Should Pitchers Be Required to Wear Helmets?

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ suffered a skull fracture during a game last week when a line drive hit him in the head. Tell us if you think Major League Baseball or any other leagues should implement helmets for pitchers.

"I don't remember seeing [the ball]. Just immediate loud ringing in my ear. Just pressure on my ear, and I was on the ground. That was kind of it.” That, according to an Associated Press report, was how Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ described the line drive that hit him in the head during his team’s May 7 game against Tampa Bay. The impact left him with a skull fracture and a knee that was tweaked as he fell to the ground. Happ’s injury has brought attention to other pitchers who have sustained similar injuries in the past. Major league pitcher Bryce Florie was struck in the right eye by a line drive more than a decade ago. According to Paul Newberry of the Associated Press, Florie would pitch only seven more games after that …

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Pope Whips Decatur in Lacrosse Semis

But the Greyhound baseball team is knocked out by Loganville, 12-2.

Pope's boys lacrosse team is one win from a Georgia High School Association A-AAAA championship after beating Decatur on the road Wednesday night. The Greyhounds scored in the first seven seconds of the game and never trailed on the way to an 11-6 victory. Pope (16-3-1) will play at Lambert in Forsyth County on Saturday for the Georgia title. Pope played ball-control offense Wednesday at Decatur and reeled off the final seven goals of the first half to take an 8-1 lead at intermission. The Bulldogs got off few shots. Decatur scored first in the second half, but Pope netted a goal less than a minute later and added two more in the quarter to lead 11-2 entering the fourth period. Things didn't go as well for the Greyhound baseball team, …

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Lassiter Romps to Reach Lacrosse Final

The Trojans will host Milton in the AAAAA championship; meanwhile, Pope's baseball and lacrosse teams play today to stay alive in the GHSA playoffs.

Lassiter will host the Georgia High School Association AAAAA boys lacrosse championship game Saturday after crushing Alpharetta, 14-4, at The Frank on Tuesday night. The Trojans fell behind 2-0 but bounced back to score seven consecutive goals on the way to leading 5-2 after the first quarter and 7-3 at halftime, Lassiter Athletics reported on Twitter. Lassiter, the top seed from Area 2, added to the lead 37 seconds into the second half and shut out Alpharetta, Area 3’s No. 1 seed, in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead going into the fourth. Because Milton, the No. 2 seed from Area 3, beat Etowah, 12-3, in the other semifinal, the championship will be at Lassiter on Saturday. In rolling through the first three rounds of the GHSA playoffs, …

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Pope Makes Pitch for Baseball Semifinals

The Greyhounds play a doubleheader at Loganville this afternoon while star pitcher Duane Underwood draws the attention of pro scouts.

We're Down to Lacrosse, Baseball

One Lassiter team and two Pope teams remain alive in the state playoffs.

Lassiter’s boys will play at home Tuesday night for a spot in the Georgia High School Association’s AAAAA lacrosse championship. The Trojans, coming off a 14-1 demolition of East Coweta on Friday, will play Alpharetta, the No. 1 seed from Area 3. Lassiter is Area 2’s top seed. The game will start at 7. With a win, the Trojans will play for the title Saturday, either at Etowah or home against Milton. In the A-AAAA tournament, Pope plays at Decatur at 7:30 p.m. in Wednesday’s semifinals after crushing Area 1’s No. 1 seed, Lovett, 14-4 on the road Saturday. Westminster is hosting Lambert in the other semifinal. Also Tuesday, Pope’s baseball team travels to Loganville in the AAAA quarterfinals. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled …

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Patch Names All-Star Mark Teixeira Commissioner of Patch Baseball

The partnership with the New York Yankee first baseman will offer exclusive benefits to young athletes and Little League coaches.

Patch has appointed Mark Teixeira, a former Atlanta Brave and Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, as the commissioner of Patch baseball.   East Cobb Baseball and Sandy Plains Baseball teams will be able to enjoy Q&As, baseball tips and exclusive videos from the two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. Teixeira, the New York Yankees' first baseman, will also offer young athletes advice on how to stay in shape and why healthful eating is so important for optimal performance. “I live in a Patch town now and I keep tabs on my original hometown via the Patch site there, so I’ve seen the ways that Patch supports its communities,” Teixeira said. “I’m excited to be a part of that by connecting with Patch users who have the same passion for…

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Little League Changes Bat Rules

Before you buy your child a new bat for Christmas, check out the new rules.

Be sure that bat your buying for your little slugger's Christmas present isn't contraband. The Little League Organization has changed the rules for which bats are allowed.  If illegal bats are found, the team will lose a base coach for the first offense and the manager will be ejected on the second offense, according to the website.  For Little League Major Baseball Division and below, most composite bats are still banned in little league baseball, although some have been approved, according to the Little League website.  Approved composite bats have met the bat performance factor. See the full list of approved composite bats here.  For senior and big league baseball, bats with non-wood barrels must meet Batted Ball Co-Efficient of …

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Highlights: Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational

An Elon University coach was among the dozens who flocked recently to the East Cobb Baseball invitational.

Lassiter Junior Football Scrimmages

And other youth sports of note in East Cobb and Northeast Cobb.

Pope Jr. Baseball will have open team tryouts to fill the last remaining roster spots next Thursday from 5:30-7 pm and from 7-8:30 pm. The Jr. Greyhounds program is a high school developmental program that focuses on fundamentals, speed, agility and conditioning to prepare players for competition on senior level fields. Especially needed are pitchers, catcher and outfielder.  Rising 7th & 8th graders in the Pope school district should register online at www.PopeJrGreyhounds.com at the tryouts page. A select number of out of district players will be considered for the team. The Jr. Greyhounds play on a 60/90 infield, and play home games at Pope High School baseball field.    Alan NeSmith, founder and President of the North Georgia Feeder …

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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Picnics, Alice in Wonderland, Lion King

Glad you clicked on our Grab & Go Kids Planner!

Picnics, Alice in Wonderland, Lion King at the Library and Baseball — pick and choose from this week’s array of events. FAMILY BEST BETS OF THE WEEK Mad Hatter's Meet & Treat/Alice in Wonderland Where/When: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St, Roswell. Saturday, 10 a.m. Why Go: Meet Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and more while getting autographs and having a treat, as well as enjoying the whimsical performance. Price: $20. Saturday Movie Matinee @ Central Library Where/When: Central Library, 266 Roswell Street. Saturday, 3 p.m - 5 p.m. Why Go: The Lion King is a family favorite.  Also enjoy the vast selection at this large library as well as 40 computers for public internet access. Price: Free. Friday Night Pre-Dusk Picnic in the…

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