Check out my website, www.southcharlottesports.com
We have reworked the layout and gave the site a new look. I hope you will like it
We have a partnership with a web design company that offers fantastic rates for area teams, schools and student-athletes. Send me an email if you would like a price quote.
TR
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Random Thoughts on a Thursday afternoon
- Carly Smithson voted off Idol! Seems crazy to me, but I don't think the voters ever really connected to her. Simon can make her a star, just watch.... I hope David Cook wins...
- Pretty impressive the job Providence has done this year in softball. I believe they have only lost 4 games and 3 of those are to top 10 teams in the state. Nice job Ladies!
- This Democratic primary seems to get more interesting every day. Local TV stations are going to do well with advertising sales the next two weeks I bet.....
- Marvin Ridge High School has their baseball program in a very nice place in its first season. Lot of talent on that team. How incredible of a team would Weddington HS have right now if MR wasn't open yet? I bet the Southwestern 4A Conference race could look a little different if that would have been the case.
- Not sure what presidential candidates will appear in the area the next two weeks, but if you get the chance, take your kids to see them. Regardless of the political party, your child will always remember seeing Obama, Clinton or McCain or even former President Clinton. I still remember seeing Candidate Ronald Reagan in a speech at the Roses Parking Lot when I was a youngster in Salisbury, NC. I also remember a couple of times being at events with both Bob and Liddy Dole. I have seen Gerald Ford in Durham and I also remember seeing former President Bush and I went to a BBQ with Al Gore while in college. Like I said, don't let politics get in the way of being part of an event your child can remember their entire life.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Jonny Eaker Delivers in Knights-Panthers matchup
We knew it would be big and it was! By the first inning, the concession stand had already sold out of 200 Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and the standing room only spots were all gone! The Ardrey Kell-Providence game last night was the most anticipated high school game around these parts in many years. Two of the best high schools teams and coaches in the state battling it out, 12-15 future division one players on the field, many kids that share roster spots on summer showcase teams. The Panthers are led by a bonafide future top 3 or 4 round draft pick for Providence (Richie Shaffer.) One of the top pitchers in the state, Jordan Darnell was on top of the hill for The Knights. Darnell has quietly put together a year considerate of a few all-state votes.
Yes, this one had to be big! And it was.
Play was a little sloppy at times and the home plate umpire made a very strange call to allow Providence's first run to score. I was standing with some of the top baseball guys in the area, one a major league scout, one the coach of a nationally ranked youth team and we still haven't figured out the umpires hand motions with what the call ended up being on a 3rd pitch strike. I don't believe the umpire knew what to call, but from my vantage point, AK cather Taylor Patterson caught the ball in an odd looking pitch. He looked to the umpire waiting to make sure he was crediting the out, the umpire stuck his hand out in a motion similar to an out, but said nothing. Taylor went ahead to throw the ball to first to make sure, but the throw was off and the runner from third scored. I need to ask Coach Bagwell what the umpire said on his visit out to the plate.
The fourth inning brought a play that Ardrey Kell's Jonny Eaker will tell his grandkids about one day. Bases loaded, Richie Shaffer on the hill throwing 88-90 mph fastballs mixed in with 65 mph changeups that would make most players look silly. Eaker delivered a hard shot to score three runs. The Knights celebrated!
Darnell remained steady for three more innings and recorded a three hitter for what may be his biggest high school win ever.
Great game and I am sure these two teams will meet again in the conference tournament and maybe the state playoffs. Can the Knights beat them three or four times in a season?
Kudos to Coaches Bagwell and Hignight and the South Charlotte baseball community for working hard to provide such an incredible matchup.
Note to AK AD Cheryl Feeney -- Next time I will take that reserved seat you offered. Getting old and the back started hurting before the sixth inning :) I probably need to take a few of those aerobic classes with my stepdaughter that you are teaching :)
Yes, this one had to be big! And it was.
Play was a little sloppy at times and the home plate umpire made a very strange call to allow Providence's first run to score. I was standing with some of the top baseball guys in the area, one a major league scout, one the coach of a nationally ranked youth team and we still haven't figured out the umpires hand motions with what the call ended up being on a 3rd pitch strike. I don't believe the umpire knew what to call, but from my vantage point, AK cather Taylor Patterson caught the ball in an odd looking pitch. He looked to the umpire waiting to make sure he was crediting the out, the umpire stuck his hand out in a motion similar to an out, but said nothing. Taylor went ahead to throw the ball to first to make sure, but the throw was off and the runner from third scored. I need to ask Coach Bagwell what the umpire said on his visit out to the plate.
The fourth inning brought a play that Ardrey Kell's Jonny Eaker will tell his grandkids about one day. Bases loaded, Richie Shaffer on the hill throwing 88-90 mph fastballs mixed in with 65 mph changeups that would make most players look silly. Eaker delivered a hard shot to score three runs. The Knights celebrated!
Darnell remained steady for three more innings and recorded a three hitter for what may be his biggest high school win ever.
Great game and I am sure these two teams will meet again in the conference tournament and maybe the state playoffs. Can the Knights beat them three or four times in a season?
Kudos to Coaches Bagwell and Hignight and the South Charlotte baseball community for working hard to provide such an incredible matchup.
Note to AK AD Cheryl Feeney -- Next time I will take that reserved seat you offered. Getting old and the back started hurting before the sixth inning :) I probably need to take a few of those aerobic classes with my stepdaughter that you are teaching :)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Recent comments from Bob Johnson, Owner of the "Bob"cats
Is anyone else shaking their head at the ridiculas comments made by NBA owner Bob Johnson this week? Blaming the city and businesses for not supporting his team? Holy Cow, Did he fall of the turnip tree and hit his head?
Bob, its really not hard to figure out why you are struggling with attendance.
1. Where is Bob? Very rarely seen around town or at games. For the games I have been to I have never seen the man. You have to join the people, be a part of the team. Some folks may not have liked George Shinn, but for those of you that lived here when the Hornets were here, you always knew where to look to see George and it wasnt up in a skybox. He was always out with the fans, 3-4 rows off the floor, behind the bench
2 I also feel like a sport team has to make a personal connection with the community. I consider myself a pretty big sports fan, I love basketball, etc. But I feel ZERO connection to the Bobcats, I have never seen the team or players out in the South Charlotte community trying to make relationships and have people feel a connection to the team. Heck, I even offered to trade off some advertising and player profile stories and I didnt even get a return call or an email back. One would think they had a waiting list for tickets to ignore a media outlet that is diretly connected with the active families of South Charlotte.
3 I dont drink beer, but $7.00 a beer is ridiculas as are the prices for Cokes and other items.
4. Michael Jordan? How can a team have Michael Jordan as a part owner and head of basketball operations right here in his homestate and not use that to their advantage? Thats simply amazing. Bob said MJ wanted to be compensated for his appearances.... Does he not already have enough money? No, he doesnt have to appear at every mall opening, but somehow figure a way to help him connect to the community and have the community want to support what he is doing. Michael loves to play golf, he should have his own MJ classic with some of his celebrity friends a month before every basketball season. Include every Bobcat, and raise funds for the Levin Childrens Hospital or Hemby Childrens Hospital. Do something BIG for the area, make a major impact, put the Bobcats name on it as well....
Those are just a couple of comments , but the key is you MUST make a connection with the community and not just one or two communities in Charlotte.
Bob, its really not hard to figure out why you are struggling with attendance.
1. Where is Bob? Very rarely seen around town or at games. For the games I have been to I have never seen the man. You have to join the people, be a part of the team. Some folks may not have liked George Shinn, but for those of you that lived here when the Hornets were here, you always knew where to look to see George and it wasnt up in a skybox. He was always out with the fans, 3-4 rows off the floor, behind the bench
2 I also feel like a sport team has to make a personal connection with the community. I consider myself a pretty big sports fan, I love basketball, etc. But I feel ZERO connection to the Bobcats, I have never seen the team or players out in the South Charlotte community trying to make relationships and have people feel a connection to the team. Heck, I even offered to trade off some advertising and player profile stories and I didnt even get a return call or an email back. One would think they had a waiting list for tickets to ignore a media outlet that is diretly connected with the active families of South Charlotte.
3 I dont drink beer, but $7.00 a beer is ridiculas as are the prices for Cokes and other items.
4. Michael Jordan? How can a team have Michael Jordan as a part owner and head of basketball operations right here in his homestate and not use that to their advantage? Thats simply amazing. Bob said MJ wanted to be compensated for his appearances.... Does he not already have enough money? No, he doesnt have to appear at every mall opening, but somehow figure a way to help him connect to the community and have the community want to support what he is doing. Michael loves to play golf, he should have his own MJ classic with some of his celebrity friends a month before every basketball season. Include every Bobcat, and raise funds for the Levin Childrens Hospital or Hemby Childrens Hospital. Do something BIG for the area, make a major impact, put the Bobcats name on it as well....
Those are just a couple of comments , but the key is you MUST make a connection with the community and not just one or two communities in Charlotte.
Biggest Game In Town
Tuesday night will bring the biggest game of the high school season. Ardrey Kell will host Providence at 7pm. Probably need to come early if you want a seat for this one. AK Head Coach Hal Bagwell will send Elon signee Jordan Darnell to the hill to face Danny Hignight's ace Richie Shaffer. Dont think for a second the starpower ends there, with AK's lineup including Ryan Stetson, Logan Ratledge, Jonny Eaker, Taylor Patterson, Brett Nyenhuis, Andrew Miller and plenty more the Knights can wrap up the league title with a win here. Providence brings starpower as well with the Seminuik's (Eric and Kurt) CA Clayton, Will Helms and Greg Lawson.
Most would venture to say this will be a pitching duel, but I bet the winning team will go over 6 runs.... I am not about to pick a winner in this battle, but I expect the best of the best to step up and lead their team to victory.
Expect to see quite a few scouts around the field and why not when you can come to one ball field and see 4-6 players that will play for money one day along with 15-20 kids that will play college baseball.
This game is a testamant to the outstanding youth baseball programs in the area, I am sure that 90% of these kids played for Olde Providence, MARA, or Park Sharon just 4 or 5 years ago. Many have trained with On Deck, The Megastars and more recently Carolinas Baseball Center.
Tuesday night should be a night to make us all proud of what we have built in South Charlotte for baseball.
PLAY BALL
Most would venture to say this will be a pitching duel, but I bet the winning team will go over 6 runs.... I am not about to pick a winner in this battle, but I expect the best of the best to step up and lead their team to victory.
Expect to see quite a few scouts around the field and why not when you can come to one ball field and see 4-6 players that will play for money one day along with 15-20 kids that will play college baseball.
This game is a testamant to the outstanding youth baseball programs in the area, I am sure that 90% of these kids played for Olde Providence, MARA, or Park Sharon just 4 or 5 years ago. Many have trained with On Deck, The Megastars and more recently Carolinas Baseball Center.
Tuesday night should be a night to make us all proud of what we have built in South Charlotte for baseball.
PLAY BALL
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Things are looking up
Two entries below I told about my friends son getting hurt. I am happy to find out that he is now out of the hospital and on the road to recovery. That is great news for all.
He is a tough kid and I am sure that helped get him through a very tough day on Sunday
He is a tough kid and I am sure that helped get him through a very tough day on Sunday
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Youth Softball Player of the Year on FIRE!!
Erin Kayton, the Greater Charlotte Area Hot Stove League youth softball player of the year is having a heck of a season at Marvin Ridge High School. Only a 9th grader, she is leading the Mavericks in many categories.
Yesterday she slammed 2 home runs and had 9 RBI's in a game.
Erin should become one of the next stars in a long line of South Charlotte area softball players. She has some great players to follow, Ashton Ward, Constance Orr, Kalie Lang, Allie Cashion.......
Yesterday she slammed 2 home runs and had 9 RBI's in a game.
Erin should become one of the next stars in a long line of South Charlotte area softball players. She has some great players to follow, Ashton Ward, Constance Orr, Kalie Lang, Allie Cashion.......
Think before you do something stupid
I woke up Monday morning to an email telling me about an incident that happened in a local AAU tournament on Sunday. I will share it as an example of how bad things can happen to others when you do something stupid.
This happened to the 7th grade son of a great friend of mine. His son has played and won a ton of basketball games for me over the last three years, so I feel a bond to the young man. He is as good of a kid as you will ever want to meet, nice, respectful, no ego, good sport, etc.
He was going for an open layup at the end of a game in which had long been decided. A player from Greenville, SC decided he didn't want this young man to make that layup and from what I can gather he either pushed or tackled my friends son. The impact was so hard that it slammed him into what was luckily a padded wall. The impact also knocked him unconscious for 30 seconds. Next up was an ambulance ride, then a night in ICU, lots of tests and some very scary medical terms. Fortunately I hear this AM that things have improved, and he will be OK. I know Sunday night had to be very scary for the family.
All this pain because one kid decided to be the ultimate bad sport, because he never took the time to say "what happens if I hurt him?"
I cant speak to how the kid feels now, maybe he is laying in his bed with a terrible feeling that will not go away, maybe he is back in school and had forgotten about the entire incident, I don't know.
The point of this it think before you do something stupid. You could hurt someone really bad, this case had the chance for a few hours to become really, really bad, luckily it hit a point and bounced back.
If my player and friend is reading this, I hope you are feeling better and I hope you can put this incident out of your mind and get back on the court real soon.
If by chance the kid that did this happens to ever read this, which I doubt he will, but just in case... You did something very stupid, I hope you learn from this and become a much better sport in future competitions. I trust you and your family are smart enough to have made the necessary apologies and have displayed a real concern for the well-being of the player that spent the night in the ICU. Luckily he will be ok, so you get a chance to learn from your mistakes, please don't make the same mistake twice.
This happened to the 7th grade son of a great friend of mine. His son has played and won a ton of basketball games for me over the last three years, so I feel a bond to the young man. He is as good of a kid as you will ever want to meet, nice, respectful, no ego, good sport, etc.
He was going for an open layup at the end of a game in which had long been decided. A player from Greenville, SC decided he didn't want this young man to make that layup and from what I can gather he either pushed or tackled my friends son. The impact was so hard that it slammed him into what was luckily a padded wall. The impact also knocked him unconscious for 30 seconds. Next up was an ambulance ride, then a night in ICU, lots of tests and some very scary medical terms. Fortunately I hear this AM that things have improved, and he will be OK. I know Sunday night had to be very scary for the family.
All this pain because one kid decided to be the ultimate bad sport, because he never took the time to say "what happens if I hurt him?"
I cant speak to how the kid feels now, maybe he is laying in his bed with a terrible feeling that will not go away, maybe he is back in school and had forgotten about the entire incident, I don't know.
The point of this it think before you do something stupid. You could hurt someone really bad, this case had the chance for a few hours to become really, really bad, luckily it hit a point and bounced back.
If my player and friend is reading this, I hope you are feeling better and I hope you can put this incident out of your mind and get back on the court real soon.
If by chance the kid that did this happens to ever read this, which I doubt he will, but just in case... You did something very stupid, I hope you learn from this and become a much better sport in future competitions. I trust you and your family are smart enough to have made the necessary apologies and have displayed a real concern for the well-being of the player that spent the night in the ICU. Luckily he will be ok, so you get a chance to learn from your mistakes, please don't make the same mistake twice.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Kids 4 Kids 5K
Kudos to Endhaven Elementary School teacher Adam Dovico and his Cougar Boys Running Club for organizing the Kids 4 Kids 5K run. This young group of runners will put on an event to help kids at the Levine Childens Hospital
For more information please visit www.kids4kids5k.com
For more information please visit www.kids4kids5k.com
Feel Free to comment on my posts
Always enjoy hearing the thoughts of others. Click the comment icon and post away
Tell me about your team, your son or daughter or an interesting story idea....
Watch a 10th grader hit two homeruns at Providence HIgh School? Watch a young man win 3 events at a Weddington track meet? See a kid displaying great sportsmanship at Marvin Ridge? Let us know
Tell me about your team, your son or daughter or an interesting story idea....
Watch a 10th grader hit two homeruns at Providence HIgh School? Watch a young man win 3 events at a Weddington track meet? See a kid displaying great sportsmanship at Marvin Ridge? Let us know
These girls are Good!
It's pretty amazing to watch the Ardrey Kell Ladies Soccer Team. They play a very pretty game of soccer with precision passing and every player seems to be able to think 2-3 steps ahead. I beleive I am correct in saying they haven't given up a goal this season. Each player seems to know their role and they stick to it. A freshman, Liska Dobberstein has stepped in to provide a huge boost of offense, while the upper classmen like Allie Hovis and Kait Roberts provide great leadership with their play. The goalie, Megan Dent has great instincts and has one of the most powerful legs around. Erica Dubin plays super defense and is as tough as nails in the backfield. Joy Pittman is a very strong player as well.
These ladies play a very exciting game of soccer. It's going to be very interesting to see how they do the rest of the season, Providence, Myers Park and Weddington all have strong teams as well and will be aiming to knock the knights off.
Enjoy Soccer? Go see these ladies play...
These ladies play a very exciting game of soccer. It's going to be very interesting to see how they do the rest of the season, Providence, Myers Park and Weddington all have strong teams as well and will be aiming to knock the knights off.
Enjoy Soccer? Go see these ladies play...
Final Four Predictions
I have the chance to win the big prize in an NCAA pool, all I need is for Kansas to win on Saturday and Monday. A good friend of mine is the Associate Head Coach at KU, so I went with them the whole way in my bracket.
I say
Kansas 76 UNC-CH 72
UCLA 79 Memphis 71
Kansas 68 UCLA 65
I say
Kansas 76 UNC-CH 72
UCLA 79 Memphis 71
Kansas 68 UCLA 65
So what if I were the Athlete of the Week
A lof of people have asked me how I would answer the questions I present to the Male and Female Athlete of the Week in every issue.
I will give it a try.
Age: 41
Parents: Charlie (deceased) and Sandra Roakes
School: I graduated from Wilkes Central High School in Wilkesboro, NC in 1985
Favorite Sports Team: New York Yankees
Favorite College: East Carolina University Pirates (Class of 1990)
Favorite Subject: Tough One.......Political Science
Favorite Home Meal: Steak and Baked Potato
Favorite Restaurant: Eddie's Place :) Sambo's Tavern in Leipsic, DE, T-Bonz in Phoenix
In N' Out Burger out West, Shatley Springs in Ashe County, NC
Favorite Dessert: Hot Fudge Sundae
Favorite #: 44
Favorite Band: Chairmen of The Board (Carolina Beach Music Legends)
Greatest Sports Memory: Watching East Carolina win the Peach Bowl to cap an 11-1 season
Athletic Accomplishments: Way to long ago to remember any kind of stats, but a decent basketball and baseball player growing up. Played second base in baseball and guard in basketball. It was hard to find a sport I didnt enjoy playing. Tried to take what I learned growing up and use it to coach kids today in baseball and basketball. Won a lot of basketball games the last 5 or 6 years with kids that enjoyed working hard.
Academic Accomplishments: East Carolina University Graduate. Student Body President
89-90, Senior Class President, 1990, Spoke at my graduation.
I will admit some of these grade point averages of the SOuth Charlotte Sports Report athletes of the week are a lot higher than mine was :)
I will give it a try.
Age: 41
Parents: Charlie (deceased) and Sandra Roakes
School: I graduated from Wilkes Central High School in Wilkesboro, NC in 1985
Favorite Sports Team: New York Yankees
Favorite College: East Carolina University Pirates (Class of 1990)
Favorite Subject: Tough One.......Political Science
Favorite Home Meal: Steak and Baked Potato
Favorite Restaurant: Eddie's Place :) Sambo's Tavern in Leipsic, DE, T-Bonz in Phoenix
In N' Out Burger out West, Shatley Springs in Ashe County, NC
Favorite Dessert: Hot Fudge Sundae
Favorite #: 44
Favorite Band: Chairmen of The Board (Carolina Beach Music Legends)
Greatest Sports Memory: Watching East Carolina win the Peach Bowl to cap an 11-1 season
Athletic Accomplishments: Way to long ago to remember any kind of stats, but a decent basketball and baseball player growing up. Played second base in baseball and guard in basketball. It was hard to find a sport I didnt enjoy playing. Tried to take what I learned growing up and use it to coach kids today in baseball and basketball. Won a lot of basketball games the last 5 or 6 years with kids that enjoyed working hard.
Academic Accomplishments: East Carolina University Graduate. Student Body President
89-90, Senior Class President, 1990, Spoke at my graduation.
I will admit some of these grade point averages of the SOuth Charlotte Sports Report athletes of the week are a lot higher than mine was :)
New Soccer Store In Town
For all the soccer players in the area, I want to encourage you to visit the newest member of our Family of Advertisers, Premier Soccer. This wonderful store is located beside Earth Fare and Eddie's Place Restaruant. If it's soccer related, they have it, from shoes to balls to jerseys, this is a super place for soccer players to get their kicks! The store is very clean, well lit, and laid out in a way that makes the customer feel very comfortable.
Stop in and see Donnie and all his staff for some great deals on soccer merchandise. Tell then the South Charlotte Sports Report sent you and receive a 10% discount.
They are supporting our newspaper, we hope you will give them a chance to earn your business.
Stop in and see Donnie and all his staff for some great deals on soccer merchandise. Tell then the South Charlotte Sports Report sent you and receive a 10% discount.
They are supporting our newspaper, we hope you will give them a chance to earn your business.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
South Charlotte Sports Report is Growing
I wanted to send a thank you out to everyone that has provided support to our newspaper over the last 22 months. With your support, we were able to publish our first 24 page issue this last week.
We need to continue to grow our base of advertisers, but this was a nice step for the company.
If you know of anyone that may be interested in advertising with us, please send them our way. Our advertising rates and demographics are a perfect match for every size company. We can build a package to fit everyone's budget
We need to continue to grow our base of advertisers, but this was a nice step for the company.
If you know of anyone that may be interested in advertising with us, please send them our way. Our advertising rates and demographics are a perfect match for every size company. We can build a package to fit everyone's budget
Jay M Robinson wins round 1 with Community House Baseball Team
Two of the best middle school teams in the state played a very tight game on Monday. With a steady mist following an all day rain, Jay M Robinson edged Community HOuse Middle School.
Ty Buttrey started on the mound and put Robinson in position for the win, pitching five solid innings before departing with a 6-2 lead. Community House rallied in the sixth, making the score 6-5 before Robinson posted one more in their half of the frame. At 7-6 in the top of the 7th, with two outs but the bases loaded, Tyler Morgan secured the final out with a catch in center field. Jack Brodowicz starred in the field with two double plays turned, while at the plate Buttrey and Jackson Campana led the way, each with a multiple-hit night.
The rematch will more than likely decide the conference championship. Should be a middle school classic.
Providence and Ardey Kell are set to reload with some incredible talent over the next few years
Ty Buttrey started on the mound and put Robinson in position for the win, pitching five solid innings before departing with a 6-2 lead. Community House rallied in the sixth, making the score 6-5 before Robinson posted one more in their half of the frame. At 7-6 in the top of the 7th, with two outs but the bases loaded, Tyler Morgan secured the final out with a catch in center field. Jack Brodowicz starred in the field with two double plays turned, while at the plate Buttrey and Jackson Campana led the way, each with a multiple-hit night.
The rematch will more than likely decide the conference championship. Should be a middle school classic.
Providence and Ardey Kell are set to reload with some incredible talent over the next few years
Constance Orr dominating the Softball Diamond
In January, Constance Orr was awarded with the Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Softball Player of the Year Award. Her performance this spring has been outstanding. She has simply shut out all competition this spring on the softball field. Her fastball seems to be a little faster than last season and her hitting continues to improve.
The Tar Heels have picked up one heck of a softball player. Constance is only 16, so her best softbal days are ahead of her.
We are really happy to see her playing so well this spring. Great young lady with a super set of parents.
The Tar Heels have picked up one heck of a softball player. Constance is only 16, so her best softbal days are ahead of her.
We are really happy to see her playing so well this spring. Great young lady with a super set of parents.
Zico Pasut playing well for Ardrey Kell
I have been very impressed by the play of Ardrey Kell first baseman Zico Pasut this spring. Just last week, Zico went deep for Ardrey Kell not once but twice versus Weddington. Zico is a powerful player and also excels on the football field. Dont be surprised when you hear his name being mentioned as a division 1 football recruit next fall. We believe he has the talent to play both football and baseball in college.
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