maroakie2

Yourwrong, forgive me, I was indeed wrong. I misread your post and thought you said Ruth did the most with the least LAST year. My mistake. As for this year, I knew they didn't have very much coming back and was very much impressed with what they were able to accomplish with such a young team. Your correct about PP too. They've come a long way in the last few years. It wasn't too long ago and they went O-fer, I believe.

Thoughts and prayers go to his family. On a side note, Does he have a twin brother?

8-4 is hardly a slaughter

L.A. Tumblin- Triple Jump, QC

If I understand your question, he transferred from Michigan to UofA, thus having to sit out a year. I DON'T THINK there's a rule preventing him from red-shirting, based on the fact that he did not redshirt his freshman year, but I'm not positive on this. Whether he broke his thumb or not has no implications on his eligibility, it's purely the transfer. The waiver that they're talking about is UofA trying to petition the NCAA to overlook his transfer and allow him to play, but it has nothing to do with his thumb. Hope that answered your question. If it didn't, or I was wrong, I'm sure I will be corrected by ensuing posts.

How did Ruth have little to work with? He had 11 seniors (I think). 1 & 2 pitchers were solid, and they had numerous other kids that could throw if needed. As a team, they hit the ball well. DF and NB both were relatively young teams. Hooks, on the otherhand, was a very mature team. I think Hooks was a very good team last year with lots of talent and experience that peaked at the right time.

Where can I find this umpire's report?

NB shouldn't necessarily be a sure thing though should they? If they lose game 2 and game 3, they're facing 2 losses and sitting at home, right? Should that situation happen, winner of game 1 would end up winning game 2, thus sitting 2-0 and 2nd place. Should the loser of game 1 beat NB in game 3, then they are 1-1 and 3rd seed and NB goes home 0-2. I wouldn't think NB winning the coin flip gives them a free ticket to the playoffs.

Good point. How are they going to decide who plays who and such? Round Robin or what? That could make a big difference as well.

Wow! LK, DF, and NB I presume? I'd have to give the edge to LK due to pitching, and DF just because they've come on as of late and beat NB both times. Where will they play?

A couple of years ago, wasn't there some talk about them starting a program from Jr. High up? Did that fall through? 17-AA will be a dog fight this year, especially for the number 3 spot. LK, HS, and QC will all be right in the mix for that one. This year's QC team has as much potential, especially in the skilled positions, as any team they've had come through possibly since '01. Great kids, work ethic, and team chemistry.

I think things were getting a little crazy for the 3rd spot? How'd it end up?

I didn't see the game but I think it might be a little much to solely blame the coach for blowing a lead. They aren't the ones fielding the ball and we all know baseball is a funny game, where momentum can shift at any moment. I would think that more credit goes to Daingerfield for being able to pull a W out in both of those situations. I would dare say that the 3 studs for HS levels the playing field between NB and HS. However, going position by position, I would agree that NB has more talent and more experience, and overall the more "talented" team. Stewart has surprised me with what he's been able to do this year though, and I would agree that you won't see HS give up a big lead because they have that never-let-up mentality, whether that comes from the players or Stewart is not for me to say.

Can anyone tell me why Galloway was making such a scene yesterday when Ruggiano hosed the guy at third on the hit and run? The kid was clearly out. Was Galloway the only one in Olsen that didn't see it that way?

I was like you and expected today's game to be pretty interesting too, but it was a pretty mild, laid back 12-2 beat down of OU. The only heated time was between the OU head coach and the home plate umpire about what seemed to be a pretty clear call. No altercations between players or the opposing coaches. The Ags remained classy, or at least a lot classier than I could have been. I tip my hat to RC and crew for maintaining the high road today.

Agreed. I guess that's what happens when they push the huge diversity issue like they are, and I fear it will only get worse.

And...unfortunately, yours does not.

Make no mistake, Bleeds. By no means am I advocating a ferret, or any other exotic mascot for that matter. I think he intented it more as a satirical piece, or at least that's how I'm going to choose to look at it. I found it pretty entertaining. I'm all for another collie, regardless of all of the faults of Rev VII, just because that's what has become the tradition with the last 5.

From today's Battalion: Tuesday, April 8, 2008 The Rant | The ferret, the tortoise and the mascot The search for Reveille VIII should not be exclusive to canines By: James Cavin There's been a lot of talk lately about the next Reveille, with people arguing for everything from another collie to a shih tzu. While I think the debate fosters some healthy questions, I am afraid that it has not gone far enough. It's time we think outside the box. Now, adopting a mutt from the pound may go some way toward showing the inclusiveness of the Aggie Spirit, but we're still being ridiculously exclusive. I mean, there's a whole wide world out there. If we really want to show the diversity and open-mindedness of Aggieland, we should choose a first lady from a less privileged species. Far be it from me to value one creature over another, but I have compiled a list of what I believe to be promising candidates for the position of first lady of Texas A&M, based on practicality, originality and all-around awesomeness: Reveille VIII, the ferret. A lady ferret is an excellent choice for several reasons. Firstly, black footed ferrets are indigenous to the great state of Texas, meaning we'll have a native in office instead of an inbred - I mean - purebred foreigner. Furthermore, a ferret not only could continue the tradition of biting her handler in the groin as started by Reveille VII, but could actually improve upon the practice by running up his pants leg to do so. Plus, ferrets are trainable, meaning Reveille VIII could do this on command to opposing coaches and players. Nothing says "Redass" like a rabid weasel removing hippies from the gene pool. While these are definitely persuasive arguments, what really cinched it for me was ferrets' natural abilities against bovines. According to various urban rumors, packs of feral ferrets are capable of tipping, killing and devouring an entire cow. While I can't speak to the veracity of these claims, I can guarantee you it'll give Bevo some sleepless nights. Reveille VIII, the parakeet. Small, portable, stylish and capable of actually learning and repeating the Aggie War Hymn, as well as cussing out referees at games. She could even be taught to bark in class. Reveille VIII, the houseplant. This approach has many possibilities: a stoic, contemplative bonzai tree, festive palms or even local flora like the humble-yet-delicious-when-used-to-barbecue mesquite, which would lend itself quite nicely to our rivalry with that other school. Many people may claim that a plant is too static and boring to successfully represent a university, but what about the Century Tree? One of our school's greatest and most respected images is a plant, so choosing a mascot outside of the animal kingdom doesn't seem such a stretch to me. I personally favor the idea of something custom created for the position. We are, after all, an agricultural school. If we can manage to genetically engineer maroon-colored carrots, then a gigantic Fightin' Texas Aggie maroon-colored t-sip-chomping Venus fly trap can't be all that hard to make. While a 12-foot-tall immobile man-eating plant may require a little more care than previous Reveilles, she already has her own cell phone and student ID card. Would a personal vehicle and a few sacrificial virgins every now and then be too much to ask for our first lady? I think not. For the record, though, I wouldn't try proposing under it. Reveille VIII, the Fightin' Texas Aggie Galapagos Tortoise. This is definitely one of the most alluring suggestions I have heard so far. Nothing can quite capture the majesty, tradition, history and permanency of Aggieland like this quiet giant, slowly lumbering its way to the opposing end zone. While certain traditions might need to be slightly modified (instead of getting class off if Reveille barks, you'll get class off if Reveille moves), I believe the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Natural armor would make the first lady virtually impossible to assassinate (which is much more of a risk than you would think, what with all those packs of feral ferrets and everything). Plus, our mascot could double as another statue - two for one! Best of all, as several of my colleagues pointed out, choosing a Galapagos Tortoise for Reveille VIII means we won't have this debate again for another 150 years.

I do not work at the high school in any capacity. I don't even live in QC. I have close ties to the school and the program and am on good terms with all at QC. The kids are very excited about his new system. There is a lot of speed but not much size and his offense will definately utilize that speed. He does seem to be a very nice man and I have never seen him without a smile on his face. I realize that the transition is rough for all involved and have said that numerous times, and have backed that up by saying that by summer, all will be smooth again. I've said that multiple times each post. We both clearly agree that the man needs to be given time to adjust and visa-versa. But, again, after the adjustment period is over, all will be well again in QC.

Clarification: I didn't say that he didn't support the other athletic programs. I agree EASTUNIT--I think he's had a lot of administrative work to handle with the new job and hires to make and such that has taken time away some of his spare time. Again, by summer, or next year at the absolute latest, when he has had time to adjust to QC and QC has had time to adjust to him, all will be smooth sailing. But that still doesn't detract from the fact that some expect him to be at every game right now.

I would invite you to read my post again, etexfan. I tried to remain as objective as possible. Nowhere is there a sense of jealousy, but rather a sense of optimism. Maybe I was not clear in my original post, or maybe you misinterpreted it. Either way, let me clarify. I'm thrilled for QC and have great personal interest in the program. QC has been down since their run for the district championship in 00 or 01 and I would love for QC to be mentioned for something other than the band. I get all of my information directly from students, parents, and faculty at QCHS, all of whom I speak with on regular basis. Funny you should say that about only one other coach working at the school with Duck, especially since 2 others started this past Monday; one was there 2 or 3 days this week. Of course, they are still working at their other schools as well and have a limited amount of time at QC. I encourage you to re-read my post above yet again, and yet again nowhere did I mention that the kids did not like Duck or the new staff. Rather, I simply said they are having a difficult time adjusting to the new workouts during the middle of baseball and track. As for the parents or community, I do admit that resentment has a bad connotation and a bad word to use. Puzzled would have been a more appropriate word. As for the money issue, whether they are in a money constraint or not is trivial. What is NOT trivial is the fact that this staff obviously has recieved far greater funding than in previous years. A year ago or two ago, the athletic program needed a new Gator and had to go to the Booster club to get the funding. The varsity football team's pants were in shambles, to the point that knee pads were falling through and had to be taped into the pants. This year, they are getting all new Nike uniforms, Under Armour workout gear, their new endzone filming system came in today actually, they got new work out eqipment, they have hopes of hiring a trainer of some sort, and their proposed first game for next year is in Prosper, chartering buses for the trip. Two years ago, the team traveled to West Sabine (Pineland, Tx) on the yellow dogs, and now they're getting chartered buses for Prosper? It's 17 minutes difference in the trip; there are more funds funneled to the new staff than staffs of old. I'm not saying that's wrong by any means, but it does leave one to wonder what other staffs could have done had they had the same funds available. I'm quite embarassed to say that the athletes to coaches ratio was a miscalculation and I am relieved that you caught it so I can avoid repeating it. Thank you. However, this staff is getting more hires than the previous two staffs. For this, I am glad because I think the previous staffs were a little stretched. Again though, it goes back to this staff getting better funding than previous and that has "puzzled" some. Again, nowhere did I say that the teachers disliked him. As for some that I have spoken with, the teachers agree with many of the things coach Duck is doing, such as his leadership training (I'm sure you've heard of this), BUT he has not been very visible among the hallways, nor at the other sports. This has troubled some of the teachers. I'm not saying who's right or wrong on this issue, but at least the last 3 AD's have been VERY visible among the halls and rarely missed any sporting event so there is an adjustment to be made there, whomever it may be. I disagree with your statment regarding the assistant coaches. I think a more accurate statement would be that QC has had a difficult time KEEPING top-notch assistant coaches based on the short tenure of most AD's. I have remained objective and optomistic in both previous posts in the fact that I know that this will all blow over when summer comes. I'll paste my last 2 sentences in here now for you to read again. "But, as I said before, a lot of this will blow over when summer gets here. There's no doubt this new staff brings lots of enthusiasm and experience, and hopefully the start of football season will cause all involved to forget their differences and work towards a great season." Jealousy, that is not.

The coaches are from large schools in the metroplex and don't necessarily recongize the difference between a metroplex school and QC. The new coaches have made little effort to integrate themselves into QCHS...they're kind of like a self-reliant possey. Teachers haven't taken well to this. Athletes are having somewhat of a difficult time, since it's the heigth of the season for spring sports, adjusting to the overwhelming emphasis on football. I understand that football is king in Texas, but at a 2A school, everybody does everything and hard-core football workouts during the athletic period followed by a baseball game and a track meet the next day don't always gee-haw. I'm all for hard-core football workouts during the summer, football season, and off-season, but I think more maintenance type workouts during baseball and track are necessary. Some coaches are unhappy about having to leave, but that's to be expected. Starting next week, all coaches have to be at school at 5 AM everyday so they can get all the new things implemented. The AD is MIA every weekend, going back home to McKinney, and was gone all spring break as well. If the new staff is granted the number of hires they are asking, the new staff will have one coach for every 5-7 athletes. This sounds great, but past staffs have had to cut coaches, budget, etc. due to money constraints so this has caused some resentment toward the new staff from the community, and the teachers are left wondering why academics aren't getting these new-found funds. But, as I said before, a lot of this will blow over when summer gets here. There's no doubt this new staff brings lots of enthusiasm and experience, and hopefully the start of football season will cause all involved to forget their differences and work towards a great season.

The waters are a little rough right now. They'll smooth over come summer, but I don't see it happening much sooner.

I liked it far better than any of the other suggestions but I do think it would get old to look at every game. I would like to see 1 or 2 games a year where they wore non traditional unis, but I'll stick to the usual maroon and white the remainder of the games. Just curious, why does A&M and Texas need to update, but no one mentions Notre Dame? They've had the same helmet since '64.