My Freshman son just finished up his first spring season. He had a great year, His 1.89 ERA was first ranked in his conference, The NCAC. He was named newcomer of the year and made second team all conference.
He is already planning his off season. Gave us a grocery list for when he comes home so he can stick maintain his weight and muscle.
It will be nice to have him home, but I will miss going to his college games.
Congratulations to you and your son! Sounds like he had a great first year. I know that was fun to watch.
In about thirty minutes we will be playing our second game of the day for the championship of the Gulf South Conference and hopefully 
our fortieth victory of the year!
our fortieth victory of the year!
Congratulations on Delta State's win! We look forward to seeing your son and his team in the Regionals, hopefully here in Tampa! 
floridafan,
Can't wait until Tampa and Delta State meet again! Thanks and good luck in all your other games this weekend.
Can't wait until Tampa and Delta State meet again! Thanks and good luck in all your other games this weekend.
My son graduated today.Completed it in four years with baseball.School planning not great,they had away series same weekend.Very rushed,not much time.Did have some family and a beautiful dinner with him last night.He had to catch airplane at 200.
College baseball coming to an end.Seems like it went by so fast.I am very proud of his accomplishments.
College baseball coming to an end.Seems like it went by so fast.I am very proud of his accomplishments.
fanofgame,
A hearty congratulations to you, your son of course, and the rest of the family! You have every right to be proud and I hope he closes out his college baseball career in fine fashion.
A hearty congratulations to you, your son of course, and the rest of the family! You have every right to be proud and I hope he closes out his college baseball career in fine fashion.
Congrats fanofgame! You have a lot to be proud of.
Congratulations, fan! I enjoyed watching your son play.
University of Tampa will be hosting the South Regional this week. A few more games to extend this Collegiate Baseball experience!
We will get to see Threebagger's son from Delta State as they are the #2 seeded team.
Best of luck to all attending!
We will get to see Threebagger's son from Delta State as they are the #2 seeded team.
Best of luck to all attending!
Congrats fan, I know you are very proud of your son, as you should be. I enjoyed meeting you and seeing him play earlier in the season. Best of luck the rest of the way.
I cannot believe that Jr is already done with year one, it seems like we dropped him off last week…
We will head up to Oregon to watch him play in the Regionals on Weds. Earlier in the season I would have said his team was a lock for the finals in Wisconsin, but three critical injuries have set them back. His team is very scr a p p y so they still are the favorite in my opinion.
I cannot believe that Jr is already done with year one, it seems like we dropped him off last week…
We will head up to Oregon to watch him play in the Regionals on Weds. Earlier in the season I would have said his team was a lock for the finals in Wisconsin, but three critical injuries have set them back. His team is very scr a p p y so they still are the favorite in my opinion.
Hey Fan,
Congratulations to Matt and your entire family. I know you're a proud mama. It's been a pleasure talking to you over the last couple of years, and as BOF stated, I too enjoyed meeting you and watching Matt play. Best wishes for him in the June draft, he certainly deserves a shot!
BOF...time flies, good luck to NG's team in the regionals!
Congratulations to Matt and your entire family. I know you're a proud mama. It's been a pleasure talking to you over the last couple of years, and as BOF stated, I too enjoyed meeting you and watching Matt play. Best wishes for him in the June draft, he certainly deserves a shot!
BOF...time flies, good luck to NG's team in the regionals!
This has been a tough first year for my son individually and for his baseball team. He had a tremendous Fall with his bat and on the mound, but unfortunately a bout with tendinitis the last two weeks kept him off the field. His team was expected to battle for a league title and a fifth straight trip to the regionals when spring rolled around, however, injuries to a pair of weekend starting pitchers and their starting catcher derailed any chances. With eight games (3 league) remaining in the season, the post season is likely out of reach for this 2012 squad.
As for my son, as stated above, he had a very good Fall. He began the spring healthy and hoping for an opportunity to get a shot on the field. He did not travel early on, but as injuries started to decimate the pitching staff he was hoping to get a shot on the mound. Of course, wouldn't you know, my son ended up with a strained oblique and missed nearly six weeks. After missing the majority of the season, it was determined that utilizing his redshirt option would be best for him and the team. So...he suits up for all home and non-conference games. He still takes batting practice and infield/outfield during pre-game, but once the first pitch is thrown he becomes a bat/ball boy....Yes, that's what freshman do to help the team!
As for me, this has probably been a little more difficult. I've second guessed whether or not my son made the right choice to attend this school. However, I know that he loves his teammates, coaches, and the university. We (on this board) have always preached for kids to choose a school that you'd attend if baseball is out of the equation. Well, this appears to be the right fit and I hope it works out in the long run. In the meantime, there is two weeks left in the regular season and his spring quarter will be completed in mid-June. He will be leaving to play in the West Coast League this summer as a two way player, and I'm crossing my fingers (and toes) hoping for a healthy and productive summer.
As for my son, as stated above, he had a very good Fall. He began the spring healthy and hoping for an opportunity to get a shot on the field. He did not travel early on, but as injuries started to decimate the pitching staff he was hoping to get a shot on the mound. Of course, wouldn't you know, my son ended up with a strained oblique and missed nearly six weeks. After missing the majority of the season, it was determined that utilizing his redshirt option would be best for him and the team. So...he suits up for all home and non-conference games. He still takes batting practice and infield/outfield during pre-game, but once the first pitch is thrown he becomes a bat/ball boy....Yes, that's what freshman do to help the team!
As for me, this has probably been a little more difficult. I've second guessed whether or not my son made the right choice to attend this school. However, I know that he loves his teammates, coaches, and the university. We (on this board) have always preached for kids to choose a school that you'd attend if baseball is out of the equation. Well, this appears to be the right fit and I hope it works out in the long run. In the meantime, there is two weeks left in the regular season and his spring quarter will be completed in mid-June. He will be leaving to play in the West Coast League this summer as a two way player, and I'm crossing my fingers (and toes) hoping for a healthy and productive summer.
bsbl247,
I can definitely sympathize with you about a redshirt season as we went through the same thing two years ago but not due to an injury. But in hindsight, it probably turned out to be the best thing that could have happened and two years later son is a big contributor with two seasons of eligibilty left. They won't forget the promise your son showed during the Fall and next season I bet he'll be right in the mix. It's very tough on us parents after we've been used to seeing our son's play all the time, but trust me, next season will be here before you know it. Good luck, and I join you in hoping for that healthy and productive summer.
I can definitely sympathize with you about a redshirt season as we went through the same thing two years ago but not due to an injury. But in hindsight, it probably turned out to be the best thing that could have happened and two years later son is a big contributor with two seasons of eligibilty left. They won't forget the promise your son showed during the Fall and next season I bet he'll be right in the mix. It's very tough on us parents after we've been used to seeing our son's play all the time, but trust me, next season will be here before you know it. Good luck, and I join you in hoping for that healthy and productive summer.
Thanks Three Bagger, I appreciate your comments. It's always good to hear about the success stories coming out of redshirt situations.
I hope he has a great summer. There are many highs and lows with this process and second guessing comes with the territory for many. Some have a smooth wonderful experience while many many others do not. Season has been tough for us as well but at least son is having a decent year minus two non productive series. Anyway as far as future God is in control and we are trusting him.
Hey floridafan,
Jordan texted me a picture of Tampa's field before their practice today. Nice, panoramic scene with all the buildings of what I guess is downtown Tampa. I am ready for the Regional to start!
Jordan texted me a picture of Tampa's field before their practice today. Nice, panoramic scene with all the buildings of what I guess is downtown Tampa. I am ready for the Regional to start!
It IS a beautiful field with the city skyline as a backdrop! Especially at night! What did he think about the netting?
Sure hope the weather clears up! The field does drain well!
Sure wish you could make it down! We will be heading down early tomorrow for an early afternoon game.
Sure hope the weather clears up! The field does drain well!
Sure wish you could make it down! We will be heading down early tomorrow for an early afternoon game.
Yeah it did look overcast in the picture. What happened to sunny Florida? I'll have to ask him about the netting. He just texted the picture. They flew into Tampa last night a little before Midnight, I believe.
Believe me, I wish I could be there too, but work makes it impossible this round. I'm just sick. Now if yall will just let us be the representative to the College World Series in North Carolina, I might make it! Just kidding of course, but if we can't make it, I hope Tampa does.
I'll have to ask him about the netting. He just texted the picture. They flew into Tampa last night a little before Midnight, I believe. Believe me, I wish I could be there too, but work makes it impossible this round. I'm just sick. Now if yall will just let us be the representative to the College World Series in North Carolina, I might make it!
Just kidding of course, but if we can't make it, I hope Tampa does.
Well Jr’s first year of college ball came to an end this weekend. His team lost in the Western Regional championship game, and even if they did not move on to the CWS in Appleton, they had a great year given how many injuries they had and the talent of the team. Sure they had probably the number one pitcher in DIII baseball, but their success was all about hard work, teamwork, and grinding it out day in, day out, every practice, every pitch, every at bat. To see a whole team do this is pretty incredible to watch. He got to play, contributed, and should make even bigger contributions in the coming years, but that is frankly just a minor point - he was part of something much bigger than this. The most important thing is that he loves the school, his teammates, the coaches and had a positive all around experience. All of the things that could have gone wrong in selecting a school, a program, a major, the coaches, injuries, etc did not - and for that we are truly blessed.
A couple of things that struck me:
1. How fast time fly’s. I can’t even believe he is done with his first year of college; it just seemed like yesterday we dropped him off.
2. How much more comfortable both my son and we are with him being out on his own after just 9 months. The whole “sending him off all alone into the world” and him adjusting frankly happens pretty quickly. All of the angst and concerns we had are gone. He gets by, and we get by - which is the way it is supposed to be. For those thinking about it and worrying, relax it will be all right.
3. Playing baseball in college is a grind, regardless of the level and major. Taking a difficult curriculum and playing baseball is even a bigger grind. I am so impressed with how disciplined these kids are and what they have to do to compete on the field and in the classroom at the same time. These are special kids.
4. Think long and hard if you think you want (or your son wants) to play D1 baseball and take a difficult major. There are programs out there that support this, but there are very few of them. My son is a very good student and he told me he is so glad he did not go the D1 route, given the academic demands on him and he said he is not sure he could have pulled it off. As they say “do your homework”.
5. Special kids come from special families. It is not an accident that these kids are special, and as they say the “nut does not fall far from the tree”. The parents of the players we met were just as incredible and we are so lucky to be part of this group, even if it will only be for four years. (which is making me sad just thinking about it)
6. Go to as many games as you can possibly afford. (even if you can’t, figure a way to do it anyway) The families you will spend time with and the places you will see will be worth it. You will share experiences that very few get to experience. A couple of the Sr parents (they were halfway across the country) were at nearly every game, and I now understand why.
7. Try to slow things down in your mind and look at as many of the “little things” as you can while on the journey, enjoy it because it is going to go really really fast.
A couple of things that struck me:
1. How fast time fly’s. I can’t even believe he is done with his first year of college; it just seemed like yesterday we dropped him off.
2. How much more comfortable both my son and we are with him being out on his own after just 9 months. The whole “sending him off all alone into the world” and him adjusting frankly happens pretty quickly. All of the angst and concerns we had are gone. He gets by, and we get by - which is the way it is supposed to be. For those thinking about it and worrying, relax it will be all right.
3. Playing baseball in college is a grind, regardless of the level and major. Taking a difficult curriculum and playing baseball is even a bigger grind. I am so impressed with how disciplined these kids are and what they have to do to compete on the field and in the classroom at the same time. These are special kids.
4. Think long and hard if you think you want (or your son wants) to play D1 baseball and take a difficult major. There are programs out there that support this, but there are very few of them. My son is a very good student and he told me he is so glad he did not go the D1 route, given the academic demands on him and he said he is not sure he could have pulled it off. As they say “do your homework”.
5. Special kids come from special families. It is not an accident that these kids are special, and as they say the “nut does not fall far from the tree”. The parents of the players we met were just as incredible and we are so lucky to be part of this group, even if it will only be for four years. (which is making me sad just thinking about it)
6. Go to as many games as you can possibly afford. (even if you can’t, figure a way to do it anyway) The families you will spend time with and the places you will see will be worth it. You will share experiences that very few get to experience. A couple of the Sr parents (they were halfway across the country) were at nearly every game, and I now understand why.
7. Try to slow things down in your mind and look at as many of the “little things” as you can while on the journey, enjoy it because it is going to go really really fast.
BOF,
Nice post!!!
Nice post!!!
Really Fast !
quote:Originally posted by fanofgame:
BOF,
Nice post!!!
Congrats to all of your players, for a successful season and for the lucky few still playing. I've really enjoyed reading about & checking game stats on the guys I know.
Bags, Jordan's having a great year, I know you are proud of him.
BSBL247, a tuff year no doubt, but there is so much more in his future.
BOF, yes time flew by so fast, it's really just a blessing to get to enjoy each moment. Making the Regional Finals is a time you'll both treasure and talk about for many years to come.
Good luck to all of the boys still playing and have a great summer too.
Peace. GED10DaD
Bags, Jordan's having a great year, I know you are proud of him.
BSBL247, a tuff year no doubt, but there is so much more in his future.
BOF, yes time flew by so fast, it's really just a blessing to get to enjoy each moment. Making the Regional Finals is a time you'll both treasure and talk about for many years to come.
Good luck to all of the boys still playing and have a great summer too.
Peace. GED10DaD
Thanks GunEmDown10! Can't wait to see your son play for the Express when we go up to Virginia in late July. I made sure our Woodstock team is playing against the Express one game when we are there.
I thought long and hard before I posted to this thread about GUNs season, I was not sure if I had anything of value to add… sometimes it’s hard to tell. 
The 2012 version of the LCU Chaps was unlike any other in the history of the program. A lot of “first time(s)”, some good, some not-so good. In the end, it will be an experience I’m certain GUN will never forget. And, luckily, we can re-live it every time we talk about his freshman year. No doubt, he has been blessed with many opportunities and lessons.
The best place to start is at the end. Last Sunday, we lost in the Oklahoma City Regional Championship elimination game to OKCity University. It was a good game, a 4-0 loss paced by two incredible starting pitchers and capped by timely hitting and great defense. Unfortunately, the loss ended our season and our chances to play in the World Series for the 6th consecutive year. A first season for GUN, but the last for 7 senior starters. All 7 will have a chance to play pro ball, all are very special players.
As I watched them take their last college ABs, throw their final innings, I was quickly overwhelmed with emotion. We had come to know and love these boys, as our own – they were family. It was heartbreaking to see the look on their faces as they came off the field. They knew they had missed their goal of reaching the Avista WS, but also realizing they would never wear a college uniform again. The other side of the emotional rollercoaster, saying our goodbyes to the parents we had travelled with, eaten with, sat with, cheered/celebrated with and cried with for 5 months. Another difficult part of that day, but well worth it! It was gut-wrenching, not a dry eye in sight. I was lucky to get to hug and embrace each one, I will always remember that moment in time.
In the end - it was a great year. A ton of lessons learned. GUN had many opportunities and he was fortunate to make the most of them. Hopefully, he will have many more, but the first will always be special.
But the most memorable part of the year occurred on February 21st. This was a non-conference game @ New Mexico, Gun in his first collegiate start. This start was normally occupied by our senior catcher from Florida. The game was awesome, a 10-0 win. What is most memorable was the way our catcher reacted to being replaced by a freshman. The classiest, most selfless behavior I’ve ever witnessed in a player. Cheering every AB, defensive chance and his first RCS @ 2nd base. He was the first kid to dog pile GUN when the last out was recorded, a called third strike. He picked him up off the field turf and bear hugged him for a solid minute, laughing and smiling the whole time. It was a very special moment. Of course, we had no idea he would be gone from the program in 2-weeks. I don’t blame him, I admire him. I admire him for helping prepare my son for his first season, his first start, etc. Not once did he show any negative emotion about what he was facing – no more playing time. Remarkable kid! If GUN can play with this type of humble grace, I will truly have raised a good man.
So now it’s May 25th and tomorrow at 10:45am I am putting my kid on a plane to Virginia for his summer ball season. (Thanks Jay)
Baseball has been very, very good to me. GED10DaD
The 2012 version of the LCU Chaps was unlike any other in the history of the program. A lot of “first time(s)”, some good, some not-so good. In the end, it will be an experience I’m certain GUN will never forget. And, luckily, we can re-live it every time we talk about his freshman year. No doubt, he has been blessed with many opportunities and lessons.
The best place to start is at the end. Last Sunday, we lost in the Oklahoma City Regional Championship elimination game to OKCity University. It was a good game, a 4-0 loss paced by two incredible starting pitchers and capped by timely hitting and great defense. Unfortunately, the loss ended our season and our chances to play in the World Series for the 6th consecutive year. A first season for GUN, but the last for 7 senior starters. All 7 will have a chance to play pro ball, all are very special players.
As I watched them take their last college ABs, throw their final innings, I was quickly overwhelmed with emotion. We had come to know and love these boys, as our own – they were family. It was heartbreaking to see the look on their faces as they came off the field. They knew they had missed their goal of reaching the Avista WS, but also realizing they would never wear a college uniform again. The other side of the emotional rollercoaster, saying our goodbyes to the parents we had travelled with, eaten with, sat with, cheered/celebrated with and cried with for 5 months. Another difficult part of that day, but well worth it! It was gut-wrenching, not a dry eye in sight. I was lucky to get to hug and embrace each one, I will always remember that moment in time.
In the end - it was a great year. A ton of lessons learned. GUN had many opportunities and he was fortunate to make the most of them. Hopefully, he will have many more, but the first will always be special.
But the most memorable part of the year occurred on February 21st. This was a non-conference game @ New Mexico, Gun in his first collegiate start. This start was normally occupied by our senior catcher from Florida. The game was awesome, a 10-0 win. What is most memorable was the way our catcher reacted to being replaced by a freshman. The classiest, most selfless behavior I’ve ever witnessed in a player. Cheering every AB, defensive chance and his first RCS @ 2nd base. He was the first kid to dog pile GUN when the last out was recorded, a called third strike. He picked him up off the field turf and bear hugged him for a solid minute, laughing and smiling the whole time. It was a very special moment. Of course, we had no idea he would be gone from the program in 2-weeks. I don’t blame him, I admire him. I admire him for helping prepare my son for his first season, his first start, etc. Not once did he show any negative emotion about what he was facing – no more playing time. Remarkable kid! If GUN can play with this type of humble grace, I will truly have raised a good man.
So now it’s May 25th and tomorrow at 10:45am I am putting my kid on a plane to Virginia for his summer ball season. (Thanks Jay)
Baseball has been very, very good to me. GED10DaD
Nice post GED10. Best of luck to JP in Virginia this summer. My son's school year isn't completed until mid-June, and at that point I'll be driving with him in his car to Wenatchee Washington. I'm going to hang out for a few days and catch some games, and then fly back home. KD is looking forward to some summer college baseball after this long RS season.
BOF - Great post, and so true about baseball being a grind with a difficult major. Guess what? The sophomore year goes by even quicker! I can't believe son has 2 years of college remaining. Looks like your son's team had a very good year by getting to the post season. Best of luck to your son this summer.
GED10,
Please let me know if you plan to go to some summer games. I plan on going to a handful of Express games this summer as I have business trips up that way every other week.
GED10,
Please let me know if you plan to go to some summer games. I plan on going to a handful of Express games this summer as I have business trips up that way every other week.
D2 All Americans from NCBWA
Really enjoyed watching many of these guys this year. Congratulations to them all, especially to my son Mike. Long road back from a bad break....
I really wanted to see Catawba keep winning. Mike said they had great pitching when they played earlier in the year and they proved it through the Regional and WS
Really enjoyed watching many of these guys this year. Congratulations to them all, especially to my son Mike. Long road back from a bad break....
I really wanted to see Catawba keep winning. Mike said they had great pitching when they played earlier in the year and they proved it through the Regional and WS
Coach Merc, Congrats! I am happy for your son. I know he had a tough road for a while. See you next weekend at the Battle of the Border...... Gerard isn't 100% yet with his thumb but I think he'll be ready to pitch.
Fenway, I really enjoyed watching the Cornell - Carolina matchup on my laptop. (My husband thinks I am addicted to baseball but it was a good game. Big Red kept those Carolina boys in blue busy.
Fenway, I really enjoyed watching the Cornell - Carolina matchup on my laptop. (My husband thinks I am addicted to baseball
but it was a good game. Big Red kept those Carolina boys in blue busy.quote:Fenway, I really enjoyed watching the Cornell - Carolina matchup on my laptop. (My husband thinks I am addicted to baseball but it was a good game. Big Red kept those Carolina boys in blue busy.
Hey, your husband calls it as he sees it!
We kept UNC busy for sure, but they just had too much for us. We could tell we had them a little concerned as they kept bring in new pitchers in key situations. I had texted Prepster during the game to ask him if "26 of their 27 NCAA tournament rostered players were pitchers". Coach Fox kept bringing in lefty/right relief pitchers for key situational match ups which did pay off for them against us. We hit their closer, and I wonder if we had an effect on their bullpen that helped St Johns last night. We'll never know, but the thought crossed my mind.
I believe either last week in Conference championships or the early games of the Regional one of the TV broadcasters made a comment about Coach Fox's numerous moves to his bullpen during games.
He was very unapologetic about it and said that was his method of coaching. I just wonder how long a game is against UNC when playing them with so many pitching changes. lol
He was very unapologetic about it and said that was his method of coaching. I just wonder how long a game is against UNC when playing them with so many pitching changes. lol
Yes my son was talking about this, they seem to have lots of 'specialists.' It wins games!
ECU is keeping them busy today too ..... great Pirate catch on Colin Moran's 'almost' grand slam.
ECU is keeping them busy today too ..... great Pirate catch on Colin Moran's 'almost' grand slam.
This thread appears to have run its course - will de-feature in a few days. Thanks.
It was a great run! Thanks CD! Looking back, I believe I achieved my goal of relaxing and watching the games unfold! We have enjoyed the ride!
Well, maybe I'll close this thread out with a report on son's Frosh season. Son earned a starting spot in the weekend conference rotation and kept it all year. The team had a real tough year collecting wins, and played a very difficult schedule (top 20 SOS in D3) relative to the strength of the team, but our son ended up 8th in his conference in strikeouts and earned honorable mention conference pitcher of the week twice. He started and pitched well for the most part against some great teams who have played at, and/or won the D3 World Series in Appleton, teams like Chapman, Whitworth, Linfield, Eastern Connecticut State.
He pitched in snow one game, 15 degree wind chill another, and many games in 30's to 40's degree weather and understandably grew a beard to help keep the grill warm.
All in all, despite the losses, lots of reasons to be proud, and hope springs eternal for 2013 season!
He pitched in snow one game, 15 degree wind chill another, and many games in 30's to 40's degree weather and understandably grew a beard to help keep the grill warm.
All in all, despite the losses, lots of reasons to be proud, and hope springs eternal for 2013 season!