Bluefield_Rules

I love this move because it saves the Braves 3-4 million and they get rid of an overrated pitcher. Now ATL can make a serious run at a everyday LF with Prado moving to 3rd.

Looks like BJ Upton will be playing in the ATL next season. Upton does not bring the same intangibles as Bourn did offensively or defensively, but he is not the step-down I expected. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8687612/bj-upton-tampa-bay-rays-agrees-deal-atlanta-braves-says-source

Thanks for the information. Maybe in the coming years they can add more newer opponents for this tourney such as Galax is this year.

Word today is that B1G commish, and UNC alum, Jim Delany is pursuing Carolina and UVa to join the conference. Does the ACC exist this time next year?

I was looking at the Beaver bball schedule and saw two dates for a CNX tournament to be hosted at Bluefield. Does anyone have any details on this tournament and the teams participating? Thanks.

As a Ravens' fan, I'd take either one over Joe Flacco. With that said, however, both have played very well thus far into the season. It's very close, so I will base "who's better" on the W/L record.

Less regular season games and more playoff games/series. The one-game wild-card game is asinine. I would love to see six teams from each league make the playoffs with the top two seeds receiving first round byes and the other four compete in a best of 5 series.

ATL has no position players in the minor league system close to be ready for the majors. Any additions must come via free-agency or trade. We have some big-time young pitchers and I have been against trading them away, but now might be the time to re-consider that option. As long as they get a value back and not a one year rental of a past-his-prime player.

Word this morning is that Bourn is asking for $100 million, which is absurd. He's an outstanding player, but not worth that especially for a player approaching 30 years old. The Braves will need to go another direction if that's the case, but unfortunately there is a huge drop-off with regard to the other directions they could go. Another frustrating off-season for the Braves faithful...

The fact is ATL has no one capable of doing what Bourn does in center-field and batting lead-off. If they actually think they can replace his importance to the offensive with someone else they are sadly mistaken. Check-out the stats from this past season with regard to Bourn's offensive productively and the W/L record; it was eye-opening.

If they do not re-sign Bourn they will not make the playoffs in 2013, period.

Again, why is Bluefield even making the trip? They stand no chance.

Maybe Bluefield should consider saving money and gas by not making the trip since Wayne is unbeatable. And maybe they should even consider skipping the playoffs since we cannot compete with Wayne, Keyser, Bport, or RCB...

http://bdtonline.com/localsports/x519515736/Witt-resigns-as-James-Monroe-football-coach?keyword=secondarystory Let's go back five years ago this December when the Mavs were heading to Wheeling to play the Beavers in the title game. I remember despite being in the title tilt a good number of you were calling for Dave Witt's head because of the offense he ran, the single wing. Witt retired about a month later and Donny Jackson was restored as coach. Fast-forward five years and the Mavs are barely winning 2-3 games and nowhere near competitive with any of the top teams in "AA." Those of you that wanted Witt gone are you happy with results? The offense he ran might have been boring and never won you a state title, but the complexity I believe would still be winning you a lot of games (7-9 a year) and at least having you competitive with some of the other top "AA" school. I said it then and I'll say it again, Witt was the right coach for the Mavs and his offense was perfect fit for the student-athletes in Monroe County; much like it is for the folks in Giles. From the perspective of a Beaver fan, I am disappointed in James Monroe fall. Having a strong program like JM used to be was a positive for the Beavers. Now, I am not sure the series is worth continuing from Bluefield side of things. You guys aren't competitive and you provide very little playoff points. And beating JM just isn't as fun without the Mav fans actually thinking they can win...;)

Typical Atlanta Braves playoff baseball with fielding and base-running mistakes as well as a lack of clutch hitting. I hope some big changes occur in the off-season such trying to trade Hanson for anything including a bucket of baseballs, shopping Dan Uggla, whose play this year at the plate was UGLY, and developing the young pitchers and shopping the ones that aren't going to live up to the potential. And the biggest off-season need is KEEPING MICHAEL BOURN. Atlanta has no one anywhere capable of being the lead-off threat and defensive player he is in center field.

Here's hoping the Braves show-up for this postseason unlike the other appearance since 1999...

There's a lot of confidence in that post. As a Braves fan also, I have nowhere near that confidence level and in-fact feel Cardinals or Dodgers will beat the Braves in the single elimination wild-card game. There has been too much inconsistency from the Braves' hitters and pitchers throughout the season for my confidence to be high.

Congratulations to Coach Simon on his 200th win. According to the WV Metro News, however, it was his 500th win... http://www.wvmetronews.com/hsSports.cfm?func=scoreboard

I believe it's time to turn off baseball and start watching football. Apparently, when football starts the Braves do the same because they tank from then until the end of the season.

Starting to have flashbacks to last Sept., especially after blowing last night's game in the 9th and extras. If they do not make the playoffs this year does the club continue on with Gonzalez as manager? At least the last of Cox's teams made the playoff before falling apart...

I hope I am wrong, but considering the poor tackling I saw last Friday night along with other issues including a lack of leadership amongst the players. Princeton 41 Beaver 27

Will Dan Uggla show up to play at any point this season? We need to look at possibly trading him in the off-season and getting rid of that big salary because he certainly hasn't been worth the price paid.

My congratulations to the Graham folks. The G-Men were the better team, well prepared, mentally tough, and made the plays necessary to win. Hopefully, the Bluefield kids learned a valuable lesson about not underestimating an opponent, especially in such a huge rivalry. The Beavers better get themselves together quick or it'll be back-to-back seasons sitting at home come playoff time with the schedule ahead. I dread to think what Johnson from Princeton will do on Friday night if the tackling and reading of keys do not improve; could be looking at 300+ rushing yards because if Johnson gets loose you will not catch him in the open field.

Leggett run through, around, and over a lot of tackles last season and he's a year older and stronger in 2012. As long as he's healthy, he's going to be tough for any defense to tackle in 2012.

Since this will be the only Beaver game I get to watch in-person I hope it's entertaining. As I said previously, while I have enjoyed Beaver winning the past three years ( especially after Will Cole Gate) the margin of those victories has taken away some of the luster from the rivalry. I hope Graham is more competitive this year and can at least give Bluefield a challenge for 2-3 quarters. Ripping Graham's heart out in the 4th is much more fun than doing so in the first quarter and winning by 30-40 points.