posted:@Ripken Fan - what was the key in turning it around? Different coaches? Better recruiting? Both? Something else?
@Francis7 It was very talented recruited class. RC said that up front. In fact the first player drafted from this class (and from the league overall) was the fourth player (of the 8) to receive an offer and commit.
The players (and parents) bonded early on. In an unusual twist, 5 of the players were within a 2 hr drive to the school and a SP parents flew in for every weekend series. The players came in motivated and wouldn't accept the losing culture. The seniors and juniors in particular took notice. The freshmen were willing (and did) put in extra work at the field. Interesting in son's first game (@ Texas A&M), the coach started freshmen in the first four positions in the line-up. When they reached the league championship freshman year and lost 2-1 on a walk off HBP or wild pitch, the coach commented to some that they were "A year ahead of schedule."
Coaching staff was the same as the previous year, and the HC and RC were there all 4 years. There is perhaps another item that I knew would never be a possibility again given the success of the team. Son's freshman year, the HC would not allow any players to join a fraternity. (This had not been the case previously).