Not off the Press: Wrapping up the high school season, Post 129 baseball and other thoughts

It's hard to comprehend the 2011-12 high school sports season is in the books. This year was full of many emotions, maybe more than most years, and on the field of play, it was a success for Highland County as a whole.

There are many moments that any of us can look back and know we saw something special these past nine months, whether it be from the fall, winter or spring season, because there were many moments that will be hard to forget.

Highland County had 17 student-athletes combined make it to the state level in cross-country, wrestling, tennis and track this school year with Hillsboro having 14 student athletes on that list with seven in track and field, five in wrestling and one each in cross-country and tennis. McClain had one in track and field, and Fairfield had two in cross-country.

This school year was one of great team success at the league level as well, with multiple league titles won by Highland County schools in either the Southern Hills League or South Central Ohio League, along with sectional titles and a few district runner-up performances. There were back-to-back league champions and even a couple three-peat league champions this past season.

In all, this was one of the more enjoyable sports seasons on the field/court of play, though there were heartbreaking times off the field. It's easy to say this is one season we won't be forgetting anytime soon.

• The return of American Legion Post 129 baseball
This past weekend, the American Legion Post 129 baseball team from Hillsboro opened their 2012 summer season with three straight losses by scores of 5-3 to the Cincinnati Storm Club, and two losses to the Columbus Braves, 4-0 and 17-7. (I'll have more on those games later this week.)

The team will be back on the diamond at Shaffer Park Tuesday with a scheduled nine-inning game against Piqua at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, they will travel to Chillicothe to face Post 757, and this weekend, they will play in the annual Troy Wooden Bat Tournament.

Like I've stated before, covering Post 129 baseball is one of my favorite things to do in this business. It's fun to cover just one team and just keep track of them for a couple months.

This year will be especially fun because 11 either currently or graduated players combined from Hillsboro, McClain, Whiteoak and Fairfield High Schools are on the team.

The Post 129 roster includes: Matt Carey (Wilmington), Casey Jordan (Fairfield), Dustin Taylor (McClain), Nathaniel Miller (Fairfield), Corey Walker (Hillsboro), Tyler Griego (Hillsboro), Paul Snyder (Hillsboro), Brandon Wilson (Hillsboro), Derek Peters (Fayetteville), Kyle Carson (Fairfield), Taylor Smucker (Fayetteville), Bryce Bean (East Clinton), Stephen Pappas (Fayetteville), Luke Taggert (Whiteoak), Zach Docter (Whiteoak), Austin Merkle (Clinton-Massie), Nick Bush (Wilmington), Joe Wilson (Fairfield) and Kyle Campbell (Blanchester).

The team is coached by Ritchie Butler, and the assistant coach is Matt Garman. The general manager is Scott Morgan.

• Non-high school sports thoughts
- Remember I predicted the Cincinnati Reds being in first place in the NL Central at the start of June in this column at the start of May? I do ... haha. What I didn't expect was the Chicago White Sox (yes, I cheer for them) being in first place in AL Central at the start of June.

- I heard the Stanley Cup Final is going on, but it's not on a major network for at least half the series, so I'm not taking it seriously. Honestly, if a sport can't get its championship game or series on FOX, CBS, NBC (only the first two games), ESPN or ABC, how can a majority of folks watch it or even care about it?

- I'll agree with Tiger Woods being back when he wins a major again.

- NASCAR's Kurt Busch is too good to be this angry.

- Speaking of NASCAR … Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will have a win by the end of June. It's almost been four years since his last Sprint Cup points win. He's long overdue for a win as he's third in the standings so far.

- I'm enjoying the Spurs-Thunder series for the most part. The best game of the series was Monday as the Thunder held off a couple rallies by the Spurs … but at the start of the year, I said the Thunder would be in the Finals … they are one win away from doing so.

- I also said the Miami Heat would make the Finals as well … that's not so cut and dry yet.

- Of course, the Big Ten prefers the current bowl system … if it was up to them, college football would still have leather helmets and the forward pass would be outlawed. At least they will be open to a playoff … or not stop one. (For the record, I'm a Big Ten fan.)

• Non-sports thoughts
- I felt bad for Miss Ohio and her "Pretty Woman" reference … but the theme song of the movie is good.

- Was sad to hear actress Kathryn Joosten died. I didn't watch "Desperate Housewives," but I remember her character for a couple episodes on "Scrubs."

- RIP, Pedro Borbon.

- Why do folks get so uptight over texting? Maybe it's a generational thing, but I keep in touch with friends via text much more than I do with talking on the phone. Just easier, I guess.

- I mention that because of an article I read titled: "Is texting ruining the art of conversation?"

- I would mention a political thought here, but I won't. I'm already tired of all the negative ads from all sides … tell me what you can and can't do, and I'll listen. I don't care what candidates think of their opponents because of course they will find all the bad stuff. It's sad this is how the folks in charge or the ones who want to be in charge of the country act when they want to be elected for office.

- I'm Stephen Forsha, and I approve this message.

- Netflix is now No. 1 in online video sales, passing Apple … surprising.

• Stat of the Week
2 — The number of state placers from Highland County in the Division II State Track and Field Championships with Hillsboro junior Jarrod Hart finishing sixth in the 800-meter run and McClain senior Luis Rivas finishing seventh in the 400m dash on Saturday.

• Quote of the Week
"It was a great experience, and I'm glad I got to go through it. I spent a lot of time in the offseason wanting to make it here, and it paid off. I'm happy with what I got. Hopefully next year I can get my time down a lot more and place a little better." — Hillsboro junior Jarrod Hart, following the 800-meter run at the Division II State Track and Field Championships on Saturday.

• (A second) Quote of the Week
"I've been seventh both times here. I did better here last year … I think my prime was last year. I didn't have any injuries last year. It feels good to come back and to place again, and to get another medal … I'll take it." — McClain senior Luis Rivas, following the 400-meter dash at the Division II State Track and Field Championships on Saturday.

• One last item of business
Again, with the end of the high school sports season, this is a bit of down time for the sports scene. Still, check back daily on the website of the Highland County Press, as you never know what I'll come up with for the sports pages of the site this summer. Thanks for reading, and hopefully next season the coverage will continue to evolve.

Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.