txkmom

Yes! 21-0.

I've debated whether to wade into this or not since the veto is a done deal. But I feel strongly enough about it to want to say my piece. For WHATEVER reasons, Hooks has passed on a hard-working man with morals, ethics, and family values that have stood as amazing examples to not only my three children, but students and athletes of all races and backgrounds at Liberty Eylau. I'm not a family member, but my husband has worked with him for years and my son played for him. I have the utmost respect for him, his judgement, and his overall demeanor. This is over and beyond the knowledge and experience he would have brought to the position. The veto certainly made a "statement", but at whose cost? Not Hooker's - he'll be fine. Not Thompson's - he has many more decisions to make beyond this one. The cost is to your student athletes and community. You'll find another coach, and many will be happy. Many will not; that's the nature of the beast. But, as a parent and as an educator, my bottom line is what's best for the kids. Jason Hooker is one of the best you could have had, and you vetoed him to make a statement.

Will is still in the Red Sox organization, just got to Fort Myers last Sunday for spring training. He is working on making the AA roster, the Portland Sea Dogs, in Portland, Maine. He was with the high A Salem, Virginia, Red Sox last season, and just finished a two week stint in the rookie development program in Boston in January.

Well, this fan has only one choice - I am staying in town for LE girls' soccer. I will be with both basketball teams in my heart <3

I was very impressed with PG's quarterback, who played hard the whole game on both offense and defense. I'm glad we kept him from being effective for the majority of the time. PG sure did not have many reserves on the sidelines ... I was surprised at the small number of players.

28-28 9 minutes left in 4th

LE up 28-21 in the 3rd

I know of an 18u Gold team looking for a pitcher, but they are based out of Tulsa. They have qualified for ASA Gold Nationals the last two years and two of their pitchers will be too old next year. My daughter played with them and we're from Texas. Quality team, quality coach who gets her kids in front of D1 coaches. Oklahoma schools have their fastpitch season in the fall though - although they won't be travelling to fall tournaments, they are having tryouts this fall for next spring and summer. Last summer they travelled to college exposure and qualifier tournaments in NJ, MO, CO, LA, and OK. PM me for contact information.

Liberty Eylau - Gilmer 2006. NOBODY but the Leopards thought they could get past Gilmer, and they did, but it was a hard-fought race to the finish.

MLB teams can also include a college fund in addition to the signing bonus in the initial contract. This can be used, within a certain time frame, if the player is injured or released. The money sits aside, like an escrow account, and has to be applied to college bills for each semester it is used. It is usually a negotiated amount that at least equals the value of the draftee's college scholarship. Players can even use it while they are in the minor leagues if they want to take online courses, but a semester's amount of money will be deducted each semester it is used, whether the player takes one course or more. I say chase the dream and see what happens!

LNJ always leaves Texarkana teams out of their stats. I was told Texarkana is not in their coverage area, so they don't include them in their "East Texas" stats. Leaves a lot of good East Texas players off their list, although they have included players from towns not too far south and west of Txk in the past. Their paper, their choice. Narrows the sample though, doesn't it? :hmm:

We (Liberty Eylau) played Huntington last year at state. They have what it takes - pitching, offense, and defense. They play smart softball. I think what is most important against Huntington is your batters' pitch recognition - they threw a lot on the edge of outside and got us swinging, plus those are the pitches that can and will be called strikes if they're close enough. Be smart, swing at what you can hit, and leave the other stuff alone. Good luck!

Good luck to our 16-3A teams in the playoffs!! Please keep us posted on your games and scores.

Hey, Lacey came back after only 5 months and when many thought she couldn't or wouldn't at all. She certainly didn't have to, and really had to push past some difficulties. We are so very proud of her for working so hard to get back physically. Knowing the team was young and untried, knowing she was going to have to really work to pitch again, Lacey just wanted to play and be part of the team, and I'm glad she was able to. Life is not just about the mountaintop experiences, but those valleys you survive, too.

Here's an example for you: we follow the University of Minnesota's softball team (www.gophersports.com). Their senior pitcher has been leading the nation in strikeouts, yet their record is split. Good hitters can find a way to hit the ball against good pitchers, and runners get on base due to errors and other reasons. So even with a dominant pitcher, there's no denying you've just got to have a good, smart catcher and hitters who get you runs.