The VHSL is wanting or going to change a baseball rule come next spring. Instead of innings pitched by pitchers , the new rule if passed will now be pitch count. Don’t know if the rule will be pitches per week, per game ,etc. It’s a better rule in my opinion than innings pitched. I may threw 60 pitches in three innings. Some else may threw 60 in five innings. Pitch count is the wear on pitching arms more so than innings. Should be interesting come next spring. Now will everybody count correctly?

Football practice will officially start this Thursday July 28 for the high schoolers. I’m hearing Fort Chiswell may have a surprise or two come Thursday. Will not get the Pioneers fans hopes up ,so I will stay on this and see what may or may not happen. The Pioneers look to be in better shape physically and look more together in their workouts. The Pioneers will travel to Twin Valley High School Saturday August 13. The eight team scrimmage as of now is suppose to start at noon.

The Cougars will get under way come Thursday as well. I’ve had a couple opportunities to see them lift and run. They look strong and are working hard. The Cougars are scheduled to scrimmage at Richlands Friday August 12. The eight team scrimmage is suppose to start sometime that Friday afternoon.

Radford football will also be getting started as well . They still have some athletes that are fast and quick. They also lost lot of real good football players from last season. They will scrimmage Independence (WV) Saturday August 13 at Radford. Independence is under the direction of former Radford assistant Chris Vicars, who was the defensive coordinator under head coach Matthew Saunders. Time to be determined.

Will be trying to post scores this fall football season of not only the Mountain Empire District ( Fort Chiswell), Three Rivers ( Radford), River Ridge ( Pulaski Co.), Hogoheegee ( George Wythe) , old Southwest District, that includes Richlands, Tazewell, Abingdon, Lebanon and Virginia High. Blue Ridge scores will also be posted.