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TOPIC: State Tourney |
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| slidepieceeeeee
August 5, 2007
12:38:42 AM
Entry #: 2300244
| It is that time of year again and I have posted on other sites before with my banter however this is the first time ever on "hardball."
First things first I think everyone can look forward to another fine Class A State Tourney as every team qaulifying will be worthy of their status.
With that being said it is baseball and any thing can happen but for those of you who know ball and are realistic lets......shall we say be realistic in making any predictions such as the one's I will make here.
First and foremost Tonka and Park are the clear favorites. Granted a dark horse could come through but these are two seasoned clubs with obvious reputations as two of the most formidable town ball clubs in the state at any level during the past shall we say 15 years.
Tonka beats some teams just by showing up and that is all that needs to be said. Park is a well rounded gritty team with vets and young players alike. The Park club without a doubt has the best pitching staff from top to bottomin the entire state with four lefties, four righties, veterans, guys that throw high 80's to low 90's......defense is something Tonka owns as no other team in the state can compare expect Park. When it comes to power one would have to talk fast, long and hard to convince knowledgable baseball people that Park and Tonka can be bettered on the diamond....closer? Well not many teams have one but Tonka does.
In closing the game is baseball and it takes a sick man to enjoy it sometimes but realistically speaking there will only be one Class A State Champion and it will either be Tonka or Park who both come from the best league/BY FAR in the entire state.......pretenders need not apply!
Respctfully,
20 year town ball veteran
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| orlandoorlando
August 5, 2007
8:18:26 AM
Entry #: 2300335
| Park and Tonka are great teams. They do not play in the best league in the state.
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| Chris
August 5, 2007
9:25:35 AM
Entry #: 2300374
| I'd certainly say Wesley Homes has a shot and Commending Edge will probably be the best defensive team (young and athletic) with a couple solid guys on the mound. The Angels and Cobras are also battle tested, as is Rosetown who's won a title themselves. Tri-city will certainly be looking for a better showing then they have in the past and Green Mill is playing excellent baseball. Stillwater took it to Tonka so they must be formidable as well.
Did I miss anyone who qualified??? And in my opinion, yes easily the best league in the state. Just because two teams have essentially dominated the league the last several years don't count out the rest when equipped with their entire teams. Edina is the third best hitting team in the league and it's not even close, they are one dominate pitcher away from being a power. Eden Prairie probably has the hardest thrower in Class A baseball and a tough as nails competitor in Mike Lueck. Hopkins is outstanding defensively and has dominate pitching with a few clutch hitters. Hopkins is the Angels of the early to mid-90's.
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| angel flare
August 5, 2007
12:48:00 PM
Entry #: 2300512
| I agree with Chris that anyone could take the tournament, but to call St Louis Park and Minnetonka the obvious favorites without mentioning Wesley Homes is just stupidity at its finest.
Fact: Wesley beat Minnetonka in the tournament last year before Minnetonka came back through the losers bracket and beat Wesley twice for the title (dramatic finish).
Fact: Wesley has the best pitcher, Fleetum, and second best pitcher Carlson in the tournament.
Fact: Wesley is tournament tested and a reigning champ from 2005
Fact: Wesley plays in the Park National, the best league in Class A in terms of being a deeper league.
SLP and Tonka are VERY good teams, and are great options for taking the title, but not mentioning Wesley Homes isn't right. Tonka is the reigning champ, so should be considered the best I suppose (on top of a quality regular season).
Just my thoughts...
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| Chris
August 5, 2007
1:39:12 PM
Entry #: 2300549
| That's what makes it fun we get to figure it all out on the field.
Best to pitchers...we'll see about that. All it takes is two guys to win the tournament as the #1 seed and I don't see anyone going undefeated with the teams playing.
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| Alfonso Allegre
August 6, 2007
9:09:54 AM
Entry #: 2301622
| Having played in both the Riverview and Park National leagues, I've come to this conclusion:
There is no topping the Park National League when it comes to drinking in the lot post-game.
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| Chris
August 6, 2007
10:43:43 AM
Entry #: 2301819
| I won't concede that, but that can only be properly determined at a nuetral site.
However not Veterans Field.
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| ihaveaboner
August 6, 2007
5:23:42 PM
Entry #: 2302821
| The only bad thing about drinking in the lot postgame is that it's illegal to beat the everloving piss out of the random park police guy who shows up about once a season and says he's going to be "good guy" and let you just leave this time, as if he has the authority to call in the SWAT team or something.
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