Sierra Opener: Diamond Bar beats Glendora
Yes they did: Diamond Bar served notice that they have to be dealt with by going to Glendora and winning the league opener, 9-3.
Today's Featured Game: Diamond Bar (3-3) at Glendora (3-1), 3:15 p.m. -- The Sierra League is by far the most interesting because of the parity from top to bottom. I will not be surprised by whoever wins it, that's how close it is. At home, though, I'm taking the Tarts.
Did you know: That Bonita is No. 5! in the LA Times poll. Thanks for the reminder Don, I skipped right past this. As Don said, when is the last time the Cats have been ranked this high? Looks like the Times people are listening to me.
You're welcome coach: After writing that Nogales is the "Redeem Team," on this blog, it sparked a fire in Nogales, apparently. After their 2-1 victory over South Hills Tuesday, Nobles coach John Romano said. "(The newspaper) is what spurned this team on for the comments that we're `Team Redemption. How can we be `Team Redemption?' We've been first or second in the last 20 years. Yeah, (South Hills) has won seven straight (San Antonio League) championships, but one of those years they tied with us (in 2005) and the other six we finished second. Calling us `Team Redemption' got us fired up."
A Big Thanks: To the Glendora tournament officials. If you're wondering why that tournament was covered so well, it's because officials emailed boxscores to our desk and me as soon as the games were over. It's the most well-run and well-organized tournament around. Other tournaments should take note, you want better exposure, then get us results and update the pairings so we can get it to the readers.
Today's games
Valle Vista League
Northview at Pomona, 3:15 p.m.
Baldwin Park at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Ganesha at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Chino Hills at Damien, 3:15 p.m.
Diamond Bar at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Ayala at Chino, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday's results called or emailed to us
Charter Oak 18, Diamond Ranch 4
Nogales 2, South Hills 1
San Marino 4, Gladstone 0
Sierra Vista 13, Mountain View 3
Comments
No surprise Glendora,
Glendora didn't play any real teams other than Bonita before they played Diamond Bar. That's the problem playing in low caliber tournaments! Glendora was 3-1...Doesn't mean a thing when you beat Charter Oak, Diamond Ranch, come on now this is the Sierra League! Diamond Bar played the big boys and was ready to kick some butt! You have to play the best to be the best. That's why rankings to me don't mean a thing....If you look at who Diamond Bar plays verses say, Amat or Diamond Ranch, or even Glendora (pre season) you can't compare apples and oranges. I dare any team in the SGV to play the teams DBAR did and I would like to see how their pitching/hitting would hold up. When you face El Toro ranked #2 in the nation bet your A** that's a dog fight. Diamond Ranch...Zero nothing a win over Dranch is like kissing your sister means ZERO!
Posted by: baseballfan | March 23, 2009 8:33 AM
Don, you say its about the kids not the coach. I wish that were true. When the coaches pick their teams based on who the kid is, not ability. When a coach gets pissed off and doesn't play a kid. When a coach has a favorite and plays him every game, even if he has no business being out there, then how can you say its about the kids. The coach has the power and they all use it to make them feel like the are all powerful.
Posted by: playallday | March 22, 2009 12:39 PM
Here is a head's up for “anti-coach” types, be it Henley, Vasquez, or whoever:
It's about the kids.
They pitch.
They hit. Or not.
They make the plays in the field. Or not.
You guy's who are willing to attribute a HS team's success (or not) to it's Coach are SO LITTLE LEAGUE.
Wake up and smell the snack bar, it's about the kids, not the coach.
Geeez.
Posted by: Don | March 21, 2009 8:50 PM
How could anyone be surprised that once the Sierra League rolls around, Henley's boys always fails. Don't judge Henley on his personality or lack there of,but that losing record in league is pathetic
Posted by: No Surprise, Glendora | March 21, 2009 7:23 PM
Damien Man,
I beg to differ.....Diamond Bar is the best team in the SGV! We played the toughest pre-season schedule and we can out hit any team in the SGV! We look forward to playing you. Let's let our teams speak for themselves.
GO DBAR!
Posted by: baseballfan | March 20, 2009 6:42 PM
Well Fred, there goes your rankings out the window. Let's see where you rank Damien next week. Look at the big picture. Look at win/loss records of opponents played. The win/loss records of the opponents for NV and Bonita are not good. I also hear that Bonita is doing the winning with two former Damien kids. No problem, Sparta is a demanding place and not for all students. Damien is the real deal. Take a close look at what is going on now. Last year is over, this is a new year. New teams, players and coaches. Don't be scared to drop teams off the list that are nor performing.
You have a few days to mull this over. Damien is the best team in the SGV.
Posted by: Damien MAN | March 20, 2009 4:52 PM
Murphy = Big Pie
Posted by: VVL | March 20, 2009 9:10 AM
The whole ranking thing is motivating to see, but it's where you stand at the end of the season that matters most, so who cares where anyone sits after week 1. Northview has been able to find ways to beat Bonita over the years and good teams do that. I'm a Bearcat fan and have followed Bonita baseball for a while. This might be Bonita's best team in years and this might not be Northview's best team but I haven't seen two better team in the valley this season(yet). Of course it's still early. For Bonita to not be ranked opening the season was a little rediculous at the same time Northview being ranked #19 is too. Either way, both teams should be more concerned with who they play today and not who sits where in the rankings. Heard Murphy has already made phone calls to the paper about their rankings, so next week NV will probably be #1. Too bad NV will not be playing in their own tournament to possibly play Bonita or would it be better if it was Claremont? If you don't like the rankings, don't read the paper. Let's just play ball.
Posted by: BoHiFan | March 20, 2009 8:31 AM
So Cal baseball!
With Urban at short stop it changes the whole dynamics of the infield. The outfield is where were in trouble regardless of who's pitching. When Urban is on the mound his job is get them to ground out.....But, when your infield is "suspect" that becomes a huge problem. When a infield ground ball should be a easy double play and turns out to be 2 men on with no out...Just can't happen over and over. Can't expect Mathews & Urban to strike out every batter just not going to happen. It's very early in the season with Urban's record 2-1 and the lost being to El Toro not a bad start and Mathews 1-0 I like our odds on the mound! Go get em Kenny and let's win!
Posted by: baseballfan | March 19, 2009 10:46 AM
should be a good game with the soph Mathews vs junior Plutko. D-Bar is at its best with Mathews pitching and Urban playing ss.
Posted by: socal baseball fan | March 19, 2009 10:10 AM
Here I am, three days later, still waiting for someone to comment on the LA Times HS Baseball poll.
Bonita is ranked #5, the highest of any D3 Team listed, Northview is #19 and Amat #22 and they are the only D4's noted.
I know none of these polls really matter, still . . . interesting.
Posted by: Don | March 19, 2009 9:05 AM
Go DBHS! Hey Fred, I'm putting my money on Diamond Bar!
Posted by: baseballfan | March 19, 2009 8:58 AM