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?”
RJM
We lived in Santa Barbara for 11 years. Cisco Kid my neighbor and friend.
My daughter is a graduate from UCSB. Played "handball" at the YMCA.
Great area and ocean.
Bob
@Consultant posted:RJM
We lived in Santa Barbara for 11 years. Cisco Kid my neighbor and friend.
My daughter is a graduate from UCSB. Played "handball" at the YMCA.
Great area and ocean.
Bob.
When my daughter was born we lived in Redondo. We moved to Agoura Hills when she was two. My business was there. We lived there when my son was born. We had a SB Zoo membership. We did a lot more kid stuff in Santa Barbara than other directions.
Field conditions. Yep, the D3’s in the upper Midwest is similarly challenged. Tomorrow’s game rescheduled for early April
@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.
It's not the conditions. Look at the pitching stats of a D3 conference and compare runs to earned runs. In decent good-weather D3 conferences like the SCIAC and the SAA, 21-24% of the runs are unearned (SCAC was lower at 17%).
I was curious about other levels, so I looked at two P5s, a mid-major, and a D2 conference - all their numbers were similar to each other, 16-18% of the runs are unearned. Actually I was somewhat surprised it was so high.
Mind you, all these numbers are just for the league-leading pitchers whose stats are posted.
Stats don’t necessarily consider routine plays that are not made. Son pitched in a game where back to back infield pop ups landed untouched, scored as rbi singles. Ground balls that are briefly bobbled, runner beats the throw and are scored as hits. Then there’s the dreaded Bermuda Triangle between the infield and OF.
Oh sure, I'm not wedded to stats, and I know they're not always accurate when errors are concerned. But in larger samples, they should show trends. It was pointed out to me that I should have looked at fielding percentages (I guess I was thinking of it in terms of a pitcher). So I did.
Average current conference fielding percentages are: P5s .971, mid-major .957, D2 .955, and D3s between .961 and .944. They don't exactly correlate to the unearned runs.
Anyway, I don't pretend to be scientific about this, although I would be interested if someone is. I was just thinking out loud, so to speak.
https://community.hsbaseballwe...07#73810226247901607
Completely agree. I was watching MLB pre season and a Rockies outfielder completely lost the ball in the sub. It hit off his wrist. They counted it as a hit and not an error.
Noticing a trend in college baseball this season. More and more teams going to the wristbands on pitchers to call pitches. Not a fan. Not sure why, but it just annoys the heck out of me after a pitcher looks in for signs, then has to look at his wrist band for a few seconds before he starts his wind up or starts his move to the set position from the stretch. At least the wristbands are a little bit better than the belt buckle holder with the signs. I can't watch a Miami game as the pitcher has to look down at his belt every single pitch. Just not a fan of all this wrist band signaling. I am okay with fielders wearing wrist bands that show where to play each player or the catcher wearing one to get the pitch call from the coach and then relaying it to the pitcher the old fashion way. Just leave the pitchers out of it.
When you are having a rough day this is what happens. Rundown gone wrong. What you do not see at the end is the original hitter went all the way to second and hubg him out to dry and they did not run him back. Rough weekend for USC.
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@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.
My son was invited to Walters State for a visit and individual workout earlier this week. The flamethrower mentioned several times in this thread is a Knoxville, TN kid who went to Walters State along with his twin brother Zach. The way I recall hearing the story from someone on staff about the brothers is that both threw hard but accuracy was an issue. Ben appears to have figured out enough of the accuracy thing for now. Cant recall where brother Zach is but he was unable to throw as hard as Ben.
Walters brings in 18 or so kids a year and redshirts about 15 of them. Ben did not pitch in 2019 (freshman year), then pitched a year (2020...Covid year everyone got back), and then transferred and got a medical redshirt his first year at Tennessee. So now a Redshirt Junior...I imagine if he stays healthy he will be an early 1st rounder. What a series of ups and downs for him in college. Hope it stays up as it would be fascinating to see him go from draft to MLB club.
@anotherparent posted:It's not the conditions. Look at the pitching stats of a D3 conference and compare runs to earned runs. In decent good-weather D3 conferences like the SCIAC and the SAA, 21-24% of the runs are unearned (SCAC was lower at 17%).
I was curious about other levels, so I looked at two P5s, a mid-major, and a D2 conference - all their numbers were similar to each other, 16-18% of the runs are unearned. Actually I was somewhat surprised it was so high.
Mind you, all these numbers are just for the league-leading pitchers whose stats are posted.
Yes, agree, it's not the conditions, most of the games I've watched were turf fields or were spring break games south. I also think there are a lot of 3rd and 1st basemen who are playing out of their normal position just to get the bat in the lineup... I wish coaches would have a better understanding that these are very specific skill positions and not just anyone can be put there. But then again I don't think anyone unless you're left handed practices position specific skills anymore at those positions, they certainly don't spend the time teaching it. Too many goalies at third and at first nobody knows how to stretch or work below he ball. Also lots of throwing yips so far, especially second basemen. I will be kind and maybe chalk it up to early season... when conference games start I'll re-evaluate.
@PitchingFan posted:When you are having a rough day this is what happens. Rundown gone wrong. What you do not see at the end is the original hitter went all the way to second and hubg him out to dry and they did not run him back. Rough weekend for USC.
That's what you can do if you have elite 6.19 speed...
Seth Stephenson has elite speed that has caused professional scouts to take notice. He has been clocked running the 60-yard dash as fast as 6.19 seconds. (per Baseball Prospect Journal)
D3 kid’s game rained out yesterday. 3 conference games this weekend, with temps predicted in the mid 40’s
@3and2Fastball if it makes you feel any better the Notre Dame/Northwestern mid-week game got cancelled this week because...they couldn't find a bus driver...??? WTH.... lots of joking in our household about it with one daughter an ND grad and the other one in her last year at Northwestern (99.99% sure is going to do a COVID extra year after sitting out most of her sr yr with a back injury). Also 36 degrees in Evanston and 42 in South Bend right now. It would be so nice if they could push back the start of college baseball by a month...!!
Wow, @PTWood, just… wow!
@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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv...utm_medium=copy_link
Prepare to be even more disappointed. This is D1 baseball. Yes that is a D1 field
Typical “showcase” backhand by the SS. His eyes left the ball one second before it hit his glove, one additional step he could have fielded with both hands and squared up on his throw.
Bob
@PABaseball posted:https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv...utm_medium=copy_link
Prepare to be even more disappointed. This is D1 baseball. Yes that is a D1 field
Not that this is great. But isn’t this the same field?
jesus there is enough foul territory to land a plane. those site lines must suck to say nothing of the hitters getting screwed.
New facilities at O'Donnell Field.
As TPM pointed out, Harvard has upgraded quite a bit. Still not what I'd consider great by any means, but it is a ton better than it was.
What I posted wasn't the same as first posted. As you can see looks like they have built an indoor practice facility by the field.
My understanding is that foul lines should be wide for more outs. So it isn't always a bad thing.
@PABaseball posted:Believe so. The video is two or three years old so they've likely done some necessary work to it. Coppin St
The Coppin State coach has performed miracles. This is a program that a few years ago went O-fer for the season losing by an average about 12-1 with a 10+ ERA. They only had about fourteen players. I think they won their conference in 2019 and played .500 overall.
How about that stolen base for Texas Tech?!
@anotherparent posted:How about that stolen base for Texas Tech?!
0-2, 2 out - a great time to go for it. The runner clearly had seen the pitcher put his head down and pause for the first two pitches of the AB. Just a great play by the runner and I would guess this pitcher never makes that mistake again!
@anotherparent posted:How about that stolen base for Texas Tech?!
Love it!
@FriarFred posted:That's what you can do if you have elite 6.19 speed...
Seth Stephenson has elite speed that has caused professional scouts to take notice. He has been clocked running the 60-yard dash as fast as 6.19 seconds. (per Baseball Prospect Journal)
Just a Temple College JuCo bandit doing his thing. Great player. Would bet he had no D1 offers out of HS. Temple does a great job developing their players. HC played 8-9 years in MLB. Head Asst. Coach had 10 year big league career. Find a college coaching staff at any level with more experience than that. They teach the game!
There are many coaches out there that not only teach the game the right way but are able to see special qualities in a player, and take that and make them even better.
I am pretty sure that the player did not decide to do this on his own. It more than likely was picked up way before it happened and coach had given the player the green light at one point. Could have even been while at 3rd base.
JMO
I would never expect a college pitcher to be that unaware of a runner with speed on third.
@anotherparent posted:How about that stolen base for Texas Tech?!
Third baseman chirping at TTU celebrating down the third base line is pretty goofy
@RJM posted:I would never expect a college pitcher to be that unaware of a runner with speed on third.
If he was aware he would not have put his head down.
He was unprepared and that isn't all his fault.
We forget that these are college kids, not professionals. Every week most coaches spend hours watching previous games to give heads up to their staff. It's done for a reason and part of his job.
@TPM posted:If he was aware he would not have put his head down.
He was unprepared and that isn't all his fault.
We forget that these are college kids, not professionals. Every week most coaches spend hours watching previous games to give heads up to their staff. It's done for a reason and part of his job.
Come on! A good high school pitcher headed for the next level is very likely to be aware of a fast runner on third. It was nothing more than a brain dead moment by the pitcher. Even majors leaguers have infrequent brain dead moments.
How many attempted steals of home were there today in HS and college baseball?
So the same kid hit a walk off grand slam yesterday.
Wow, I saw that they won in another extra-inning walkoff, but not that it was the same guy.
@anotherparent posted:Wow, I saw that they won in another extra-inning walkoff, but not that it was the same guy.
Kurt Wilson is the guy. He will forever be a legend in Texas Tech baseball b/c nobody ever forgets a guy that takes down the hated ‘horns. Similar thing happened in series between A&M/UT in 1989. Aggie 3B John Byington (currently HC at McMurry University in Abilene, TX) hit walk off home runs in both ends of a doubleheader in front of a standing room only crowd at Olsen Field to send the ‘horns down in flames twice in one day. I wasn’t there but I remember watching it on ESPN. It was an unreal scene and Byington has never had to buy a drink in Aggieland ever since.
It’s on YouTube if you are inclined to watch the clip. Google : 1989 John Byington walk off beat UT. It’s pretty cool and an unbelievable individual moment for a really good guy.
My thought was this is why you don't do weird stuff when pitching or hitting. Sooner or later it will bite you in the rear end. They showed video of him and he has always done this. How it hasn't happened more often is beyond me. Why would you allow a pitcher to put his head down that long as a PC surprises me.
Yale catcher Jake Gehri nearly hits for the "Homerun cycle" . Hits fourth HR and second grand slam in fourth AB. (Popped up to 3rd in 5th AB). Drove in 11 of the 13 runs vs Princeton.
(18-7) Texas at #2 and (20-4) Tech at #16 doesn't reek of bias at all.
@PABaseball posted:(18-7) Texas at #2 and (20-4) Tech at #16 doesn't reek of bias at all.
If Texas has enough tough games left on their schedule they will play their way out of the top 10. They are pretty good but were never deserving of a #1 ranking IMO. When a team starts the season blatantly over-ranked it takes some time for things to settle.
My son got his 2nd pinch hitting appearance today in the 9th. Flew out to deep right on a 1st pitch fastball. Keep grinding, kid.
@Ripken Fan posted:Yale catcher Jake Gehri nearly hits for the "Homerun cycle" . Hits fourth HR and second grand slam in fourth AB. (Popped up to 3rd in 5th AB). Drove in 11 of the 13 runs vs Princeton.
How can no one have commented on this???? This is absurd. He had a 4 HR game, two grand slams, a three-run and a two-run HR? 11 RBI. NUTS.
@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:How can no one have commented on this???? This is absurd. He had a 4 HR game, two grand slams, a three-run and a two-run HR? 11 RBI. NUTS.
Sorry Gunner, I was watching Cornell blow a 10-5 run lead to Harvard going into the 8th. I probably should have turned the channel or gone out to do yard work.
That is an amazing afternoon for the Yale catcher. I think going forward you may not see Ivy League HCs pitch to this guy unless they have to.
@PABaseball posted:https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv...utm_medium=copy_link
Prepare to be even more disappointed. This is D1 baseball. Yes that is a D1 field
That's D1 high school baseball and probably in a very small state. No way that is college. Kids are way too small. That backhand play is actually taught now as a way to go right into the throw off the back leg. If he takes another step to get in front of it he will need an extra step to balance himself, then pivot, step and throw, by that time the guys 10 more feet down the line. It's the right play, just not talented enough nor strong enough to pull it off. I saw a play yesterday made by a third baseman who thought he was a shortstop, barely had to charge a ball but decided to jump throw to first, batter beat it out by a half step, if he had just pivoted and fired, he would have had him. FY player, probably was always a SS, he'll learn. But I kind of half expected it as the kid had enough eyewash going on to outfit a whole team. Next batter hit a HR to go up by 1.
It’s a D1 field, often used by HS and showcase events. However, it seems unlikely that that those are college players.
Most Texas juco’s have have better facilities…
Edit: after looking at the online photos, the field seems like trash, but the stadium looked much better than most jucos.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Cannon_Stadium
@fenwaysouth posted:Sorry Gunner, I was watching Cornell blow a 10-5 run lead to Harvard going into the 8th.
That is an amazing afternoon for the Yale catcher. I think going forward you may not see Ivy League HCs pitch to this guy unless they have to.
I'm just thinking what idiot keeps pitching to him. No way I let one player hit 4 HR's off me.
How good does it have to be going that no one in your bullpen has thrown more than 1 inning in the past 2 weekends in SEC play? Our starters are going so deep and our bullpen is doing so well that no pitcher has thrown more than 1 inning a weekend for the past 2 weekends out of the bullpen and all starters are underclassmen with 2 being freshmen.
@HSDad22 posted:That's D1 high school baseball and probably in a very small state. No way that is college. Kids are way too small.
That is a game between Maryland Eastern Shore and Coppin St, both D1 schools.
@HSDad22 posted:That's D1 high school baseball and probably in a very small state. No way that is college. Kids are way too small. That backhand play is actually taught now as a way to go right into the throw off the back leg. If he takes another step to get in front of it he will need an extra step to balance himself, then pivot, step and throw, by that time the guys 10 more feet down the line. It's the right play, just not talented enough nor strong enough to pull it off. I saw a play yesterday made by a third baseman who thought he was a shortstop, barely had to charge a ball but decided to jump throw to first, batter beat it out by a half step, if he had just pivoted and fired, he would have had him. FY player, probably was always a SS, he'll learn. But I kind of half expected it as the kid had enough eyewash going on to outfit a whole team. Next batter hit a HR to go up by 1.
It’s Coppin State’s field. It’s in Baltimore. It must be early in the spring. I posted a better picture of the field.
https://community.hsbaseballwe...56#73810226276248956
Congrats on the convincing sweep this weekend!
@PTWood posted:https://community.hsbaseballwe...56#73810226276248956
Congrats on the convincing sweep this weekend!
And now #1 ranking!
Most people don’t understand the journey for these guys. Most of the players contributing committed to an SEC team at the bottom of the barrel. They had not been to sec in 12 years and not been to CWS since 2005. Most were like my son. He just wanted to go to Hoover one time in his four years. He did not even dream of CWS much less being on #1 team in the nation. It has been a fantastic journey. Some go knowing they will be on top team. Son just wanted to be a contributor on SEC team. Coach reminded them to enjoy the moment but know that it is easier to get there than stay there. Right now our depth is unreal. Have a first round starter who may be in bullpen if we continue to win.
Son and I went on the driving father/son baseball blowout spring break trip last week.
Day 1: Doubleheader’s at Northwestern or UIC (3/19) (unfortunately both canceled due to weather)
Day 2: Oakland U at Wright State (12:00 3/20) and Central Michigan at Miami of Ohio (3:30 3/20)
Day 3: Visit and individual workout at Walters State for the kid.
Day 4: UTSA at Baylor (3/22) Wanted to hit La Tech at LSU but game was canceled due to weather so cruised all the way to Waco. Boo.
Day 5/6/7: Family time and outdoor baseball stuff.
Day 8: South Dakota State at Oral Roberts (2:00 3/26) and Kansas at Oklahoma State (6:00 3/26)
Day 9: Arkansas at Missouri (3/27)
Time with my son was invaluable as a dad. Being able to see a lot of different teams and styles of baseball was fun for me as a fan of the game and good for my son to see as a player. What a difference between Oakland U (the worst team I saw) and Oklahoma State the best.
@used2lurk wrote, “what a difference between Oakland U (the worst team I saw) and Oklahoma State (the best).
This point is spot on and something that the casual college baseball observer may not understand. All D1 baseball is not the same. At the bottom it isn’t good at all. The best HS teams in FL, TX, & CA could beat lowest level D1 teams. At the other end of the spectrum the best D1 teams are capable of beating an MLB team on a rare occasion. Before I hear from the doubters about that let me offer up an anecdotal experience. The last 2 years I played at Texas A&M we played the Houston Astros right before MLB opening day. They beat us pretty soundly in the Astrodome my junior year. But senior year the Astros came to Olsen Field and we beat them 1-0 in 10 innings when Rodney Hodde hit a solo HR over the batters eye in CF. I was warming up in the bullpen to pitch the 11th when it happened and had a perfect vantage point to admire the majesty of that blast. Nolan Ryan was so pissed that he didn’t go thru the handshake line after the game.
In other news, last night in Austin, TX : Texas A&M 12 - University of Texas 9.
Not that it means a lot. Being a midweek game neither team ran out their best arms. And the Aggies are in a rebuild and not very good this year. But it’s still fun to say. Beating the ‘horns never gets old.
@adbono posted:@used2lurk wrote, “what a difference between Oakland U (the worst team I saw) and Oklahoma State (the best).
This point is spot on and something that the casual college baseball observer may not understand. All D1 baseball is not the same. At the bottom it isn’t good at all. The best HS teams in FL, TX, & CA could beat lowest level D1 teams. At the other end of the spectrum the best D1 teams are capable of beating an MLB team on a rare occasion. Before I hear from the doubters about that let me offer up an anecdotal experience. The last 2 years I played at Texas A&M we played the Houston Astros right before MLB opening day. They beat us pretty soundly in the Astrodome my junior year. But senior year the Astros came to Olsen Field and we beat them 1-0 in 10 innings when Rodney Hodde hit a solo HR over the batters eye in CF. I was warming up in the bullpen to pitch the 11th when it happened and had a perfect vantage point to admire the majesty of that blast. Nolan Ryan was so pissed that he didn’t go thru the handshake line after the game.
Even though I hate the Aggie’s, this is a great story!
@adbono posted:In other news, last night in Austin, TX : Texas A&M 12 - University of Texas 9.
Not that it means a lot. Being a midweek game neither team ran out their best arms. And the Aggies are in a rebuild and not very good this year. But it’s still fun to say. Beating the ‘horns never gets old.
Any other team and I'm with ya. I know you are an Aggie fan, but I also know, you know what I mean.
@baseballhs posted:Any other team and I'm with ya. I know you are an Aggie fan, but I also know, you know what I mean.
I’m sure I have no idea what you mean. 😉
interesting information
Drove 6 1/2 hours Friday and spent who knows how much in gas. Watched son throw 3 pitches to strikeout probably the best contact hitter in Enrique Bradfield and play a part in winning over Vanderbilt. Money well spent. The crazy things we do to watch our kids play the game they love.
@PitchingFan posted:Drove 6 1/2 hours Friday and spent who knows how much in gas. Watched son throw 3 pitches to strikeout probably the best contact hitter in Enrique Bradfield and play a part in winning over Vanderbilt. Money well spent. The crazy things we do to watch our kids play the game they love.
Congrats!
I didn't travel his weekend and stayed back for the HS opener. I was able to watch Friday night and I said they look like the most complete team since the Oregon St team 4-5 years ago.
What was the official story with the HR that got called back? Never really got explained on the broadcast. Did the umps miss it during inspection or was it never inspected?
Long story short. Bat sticker came off during bp and player did not say anything Went to bat and Vandy pitcher saw it had no Vandy sticker on it. Umpire took it. Tested again and no problems but hr called out and bat taken until after today’s game. Had stamp from Wednesday game on it. Lesson learned. Check bat for sticker before every at bat.
My kid’s D3 team got a split today, and won Friday’s game so they took the series. Tied for 3rd place in the conference now.
He was on deck to pinch hit when a teammate struck out to end the last inning of game 2.
Lots of games on the schedule this week but lots of rain in the forecast too… we’ll see.
My son's D3 team is "on fire" right now. They went 16-2 in the month of March. They swept both of their conference series, so they are sitting in 1st place in the conference.
The starting nine includes two freshmen, two juniors, three seniors and one grad student. The three regular starting pitchers are a freshman, junior and senior. I do know one of the senior position players and the senior pitcher are definitely not returning next year; one of the seniors is not sure of his plans and I don't know the status of the third senior.
My son is going to school locally so I've been able to get to most of the games. He has not been playing but he says he's happy, likes his teammates and most importantly, his grades are good.
Introduced myself to a new parent I had never met before. I was in the corner with my normal group and he was up the line a way by himself. I told him my name, he smiled and said thank you, your son was instrumental in keeping my son on the team this past fall. The kid had some difficult things to work through and so on, he said with out the support of my boy he doesn't believe his would have stayed on the team and possibly not in school at all. I was kind of speechless, certainly proud and honestly suddenly not real concerned about baseball! Was the highlight of my weekend...and it was a good weekend of baseball as well.
Maybe a downer of a post , but….
3 or so years ago a coach came to talk to HS team about birds and the bees. As part of chat, says that alcohols and other drugs/intoxicants are 100% banned. You drink, he finds out, you’re off the team.
Last weekend son and I are wondering why best hitter on said coach’s team isn’t hitting. Turns out he + others are cut due to pot smoking.
As someone who had zero issues with marijuana use, I’m a bit “whatever”. But I applaud said coach for sticking to his guns.
Crazy weekend in college baseball. The UCF vs Memphis game yesterday with the pine tar incident. That could have turned really ugly. Then for it all to get overturned at the end. The video is very entertaining though, LOL. I had to watch it several times.
Then a bomb threat at the UNC vs Louisville game and the stadium had to be cleared and no spectators allowed back in once play resumed.
@Senna posted:Maybe a downer of a post , but….
3 or so years ago a coach came to talk to HS team about birds and the bees. As part of chat, says that alcohols and other drugs/intoxicants are 100% banned. You drink, he finds out, you’re off the team.
Last weekend son and I are wondering why best hitter on said coach’s team isn’t hitting. Turns out he + others are cut due to pot smoking.
As someone who had zero issues with marijuana use, I’m a bit “whatever”. But I applaud said coach for sticking to his guns.
Not baseball related, but did you see that the new Grambling State volleyball coach came in and cut all 19 scholarship players?
@baseballhs posted:Not baseball related, but did you see that the new Grambling State volleyball coach came in and cut all 19 scholarship players?
Did not, but reading up on it, sounds like there may be more to it that we all have info on. I've read that not all 19 were cut, and and that this happened after several practices. Also a lot of drama, accuracy of which is definitely hard to pin down.
No matter what the reality ends up being, it's unfortunate for the players and their families. But also not uncommon in the age of the transfer portal, I guess.
What's your opinion on umps not calling HBPs because player didn't try to dodge it?
I think the argument is that it increases player safety because ncaa feels that players are pressured to "take one for the team" and ncaa wants to encourage dodging and taking away the incentive to stay in there but I still don't really like it.
When there is a 98 mph FB coming at you, it's pretty hard to get out of the way. I don't believe that someone should be penalized but I do believe that a hitter should be called out when he gets hit continuously for sticking out knees and hands, etc., over the plate.
I don't care what is allowed or not allowed. His team has about 80+ free passes.
@Dominik85 posted:What's your opinion on umps not calling HBPs because player didn't try to dodge it?
I think the argument is that it increases player safety because ncaa feels that players are pressured to "take one for the team" and ncaa wants to encourage dodging and taking away the incentive to stay in there but I still don't really like it.
Probably the dumbest rule in the history of baseball. The thing is though that it is based on the umpires judgement. So ultimately you have a ridiculous stupid rule being enforced by an umpire who has the ability to make it right but chooses not to!!
Close second is the elimination of takeout slides at 2nd base.
The HBP umpire’s discretion rule was created because college hitters were deliberately sticking their elbows and hips in front of pitches.
@old_school posted:Close second is the elimination of takeout slides at 2nd base.
That's probably the one (if not the the only) rule change I agree with... My suspicion (no data to support this because I'm lazy) is double-play rates have decreased slightly because of this change. In my opinion, umpires would "concede" the force at second even though the fielder would be nowhere near the bag. They did that to protect the fielder. This made throws to 1st that much easier..
If you happen to take out a fielder on a normal (and legal) hard slide into the bag then the fielding team is penalized for not being quick to clear the bag (as they should be).
My opinion is this rule enforces proper mechanics for both base runners and fielders.
I like that the take out slide and also the home plate collision have been banned.
Sure it occasionally made for an exiting play but imo it was an unnecessary injury risk.
@RJM posted:The HBP umpire’s discretion rule was created because college hitters were deliberately sticking their elbows and hips in front of pitches.
Understood I guess ultimately then the problem is the umpires lack of ability to use discretion? The rule the way it is written is terrible.
I don't know if folks know this or not.
In the conferences where there is technology, balls and strikes are monitored at the plate. The umpires have to maintain a certain % to stay in that conference or for those in training to get the job. Each conference with this availability has their own umpires in conference play that rotate games.
After each game a report goes to the conferences as well as coaches. I don't know if this counts on weekday matchups but does when two different conferences have a weekend series. Standards have to be maintained to keep the job or get it.
I dont know what's standard. I just know there is accountability.
This is why we tend to question why a strike is a ball or ball is a strike.
I am not sure that umpires are not questioned on the report.
That's where the challenge comes in during a game.
Posting here now- what is up with Texas college baseball? Pitcher levels player rounding third after he hits home run…check out video
@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:Posting here now- what is up with Texas college baseball? Pitcher levels player rounding third after he hits home run…check out video
That occurred in a game between conference opponents in Region 5. I was watching the game and saw it happen. Have never seen anything like it in my life at any level. I know both these teams pretty well and can tell you that one of them is the mouthiest bunch I have ever heard in my life. To me, this is a result of allowing bat flips, hand gestures, and other forms of showing up an opponent that some people think is entertaining. I say it’s trash and can lead to this. I’m in no way condoning this incident but respect for the game and respect for your opponent needs to be restored. This incident may keep the instigating team out of post season play. Bad deal all the way around.
Going to assume the kid wasn't exactly a choir boy when he was rounding the bases.
That being said - pitcher has 34 others on the team and nobody was exactly in a rush to pull him out of the angry mob that was forming - aside from the catcher. Going to assume this was not that much of a surprise to them.
Good news is if he gets kicked off the baseball team I'm sure the football team would love to have him. That was a fundamentally sound hit. 15 yards for defenseless receiver but it looked good.
@PABaseball posted:Going to assume the kid wasn't exactly a choir boy when he was rounding the bases.
That being said - pitcher has 34 others on the team and nobody was exactly in a rush to pull him out of the angry mob that was forming - aside from the catcher. Going to assume this was not that much of a surprise to them.
Good news is if he gets kicked off the baseball team I'm sure the football team would love to have him. That was a fundamentally sound hit. 15 yards for defenseless receiver but it looked good.
The team in the field has a post season berth at stake. Their players kept their composure in an attempt to not have the game declared a forfeit b/c of their participation. It wasn’t about not coming to the aid of a teammate - it was about trying not to watch their season go up in smoke right in front of their eyes. But they weren’t successful. The other team (that was batting) is a cellar dweller and has nothing to lose (except maybe a coach) so they baited the P and he took the bait. Region rules are if benches clear the game, and the next 2 are declared forfeits - and that’s what’s happened so far.
1 - A beautiful day (kinda windy) of baseball ruined.
2 - did you check back of ticket for refund policy?
3 - Both my kids individually by text said "get the next (or best) kid" and eventually the other team will police it themselves. Kids w/ no beef don't like being thrown at.
My son goes to Hill which is in this conference and we have already played both teams this year. Played for years with players on both of these teams. I sure didn't see much taunting from the batter on the video and what I saw this season is that when NCTC is down in the game like they were prior to this HR, they are extremely quiet and look disinterested in the game.
I know what the rules are, but there has to be some exception given for NCTC. They watched their player get assaulted 15 feet in front of them and their response was what it should have been. They didn't attack or try to fight other Weatherford players. If I saw a team sit on the bench when that happened, I would be so ashamed of them. Good job by the NCTC teammates!
@2020txcatch, I beg to differ. I have been in the visiting dugout at NCTC during games. They are the biggest bunch of sh*t talkers I have ever heard - regardless of the status of the game. And the parents aren’t much better. I guess that’s no big surprise.
Btw, this is the second on the field brawl incident this year involving NCTC. The first one was with TCS Post Grad and went virtually unreported.
@adbono, I will certainly defer to you because of your years of watching them. Still, I don't blame any of the kids on the NCTC team. Everyone in the baseball world knows about this event because trash talking wasn't dealt with like it normally is every other game.
One thing about their cellar dweller status. I see that as a result of their coach not over recruiting and if you go there, you are going to play. They simply don't have the numbers that other teams do and its like a 4A school playing 4 games against a 6A school every week. You aren't going to win a lot, but you are going to get on the field, get your numbers and move on to your 4 year school. Do you agree with that?
What's funny is that before yesterday's games, I was telling my father that the only chance of Hill making the playoffs was for a team to end up forfeiting a bunch of games due to their record against teams ahead of them. And I'm sure you know what happened to our 10 run and 5 run leads in back to back games yesterday...so that window of opportunity went away quickly.
#8 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies (not the other VA team in Charlottesville) are playing at Fenway Park this Saturday to honor former BC captain Pete Frates and ALS awareness. I really wish I could be there. Definitely will be streaming the game wherever I am this weekend. Hokies are on a roll.
@2020txcatch posted:@adbono, I will certainly defer to you because of your years of watching them. Still, I don't blame any of the kids on the NCTC team. Everyone in the baseball world knows about this event because trash talking wasn't dealt with like it normally is every other game.
One thing about their cellar dweller status. I see that as a result of their coach not over recruiting and if you go there, you are going to play. They simply don't have the numbers that other teams do and its like a 4A school playing 4 games against a 6A school every week. You aren't going to win a lot, but you are going to get on the field, get your numbers and move on to your 4 year school. Do you agree with that?
What's funny is that before yesterday's games, I was telling my father that the only chance of Hill making the playoffs was for a team to end up forfeiting a bunch of games due to their record against teams ahead of them. And I'm sure you know what happened to our 10 run and 5 run leads in back to back games yesterday...so that window of opportunity went away quickly.
I will be happy to share my thoughts about NCTC in a PM. But not publicly
I see on ESPN that the kid has been suspended 4 games which for a pitcher is like none. ESPN has the full clip up in the article on the suspension. No bat flip, the kid who hit the HR doesn’t appear to be chirping at the pitcher and the HR trot was normal pace. There has to be a history between the two guys.
@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:I see on ESPN that the kid has been suspended 4 games which for a pitcher is like none. ESPN has the full clip up in the article on the suspension. No bat flip, the kid who hit the HR doesn’t appear to be chirping at the pitcher and the HR trot was normal pace. There has to be a history between the two guys.
Dude, the kid was talking sh*t all the way around the bases. Lots of words beginning with F.
@adbono posted:Dude, the kid was talking sh*t all the way around the bases. Lots of words beginning with F.
You can tell in the video that words were being said. After he rounds 2B, he turns his head toward the pitcher for a moment and obviously says something. Right after the field umpire starts pointing at the runner almost like he was getting ready to eject him.
@adbono posted:Dude, the kid was talking sh*t all the way around the bases. Lots of words beginning with F.
I just read that he was taunting. I know you are not condoning the pitcher's actions in response to words. No question the pitcher was at fault here. Do you coach Weatherford or something? This has hit a nerve with you.
@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:I just read that he was taunting. I know you are not condoning the pitcher's actions in response to words. No question the pitcher was at fault here. Do you coach Weatherford or something? This has hit a nerve with you.
It hasn’t hit a nerve but I’m not a casual fan when it comes to Region 5 JuCo baseball. I know exactly what happened and I have explained it in previous posts.
Son's season is over due to shoulder pain. Going for contrast MRI next Thursday, Labrum concerns. Life of a pitcher. He wasn't getting many opportunities but did very well with the ones he got. The team is in first, he will watch the remainder of the season.
The article below got my attention. This player is currently ending his 7-year college career.... not a typo. Good for him. Got his master's, and could have become a lawyer too I guess with the three extra years.
Gunner, that's rough, I hope he recovers well.
Weatherford has kicked their tackling pitcher off the team:
Son got his first college win today. Came in with 2 outs in the 5th with tying and go ahead runs on base. Tying run scored. He then held them scoreless until his team could walk it off in btm 10. Longest college outing to date, and a high in strikeouts. Has been a tough season up until the last few weeks, very happy for him.