[Baseball247]

What all does everyone have coming back? I know estill, hazard lost a lot of seniors. Wolfe and Knott  didn’t lose anyone. I don’t know who everyone has coming back, pitchers top players from last year to this. Just kind of knowing what everyone has I’m thinking top teams are. 

Wolfe they are young but they can beat anyone for get beat by anyone. Have to learn how to win and instead of being the underdog and the hunter being the hunted. Don’t know about the Molands kid if he will be back this season. If they can figure out how to win at the varsity level and preform with expectations they have a shot to win region. But I think they are a year or two away. They have good kids just not depth. So being healthy is a must. 

Breathitt might be one of the top teams when Bellamy is pitching but when he isn’t can they win. They can for sure hit but losing combs is a big hole to fill. 

Powell don’t know how they will perform but they have had a core group and now those kids are seniors. They definitely have pitching depth and probably the deepest in the region. They also have some big bats. As long as injuries don’t bug them like last year loosing 3 of their top 5 pitchers throughout the season.

Knott they are young and well coached. I don’t know if they have a dominant pitcher. They have plenty who can throw but can’t just throw it by anyone. They have good speed and contact hitters. Just don’t think they have big hitters to keep defense honest and play back. Believe teams can play in and force them to beat you deep and just don’t know if they can. 

Hazard they lost a ton. Still have napier as a pitcher but that’s about all I know. Varney will do good but I think it will take him a little while to get the kids bought into what he does. Hard to be coached by someone like Meehan for years and then try to buy into a new system. I think they have a good chance to compete just don’t know if the players they have that will be playing have enough experience to win a regional tournament 

Estill has Lost a ton. A bunch of good kids coming up but they lack arms.  Neace and hix are about the only two that can throw and neither throw over 80. I think they will be good in two years but believe they will take some big loses this year. But by the end I think they will have them playing good. Just don’t know if it will be enough. 

Lcc I think they will be decent 1-5 but nothing really after that. Losing top arms and top hitter will definitely hurt. Dean will definitely play a ton of small ball and they won’t beat  themselves just don’t know if they can score enough runs to win a regional tournament or even a district tournament. I think Knott win districts this year. I believe letcher will upset someone in the first round of regions but they get run rules next game due to pitching depth. Williams is as good as anyone on controlling the game. But besides fields that about all they have. Especially if huff doesn’t come back and stays in Knott.  

Perry will be an average team. I don’t see any great players just good role players. If someone can step up and lead then they can have a good year. If not it’s going to be another sub par year. 

After that I really don’t have a clue. I believe that you have 3 top teams. then a middle 3 teams but a sizable drop off from the top 3. Then after that I don’t know anyone else. Leslie might be able to push up to 6th or 7th in the region but about as high as they can go. 

I’d like to know everyone opinions on this and teams on what they have.  Not just I think so and so will be good but why and who do they have returning.

[DukeBoy]

Not sure could take the BEST 10 kids off all them teams and win a game at state. Baseball is gonna be way down this year in the 14th. Breathitt and Wolfe are the two best in the region easily. Issac Bellamy should be POY.

[Bluecat]

See Perry and Hazard more than any of the other teams and both graduated a lot of key players. Both teams will be relying on younger players having to step up in bigger roles. Gayheart and Perkins will do most of the heavy lifting on the mound for them. Elkins, Hughes, and Wooton also return and have played quite a bit. Goins left for Hazard which will hurt, and Combs is out with his ACL. Not sure if he will be back or not.
As for Hazard, they return Napier and Pelfrey on the mound. They do have a couple others who have been in the lineup the past couple years but have been behind the big senior class that just left. Along, with Napier and Pelfrey, Logan, Akemon, and Davidson have been playing since 8th grade and as freshmen.

As is the case with the region this year, it all depends on who is on the mound. No team has a true staff that can do it night in and out. Wolfe with what they return would be my favorite and that is based off of what they have coming back. With Bellamy on the mound Breathitt can win, but as mentioned above who is next man up. Dean being coach helps keep LCC up there as well. They did lose a lot but with Williams (I think) on the mound they are capable of winning.

May not win a state championship but it will be very competitive in the 14th.

[Bluegrassbredbobcat]

Return to state again I think. We have the pitching and the fielding to do it again.

[Beetlejuice]

Return to state again I think. We have the pitching and the fielding to do it again.

What ever happened with Alex Hamilton case.  I I suspect it was swept under the rug

[Diablo]

Well he resigned as coach, what else should been done to him? I think that is enough.

[Radial_Armsaw]

Well he resigned as coach, what else should been done to him?  I think that is enough.

I mean…last time I checked showing pornography to minors is a felony. But whatever…

[Diablo]

Did he show it to the whole team on the Big Screen? I think getting fired was plenty. I don’t know the details but in todays F’ed up world, Idk what to say about it. Yeah it was wrong of him but doubt he deserves prison time.

[14th Official]

Did he show it to the whole team on the Big Screen?  I think getting fired was plenty.  I don’t know the details but in todays F’ed up world, Idk what to say about it.  Yeah it was wrong of him but doubt he deserves prison time.

Money and NDA’s make people quiet.

[SidelineFan]

Did he show it to the whole team on the Big Screen?  I think getting fired was plenty.  I don’t know the details but in todays F’ed up world, Idk what to say about it.  Yeah it was wrong of him but doubt he deserves prison time.

Money and NDA’s make people quiet.

Haha I doubt that. I know some family friends and he is still going through court. Was close to a resolution but rumors of what I’ve heard is it is not what it caked up as it was 1 year ago. He’s not flashed any money and heard he’s been prepared for trial so that’s not sweeping it under the rug. 

He’s innocent until proven guilty. I believe the news absolutely drug him through the mud because of who and what it was about but time will tell. The media showed a manipulated one sided story which is fine but got to be open to the other side. 

I hope one day he does return to coaching. He done some good things with those boys and put in the work for it. He had been approached this summer for some coaching jobs but he isn’t done with his current situation I had heard. 

Until then this should be about baseball. If he is innocent and returns back to baseball awesome. If he doesn’t best of luck with his family.

[14th Official]

Did he show it to the whole team on the Big Screen?  I think getting fired was plenty.  I don’t know the details but in todays F’ed up world, Idk what to say about it.  Yeah it was wrong of him but doubt he deserves prison time.

Money and NDA’s make people quiet.

Haha I doubt that. I know some family friends and he is still going through court. Was close to a resolution but rumors of what I’ve heard is it is not what it caked up as it was 1 year ago. He’s not flashed any money and heard he’s been prepared for trial so that’s not sweeping it under the rug. 

He’s innocent until proven guilty. I believe the news absolutely drug him through the mud because of who and what it was about but time will tell. The media showed a manipulated one sided story which is fine but got to be open to the other side. 

I hope one day he does return to coaching. He done some good things with those boys and put in the work for it. He had been approached this summer for some coaching jobs but he isn’t done with his current situation I had heard. 

Until then this should be about baseball. If he is innocent and returns back to baseball awesome. If he doesn’t best of luck with his family.

I have no clue the details of anything going on. Those are just the rumors I’ve heard from people. I’m sure it’s not accurate. People make up their owns stories sometimes when they don’t have an answer. lol!

[Diablo]

I heard that he would be helping Varney at Hazard this year.

[SidelineFan]

I heard that he would be helping Varney at Hazard this year.

i don’t think Alex has any plans being on a high school field this year. He has a newborn and cared about those boys who are mainly seniors at breathitt this year. Put a lot of time and energy into those boys for free to miss a chance at state two years in a row.  

he may make his return one day but I believe he’s enjoying his time with his child like any one should. He will have plenty of years to be on a ball field.

[Diablo]

All that loyalty done him a lot of good.

[SidelineFan]

All that loyalty done him a lot of good.

Sarcastically speaking or honestly?

He put time in with those boys to make them better for sure. He enjoyed the game and I’m sure he still does. Won’t find many people put the hours in he did and not ask for a dollar.

[14th Official]

All that loyalty done him a lot of good.

Sarcastically speaking or honestly?

He put time in with those boys to make them better for sure. He enjoyed the game and I’m sure he still does. Won’t find many people put the hours in he did and not ask for a dollar.

anyone that coaches at the high school level is in the same position in terms of “coaching for free.” I’m sure if you take up the coaches stipends in the 14th region and divided it out by their hours, everyone one of them would be in the negative. That’s just the nature of the beast.

[SidelineFan]

All that loyalty done him a lot of good.

Sarcastically speaking or honestly?

He put time in with those boys to make them better for sure. He enjoyed the game and I’m sure he still does. Won’t find many people put the hours in he did and not ask for a dollar.

anyone that coaches at the high school level is in the same position in terms of “coaching for free.” I’m sure if you take up the coaches stipends in the 14th region and divided it out by their hours, everyone one of them would be in the negative. That’s just the nature of the beast.

oh I agree but that position pays 9k a year. You can’t say that wouldn’t help anyone at all.

[Diablo]

So that comes out to 4,500 after the govt steals their cut.

[DukeBoy]

4500 still more than most schools pay in the 14th for baseball.

[Oldschool86]

Just like last season, it’s gonna be wide open and who’s hot in May. Breathitt got hot last season toward the end of the year and it may be someone else this season. Just who’s playing good baseball at the right time. I will add that Combs has done a great job with those kids at Breathitt. They were very disciplined at the plate last year. Can’t never count out a Dean coached team or a Varney coached team either. Be a good year of competitive baseball in the 14th.

[Diablo]

I probably wouldn’t count out WOLFE COUNTY.

[Oldschool86]

No I wouldn’t count out the Wolves either. They are a solid ball club 1-5. I just don’t know what they have after that. Did their coach leave? I thought he was going to take a job elsewhere but wasn’t sure. Like I said it’s wide open. Powell may be in the discussion too. They’re always pretty decent.

[14th Official]

No I wouldn’t count out the Wolves either. They are a solid ball club 1-5. I just don’t know what they have after that. Did their coach leave? I thought he was going to take a job elsewhere but wasn’t sure.  Like I said it’s wide open. Powell may be in the discussion too. They’re always pretty decent.

that would be a shame if he does leave. Having him and Dean, Combs, and Varney will make the 14th region very relevant around the state.

[baseballfan06]

The 14th region will be wide open again. Let’s start with Breathitt…. If Bellamy is on the mound they’ve got to be the favorite. They’ve got to be able to win without Bellamy on the mound though. Can they? I’m not sure. Losing Combs to graduation is a huge blow offensively and defensively both. Tincher is a big bat and can make things happen at the plate. Howard, Stacy, and Turner are all back and should help with their roles. I’m sure Combs will have them ready. 

Wolfe County….. they are as good as anyone in the region, but have to keep their foot on the gas. Last season they were capable of beating anybody or losing to anybody. Another year of varsity under their belt should help them clean that up. Losing Molands to injury hurts them on the mound. Rumor is he’s planning on playing this year but not able to pitch. Him and Wilson are two big bats and produce a solid 1-2 punch in that lineup. Wilson is probably the top catcher in the region. Then you have Oliver, Whisman, Fallen, and Evans that’s another solid addition in the batting lineup. Looking at last years roster they only lost one player to graduation. 

Powell County…. This is my sleeper team. Everyone seems to forget that when Nickle is going on the mound they are a tough team to beat. Outside of Nickle they have the Dicken kid and Knox who threw it well for them. If Begley is throwing strikes he’s tough, but sometimes he struggles to throw strikes and gets a little wild. If he cleans that up Powell may have one of the deepest pitching rotations in the region. They have senior leadership and some promising young talent. They too can beat anybody or lose to anybody. 

Letcher Central…. Losing Jonah Little to graduation will be huge but they still have the Williams kid who’s one of the top players in the region. Coach Dean will put those kids to work early and have them ready for season
 
Knott Central, Hazard and Estill will all be factors as well. It should be a very fun year of 14th region baseball

[14th Official]

That’s pretty accurate I would say

[Fieldofdreams1]

The 14th region will be wide open again. Let’s start with Breathitt…. If Bellamy is on the mound they’ve got to be the favorite. They’ve got to be able to win without Bellamy on the mound though. Can they? I’m not sure. Losing Combs to graduation is a huge blow offensively and defensively both. Tincher is a big bat and can make things happen at the plate. Howard, Stacy, and Turner are all back and should help with their roles. I’m sure Combs will have them ready. 

Wolfe County….. they are as good as anyone in the region, but have to keep their foot on the gas. Last season they were capable of beating anybody or losing to anybody. Another year of varsity under their belt should help them clean that up. Losing Molands to injury hurts them on the mound. Rumor is he’s planning on playing this year but not able to pitch. Him and Wilson are two big bats and produce a solid 1-2 punch in that lineup. Wilson is probably the top catcher in the region. Then you have Oliver, Whisman, Fallen, and Evans that’s another solid addition in the batting lineup. Looking at last years roster they only lost one player to graduation. 

Powell County…. This is my sleeper team. Everyone seems to forget that when Nickle is going on the mound they are a tough team to beat. Outside of Nickle they have the Dicken kid and Knox who threw it well for them. If Begley is throwing strikes he’s tough, but sometimes he struggles to throw strikes and gets a little wild. If he cleans that up Powell may have one of the deepest pitching rotations in the region. They have senior leadership and some promising young talent. They too can beat anybody or lose to anybody. 

Letcher Central…. Losing Jonah Little to graduation will be huge but they still have the Williams kid who’s one of the top players in the region. Coach Dean will put those kids to work early and have them ready for season
 
Knott Central, Hazard and Estill will all be factors as well. It should be a very fun year of 14th region baseball

Pretty accurate Mr wilson

[Radial_Armsaw]

The 14th region will be wide open again. Let’s start with Breathitt…. If Bellamy is on the mound they’ve got to be the favorite. They’ve got to be able to win without Bellamy on the mound though. Can they? I’m not sure. Losing Combs to graduation is a huge blow offensively and defensively both. Tincher is a big bat and can make things happen at the plate. Howard, Stacy, and Turner are all back and should help with their roles. I’m sure Combs will have them ready. 

Wolfe County….. they are as good as anyone in the region, but have to keep their foot on the gas. Last season they were capable of beating anybody or losing to anybody. Another year of varsity under their belt should help them clean that up. Losing Molands to injury hurts them on the mound. Rumor is he’s planning on playing this year but not able to pitch. Him and Wilson are two big bats and produce a solid 1-2 punch in that lineup. Wilson is probably the top catcher in the region. Then you have Oliver, Whisman, Fallen, and Evans that’s another solid addition in the batting lineup. Looking at last years roster they only lost one player to graduation. 

Powell County…. This is my sleeper team. Everyone seems to forget that when Nickle is going on the mound they are a tough team to beat. Outside of Nickle they have the Dicken kid and Knox who threw it well for them. If Begley is throwing strikes he’s tough, but sometimes he struggles to throw strikes and gets a little wild. If he cleans that up Powell may have one of the deepest pitching rotations in the region. They have senior leadership and some promising young talent. They too can beat anybody or lose to anybody. 

Letcher Central…. Losing Jonah Little to graduation will be huge but they still have the Williams kid who’s one of the top players in the region. Coach Dean will put those kids to work early and have them ready for season
 
Knott Central, Hazard and Estill will all be factors as well. It should be a very fun year of 14th region baseball

Pretty accurate Mr wilson

[Diablo]

Breathitt and Wolfe in the finals.

[14th Official]

Breathitt and Wolfe in the finals.

I know everyone is high on Wolfe but their best pitcher won’t be pitching this year. The other guys aren’t really proven yet. I think they have the potential but getting someone to step into the #1 pitching role is a big ask

[Radial_Armsaw]

Preseason rankings are tough. But I’ll give my best shot.

1. Breathitt- I know they lost Combs, but honestly Bellamy’s pitching carried them in the postseason last year. Bash Howard will slide into the 2 spot for him and I think a lot of people aren’t realizing how good that kid is. Majorly underrated in the region.
2. Letcher- lost their best overall player but still have top end pitching and only losing 2 seniors on a regional championship team gives me no reason to have them lower than 2 preseason.
3. Wolfe- I understand that Molands may not be pitching this year (we’ll see about that). But Max Whisman and Cam Oliver can be as effective as anyone on the mound. Just a good solid overall team that’s coming into their better years of baseball.
4. Powell- I know Estill beat them in the district last year. But Lacy Dicken should be back and will be their clear cut #1 pitcher. Possibly one of the best in the region. The big question mark is can they produce runs against good pitching? Last year in the post season (sans Lee County) they scored 2 runs in the 2 games they played.
5. Knott- Much like Wolfe this team has been very young. With a new year and more experience this team will be competitive. Great fundamental and defensive team. Competitive pitching staff led by Napier. Just don’t really have much firepower at the plate outside of Mason Amburgey.
6. Estill- Lost Forehand and 1 other contributor. But they will still be a very competitive team when Niece is on the mound, in a 1 game scenario could be a very tough out in the post season.

Honestly outside of those 6 I just don’t see anyone else competing for the regional title.