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The Jenkins County Times
Friday, March 3, 2023- Page 11
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JCTimes 3-3-23.indd 11
3/2/2023 9:56:59 AM
Countdown to the New Season
A pitcher from the Pittsburg Pirates is shown daring a spring training game in Bradenton, FL last
week. In the background you can see the new pitch clock indicating the time left the pitcher has to
pitch, (photo by USA Today Sports)
April 3rd , 2023 will mark the beginning of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. Last
year’s offseason and Spring Training were marked by a lockout and a delayed start to the
new season. This year, fans will not have to wait because of the delay as baseball will start
on time! This will mark the first year since 2019 that there is not an interruption to the start
date.
In 2020, baseball season was delayed until late July and the season was shortened
because of the pandemic. In 2021, the season was on time; however, there was a delay in
allowing full capacities at stadiums until later in the season. Memorial Day 2021 was the
first day the stadium was allowed full capacity at Truist Park. As already mentioned, the
2022 season was delayed due to a lockout. Spring Training is in full swing and barring
nothing crazy the season will begin as scheduled.
While the season will start on time, there will be new rule changes that will affect the
game. Bases will be larger, the “shift” will be taken away, and a new play clock has been
introduced. These three new rules are supposed to give players and fans a faster-paced
game, with more hits, and more stolen bases. Each week leading up to the new season, the
Jenkins County Times will give you a preview of these new mles and some thoughts on
the new season.
Today, we begin with the new pitch clock that has debuted. As a fan of baseball, I do not
mind a 3-hour and 11-minute game (the average game time last year); I have watched a
game that lasted as long as 4 hours or more. The new pitch clock is intended to speed the
game up, as many fans have asked for this for years. Here is how the new pitch clock rule
reads:
There is a 30-second timer between batters and a time
limit between pitches. After receiving the ball from the
catcher or umpire, pitchers are required to begin their
motion within 15 seconds with the bases empty or within
20 seconds with runners on base. If they don't, they're
charged with an automatic ball. Hitters also share the
responsibility to keep the game moving. They must be in
the batter's box and ready for the pitch by the time the
clock reaches 8 seconds. If not, they're charged with an
automatic strike. A batter can call time out only once
per plate appearance. (Source: Major League Baseball,
Inc.)
The new mle has sped the game up considerably during Spring Training. For instance, the
Atlanta Braves played the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, and the game was only 2 hours
and 5 minutes. Will this new rule bring in new fans? Only time can tell. For now, enjoy the
faster games and if you are like me, join me in counting down the days to April 3 rd ! Next
week we will discuss the new, larger bases and their purpose.
<s> East Georgia Crossfire 14U
Finishes Runner-Up
The East Georgia Crossfire 14U team coached by Tony Evans recently competed in a
tournament in Statesboro to get their season underway. In a one-day tournament, the team
played 5 games that started at 1:00 PM and finished late in the night.
Crossfire started the tournament out with a loss 3-2 to the Shockers. The Shockers scored
two runs in the bottom of the first and Crossfire could never catch back up. The Shockers
would score again in the 5 th . Crossfire got on the scoreboard in the 6 th , scoring on an
error and adding another run with two outs in the 6 th . However, it would not be enough,
and the game would come to an end.
The loss evidently sparked something in this young Crossfire team. They would win 3
games in a row propelling them to the championship game. They defeated Cage 5-3, Drive
9-3, and Drive 9-3. The first win of the tournament against Cage would be Crossfire’s
opponent in the championship.
Unfortunately, the championship game, which started at around 10:30 at night, did not go
the way of Crossfire. Cage was able to score 5 early runs in the first inning and they did
not let up. Even though Crossfire added 3 mns in the 1 st, Cage kept on putting the runs
on the scoreboard. They would add 5 in the 2 nd , and then 3 more in the 3 rd . Crossfire
could not add any more runs after the first and the game would end in the 3 rd inning.
The East Georgia Crossfire 14U Team has its home base in Sylvania and features the
following from Jenkins County: Cayley Linder, Hillary Garvin, Kynlee Wallace, Lynnsey
Lane, and Marlee Amerson. This Crossfire team is one of many from the local area teams
featuring Jenkins County players. We will keep up with the teams featuring our local soft-
ball and baseball players. If you have any sports news, pass it along to us so that we can
feature our local kids!
The 14U Crossfire Softball Team recently competed in a tournament in Statesboro, GA> They finished the
tournament in 2 nd place. Players from Jenkins County include (Middle Row) 3 rd from left Cayley Linder, 4
th from left Hillary Garvin, (bottom row) 2 nd from left Marlee Amerson, 3rd from left Lynnsey Lane, and 4 th
from left Kynlee Wallace, (photo submitted)
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Winter Break Baseball
While the school was out for Winter Break, the Jenkins
County War Eagles baseball team was on the diamond.
The War Eagles had started off their early season with a
record of 3-2. The first game of Winter Break was played
on Tuesday night as they faced Treutlen. Entering this
game, Treutlen was 1-1.
Jenkins County got the game started quickly with a 2-0
lead after the first inning. Vance Garvin stepped up to the
plate with two outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd . Garvin
hit a ball to centerfield scoring both Gray Amerson who
was on second and Gage Oglesby who was on third. In
the 5th inning, Treutlen would tie the game up at 2. In
the bottom of the 5th, with bases loaded, a wild pitch was
thrown allowing Jackson Lanier to score from third. In
the top of the 7th, Treutlen would tie the game up at 3
each.
In the bottom of the seventh, the final inning in high
school baseball. Gage Oglesby would step to the plate.
Jackson Lanier was on base with a lead-off single and
had advanced to third off two wild pitches. With Lanier
on third, Oglesby grounded into a fielder’s choice allow
ing Lanier to score and take the walk-off win! Jackson
Lanier, Baker Jenkins, Gavin Underwood, and Reid Weathersby were all on the mound for
the War Eagles.
Saturday, the War Eagles would be on the road to Clinch County where they would face
Clinch County and Baconton Charter. The first game of the night was another War Eagle
nail-biter. The War Eagles opened the game with two runs. In the bottom of the first with
two outs and Jackson Lanier on base, Gavin Underwood hit his first home run of the
season hitting the ball over the centerfield wall! The War Eagles would not hold the lead
long as Clinch County would score 3 in the 1 st !
The War Eagles would add 1 in the second, 1 in the third, and one in the 6 th . As the
game entered the final inning the War Eagles were tied with Clinch County 5-5. With
mnners on second and first and 2 outs. Clinch County was able to hit a grounder to the
outfield scoring the runner from second and putting the War Eagles on the wrong end of a
walk-off hit. The final score in favor of Clinch County was 6-5.
The last game of Winter Break took place on Saturday afternoon as the War Eagles
played Baconton Charter. The game only lasted 5 innings as Baconton took an early lead
and finished with an 11-0 victory. The War Eagles had one lone hit in the game, which
was by James Allen.
The War Eagles will not return for a home game until Friday, March 10th . In the week
ahead, the War Eagles will travel to Treutlen on Thursday, March 02, and to Bulloch
Academy on March 8th .
Reid Weathersby was on the mound
late in the game against Treutlen. The
War Eagles won the game 4-3. (photo
by Anna Kate Hearn)
Head Coach Zac
Clark instructs
his players during
last week’s game
against Treutlen.
Players are from
left Lane Waters,
Gavin Underwood,
Gage Oglesby,
Ty Boynton, Reid
Weathersby (cen
ter), Vance Garvin,
and Baker Jenkins,
(photo by Anna
Kate Hearn)
Right:
One of the War
Eagles ’ assistants,
Ernest Lanier, en
courage the team
between innings
in a recent game!
(photo by Anna
Kate Hearn)
Coach Zac Clark instructs his players as the War Eagles led 2-0
over Treutlen. Lane Waters is at third base. The War Eagles would
win on a walk-off hit! (photo by Anna Kate Hearn)
Have a great action pic?
Send email to Brad!
pastorbradasbury@gmail.com
Harper Wilcox, 8th grader for the War
Eagles jogs off the field in between in
nings on Saturday in the first game of the
season. The War Eagles won 12-1 in the
first game, (photo by Heather James)
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