[BlackcatAlum]

Panthers put up 4 runs in the 3rd and never looked back. Thompson pitched a great game and the Panthers defense made some excellent plays to keep Pburg from becoming a threat to score some early runs.

Hats off to coach Bryce Tucker and the Prestonsburg Blackcats on a great season!

Congrats to Pikeville... good luck on the rest of the post season!

[BCF4L]

People will look at this and question pitching decisions but Luke Hall had given up 2 hits going into the 5th and was solid the whole game. Defense, which has been an Achilles heel in many games this season, squandered any opportunity at winning this game. Errors lead to extended innings which leads to excessive pitches in an inning and fatigue.

But hats off to the Panthers. They made some incredible plays, starting in the first inning when Bradyn Hall robbed Kaden Allen of a double with a diving grab. Defense wins championships and Pikeville was able to back their starting pitching all year long.

Good luck to them at state and congrats to Prestonsburg on a monumental run.

[Concerned_Blackcat]

Great end to the season, wish they would have save Matt Welch to pitch tonight. Nothing against the young kid who pitched today but the Blackcats had run ruled Shelby Valley in every game and threw their ACE.

[Westside]

Congrats, Panthers. Back to back 15th Region champs.

[Pikeville OT]

Great win by the Panthers tonight! Some incredible pitching performances during the tournament. Good luck in Lexington next week!

[Westside]

Just another day at the office for the Panthers.

[Spud6]

This one came down to Pikeville had one of their studs on the mound and Prestonsburg didn’t. After Pikeville batters saw the pitcher 2 times the guys started seeing the ball better.

One thing that I don’t understand is why does Pburg get their home dugout every game? I understand the 15th Region is hosted at their facility but Pburg isn’t the one hosting the tourney. I’m assuming it was probably agreed upon when they decided to have the tournament there when they voted on it but to me it just doesn’t make sense for them to get the 3rd base dugout for the rest of eternity since it’s held at their home field and they aren’t hosting it.

[BlackcatAlum]

This one came down to Pikeville had one of their studs on the mound and Prestonsburg didn’t. After Pikeville batters saw the pitcher 2 times the guys started seeing the ball better.

One thing that I don’t understand is why does Pburg get their home dugout every game? I understand the 15th Region is hosted at their facility but Pburg isn’t the one hosting the tourney. I’m assuming it was probably agreed upon when they decided to have the tournament there when they voted on it but to me it just doesn’t make sense for them to get the 3rd base dugout for the rest of eternity since it’s held at their home field and they aren’t hosting it.

Other than it being on their home field, is there some sort of advantage Prestonsburg has by using the same dugout?

[Spud6]

This one came down to Pikeville had one of their studs on the mound and Prestonsburg didn’t. After Pikeville batters saw the pitcher 2 times the guys started seeing the ball better.

One thing that I don’t understand is why does Pburg get their home dugout every game? I understand the 15th Region is hosted at their facility but Pburg isn’t the one hosting the tourney. I’m assuming it was probably agreed upon when they decided to have the tournament there when they voted on it but to me it just doesn’t make sense for them to get the 3rd base dugout for the rest of eternity since it’s held at their home field and they aren’t hosting it.

Other than it being on their home field, is there some sort of advantage Prestonsburg has by using the same dugout?

As a non coach and someone who just watches baseball to me it would be advantage for your head coach who usually stands at 3rd base when their team is batting being able to talk to their boys in the dugout while they are batting. But also just having Pburg be comfortable on their home dugout with their indoor right behind them attached to the dugout they don’t feel like they are in different environment like other team coming there to play. 

And again this is just from a sports fan who watches baseball games.

[Pikeville OT]

i am surprised there hasn't been more complaints about the "unfair home field advantage" for Prestonsburg by teams they beat in the tourney similar to the same fans complaining about the Appalachian Wireless arena being unfair for Pikeville as the "home team".

I do agree that Pburg should have to switch dugout based on home/away status just to have consistency for all teams during the entire tournament.

[Spud6]

i am surprised there hasn't been more complaints about the "unfair home field advantage" for Prestonsburg by teams they beat in the tourney similar to the same fans complaining about the Appalachian Wireless arena being unfair for Pikeville as the "home team".

I do agree that Pburg should have to switch dugout based on home/away status just to have consistency for all teams during the entire tournament.

Difference is Pikeville doesn’t even play in the EXPO any more than a team that plays in the all a and the regional tournament.

[16BBall Fan]

That was a dominating 15th region tournament run by Pikeville. They won by scores of 14-0, 7-0, and 11-1.

[Pikeville OT]

i am surprised there hasn't been more complaints about the "unfair home field advantage" for Prestonsburg by teams they beat in the tourney similar to the same fans complaining about the Appalachian Wireless arena being unfair for Pikeville as the "home team".

I do agree that Pburg should have to switch dugout based on home/away status just to have consistency for all teams during the entire tournament.

Difference is Pikeville doesn’t even play in the EXPO any more than a team that plays in the all a and the regional tournament.

Spud, I agree completely and realize that any other All A teams from the 15th played just as many games in the EXPO but there was so many people from the other schools that made those claims that Pikeville had unfair home advantage. As I see it, the only true benefit might be less travel than other teams.

As far as the baseball region tourney, maybe people didn't complain because Pburg hasnt won.

[Spud6]

i am surprised there hasn't been more complaints about the "unfair home field advantage" for Prestonsburg by teams they beat in the tourney similar to the same fans complaining about the Appalachian Wireless arena being unfair for Pikeville as the "home team".

I do agree that Pburg should have to switch dugout based on home/away status just to have consistency for all teams during the entire tournament.

Difference is Pikeville doesn’t even play in the EXPO any more than a team that plays in the all a and the regional tournament.

Spud, I agree completely and realize that any other All A teams from the 15th played just as many games in the EXPO but there was so many people from the other schools that made those claims that Pikeville had unfair home advantage. As I see it, the only true benefit might be less travel than other teams.

As far as the baseball region tourney, maybe people didn't complain because Pburg hasnt won.

And that’s what my wife said when I was talking about it to her. She said did Pburg or Pikeville win? I said Pikeville she said so what the heck’s it matter? I said it doesn’t, it was just a question as someone who watched the games had while watching the tournament. Lol

Also, another advantage for Pburg getting their home dugout is having the indoor for warming up the bullpen. The bull pens for the away team are terrible and in the midst of 700 people standing on the fences trying to watch both the baseball and softball games.

[RTruth]

Hail Pikeville!!

With that said issues with being okayed at PBurg

Bullpens suck if you ain’t PBurg
Does anyone get to use the hitting facility?

And the biggest is - That mound isn’t legal. Not by a long shot.

[jetpilot]

Congratulations to the Panthers, very well done! Simpkins has them peaking at just the right time. Congratulations to Prestonsburg on a fine season. They are playing big boy baseball. They had a team capable of winning the region on some days, Pikeville was just better on this day.

Pikeville will play the winner of Trinity/St Xavier on June 6 at Legends Field. Super cool and they are very capable of winning that game and making a deep run.

[BlackcatAlum]

i am surprised there hasn't been more complaints about the "unfair home field advantage" for Prestonsburg by teams they beat in the tourney similar to the same fans complaining about the Appalachian Wireless arena being unfair for Pikeville as the "home team".

I do agree that Pburg should have to switch dugout based on home/away status just to have consistency for all teams during the entire tournament.

That's because they aren't Pikeville. I'm sure Simpkins doesn't care, but SOME of the Pikeville faithful are never satisfied unless it's in the Pikeville city limits. 

Hail Pikeville!!

With that said issues with being okayed at PBurg

Bullpens suck if you ain’t PBurg
Does anyone get to use the hitting facility?

And the biggest is - That mound isn’t legal. Not by a long shot.

I thought Pikeville won by 10 runs?

[jetpilot]

Haha I must say I've never heard complaints that our bullpen wasn't as nice as your bullpen lol. And I couldn't care less which dugout I get. Pikeville got to bat last which was the only potential advantage I noticed today.

[Ring'Em Up]

Just another day at the office for the Panthers

Eazzze Peazze work for Simpkins, making a mockery of the rest of the 15th, again.

[Ring'Em Up]

This one came down to Pikeville had one of their studs on the mound and Prestonsburg didn’t. After Pikeville batters saw the pitcher 2 times the guys started seeing the ball better.

One thing that I don’t understand is why does Pburg get their home dugout every game? I understand the 15th Region is hosted at their facility but Pburg isn’t the one hosting the tourney. I’m assuming it was probably agreed upon when they decided to have the tournament there when they voted on it but to me it just doesn’t make sense for them to get the 3rd base dugout for the rest of eternity since it’s held at their home field and they aren’t hosting it.

Glad this was "sorta" brought up.

I've been curious why the "Mayor" has been presenting trophies, etc.  Is it because Stonecrest is "county/city" managed, is he being considered the Tournament Director, AD of host school?

[Spud6]

This one came down to Pikeville had one of their studs on the mound and Prestonsburg didn’t. After Pikeville batters saw the pitcher 2 times the guys started seeing the ball better.

One thing that I don’t understand is why does Pburg get their home dugout every game? I understand the 15th Region is hosted at their facility but Pburg isn’t the one hosting the tourney. I’m assuming it was probably agreed upon when they decided to have the tournament there when they voted on it but to me it just doesn’t make sense for them to get the 3rd base dugout for the rest of eternity since it’s held at their home field and they aren’t hosting it.

Glad this was "sorta" brought up.

I've been curious why the "Mayor" has been presenting trophies, etc.  Is it because Stonecrest is "county/city" managed, is he being considered the Tournament Director, AD of host school?

Stonecrest is city owned and the mayor is the big proponent of getting the region moved to Stonecrest because it is centrally located for the region

[jetpilot]

Just another day at the office for the Panthers

Eazzze Peazze work for Simpkins, making a mockery of the rest of the 15th, again.

Simpkins gets a ton of credit for sure but it helps when you have 3 probable D-1s as your starting rotation with an ERA way under 2 and excellent players at every single position both offensively and defensively.

[BlackcatAlum]

This one came down to Pikeville had one of their studs on the mound and Prestonsburg didn’t. After Pikeville batters saw the pitcher 2 times the guys started seeing the ball better.

One thing that I don’t understand is why does Pburg get their home dugout every game? I understand the 15th Region is hosted at their facility but Pburg isn’t the one hosting the tourney. I’m assuming it was probably agreed upon when they decided to have the tournament there when they voted on it but to me it just doesn’t make sense for them to get the 3rd base dugout for the rest of eternity since it’s held at their home field and they aren’t hosting it.

Glad this was "sorta" brought up.

I've been curious why the "Mayor" has been presenting trophies, etc.  Is it because Stonecrest is "county/city" managed, is he being considered the Tournament Director, AD of host school?

Stonecrest is city owned and the mayor is the big proponent of getting the region moved to Stonecrest because it is centrally located for the region

Spud is correct.

Former mayor Les Stapleton is the one who got the 15th region schools to agree to use Stonecrest's baseball/softball complex as the regional tournament host site through 2026. The city is the host, not Prestonsburg HS. The facility is city owned and operated. So that would be why the current mayor is the one presenting the awards.

[-STAT-]

In regards to the city hosting the Tournament, that would be correct as @BlackcatAlum said.

I know firsthand how hard the parks & rec department have worked to ensure the fields are in the best shape as possible, how many times the employees have been cussed out & jumped onto that took money up at the gate due to parking or having to pay $5 extra dollars, or people acting entitled bc they "had a pass" and would just act so rude & disrespectful. It wasn't the park employees who came up with how pricing would be to get in, that was discussed at the meeting, and the ones directing parking can only do so much, and I witnessed some of this firsthand, not calling out people from certain teams, it wasn't from just 1 or 2, it was from a lot of the teams that were represented, fans & coaches alike. Just had to get that off my chest, be better, even though people still won't be at the end of the day.

Other than that, congrats to Pikeville on repeating as Region Champs, and congrats to Prestonsburg on a great season and incredible run to the Championship.

[Harry Dawg]

Ok, enough about Prestonsburg's great season and incredible run. They had a losing record, and their "incredible run" was the luck of the draw. Their baseball trophy case is just as empty now as it was at the beginning of the season.

[-STAT-]

Ok, enough about Prestonsburg's great season and incredible run.  They had a losing record, and their "incredible run" was the luck of the draw.  Their baseball trophy case is just as empty now as it was at the beginning of the season.

Very classy comment. 

Nothing wrong with congratulating a team on a great season, they may have had a losing record and you said "luck of the draw", but you play who you play, that is out of their control. Remember seeing some comments that the winner of Pburg-JC would make it to the Championship, and the ones that said that on here seemed to be right. is that luck? 

But I digress, again congrats to Pikeville on repeating as championships. Also congrats to Pburg on a great season, and an incredible run to the championship game.

[BCF4L]

Ok, enough about Prestonsburg's great season and incredible run.  They had a losing record, and their "incredible run" was the luck of the draw.  Their baseball trophy case is just as empty now as it was at the beginning of the season.

Says the fan of the team too scared to join a district they couldn’t beat up on annually. You’re lucky favors were pulled and you jumped over the district you should’ve been in from the start.

[Harry Dawg]

Ok, enough about Prestonsburg's great season and incredible run.  They had a losing record, and their "incredible run" was the luck of the draw.  Their baseball trophy case is just as empty now as it was at the beginning of the season.

Says the fan of the team too scared to join a district they couldn’t beat up on annually. You’re lucky favors were pulled and you jumped over the district you should’ve been in from the start.

So you're saying LC is in a weak district?  The same district that includes the great and powerful Blackcats?  I think we may have found common ground.

[BlackcatAlum]

Ok, enough about Prestonsburg's great season and incredible run.  They had a losing record, and their "incredible run" was the luck of the draw.  Their baseball trophy case is just as empty now as it was at the beginning of the season.

Says the fan of the team too scared to join a district they couldn’t beat up on annually. You’re lucky favors were pulled and you jumped over the district you should’ve been in from the start.

So you're saying LC is in a weak district?  The same district that includes the great and powerful Blackcats?  I think we may have found common ground.

You know exactly what he’s saying.

hahahahaha

[BCF4L]

Ok, enough about Prestonsburg's great season and incredible run.  They had a losing record, and their "incredible run" was the luck of the draw.  Their baseball trophy case is just as empty now as it was at the beginning of the season.

Says the fan of the team too scared to join a district they couldn’t beat up on annually. You’re lucky favors were pulled and you jumped over the district you should’ve been in from the start.

So you're saying LC is in a weak district?  The same district that includes the great and powerful Blackcats?  I think we may have found common ground.

No one here has ever said Prestonsburg was great and powerful. But keep thumping your chest because you beat them. Obviously that meant more to you than, you know, actually playing for a regional championship.