SOFTBALL: Top teams sharpen-up before CIF playoffs. Monrovia coach unveils new bats for struggling offense ... Alverno forfeits game, players suspended ... Arcadia readies for Thursday showdown with CV ... And what will mighty Temple City do next?

Fred,

Up above you say that winning Div2 will be tough for Arcadia, they are in Division 3.

Fred,
Who won the coin toss Arcadia or CV ????

Fred,

A bit late, but hats off for the photo spread in this week's Talk Prep sports! Its good to see a variety of local talent both past, present and future!

Sorry I sincerly thought we are talking about softball when I mentioned the SP girls - I didn't get the context re: Gibbs obviously. Just for the record and to clear the record, I think they are the best softball playing sis combo in the area.

I sure hope you are 16yrs old , whoever you are.

And don't forget the Mihm twins, that's nice too

Check out the two sisters at SP - not too bad either

Webb told Mayfield on the day of game (Friday) that they didn't want to play and foreited the game - giving Mayfield the Champioship. It would have been nice for Webb to show up so we could have won it on the field and our girls could have enjoyed the champioship properly. There was no way we were going to lose against Webb.

does anyone know knew won the coin toss for arcadia ?? if they they go in to cif as the second seat , it could be a interesting first game...

From what I understand, the Mayfield-Webb game was was a reschedule that never was going to happen and was ruled a forfeit by Webb. That is why it was overlooked.

Prep League Fan,
Wrong again....Mayfield had to beat Webb today to clinch the Prep League Championship. An unprobable loss would create a three way tie for the championship. Mayfield, Westridge, and Poly.

Do your homework before you post!!

does any one know whats happening with alverno? did they make play offs? do the girls that played rec ball get to play?

I have not heard of any sub .500 teams giving up a guaranteed playoff spot. They are usually made wild card teams since their records are bad and they need to earn their way in to the first round proper. The only way a team can get in without a guaranteed spot is if CIF needs more teams to fill out the bracket. At most their will only be one true wild card team in softball or baseball since their are more than enough teams to fill out the bracket and then some.

Also, while Anon 7:31's post was classless. There was no result that could have produced a Poly tie for first because both Westridge and Mayfield only had two losses in league and were playing each other to finish the season.

are there a hotter pair of sisters than the Gibbs girls, Wow.

one question, how can pitching lesson only cost $1,500?

Anon 7:31 nice rip on a 14 year old girl - your daughter must be very proud of her dad. I can only imagine how she is turning out.

there is no way Anon 7:31 is a girl - girls are too smart for such moronic posting

Anonymous May 11, 2007 @7:31,

Perhaps you and Poly dad should take it up and out to the parking lot to settle your frustrations. It is obvious that you two know one another.

I, for one, am tired of you slamming 14 and 15 year old girls.

Man up or shut up!!!

Hey SP fans,

Where will Parada be pitching in the summer? Would love to see her throw!

Good luck in Playoffs

I don't think she's a poly hater...I think she doesn't care for poly dad?

"invidious" GIRL !

Not so fast invidious boy (anon7:31) - if Mayfield losses today - Mayfield, Westridge and Poly tie for first all with 9-3 records.
Not bad for a team with 8 freshman, one sophmore and two juniors. Next year with an incomming freshman class that is even better than this year's class the streak will start anew, if it ends this year.

Ah the Poly hater is back - we missed your immaturity - NOT

Pitching lessons: $1500

Donations to multiple Travel ball teams: $5000

Seeing the look in Daddy's eyes when his little girls blow a 20+ year tradition of winning Prep league: PRICELESS

It sure would have been nice to see SP play Alverno.

Watch these two players from Hesperia- Amanda Bush and Allison Clark. Throw a change up to a Scorpion and they'll turn it into a HR.

Despite the fact that you are being rude, I will still talk to you.

Monrovia clearly is in the drivers seat, but you know that any first round team is going to be suprised by Parada.

Hell, I'LL be disapointed if Monrovia doesn't win it all.

Don't forget that Monrovia didn't exactly pound South Pas this year. I think all three teams are going to do fine. It would be cool to meet again in CIF.

South Pasadena going far in the playoffs? Remember 2006?
Montebello 3
Tigers 1

It will be one and out again for the Tigers.

If South Pas draws Hesperia, Torrance or North Torrance, the game will end by mercy rule. Monrovia is a legit contender if they can avoid Hesperia or Torrance until the finals.

You are right about Monrovia, it was definitely their year.

I'd to see all three RHL teams get it done, overall it is real good group of kids.

I heard Poly mercied Rio.

I love how SP thinks that they are going further than anyone in the RHL. If they cant even beat monrovia how are they gonna go further than them. only like 1 or 2 of their girls can hit and the rest just get lucky. Personally i think its Monrovias year and if they lose it will be a true dissappointment.

Thank you, now it makes sense.

Different size leagues have a different amounts of teams going to CIF

4 team leagues have two teams in CIF
5&6 team leagues have 3 teams in CIF
7&8 team leagues have 4 teams in CIF

Tha can change if you have under a .500 record, you can either become a Wild Card or not get in at all.

can someone explain. I thought only the first 2 teams fo to the playoffs. How does SP say they are also going.??? is that the same in every league????I'm not from here .so don't yell at me..Thank you

Lets stay humble TC is still in second and Ellingsworth is still an excellent coach

Told you SP was better than TC but you wouldn't listen. Coach of the year is clearly Mike Williams. Now on to the playoffs, where we will go farther than anyone in the RHL.

Who won the Mayfield Westridge game and who won the Poly Rio game?

...and PLAY NICE!

Maranatha 3 Cerritos Valley 1

Knocking Valley out of 1st Place!

Not that all you RHL fans would care but thought it would change the mood of the bloggers AND one of you may be playing Valley, Village or LAB in Playoffs.

Call your favorite Maranatha fan to get a scouting report!

Good Luck to you all!

Didn't FSH pitcher play for Sliderz last summer? How did she do at Nationals?

SP 4 TC 1

SP totally destroyed TC in the 6th inning, but TC played extremely well the first half of the ball game.

SP beats TC 4-1 on Senior Day.

Crescenta Valley 7, Arcadia 6.
Apaches blow 6-1 lead in the fourth inning, comitting three errors to finish a tie for the Pacific League title.

Anon 1:30-

I am simply a former player from Arcadia High School. I honestly have no authority in this situation and would prefer not to get involved.

BTW, Arcadia had a heartbreaking loss to Crescenta Valley today. They were up 6-1, but ended up losing 6-7. They will most likely share the league title with CV. I wasn't able to the attend the game, but it was no doubt a disappointing senior day.

Do any SP parents actually work? How many SP parents are there anyway?

really goes back to the start of the year with SP and it never ends except it gets worse when some gets fed up with the bullies of the blog and decides to push back - bullies always can't take it when you stand up to them

I have seen no criticism of any other players except SP players. As a matter of fact SP bloggers compliment other players and they are called backhand comments. This all goes way back to when some SP people or person got into it with some Poly people or person. It hasn't been the same since. This is the underlying hate. I can see why you might be mad at SP people, but lets stop please. Nobody from SP brought up their pitcher and catcher, they just defended them. Its true.

anon 1:36...maybe if you're not sure if it's bashing you shouldn't post it.

If you do not praise SP completely you are bashing esp if you say anything not completely positive about the pitcher and catcher. With that kind of ridiculus over protection no wonder he team under performed - which they did.

Fred J or Daynuh (whoever you are),
Can we just have SP have their own blog so they can build up every player on their team that plays travel ball and put down the ones that don't and put down every other team (including those they haven't seen play and as well as players they haven't seen play) and pick on the Prep(esp Poly), Pacific (esp Arcadia) and Del Rey Leagues (esp La Salle) so the rest of us don't have to hear endlessly about a team that is 1 game above having a losing record in the RHL. I think many of the bloggers would be happy to chip in and pay for whatever extra expense is incurred by the Pasadena Star News.

I believe Jessica Ferri is a new player for the OC Batbusters. This will be her first summer with them, she is a sophomore.

Anon 10:15

Come on, You're not a SP Parent or player then what? Brother?..Sister?...coach?

You certainly are a SP fan! Have you seen any games this HS season outside of the SP schedule and/or RHL? Just curious as to how you can compare your catcher to teams/players you haven't seen?

Anon1:01,

That is true for every school. Show me one school that has taken critcism of their own team/players with a grain of salt.

to FSH fan...

Has your pitcher played for the Batbusters yet? How did she do last summer at Nationals?

....and they (SP) will reply blog until they get the last word!...(watch)

Well, here we go again...Should just call this the RHL blog.

Can't a blogger be honest and give constructive criticism without it being called player "bashing"..? I think anon was complimenting Parada but perhaps pointing out an area she could improve to get even better. They had her as the Number 4 pitcher in the area. Just because they did not have her at #1 does not constitiute bashing!

It seems whenever there is an opinion that does not hold SP in a all positive light someone from SP calls it bashing!

Anon11:46,

I will take your criticisms and try and be as consciensious as I am asking other people to be.

I would not compliment a kid if I didn't feel that way. Although I am a SP fan I consider myself more of RHL fan, and with this being said I cannot help being a Monrovia and Temple City fan this year. Although I pull for South Pas to beat them, I am truly impressed with the majority of the players on both of those teams. I honestly believe that these three teams are playing the best ball right now and are going to have a lot of success in CIF.

I think that mentioning any player by name on a blog in anything other than a neutral or positive light is wrong. Remember, these are kids we're talking about. Before you click “POST” think about how it would feel if your child was referred to as "too emotional" etc. by some anonymous nimrod on the internet? It’s one thing to bash teams and/or schools but how about a little sensitivity when using names in our rants?

Same to you tgrfan - you aren't above it just because you run to Fred - whenever you are called on something and enough with the backhanded compliments - most aren't that naive.

Fred,

This is where this blog becomes a slippery slope. Although it seems like an appropriate subject, what seems to happen everytime you talk about who deserves honors, people feel like they need to put somebody else down to make their favorite look better and it becomes ugly. It hasn't happened just yet but you can feel it's just around the corner.

Gabrielino lost to Arroyo 9-6.

Parada is a very good pitcher and “yes” she does typically "hits her spots". However, that by no means makes her easy to catch. Frankly, quite the contrary … she is not at all easy to catch. A truly great catcher is far more than a “backstop”. I'm truly not a SP parent or player, however, I have observed that Gogreve is not just an okay catcher with a so-so bat this season … she is a truly great catcher. I’m certain her SP coach, pitcher, and other teammates know it, as well as the University of SC, and the OC Batbusters. There is a reason why she gets the notice from the people “in-the-know,” and the true softball experts.

A great catcher excels beyond their catching and hitting skills ... a great catcher not only has the physical skills but is also a true field general, sets a higher standard for the team, and is the team leader who is an on-the-field-coach. No one in the area better understands that than Gogreve and I’m always amazed how she shows it all of the time. As a catcher she also understands her responsibility to her team to manage the pitcher and make her look as good as she can by accentuating that pitcher’s positive skills, abilities, and attributes, while at the same time minimizing that pitcher's negative challenges. Every pitcher has both positive and negative, and Parada (although very good) is certainly no exception to that. Her challenges aren’t as apparent primarily because her catcher is great at doing her job and she very effectively and constantly manages that situation with great expertise. You can ask any great pitcher what is most important to them and they will tell you a great catcher.

I have observed that Long is very good in these regards too, however, nobody is better than Gogreve this season.

Anybody with the speed and movement of Parada is not easy to catch. She throws the hardest with the most movement on her ball. Gogreve is batting real well in the second half of the season after an early season slump. Remember it is all about how you finish. Lexi Long is a very good catcher as well. I have never seen Grimes catch so I can't say for sure, but her stats look similar to Gogreve's. The thing about Gogreve, that only shows up as a "put out" in the stats, is the amount of players she has picked off on the corners. And if she doesn't pick them off she keeps them within two feet of the bag. Its fun to watch.

It is Gogreve not Cogreve

RE: Anon 5/8 1:37

Check yourself. The girls you mentioned as catchers
(all 3 are great players) are all playing out-of-position as their respective teams need them behind the plate...

Katie TRIPOLI should be at SS or 3B

Marney HILLIER is an ALL LEAGUE 1st TEAM outfielder.

Sarah TREVINO is an ALL AREA 2B.

This still doesn't answer who is the AREA's Best Catcher this HS season? This should include D skills as well as O.

COGREVE is good. She has had only an average year at the plate. I don't think we should reward her for what she may have done last summer ( or next year). I think a lot of girls could catch Parada as she hits her spots.

Lexi LONG does a good job behind the plate but weak bat. She handles both pitchers well.

GRIMES is also a good catcher and probably the best hitter of these last three?

Any comments? suggestions? Liked to hear from someone besides SP fans...

I would agree, I thought it was fair dialogue between Tgrfan and myself. You can state opinions on here without insulting or getting ugly, which is what we should all strive for. With the exception of a few comments, and there are always a few, the conversations on this blog have been very informative. What I've learned since soccer season is there is a genuine passion for girls soccer and softball in this area, and as long as I'm here we'll continue to give those sports the coverage they deserve.
.....
Big game today, Crescenta Valley at Arcadia, 3:15 p.m. Apaches hoping to win outright league title.
Also, Westridge is playing Mayfield for the Prep League title, which will end Pasadena Poly's 23-year reign at the top. Both Westridge and Mayfield have two league losses and Poly has three.

At the time of that comment SP had essentially the same record as TC except they had two games left including against TC. Since then SP has lost a third time to Monrovia and they are locked in third. Anyway, that is beside the point. There is nothing in that comment that is rude or ugly about other kids or other teams and that is all I am objecting to. And you agree with the idea of kicking people off the blog because of their teams record? Plus Fred has no problem defending himself. Just don't get ugly, there is no reason.

Prep League Fan,
Are you kidding?

trgfn,
I completely agree with Anon 2:53 - it is getting really old and the people on this blog are not stupid. SP fans whine and complain about everything and everyone including Fred J of all people - check out your first post on this blog - I am sure Fred has a personal vendetta against South Pasadena. Placing a team barely above .500 in league 6th in the top 10 really shows Fred is out to get South Pas. Grow up.

Did Gabrielino win today?

I'm glad to see
Tonilyn Beaston's name and everyone is right her arm is a cannon..my dauaghter's team played LaSalle and we were also impressed with her arm.
great pick !!!!!!

ANON 3:01. I am sorry for not being able to infer what you meant from what you did not write.

Thanks,

I thought I was going insane.

I'm not quite sure how I fit into this, but since you asked...

I believe the comment by Anon 2:53 is completely irrational and generally ridiculous. Only the top 2 teams should be allowed to blog? That sounds like some kind of corrupted government.

Tgrfn, this guy (anon 2:53) doesn't deserve your attention.

Daynuh or Fred,

Maybe you can shine light on this. Do you think what this person (Anon 2:53) is saying is right? Is this the type of talk that should be promoted? If so, I am out of here and not because I am from South Pasadena.

All South Pasadena has done on this page is defend the integrity of their team. No one from SP has said anything bad about anyone, it is an open forum that is no fun if it is full of hate.

By the way, I was very impressed by Tony Beaston when they played South Pasadena. She has skills.

And to whoever posted below me... look who's talking!

Toni has a cannon arm, it's pretty amazing.

Your very bold when your name is
Anonymous 2:53

whats happening with alverno? can they go to cif?

I agree about Tonilyn Beaston...and I'm from Monrovia

Fred
The picture on the top of LaSalle reminded me of who I think is one of the best SS in the Area . Tonilyn Beaston. Its a shame that her Senior year has been a tough one with LaSalle going up in div. and losing Amanda Doepple. If you have the chance to see her play. It's fun to watch someone with so much talent..

Anon 3:01 is correct.

Prep League Fan,

Let me slow it down for you....

Here was the question..Did Mayfield finish off Poly chances of winning their 23rd consectuive Prep League title today?

Answer...
No,
Poly 2 Mayfield 1

Westridge (not Mayfield) finished them off by beating Chadwick 4-3 putting themselves in the drivers seat for the Prep League top spot.

Read the question....

give it up about South Pas there is always an excuse - they had a bad record going into league. In league they are barely above .500 - not enough run support. Let's face it the TEAM and that is everybody is over rated and all the blogging and bragging will not change that. Just wait for the excuses when they are bounced from the playoffs early. I think only the top two teams in each league should be allowed to blog. That would end all this we have the best pitcher and catcher nonsense - if it were true SP would have a materially better record. No more blogging from South Pas until you win at least 2 in a row.

When thinking of catchers all these good names of players come up but what about Lexi Long. I mean she helped them in the Arcadia game by tagging out two girls which helped continue the game for extra innings, she can block, and has decent throws. What makes a pitcher even better is their catcher and I have watched Lexi Long play and she keeps the whole team in it and supports her pitchers. I wouldnt keep her out of the running for top cathcer in the area.

Most of the scholarships (of which their aren't a lot and most are fractional) - seem to be to some mid-level or less schools. I think the kids would be better off going to better colleges and focusing on their education. Seriously.

Answer the question ttb - quit ranting.

Fred,

My contention is that it is the same in the better ball that is played in the area.
Bateson and Parada for instance, both "dominant." Sure their play keeps the score down, but it takes quality defense to defend a quality offense even when that type of pitcher is around. Those games have been decided by quality offensive and defensive plays. Then you add the play of a team like TC without the "dominant pitcher" and they are aequally in the mix for the same reasons, defense and offense, not just pitching.

You need an excellent pitcher but the word dominant for pitcher is overused.

Anon. 11:44 AM,

In talking with several people (including opposition coaches) who have observed, with that pitcher even the "18 earned runs" is an overstatement (another example of very poorly reported stats on MaxPreps). An excellent pitcher ... obviously the Orange County Batbusters think so ... I hear she was brought on to their elite 18U-Gold team as a pitcher as a 16 year old. Her high school team is void of even a minimum of defensive support and is from the sound of it, "the poorest coached team in the area." The fielding is so bad their all-star center fielder (who going to a top 20 D1 on a ride) has been forced to play out of position at shortstop all season. Two or three players have carried that team in a very tough League.

Anonymous, I think there's a big difference between NCAA Division I and high school softball. Even pitchers than aren't dominant are still very good if they're playing division I, and everyone on scholarship can hit. I'm sure it's a lot like travel ball where you have a lot of quality pitching and hitting so there is likely to be more parity among teams.

I think that it should wait until CIF is over because that is when it really counts.

Fred
I agree about Rogers great pitcher and has some good pitch's. Bateson still has my vote and I agree about Parada. these 3 have played some of the best games to watch. I feel best in the leagues.

Fred,

I think that when you mention Rogers it waters down the concept of Bateson being the top pitcher, because it points out what an excellent defense they have along with the confidence that their offense gives them. If you are looking at the top pitcher I think you still have to look at Parada, because she has had undue pressure on her with low run production and has had to pitch so many one run games into the seventh alone, and this against mostly high quality teams. She has an excellent defense to rely on but no where near the offense.

By the way you didn't respond to my comment the other day about Alabama being ranked #1 in the NCAA because of run production instead of dominant pitching. What does that do to the dominant pitcher theory?

Anon 12:10,

Your right, travelball players really aren't very good. You figured it out. Good thing you figured it out before you wasted all that money. Phew! Thanks for helping us out. And you are absolutely right about that SP catcher, she is really a stinker. Along with Jenna Rodriguez, Michelle Escamilla, Krissy Mihm, Katie McWhirter, Jessica Ferri, Nicole Parada, Alex Aguirre, Kaitlin Ellingsworth, Veronica Grant, Jordan Taylor, Lexi Long, Brooke Turner, Lindsey Sisk, Monica Abbot, Cat Osterman, Jenny Finch,... They really are wasting their time. I mean working hard and playing ball in college is really overrated.

We talk a lot about Bateson without mentioning Rogers, don't most of you think she's among the area's best too??

First I want to say they are great pitchers..but this is how I feel.

1.ESCAMILLA..Very fast and lots of movement. think she would do great in any league.
2. BATESON...Very confidendent and always a team player.makes the big outs..great team behind her.
3. Parada...Great pitches,never know what she will throw you.
4.RODRIGUEZ...very good and always in the game. but only played a few teams that you could look at stats.

Try it again with something that makes sense.

If the RHL is so bad, why is the Travel team star on South Pasadena ripping up the League. I think these travel team bloggers need to come back down to reality.

Even less of those runs against FSH are earned than are marked. Jessica Ferri is a flat out stud pitcher and would be in the list with the other pitchers if she had any defense behind her and I am not a FSH fan.

For Poly to to have won league - Poly had to beat Mayfield this week(they did) - Westridge had to lose to Chadwick (they didn't - so it is over) and Westridge had to beat Mayfield and all three would have tied for first with 9-3 records. Poly will now finish tied for second if they beat Rio at Rio(which is not a given). Congratulations to Poly on a great 22 consecutive Prep League Champioship run - that won't be repeated again by any High School team in any League in this area.

How can FSH be a top ten team when their #1 pitcher has given up 40 runs in about 80 innings but only 18 earned? That is a lot of unearned runs by a top ten team! If the stat is accurate that means there must be a lot of errors! Any thoughts?

Can we get a discussion on who is the areas BEST Pitcher and Why?

This bloggers choice in order:

1.RODRIGUEZ True Competitor. Makes her team better. Seems to get better in BIG games.

2.BATESON: Gamer who gets people out. Not a lot of girls would be able to share the circle and stay as consistent.

3. ESCAMILLA: Hardest thrower. Needs to work on offspeed. Curious how she'd fare in a bigger/better league?

4. PARADA: Has a good variety of pitches but trouble getting the big outs. Tends to get too emotional.

Good luck to your team in CIF.

How can Poly win league? They are 8-3 in league. Westridge and Mayfield are 9-2 in league. Since Westridge and Mayfield are playing each other to finish the season, the winner of that game will be 10-2 and outright league champion no matter what Poly does in their last game. What am I missing?

I want what trgfn is smoking.

No,

Poly 2 Mayfield 1

Looking back, I am not sure what you are talking about with meanspirited SP parents. There was one person in the last blog who mouthed off in the name of SP and now we are the meanspirited bloggers. The only thing I see about SP fans is a great deal of passion about their team. Most of the time they say nice things about other teams as well. It seems like there was shot taken at Poly by someone who mentioned SP and since then we are the worst?

Remember, you never really know who is talking so don't take it too seriously.

Did Mayfield finish off Poly chances of winning their 23 consectuive Prep League title today?

I would like to thank the more "opinionated" posters on this softball blog for reminding me how not to act during volleyball and soccer season...UGLY!

Fred- Isn't Arcadia in Division 3? The division that is still a huge task and likely will be Santa Monica's to lose?
In Division 5 I'll take North Torrance or El Segundo.

SP has the most annoying and mean spirted bloggers - and it has got to be more than one. But the girls on that team are very good and not only the pitcher and catcher (I have seen many of them throughout the years grow and improve - they are as good as the 7 on any other team). It is not right to name call the rest of the team even if they aren't any good, which happens to not be the case. Bloggers should not take out their understandable frustrations of a few (maybe it is only one) SP parent(s) who get their jollies out if putting every other school, team and players (sometimes their own) down out on the SP players. I know some of the SP parents and they would never post the complete garbarge that has been posted here lately and I am from Poly.

I can't believe that any parent would call girls from another team " pansies" what were you thinking ..STOP ALREADY...
and I'm not from SP or POLY ..I'm from MONROVIA

Listen whoever you are that you feel like you have to say terrible things about SP. Calling kids pansies and such, please stop. SP has shown nothing but respect for other teams on the field and whatever you are saying that SP did to you on this blog, is not right either. There may have been one random person that actually engaged heavily with someone about SP and Poly. But, the community and especially the kids are not to blame. There is no reason to smear.

I truly hope your kids are truly having a fun season.

I also hope that some of our opponents will reject this kind of talk as well, along with the rest of our parents.

Come on,
After all the cr-p that SP has been spewing about other younger team and how age doesn't matter and bad mouthing other teams that lost 7-8 players - now SP wants a pass because it had to play a couple of younger player. come on indeed. The SP parents are completely schizophrenic.

South Pasadena is very fragile and lack mental toughness. I hope they get it together in the playoffs. And yes they did underperform, way underperformed. They should have been battling for first place and not losing to teams like LC 5-0 with their best pitcher.

tgrfn--- you're right. it isn't a disappointing season because what could the team have expected? with nothing but a good pitcher and catcher, pansies in the all other spots, it was bound to be unimpressive. so congrats. A for effort.

Did Westridge win today?

SP fans, unfortunately the only thing that matters are wins, quality of losses does not count. We lead the league whinning and knocking everyone, even schools that aren't in our divisions (who cares). Our defense is fine (pitching too) spend more time with your girls in the cages or it will be one and done for us in the playoffs.

Now SP is 13-10 - soon to be 13-11 - sorry - that is a great season for them given the talent they have. But I have to hand it to them they have played a lot of good teams tough and unfortunately a lot of so-so teams close too.

Monrovia just beat SP 2-1. Another great game. Monrovia went up 2-0 early. SP fought back and scored 1 with the second runner getting thrown out at the plate. SP left two on in the last inning. It was another great RHL game. All three RHL teams are the best around, I don't care what anybody says.

To really appreciate some of these girls, you need to watch them play with their travel teams. It's truly a different game, mush faster and intense. If you ever have a chance to watch any of the girls with scholarships play with there travel team, check it out. It will be like night and day.

Anonymous 1:37 pm,

South Carolina is not going to come all the way out to tiny little South Pasadena and recruit a kid who they felt could not play Division I softball. In the grand scheme of things, would you rather your daughter be voted "catcher of the year" or be offered a full/partial ride to a major University?

I know what my wallet says.....

Anon 1:37,

None of the teams you mentioned even keep fielding statistics. Gogreve is hitting the ball real well, La Salle and Maranantha should know, she parked one against both of them.

So you are stumping for for Catcher of the year? The thing about a great catcher is that she makes her pitcher that much better. Ask Parada what Gogreve means to her.

Did not want to Player "bash" but was curious... It's still not clear how a .339 BA is having a good year when you look around the area... La Salle's catcher(TRIPOLI) and others (IE Maranatha (HILLIER), Alverno(TREVINO)) are all having better statistical years : better OBP, more RBI's and MUCH higher BA's and most aren't as lucky to have a stud pitcher ( well maybe Alverno) Thats all. Sorry if it sounded like we were bashing a girl...NOT our intent. Just want a more balanced analysis which can extend outside the RHL? Let's not get tunnel vision when it comes to acknowledging season long accomplishments! Are we rewarding girls for what she has done all season or for her past performances and/or potential?? I'd like to think wins and losses aren't the only factors either...

I would say Bateson,Parada,
escamilla and Rodriquez as 4th, This isn't to say Rodriquez isn't a great pitcher but I don't think you can go with her stats at all,Pasadena Muir and hoover and glendale those stats are nothing, but when playing cv or monrovia look at the score it was tough and I know !! my daughter is a starter on Arcadia Varsity

Cassie Gogreve, who I only saw play once this year, and who I do not personally know, is a fantastic catcher who knows how to take control of a ball game. Her ability to block would-be passed balls and prevent wild pitches is extrordinary. Her snap throw to first base and her ability to throw down to any base from a "Benito Santiago" like squat was quite impressive.

Continued success in the SEC....

Take a look at Alabama in the NCAA. They are ranked #1 in the nation without a dominant pitcher. They have done it with run production.They are going back and forth between 1st and 2nd with Tenessee who has a dominant pitcher.

Look at TC in the RHL. Maybe not a dominant team but very competetive. If Alverno played the competition that the RHL teams play she would be no where near as dominant. Let me also tell you that Monrovia is dominant because of their hitting and defense. Bateson is very good but not dominant.

And you think I overestimate the value of a good pitcher in softball? You can't be a dominant team without a dominant pitcher. Not in this sport.

Right, they split, but TC owns a win over Monrovia on the road while South Pas is 0-2 against them. Maybe the word "disappointment" is a bad one to use. I never meant to imply their effort was a disappointment, I was referring to their record as a disappointment.
And to the other blogger, please no player bashing, everyone knows Gogreve is one of the best hitters and catchers around, if not the best behind the plate.

Fred,

I think your characterization of South Pasadena's season as a "disappointment" is misguided, because I think that after losing 5-6 seniors last year you overestimated the team. Anyone who knows the team can see that they are about where they should be and getting better as the season goes along.

I believe that that you overestimate the value of an excellent pitcher in good softball games, you had one article expressing that dominant pitchers should be limited in innings. I think it takes a team and this team has gotten much better as the season has progressed.

And SP has split with TC at this point. You are acting as though they have won the series.

Cassie Gogreve had an early seven game batting slump where nothing fell for her (0 hits & 0 strikeouts) she was probably pushing too hard. When she started hitting the team started hitting. She is now batting .515 in her last 11 games with a fielding percentage of .994 overall with the best batting average of catchers in the area .339 and and a .405 OBP with two games to play (this witha seven game slump). She is third in RBI's in the RHL, and if you knew her, you would know why she is playing D1 ball.

She is very humble and plays very hard every game. Lets not turn this into a kid bashing session.

There were blogs last week re College bound softball players... Did i read SP catcher has a full ride to So Carolina? Based on what? It appears she underachieved all year. What am I missing?

You are right on with your list of Bateson, Rodriguez, Escamilla and Parada as the 4 best local arms BUT I'd put Rodriquez at Number 1!

Look at the baseball blog, I mentioned that St. Francis has under-achieved as well, does that mean I have something personal against them. These are two teams I thought could win league titles and I bet a lot of people thought they could win league titles but they've come way short. I know you want me to sugar-coat everything, but it is what it is. I hope the Tigers finish strong and do well in the playoffs, which is the same I wish for all the West San Gabriel Valley schools.

Hey, why does FSH continue to get a free pass? Yes, their league is somewhat tough but so is La Salle's and Maranatha's ? Do either of them deserve to be in the top 10 ?? NO... but neither does FSH. What gives?

Trust me, there is nothing personal. South Pas was one of our preseason favorites. Some teams over-achieve and some under-achieve. I thought the Tigers would do much better after their battles with Monrovia last season while Temple City, and Gabrielino have been a huge surprise to me.
This is softball, if the Tigers' hitting and field percentage is as good as you have indicated, then with a pitcher like Parada, who I consider the next best after Bateson, Rodriguez and Escamilla, they should be doing much better than 6-4 in league, with most of their wins against the bottom two.
And what did I say in my caption that wasn't fair. If they lose out to Monrovi and Temple City, they finish 13-11, which IS a disappointment. But if they can win both, and finish second, they go into the playoffs with a lot of momentum and a pitcher who can take them a long way.

Fred,

What is so disapointing about SP, have you not seen how well they have played lately? The RHL is the toughest league in the area. All three teams in the RHL have given each other the toughest games of the year including SP. "Mighty" Temple City also has 9 losses including a shut out by SP. Sp may have a great pitcher, but they also have had issues that they have had to deal with including hitting and they have. Their fielding percentage is one of the best in the area and their top hitters have been hitting gangbusters for the last 14 games and that has gone completely unrecognized by you. I would think that you would at least recognize that they have picked themselves up and have had one of the best 2nd half records in the area. If it wasn't for a couple of game ending hiccups SP would be in the drivers seat in the RHL.

If South Pas is able to win out it won't only give them confidence but it will also give them second place in the RHL. You may want to mention that.

As a matter of fact they are the only team that you speak almost completely negative about. Is there a reason for that? These kids have worked their tails off.

Heck, you even give Gabrielino the benefit of the doubt apparently for what they did last year.

I don't know, at this point I can't help but think it is something personal.

This is not to take away from any other team in the area, I wish the best for all the kids playing.

Trust me there is no disappointment in Tiger town.