Lots of teams playing now, how's it all going?
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It appears almost every game is on ESPN+ now except ACC games. I didn’t look to see if Big 12 games are still on FS1 and FS2. I If this continues I’ll have to get ESPN+ before the tournament starts. I watched the last couple of innings of the Georgia Tech - Wright State game. I forgot to check the Pac 12 Network. I have national, not the regionals.
ESPN app is the best and worth the price. They don't just have their own channels but other networks as well. I watched some of Clemson/Indiana which is on ACCN and 2 SEC+ games, on 2 devices. Conferences from different regions are there. All you need is an internet provider to stream.
If you have an Apple TV (device not the service), You can watch up to 4 games at once with ESPN+.
Heading out to my son's game today in Philly. Game time temps in the 30s with wind! Lovely Northeast baseball.
Super fun beginning to the season. Lots of son’s former friends/teammates got their first college hits (Riemer at Wright State to go ahead against Miami although they gave up the lead in the next inning; Jefferson at ND), first college HRs (Hussey @WVU, White at NC State who hit 3 out!) and first saves (Mrotek and MD). Best part was being able to watch so many of the games live!
I get the sense that @CTbaseballDad is not the type to talk about his son so I will... he got the Friday night start and pitched 6 innings of 1 hit ball while striking out 9. He's the real deal. I will brag about my own son when I get the opportunity! Until then I will just talk about your kids.
Way to got CTBaseball!! I love getting these updates!
@nycdad posted:If you have an Apple TV (device not the service), You can watch up to 4 games at once with ESPN+.
Heading out to my son's game today in Philly. Game time temps in the 30s with wind! Lovely Northeast baseball.
I'm shocked by how many Mid-Atlantic teams have home games scheduled for this week and next. We're expecting snow squalls with 50mph winds and whiteout conditions in CT today. That could make for some very interesting baseball.
My kid is at a D3 in the upper Midwest, so the first home game isn’t until late March. They go to Florida for 9 games in 8 days in mid March.
@JCG posted:I'm shocked by how many Mid-Atlantic teams have home games scheduled for this week and next. We're expecting snow squalls with 50mph winds and whiteout conditions in CT today. That could make for some very interesting baseball.
We left CT to play in Philly. Don’t have home opener in CT until conference play starts in a few weeks.
Had a 15 minute delay today because of snow squalls. 20mph winds throughout game with gusts up to 50mph.
Thought I posted but it must not have gone through. Son came in for last two innings in relief on Friday night. Six up Six down 24 pitches. Incredible to see a staff with two starters going 97/98 first weekend and 2 out hurt right now that can do the same. Have not thrown our closer yet who was 103 this fall. I must admit for a freshman to be pumping 97 5 innings in is incredible. Turned down first round money to go to college so good to see him succeed. Sophomore transfer yesterday doing the same thing against his old squad. 2-0 to start season. 6 HR's in 2 games and Drew Gilbert got another grand slam yesterday.
Son had first game since March 2020 yesterday. Won 14-5. Hit leadoff and started in center. 2-4, 2 rbis, 2 runs scored, 2 walks in first game. Was 2-2 with a double and an rbi in second game before it was cancelled due to the cold.
Nice to be back among the living, cold or not.
@PitchingFan posted:Thought I posted but it must not have gone through. Son came in for last two innings in relief on Friday night. Six up Six down 24 pitches. Incredible to see a staff with two starters going 97/98 first weekend and 2 out hurt right now that can do the same. Have not thrown our closer yet who was 103 this fall. I must admit for a freshman to be pumping 97 5 innings in is incredible. Turned down first round money to go to college so good to see him succeed. Sophomore transfer yesterday doing the same thing against his old squad. 2-0 to start season. 6 HR's in 2 games and Drew Gilbert got another grand slam yesterday.
Wow. Sounds like #19 is way too big a number.
So happy for all the families at the next level. This has been a hell of an opening weekend. Down here SoCal way we are abuzz with the return of the Beach.
Son pitched again today. 1 2/3 innings. Went 5 up 5 down again. 3 K's.
Love seeing all these stories of guys shoving. Best of luck in the oncoming months!
@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:I get the sense that @CTbaseballDad is not the type to talk about his son so I will... he got the Friday night start and pitched 6 innings of 1 hit ball while striking out 9. He's the real deal. I will brag about my own son when I get the opportunity! Until then I will just talk about your kids.
Thanks, Scott, I appreciate the post!
Funny story I thought I'd share that may help some in the future. We're driving from the airport and my son texts my wife, asking that we pick up a Bang energy drink. We don't like to support such a habit, but agree since he's starting. Go to first store we see and they only have Monster. Wife says get the sugar free, I say no, doubt he drinks sugar free. Give to son, wife looks it up, Bang is sugar free. Wife is right again.
Fast forward to game, Jack has a good start, but then a real messy 3rd inning. Velo down, hits 2 batters, walks another 2, including walking in a run. Then I break into a cold sweat, thinking, darn, he probably drank that Monster and is having a sugar crash because I didn't buy the damn zero sugar drink. That bad inning was all my fault.
Turns out, he took one sip before the game, didn't like it and threw it out. Dad off the hook, bad inning was all on the boy!
Lesson learned, don't support your kid's bad habit and ALWAYS listen to your wife.
Here's to a great season for all out there!
Not a fan of the pitch clock violation/pitcher stepping off the rubber rule that is in place this season. Saw several pitchers this weekend get warnings from the umpires for stepping off the rubber and not "feinting" or making a pick off attempt. Saw many of times the pitcher stepped off and made a half ass fake throw (like he was throwing a dart), then the opposing team get loud and yelling the old "not his best". Still trying to figure out why they made it required to "feint" or pick off. To me, this doesn't speed up the game any.
@CTbballDad posted:Thanks, Scott, I appreciate the post!
Funny story I thought I'd share that may help some in the future. We're driving from the airport and my son texts my wife, asking that we pick up a Bang energy drink. We don't like to support such a habit, but agree since he's starting. Go to first store we see and they only have Monster. Wife says get the sugar free, I say no, doubt he drinks sugar free. Give to son, wife looks it up, Bang is sugar free. Wife is right again.
Fast forward to game, Jack has a good start, but then a real messy 3rd inning. Velo down, hits 2 batters, walks another 2, including walking in a run. Then I break into a cold sweat, thinking, darn, he probably drank that Monster and is having a sugar crash because I didn't buy the damn zero sugar drink. That bad inning was all my fault.
Turns out, he took one sip before the game, didn't like it and threw it out. Dad off the hook, bad inning was all on the boy!
Lesson learned, don't support your kid's bad habit and ALWAYS listen to your wife.
Here's to a great season for all out there!
Congrats to CTbbDadSon. Your story about his sports drink reminded me of the day when Mark Buehrle had a break in his routine, when he forgot to pick up his favorite sportsdrink (Rockstar) on the way to one start...he had a pretty good result.
I saw my first live games of my son's college baseball team this weekend. We never saw him play live his freshman year, had planned a trip in March '20, which of course was cancelled. Team didn't play last year. It was so exciting to actually be there at the field, watching games and how the team does things. He and the team did well, so that was nice, too!
Son's Alma mater opens this upcoming weekend against SCC team. We have the league package from watching his GF's field hockey games, so I'll catch a few games this year. Time flies for sure. This year's seniors were freshmen when son was a senior. So these are the last of son's teammates still playing. I looked at the roster and saw many "unfamiliar faces." I guess that's what happens when you lose almost 2 full seasons (no conference games) the last 2 years. 
Found out today that my freshman D3 kid made the travel roster, including the spring break trip to Florida. Psyched for him. First game is 2 weeks from this Saturday.
@3and2Fastball posted:Found out today that my freshman D3 kid made the travel roster, including the spring break trip to Florida. Psyched for him. First game is 2 weeks from this Saturday.
Congrats! Remind him as a freshman he has to prove it and earn it every day.
Son left 5am this morning to go down south (10 hour bus ride) to play a 3 game series against a top ACC team. They will get stomped, but he's excited. They just played in conference last year. Friday night game is sold out.
So far we’ve had a series in Phoenix where I got sunburned, followed two days later by a Tuesday night game in the mid 30s and this weekend we are in a pro stadium so we will have climate control. That said, I’d take heat every time over cold.
Not baseball but I am on my way to senior night for my daughter. Three athletes and this is officially my last senior night. Feeling some kind of way…
leave tomorrow for my last florida trip... well at least parent trip. I know the feeling.
@baseballhs posted:So far we’ve had a series in Phoenix where I got sunburned, followed two days later by a Tuesday night game in the mid 30s and this weekend we are in a pro stadium so we will have climate control. That said, I’d take heat every time over cold.
As might that famous baseball fan, Robert Frost, depending on whether it's a single game, or a double dip.
FIRE AND ICE
BY ROBERT FROST
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Noticed Harvard, in their first game in 2 years, beat #24 Miami.
@anotherparent posted:Noticed Harvard, in their first game in 2 years, beat #24 Miami.
Now THAT is awesome!
@PTWood posted:Not baseball but I am on my way to senior night for my daughter. Three athletes and this is officially my last senior night. Feeling some kind of way…
Feel ya, PT. It's been MANY years since that last kid senior night but your short post sent a rush through me. I'm sure it was more than just "some kind of way".
@anotherparent posted:Noticed Harvard, in their first game in 2 years, beat #24 Miami.
Penn Beat Texas A&M @College Station also (2-1). Yale on the other hand had a few communication errors and faced a good SP (offspeed Ks) vs Auburn.
My son is a freshman RHP at a D3. He had his first outing yesterday; he was put in at the bottom of the 9th. The team was getting slaughtered, so it was a great "no pressure" situation for him (and me - I was still a nervous wreck.) It wasn't his best outing, but it wasn't horrible. He hit the first batter on the foot on some kind of curve/slider - I can never tell what type of pitches they are! 
The second batter hit into a double play. My husband jinxed the next one - he commented "this guy hit a monster HR his last at bat." You can guess what happened next. And the fourth batter struck out swinging. My son ran off the field with a huge smile on his face so that alone was priceless to see.
The team heads south to Myrtle Beach next week and I'm going for the week. Looking forward to warmer weather!
Unfortunately son had a front row seat to the "Tommy Tanks" show all weekend. Wow can that kid hit. Will be interesting to see how he does in ACC play. How he continues to crush the ball, seems like a nice kid.
Wow what a great opening weekend for the Ivy League! 6 of the 8 teams picked up a win. I would guess that it was well over a decade(s) when the last time that happened.
Not only did Penn take 2 out 3 from Texas A&M, I discovered that their Twitter feed is great (@PennBaseball).
Didn’t mind seeing Penn killing A&M….
@fenwaysouth I just saw the Cornell vs UVA scores.. OUCH!
@Ripken Fan posted:@fenwaysouth I just saw the Cornell vs UVA scores.. OUCH!
Talked to oldest son last night. He said it was much worse than the score indicated 
....that's a real OUCH!
I couldn't go to the games, as I had to pick up youngest son's truck at Fort Bragg. A couple weeks ago, he won an all expense paid trip to somewhere in the world. It sounds like my 7 hours on the highway was more exciting....
Congrats to the rest of the Ivy League. Well done!
@nycdad posted:Unfortunately son had a front row seat to the "Tommy Tanks" show all weekend. Wow can that kid hit. Will be interesting to see how he does in ACC play. How he continues to crush the ball, seems like a nice kid.
The other day my youngest son (2022) sent me a video from Summer of 2019. He was guest pitching (saving innings) for the 16U Academy Select team in Orlando (he was 15U). Faced 6 kids in a pool game that did not matter. One of them was Tommy. Their career paths have diverged, but still a good story.
Swung through high FB (0-1)
Missed on 2 change ups (2-1)
Sword on slider (2-2)
Ump didn't call FB on outside corner (3-2)
Sword on slider (K)
@Ripken Fan posted:Wow what a great opening weekend for the Ivy League! 6 of the 8 teams picked up a win. I would guess that it was well over a decade(s) when the last time that happened.
Several years ago Harvard opened with a schedule that could only be called running a gauntlet. It was a lot of ranked and all top fifty teams. They opened 0-20.
I asked a Harvard dad if it made them tougher and ready for league play. He said the schedule and getting hammered only demoralized the team.
@nycdad posted:Unfortunately son had a front row seat to the "Tommy Tanks" show all weekend. Wow can that kid hit. Will be interesting to see how he does in ACC play. How he continues to crush the ball, seems like a nice kid.
At least he had a good seat
Also for those interested in IMG. This is what an IMG "A" team player looks like
@PABaseball posted:At least he had a good seat
Also for those interested in IMG. This is what an IMG "A" team player looks like
I think that he had some kid named James (whose relative sometimes posts here) as a teammate who might have been doing similar things at Mississippi State if he had not been drafted and signed by the Padres!
@RJM posted:Several years ago Harvard opened with a schedule that could only be called dunning a gauntlet. It was a lot of ranked and all top fifty teams. They opened 0-20.
I asked a Harvard dad if it made them tougher and ready for league play. He said the schedule and getting hammered only demoralized the team.
Anyone see Iona's season so far, 0-6 against UTenn and Old Dominion. I think the average run difference was probably 20 per game.
I don't care how much of a lesson learned, losing that bad is demoralizing. I really do believe coaches that think it's good for the team growth just don't get it, and it's more about them than their team. Most football teams schedule cream puffs in the pre-conference schedule unless they are vying for a title; and if that's the case they are typically good enough to play anyone.
@RJM posted:Several years ago Harvard opened with a schedule that could only be called dunning a gauntlet. It was a lot of ranked and all top fifty teams. They opened 0-20.
I asked a Harvard dad if it made them tougher and ready for league play. He said the schedule and getting hammered only demoralized the team.
Not unheard of. There are lots of examples like this. The 2010 Princeton team went 5-15, and were Ivy League champs in 2011. The 2011 Cornell Big Red started 3-17, and were Ivy League champs in 2012.
When you play for Ivy teams (that a lot of times lack depth), you learn to take the good with the bad or the bad with the good as the case may be. I guess, I'm saying "it comes with the territory". Possibly getting hammered and demoralized has a long term positive effect of toughening up the team because they know they have to step it up. The only time I ever saw my son nervous on the mound was his first college appearance against a loaded Virginia team in 2011. Once he got over that hump, nothing bothered him or intimidated him. Additionally, I think a lot of Ivy HCs put their freshmen in these situations to see how they handle it. Fast forward 10 years later....there was one freshman Cornell player (his parent is a HSBBWeb member) that had a tremendous weekend against Virginia. I think his first at bat was a 2 RBI double. I didn't see it, but I saw the box scores.
I guess it is just a different coaching philosphy that they are used to, and the rest of us don't understand. Their focus is on conference play because it is a 21 game sprint under the new format.
As always, JMO.
@Ripken Fan posted:Wow what a great opening weekend for the Ivy League! 6 of the 8 teams picked up a win. I would guess that it was well over a decade(s) when the last time that happened.
With 5 wins vs. P5 programs...
@HSDad22 posted:Anyone see Iona's season so far, 0-6 against UTenn and Old Dominion. I think the average run difference was probably 20 per game.
I don't care how much of a lesson learned, losing that bad is demoralizing. I really do believe coaches that think it's good for the team growth just don't get it, and it's more about them than their team. Most football teams schedule cream puffs in the pre-conference schedule unless they are vying for a title; and if that's the case they are typically good enough to play anyone.
I am with you and not only do I agree about your comments regarding Iona's coaching decision to play their team beyond their reach, but the teams that ran up the score on them should pick on someone their own size!
JMO
Now that I'm watching more and more college games (mlb shooting itself) anyone else notice how many college ball-parks deal with crazy shadows? I seriously don't know how those guys can see the ball sometimes.
I want to add one observation. If you want to have your team be ready by conference playing superior teams and getting your ass kicked isn't going to mean much. It's playing 5 games a week against similar competition that counts. This is what good coaches do to help their teams find their stride.
Just a quick note on the mid to lower level D1s traveling to often warmer climates against P5 teams. Our family (especially RipkenFanSon) is eternally grateful that his school (HA D1) scheduled and played against highly ranked teams. He most likely would never have been drafted.
The scout that signed him told me that what impressed him most was how RipkenFanSon performed against top caliber teams. For son, timing (and opportunity) was everything. (In 3-game series, he was 7 for 11 and 5 SBs against #5 team in county). The later in season midweek and conference games allowed for more eyes from within the organization to confirm what they had seen earlier in February & March. Oh, and his dad loved escaping snowy New England too to attend major conference games, even if some games were not competitive.
@TPM posted:I am with you and not only do I agree about your comments regarding Iona's coaching decision to play their team beyond their reach, but the teams that ran up the score on them should pick on someone their own size!
JMO
The only problem with this is that those teams need to utilize pitching and get other secondary players some work in the preseason too. I honestly don't like the run rule thing. If a team agrees to play you, they play you. I would have guessed that Penn wasn't a good match for A&M, but I bet they are glad they booked that series.
@baseballhs posted:The only problem with this is that those teams need to utilize pitching and get other secondary players some work in the preseason too. I honestly don't like the run rule thing. If a team agrees to play you, they play you. I would have guessed that Penn wasn't a good match for A&M, but I bet they are glad they booked that series.
I didn't mention the run rule. There is nothing like David going into the home teams arena and defeating Goliath.
But an IL school defeating a p5 program is more of a reach (as we have seen) than a program that can't even be anywhere successful in their own conference.
JMO
Are any of the big schools paying the little guys to come out and play them? Obviously it's not going to be football amounts but do they at least cover hotel or the flight/bus?
@PABaseball posted:Are any of the big schools paying the little guys to come out and play them? Obviously it's not going to be football amounts but do they at least cover hotel or the flight/bus?
Son's team did receive a pretty sweet deal from a WAC school, which they played 2 of his 4 years. Son's team always sought 4 game series whenever they could get them on their "spring training" trips. This team agreed to 4 games and threw in other incentives due to its location (not a great place for pitchers - the park and a perennial strong hitting team) and high cost of airfare.
@PABaseball posted:Are any of the big schools paying the little guys to come out and play them? Obviously it's not going to be football amounts but do they at least cover hotel or the flight/bus?
I know this happens with both sons' schools. There is a website that lists some of this. Basically coaches looking for games/series. What's offered, etc. Can't find it at the moment.
So then Iona getting spanked for two weekends does make sense if it's going to fund a few scholarships.
@PABaseball posted:So then Iona getting spanked for two weekends does make sense if it's going to fund a few scholarships.
Iona's program has been a mess the last few years. They had Joe Panick's brother come in. Didn't do well. And they just got a new coach who was the RC and or AC at Dartmouth I think they're on the right path.
But from a budget perspective a lot of these NE teams are being funded to go south or out west.
So in son's game today, them and the opposing team's radios were on the same frequency I'm told. Hilarity ensued....
I think that visiting teams get a split or share of the gate. So going to a big program with good attendance can help with costs.
@HSDad22 posted:Anyone see Iona's season so far, 0-6 against UTenn and Old Dominion. I think the average run difference was probably 20 per game.
I don't care how much of a lesson learned, losing that bad is demoralizing. I really do believe coaches that think it's good for the team growth just don't get it, and it's more about them than their team. Most football teams schedule cream puffs in the pre-conference schedule unless they are vying for a title; and if that's the case they are typically good enough to play anyone.
The coaches didn't do this the administration did. According to several of their fans and looking back, their administration ran off their coach last year for not playing a kid whose dad was influential. The coach made a point at the end by not putting him on the lineup card but a college should never play daddy ball. When they ran the coach off, about 13 players quit also. Didn't hire the new coach until late August and he had to rebuild a team. Don't know if it would have helped against us but tough place for new coach to be. He does not seem to have much of a staff to help him either.
Son threw yesterday against Baylor. Came on in relief in 4th inning, rough start for our starter. Pitched 4.2 innings and got the win. 4 K's, 1 walk, and 1 earned run.
@PitchingFan posted:The coaches didn't do this the administration did. According to several of their fans and looking back, their administration ran off their coach last year for not playing a kid whose dad was influential. The coach made a point at the end by not putting him on the lineup card but a college should never play daddy ball. When they ran the coach off, about 13 players quit also. Didn't hire the new coach until late August and he had to rebuild a team. Don't know if it would have helped against us but tough place for new coach to be. He does not seem to have much of a staff to help him either.
They also went into Covid protocol last year and never came back, probably because they reasons you mentioned they just decided to call in quits. Definitely screwed up the conference seeding going into the last few weeks.
@PitchingFan posted:Son threw yesterday against Baylor. Came on in relief in 4th inning, rough start for our starter. Pitched 4.2 innings and got the win. 4 K's, 1 walk, and 1 earned run.
Got some love from Pitching Ninja as well 😎👍!!!
@Senna posted:Got some love from Pitching Ninja as well 😎👍!!!
This is @PitchingFan son?!! I love the stash and what great movement on the ball. Impressive all around.
Yes that is him. That has become his brand Vollie Fingers.
Ivy teams went 11-3 yesterday, beating among other teams Davidson, Rice and South Florida. Really good start for the league
How about Northeastern going to Raleigh and sweeping NC State! It may be a rebuilding year for NC State. But they’re ACC and were 8-1 going into the weekend.
@OskiSD posted:Ivy teams went 11-3 yesterday, beating among other teams Davidson, Rice and South Florida. Really good start for the league
Nice one hitter for Yale vs University of Washington with underclass pitchers!
@Ripken Fan posted:Son's team did receive a pretty sweet deal from a WAC school, which they played 2 of his 4 years. Son's team always sought 4 game series whenever they could get them on their "spring training" trips. This team agreed to 4 games and threw in other incentives due to its location (not a great place for pitchers - the park and a perennial strong hitting team) and high cost of airfare.
If you don't mind - any details of the deal? If WAC schools are paying I would imagine the SEC, ACC, Big 12, and Pac schools are shelling out pretty good.
@nycdad posted:Iona's program has been a mess the last few years. They had Joe Panick's brother come in. Didn't do well. And they just got a new coach who was the RC and or AC at Dartmouth I think they're on the right path.
Genuinely curious - and I do hope you're right, but what makes you think that? Asking because I know a kid who recently decommmitted and the family wasn't too optimistic.
The coaching staff kind of looks like it was just thrown together - which judging from another comment above, seems like it was to be fair.
If this is better suited for a PM feel free. I hope they turn it around. Been following for a few years thru travel/hs teammates who played there but the season is 20% over and it doesn't look like it's going to get much better.
@PABaseball posted:If you don't mind - any details of the deal? If WAC schools are paying I would imagine the SEC, ACC, Big 12, and Pac schools are shelling out pretty good.
I don't know all the specifics (cash amount, amount towards airfare, etc), but it was definitely worth it for the school.
@PABaseball posted:Genuinely curious - and I do hope you're right, but what makes you think that? Asking because I know a kid who recently decommmitted and the family wasn't too optimistic.
The coaching staff kind of looks like it was just thrown together - which judging from another comment above, seems like it was to be fair.
If this is better suited for a PM feel free. I hope they turn it around. Been following for a few years thru travel/hs teammates who played there but the season is 20% over and it doesn't look like it's going to get much better.
PM sent.
@PABaseball posted:Genuinely curious - and I do hope you're right, but what makes you think that? Asking because I know a kid who recently decommmitted and the family wasn't too optimistic.
The coaching staff kind of looks like it was just thrown together - which judging from another comment above, seems like it was to be fair.
If this is better suited for a PM feel free. I hope they turn it around. Been following for a few years thru travel/hs teammates who played there but the season is 20% over and it doesn't look like it's going to get much better.
There was nothing resembling on the right track. They would have gotten beaten by most good HS teams. They missed fly balls and ground balls right to them. It was one of those teams that you just felt bad for. They were playing halfway deep in the outfield against a team that is in top in nation in HR's. There were fielding alignments that made no sense. One of their players swung through 12 straight balls in BP and started. The coaching staff seemed to have no idea what was going on at times. I'm convinced that baseball is not a priority there.
As an FYI, something I heard, about teams that play out of their league, I understand conference games are set in advance and in many programs the baseball operation guys fill in the holes. A lot of times the HC doesn't know.
Or perhaps they just went for the $$$$.
@Ripken Fan posted:Nice one hitter for Yale vs University of Washington with underclass pitchers!
There are some quality arms in the league, especially at that school in Cambridge.
The Highs and Lows of baseball. Son was on top of the world Saturday night and THEN last night. Gave up a 3 run HR with 2 earned. ERA dropped to 2.45 quickly. It happens but not fun when it does.
This morning I will be in person for the first time to see my son (Sophmore) in a college baseball game. With six games in six days, in Florida, he should get on the mound. I just hope I will get to see it as I am going to the first 3 games then back to work....Let's GO!
@PitchingFan here’s to more ups than downs! Good luck to @Gunner Mack Jr.! Hopefully you get to seen him pitch some stellar innings.
@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:This morning I will be in person for the first time to see my son (Sophmore) in a college baseball game. With six games in six days, in Florida, he should get on the mound. I just hope I will get to see it as I am going to the first 3 games then back to work....Let's GO!
That's awesome. Keep us posted!
Where will he/you be?
@TPM posted:That's awesome. Keep us posted!
Where will he/you be?
On way to Centennial Park in Port Charlotte.
@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:On way to Centennial Park in Port Charlotte.
Other coast but really nice over in Port Charlotte. Have fun!
Going to have to wait until tomorrow to see my first full college game. Up 6-2 in top 4 the skies opened and rain for next two hours. The other team has to bus home 22 hours, so game called. Our pitcher got the ball and fired it in. His pace between pitches was amazing The other pitcher took 30-40-50 secs between pitches. Many time outs called. We should have been in the 6th inning when the rains came but it is what it is.
Welcome to Florida!
My freshman kid’s D3 team has started out the season 2-3.
He got his first college plate appearance today, pinch hitting in the 8th inning with 2 outs and a man on 2nd. He hit a hard ground ball in the Tony Gwynn hole that the 3B dove to his left, made the play, got up and threw him out by a half a step. You ain’t in high school anymore kid, these infielders can pick it. Super proud to see him get his first college at bat though…
@3and2Fastball posted:My freshman kid’s D3 team has started out the season 2-3.
He got his first college plate appearance today, pinch hitting in the 8th inning with 2 outs and a man on 2nd. He hit a hard ground ball in the Tony Gwynn hole that the 3B dove to his left, made the play, got up and threw him out by a half a step. You ain’t in high school anymore kid, these infielders can pick it. Super proud to see him get his first college at bat though…
Pick it and throw it. In high school there probably wouldn’t have been a throw. A high school kid likely wouldn’t have got to his feet fast enough. Had there been a throw it would have been late.
@3and2Fastball posted:My freshman kid’s D3 team has started out the season 2-3.
He got his first college plate appearance today, pinch hitting in the 8th inning with 2 outs and a man on 2nd. He hit a hard ground ball in the Tony Gwynn hole that the 3B dove to his left, made the play, got up and threw him out by a half a step. You ain’t in high school anymore kid, these infielders can pick it. Super proud to see him get his first college at bat though…
Been there done that. I would guess that 100pts of my kid's HS BA was on bunts, slow rollers and balls in the 6-3 hole that HS players rarely get outs from but college players, even D3, handle routinely.
Good luck to him hitting it where they ain't next time up.
After watching three games it was time for me to return to CT from Florida. After a 5 hour delay (mostly mechanical) I got home at 1:30AM! So of course today my son made his collegiate debut. Came in down 6-0 with a runner on and no out in 4th. He threw 3.1 innings striking out 4 and walking none (he’s usually good for a few of these) against 15th ranked D3 team. He did give up an ER. Runners on corners two out and guy steals second, throw goes to second and guy scores from third. Our catchers are money throwing out guys. Son needs to work on time to plate but NOT complaining at all. I wish I was there…. I am going to see if I can watch on video.
I follow a lot of college players. Some are having good seasons, some are having frustrating seasons: playing well but team is not, not playing much, playing up and down, battling injuries. Regardless, congrats to all for being part of the game of college baseball.
My kids D3 team has started out 4-6. Beat a Top 25 team, lost a few games against perceived lesser opponents. We’ll see how it shakes out. Conference games start this weekend. He’s backing up a couple of 5th year Seniors who are 3 year starters and career .300+ hitters at 3B/1B. Learning a lot, having fun, working hard, staying prepared. The fate of this year’s team will be decided by (isn’t this true with any Baseball team at any level?) the pitching depth.
@3and2Fastball posted:My kids D3 team has started out 4-6. Beat a Top 25 team, lost a few games against perceived lesser opponents. We’ll see how it shakes out. Conference games start this weekend. He’s backing up a couple of 5th year Seniors who are 3 year starters and career .300+ hitters at 3B/1B. Learning a lot, having fun, working hard, staying prepared. The fate of this year’s team will be decided by (isn’t this true with any Baseball team at any level?) the pitching depth.
As much as pitching depth how well they take of the ball on D will be huge. All solid D3 teams hit, the lineups are deeper then the pitchers even for the better teams. The teams that limit the most free bags will have pitching staffs that look deeper then they really are. Good luck.
Son pitched 1 inning this weekend. Our starters did so well bullpen guys only got 1 inning each and some not that much. Freshman starter had a perfect game through 5 until ball dropped in center field. Son's apartment mate was 104.8 on Sunday afternoon with 91 mph changeup. That should be illegal.
I think it IS illegal, except maybe in Montana, Wyoming, and Texas.
My son is a freshman RHP. His D3 team started out the season 3-4. Then they headed to Myrtle Beach for a week and have won 10 of their last 11 games, beating a top 25 team. Their bats have come alive. They opened their conference schedule this weekend, sweeping the team. They have 3 grad students and 3 seniors who are in the starting lineup. My son is struggling on the mound and has only pitched one inning and I'm not optimistic that he'll see the field again this year. But he says he's happy, likes his teammates and his grades are good. Winning helps. For me, it was great to be able to meet many of the players and their parents on the trip.
Losses are piling up at an astounding rate. Lineup is extremely young, sometimes starting 7 freshman. Many close games but seem to find creative ways to end up losing. Hopefully, the boys aren’t getting discouraged since conference play is essentially a new season.
@PitchingFan posted:Son pitched 1 inning this weekend. Our starters did so well bullpen guys only got 1 inning each and some not that much. Freshman starter had a perfect game through 5 until ball dropped in center field. Son's apartment mate was 104.8 on Sunday afternoon with 91 mph changeup. That should be illegal.
That earned him a slot on MLB's home page today.
It is truly amazing to watch. He throws it effortless. He is not one of those guys who looks like he is throwing out of his shoes. I just wonder how much the human body can handle. He may become the highest closer drafted. Some are saying if he holds us through the season he may be first pick overall and never see a day in minor league. If you remember, he is not the first one throwing those types of numbers from UT during the Frank Anderson time. Garrett Crochet jumped to the majors after being drafted by Chicago and was 100 plus almost every pitch that year from the left side. People wonder why Chase Burns would turn down first round money to come to UT and Anderson is the reason.
@PitchingFan posted:I just wonder how much the human body can handle.
That's what keeps Mets fans up at night.
I have been watching NE D3 ball, and let me say I am disappointed, I was expecting better. players can hit, but they sure can't field for jack.
@HSDad22 posted:I have been watching NE D3 ball, and let me say I am disappointed, I was expecting better. players can hit, but they sure can't field for jack.
The field conditions suck in the spring for northeast teams playing on grass. Hard, almost frozen fields make for some awful bounces. Even in late spring the fields aren’t all that great. The high school field my son played on in southeastern PA was in better condition than most college fields in New England. BC would be the exception. Harvard’s infield was worse than his high school.
From raising my kids mostly In PA and now living in MA and ME … When it’s 50 in PA it’s 40 in MA and 30 in ME/NH.
We moved from Southern CA when my kids were little. In February of my daughter’s soph year of high school we did a softball visit to Boston College. It was twenty and windy. Walking across the parking lot my daughter turned to me and said, “What were you thinking when you moved us from California? Does any of this remind you of UC Santa Barbara?”