Staff Writer
Our Bubba Harnist spent the last
few springs coaching the junior varsity baseball team at Franklin Central. But
with a baby girl and the 24/7 requirement that is scanning the police blotter
for the latest outlaw maneuver by his cherishedCincinnati
the coaching gig.
few springs coaching the junior varsity baseball team at Franklin Central. But
with a baby girl and the 24/7 requirement that is scanning the police blotter
for the latest outlaw maneuver by his cherished
the coaching gig.
He thought weâ??d give him a chance
to get back in the game by previewing the upcoming baseball state tournament.
Hereâ??s his insight â?¦
to get back in the game by previewing the upcoming baseball state tournament.
Hereâ??s his insight â?¦
Itâ??s a
saying you hear often, maybe too often: â??Itâ??s the best time of the year!â?
saying you hear often, maybe too often: â??Itâ??s the best time of the year!â?
Some would
argue the start of the NFL season or the start of the college basketball season,
or even the start of the winter and snow, is the best time of the year. I would
argue, though, that this really is
the best time of the year.
argue the start of the NFL season or the start of the college basketball season,
or even the start of the winter and snow, is the best time of the year. I would
argue, though, that this really is
the best time of the year.
Memorial Day
to me always meant school was almost over, summer was set to begin, and I would
soon have three months of doing nothing but playing the great game of baseball
and enjoying the beautiful summer weather.
to me always meant school was almost over, summer was set to begin, and I would
soon have three months of doing nothing but playing the great game of baseball
and enjoying the beautiful summer weather.
Here in Indiana
means one other thing: the start of the 41st Annual IHSAA Baseball
State Tournament Series.
It begins May 28 and ends at beautiful Victory Field on June 15-16 when eight
teams will vie for a coveted baseball state championship.
means one other thing: the start of the 41st Annual IHSAA Baseball
State Tournament Series.
It begins May 28 and ends at beautiful Victory Field on June 15-16 when eight
teams will vie for a coveted baseball state championship.
Before we
break down this yearâ??s field in all four classes, letâ??s take a look back at the
state champs and runner-ups from each class over the last five years:
break down this yearâ??s field in all four classes, letâ??s take a look back at the
state champs and runner-ups from each class over the last five years:
Class 4A
2006: Fort
Wayne Snider 4, Indianapolis Cathedral 2 (8 innings)
Wayne Snider 4, Indianapolis Cathedral 2 (8 innings)
2005:
Brownsburg 6,Evansville
North 4
Brownsburg 6,
North 4
2004:
Lawrence Central 3, Brownsburg 1
Lawrence Central 3, Brownsburg 1
2003:
McCutcheon 7, Brownsburg 1
McCutcheon 7, Brownsburg 1
2002: Munster 9, Evansville
North 1
North 1
Class 3A
2006:
Jasper 13, Norwell 13
Jasper 13, Norwell 13
2005:
Andrean 10,Evansville
Memorial 1
Andrean 10,
Memorial 1
2004: New Palestine
2003: Norwell
3, New Palestine 1 (8 innings)
3, New Palestine 1 (8 innings)
2002: Vincennes
Bellmont 0
Bellmont 0
Class 2A
2006:
North Posey 8,Hammond
Noll 1
North Posey 8,
Noll 1
2005:
North Posey 11, Northwestern 6
North Posey 11, Northwestern 6
2004: Hammond
0
0
2003:
Triton Central 7, Frankton 4
Triton Central 7, Frankton 4
2002: Manchester
Class A
2006: Fort
Wayne Blackhawk Christian 7, Shakamak 4 (8 innings)
Wayne Blackhawk Christian 7, Shakamak 4 (8 innings)
2005: Fort
Wayne Blackhawk Christian 7, Hauser 0
Wayne Blackhawk Christian 7, Hauser 0
2004:
Lafayette Central Catholic 11, Shakamak 3
Lafayette Central Catholic 11, Shakamak 3
2003:
Tecumseh 7, Southwood 4
Tecumseh 7, Southwood 4
2002: Fort
Wayne Blackhawk Christian 7, Tecumseh 3
Wayne Blackhawk Christian 7, Tecumseh 3
Now, on to
the 2007 field and what yours truly thinks as to how things will play out. Keep
in mind that these picks, just like my beloved Cincinnati Reds, are bound to go
wrong.
the 2007 field and what yours truly thinks as to how things will play out. Keep
in mind that these picks, just like my beloved Cincinnati Reds, are bound to go
wrong.
4A North
Itâ??s not been
a bad year for 4A North. A week before the tournament begins,Crown
Point sits atop the big-school coachesâ?? poll, while Kokomo , Carroll (Fort Wayne ),
Brownsburg,Homestead , and Munster
a bad year for 4A North. A week before the tournament begins,
Point
Brownsburg,
There is
something about Brownsburg that scares folks â??? mainly pitcher
Drew Storen â??? but I am not sure this is the Bulldogsâ?? year. Personally, I likeKokomo
Bryce Robinson,Kokomo
appears to have what it will take to make it to Victory Field representing 4A
North.
something about Brownsburg that scares folks â??? mainly pitcher
Drew Storen â??? but I am not sure this is the Bulldogsâ?? year. Personally, I like
Bryce Robinson,
appears to have what it will take to make it to Victory Field representing 4A
North.
Pick: Kokomo
Teams to
watch: Brownsburg,Crown Point , Carroll (Fort Wayne
watch: Brownsburg,
4A South
Some may
say itâ??s a down year for the south, but not me. Take Indianapolis Cathedral, a
team that was loaded a year ago. The Fighting Irish may not be as good this
year, but they are still very good. I have seen them play, and I think we will see
them at Victory Field for the second year in a row.
say itâ??s a down year for the south, but not me. Take Indianapolis Cathedral, a
team that was loaded a year ago. The Fighting Irish may not be as good this
year, but they are still very good. I have seen them play, and I think we will see
them at Victory Field for the second year in a row.
Cathedral,
though, will have a tough battle against Lawrence Central in the opener just to
get out of the sectional. In fact, I will go with LC if the Bears knock off the
Irish. Center Grove is ranked ahead of both schools, but I saw them earlier
this year and came away unimpressed.
though, will have a tough battle against Lawrence Central in the opener just to
get out of the sectional. In fact, I will go with LC if the Bears knock off the
Irish. Center Grove is ranked ahead of both schools, but I saw them earlier
this year and came away unimpressed.
Columbus
North has been outstanding this year, but again, Iâ??m not sure these Bull Dogs
can make it all the way.
North has been outstanding this year, but again, Iâ??m not sure these Bull Dogs
can make it all the way.
Pick: Indianapolis
Teams to
watch:Lawrence Central, Center Grove, Columbus
North,Carmel
watch:
North,
4A final: Kokomo over Indianapolis
Cathedral
Cathedral
3A North
Call me
crazy, but 3A North will be tough for any team not named Norwell. I have two
words as to why Norwell will win 3A North: Jarrod Parker. To state the obvious,
this pitcher is special. He is the kind of kid who puts a team on his back and
takes them to the promise land.
crazy, but 3A North will be tough for any team not named Norwell. I have two
words as to why Norwell will win 3A North: Jarrod Parker. To state the obvious,
this pitcher is special. He is the kind of kid who puts a team on his back and
takes them to the promise land.
Make no
mistake, though; his supporting cast is more than capable.
mistake, though; his supporting cast is more than capable.
Pick:
Norwell
Norwell
Teams to
watch:West Lafayette , Hammond Clark, Jay County
watch:
3A South
Itâ??s been
a very good year for 3A South in â??07. Look at Sectional 27 alone. NewPalestine , Pendleton
Heights , and Yorktown
are all ranked in the 3A Top 10 coachesâ?? poll, so this is a sectional where
only the strong survive.
a very good year for 3A South in â??07. Look at Sectional 27 alone. New
are all ranked in the 3A Top 10 coachesâ?? poll, so this is a sectional where
only the strong survive.
I am going
to go withPendleton
Heights
however, sleep onYorktown and Cal Bowling (he
of the perfect game in the Delaware County Tournament that we have archived
here on HoosierAuthority.com).
to go with
however, sleep on
of the perfect game in the Delaware County Tournament that we have archived
here on HoosierAuthority.com).
Batesville,
West Vigo , and Brebeuf are talented as well, and
they all could contend. Deep down south, Vincennes Lincoln should get a
stranglehold on the rest of the competition, although beating Jasper and
getting out of its sectional will be tough.
they all could contend. Deep down south, Vincennes Lincoln should get a
stranglehold on the rest of the competition, although beating Jasper and
getting out of its sectional will be tough.
Pick: Pendleton Heights
Teams to
watch: West Vigo, Brebeuf, New Palestine, Yorktown, Batesville,Mt. Vernon
(Fortville)
watch: West Vigo, Brebeuf, New Palestine, Yorktown, Batesville,
(Fortville)
3A final:
Norwell overPendleton
Heights
Norwell over
2A North
The baseball
has been very good in the 2A ranks this year as well. When looking up north, look
no further than Northwestern, ranked first in the 2A coachesâ?? poll. The
pitching staff atNorthfield
will give the Norsemen a chance, but itâ??s probably not enough. Boone Grove sits
at No. 2 in the coachesâ?? poll, but Northwestern has the balance to take care of
2A North.
has been very good in the 2A ranks this year as well. When looking up north, look
no further than Northwestern, ranked first in the 2A coachesâ?? poll. The
pitching staff at
will give the Norsemen a chance, but itâ??s probably not enough. Boone Grove sits
at No. 2 in the coachesâ?? poll, but Northwestern has the balance to take care of
2A North.
Pick:
Northwestern
Northwestern
Teams to
watch: Boone Grove,Northfield
Madison-Grant
watch: Boone Grove,
Madison-Grant
2A South
Let the
debate begin. Who is going to come out of 2A South? South Ripley?Austin
Heritage Christian? North Putnam?Providence
North Posey?Charlestown
debate begin. Who is going to come out of 2A South? South Ripley?
Heritage Christian? North Putnam?
North Posey?
Sectional
46 alone will be tough withCharlestown , Providence , Eastern (Pekin ),
andAustin
like North Putnam every time Jake Mullis takes the hill, but thatâ??s not going
to be every game. South Ripley is very good.
46 alone will be tough with
and
like North Putnam every time Jake Mullis takes the hill, but thatâ??s not going
to be every game. South Ripley is very good.
My
surprise pick, though, is Lawrenceburg. Solid all around but not well known to
the rest of the state, I will take the Tigers.
surprise pick, though, is Lawrenceburg. Solid all around but not well known to
the rest of the state, I will take the Tigers.
Pick: Lawrenceburg
Teams to
watch: A plethora (see above)
watch: A plethora (see above)
2A final:
Northwestern over Lawrenceburg
Northwestern over Lawrenceburg
1A North
Fort Wayne
Blackhawk Christian has owned 1A North the last five years. The Braves have
been to the state finals three of the five years, winning the last two. I,
however, think this will be the first time since 2004 that Blackhawk wonâ??t be
representing 1A North at Victory Field.
Blackhawk Christian has owned 1A North the last five years. The Braves have
been to the state finals three of the five years, winning the last two. I,
however, think this will be the first time since 2004 that Blackhawk wonâ??t be
representing 1A North at Victory Field.
Michigan
City Marquette sits atop the coachesâ?? poll, but I have a feeling the winner of
Sectional 51 will represent the north. To that end, give me Lafayette Central
Catholic, which should eventually oust the aforementionedMarquette
City Marquette sits atop the coachesâ?? poll, but I have a feeling the winner of
Sectional 51 will represent the north. To that end, give me Lafayette Central
Catholic, which should eventually oust the aforementioned
Pick: LCC
Teams to
watch:Michigan City Marquette
watch:
1A South
To me,
this is as wide open as any of the eight regions. Shakamak stands out to me,
butCovington
and Northeast Dubois have the talent to make a run. Digging even deeper, Lapel,
Jac-Cen-Del, and Hauser also could take charge.
this is as wide open as any of the eight regions. Shakamak stands out to me,
but
and Northeast Dubois have the talent to make a run. Digging even deeper, Lapel,
Jac-Cen-Del, and Hauser also could take charge.
In the
end, I am going with my rather large gut feeling: Shakamak.
end, I am going with my rather large gut feeling: Shakamak.
Pick:
Shakamak
Shakamak
Teams to
watch: Northeast Dubois,Covington
Jac-Cen-Del
watch: Northeast Dubois,
Jac-Cen-Del
1A final =
LCC over Shakamak
LCC over Shakamak
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