October 29, 2008 11:25 AM        counters     

5th ANNUAL GULF COAST CLINIC INFORMATION:  

Attached is the flyer for the 5th annual Gulf Coast Softball Clinic on Jan 15-16, 2009. Speakers for the 2009 clinic are Jo Evans from Texas A&M, Howard Dobson from Southern Miss. , Dr. Sally Ford from TWU and former conditioning coordinator for the Kansas City Royals and several universities, and Wayne Daigle from Smithson Valley HS.

 

You can mail your registration as in the past, or you may pay online using PayPal or your credit/debit card at www.tmhsoftball.com.

 

Hotel information is not included on the flyer as we are waiting for the best rates from the hotels because of delays from Hurricane Ike. As soon as we have those rates, we will post the rates on the email and on the website.

 

2009 CLINIC FLYER            ONLINE PAYMENT AT TMH SOFTBALL WEBSITE

 

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

 

It was really nice to read some of the stories of families who are coaching with and against each other in some of your emails to me yesterday. It shows me that our sport is one big family!!! I’ll share some of those in the next few days.

 

Also, I have attached a copy of the minutes that I received from the NFHS concerning their softball committee meeting this summer. 

NFHS MINUTES

 

On the www.texasprepsoftball.net forums, we have had only 21 votes concerning the pitching distance so far. Please vote when you get a chance. You do have to register to the forum to be able to vote, but that is to protect the site from spammers that can destroy the database. You don’t have to post to vote. When you register, you will receive an email with a link back to the forum so you are able to vote and / or post if you so desire. 

Response from the Florida High School Athletic Association concerning their reasons for experimenting with the 43' pitching distance:

Billy,

 Here is information that we’ve used for the past couple of years.  These are surveys and responses from our membership as well as a PowerPoint presentation that I used at a National Rules Interpreters Meeting.  From 2006 until now, the FHSAA has recommended that the NFHS rule be changed to 43’.  Unfortunately, we keep getting turned down because, we don’t have enough support from the other states, including even those in our own Section.  What I hear over and over is that Florida is the exception to the rule because, the majority of states cannot play year round.  Therefore, the caliber of athletes in Florida, Texas, California, etc. are really the minority.  It seems  that the sentiments of the other states would be to stay at 40’ because, the rule more often than not would make bad pitchers worse.  However, our findings do not support that.

 Overall, I believe that the NFHS would be in favor of the change.  However, I don’t know how long it’s going to take to get everyone on board because, we’re the only state experimenting.  At this point, Massachusetts is also pitching at 43’, but they’re not tracking anything or submitting any information to the NFHS because, they follow ASA rules.  This change for us has been outstanding and very, very well received.  In fact, most of my calls that come in are from coaches worried that we’re going to go back to 40’, which is definitely not in the plans.

 The change for us has been very positive.  First off, the reaction time is increased, when considering line drives back to the pitcher.  Although it may not seem like much, we believe any increased time is positive from a safety standpoint.  Additionally, it seems to level the playing field between offense and defense and has streamlined with ASA and NCAA, which our players like.  It also has been positive in the area of gender equity.  When you consider that baseball pitches at the same distance as MLB and NCAA, it doesn’t seem right to make softball any different.  When people take a look at the grand scheme of things, it’s very inequitable.  We don’t lower the nets in Volleyball or Basketball, we don’t shorten the distances in Baseball…most everything is equitable except for Softball.

 So, that’s just a very small part of the history of the 43’ pitching distance here in Florida.  After you take a look at this information, let me know if you have any more questions.  This year we were granted with a 4th year of the experiment and I plan to survey all the schools who come here to play regular season games and in Sanctioned tournaments.  There are many, many schools who come to Florida to play year after year and they’ve all had to make that adjustment, so we’ll see what they have to say!

Sincerely,

Jamie Rohrer

Director of Athletics

Florida High School Athletic Association

 

2008 POWER POINT PRESENTATION

2008 NFHS STATS FOR SOFTBALL

2007 SOFTBALL PITCHING EXPERIMENT

2007 PITCHING SURVEY GRAPHS

UIL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING RESULTS FOR SOFTBALL:

I attended the UIL Legislative Council meeting on Sunday as a representative of the TFCA and also Coach Wes Overton was there as a member of the Executive Committee of the TGCA. Neither one of us spoke in the public hearing, but we were both able to observe the activities of the UIL.

 

Approved in the Athletic Committee meeting on Sunday, and to be approved at the General meeting on Monday  were two items that concern softball.

 

  1. Softball will get the two extra days of practice on the Friday & Saturday preceding the current beginning of practice date to use as evaluation and/or tryout time like baseball. We are not required to use those dates, but they will be available for us if we so desire. This will be available in the 2010 Season.

  2. There was some language in the C&CR, Section 1204, concerning umpire fee which was written incorrectly and caused confusion and made some chapters very upset because they would actually make less when they were supposed to make more. This was an emergency measure and will be in effect immediately. I will let the UIL send out the actual new wording of the pay scale.

 

Also, the superintendent from Barbers Hill ISD did question Mr. Tipton and the UIL staff as to why the pitching distance is not the same as college at 43 feet. It was explained to him by Dr. Breithaupt and Peter Contreras that this is a National Federation rule and we have to follow those rules.  I did talk to him and he is very much in favor of moving the distance, but I also told him of the surveys that do not show the coaches in clear favor of moving the distance. I am in favor of moving the distance, but I will represent the view of the clear majority of the coaches, which there is not a clear majority either way. 

 

Thursday, October 16, 2008

 

UIL Legislative Council Meeting this weekend

I will be attending the UIL Legislative Council Meeting on Sunday and Monday in Austin to observe alongside the director of the baseball coaches association who also still teaches part time at my school. There is a softball issue up for a vote concerning adding two extra days at the beginning of our practice season in order to conduct tryouts. I will not be speaking on this issue, but will report on the debate (if there is any) on my blog on the www.texasprepsoftball.net website. I have attached the proposal to this email. 

PROPOSAL

 

TFCA Membership

I will be sending out membership cards and receipts to those who have sent me a membership form on Monday for the 2009 season. You can go to www.tfcasoftball.com for a membership form if you would still like to join. 

 

2009 North Texas Metro-Area Softball Clinic  --     January 3, 2009

 

  • Where: Frisco High School in the Indoor Athletic Facility

  • Time:  Registration at the door:  7:00 am to 8:00 am

  • Clinic lectures will go from 8:00 am to 5:00pm

  • Pre-Registration due December 27, 2008

  • Cost:  Pre-Registration 60.00,  at the door 70.00

  • Staff Special: 2 or more from a staff is 50.00 per coach  if pre-registered.

  • Clinic Fee’s will include lunch and a clinic notebook.

  • Speakers:

    • Mark Lumley- Baylor University Assistant Coach

    • Kevin Cook – Aledo High School

    • Dan Sedgwick- McKinney North High School

    • Lindsay Wilhelmson – Keller High School

    • Aaron Weintraub – Performance Consultant

 

For info, call Coach Max Bledsoe at 214-796-8935, email BledsoeM@friscoisd.org or see attachment to this email.

 ATTACHMENT

 

 Bonham HS Players injured in accident.

Several Bonham HS players were involved in an accident over the weekend. Chris Hill, head coach, has sent Jeff Lemons an update on the conditions of the players that were involved. Please pray for the players, their families, and the softball program at Bonham HS. Chris’s email is chris.hill@bonhamisd.org. Below is her update on the players.  

4 of them have come home and 2 are in the hospital.  3 of them had lots of scrapes, bruises, stitches,and staples......they still haven't come back to school.  1 girl had neck surgery on Monday---she had 3 plates put in her 4th, 5th, and 6th vertebrae's......and she got to come home yesterday.  1 girl had a major concussion and she is still in the hospital, but should get to come home today or tomorrow.  1 girl had hip surgery, she broke her hip and crushed some vertebrae's in her back, along with ribs, and spleen and kidney are ripped.  She will be in the hospital for a few more days.  Thank you so much! 

 Chris Hill

 

 

Request from Bridge City HS softball after the destruction of their facilities by Hurricane Ike:

Coach Hicks,

 

I am wondering if you could put on your website that BRIDGE CITY SOFTBALL is in need of EVERYTHING.  The storage building that the softball equipment was in received about 6 foot of water in it.  Therefore, just about everything is RUINED.  I am in great need of anything that I can receive from others.  Please pass this along and anything donated would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Miste Tyner

Bridge City High School- Softball

mistetyner@yahoo.com  

 

WEATHERFORD HS – Head Varsity Softball Coach Position OPEN

I have contacted you so that you might inform the High School Softball Community of the vacant Head Softball Coaching position at Weatherford High School in Weatherford Texas.  We have seven returning starters off of a regional finals team a year ago.  Right now I am being held to the teaching field of Math and possibly English.  I would also be interested in talking to a person who is retired with 25+ years of experience to just coach the team (in accordance to UIL rules) during the athletic period and after school (when the season starts).  If you know of anyone who has the credentials listed and is interested, I can be reached by any of the methods listed below.

 

 Thanks for any assistance you may be able to provide.

Respectfully,

Philip O’Neal

Executive Director of Athletics

Weatherford ISD

(o)817/598-2867  ext: 3523

(c)817/613-6679

poneal@weatherfordisd.com

 

TFCA CLINIC ANNOUNCEMENT – NEW DATE:

We will have the 1st TFCA Fall Coaches Clinic this Saturday, September 27, 2008, at Burleson HS. It was rescheduled from the 13th due to the landfall of Hurricane Ike. The times are still the same as for the 13th and they are posted below. Also, you can still come to the clinic if you haven’t paid ahead of time, or have contacted any of the TFCA officers – I will be there to take fees for the clinc and TFCA dues. Clinic is $25 and 2008-2009 dues are $20. 

 

NO OPEN DATES TODAY – PLEASE READ THE NEWS FOR TODAY – I WILL POST OPEN DATES TOMORROW! (I still have the open dates sent to me on Friday and they will go out tomorrow morning. I just think this news is very important to all of us and scheduling can wait one day. I hope that is fine with everyone.)

 

HURRICANE IKE NEWS:

Many school districts in the Houston-Galveston and the Golden Triangle areas are still out of school because of damage and/or lack of electricity due to the storm. I have received several emails from coaches who are back online and they are very thankful that they have survived the storm. I went to my parents’ house in Sugar Land for the 1st time since the storm over the weekend and saw a lot of damage from the highway on my way into Houston . Television today said that over 1.5 million customers are still without power which means about 50% that lost power last Saturday are still without power today.

 

Softball Coaches in the affected areas: If you are getting this and you are in need of any supplies or help for you and your family, please let me know and I will forward information to our fellow coaches to see what we can do to help.

 

If you know of softball coaches who are in need of help and they can’t contact me, please let me and them know and we can try to reach them to help them out.

 

As of tonight, I have heard from the following coaches or others have talked to them and know that they are safe from the storm:

Baytown Lee, Sweeny, West Columbia, Fort Bend Elkins, Fort Bend Clements, Bellaire, Magnolia, Tomball, Friendswood, The Woodlands.

 

Coaches in affected areas can also contact me to let me know you are doing fine and I will relay that information to everyone. If you have news or a story to relay to everyone, I will do that also!

 

We need to keep these coaches, families, students, and communities in our thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery. Just to show how severe the situation still is in that part of our great state, I have compiled a list from the local news websites about schools who have been out over a week and when they will start again.

 

Schools that are still going to be out this week:

Starting on Monday, Sept 22nd.

Conroe ISD, Fort Bend (most), Huntsville ISD, Lamar CISD, Livingston ISD, Navasota ISD, Montgomery ISD, Willis ISD

 

Start on Tuesday, Sept 23rd

Alief ISD, Brazosport ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Houston (about half), Friendswood (bring sack lunches), Spring Branch ISD, Splendora ISD,  Texas City ISD, Tomball ISD,

 

Start on Wednesday, Sept 24th

Anahuac ISD, Barbers Hill ISD, Cleveland ISD, Deer Park (maybe), Dickinson (maybe), Klein ISD, Magnolia ISD, New Caney ISD, Spring ISD, West Orange-Cove CISD (maybe), Lumberton ISD

 

Start on Thursday, Sept 25th

Aldine ISD, Alvin ISD, Channelview ISD, Crosby ISD, Dayton ISD, Galena Park ISD, Humble ISD, Liberty ISD, Sheldon ISD, Stafford MSD, Port Arthur ISD (maybe), Nederland ISD, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD, Silsbee ISD

 

Start on Monday, Sept 29th

Clear Creek ISD, Orangefield ISD, Vidor ISD, Beaumont ISD, Hardin-Jefferson ISD,

 

October 6th

La Marque ISD

 

Don’t Know:

Goose Creek CISD (closed until power restored)

Hardin ISD (closed until further notice)

Hitchcock ISD (closed until power restored)

Huffman ISD (closed until further notice)

La Porte ISD (announcement to be made on Wednesday)

Pasadena ISD (closed until further notice)

Pearland ISD (closed until power restored)

Santa Fe ISD (closed until further notice)

Tarkington ISD (closed until further notice)

Galveston ISD

Danbury ISD

Port Neches – Groves ISD (will announce on Monday)

Bridge City (Supt hopes to open schools “in about 3 weeks”)

East Chambers ISD (announcement coming soon)

 

Thanks again for all of your support!

BH

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING TFCA CLINIC ON SATURDAY

Because of the impending landfall of Hurricane Ike, the TFCA Fall Clinic will be postponed. We do not want our fellow coaches who are planning to come to be put in any danger by being on the highway during the evacuation traffic and when the hurricane blows all the way into central Texas . I have not cashed any of the checks yet and will wait until we have the clinic. We should have a decision on an alternate date in the next couple of days.

 

HURRICANE IKE:

We wish those who are in the path of the hurricane the best of luck in your preparations and evacuation. Our prayers are with all of you on the coast and in the path of the storm. 

 

9-10-08

IMPORTANT INFORMATION concerning the State Board of Education's decision on allowing four credits for four years of athletics under the 4 X 4 petition is posted in the following attachment. Please read and stay involved. 

ATTACHMENT

TFCA FALL / OFFSEASON COACHES CLINIC

The 1st annual TFCA FALL / OFFSEASON COACHES CLINIC will be held on Saturday, September 13 at Burleson High School. Topics dealing with speed training, conditioning, weight training, and the mental game will be presented by high school and college coaches in those fields. 

Featured Speakers:

SCHEDULE FOR TFCA CLINIC AT BURLESON HS THIS SATURDAY, SEPT 13.

10:00     Mark Larriba

11:00     Dr. Ford

12:00     Dr. Ford

1:00      LUNCH

2:30      Jeff Lemons

3:30      Cameron Mendoza & Geno Pierce

 Mark Larriba – Head Coach – Flower Mound HS
“Training the Mind for Teamwork and Success”

Jeff Lemons – Head Coach – Euless Trinity HS
“Informative Training Websites”

Carmen Mendoza – Performance Course Trainer
“Speed and Agility”

Dr. Sally Ford
Former Conditioning Coordinator and Speed Coach
for the Kansas City Royals organization
“Speed Training”



Registration is only $25 and you can download the form CLINIC REGISTRATION FORM. 

TFCA REGISTRATION AND SUMMER MEETING MINUTES

Attached is a copy of the 2008-2009 TFCA REGISTRATION FORM. The dues for the upcoming year are still $20. The organization has had its initial setup thanks to efforts and work of Tommy Edmondson, so the organization is now on solid ground. The next year we will be prioritizing our goals and starting our first fall / offseason clinic. We will also attend the meetings of the UIL Legislative Committee in order to keep up to date on the work of the UIL for our sport and want to be a very positive voice for our coaches and help the UIL and all other coaching organizations if they need and ask for our help.

REGISTRATION FORM

2008 GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

 

EMAIL LIST NUMBERS 8/18:

A = 28

AA = 52

AAA = 101

AAAA = 113

AAAAA= 156

TAPPS  = 10

TOTAL = 460

 

NEW COACHES (8/16) : Rockdale, Stephenville, North Shore

 

To get on the list, email coachhicks@texasprepsoftball.net

 

COACHES EMAIL LIST (Emails not listed so junk mail people can't get them from me.) Check for corrections. 

 

OPEN DATES LIST STARTED TODAY (THURSDAY 8/14)     OPEN DATES PAGE

 

To send open dates, use this format:

 

SCHOOL (BOLD if possible)

Open dates

Coach

Phone and/or email

CHINA OLYMPIC COACH TO SPEAK IN PLANO

We have an amazing opportunity that I wanted to share with as many people as I can. Michael Bastian the China Olympic Coach is coming to Plano Senior High to conduct a pitching, hitting and coaches clinic on Sunday, September 28th. He is an amazing guy and great coach and want everyone that can come to hear him speak get that opportunity. I am attaching a flyer with all the information.

Cynthia Zea
Plano Wildcat Varsity Softball
Special Education/Study Skills
469-752-9508

FLYER

NEW FORUM PAGES

I had a major meltdown with the old forum and couldn't restore the database correctly, so all old registrations and posts are in cyberspace heaven now! I have set up a new forums page which should be easier to use and much more powerful. Everyone will have to re-register to the new forum and I promise to back up the database weekly to not have this problem again. You can post messages, open dates, make commentaries, make announcements, send personal messages to each other just by simply registering and then clicking the link on your email to confirm your registration. Thanks for your patience and I'm sorry that I goofed up on this one, but we'll be better in the long run. 

RECORDS PAGES ARE COMPLETE!!!!!

My research, which has taken me two summers to compile is now complete!!!!!! There may be a few mistakes, but I have checked and checked several times. If you find a mistake, please let me know and I will check out the information that I have. I found all of the information on playoff records on the UIL website. Where there was a question because of a missing score, I was able to find most on Google. 

I hope you find the information enjoyable. My goal now is to make sure this is updated every year!!!!

I am now ready to begin updating coaches' records. If you want to add / or update yours, please let me know at coachhicks@texasprepsoftball.net. 

RECORDS HOME PAGE

OPEN DATE POSTINGS BEGIN ON THURSDAY! You may start sending them to me at coachhicks@texasprepsoftball.net and I will start posting them and sending them out on the email list. 
COACHES' EMAIL LIST FOR 2008-2009:

We ended the year with almost 600 coaches on the list. I know of almost 100 positions that opened this year, so there has been a lot of movement. Several coaches have sent me updates for their new positions and/or email addresses. Please let me know soon of any changes in your status so that I can make a smooth transition into 2008-2009. The first email will go out on Thursday, August 14, 2008. 

If you know of coaches who would like or need to be on our list, please let me know at coachhicks@texasprepsoftball.net. 

Here is a list of coaching changes that I have been notified of and have found on the THSCA and TGCA websites. If this needs to be corrected, please let me know.     COACHING CHANGES



PROCEDURES FOR 2008-09 MEMBERSHIP

FALL OFFSEASON TFCA CLINIC

GOALS FOR TFCA

2008-2009 OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT:  MARK LARRIBA  -- FLOWER MOUND HS

1st VICE PRESIDENT:  JEFF LEMONS -- EULESS TRINITY HS

2nd VICE PRESIDENT:  CHARLES BENAVIDES -- GOLIAD HS

PAST PRESIDENT:  TOMMY EDMONDSON -- ARLINGTON HS (RETIRED)

OFFICE DIRECTOR (Secretary/Treasurer/Public Information): BILLY HICKS -- A&M CONSOLIDATED HS

 
 
 

2008 UIL STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Thursday, May 29
1A Semifinals
8:30a.m. Bosqueville (24-7) vs. Clyde Eula (22-11)
11a.m. Shiner (22-6) vs. Maud (25-10)

2A Semifinals
2p.m. Sadler S&S Consolidated (30-4) vs. Coahoma (32-9)
4:30p.m. East Bernard (28-4-1) vs. Big Sandy Harmony (36-9)

3A Semifinal

7:30p.m. Huntington (28-3-1) vs. Burkburnett (33-5-2)

Friday, May 30

3A Semifinal

8:30a.m. Texarkana Liberty-Eylau (23-3-1) vs. Castroville Medina Valley (34-7)

4A Semifinals

11:30a.m Aledo (36-1-1) vs. Waco Midway (28-7)
2p.m. Dripping Springs (33-4) vs. Nederland (29-9-1)

5A Semifinals

5p.m. Odessa (33-4-3) vs. Alvin (33-9)
8p.m. Austin Bowie (31-4) vs. Garland (31-5-2)

Saturday, May 31

8:30a.m. Conference 1A Final
11a.m. Conference 2A Final
2p.m. Conference 3A Final
5p.m. Conference 4A Final
8p.m. Conference 5A Final
 

 

 

2008 STANDINGS

Keep posting and sending me standings so I can post them!!

 

 

2008  Schedules

 

AAAAA           AAAA            AAA            AA            A

 

I’m a little behind getting the schedules on the website, but will get those done tonight. Send me your schedules if you haven’t done so and I’ll add them to the website www.texasprepsoftball.net.

 

Thanks again for your support of our efforts to promote Texas high school softball!

BH

RECORDS PAGE   

OPEN DATES / ANNOUNCEMENT PAGE:    PAGE 1            PAGE  2            PAGE 3

MINUTES FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL CAUCUS MEETING AT THE NFCA CONVENTION

LIST OF COACHES ON EMAIL LIST  AAAAA  AAAA  AAA  AA  A  TAPPS

11/25 RECORDS PAGE UPDATED!!  I have completed the transfer of playoff brackets since 1993, the first year the UIL sponsored a state championship in softball in Texas. I have also completed the "PLAYOFF APPEARANCES" page. There may be a couple of mistakes, but I'm working on it the best that I can do. I should have the Playoff Records pages complete during the Christmas Break. 

After analyzing some of the stats so far, I have found some interesting information:

I AM READY TO BEGIN ACCEPTING SCHEDULES FOR THE 2008 SEASON TO POST ON THE WEBSITE!!!

10/30/2007  THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY!!!   Vicki Sorensen (Vice Chair of the TGCA Softball Committee) wanted to thank all of you who voted and responded to her question from yesterday. Looks like the vote is pretty even and there was a lot of great discussion on the issue. Personally I voted for 43 feet, but I am in favor of what the coaches want to do and Vicki and Wes are too. I did interject several issues and opinions in the discussion, but that was to keep the debate going and many of you had some great thoughts and points in the discussion. That is why I have the forum and I appreciate the support that you have given me in my efforts to try to help all of us better our sport.

Also, I have updated the records page to include 2001. Slowly but surely, I’m getting it done. From 2001-present, with so many teams in the playoffs, it takes a little while to compile the information from the UIL website. One thing that I did see is that from 1993 to 2001, 672 schools made at least one appearance in the softball playoffs. I’m sure that number will be over 800 when I get to 2007. It’s taking a while, but I’m enjoying looking at the data. I have a couple of you whom I need to add to the coaches total record list and I’ll get that in this week. If you want to be included on the coaches’ list, shoot me an email and I’ll get it in there this week.

Thanks to everyone!! Good luck to those in the volleyball playoffs tonight!!

BH

 

  1. Vicki Sorensen, vice chairperson of the softball committee has asked me to make this announcement to the coaches on our email list.
    1. The TGCA softball committee is debating on whether or not to change the pitching distance in the ALL-STAR game only from 40 feet to 43 feet. You may vote on the Texas Prep Softball forum or email back to me and I will forward to Vicki. (REMEMBER this is for the ALL-STAR game only, not the regular season.)
    2. You may vote at the following link: http://www.texasprepsoftball.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=660 and I have tried to make it where you don’t have to register for the forum to vote, but I’m not sure that will work or not. You can register and vote immediately since I have changed the registration process temporarily.
    3. Or you may send your vote to me and I will forward it to Vicki.

Thanks for all you do as softball coaches. Please vote so Vicki will know where to go on this issue.

RECORDS PAGES UPDATED THROUGH 2001!! Slowly but surely, I'm advancing on my work on the records page!

SOFTBALL COACHES DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

After yesterday's email about the passing of Coach Harrist of Breckenridge HS, many coaches sent prayers and condolences to Coach Mann, head coach at Breckenridge. He sent me this email yesterday afternoon. I'm so glad to be associated with such a great group of coaches in our great state of Texas! I want to thank all of you for supporting each other in times of need -- you are all so awesome!

COACHES~

WOW, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.  I never imagined the response that I have gotten from that post.  It is greatly appreciated and my softball girls appreciate it as well.  Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and for some reason which GOD only knows it was Rachel’s time.  She was an excellent friend and coach.  I think Coach Hicks hit the nail on the head when he said sometimes in our line of work we get caught up on trying to beat one another or make it to state but I can honestly tell you that although Rachel loved to win a game it was more about those kids and them learning the game and about life.  Thanks again for your continued prayers.

Scott Mann

             

 

2008 Frisco Coaches Clinic (hosted by Max Bledsoe) will be held on January 12, 2008. Click here for more information.

 

GREATER WEST TEXAS SOFTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION REGISTRATION and CLINIC (December 8, 2007). For more information click here and contact Robby Dickenson (Frenship) or JJ Johnson (Lubbock Coronado). 

 

2008 GULF COAST SOFTBALL COACHES CLINIC ---- JANUARY 10-11, 2008

SPEAKERS:  PAT MURPHY (ALABAMA), TERESA WILSON (TEXAS TECH), CINDY MOSTELLER (GARLAND), SHERRY ROGERS (WACO MIDWAY). 

USE THIS LINK TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORMS

 

OCTOBER 16, 2007

SAD NEWS IN BRECKENRIDGE – 

KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS (smann@breck.esc14.net )

Yesterday morning, Coach Scott Mann of Breckenridge High School made the following posting on the Texas Prep Softball forum concerning a member of the BHS Softball Staff.

 

”If you would please keep your prayers with the Rachel Harrist family. She was my assistant coach this past year and towards the end of last year she came down with Leukemia. She passed away this morning at the young age of 24. Although, she is in a much better place now if you could please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you

Coach Mann”

 

I have been in touch with Coach Mann by email to send our condolences to Coach Harrist, her family, and the players and coaches at Breckenridge High School . I know that we spend a lot of time in our own little worlds with our own agendas trying to beat the next person or team on our schedules in games, politics, and life, but moments like this make us need to slow down a minute and take in everything that is good with our lives. We don’t know how long we will be here on this Earth, but we need to celebrate all of the good things that we do in our profession and in our personal lives.

 

I hope that each of us says a special prayer today for the young ladies in the softball program at Breckenridge HS, the coaches, the community, and most importantly, Coach Harrist and her family for strength in this time of sadness. I hope that they can celebrate the great things that Coach Harrist did during her life and the great things she did to positively impact students.

 

I also did a small search hoping to put her picture on the Texas Prep Softball website, but I did find the following information. Coach Harrist played high school softball at Canyon HS and graduated from Tarleton State University . She taught and coached one year at Temple and has been at Breckenridge HS for the past two years. She does have a myspace page that is public at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=58437059 and from looking at it, she was well loved by her friends, her students, her players, and her family.

 

Below is the email that I received from Coach Mann last night with the funeral information.

You may send emails to Coach Mann at smann@breck.esc14.net.

 

Here is that information sorry it is in the afternoon when I got it to you just been a little busy.

 

Rachel Diane Harrist

105 Lee Trevino

Stephenville , Texas 76401

 

Funeral Services are set for tomorrow 10/16 @4 pm at Stephenville Funeral Home

 

The family has requested any donations be made to the Leukemia Society or Tarleton Scholarship Fund instead of sending flowers.  I appreciate all the posts this morning and I know the family thanks you as well.

 

Thanks,

Coach Scott Mann

 

 

 

 

October 12, 2007:

Welcome:

Chris Hill (Bonham)

Roger Masters (Iola)

Roy Klein (Bandera)

Justin Kniffen (Harleton)

Misty Wiechring ( Pleasanton )

Christina Ochoa (China Spring)

Melissa Lynch ( Canyon Lake )

Alice Webb (Moody)

Doug Harrigan ( Salado )

Rex Cook (Cross Roads)

 

October 1, 2007

1. Welcome: Jim West ( Longview Pine Tree), Perri Smith ( Kingwood Park ), Tim Kelso ( Florence ), Syna Donart (asst. Wichita Falls Hirschi).

 

2. Remember the format for submission:

            SCHOOL (bold if possible)

            Open Dates / Announcements

            Coach’s name

            Email address

            Phone number

 

3. Also, I want to know if coaches on my email list (453) would like to start a coaches’ poll for softball. Let me know what you think, or you can post in the forum on www.texasprepsoftball.net. Lee Grisham’s (TGCA 1st Vice President) volleyball website runs a weekly poll voted on by coaches at http://eteamz.active.com/TxHSVBPoll/news/index.cfm?cat=0&subsite=4402152 . I’m in contact with Coach Grisham to see how he sets it up. It looks like just about the same thing that I want to do. I would need volunteers from each part of the state to help me with the voting and I would start with AAAAA at the very beginning to make sure it works. This is not a substitute for the TGCA poll, just another forum to promote softball, like NCAA football with their multiple polls. I think it would be fun – and I won’t be voting, just compiling the votes.

 

4. The speakers have been finalized for the 4th annual Gulf Coast Softball Coaches Clinic, Jan 10-11, 2008 at the Gulf Greyhound Park in LaMarque.

            FEATURED SPEAKER:     Pat Murphy, University of Alabama   ( 5:30-7:15 on Thursday; 10:00-11:00 or 11:00-12:00 on Friday)

            SPEAKERS:             Theresa Wilson, Texas Tech University (10:00-11:00 or 11:00-12:00 and 12:00-1:00 on Friday)

                                                Cindy Mosteller, Garland High School (4:30-5:30 on Thursday)

                                                Sherry Rogers, Waco Midway High School (9:00-10:00 on Friday)

            I will get the flyers and registration out by the end of the week, along with hotel rates.

 

5. Finally, I have been asked to post this announcment:

 

My name is Jeannie Ray; I am the Head Softball Coach at Agnes Scott College in Decatur , Georgia . I am currently looking for players for this season and also next season. Agnes Scott is a small Division III liberal arts college. ASC is also a women's institution that is 6 miles away from downtown Atlanta , Georgia . Also, we are less then ten minutes from Georgia State University and Georgia Tech. We do offer cross-registration which means that our students can also take classes at Georgia State , Georgia Tech, or Emory.

 

If you know of a player(s) that may be interested in ASC she must:

1.    Have a 3.0 or higher (it's better if she has a 3.5 or higher)

2.    Have already or is about to take the ACT or SAT

      a.  Score at least a 22 on the ACT (25 is the average) or score at least a 1530 on the new SAT (1700 is the average)

 

Please contact me if you know any girls that you believe may be a good fit for our program. I am looking for players in ALL positions.

jray@agnesscott.edu

September 3:  All 1998 Playoffs, 1993-1998 Playoff Wins / Appearances added today.

August 13: 

*         I changed the format of the standings page to a pdf. format by region so that it will be easier for me to cut and paste from Excel and print by you. I will be asking for help during the spring and will send out a format for those who help me keep track of district standings in the spring.

*         I'm working on a history page with a link to the UIL playoff history page and will eventually download it to my site too as a back up. One piece of history that I'm looking for is for records of coaches in our state. I know that many of you don't like publicizing your records, but now that we've been playing softball in Texas since the early 90's, people are asking where everyone stands. I will post a list of the records of high school coaches with 100+ wins as soon as I get records from you. The coaches do not have to be active (example: Janice Williamson from Bryan has over 400 wins, but she now out of softball in her new role as assistant AD at Bryan ISD). So if you can send me your records, I'll post them.

 

AUGUST 8:  2008 OPEN DATE LIST HAS STARTED!! CLICK HERE!

I sent out the first letter of 2007-2008 on Tuesday to my e-mail list. There are many coaches who have changed school, so as those e-mails are rejected, I am deleting the addresses until I get an updated or corrected address. If you didn't get a new e-mail, send me your e-mail address to coachhicks@texasprepsoftball.net and I will get you added to the list. 

2007-08 COACHES CLINICS:

CENTRAL LOUISIANA FALL SOFTBALL COACHES CLINIC

NOVEMBER 10TH 2007        Information

 

LINK TO NFHS WEBSITE FOR NEW RULES FOR 2008

(Metal Cleats allowed for HS softball / 10 second rule for batters)

July 13: TGCA Summer Clinic Speakers were very good this year! Congrats to Mike Ledsome (Plano West), Debra Manley (1st Vice President TGCA from Pittsburg HS), and Sam Tipton for doing a great job in getting our speakers this year!!!

July 11: The TFCA now has its own website! www.tfcasoftball.com. I will be the webmaster for that site which will contain TFCA information, while I will continue to support this website out of my own resources with the same services that I have given to coaches and fans in the past 3 years. Thanks for all of the nice things that many have said about the resources that I try to get out to coaches to help out. 

 

June 5:   CONGRATULATIONS TO 2007 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!

A -- BOSQUEVILLE LADY BULLDOGS (Head Coach - Clint Zander)

AA -- TROY LADY TROJANS (Head Coach - Bobby Cervenka)

AAA -- Castroville MEDINA VALLEY LADY PANTHERS (Head Coach -- Wade Womack)

AAAA -- BOERNE LADY GREYHOUNDS (Head Coach -- Jennifer Fox)

AAAAA -- GARLAND LADY OWLS (Head Coach -- Cindy Mosteller)

        Thanks for visiting our website!!!  Hopefully we can service the 985 high schools in the state of Texas that are listed by the University Interscholastic League as playing softball in the 2006 season. If you have any suggestions, updates, scores, schedules, etc., please let Coach Billy Hicks of College Station A&M Consolidated High School, webmaster, know, so he can improve this site for our coaches, players, and fans!! Coach Hicks's email addresses are listed at the bottom of this home page. 

e-Mail:   coachhicks@texasprepsoftball.net       or       bhicks@csisd.org