Today marks one year that I have been doing this blog "From the Pressbox". I have been very fortunate that during this past year I have blogged 356 times. That's just short of once a day.
The first three weeks of this blog I think it averaged five hits a day. That would be Wes Bradshaw, Charles Alston and me checking the blog three times a day.
When football season got rolling and it looked as if the Gryphon football team might be special, Friday Nights and Saturdays were the first growth spurt as people started watching to see what I had to say about Gryphon football.
During the Legion playoffs when we had picked up some Northern and Nash Central viewers we had a hit total once of over two hundred hits in a day.
I thank each and every person who thinks that this blog has information that they can use.
Blogging every day has been a matter of luck as at my house with a teen age daughter and a wife who is in every group in Rocky Mount, computer time is limited.
It is unfortunate that our local radio stations have chosen that nothing locally is worthy of having live on the radio.
Sunday "The Rocky Mount Telegram" did not have one item on the front page of the sports section pertaining to local sports.
If it is sports related you almost have to be there to know what is happening. I understand that the only things I can talk about are the things that either I attend or you pass along to me.
I ask you to pass along an e-mail to me, or call me and let me know what scores you know. Find out from someone who knows how to get up with me. I will do my best to make sure the community knows what is happening.
We live in the so called modern world and yet there is less local news and sports and weather about Rocky Mount available to it's citizens since before cave drawings.
As we start year two with your help we will try to provide information worthy of a city of 60,000 people.
When I'm not there with your help we can tell the world on the web what happening in Rocky Mount and Nash County.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tar Heel State Champs
The Rocky Mount Tar Heel 11/12 year old little league all stars have won twice today and beat Jacksonville to win the Tar Heel State championship.
Rocky Mount having lost Thursday during their first game battled through four loser bracket games,two on Friday and two on Saturday just to be able to face Jacksonville .
The State Tar Heel little league tournament played in Valdese just outside of Hickory saw two quality teams battle tooth and nail this afternoon before Rocky Mount took two games again today both from Jacksonville.
In the opener Tyler King gave up a first inning home run but King would not allow another run as Linwood Jones drove in two runs in leading Rocky Mount to a 2-1 victory in game one.
Now with one loss just as Rocky Mount, Jacksonville held a 2-0 lead after four innings in the championship game. Rocky Mount scratched across five run to take a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning.
Sam Lilley who came on to pitch with one out in the second inning trailing 2-0 just allowed one run in the sixth as Rocky Mount wins their third Tar Heel Little League State Championship in the past eleven years 5-3.
This group also had to come out of the losers bracket in the district tournament to win that title , so this team is 12-2 in the playoffs this summer.
Veteran coach Sam Toler assisted by Norman Chambliss, George Carter, and Mike Sanders did a great job of making sure this team had pitching depth and they played seven games in four days twice.
It is tournaments like this when the pitchers can only pitch I think it is seven innings for the whole tournament that pitching depth shines. Today they gave up just four runs to win the title.
This is the capper of a very good year of baseball for the boys of summer from Nash County.
The 11/12 year olds are State Champions. The 9/10 year olds finished second in the state.
The Rocky Mount Junior Legion team finished third in the 15/16 year olds and the Senior Legion finished 7th in the state.
We have already made arrangments to have the State Champions Live on the "Stretchlon Sports Show" next Sunday night from 8.00-9.30pm.
Tell all your friends to watch the CHAMPS.
Rocky Mount having lost Thursday during their first game battled through four loser bracket games,two on Friday and two on Saturday just to be able to face Jacksonville .
The State Tar Heel little league tournament played in Valdese just outside of Hickory saw two quality teams battle tooth and nail this afternoon before Rocky Mount took two games again today both from Jacksonville.
In the opener Tyler King gave up a first inning home run but King would not allow another run as Linwood Jones drove in two runs in leading Rocky Mount to a 2-1 victory in game one.
Now with one loss just as Rocky Mount, Jacksonville held a 2-0 lead after four innings in the championship game. Rocky Mount scratched across five run to take a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning.
Sam Lilley who came on to pitch with one out in the second inning trailing 2-0 just allowed one run in the sixth as Rocky Mount wins their third Tar Heel Little League State Championship in the past eleven years 5-3.
This group also had to come out of the losers bracket in the district tournament to win that title , so this team is 12-2 in the playoffs this summer.
Veteran coach Sam Toler assisted by Norman Chambliss, George Carter, and Mike Sanders did a great job of making sure this team had pitching depth and they played seven games in four days twice.
It is tournaments like this when the pitchers can only pitch I think it is seven innings for the whole tournament that pitching depth shines. Today they gave up just four runs to win the title.
This is the capper of a very good year of baseball for the boys of summer from Nash County.
The 11/12 year olds are State Champions. The 9/10 year olds finished second in the state.
The Rocky Mount Junior Legion team finished third in the 15/16 year olds and the Senior Legion finished 7th in the state.
We have already made arrangments to have the State Champions Live on the "Stretchlon Sports Show" next Sunday night from 8.00-9.30pm.
Tell all your friends to watch the CHAMPS.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Tar Heel All Stars Survive Twice
The Rocky Mount Tar Heel 11/12 year old all stars have survived their second day of loser bracket games winning twice today in Valdese in the North Carolina Tar Heel little league tournament.
Nothing was easy today in the first game against Clayton as the game went eight innings before the Rocky Mount all stars put three on the board and shutout Clayton in the bottom of the eighth to win 6-3.
This made the third straight game that Rocky Mount has won since their opening game lost to Coates 4-3 when Coates scored in the last inning on Thursday.
Friday Rocky Mount won twice beating Hildebrand 12-2 and last night they beat Ahoskie 7-5. Playing twice in the same day for the second day in a row tonight Rocky Mount beat North Raleigh 5-4 after trailing 4-2 as they headed to the sixth inning.
My source on the scene in Valdese is Robert Morris who's son Andy is one of the players. Rocky Mount won on a three run homer in the sixth but there was so much whooping and hollering from the players in the back ground I didn't hear the name of the player who hit the home run.
For all of this work playing four games in two days, it is now down to two teams. The undefeated team is Jacksonville and Rocky Mount must beat them twice Sunday afternoon in order to win the State title.
Just a reminder this team won six in a row in Zebulon after they lost the first game of the districts. So this team knows they can do it.
Pitching will be a major question mark Sunday, but so far in the five games that Rocky Mount has played the pitching has only allowed twenty runs so to this point pitching has been a strong point .
Good luck Sunday.. First game starts at 2.00pm
Nothing was easy today in the first game against Clayton as the game went eight innings before the Rocky Mount all stars put three on the board and shutout Clayton in the bottom of the eighth to win 6-3.
This made the third straight game that Rocky Mount has won since their opening game lost to Coates 4-3 when Coates scored in the last inning on Thursday.
Friday Rocky Mount won twice beating Hildebrand 12-2 and last night they beat Ahoskie 7-5. Playing twice in the same day for the second day in a row tonight Rocky Mount beat North Raleigh 5-4 after trailing 4-2 as they headed to the sixth inning.
My source on the scene in Valdese is Robert Morris who's son Andy is one of the players. Rocky Mount won on a three run homer in the sixth but there was so much whooping and hollering from the players in the back ground I didn't hear the name of the player who hit the home run.
For all of this work playing four games in two days, it is now down to two teams. The undefeated team is Jacksonville and Rocky Mount must beat them twice Sunday afternoon in order to win the State title.
Just a reminder this team won six in a row in Zebulon after they lost the first game of the districts. So this team knows they can do it.
Pitching will be a major question mark Sunday, but so far in the five games that Rocky Mount has played the pitching has only allowed twenty runs so to this point pitching has been a strong point .
Good luck Sunday.. First game starts at 2.00pm
All Stars Still Alive
Friday The Rocky Mount Tar Heel Little league all stars started the day off in the losers bracket after a heart breaking opening day loss of 4-3 to Coates in mountains of North Carolina at Valdese.
The first game of the day the Rocky Mount all stars took out one of the local teams Hildebrand by a 12-2 score. When ever you make it to the losers bracket that automatically means every one of your players needs to be able to pitch because as soon as Rocky Mount had disposed of Hildebrand, there stood the Ahoskie team awaiting.
Ahoskie lead 5-2 going into the fifth inning when the Rocky Mount all stars exploded for five runs and held on to win 7-5.
Today Rocky Mount is faced with in order to make it to Sunday's final game they must win two more games. They start this afternoon with Clayton who last night knocked Coates out with a 7-5 win. The Rocky Mount-Clayton winner will then meet the undefeated team and if the losers bracket team wins will play for the championship Sunday afternoon.
This 11-12 year old all star team lost their first game in the district tournament and fought their way back to win that tournament and go to the state tournament in Valdese.
Another name has popped up on that Court ordered sealed list of names of pro baseball players and drug testing. David Ortiz is the lastest name that failed a drug test in 2003 in which no names were ever to be made public.
We now know about seven of the names. I have several questions about the list. If their names were never to be used why were their names put on the test bottles to begin with? Who is suppose to have this sealed list now? Why not throw away the list and burn it so no other names can be listed, or go ahead and tell all the names and let's end all of this every three months a name popping up that nobody can prove anyway.
I think the fans have proven that we don't care who's on the list since these test were done before Major league baseball had any testing in place.
Let's just play ball !
The first game of the day the Rocky Mount all stars took out one of the local teams Hildebrand by a 12-2 score. When ever you make it to the losers bracket that automatically means every one of your players needs to be able to pitch because as soon as Rocky Mount had disposed of Hildebrand, there stood the Ahoskie team awaiting.
Ahoskie lead 5-2 going into the fifth inning when the Rocky Mount all stars exploded for five runs and held on to win 7-5.
Today Rocky Mount is faced with in order to make it to Sunday's final game they must win two more games. They start this afternoon with Clayton who last night knocked Coates out with a 7-5 win. The Rocky Mount-Clayton winner will then meet the undefeated team and if the losers bracket team wins will play for the championship Sunday afternoon.
This 11-12 year old all star team lost their first game in the district tournament and fought their way back to win that tournament and go to the state tournament in Valdese.
Another name has popped up on that Court ordered sealed list of names of pro baseball players and drug testing. David Ortiz is the lastest name that failed a drug test in 2003 in which no names were ever to be made public.
We now know about seven of the names. I have several questions about the list. If their names were never to be used why were their names put on the test bottles to begin with? Who is suppose to have this sealed list now? Why not throw away the list and burn it so no other names can be listed, or go ahead and tell all the names and let's end all of this every three months a name popping up that nobody can prove anyway.
I think the fans have proven that we don't care who's on the list since these test were done before Major league baseball had any testing in place.
Let's just play ball !
Friday, July 31, 2009
Little League Falls In Opener
The Rocky Mount Senior Tar Heel Little league all stars lost their opening game Thursday night 4-3 against Coates. Both the fifth and sixth innings Rocky Mount had two runners on with less than two outs but failed to push across what could have been the lead runs. Coates scored with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
The losers bracket means Friday can be a long tough grind for the RM all stars as they must face Hildebrand at 4.00pm today and if they win that game play again at 6.30. Hildebrand one of the local teams played Jacksonville on Thursday and Jacksonville won convincingly.
Joe West a Magor league umpire who lives in Greenville umped his 4,000th major league game this week. West known as the "Singing Cowboy" is in his 25th year umpiring. During the days when we could see the Braves Everyday, West was seen almost weekly doing Braves games and Skip Carey one of the Brave announcers use to always mention Joe and and call him the "Singing Cowboy" daily when announcing the umpire line up. West has cut several CD's of country music.
The Phil Ford Golf Classic is Saturday morning at Birchwood Country Club. Sports stars from local talent Danny Talbott to James Worthy will be putting on their golfing ability on display.
High school football practice officialy starts Saturday morning at 8.00am. It is not like it use to be when August 1st was the real start of practice. Teams now days practice three times a week in the summer called conditioning.
Three area teams will have new coaches this year. Andy Jackson at Rocky Mount Academy. Mickey Crouch at Northern Nash and Dickie Schock.
The new 3-A Conference this year has Hunt high school joining the league. Fike has a new coach so their are only two coaches in place that were in the NEW-6 last year. Nash Central's Kevin Crudup and Southern Nash's Brian Fosterare the only hold overs . All new league and all new coaches.
The losers bracket means Friday can be a long tough grind for the RM all stars as they must face Hildebrand at 4.00pm today and if they win that game play again at 6.30. Hildebrand one of the local teams played Jacksonville on Thursday and Jacksonville won convincingly.
Joe West a Magor league umpire who lives in Greenville umped his 4,000th major league game this week. West known as the "Singing Cowboy" is in his 25th year umpiring. During the days when we could see the Braves Everyday, West was seen almost weekly doing Braves games and Skip Carey one of the Brave announcers use to always mention Joe and and call him the "Singing Cowboy" daily when announcing the umpire line up. West has cut several CD's of country music.
The Phil Ford Golf Classic is Saturday morning at Birchwood Country Club. Sports stars from local talent Danny Talbott to James Worthy will be putting on their golfing ability on display.
High school football practice officialy starts Saturday morning at 8.00am. It is not like it use to be when August 1st was the real start of practice. Teams now days practice three times a week in the summer called conditioning.
Three area teams will have new coaches this year. Andy Jackson at Rocky Mount Academy. Mickey Crouch at Northern Nash and Dickie Schock.
The new 3-A Conference this year has Hunt high school joining the league. Fike has a new coach so their are only two coaches in place that were in the NEW-6 last year. Nash Central's Kevin Crudup and Southern Nash's Brian Fosterare the only hold overs . All new league and all new coaches.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Golfing Weekend
The Phil Ford Golf Classic returns to Rocky Mount and Nashville this weekend in support of the Boys and Girls clubs of the area.
Saturday Morning at Birchwood Country Club you will have an opportunity to see several stars and former stars of NBA basketball show case their golfing skills. It is all for $10 and it all benefits our local kids.
Friday night is a big shindig at the Gateway Center being hosted by Charlie Neal who right now works as a announcer for ESPN. I believe Charlie Neal was the first black play by play announcer to hit national tv back in the 70's.
I ride by the sports complex every day and it looks as if the soccer portion of the fields are ready to use. This summer they have been watering the new grass on the fields and yesterday for the first time I notices soccer goals are in place.
It looks to me as if there will need to be a access made on Airport Road to get to the soccer fields. It will be a long walk from the parking lot unless they cut a street from Airport Road into the soccer fields.
Good luck tonight to the Rocky Mount Tar Heel 11/12 year old baseball team. They begin play in Valdese in the State tournament. Their first game is 8.00pm
Rowan County beat Shelby last night in Greenville to win the State American Legion baseball title. Shelby beat Rowan 7-3 yesterday afternoon to give both teams one loss and Rowan prevailed last night to win it all 5-3.
Saturday Morning at Birchwood Country Club you will have an opportunity to see several stars and former stars of NBA basketball show case their golfing skills. It is all for $10 and it all benefits our local kids.
Friday night is a big shindig at the Gateway Center being hosted by Charlie Neal who right now works as a announcer for ESPN. I believe Charlie Neal was the first black play by play announcer to hit national tv back in the 70's.
I ride by the sports complex every day and it looks as if the soccer portion of the fields are ready to use. This summer they have been watering the new grass on the fields and yesterday for the first time I notices soccer goals are in place.
It looks to me as if there will need to be a access made on Airport Road to get to the soccer fields. It will be a long walk from the parking lot unless they cut a street from Airport Road into the soccer fields.
Good luck tonight to the Rocky Mount Tar Heel 11/12 year old baseball team. They begin play in Valdese in the State tournament. Their first game is 8.00pm
Rowan County beat Shelby last night in Greenville to win the State American Legion baseball title. Shelby beat Rowan 7-3 yesterday afternoon to give both teams one loss and Rowan prevailed last night to win it all 5-3.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
One More Local team Still Playing
Thursday the Tar Heel Senior Little league all stars (11-12) from Rocky Mount start their state tournament in Valdese North Carolina. If you are asking where in the world is Valdese?, it's near Hickory.
They are the last team still playing from our area. How long can tomorrow be for this team. If they leave on Thursday morning they don't play until 8.00pm Thursday night.
Long ride, Long Day!
The Tar Heel association finishes at the State tournament level so in reality this is the last weekend of baseball for the summer for all of our teams.
Baseball is finishing up and how convenient is it that High schools begin football practice and other sports on Saturday. All three of our public high schools start practice at 8.00am Saturday morning.
I am trying to put together a football preseason show for the "Stretchlon Sports Show" in a couple of Sundays. Will try to have the area coaches on to discuss their team for 2009. Rocky Mount and Northern have brand new coaches and this will give you a chance to see them if you haven't already met them.
I can see it now, four or five weeks into the NFL season a quarterback gets hurt and Brett Farve to the rescue. He said yesterday he just doesn't think his body can take the whole season. If you can believe any thing that he has ever said concerning his retirement, to me sounds like, I'll be ready after summer camp.
NFL camps are starting this week. Exhibitions games start in ten days.
They are the last team still playing from our area. How long can tomorrow be for this team. If they leave on Thursday morning they don't play until 8.00pm Thursday night.
Long ride, Long Day!
The Tar Heel association finishes at the State tournament level so in reality this is the last weekend of baseball for the summer for all of our teams.
Baseball is finishing up and how convenient is it that High schools begin football practice and other sports on Saturday. All three of our public high schools start practice at 8.00am Saturday morning.
I am trying to put together a football preseason show for the "Stretchlon Sports Show" in a couple of Sundays. Will try to have the area coaches on to discuss their team for 2009. Rocky Mount and Northern have brand new coaches and this will give you a chance to see them if you haven't already met them.
I can see it now, four or five weeks into the NFL season a quarterback gets hurt and Brett Farve to the rescue. He said yesterday he just doesn't think his body can take the whole season. If you can believe any thing that he has ever said concerning his retirement, to me sounds like, I'll be ready after summer camp.
NFL camps are starting this week. Exhibitions games start in ten days.
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