remove the battery cable on your transportation.

By the way, i have to tell on myself. I was the first base umpire tonight and i ran to the outfield thinking there were three outs. When I turned around they were waiting on me. There was only two outs. Had to buy the crew a beer for that one.

Well I will say all of these guys vicious statements are completely indefensible. What's the worse thing I did? Compared you to George Clooney, I can't believe these other guys BN. Yeah that's right I threw you all under the bus. I mean what was I supposed to do, you got a big guy breathing down your neck. It doesn't matter if his helmet had one facebar, was made of leather, or if he played the game rugby style, when you see him coming you punt and pray there's not a late hit or any unnecessary roughness. (Heck, he could even be wearing a dunce cap cause he doesn't know what down it is, or in this case how many outs there are, haha- maybe you had that beer a little earlier than the rest of the crew)

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Navy, in all seriousness, I bet that was a bit embarrassing. But I don't care who you are, or what you do, or how good you are, sooner or later you are going to screw up. In your case, you had an audience.

Which game did you call?

BTW, I think both Dinwiddie teams will be playing at King George Tuesday?

Speaking of eventually you screw up, I'm glad it didn't happen in this case. Our daughter made her first parachute jump Wednesday. Fortunately, she had the best in the business instructing her, (and doing the tandem jump). Her husband is a retired Army Airborne Ranger, (21 year career). As you would expect, he knows a million fellow solders. One of those is the recently retired solider that was in charge of he Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team. He has something like 10,000 jumps to his credit. So she was in good hands. I'm just glad this wasn't the inevitable jump when something goes wrong. She had a blast, but mom and dad have a few more grey hairs.

One last comment. Navy playing with minimal head protection explains a lot! (I'm moving to an undisclosed location later today).

 

[71ShadesofNavy]

Navy, in all seriousness, I bet that was a bit embarrassing. But I don't care who you are, or what you do, or how good you are, sooner or later you are going to screw up. In your case, you had an audience.

Which game did you call?

BTW, I think both Dinwiddie teams will be playing at King George Tuesday?

Speaking of eventually you screw up, I'm glad it didn't happen in this case. Our daughter made her first parachute jump Wednesday. Fortunately, she had the best in the business instructing her, (and doing the tandem jump). Her husband is a retired Army Airborne Ranger, (21 year career). As you would expect, he knows a million fellow solders. One of those is the recently retired solider that was in charge of he Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team. He has something like 10,000 jumps to his credit. So she was in good hands. I'm just glad this wasn't the inevitable jump when something goes wrong. She had a blast, but mom and dad have a few more grey hairs.

One last comment. Navy playing with minimal head protection explains a lot! (I'm moving to an undisclosed location later today).

Parachuting, now thats something I would love to do. She is a lucky gal.

Last night i had Mathews and Lunenburg. Mathews is a hump from my house. Glad I didnt have the plate. There are 5 older gentleman who sit right behind the screen and they raise a fuss on ever pitch. My plate guy asked for an advil immediately after the game. Lol. We fondly call them the "sewing circle".

Yes, Dinwiddie goes to King George. Louisa and king george represent conference 19. I Have 5a Richmond Region final and 5a South final, so it will be a fun and challenging week. All the thanks to my crew for keeping me headed in the right direction.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Pun intended? LOL

 

[mikesalem]

Ok, Noah is fine, but has anybody checked on Mags? LOL

It was funny the next game they played Mags was there. I hadn't seen him before at the baseball games (not saying he hasn't been in attendance this year before, I may have missed him) I think somebody may have told him what happened and so he made an appearance and maybe had a little pregame talk with his QB. I can just imagine it- Now Noah I know you like baseball and want to do your best, but maybe you could not be quite so gung-ho.