Former Branson Pirate and Missouri State Bear Sam Perez made his professional pitching debut this past weekend.  Throwing for the Batavia Muckdogs, the righthander retired all 5 batters he faced.

The State College Spikes picked up the win 10-3 in the contest with Perez throwing the final 1 2/3 innings for his new team.  The Muckdogs play in Batavia, New York.  Batavia is a town of 6809 and is located in the western part of New York State.  They play in the New York-Penn League.  Historic Dwyer Stadium, where they call home, was built in 1939 and holds up to 2600 people.

Perez graduated from Branson in 2012.

I make no secret of how much I enjoy doing what I do.  Sports has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and local sports in particular.  Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with a number of people but none more than my long-time broadcast partner Scott McCaulley.

Not sure there is anyone that likes the sports game as much as I do, but if there is, McCaulley, might just be the one.   Scott has been the sports director (among many other jobs) at Earls Family Broadcasting (formerly Orr and Earls) since 1991.  Together we have had the opportunity to call football playoffs, state and national championship basketball, and Continue reading “There’s No One Like McCaulley…”

I went to my first Reeds Spring Football workout of the summer this morning.  Hard to believe that, just eight weeks from today will be the “walk through” for Week One.  It really does not seem like that long ago that the 2015 season ended.

So 57 days….  FIFTY-SEVEN !!!!  That is all the time area coaches have to get ready for this years version of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.  Its a different way to start the season for all three area teams.  Reeds Spring will play Continue reading “The Countdown is on….”

 

Although there are exceptions, for many of us, our first exposure to sports comes through our dads.  Whether its coaching your little league team, taking you to a ballgame, or just watching it on television with him, those of some of most peoples memories.

For me, its no different.  In fact, my dad, most likely, has a lot to do with the reasons I love sports so much.  He is a huge sports fan himself.  He was my little league baseball coach for most of the years I played.  He was one of my first football coaches.

The first couple of vacations I remember involved baseball, in part.  I Continue reading “Dad and Sports….”

The Branson Pirates got their football summer off to a good start by claiming the Parkview 7 on 7 Tournament Championship.  They got the better of a couple of Conference rivals in doing so.

After dropping a couple of games in pool play, the Pirates hit their stride once the event hit bracket play.  The final four included three COC teams.  Branson beat Carthage in the semi-finals before taking care of Neosho for the title.

While, some may say it was just 7 on 7 and things are different once you put the pads on and get the linemen involved, the fact remains its a great step as the Pirates look to turn around the fortunes of the past couple of seasons.

It was the first time Branson has won the event which was held for the sixth time.  But Coach Henderson led his Osage team to the title back in 2012.

 

8/19

Mt Vernon @ Reeds Spring

Pleasant Hope @ Hollister

Branson @ Neosho

8/26

Reeds Spring @ Cassville

Hollister @ Cabool

Nixa @ Branson

9/2

Bolivar @ Reeds Spring Continue reading “2016 football schedules”

Although selection Monday for the NCAA baseball tournaments is a world of difference from the attention given to Selection Sunday for the NCAA basketball Tournament, some of the same arguments take place afterwords.  Why is this team in and why is that team not in?  Why does this team get a great seed and not this one?  How come certain Conferences get all the love and others not? Continue reading “Big XII shows it was overlooked…”

The major league baseball amateur draft is upon us and for Branson’s Sam Perez it did not take all that long for his name to be called.  The former Pirate and Missouri State pitcher was selected in the fifth round by the Miami Marlins.  He was the 143rd player to be taken overall in the draft.

Perez spent most of his time at Missouri State working out of the bullpen finishing his career with a 20-2 record.  This past season he was especially good fanning 112 batters in 36 appearances.  He did not allow a run in his last 22 2/3 innings.

Perez will enter contract negotiations and find out where in the minor league system he will be assigned.

There is still a chance another Branson product will be drafted.  Mike Compton awaits the call that could come on Saturday.

As I sit in my office today, reading many of the “happy birthday” messages I have received it is hard not to realize just how blessed I really am.   While a quick message on Facebook or Twitter does not take a lot of time, its the idea that many actually took those few seconds that actually does have meaning.

Reading through the messages has given me time to reflect on the wide range of people that are friends.  Family, High School and College Classmates,  Athletes, Parents, Coaches, and business colleagues among others have reached out.  Now, I know that everyone gets a lot of messages on their birthday and that is not what this is really about.

Its about saying thank you to ALL of those people.  Thanks for helping me be me.  I absolutely love to do what I do.  Whether its helping people with insurance or providing coverage of local sports;   The avenues have allowed me to meet some absolutely wonderful people.  And, many remain friends long after they (or their kid) are done playing or coaching local sports.

So to all coaches, players, parents, announcers, and basically anyone reading this: a heartfelt “THANK YOU”.  I appreciate you more than you will probably ever know.

A little time off this summer… but only TEN WEEKS until we kick off the football season.

 

Here is a list of the just graduated area athletes (that I know of) that have committed to playing their sport in college.

Branson                                                                                                          

AJ Goss- Indian Hills CC (soccer)                                                             

Alex Melendez- SBU (soccer)                                                                 

Laurel Perry- Dallas Baptist (cross country)     

Colby Sutton- SBU (track)

Christian Powell-Webster (basketball)

Seth Wood-Central College (IA) (basketball)

Chad Reusch- C of O (baseball)

Matt Baker-OK Baptist (football)

Ashley Forrest- C of O (basketball) Continue reading “Area athletes playing at the next level”