Patrick Schuster's fame has shot right through the roof in the last 48 hours, no thanks to his prowess on the pitcher's mound. The senior at J.W. Mitchell High School in Trinity, Fla., (just northwest of Tampa) fired his third straight no-hitter this past week and is flirting with the national high school record of six straight no-nos. He made an appearance on ESPN2's morning program "First Take" this morning and his fame has done more than just become a national story.
Here is a link to a story from the Tampa Tribune on the phenom:
Apr 17, 2009
Apr 11, 2009
When not reading the rulebook goes wrong ...
Jim Gabella might be a minor-league manager, but he made an major-league blunder that costed his son, Cody, his eligibility.
Here is the story from The Associated Press. Moral of the story is: Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — What was supposed to be a great day at the ballpark for Cody Gabella and his father has wound up costing the youngster his junior season.
Gabella, a junior infielder at Notre Dame High in Burlington, has been suspended for the upcoming prep season after making two plate appearances with the Class A Burlington Bees — who are managed by his father, Jim Gabella — in an exhibition against a local community college.
The Iowa High School Athletic Association ruled that Cody Gabella violated a rule that prohibits prep athletes from playing with or against collegians in their own sport.
The Bees, a Kansas City Royals affiliate from the Midwest League, played an exhibition game against Southeastern Community College on Tuesday. Jim Gabella said he cleared it with Southeastern’s coach and the Royals to allow Cody an at-bat late in the game if possible.
Jim Gabella told The Associated Press on Saturday that he had no idea the rule was on the books and would have never jeopardized his son’s eligibility if he did.
Jim Gabella said an appeal is in the works, and he’s hoping that the high school association will factor in his lack of knowledge of the rule.
“He wants to play at the next level, and it was an idea of having him play against a junior college who is recruiting him and have a chance to see him play myself,” Jim Gabella said of Cody. “It didn’t work out the way we planned.”
It wasn’t all bad for Cody Gabella, though. He ripped a single up the middle and finished 1-for-2.
Here is the story from The Associated Press. Moral of the story is: Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — What was supposed to be a great day at the ballpark for Cody Gabella and his father has wound up costing the youngster his junior season.
Gabella, a junior infielder at Notre Dame High in Burlington, has been suspended for the upcoming prep season after making two plate appearances with the Class A Burlington Bees — who are managed by his father, Jim Gabella — in an exhibition against a local community college.
The Iowa High School Athletic Association ruled that Cody Gabella violated a rule that prohibits prep athletes from playing with or against collegians in their own sport.
The Bees, a Kansas City Royals affiliate from the Midwest League, played an exhibition game against Southeastern Community College on Tuesday. Jim Gabella said he cleared it with Southeastern’s coach and the Royals to allow Cody an at-bat late in the game if possible.
Jim Gabella told The Associated Press on Saturday that he had no idea the rule was on the books and would have never jeopardized his son’s eligibility if he did.
Jim Gabella said an appeal is in the works, and he’s hoping that the high school association will factor in his lack of knowledge of the rule.
“He wants to play at the next level, and it was an idea of having him play against a junior college who is recruiting him and have a chance to see him play myself,” Jim Gabella said of Cody. “It didn’t work out the way we planned.”
It wasn’t all bad for Cody Gabella, though. He ripped a single up the middle and finished 1-for-2.
So much for Saturday's action ...
If there was an event that took place today, it's news to me.
All of Saturday's action was canceled because of a storm that passed through the state late Friday night and continues to do so today.
The only make-up date I have available is the Pojoaque Invite track and field meet will be held on April 22.
Any other updates surely will be appreciated.
All of Saturday's action was canceled because of a storm that passed through the state late Friday night and continues to do so today.
The only make-up date I have available is the Pojoaque Invite track and field meet will be held on April 22.
Any other updates surely will be appreciated.
Apr 10, 2009
The dog days of ... spring??
Yes, it seems that the spring season has hit a bit of a lull here in early April, but – as it always is - it is merely the calm before the sprint to the end of the prep season.
Saturday will provide a taste of what's to come. Big games will pop up in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. With that said, here's a quick look at what's on tap:
Saturday
Baseball
Santa Fe at Albuquerque La Cueva, doubleheader, 11 a.m./1 p.m. - The Demons are in a 1-2 District 2AAAAA hole that is tough enough to get out of without having to face the state's top team in the Bears. After losing its season opener, La Cueva has reeled off 15 straight wins. In that time, the Bears have scored no fewer than seven runs and reached double figures in 11 games. The latest victims were the Sandia Matadors, who swept a doubleheader at Santa Fe last week. It might take an offensive explosion for the Demons to avoid a 1-4 district start.
Las Vegas Robertson at St. Michael's, doubleheader, 11 a.m./1 p.m. - The Horsemen, who stand at 2-2 in 2AAA, are trying to fight their way back into the district race. The Cardinals, at 4-2, are trying to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the district. St. Michael's has struggled with its pitching and defense, but it's more of a cause-and-effect relationship: The errors lead to the pitching struggles.
Softball
Las Vegas Robertson at St. Michael's, doubleheader, 11 a.m./1 p.m. - St. Michael's can continue its domination of 2AAA with a sweep of the Lady Cardinals. A 5-0 start give the Lady Horsemen a one-game lead on the rest of the district.
Albuquerque La Cueva at Santa Fe High, doubleheader 11 a.m./1 p.m. - Another Santa Fe High team that has its back to the wall. The Demonettes are winless at 0-3 in 2AAAAA, and desperately need a win to get back the momentum from a 12-2 start. The Lady Bears aren't as strong as in years' past, so this might be the perfect opportunity for Santa Fe High to get back into the district chase.
Saturday will provide a taste of what's to come. Big games will pop up in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. With that said, here's a quick look at what's on tap:
Saturday
Baseball
Santa Fe at Albuquerque La Cueva, doubleheader, 11 a.m./1 p.m. - The Demons are in a 1-2 District 2AAAAA hole that is tough enough to get out of without having to face the state's top team in the Bears. After losing its season opener, La Cueva has reeled off 15 straight wins. In that time, the Bears have scored no fewer than seven runs and reached double figures in 11 games. The latest victims were the Sandia Matadors, who swept a doubleheader at Santa Fe last week. It might take an offensive explosion for the Demons to avoid a 1-4 district start.
Las Vegas Robertson at St. Michael's, doubleheader, 11 a.m./1 p.m. - The Horsemen, who stand at 2-2 in 2AAA, are trying to fight their way back into the district race. The Cardinals, at 4-2, are trying to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the district. St. Michael's has struggled with its pitching and defense, but it's more of a cause-and-effect relationship: The errors lead to the pitching struggles.
Softball
Las Vegas Robertson at St. Michael's, doubleheader, 11 a.m./1 p.m. - St. Michael's can continue its domination of 2AAA with a sweep of the Lady Cardinals. A 5-0 start give the Lady Horsemen a one-game lead on the rest of the district.
Albuquerque La Cueva at Santa Fe High, doubleheader 11 a.m./1 p.m. - Another Santa Fe High team that has its back to the wall. The Demonettes are winless at 0-3 in 2AAAAA, and desperately need a win to get back the momentum from a 12-2 start. The Lady Bears aren't as strong as in years' past, so this might be the perfect opportunity for Santa Fe High to get back into the district chase.
Apr 3, 2009
Commentary: Fans, parents need to get over themselves
Yeah, I just wrote that. And I mean it.
I base my claim on what has been written over the past month or so on the forums for the stories that we write. One - on the Santa Fe High's girls basketball program - was created by a reader (or someone who frequents our site, at the very least).
The conversations, while stimulating for many, are vitriolic for the most part. They turn into whines and moans about the shortcomings of coaches or the programs themselves (And for some reason, Española becomes a topic in just about every one of them. I can't figure it out).
In short, this is what the topics boil down to:
- St. Michael's head girls basketball coach Martin Romero should be fired. He's a bad coach.
- Española Valley head boys basketball coach Richard Martinez should be fired for stalling in the AAAA semifinal. He'll never win a state title while he's there.
- Capital head boys basketball coach Ben Gomez deserved to be fired. He was mean to players, cold to parents and prevented the Jaguars from reaching their full potential.
- St. Michael's head softball coach Ron Noedel should be fired. He can't coach his way out of paper bag with all the talent he's had. He should have won state titles the last three years.
So, who the community wants gone are:
A coach whose led his program to three straight Class AAA semifinal appearances in girls basketball and a title game in 2008. He also saved the program when parents forced out the previous coach and got a team seeded 12th (That's a 1 followed by a 2, not a 1 or a 2) just seconds away from a AAA title game. (This would be Romero).
A coach who has led a program to its most sustained success ... EVER! Two straight AAAA appearances and a top seed the last two years. This for a program that had enjoyed The Pit venue once before he took over (Mr. Martinez, for those scoring at home).
A coach who guided a program to a Class AAAA state title, two runner-up finishes and a trip to Albuquerque in March for the last five years until this year. (Ben Gomez).
A coach who has gotten his team to the AAA softball title game twice in the last three years and is consistently a contender in one of the toughest districts in the state. (That's how bad of a coach Ron Noedel is)
For those who want to complain and stir the pot, I have a suggestion for you: Go coach.
For five years.
Open yourself to questioning from the fans at least once a week, if not more.
Open your practices for everyone to see - parents, students, media, stray dogs, etc.
Then write what you have written over the past month again.
I guarantee you never will, because then you'll know how hard of a job coaching is.
Because if you ever had to deal with parents and fans who write - and act - like you, you'd hate them as much as what I see almost every morning in those forums after a story that appears in The New Mexican.
Because the biggest problem with those programs aren't the coaches.
It's you.
I base my claim on what has been written over the past month or so on the forums for the stories that we write. One - on the Santa Fe High's girls basketball program - was created by a reader (or someone who frequents our site, at the very least).
The conversations, while stimulating for many, are vitriolic for the most part. They turn into whines and moans about the shortcomings of coaches or the programs themselves (And for some reason, Española becomes a topic in just about every one of them. I can't figure it out).
In short, this is what the topics boil down to:
- St. Michael's head girls basketball coach Martin Romero should be fired. He's a bad coach.
- Española Valley head boys basketball coach Richard Martinez should be fired for stalling in the AAAA semifinal. He'll never win a state title while he's there.
- Capital head boys basketball coach Ben Gomez deserved to be fired. He was mean to players, cold to parents and prevented the Jaguars from reaching their full potential.
- St. Michael's head softball coach Ron Noedel should be fired. He can't coach his way out of paper bag with all the talent he's had. He should have won state titles the last three years.
So, who the community wants gone are:
A coach whose led his program to three straight Class AAA semifinal appearances in girls basketball and a title game in 2008. He also saved the program when parents forced out the previous coach and got a team seeded 12th (That's a 1 followed by a 2, not a 1 or a 2) just seconds away from a AAA title game. (This would be Romero).
A coach who has led a program to its most sustained success ... EVER! Two straight AAAA appearances and a top seed the last two years. This for a program that had enjoyed The Pit venue once before he took over (Mr. Martinez, for those scoring at home).
A coach who guided a program to a Class AAAA state title, two runner-up finishes and a trip to Albuquerque in March for the last five years until this year. (Ben Gomez).
A coach who has gotten his team to the AAA softball title game twice in the last three years and is consistently a contender in one of the toughest districts in the state. (That's how bad of a coach Ron Noedel is)
For those who want to complain and stir the pot, I have a suggestion for you: Go coach.
For five years.
Open yourself to questioning from the fans at least once a week, if not more.
Open your practices for everyone to see - parents, students, media, stray dogs, etc.
Then write what you have written over the past month again.
I guarantee you never will, because then you'll know how hard of a job coaching is.
Because if you ever had to deal with parents and fans who write - and act - like you, you'd hate them as much as what I see almost every morning in those forums after a story that appears in The New Mexican.
Because the biggest problem with those programs aren't the coaches.
It's you.
Apr 2, 2009
St. Michael's softball to get some TV time
The Lady Horsemen will enjoy a weekend off by heading to Albuquerque to be the showcase team on KOB-TV's "New Mexico GameDay" show on Friday. St. Michael's head coach Ron Noedel said the show's host, J.P. Murrieta, has extended the offer before, but the team always had a Saturday morning game that conflicted with an appearance. This was the only hole in the schedule for the team to make an appearance.
The Lady Horsemen will be in the studio for the 10:30 p.m. show, which will be on Channel 4.
The Lady Horsemen will be in the studio for the 10:30 p.m. show, which will be on Channel 4.
Mar 24, 2009
The morning after ...
Only those within the administrative offices at Capital High School saw the end of the Ben Gomez Era coming. Looking back, those who follow the program closely probably saw serious problems with the program that had been festering for the last couple of years.
In hindsight, the breakup between Gomez and assistant coach Mark Senteney might have been the biggest blow to the program. Both had been together for six years and it had been a very productive relationship until the last couple. It's no surprise that the 2007-08 and the 2008-09 seasons were underwhelming years for the program as a rift slowly ripped the program apart.
I've witnesses the pre- and post-game talks with the coaching staff and the players, and a lot of times they were very frank discussions.
Yes, Gomez can be very demanding and his demeanor can be intimidating to the players. Sometimes that seeped onto the court. At the same time, the player only occasionally showed the mental strength to battle back from adversity. Often times, they looked scared and unsure of themselves, and that is something the players have to confront.
Despite the problems, practices, especially at the end of the year, were as intense as they had been. It didn't seem like the program was buckling under the strain.
Perhaps what has not been talked about enough is the talent level with the program.
It wasn't to the level of the state championship teams in 2004 and the runners-up in 2005 and 2007. It was a team that struggled to shoot from the field in general and was either very good or very bad. There was no in between. Now you can make the argument that the kids were scared or intimidated into playing poorly, but the truth of the matter is that they had to play at an optimum level just to be competitive.
There was no go-to player on the team, and the one who tried to be – Reese Goodman – was maddeningly inconsistent at best.
The players need a year of working on their shooting skills, hitting the weight room and simply playing without fear, which was something that they showed against more talented teams (especially Española Valley).
The new coach who steps in will have to recognize that its a program that is going through a slump right now and will need to have patience to get the program back to the level it enjoyed just a few years ago.
As for who that will be, that's a good question.
Could it be Senteney, who also guided the programs at Mesa Vista and Española Valley before coming to Capital? Maybe, but how awkward would it be for him to be at the same school with some of the same coaches he was a part of when he was let go? Is that the kind of situation to walk into?
How about junior varsity coach Zack Cole? While a good coach, he has yet to get his head coaching chops. If anything, he needs a few years as a top assistant or a head-coaching gig at a smaller school (AA or AAA) before he could take that leap of taking over a larger and very respected program.
Another name to perhaps throw out is Farmington head coach Rick Holman. In talking to him, he has a lot of respect for what Capital High has built at the school and the intense nature that high school basketball has in the North.
What about another Lenny Roybal protege? Maybe Gordon Betancourt? Tony Gallegos? How about Matt Pribble, who has resurfaced at East Mountain recently? Maybe Rick Apodaca, the former Taoos High coach who is at St. Michael's now? Former Santa Fe High head coach David Rodrigue is still around and he did go after the Demons job that he lost a few years earlier in 2005.
Of course, this is all speculation. I have nothing to go on other than my (still) limited knowledge of coaching names in the North. Certainly, there will be quite a few who will apply for the job because of what Capital has done over the years and – let's face it – the respect coach Gomez has among the coaching ranks around the state.
In hindsight, the breakup between Gomez and assistant coach Mark Senteney might have been the biggest blow to the program. Both had been together for six years and it had been a very productive relationship until the last couple. It's no surprise that the 2007-08 and the 2008-09 seasons were underwhelming years for the program as a rift slowly ripped the program apart.
I've witnesses the pre- and post-game talks with the coaching staff and the players, and a lot of times they were very frank discussions.
Yes, Gomez can be very demanding and his demeanor can be intimidating to the players. Sometimes that seeped onto the court. At the same time, the player only occasionally showed the mental strength to battle back from adversity. Often times, they looked scared and unsure of themselves, and that is something the players have to confront.
Despite the problems, practices, especially at the end of the year, were as intense as they had been. It didn't seem like the program was buckling under the strain.
Perhaps what has not been talked about enough is the talent level with the program.
It wasn't to the level of the state championship teams in 2004 and the runners-up in 2005 and 2007. It was a team that struggled to shoot from the field in general and was either very good or very bad. There was no in between. Now you can make the argument that the kids were scared or intimidated into playing poorly, but the truth of the matter is that they had to play at an optimum level just to be competitive.
There was no go-to player on the team, and the one who tried to be – Reese Goodman – was maddeningly inconsistent at best.
The players need a year of working on their shooting skills, hitting the weight room and simply playing without fear, which was something that they showed against more talented teams (especially Española Valley).
The new coach who steps in will have to recognize that its a program that is going through a slump right now and will need to have patience to get the program back to the level it enjoyed just a few years ago.
As for who that will be, that's a good question.
Could it be Senteney, who also guided the programs at Mesa Vista and Española Valley before coming to Capital? Maybe, but how awkward would it be for him to be at the same school with some of the same coaches he was a part of when he was let go? Is that the kind of situation to walk into?
How about junior varsity coach Zack Cole? While a good coach, he has yet to get his head coaching chops. If anything, he needs a few years as a top assistant or a head-coaching gig at a smaller school (AA or AAA) before he could take that leap of taking over a larger and very respected program.
Another name to perhaps throw out is Farmington head coach Rick Holman. In talking to him, he has a lot of respect for what Capital High has built at the school and the intense nature that high school basketball has in the North.
What about another Lenny Roybal protege? Maybe Gordon Betancourt? Tony Gallegos? How about Matt Pribble, who has resurfaced at East Mountain recently? Maybe Rick Apodaca, the former Taoos High coach who is at St. Michael's now? Former Santa Fe High head coach David Rodrigue is still around and he did go after the Demons job that he lost a few years earlier in 2005.
Of course, this is all speculation. I have nothing to go on other than my (still) limited knowledge of coaching names in the North. Certainly, there will be quite a few who will apply for the job because of what Capital has done over the years and – let's face it – the respect coach Gomez has among the coaching ranks around the state.
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