CSBL taking wait-and-see approach regarding expansion
Could expansion be in the near-future for the Cotton States Baseball League?
Partners Clark Richey, Sam Creekmore and Frank Dodds believe it’s a possibility.
Last week the New Albany-based league announced on its website that it will play two exhibition games at Itawamba AHS Field in Fulton and New Hope High School Field in New Hope “to promote future expansion.” (June 29, 2010, Page 8)
Dedman leaves Diamond Rebels
Justin Dedman will not be returning to the Ole Miss baseball team’s coaching staff next season.
Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco confirmed on Monday that the former Director of Operations has left the team to pursue other opportunities.
Dedman was in his first season with the Rebels after serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Austin Peay State University in 2009.
Dedman was hired after Rob Francis was promoted to volunteer assistant coach.
Francis held the position for two seasons.
Prior to his stint at APSU, Dedman was the head coach at Denison University, his alma mater, for two seasons.
As Ole Miss’ Director of Operations, Dedman was in charge of handling day-to-day functions, including travel arrangements, budget management, equipment inventory, on-campus recruiting, serving as strength and nutrition liaison and assisting with management of the Bullpen Club. (June 29, 2010, Page 9)
DT Powe making a difference for Rebs
When Jerrell Powe speaks, people listen.
The Ole Miss coaching staff is hoping the Waynesboro native will be able to harness some of the respect he garners this season and help lead what some are calling one of the best defensive line units in the Southeastern Conference. (June 25, 2010, Page 6A)
Brown learning to be more vocal
Life isn’t exactly easy if you’re the lone returning senior in the Ole Miss secondary.
For the soft spoken Johnny Brown, being the elder statesmen in a unit that lost three seniors means speaking up more often and being more of a leader.
Brown admits that’s something that will take some getting used to. (June 24, 2010, Page 2B)
Bolden focused on controlling weight
How much of a difference can five pounds make? A world of difference according to Ole Miss rising junior Brandon Bolden.
On Tuesday, the Rebels’ running back said he weighed in at a svelte 213 pounds, and as long as he stays under 217 pounds, he’s happy. (June 23, 2010, Page 2B)
Goforth turns down Tribe, will return to Ole Miss
David Goforth has opted to return to Ole Miss for his junior season.
On Monday, the right-hander confirmed to RebelGrove.com that he has decided not to sign with the Cleveland Indians.
The Tribe, who drafted him in the 31st round of this month’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, had planned on “drafting-and-following” Goforth and keeping up with his progress in the Cape Cod Summer League, but that did not interest the former Neshoba Central standout. (June 22, 2010, Page 6)
Sifting through the minors & majors
Former Diamond Rebels are scattered throughout the minor leagues from coast to coast.
In an effort to try and keep up with all of them, I’ve going to link all of their stat pages here: (more…) (June 21, 2010)
North Delta squanders lead
You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you field the ball. Do those three basic fundamentals of baseball correctly and you’ll give yourself a good chance to win.
On Sunday, the Cotton States Baseball League’s North Delta Dealers struggled in all three facets of the game, falling to the Tippah County Tribe 8-7.
“You better play two out of the three aspects of the game pretty good to give yourself a chance to win and we haven’t done that,” said Dealers coach Doug Robbins after his team collected just five hits while also committing two errors. (June 21, 2010, Page 7)
Mort excited about signing with Pirates
The 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft came and went without Ole Miss shortstop Kevin Mort hearing his name called.
Although the 5-foot-11 shortstop hit .284 for the Rebels during his senior season, he held out hope a team would take a chance and select him in part because of his superb defense.
After the three-day draft concluded on June 9, Mort was hanging out when his cell phone rang. On the other end was a scout with the Pittsburgh Pirates offering Mort a chance to keep his baseball career alive.
It took no time at all for Mort to agree to sign with the Pirates organization. (June 18, 2010, Page 6A)
Rebs’ Hartzog taking it easy until August
After another successful prep season at Hillcrest Christian for Austin Hartzog, the Ole Miss signee is taking a bit of a breather until he reports to Oxford in August.
That doesn’t mean he’s just hanging out, however.
When he’s not fishing (“I love fishing,” he made that clear during a phone interview on Wednesday), he’s playing for the Mississippi Bandits, a travel team based out of Jackson. (June 17, 2010, Page 6)
