I didn't mean to imply that they don't do a good job of recruiting. It just seems that they have kept a few more Richmond guys than they did previously. I could be wrong of course, but that's the way it seems. There was a time a couple years ago where it seemed like every Richmond area player who didn't go to an ACC or SEC school was going to VMI. Now it seems VCU is hanging on to a few more of those type of players.
Agreed. There were 10 former CR players (including AA schools on the outskirts, and a Private school kid) on the 09 roster. None of them were seniors. Adding in Hauser next year and Ayers, Cujas, and Cullen the next year and the team will be mostly CR kids. The metro area should be their focus seeing how well we do at the state level in high school ball. 3 title winners and one runner up in the last 4 years...makes sense
Emanski,
I wasn't implying you were. Just a statement after talking with Coach Keyes...that's all.
I wasn't implying you were. Just a statement after talking with Coach Keyes...that's all.
Austin Kilbourne has committed to Maryland
HAVE NOT HEARD ANY WORD ON VA TECH COMMITS, OTHER THAN PENDER DOES ANYONE KNOW
Does anybody think that maybe the economy is helping VA schools keep VA players as well?
It seems more and more good players are staying local, choosing In-State college options lately. Not just in VA either.
It seems more and more good players are staying local, choosing In-State college options lately. Not just in VA either.
Matt Houston (Spotsylvania '10) has committed to play for William & Mary. Matt is a standout RHP and plays 1st Base. He was District Player of the Year, All-Region and All State as well as being named to the Washington Post All Star Team in 2009. Best of luck in Williamsburg and GO TRIBE! & YAH "540"
Congratulations Matt. Now your dad can rest 
Will look forward to seeing you play down here.
Will look forward to seeing you play down here.
Thanks John. We are very pleased with Matt's decision!
How's Josh doing?
How's Josh doing?
Evan Houde, RHP from Brooke Point HS has committed. Story in the link.....
http://virginiapreps.rivals.co...ntent.asp?CID=980441
http://virginiapreps.rivals.co...ntent.asp?CID=980441
Congrats to Evan and best of luck during your senior year at BP and beyond...
Best of luck to Evan. A great ballplayer and even better young man!
Rob Ferrara - Catcher
Marist 2010 Verbal Commitment
Marist 2010 Verbal Commitment
William & Mary adds two!
Ryan Lindemuth, Lake Braddock, SS
Bobby Donze, Grafton, 1B
Ryan Lindemuth, Lake Braddock, SS
Bobby Donze, Grafton, 1B
Can anyone fill me in on any other Northern Region commitments?
I know of the following:
-Ryan Ashooh, Centreville - UVA
-Bobby Wahl, WS - Ole Miss
-Sean Fitzgerald, McLean - Notre Dame
-Ryan Lindemuth, LB - William & Mary
Anybody else?
I know of the following:
-Ryan Ashooh, Centreville - UVA
-Bobby Wahl, WS - Ole Miss
-Sean Fitzgerald, McLean - Notre Dame
-Ryan Lindemuth, LB - William & Mary
Anybody else?
Blake Sipe 2010 lhp/of to Radford
Any news on VTech commits?
chad pender inf/p, zach macaneney of, jake joyce rhp
please post others, tech will lose 11 players from seniors & draft this will be abig year for them to make the acc tournament/ncaa
please post others, tech will lose 11 players from seniors & draft this will be abig year for them to make the acc tournament/ncaa
Ive heard that VT completely blew it on several NR kids by waiting to long to offer. I heard that Fitzgerald from McLean was apparently all but ready to go there but from what I heard they took forever to offer him so he jumped to Notre Dame, which is a much better program anyways. Totally inexcusable for them to let a kid like that get out of state by dragging their feet on making an offer.
Id love to see VT get into the upper echelon of the ACC, but they arent going to do it until they start doing a much better job of getting top-tier Virginia kids to play for them. I dont know about the whole state, but most of the elite 2010 kids from Northern Virginia seem to have committed already and I havent heard of VT getting one of them.
Id love to see VT get into the upper echelon of the ACC, but they arent going to do it until they start doing a much better job of getting top-tier Virginia kids to play for them. I dont know about the whole state, but most of the elite 2010 kids from Northern Virginia seem to have committed already and I havent heard of VT getting one of them.
Recruiting wise, Hughes can't win at any level: in-state recruitment, mid atlantic recruitment, or national recruitment. Rather than go after Virgina players early, he seems to think that they will wait for him, after/if his national recruiting efforts fail.
He seems like a bright guy. Hopefully the new practice facilities will help. Hitters like to hit and having an indoor facility, w/multiple hitting areas, so no waiting, open year round seems is a no brainer.
He seems like a bright guy. Hopefully the new practice facilities will help. Hitters like to hit and having an indoor facility, w/multiple hitting areas, so no waiting, open year round seems is a no brainer.
quote:Originally posted by vabaseballfan:
Ive heard that VT completely blew it on several NR kids by waiting to long to offer. I heard that Fitzgerald from McLean was apparently all but ready to go there but from what I heard they took forever to offer him so he jumped to Notre Dame, which is a much better program anyways. Totally inexcusable for them to let a kid like that get out of state by dragging their feet on making an offer.
Id love to see VT get into the upper echelon of the ACC, but they arent going to do it until they start doing a much better job of getting top-tier Virginia kids to play for them. I dont know about the whole state, but most of the elite 2010 kids from Northern Virginia seem to have committed already and I havent heard of VT getting one of them.
My understanding from talking with Fitzgerald's mother is that he held an offer from VT before he had the offer from Notre Dame and that Notre Dame had always been his dream school (his father went there). Not sure there was much VT could have done about that one.
quote:Originally posted by flame thrower:
chad pender inf/p, zach macaneney of, jake joyce rhp
please post others, tech will lose 11 players from seniors & draft this will be abig year for them to make the acc tournament/ncaa
Other sources show, in addition, Colin O'Keefe LHP (CT); Ricky Hodges LHP (CT); Scott Donley SS (IN); and Eddie Campbell LHP (MA).
Hughes not looking hard in Virginia.Strongly looking out of state ,as long as alumni will allow.Go to one of his (VT)Camps you might be surprised what you hear?I am sure Boston College appreciates Hughes' efforts in showing Northern kids how cheap it is to play out of state baseball in Virginia.Do you really think players from out West will give alumni money back to Tech once they finish? Maryland's new Coach is preaching the opposite theme up there,strongly appreciating Marylands local boys.Read the Maryland Posts.So,let Tech wait.Maybe the green sign that reads Charlottesville 150 miles is the smartest thing in Blacksburg. UVA seems to be constantly beating the bushes for Virginia talent and we saw them in Omaha,go figure? 
quote:Originally posted by Nomadad:
Hughes not looking hard in Virginia.Strongly looking out of state ,as long as alumni will allow.Go to one of his (VT)Camps you might be surprised what you hear?I am sure Boston College appreciates Hughes' efforts in showing Northern kids how cheap it is to play out of state baseball in Virginia.Do you really think players from out West will give alumni money back to Tech once they finish? Maryland's new Coach is preaching the opposite theme up there,strongly appreciating Marylands local boys.Read the Maryland Posts.So,let Tech wait.Maybe the green sign that reads Charlottesville 150 miles is the smartest thing in Blacksburg. UVA seems to be constantly beating the bushes for Virginia talent and we saw them in Omaha,go figure?
UVA's roster for the upcoming year shows that 20 of the 36 players are out of state. VT's roster shows that 19 of the 36 players are out of state. Seems fairly even. Also, re Virginia at Omaha, my recollection is that a number of the starting position players were from outside of Virginia - Hultzen, Gosselin, Cannon, Proscia, Grovatt and Valdes being returners.
Actually, Hughes has looked very hard in VA. They haven't had huge classes of local kids but they've done a pretty good job in VA - Shaban and Mantiply don't count? One of the top 2011's strongly considered VT before signing with a top program. I can tell you that Gambino and Coach K are working hard to keep VA kids in state. Hughes' 3rd class just came on to campus this fall. Give the guy some time.
Nomadad:
I live out west and I give the Virginia Tech baseball program a substantial amount of money each year, which will continue for the foreseeable future. I know many other Hokies out here who do the same thing. So, to answer your question, yes, I think they will. Hokies tend to be that way.
I live out west and I give the Virginia Tech baseball program a substantial amount of money each year, which will continue for the foreseeable future. I know many other Hokies out here who do the same thing. So, to answer your question, yes, I think they will. Hokies tend to be that way.
For whatever reason VT is skipping over some Virginia talent. I think Gambino is a raw recruiter and is learning how to recruit and evaluate talent. I can only assume that Hughes & Gambino obviously have more contacts and connections up north and have taken this route instead of working on gaining some favor in Virginia.
The fact is in the three years Hughes has been in Blacksburg, between the Canes and the Braves teams 96 players(08,09,10 classes) have gone D1. Only 2 have gone to Tech.
The fact is in the three years Hughes has been in Blacksburg, between the Canes and the Braves teams 96 players(08,09,10 classes) have gone D1. Only 2 have gone to Tech.
I don't know the numbers and I don't know much about the Braves or he Canes since I am out West, but I do know Dave Turgeon and he is an outstanding baseball guy who knows and evaluates and coaches talent as well as anyone. He has not been mentioned here.
I also know Pete Hughes, who is a leader, a man of character and just turned down a lucrative offer to become the head coach at the University of Washington to remain at Virginia Tech.
I do not pretend to know the recruiting strategy, but I do know that Hughes and company have brought in some talented players. I expect that will continue and that they ought to have a program that is very competitive in the ACC. What has been done at Virginia -- which is impressive -- Hughes can accomplish at Virginia Tech.
I also know Pete Hughes, who is a leader, a man of character and just turned down a lucrative offer to become the head coach at the University of Washington to remain at Virginia Tech.
I do not pretend to know the recruiting strategy, but I do know that Hughes and company have brought in some talented players. I expect that will continue and that they ought to have a program that is very competitive in the ACC. What has been done at Virginia -- which is impressive -- Hughes can accomplish at Virginia Tech.
Recruiting is a two way street and I don't think it matters how good a coach the new guy is, it can take a while to gain credability/referals/contacts with the local travel coaches and players. i.e. Horton only has 5 Oregon kids on his roster,however I don't think anyone would argue that horton is overlooking OR talent, he just can't get it....yet. As a program has more suceess, it should have more success recruiting.
VT should have a very interesting team this spring.
VT should have a very interesting team this spring.
quote:Originally posted by CollegeParent:
Recruiting is a two way street and I don't think it matters how good a coach the new guy is, it can take a while to gain credability/referals/contacts with the local travel coaches and players. i.e. Horton only has 5 Oregon kids on his roster,however I don't think anyone would argue that horton is overlooking OR talent, he just can't get it....yet. As a program has more suceess, it should have more success recruiting.
VT should have a very interesting team this spring.
Very correct on all counts.
VT is building credibility in the state, ACC and in college baseball. This takes time. Coach Hughes' extension through 2014 shows the school likes his progress to date.
VT could have 3 kids drafted in the Top 2 rounds from what I am hearing. It should be interesting.
If I remember correctly, UVA was an afterthought until O'Connor came on board.
They recruit the heck out of our kids. And I know for a fact they try very hard to get the top Canes players as well. Its a tough fight for any program trying to build when your going up against the likes of UVA , UNC , NC State , ECU , So Carolina , Clemson etc for the same players. You have to go out of state and try your best to get the best in state players you can get. Take a look at Coastal Carolinas roster. They try to get the best players in So Carolina. But they are going up against Clemson , So Carolina and every other top school in the region. So you have to go out of state and get some top guys in there to build your program.
When a player from the state of Virginia is one of the top players in the state of Virginia they are also one of the top players in the entire region. That means UVA UNC NCSU Clemson So Carolina ECU etc etc is after them as well. They go on visits and they see the facilities. Its very hard to get the top players in your state when the top programs in your state and region are going after them as well. But I can tell you they are trying and they are making strides. Gambino works his butt off.
They picked up one of the top players in NC 2010 class in Zack Mac. So they are making strides. And I know for a fact they are working extremely hard to compete for the top players in Va. If a player has a choice of the top programs in the region and if a player is one of the top players in VA he will have that choice. You tell me how difficult it is to get them to go to Va Tech vs So Carolina , Clemson , UVA , UNC , etc etc? Have you seen the difference in facilities in these programs? How about the tradition differences?
I believe they will build Va Tech into a competitive contender if given the time to do so and the funds are spent to upgrade their facilities to a point where they are least in the ball park as these other programs. I am out there very weekend at these showcase events all summmer. No staff works any harder than VT's.
When a player from the state of Virginia is one of the top players in the state of Virginia they are also one of the top players in the entire region. That means UVA UNC NCSU Clemson So Carolina ECU etc etc is after them as well. They go on visits and they see the facilities. Its very hard to get the top players in your state when the top programs in your state and region are going after them as well. But I can tell you they are trying and they are making strides. Gambino works his butt off.
They picked up one of the top players in NC 2010 class in Zack Mac. So they are making strides. And I know for a fact they are working extremely hard to compete for the top players in Va. If a player has a choice of the top programs in the region and if a player is one of the top players in VA he will have that choice. You tell me how difficult it is to get them to go to Va Tech vs So Carolina , Clemson , UVA , UNC , etc etc? Have you seen the difference in facilities in these programs? How about the tradition differences?
I believe they will build Va Tech into a competitive contender if given the time to do so and the funds are spent to upgrade their facilities to a point where they are least in the ball park as these other programs. I am out there very weekend at these showcase events all summmer. No staff works any harder than VT's.
Dirtbags,
I agree. They recruit our kids hard as well.
I agree. They recruit our kids hard as well.
Hughes 1st recruiting class will be ready for the draft. Several will enter the draft this year, Wates, Wright,Hahn, Domecus & possible Smalling. Not to bad for his 1st recruiting class. I donot agree that they seem to over look the Virginia kids, I think that they feel they can drag there feet because they are ACC Va Tech and where else would a kid from Va want to go?I don't think hey have done a bad job just not great, they continue to look for the JUCO kid. The program is only as good as the foundation and they continue to look for a quick fix. His 2nd class that includes Shaban & Price should see the draft as juniors and the freshman class has 3 quality kids.Stop looking for the name and look for the talent, it's really not that hard. Show the kids in VA they are wanted. He did do that with Pender. Make Tech a baseball rich tradition as football is and basekeball is becoming.
Having said all of nothing Tech has the talent to be in the hunt this year, maybe not for the acc title but for a spot in the tournament and the ncaa if no one gets hurt.
Hughes should be looked at carefully at year 4 & 5 if the program is not where it needs to be (consistant player in acc tournament & ncaa)
Having said all of nothing Tech has the talent to be in the hunt this year, maybe not for the acc title but for a spot in the tournament and the ncaa if no one gets hurt.
Hughes should be looked at carefully at year 4 & 5 if the program is not where it needs to be (consistant player in acc tournament & ncaa)
Can only speak from my limited personal experience but my 2010 is currently being recruited by VT. I have been very impressed with Coach Gambino's approach to recruiting compared to the others we are talking to. Will know more when we take our visit later this month but right now impressed with the coaches and the direction the program seems to be heading.
quote:Originally posted by redbird5:
If I remember correctly, UVA was an afterthought until O'Connor came on board.
Not my point of view.
Not many would consider John Grisham's big bucks to UVA Baseball prior to O'Connor an after thought.
Grisham's a college baseball philathropist and may be more noted for his perspective and what it means to a Dawg Fan, than a Cavalier!
what is nice is tech is getting alot of interest from alot of people in the state
go hokies
go hokies
quote:Originally posted by Bear:
Not many would consider John Grisham's big bucks to UVA Baseball prior to O'Connor an after thought.
Grisham's a college baseball philathropist and may be more noted for his perspective and what it means to a Dawg Fan, than a Cavalier!
Grisham is an Ole Miss fan but definitely a college baseball fan. If I remember correctly, his son was on the roster when he made the large "anonymous" donation.
However, competitively...UVA was irrelevant.
Both of Grisham's boys played competative D1 collegiate baseball. The older, Jay, sparingly at UVA on Womack's last year, and O'Connor's first year.
Ben played at MST for a couple of years, then Duke and completed his college career at Memphis.
Ben played one summer in Maryland in the Clark Griffith College League with my son. I got the opportunity to sit and chat with Dad on several occasions.
My memory is clear. Nothing was anonymous w/r to the UVA donation. John did tell me it was very large and rather not irrevelant.
Ben played at MST for a couple of years, then Duke and completed his college career at Memphis.
Ben played one summer in Maryland in the Clark Griffith College League with my son. I got the opportunity to sit and chat with Dad on several occasions.
My memory is clear. Nothing was anonymous w/r to the UVA donation. John did tell me it was very large and rather not irrevelant.
Flamethrower are you saying you are in a better posistion to recruit and who to recruit than the current coaching staff at Va Tech is? Va Tech is in the ACC. They are trying to get the best talent they can get which includes the top players in Va. But they are competing against some tough draws as I posted earlier. The players in Va know they are wanted. They have many options.
If you know some kids in Va that warrant recruitment from Va Tech and they are not recruiting them email the staff and let them know about those kids. But for anyone to suggest that Va Tech is not going after ACC caliber talent inside the state of Va and the region is simply false.
If you know some kids in Va that warrant recruitment from Va Tech and they are not recruiting them email the staff and let them know about those kids. But for anyone to suggest that Va Tech is not going after ACC caliber talent inside the state of Va and the region is simply false.
quote:Originally posted by Bear:
My memory is clear. Nothing was anonymous w/r to the UVA donation. John did tell me it was very large and rather not irrevelant.
1) You may want to check your memory: Grisham rumored to be anonymous donor
..."He is rumored to be an anonymous donor behind UVA’s new baseball complex, too."
2) The donation wasn't irrelevant but UVA's competitive level was. Note: 1 Regional appearance in the 1990's (1996)