[Panther Thunder]

Final from Davis Park!

Pikeville brings home its 9th 15th Region Championship! (1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2010, 2012)

Jake Burke goes all 7 for Pikeville (27-7).

Post more thoughts later. Congratulations to Paintsville on a great run. And hats off to Colby Burchett. The best tournament by any player on any team, IMO. Killed the ball, pitched well enough to win, and had several nice defensive plays! Proud of that kid!

[Panther Thunder]

One more thing for now, I don't believe it would have effected it either way, but Pete Runyon should not call behind the plate anymore. Simple as that. He gets Smokey run from umpiring and then gives efforts like we saw this tournament. He may be a great guy, and I think he is a pretty good guy. But people pay to watch the game, not the umpire and he has that part confused.

I wish someone would be man enough like Smokey was to stand up for it.

Like I said, I personally don't believe anything was bad enough tonight to matter, but the inconsistency cannot and should no be tolerated.

I do not mean for this post to derail a thread about a great game, so please do not let it. But I do feel it needed to be said. Please keep the thread civil and as much about the game as possible. The baseball forum has been really good this year, no reason to ruin it now!

Congrats to both teams again on a well played game and tournament!

[PHSForever]

One more thing for now, I don't believe it would have effected it either way, but Pete Runyon should not call behind the plate anymore. Simple as that. He gets Smokey run from umpiring and then gives efforts like we saw this tournament. He may be a great guy, and I think he is a pretty good guy. But people pay to watch the game, not the umpire and he has that part confused.

I wish someone would be man enough like Smokey was to stand up for it.

Like I said, I personally don't believe anything was bad enough tonight to matter, but the inconsistency cannot and should no be tolerated.

I do not mean for this post to derail a thread about a great game, so please do not let it. But I do feel it needed to be said. Please keep the thread civil and as much about the game as possible. The baseball forum has been really good this year, no reason to ruin it now!

Congrats to both teams again on a well played game and tournament!

First off, I thought, if nothing else, his calls were consistent last night and tonight. I didn't agree with all the calls at all, but I thought they were consistent (or consistently bad, depending on your point of view). A big part of his problem is that he has a very small strike zone too. Haven't seen enough games he has called to go as far as what you said.

Secondly, Paintsville is an impressive young team. Outstanding effort from the young man on the mound for them.

I DO happen to think that overall the calls made wouldn't have mattered as well, I am just cringing waiting for someone to jump on here about the call at home plate where Miller's outstanding relay nailed the runner coming home. I was 30 feet away and have to admit they got the call right (couldn't see the bangbang 3rd base call though), but I can see why it will.would be controversial. But he got it right. Just an outstanding game to watch though, it had a little of everything.

[TigerBlues]

Congrats to Pikeville on another Regional Championship, way to go Panthers. It sounded to me as if the kid pitching just shut down the Tigers although we left 10 on? I think. It may be me but Cash scoring at the plate and was called out may have tipped to mojo quickly, call me crazy but that was huge. Thought Timmy was put in a tough spot to start since he hasn't all season but performed very well, can't figure out some of the coaching decisions but they know better than me. Congrats to both teams and hope the Panthers represent the 15th well, go Panthers!

[Spud6]

Congrats Panthers, Good Luck at state!

[PHSForever]

Congrats to Pikeville on another Regional Championship, way to go Panthers. It sounded to me as if the kid pitching just shut down the Tigers although we left 10 on? I think. It may be me but Cash scoring at the plate and was called out may have tipped to mojo quickly, call me crazy but that was huge. Thought Timmy was put in a tough spot to start since he hasn't all season but performed very well, can't figure out some of the coaching decisions but they know better than me. Congrats to both teams and hope the Panthers represent the 15th well, go Panthers!

Make no mistake, he WAS out. But yeah, that tipped mojo most likely. Just overall a great tournament, Paintsville just could not muster offense and take advantage of the walks Burke issued tonight.

[Panther Thunder]

Congrats to Pikeville on another Regional Championship, way to go Panthers. It sounded to me as if the kid pitching just shut down the Tigers although we left 10 on? I think. It may be me but Cash scoring at the plate and was called out may have tipped to mojo quickly, call me crazy but that was huge. Thought Timmy was put in a tough spot to start since he hasn't all season but performed very well, can't figure out some of the coaching decisions but they know better than me. Congrats to both teams and hope the Panthers represent the 15th well, go Panthers!

Paintsville hit the ball hard all night. Just right at a lot of Panthers. Burke did pretty well considering everything. Pikeville caught a lot of breaks in the past 24 hours. But hey, that is how you win these tournaments.

Sublett threw very well. Pikeville just had a couple of big hits. Nothing to hang his head about!

[TigerBlues]

Make no mistake, he WAS out. But yeah, that tipped mojo most likely. Just overall a great tournament, Paintsville just could not muster offense and take advantage of the walks Burke issued tonight.

It sounded different on the radio and I just talked to a guy that was there and said the catcher never had the ball from the tag and Cash hammered the him and knocked it loose even more as the ball was on the ground. They also screwed up a home run last night as I saw on sports overtime but it was not to be for the Tigers. Panthers earned the win.

[Panther Thunder]

It sounded different on the radio and I just talked to a guy that was there and said the catcher never had the ball from the tag and Cash hammered the him and knocked it loose even more as the ball was on the ground. They also screwed up a home run last night as I saw on sports overtime but it was not to be for the Tigers. Panthers earned the win.

I just want to add this about the play. I had an angle and he did control the ball. The only question I had is when control was lost, was it on the tag or after the tag on the ensuing collision/hitting against the ground?

It was bang-bang. I would have lived with either decision.

Stepping back, it is awesome to realize that the two more storied programs in 15th Region history did battle in another Regional Title game. A true indicator of the strength and longevity of the programs. Much respect for what Paintsville has done, this year and in the past. They only lose two contributors and will be tough to deal with next season. Glad the Panthers got this one when we had the chance, because the Region is about to get a whole lot stronger.

[Pupaw]

First off, big congrats to both teams on solid playoff runs, and to the Pikeville Panthers for capturing their 9th 15 Region Championship. Paintsville just couldn't get that big hit that brought momentum to their side and put the pressure on the Panther defense. Burke threw the ball well for Pikeville, as did Sublett for Paintsville.
Now as for the call at the plate early in the game, I didn't have a great view of it, BUT from what I saw: Daniel slid in hard, the tag was applied but the ball came loose and rolled almost out of the dirt area (again this is from my vantage point). Like PT said, I couldn't tell when control was lost, but personally I felt like the ball came free from the mitt as the tag was being applied. Again, just my opinion. The call was obviously bang-bang, and could've gone either way.

[TigerBlues]

I just want to add this about the play. I had an angle and he did control the ball. The only question I had is when control was lost, was it on the tag or after the tag on the ensuing collision/hitting against the ground?

It was bang-bang. I would have lived with either decision.

Stepping back, it is awesome to realize that the two more storied programs in 15th Region history did battle in another Regional Title game. A true indicator of the strength and longevity of the programs. Much respect for what Paintsville has done, this year and in the past. They only lose two contributors and will be tough to deal with next season. Glad the Panthers got this one when we had the chance, because the Region is about to get a whole lot stronger.

I think the Panthers rule this region for a long time to come considering the middle school program and the emphasis put on it as well as the programs in the surrounding area. Not to mention the head coach and staff that know where and how to grow the talent and I was told the head coach is a Paintsville grad under Coach Adkins which is a huge plus. Hamilton will dominate until he graduates because he was thrown into the fire as an eighth grader, not the case at Paintsville with two very capable pitchers but saw no time except limited roles in junior varsity games.They wasted a season of experience in my opinion due to the fact of limited players at Paintsville and talent pool.

I just saw the replay at the play at home, no brainer- safe.

[Panther Thunder]

I think the Panthers rule this region for a long time to come considering the middle school program and the emphasis put on it as well as the programs in the surrounding area. Not to mention the head coach and staff that know where and how to grow the talent and I was told the head coach is a Paintsville grad under Coach Adkins which is a huge plus. Hamilton will dominate until he graduates because he was thrown into the fire as an eighth grader, not the case at Paintsville with two very capable pitchers but saw no time except limited roles in junior varsity games.They wasted a season of experience in my opinion due to the fact of limited players at Paintsville and talent pool.

I just saw the replay at the play at home, no brainer- safe.

Paintsville's Middle school program was better than Pikeville's this year when you include Miller and Daniel especially. If you are talking about Phelps, I have said since i saw him throw, he should have thrown some varsity. Kid is gonna be a ball player. Pikeville should experience a down year next year. But I do believe the program will rebuilding in 2014 and be competitive in 2015 and 2016.

[Pupaw]

Paintsville's Middle school program was better than Pikeville's this year when you include Miller and Daniel especially. If you are talking about Phelps, I have said since i saw him throw, he should have thrown some varsity. Kid is gonna be a ball player. Pikeville should experience a down year next year. But I do believe the program will rebuilding in 2014 and be competitive in 2015 and 2016.

Phelps will be a dandy of a player. Look for him to step in immediately next season and contribute great speed in the outfield to this team, some innings on the mound, and another left handed stick in the lineup. Gotta remember the kid is just a 7th Grader right now.

[jetpilot]

Didn't matter if the guy was safe at home or not - the guy was out at 3rd by a mile. So it would have been one more run for Paintsville. Pikeville wins anyway...

Pikeville 4-0 vs. Paintsville for the year and Paintsville scores 2 runs in 28 innings in those 4 games. Pretty awesome if you ask me. Paintsville deserves our respect and gets it, but Pikeville is/was the better team from day one through tonight and they deserve all the credit in the world as well.

[jetpilot]

Paintsville's Middle school program was better than Pikeville's this year when you include Miller and Daniel especially. If you are talking about Phelps, I have said since i saw him throw, he should have thrown some varsity. Kid is gonna be a ball player. Pikeville should experience a down year next year. But I do believe the program will rebuilding in 2014 and be competitive in 2015 and 2016.

What? LOL no, with Hamilton and Burke alone Pikeville will be right back in the mix. And they have more coming back and more coming in.

[Panther Thunder]

What? LOL no, with Hamilton and Burke alone Pikeville will be right back in the mix. And they have more coming back and more coming in.

I hope you are right!

[cat86]

Funny the comments about Pete's strike zone...(And I agree with you, by the way...).

I spoke to him earlier in the year about a particular young umpire who was really struggling. His comments, and I quote: "The trouble with young umpires is this: they want to impress everyone with just how small their strike zone is. You want to impress me? Call Strikes..."

Congrats to Pikeville on the win. You guys probably played with the most consistency throughout the course of the season, and you deserved this championship. Paintsville got smokin' hot at just the right time, and they look to be a scary team in the upcoming years.

Good luck in the State Tourney, and represent the 15th well. This Pburg fan will be rooting for you guys.

[Big Five-0-]

Congrats to the Panthers on a well earned win. Paintsville has had a heck of a team this season, especially as of late. Good to see Jake Burke come through like he did. I said earlier in another post that anything can happen at this point, and sure glad to see it. Best of luck Panthers from here on out. HAIL PIKEVILLE!!

[Live Maroon]

Offense sells tickets, pitching and defense win
Championships. All season, we've talked about
Pikeville's struggles to score runs. That improved
in the District and Regional Tournaments, but in
the end, it was pitching and defense that are
sending the Panthers to Whitaker Bank Park for
the second time in the last three years! Congrats
Coach Priode and the rest of the Maroon on their
ninth Regional Title! HAIL PIKEVILLE!! (Sorry for
copying you on that, Big Five-O)

[TigerBlues]

Didn't matter if the guy was safe at home or not - the guy was out at 3rd by a mile. So it would have been one more run for Paintsville. Pikeville wins anyway...

Pikeville 4-0 vs. Paintsville for the year and Paintsville scores 2 runs in 28 innings in those 4 games. Pretty awesome if you ask me. Paintsville deserves our respect and gets it, but Pikeville is/was the better team from day one through tonight and they deserve all the credit in the world as well.

Couldn't agree more with you jetpilot. Pikeville dominated throughout the season head to head as the stats show. The Panthers will represent the 15th very well.

[mr.charlie hustle]

First off, big congrats to both teams on solid playoff runs, and to the Pikeville Panthers for capturing their 9th 15 Region Championship. Paintsville just couldn't get that big hit that brought momentum to their side and put the pressure on the Panther defense. Burke threw the ball well for Pikeville, as did Sublett for Paintsville.
Now as for the call at the plate early in the game, I didn't have a great view of it, BUT from what I saw: Daniel slid in hard, the tag was applied but the ball came loose and rolled almost out of the dirt area (again this is from my vantage point). Like PT said, I couldn't tell when control was lost, but personally I felt like the ball came free from the mitt as the tag was being applied. Again, just my opinion. The call was obviously bang-bang, and could've gone either way.

Agree with you Pupaw 24 was safe although it only changed the results by 1 it may have had another impact on the game. This is not to take anything away from the Pikeville club. Congrats on the game and we will certainly be in your corner at state.

[606sportsfan]

Funny the comments about Pete's strike zone...(And I agree with you, by the way...).

I spoke to him earlier in the year about a particular young umpire who was really struggling. His comments, and I quote: "The trouble with young umpires is this: they want to impress everyone with just how small their strike zone is. You want to impress me? Call Strikes..."

Congrats to Pikeville on the win. You guys probably played with the most consistency throughout the course of the season, and you deserved this championship. Paintsville got smokin' hot at just the right time, and they look to be a scary team in the upcoming years.

Good luck in the State Tourney, and represent the 15th well. This Pburg fan will be rooting for you guys.

Well said and very true. Good Luck Panthers. Another PBurg fan pulling for you!

[Big Five-0-]

Offense sells tickets, pitching and defense win
Championships. All season, we've talked about
Pikeville's struggles to score runs. That improved
in the District and Regional Tournaments, but in
the end, it was pitching and defense that are
sending the Panthers to Whitaker Bank Park for
the second time in the last three years! Congrats
Coach Priode and the rest of the Maroon on their
ninth Regional Title! HAIL PIKEVILLE!! (Sorry for
copying you on that, Big Five-O)

Ditto with what you posted Live Maroon. No problem Bro. We all share it.:Thumbs:

[Panther Thunder]

-Gavin Miller brings his career Home-Run Total to 19 with this game. It sounds repetitive, but this guy has been amazing as a Panther.

-Jake Burke, after a 10 pitch battle in the first plate appearance of the game by Miller, limited his pitch count enough to allow him to throw a gem and all 7 innings. Big ups in a big spot to a guy that will really step it up next year on the mound, IMO.

-It goes virtually unnoticed because he does not bat, but Devin Clevinger has evolved by leaps and bounds this year as a catcher. He receives the ball very well, blocks it well, just needs to add arm strength in the off season and PHS will be fine behind the plate next season.

-JP Coleman really brought it this game. Big game from the senior who has been up and down this season. Couldn't have a better guy, "coachable", wants to learn, eager to get better. Very proud of him and happy for him. Wish he had another year to hang around.

-Just overall very proud of this team for going out and accomplishing the goal set at the beginning of every year. Down year in the region or not, 20 years from now, all people will see is that two great programs played and Pikeville came out on top!

-Class of 2012 now sits at 106-32 in the last 4 seasons, 62-11 in the last 2.

Ready to head down the Lexington and watch this team at least one more time!

[TigerBlues]

Can someone post the all tournament team? from what I heard today, complete joke. OTH,do you have it?

[OffTheHook]

All I can say is that our's wasn't a complete joke. The right three were chosen and it was chosen by the media. But, I bet you there was more than those threes names on some ballots. They ALL had a Great Tourney!

Paitnsville:
Timmy Sublett - Without his pitching against Pburg. We don't make it. Pitched well against Pikeville, had 2 hits and our only RBI. Had hit and RBI against Belfry. And not much hits the ground when he is in Center, goes and gets the ball. And gives himself up more at the plate (Sac Bunts) than any kid I know.
Colby Burchett - As PT said. He had an outstanding Tourney. Threw a GEM against Belfry and hit the ball well the entire Tourney.
Matt Miller - Lead off man for The Tigers. Reached base safely NINE times during the Tourney! Scored a Run in EVERY game and had hits in EVERY game!

Don't see why anyone would argue theses three.

[Panther Thunder]

All I can say is that our's wasn't a complete joke. The right three were chosen and it was chosen by the media. But, I bet you there was more than those threes names on some ballots. They ALL had a Great Tourney!

Paitnsville:
Timmy Sublett - Without his pitching against Pburg. We don't make it. Pitched well against Pikeville, had 2 hits and our only RBI. Had hit and RBI against Belfry. And not much hits the ground when he is in Center, goes and gets the ball. And gives himself up more at the plate (Sac Bunts) than any kid I know.
Colby Burchett - As PT said. He had an outstanding Tourney. Threw a GEM against Belfry and hit the ball well the entire Tourney.
Matt Miller - Lead off man for The Tigers. Reached base safely NINE times during the Tourney! Scored a Run in EVERY game and had hits in EVERY game!

Don't see why anyone would argue theses three.

Pikeville

Jacob Hamilton
Gavin Miller
Jake Burke

MVP

Randy Maynard

Belfry

Howie Dotson
Keegan Fields

Johnson Central
Seth Blanton
Ross Sanor

Pike Central
Mac Justice

Prestonsburg
Hunter Brown

Allen Central
Junior Handshoe

East Ridge
Tyler Bentley (?)

I believe this is the rest. Seems pretty accurate to me?

[OffTheHook]

Me too PT?

[PHSForever]

Can someone post the all tournament team? from what I heard today, complete joke. OTH,do you have it?

It wasn't a complete joke. From what I watched at the tournament, very representative. I can't really think of anyone who would have a legitimate argument with the all tourney team.

[golfer30]

I watched some of the games, and the officating was not that bad. I have seen worse, but everyone knows that Pete wants to be seen. So if you watch games and Pete is there you will know it.. Umpires are there but shouldnt be seen.