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2023 College baseball Season

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U used2lurk5,000+ posts

My son is a freshman OF/C at Bradley University. Recruited as a hitter who catches and can play OF and is now appears to be an OF who can catch. He believes that OF is the place that he will have the most opportunity to get playing time as a freshman. First few weekends against non P5's in Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida. Our series in the north country is a weekend series at U of Michigan March 17th-20th and then our first home game is against U of Illinois on March 21st.

Very excited for this season and praying for good health, fun, and be the best version of himself as a human and as a baseball player!

Last edited by used2lurk
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
@used2lurk posted:

My son is a freshman OF/C at Bradley University. Recruited as a hitter who catches and can play OF and is now appears to be an OF who can catch. He believes that OF is the place that he will have the most opportunity to get playing time as a freshman. First few weekends against non P5's in Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida. Our series in the north country is a weekend series at U of Michigan March 17th-20th and then our first home game is against U of Illinois on March 21st.

Very excited for this season and praying for good health, fun, and be the best version of himself as a human and as a baseball player!

I see that Bradley University will be in Boca Raton at FAU. Hope that your son can make the trip!

TT Tug Tide1,000+ posts

Hope y’all don’t mind a JUCO plug here. If you look at the bracket you’ll see some familiar names at the PCB College Classic
https://www.perfectgame.org/Ev...94&Date=2/3/2023

This was a fantastic event last year and I can’t wait for it get started. Son plays for the host Gulf Coast Commodores.

Here’s a little local coverage:

https://www.wjhg.com/2023/02/0...ach-college-classic/

Last edited by Tug Tide
MidAtlanticDadMidAtlanticDad10,000+ posts
@Tug Tide posted:

Hope y’all don’t mind a JUCO plug here. If you look at the bracket you’ll see some familiar names at the PCB College Classic
https://www.perfectgame.org/Ev...94&Date=2/3/2023

This was a fantastic event last year and I can’t wait for it get started. Son plays for the host Gulf Coast Commodores.

Here’s a little local coverage:

https://www.wjhg.com/2023/02/0...ach-college-classic/

I have family playing in the tournament. Can’t wait to watch some baseball.

A adbono10,000+ posts
@Tug Tide posted:

Hope y’all don’t mind a JUCO plug here. If you look at the bracket you’ll see some familiar names at the PCB College Classic
https://www.perfectgame.org/Ev...94&Date=2/3/2023

This was a fantastic event last year and I can’t wait for it get started. Son plays for the host Gulf Coast Commodores.

Here’s a little local coverage:

https://www.wjhg.com/2023/02/0...ach-college-classic/

Great early season event with a tremendous field of teams.

RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
@anotherparent posted:

Hooray for warm weather baseball!  NAIA and juco started last week, D2 and D3 get going this week.  D1 has to wait until the 17th?  I've got my bookmarks set up to check scores for teams of interest, so I'm ready to go.

For those in Maine, I hope you are keeping warm.

It’s still oK at 1:30pm it’s 8/-5 wind chill. I just biked 5 miles to Panera. At 2am it’s going to be -16/-49. Had I gone south (?) to my home on the North Shore of Boston it would be 11/-22 (right on the ocean) presently and -7/-44 at 5am.

Not that I planned to be in Portland because it less windy here. I’m on the back cove in Portland. But had I been in Nahant I couldn’t have biked the causeway to the Panera in Swampscott. I would have had to drive. Biking would have been a mile stretch of wide open exposure to the ocean on both sides with 23 mph winds.

Life could be worse. The wind chill is going to hit -70 tonight in Fort Kent ME (most northern point in the state).

It was 40 yesterday and still 30 at 11pm. It will be 43 on Sunday and 47 in the Boston area.

Last edited by RJM
T_ThomasT_Thomas5,000+ posts

Who's got the inside scoop on Boston in mid-March?

Son's team will play a series at Northeastern, and we're hoping to make the trek up there from North Carolina.

Will be out first time to experience the fair city, so looking for a little local knowledge: lodging, food, sightseeing, things to do and things to avoid...

A adbono10,000+ posts
@T_Thomas posted:

Who's got the inside scoop on Boston in mid-March?

Son's team will play a series at Northeastern, and we're hoping to make the trek up there from North Carolina.

Will be out first time to experience the fair city, so looking for a little local knowledge: lodging, food, sightseeing, things to do and things to avoid...

RJM is your man for all things Boston

J JohnF5,000+ posts

@T_Thomas - Boston mid-March will be cold / blustery - be prepared for that!  Boston is a very walkable city with plenty of transport options (T is easy/prevalent - get a Charlie Card) that don't include needing to rent a car (your call though - parking is always a challenge and pricey plus it's too easy to get headed in the wrong direction for those unfamiliar with the city - it's not a grid, it's haphazard). Uber from the airport is generally the easiest way - cabs can be tricky there, although plentiful there's a few suspect operators.  Uber pickup is in the garage - there's signs all over the airport to help you (it's one place you will find signs in Boston).

Northeastern's baseball field is essentially on/off the green line - there's a couple of options - use GoogleMaps to see, but the "C" and "D" green lines will get you close.  Where to stay depends on your budget - obviously the closer to downtown & waterfront, the more expensive.  You'll be close enuf to Fenway to take a tour and there's plenty of history if that's your jam (Freedom Trail, Haymarket, Old Ironsides). We found the Boston Tea Party ships to be a bit of a tourist trap... Like Canoli's? - Be sure to head to the North End on Hanover St where you can determine if you like Mike's Pastry's or the Modern Pastry (bring cash).   Dinner in the North End is an Italian smorgasbord - reservations at some places, while others you will see lines out the door. Plenty of places to find lobster - they'll all say they're the best. Chinatown has a few good places. Use the Open Table app - it'll help. Oh and be sure to say hi to Mike Glavine (HC of NE) - he coached my oldest son's travel baseball team ;-).

P PABaseball10,000+ posts
@T_Thomas posted:

Who's got the inside scoop on Boston in mid-March?

Son's team will play a series at Northeastern, and we're hoping to make the trek up there from North Carolina.

Will be out first time to experience the fair city, so looking for a little local knowledge: lodging, food, sightseeing, things to do and things to avoid...

Probably a series they should be playing on the road

T_ThomasT_Thomas5,000+ posts

Wow, you guys are great.  Thanks for the info and PMs.  I got back in late from watching an intra-squad scrimmage yesterday. Almost went an entire day without the HSBBW.

Ironically, Northeastern is playing 5 miles from our school on opening weekend, but then we go up up to play at their place a month later.

@JohnF - really good stuff.  Hopefully we won't need a rental car.  Thanks for the airport tips and other suggestions. It will be a whirlwind in-and-out, so we'll try to see as much as we can in a couple days.  Unfortunately, all the cheap(er)flights leave Boston early in the morning and wife cant miss Monday at school, so we might have to skip the Sunday game. 

@RJM, I knew you were the go-to guy on all things Boston, so I'll try to get up with you if specific questions come up.

It's a different world up there for an old southern boy like me.  I keep seeing Good Will Hunting and the "My Cousin from Boston" guy in my mind's eye :-)

Oh, yeah, it's also St. Patrick's Weekend, so there's that...

O old_school10,000+ posts
@2022NYC posted:

Kean Univeristy in Union NJ has it's first game on Thursday, yikes. Fortunately the weather forecast is 54 degrees

Kean has turf field with a full dugout heat system and lights, the coldest day of my college baseball life was there. game started at 4 pm 34 degree with constant breeze, by the 9th it was 24 and steady 17/20 mph winds. it was literally painful.

plus you are right off the river so it is a damp nasty cold.

Last edited by old_school
N nycdad10,000+ posts

Son had opening weekend last year at St. Jospeh's in Phily. Game 2 on Saturday had to be stopped because of snow squals. Pretty sure it's still on St. Joseph's twitter account.

I think because out of conference can be scheduled so far in advance you had/have a lot of Northeast schools that scheduled these games during Covid. Usually they would have been down south or out west, but seeing a lot of schools staying closer to home the first few weeks. Fortunately we're in CA and SC opening weekend.

D d-mac10,000+ posts
@Master P posted:

Watched  NJCAA D1 #5 Crowder play #18 Johnson County over the weekend.  Lots of D1 drop downs on the field and on the mound.  Amazingly high quality baseball.    One of the pitchers was a D1 redshirt and now this is his second season in Juco.  He was a grown man pumping 92 at the knees.

My son was at Crowder the previous two years.  I watched some of the DH on Saturday on the live stream.  The Johnson County lefty was rolling. 

P PABaseball10,000+ posts
@d-mac posted:

My son was at Crowder the previous two years.  I watched some of the DH on Saturday on the live stream.  The Johnson County lefty was rolling.

If you don't mind me asking - how did your son end up choosing Crowder? Was that the local school or was he recruited by other top jucos as well? Were there D1s in the mix?

I know how good the top jucos are. Always wondered how they did their recruiting for non transfers.

ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
@ARCEKU21 posted:

One of my son's travel teammates, who reclassed from 2023 to 2022, starting at shortstop for Texas Tech on opening day! Very cool! When you look at him,  your first impression is "really?". Then you see him play. One of the best gloves I have ever seen through all my years.

I have been watching this game.  He wouldn't be starting at TT if he didn't have the goods and he looks like a good player on first impression.  Good game.  TT has lots of talent and Gonzaga had an early lead but is now down by 3.  I am waiting for Coastal game to start but they are in weather delay.  I'll be watching UTenn versus Arizona later this evening.  What is really cool now, if any game gets out of hand, there are dozens of other games to switch to.  Baseball (at least what I can watch on TV) is here!  Hope all our kids, at all levels, have good years this year.

The kid's name you mentioned is Tracer Lopez.  He made a number of fine defensive plays and had two hits in his first college game.   

Last edited by ClevelandDad
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
@anotherparent posted:

I now find that between HS/travel friends, summer ball teammates, and hsbbw members, I have a ridiculous number of teams to follow!

It is a small world after high school.  The hsbbweb actually opens you up to just about every team in the nation.  Thus, you know someone from kids your son has played with or against in the past and then you start following members kids here.  I know D1 is getting all the attention right now because of TV coverage but as the season progresses and especially when college playoffs start, the other divisions of baseball can be watched.  Some of the best/most exciting games I've ever seen were in college playoff games including JUCO, D3, D2, or otherwise. 

JucoDadJucoDad5,000+ posts
@PABaseball posted:

If you don't mind me asking - how did your son end up choosing Crowder? Was that the local school or was he recruited by other top jucos as well? Were there D1s in the mix?

I know how good the top jucos are. Always wondered how they did their recruiting for non transfers.

I can't comment on @PABaseball's journey, and @adbono would be best to answer this, but here are a few thoughts on how some end up at JuCo's:

  • HS players that are legitimately in the draft conversion and want to improve their stock pick the highest profile JuCo's.
  • High-profile D1's have relationships with top JuCo's and direct kids that they've hosed by pulling back offers and/or feel they need playing time and/or maturity to contribute at the next level.
  • JuCo HC's often have relationships with foreign programs (at Hill College, they had a channel from PR and Aus).
  • JuCo HC's also often have relationships with a network of HS head coaches - I've seen a stream of one or two players from the same HS for several consecutive years.
  • JuCo camps - my son was offered at Blinn immediately after the camp ended. He'd already committed to Hill and went to the camp because the $50 was gone regardless, and any chance to play was a good day.
  • Reference - I called the HC at Hill and arranged a private tryout. I was given the number by a current player's father, who told the HC I'd be calling.
  • Cold-calling the coach (I'd left a VM for the HC at McLennan), he returned the call and attempted to get my son to reconsider after hearing he had a spot at Hill.

I'm sure @adbono can add many more channels...

A adbono10,000+ posts
@JucoDad posted:

I can't comment on @PABaseball's journey, and @adbono would be best to answer this, but here are a few thoughts on how some end up at JuCo's:

  • HS players that are legitimately in the draft conversion and want to improve their stock pick the highest profile JuCo's.
  • High-profile D1's have relationships with top JuCo's and direct kids that they've hosed by pulling back offers and/or feel they need playing time and/or maturity to contribute at the next level.
  • JuCo HC's often have relationships with foreign programs (at Hill College, they had a channel from PR and Aus).
  • JuCo HC's also often have relationships with a network of HS head coaches - I've seen a stream of one or two players from the same HS for several consecutive years.
  • JuCo camps - my son was offered at Blinn immediately after the camp ended. He'd already committed to Hill and went to the camp because the $50 was gone regardless, and any chance to play was a good day.
  • Reference - I called the HC at Hill and arranged a private tryout. I was given the number by a current player's father, who told the HC I'd be calling.
  • Cold-calling the coach (I'd left a VM for the HC at McLennan), he returned the call and attempted to get my son to reconsider after hearing he had a spot at Hill.

I'm sure @adbono can add many more channels...

That’s a pretty good summary @JucoDad. I see most guys recruited as a result of on campus camps, private tryouts, and word of mouth recommendations. I especially like camps that have coaches from a number of JuCos in a region. But all the things you mentioned are viable ways to be recruited to a JuCo. Former teammates of recruits are a good source too. When it comes to recruiting there are some major differences between JuCo and other levels. One of the biggest differences is that JuCo coaches are accessible. And they will talk with you. Recruiting budgets are pretty limited and on campus tryouts are allowed so most coaches are cooperative with this approach. Whether it’s on an individual basis or in a camp setting. JuCo camps are affordable, the ratio of coaches to players is usually favorable, and decision makers are always in attendance. Regardless of a player’s level of ability (assuming that he is a college prospect) I always advise HS players to try and develop JuCo interest first, and go from there. You never know when a JuCo connection will help out.

A anotherparent10,000+ posts
@ClevelandDad posted:

I know D1 is getting all the attention right now because of TV coverage but as the season progresses and especially when college playoffs start, the other divisions of baseball can be watched.  Some of the best/most exciting games I've ever seen were in college playoff games including JUCO, D3, D2, or otherwise.

Some D3 and NAIA have been playing for 3 weeks already, and livestreams are pretty standard at all levels now, although the quality varies a lot.  So, there's a lot to follow right now!

Someone could make money (probably not a lot) putting together a customizable site where you could pick all the teams you follow, at all levels, and it would give you schedule, game results, links to box scores and video, etc.

D d-mac10,000+ posts
@PABaseball posted:

If you don't mind me asking - how did your son end up choosing Crowder? Was that the local school or was he recruited by other top jucos as well? Were there D1s in the mix?

I know how good the top jucos are. Always wondered how they did their recruiting for non transfers.

He had a few low D1 offers and a lot of Juco offers including some top ones like Iowa Western and Walters.  He chose Crowder for a few reasons. His showcase director advised him to over lower D1’s.  They recruited him the hardest.  Plus, they had a great track record of taking guys like him who topped 86-88 but could pitch and adding velocity and moving them up to higher D1’s or draft picks.  Crowder is really good at identifying talent.  They find a lot of guys who may not fit some of the D1 metrics but are good baseball players.

Last edited by d-mac
N nycdad10,000+ posts

Just got back from 2022's trip out to Cali. They didn't do well, but weren't expected to. Son did make his debut in a mop up roll. Went 1.1IP, didn't give up a run, 1H, but was effectively wild ;-). 

While I made it back team's flight was cancelled. Half the team stayed in Cali and half flew to Seattle where they likely (I just landed myself so not sure) missed their connecting flight and have to find another. I *think* my son is part of the Seattle crew. Guess he's not giving the 9a class presentation he was supposed to.

Ripken FanRipken Fan10,000+ posts

Really happy for a former teammate of son's (RipkenFanSon was a senior when player was a freshman.)  Player earned a bachelor's degree and committed to a SEC program for a graduate degree.  Heard he would compete for a starting position.  He started 2 games at second and the middle one at SS opening weekend.  Went 5 for 11 as team took 2 of 3. Great consolation for a nice young man who lost nearly 2 seasons (2 conference seasons) to covid. 

PrepsterPrepster10,000+ posts
@ClevelandDad posted:

I am now watching UNC Charlotte versus Ball State.  Why?  The head Coach is Robert Woodard - former UNC great and now head coach.  His Dad is Prepster (hsbbweb moniker) who is still a member here.  I've been looking for Prepster in the stands but have not spotted him yet.  Ball State up 1-0 top four.

Sorry for the delay, CD. I must have been wearing my stealth outfit Friday night.

Two tips of the cap to Ball State's pitchers, Trennor O'Donnell and Ryan Brown, who held a pretty stout Charlotte lineup to 3 hits on the night and prevailed 2-1. The remaining three games went in the other direction for them, but that Ball State team is going to win plenty of games the remainder of the season. They just missed the NCAA tournament last year after winning 40 games and the MAC's regular season; coming up short in the conference's tournament. (I could go off here on my dislike of automatically making any conference's tournament winner the conference champion, but I won't.  )

I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish all HSBW'ers'  sons all the luck in the world this season; especially when it comes to staying healthy!

Last edited by Prepster
PitchingFanPitchingFan10,000+ posts
@d-mac posted:

Sitting in the Phoenix airport waiting to fly home. Took the first two including an upset overTennessee but backed that up with losses to Michigan and Michigan St.  Thats the life of a mid major.  Son is still recovering so not sure when he will be available.

They played great.  We are still trying to figure some things out.  Tough to replace every fielder from previous year even with great pitching.  And not having 2 transfers who will start.  Plus way too many errors.  GCU will be in regionals.  Great team.

A adbono10,000+ posts
@BDA posted:

My son is a senior at Salisbury.  He plays CF.

Son of a family friend (who I coached) is a senior and team captain at Haverford. We were discussing The Ford’s schedule the other night and up popped Salisbury - who I know is a very good D3 team.  But the name alone led us to a lengthy discussion about TV dinners in the 70s & 80s. And play on words that was entertaining for us but probably wouldn’t be for some. Your mention reminded me of that and brought a smile to my face. Go steaks?!?

N 2022NYC10,000+ posts
@adbono posted:

Son of a family friend (who I coached) is a senior and team captain at Haverford. We were discussing The Ford’s schedule the other night and up popped Salisbury - who I know is a very good D3 team.  But the name alone led us to a lengthy discussion about TV dinners in the 70s & 80s. And play on words that was entertaining for us but probably wouldn’t be for some. Your mention reminded me of that and brought a smile to my face. Go steaks?!?

I am stuck thinking about the Swanson dinner with the original aluminum foil tray

JucoDadJucoDad5,000+ posts
@adbono posted:

Yes, the Swanson Hungry Man dinner!

Good times! They comprised most of my dinners from age 9 to 16. Of course pre-teen was the regular Swanson TV dinners - not the hungry man version. No microwaves back then, they were cooked in the oven. Depending on the type -  Salisbury steak, fried chicken or the Mexican one (with the cornbread), you’d have to cut or open the tin foil in there right sections to get the right browning.

Nothing like having a single parent that worked nights to learn the culinary arts…

P PABaseball10,000+ posts
@TPM posted:

NCAA D1 home run  stats after 12 games

2023 2,108... 2.06 per game

2022  1,551...1.55 per game

2019 pre covid (same time of year) 1300...1.37 per game

What has changed?

IMO... the weather

One thing I have noticed - high schoolers are significantly bigger than I remember them being only 5-10 years ago. It seems like every kid I see now athlete or non athlete is 6'0 or up. Nephew is a sophomore, says he's small for his class. He's 5'9 at 15.

Also I imagine the increased velos and the older, stronger players would make those numbers trend up. More 23-25 year olds playing in the past 2 years than ever.

N nycdad10,000+ posts

I don't know how accurate baseball reference is when it comes to college stats, but my son pointed out to me yesterday that according to it as a 20yo junior he is -1.6 years the avg age. This number seems to be for all of D1 and not by class (for example as a freshman he was -3.3). So that would seem to put the avg age of a D1 player around 22.

A adbono10,000+ posts
@CADad949 posted:

Anyone have any insight as to why most of the Northwestern coaches left last week?

They are yet to win a game this year. I think their 0-7 start may be the worst in program history. They have a new HC that came from West Point who has made a point of establishing a new culture. So the coaching departures could have something to do with one or both of those things. I’m only aware of two coaches leaving, one of which was PC Jon Strauss who I’m not a fan of.

C CADad949100+ posts
@adbono posted:

They are yet to win a game this year. I think their 0-7 start may be the worst in program history. They have a new HC that came from West Point who has made a point of establishing a new culture. So the coaching departures could have something to do with one or both of those things. I’m only aware of two coaches leaving, one of which was PC Jon Strauss who I’m not a fan of.

Son was recruited by Foster last summer.  Culture was big on his list.  

PitchingFanPitchingFan10,000+ posts

I love college baseball.  We lost last night but a great experience.  Sat in front of 3 great loyal LSU fans but had a full game of baseball conversation.  We had a chance facing best college baseball pitcher by far, imo.   Great time.  We gave it away in 8th with two errors in tied game with 2 outs.  I love college baseball when it is done right.  

smokeminsidesmokeminsideMember since 2014

Know I'm late but you guys seem like you're having fun.

Oldest son done playing (Amherst) but running in his second Boston Marathon on Monday. Does that count for anything? At all?

Middle son a senior CF at Swarthmore. This year the team has been in more football score games--winning and losing--than single digit games. Total Jekyll and Hyde season.

Youngest is a first year pitcher at Vassar. A lot of appearances, all in relief, all in high stress situations, all 1-2 innings long. Doing well about 60% of the time.

And just to make sure you don't leave un-entertained, there is this:

https://fb.watch/jTrwSlTRIO/

Last edited by smokeminside
A adbono10,000+ posts
@smokeminside posted:

Know I'm late but you guys seem like you're having fun.

Oldest son done playing (Amherst) but running in his second Boston Marathon on Sunday. Does that count for anything? At all?

Middle son a senior CF at Swarthmore. This year the team has been in more football score games--winning and losing--than single digit games. Total Jekyll and Hyde season.

Youngest is a first year pitcher at Vassar. A lot of appearances, all in relief, all in high stress situations, all 1-2 innings long. Doing well about 60% of the time.

And just to make sure you don't leave un-entertained, there is this:

https://fb.watch/jTrwSlTRIO/

Welcome to the party, Smoke! Man, I hear ya about the football scores. A good friend has a sin that’s a Senior IF at Haverford. He called me the other day to call my attention to the score in the Haverford vs Washington game. The final score was 33-8 in favor of Haverford. In the 7th inning Haverford batted for 40 minutes and scored 19 runs. In that inning my friend’s son (Zach) had 3 plate appearances. Which resulted in a grand slam, a HBP, and a 2 run HR. Zach had 6 RBI and scored 3 runs in one inning. He tied NCAA D3 records for HRs in an inning (2), and runs scored in an inning (3). Unbelievable. I have never heard of 19 runs being scored in one half inning of college baseball.

W Wechson1,000+ posts

My guy plays for W&L in the ODAC and let me tell you that is a tough conference.  #3, #11 and #12 teams in D3 all in one place. Stacked. Our team is currently middle of the pack with a lot of young talent. Good hitting team, but have had serious challenges with infield play. That's been the difference between them being in the 4 spot and the 6 spot in their conference.  Top 8 make the ODAC playoffs and ideally we'd end up the 4 or 5 spot but they'd probably have to run through the rest of the month to get there  As for my son, was hoping for a little more action post TJ, but there's still mountain left to climb.  Has to make a performance jump this summer, which he'll put every effort into doing. 

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