College Reporting Thread

LHPitcher's son delivered a very sweet Valentine's Day present for his mom today. She got to watch this:

"...No. 30 Western Oregon baseball team to a 3-1 victory at No. 2 UC San Diego Saturday, Feb. 14.
...
Blake Keitzman started the game for the Wolves and pitched seven innings giving up just four hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking just one."


http://www.wouwolves.com/news/2009/2/14/BB_0214090922.aspx

Way to go, Blake!



Julie

Sometimes our kids stink up the joint, and we ought not to be afraid to discuss these games! My son stunk it up today. Freshman nerves. Coach said he was 'shaking like a leaf'. His ERA is suddenly ponderous, although his three runs have come only on walks and a balk. It was painful to watch today(webcast).

HOWEVER, when we were texting each other a couple hours after the game, when he was ready to chew glass he was so angry, we got to a point where he essentially said, "I just haven't had the same amount of gametime these guys have had in the States. I just need to get used to it. I'm going to work ten times harder to become the best I can possibly be." And so by the time we were done chatting, he was feeling all fired up again, ready to go out and get to work. He e-mailed his coach asking for more pen time so he could work more often.

The raw tools are there (velo topping at 90 with a nice set of off-speed pitches which just didn't find the mark today), and he's right - he pitched a grand total of approximately 22 games in high school (an overseas American school), maybe 100 innings over four years, due to our short season and miniscule schedule.

There was also a scout in attendance who seemed to look past the 'moment' and son was told by a teammate that the gentlemen was asking a lot of questions about him.

I signed off by writing something like: "If you had done well today, would you go out and work harder than ever this week? Probably not. If you had done so-so today, would you go out and work harder than ever this week? Probably not. THIS outing is the one that has made you want to work harder than ever and so this was the day you were meant to have. The effects of THIS day will carry you far past what a 'good' day would have done. Call it the 'trampoline effect' - the lower you go, the higher you'll spring upward if you're willing to go for it. Tomorrow, your new life as a pitcher begins. Forget today, get back to work, and know that something valuable came out of it all."

Then he said he loved me, and 'thanks'.

It's all good

.




.

quote:

I signed off by writing something like: "If you had done well today, would you go out and work harder than ever this week? Probably not. If you had done so-so today, would you go out and work harder than ever this week? Probably not. THIS outing is the one that has made you want to work harder than ever and so this was the day you were meant to have. The effects of THIS day will carry you far past what a 'good' day would have done. Call it the 'trampoline effect' - the lower you go, the higher you'll spring upward if you're willing to go for it. Tomorrow, your new life as a pitcher begins. Forget today, get back to work, and know that something valuable came out of it all."

IF08 son has not yet begun his college career, but if he stinks it up, do I have your permission to plagiarize? Great stuff!

Krak, you are a wise man. It sounds like your son is a great kid with a great dad. I know it must be hard for you being so far away but I think your son is growing in ways he would not have been able to if he had not gone so far away. Hopefully they'll go late into the season and you can see some games "live". Good luck, we'll be waiting to hear more.

Krak - I know how hard it was after a tough day living just 15 minutes away...gotta be way tougher for you and your son.

But I sure like your attitude and his. I believe this will help him immensely.

Good job pops! Keep it up.

Krak:

Great way to leave it with your son!!!

08

Krak,
T will be fine.
Did I tell you son's first few innings as a freshman he stunk it up? And he pitched more than your son did in HS.
Hang in there!

Son was playing away in Texas...

Listening to the Webcast when all of a sudden it was the 8th bases loaded and only one out with the game on the line.

So who do they call for from the bullpen, my son...it would not have concerned me so much but earlier in the season they put the Sv in his hands and he gave up a walk off HR.

So then I'm cringing looking for the nearest CV air raid shelter but then I hear 2-1, the pitch is crushed, it's a line drive, right at the 3rd baseman and he turns it into a 5-4 DP...inning over.

So then comes the bottom of the 9th. they go to a PH .400 batter and now I'm sweating. The count goes 2-1, then 2-2 and the batter looks at my son's slider as it hits the corner. SO. One out. second batter, he throws four balls and walks the batter. I'm going oh no he's lost it. Then the count goes 1-2, son throws slider down and away at catcher's feet, strike three, third batter swings over the top. Fourth batter looks at two strikes and son throws the slider it hits the corner...STRIKE THREE, GRAB SOME PINE.

I'm jumping up and down hurt my back and today I'm bent over crawling around, but happy.

That's the life of a pitcher's Dad. Whew should have taught him to play first base.

If there are a couple of things my son and I learned last year (freshman year) is there is so much more to the game than the wins and losses, and one, two or three games do not make a season.

As you know, you can be throwing great, hitting your spots, changing speeds, nice zip on your fastball and still lose. Then you can get pounded, lack velo and a good curve and still win. From a team standpoint, it is about the wins and losses. From an individual and progression standpoint it's about getting better, learning, and understanding from the ups and downs. Two bad outings does not mean you can't pitch at a certain level, and two good outings doesn't mean the work is done.

Believe me, there were times when I questioned my sons talent and if he could compete at the level he's at, and there were times where I felt he might actually be better than I gave him credit for.

Be prepared, the emotions will have dramatic swings.

BBkaze,
Awesome post. Here, these are for your back.

As for the mood swings, Danny, it sounds like you've already figured this out by now. There's always...

Bbkaze - I loved your post - it is so accurate and REALLY describes the feelings of a college parent. It was also very funny

Krak - my friend - chill out! No need to explain things or try and rationalize them. High school days are over and everybody is equal now - it makes no difference what happened in the past. If he is throwing 90, tell him to throw it over the plate and take his chances. 90 works at all levels of baseball. Tell him to take the weight of the world off his shoulders and TRUST his teammates to make a play for him. There is no defense for a walk. Trust his team and they will see him out of the abyss.

quote:

Trust his team and they will see him out of the abyss.

BINGO! Right on CD, right on.

What a difference a year makes.
Recently at my sons season kick of dinner, I listened closely as my son answered questions from our dining partners. He was the only pitcher at the table, and so he was asked a lot of questions.
How mature and confident he sounded. He was able to speak about failings as easily as he accomplishments. He was able to break down and explain pitching in a way I had never heard him articulate. It was as if I was listening to a completely different person. His mental side is so much stronger, it allows him to acknowledge what needs to be fixed and work hard to fix it. He had a taste last year of what collegiate pitching is for him right now and What It Can Be for him with a continued desire to improve.
HC spoke about each player combining humor and and a peak at what HC thought of them as a player.
He said about my son, ".....he just continues to get better and better....".
We couldn't have been more proud to hear that.

The first year is such a learning year in every way, and much different than what had been in high school, or anything he has experienced thus far in baseball.

As a parent getting through that first year academically, the pre-season, the season, and the post-season (summer ball) was a wild ride at times.

The good the bad and the ugly have all helped him learn and grow as a student, a ball player and a man. Can't wait to see what this year brings

Krak- There was one conference game last year where my young frosh was sent out in relief. How exciting!
We were down by a good measure and my son was chosen to be the sacraficial lamb to finish out six innings to preserve pitching staff for the next day.
He did okay though and it served more than one purpose. He played a role for his team and everyone appreciated it. He didn't strike everyone out, but did reveal his ability to stay cool under pressure.
That experience (while not feeling too cool at the time) was very valuable for him at the time and continues to be.
He has also developed that all important "short memory" which is a new skill or tool in my opinion.
Hang in there, this time next year, you'll be sharing how T has grown.

A lot of our boys lace it up for the first time this Friday. I think I can say it will be less stressful the second time around. (I think),(I hope) Heck, I don't know!

quote:

The effects of THIS day will carry you far past what a 'good' day would have done. Call it the 'trampoline effect' - the lower you go, the higher you'll spring upward if you're willing to go for it. Tomorrow, your new life as a pitcher begins. Forget today, get back to work, and know that something valuable came out of it all."

Then he said he loved me, and 'thanks'.

It's all good

Krak....I can certainly feel your pain.

Younggun had started the season in relief (4 innings over a few games) and only had 2 hits and 1 unearned run. They face a D2 JV program and he gets the start. Bullpen before game - fine. Gets on the bump and he can't feel his arm. It was "dead" whatever that means. In his relief appearances he too had been hitting 90-93. He didn't hold anything back. He started pitching against this JV team and I notice that he MIGHT be throwing 83-84 - BP to a college team! Needless to say, he left up many pitches which they loved tee'ing off on. The 4 errors behind him didn't help him either...lol...as far as frustration trying to get out of an inning.

Long story short...He was pulled after 2 2/3. 8 runs, 4 earned, 1 walk, a humongous 2-run HR and a loss in his first college start.

To me, the coach couldn't get him out of there fast enough!

Now he's sporting a hefty 5.40era! Lots of innings remain however.

YGD, the best thing to come out of these situations is the opportunity they provide to bond with our sons a bit more, and help them see how easy it is to just get back up again; we can share our own experiences with them (baseball or business or girlfriends or...) and they learn a little bit more about us, "Dad", as a fellow human being, in the process. This is one of the coolest things about athletics and the many tangible and intangible gifts that come out of both the great days and the dud days -- so marvelously captured in that episode of Happy Days, when Richie misses the shot in the championship basketball game and, afterwards, Howard offers him a LifeSaver.

quote:

I notice that he MIGHT be throwing 83-84 - BP to a college team!

Now wait a minute, are you saying my son is a batting practice pitcher. He must hit his spots and change his speeds or BP pitcher is what he looks like.

quote:

Originally posted by Danny Boydston:

Now wait a minute, are you saying my son is a batting practice pitcher. He must hit his spots and change his speeds or BP pitcher is what he looks like.

Laughs. No..not at all Danny.

He was throwing 83-84 BP that day because he had no movement whatsoever and left them all high!

I have learned REAL quick about a pitcher in college who can throw 90+. It doesn't mean a hill of beans if he hasn't got a good 2nd and 3rd pitch. These players can hit that velocity without blinking!

quote:

I have learned REAL quick about a pitcher in college who can throw 90+. It doesn't mean a hill of beans if he hasn't got a good 2nd and 3rd pitch. These players can hit that velocity without blinking!

They can hit 90+ at the college level but you have to remind young college pitchers that the hitters are cheating a little with the aluminum bats. Fisting them for base hits when otherwise it would be a broken bat out for example. I believe any ERA that is 5-ish or below at the college level is pretty darn good. Mind you, if your guy decides to throw one down the middle to my guy, you won't see me complaining

http://collegebaseballtoday.com/

Here's a new web site that might be of interest

GREAT find MOOSE

Great site

Thanks Moose, I'm pressed for time so I only had a minute to check out the site you pointed out. Definatly warrents more looking into. Do you know if he covers any Div. 2 ball?

Eric does a great job covering college baseball

Plunk. In my favorites.

If you get a chance, take a look at his comments on WSU. Solid RPI going into the last few weeks last year but lost some heart-breakers at the end of the season. Let's see if them 'Cougs can break through!

Splish Plash3...did a little looksee...found
http://www.hardballtimes.com/m...-is-ncaa-division-2/
http://www.baseballamerica.com...iew/2009/267506.html
I'm sure there are a lot of Div2, and Div3, Juco and NAIA sites out there....all you need is a job that allows culo mucho tiempo in front of the computer...

IF08 son arrived at his D1 school in August measuring 5'11", 146 lbs. -- a whopping 10 lbs. less than the lightest weight guy on the team. We saw him in September at a parents' weekend scrimmage where he batted last, hit weak grounders, and played the back-up to the back-up to the back-up at 2B.

He worked hard all fall and significantly improved with his hitting, thanks to the excellent instruction of his head/hitting coach. He surprised us all by leading his team to victory in the Fall World Series, with all 3 of the team's RBI's.

The season begins tomorrow with a 3-game series and, due to injury, the starting second baseman will not be playing. IF08 son was just told he'll be starting all 3 games at 2B and hitting in the 8-hole.

What a fairy tale ending/beginning for my string bean kid!

quote:

IF08 son was just told he'll be starting all 3 games at 2B and hitting in the 8-hole.

What a fairy tale ending/beginning for my string bean kid!

IF08,

To you and all the D1 parents, may you find good rest tonight and good luck to all of your young men on the field tomorrow.

I am excited for one of 17's pitchers he caught in high school, Alex Panteliodis, as Saturday he will be starting as a freshman for the Gators.

This will be the second starting pitcher at UF that 17 caught, Tommy Toledo the first.

He is catching USF signee senior Ray Delphey and USF verbal junior Thomas Dorminy this year.

I will be waiting to hear how IF08 Son did this weekend. Please post back in here after each game.

It is about time that everyone gets after it.

Best wishes to our DI boys and to all of our college players! Keep the reports coming!


Julie

Infield08:

Great news - I'll keep my fingers crossed for him - and all the other HSBBWers playing this spring...

08

P.S. Any suggestions on what to do when HSBBW Son #1 comes up to hit against HSBBW Son #2? Hmm... seems like one of those fantasy baseball situations...

That is outstanding news IF08!! Amazing how these things work out! Will be following his progress, and hope he makes it REAL HARD for the coaches to decide what to do when the other guy is healthy again (that sounds terrible, but you know what I mean!)

Great Start for Infield08-Son I see he was 1-3 at the plate, with 3-PO and 2-A in his first of many college ballgames!!

Way to go!! Woot Woot!!!

Hey that's a great start for Infield08's son!!! That calls for a big ATTABOY!

I see that Kendall Bolt also had a good day one against Air Force. The flyboys got the first W, but thanks in part to to AcademyDad's son, Navy has the upper hand on the horizon.

Indiaa University got off to a rough start in the big east/big ten game today. The projected big ten pitcher ofthe year got hit hard and Indiana lost 14-4 to West Virgina.

Indiana is the favorite to win the big ten for the first time in 60 years.

Thanks for the attaboys! Actually, the article on the college's webpage was a bit misleading, saying IF08 son singled. It was actually a reach on error, but it did advance a runner and son was eventually able to score. Son said the coach was very happy because it put pressure on the opposing infield.

After the game he commented, "I was seeing the ball really well. The pitches were like meatballs. But I was so eager to hit that I got ahead of the ball." Hopefully, he will settle down by tomorrow!

It was awesome to see my son in a college uniform and get his first start! Nice also to see him get quite a bit of defensive action, including a double play that got 2 outs in the final inning. Best memory: seeing my normally subdued son gleefully hug the SS after the game and high-five too many teammates to count. It was fun to see him banter back and forth with the guys. All in all, a great way to begin the season!

I watched a simply masterful pitching performance this evening by Daniel Bibona of UC Irvine. The left-hander kept Hawaii’s bats silent for nearly 8 innings filling the zone with an assortment of well-placed off speed pitches. Daniel’s line 7.2 IP, 1R, 1 hit 1 BB. The only hit was a duck snort. Congrats to Daniel and his parents.

Fun, ain't it?