[Mr.Kimball]

I too can remember those premier program days with Tiger baseball, but to use the word dynasty just made me laugh. Paintsville will always strive to have the best team in the eastern part of the state, but the word dynasty will never be able to be attached to any team I don't think. The level of development and feeder programs for the surrounding ball programs have grown tremendously over the last few years and I think thats great for baseball. I think thats great for competition and its certainly gonna be great for the fans to see some terrific baseball.

If Paintsville didn't have a dynasty going in the 70's and for a large part of the 80's and 90's , I dont know what you would call it. lol They probably won about 70% of all the regional titles in those years prior to 2000 starting in 1970. Johnson Central won back to back titles in '83 and '84, and then again in '95 and '96. Other than just an occasional team popping up here or there to win a regional championship, Paintsville pretty much dominated this region, and then, even when they did not win the regional title they more often than not were the runner's up. To me, that's a dynasty.

I will however agree with you that more than likely that type of dominance may never appear again. However,I do think that Johnson Central is poising themselves to possibly be the main contender year in and year out. They have always been one of the co-favorites (until Pikeville's emergence in the late 90's), but I think that if they can reap the benefits of what the Cal Ripkin/Babe Ruth Leagues can offer their program, then they could in theory be the dominate force in the 15th region every year. Now that Lawrence Co. is in the 15th again, one must always consider them a front runner as well. Never the less Paintsville should be a contender year in and year out based on a strong Little League program, tradition, and what I feel is a good coaching staff.