I am interested to hear thoughts on Erik Bakich and how long you think it will take for him to make the Terps a top 5 ACC team? Is it doable with UVA taking most of the best mid-Atlantic players?
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In a league with Florida State, Miami, Geogia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina, and Virginia, being top 5 in the ACC consistently is going to be extremely difficult. I do think Bakich is the right guy there, and I think they can be very competitive nationally even if they don't crack the top 5 in the ACC on a regular basis. I think they'll be able to pry some top recruits away from UVA and other top schools (after all, recruiting is supposed to be the strong suit of Bakich). Nobody thought that what O'Connor has done at UVA was possible, and I really doubt that Bakich has set any artifical limits on what is possible at College Park.
There will always be one of the top 5-6 teams who'll stumble in any given year. No one could question how strong a program Clemson has, but they fell down the standings in 2008; N.C. State was off the mark in 2009. That kind of thing offers an opportunity for someone to bubble up from time to time.
But at this point, pretty much everyone has sworn themselves to reach the top, so being one who is there consistently is going to be a tough slog.
I'm thinking Duke and BC will have a tough time replicating last year, what with all they lost off last year's teams. But Wake and VT will be pushing to take their spots in the tourney, so it's not like Maryland will have clear sailing. You have relatively new coaches at VT and Duke, and brand spanking new coaches at both MD and Wake, so you have a group of guys all trying to earn their keep. Not everyone will get where they want to be, but then, finding out which will and which won't is where the fun lies!
A realistic goal is to play strong out of conference and make the ACC tourney, then hope you get hot there at the right time to make some noise and hopefully make the NCAA's. Long term, you'll have to see how the teams fare in their recruiting before you can say how they'll stack up. But it's hard to see catching up with Miami, UVA, UNC, GT, Clemson or FSU in recruiting any time soon. All those programs have a lot of institutional momentum.
But at this point, pretty much everyone has sworn themselves to reach the top, so being one who is there consistently is going to be a tough slog.
I'm thinking Duke and BC will have a tough time replicating last year, what with all they lost off last year's teams. But Wake and VT will be pushing to take their spots in the tourney, so it's not like Maryland will have clear sailing. You have relatively new coaches at VT and Duke, and brand spanking new coaches at both MD and Wake, so you have a group of guys all trying to earn their keep. Not everyone will get where they want to be, but then, finding out which will and which won't is where the fun lies!
A realistic goal is to play strong out of conference and make the ACC tourney, then hope you get hot there at the right time to make some noise and hopefully make the NCAA's. Long term, you'll have to see how the teams fare in their recruiting before you can say how they'll stack up. But it's hard to see catching up with Miami, UVA, UNC, GT, Clemson or FSU in recruiting any time soon. All those programs have a lot of institutional momentum.
Pre Christmas ACC Rankings
Great question.
Many hope it be sooner than later.
And should it not be, many old timers hope it does not take nine years before the AD does something about it.
Go Terps, Sweep Wake
Great question.
Many hope it be sooner than later.
And should it not be, many old timers hope it does not take nine years before the AD does something about it.
Go Terps, Sweep Wake
That bottom half could churn out just about in any order, depending on who performs on the field, who stays healthy, etc.
I hope it is very soon. I would love to see the Maryland kids stay at UMd instead of going to other ACC schools. A competitive team made up of mostly Maryland kids would be something that all of us could get behind. A rising tide floats all boats. It would be great for baseball throughout maryland.
deldad - this is a great post. Finally, the possibility of keeping the best MD players in MD. The success generated by this first step could then start to pull VA and NC kids in 3-4 yrs. Certainly a long shot but I think Bakich can pull it off.
From the outside, it appears that all the right intial steps are being taken. We will see how it translates onto the playing field. My guess is that there will be a lot more people in the stands watching (and, watching in general) the Terps this year.
So far, Coach Bakich looks like the right medicine for the program in College Park.
So far, Coach Bakich looks like the right medicine for the program in College Park.
Patience in all such things.
Our son is one of the 2010 Maryland signees. We were extemely impressed with Coach Bakich and Coach Burton. When he talked to us about his vision for Maryland baseball he was very frank.
He told us it would take some time to turn the program around. Our son's class would be the start of this process with no promises of the CWS but a shot at Regionals before he graduated.
He told us they would take their lumps at first, with many of the new recruits being thrown into the fire in their first year. No promises of playing time, no you are the man speeches, just do you want to be part of building a team of players who work their a-- off, are hard nose and represent the school in an appropriate manner.
He said he had no idea what he had for players going into his first year and that he needs to work on pitching for the future.
He said his plan was to start with a grueling out of conference schedule in 2011 to get the team ready for the ACC wars, from what I read Maryland will start the 2011 year off with three games in Austin against the Longhorns - I'd say thats a good start.
I have read everything I can about Coach Bakich, his assistants and Maryland baseball. I haven't read anything that doesn't line up with what we were told in July. The guy has a plan and I think he is going to kill himself trying to execute it.
I have read a lot about Terps baseball and there seems to be a lot of negativity surrounding the program. I also sense from some a "we have heard that before" attitude. I for one believe Coach Bakich is a man of his word and I think my son will become not only a better player under him but more importantly a better person.
Its going to take time but I am confident he is going to restore some credibilty to U Maryland baseball.
He told us it would take some time to turn the program around. Our son's class would be the start of this process with no promises of the CWS but a shot at Regionals before he graduated.
He told us they would take their lumps at first, with many of the new recruits being thrown into the fire in their first year. No promises of playing time, no you are the man speeches, just do you want to be part of building a team of players who work their a-- off, are hard nose and represent the school in an appropriate manner.
He said he had no idea what he had for players going into his first year and that he needs to work on pitching for the future.
He said his plan was to start with a grueling out of conference schedule in 2011 to get the team ready for the ACC wars, from what I read Maryland will start the 2011 year off with three games in Austin against the Longhorns - I'd say thats a good start.
I have read everything I can about Coach Bakich, his assistants and Maryland baseball. I haven't read anything that doesn't line up with what we were told in July. The guy has a plan and I think he is going to kill himself trying to execute it.
I have read a lot about Terps baseball and there seems to be a lot of negativity surrounding the program. I also sense from some a "we have heard that before" attitude. I for one believe Coach Bakich is a man of his word and I think my son will become not only a better player under him but more importantly a better person.
Its going to take time but I am confident he is going to restore some credibilty to U Maryland baseball.
Stadium is a key component!
Maryland has a long way to go. The top programs have great facilities and Maryland will need a new venue to really compete.
UVa built their new stadium right before O'Connor arrived. A great help with recruiting and they continue to improve the facility.
NC State built a new stadium a few years ago.
Wake now has the old minor league park, is in the process of remodeling and getting on par with the ACC.
Duke is looking at playing games at the Durham Bulls park...great for recruiting.
Maryland, VT, Duke and BC have the four worst facilities in the ACC. A new stadium would help in getting Maryland into that top tier.
Maryland has a long way to go. The top programs have great facilities and Maryland will need a new venue to really compete.
UVa built their new stadium right before O'Connor arrived. A great help with recruiting and they continue to improve the facility.
NC State built a new stadium a few years ago.
Wake now has the old minor league park, is in the process of remodeling and getting on par with the ACC.
Duke is looking at playing games at the Durham Bulls park...great for recruiting.
Maryland, VT, Duke and BC have the four worst facilities in the ACC. A new stadium would help in getting Maryland into that top tier.
is it the stadium itself, or the practice facilities around the stadium. I haven't been to all the ACC schools, but it seems to me that Maryland's stadium is one of few more centrally located within the campus providing easier access to students. Maybe students aren't the driver in fan turnout, it's all drive up adults or families from nearby, so the central campus location doesn't matter, as long as there is parking.
Would agree that facilities need some work. Locker room looks like mine in HS in 1969. Coach Bakich said they will be re-doing with wooden lockers etc very soon.
I think the location of the field is great but the field needs work and its a bit too small. They are building a 6,000 sq ft indoor hitting facility next to the field.
We went on visit to BC and Maryland's field is more of a baseball field than BC, they wouldn't even show us the locker room at BC
I think the location of the field is great but the field needs work and its a bit too small. They are building a 6,000 sq ft indoor hitting facility next to the field.
We went on visit to BC and Maryland's field is more of a baseball field than BC, they wouldn't even show us the locker room at BC
I hope Maryland's new staff get this program headed into the right direction. As far as facilities is concerned, I was down at UVA three weeks ago and what they are doing down there is amazing. Under their stadium is currently under construction. They fund raised four million dollars for this renovation. They will now have visitors and umpires locker rooms. UVA's locker room is being expanded with a training room and a video room. They are expanding their indoor hitting facility and they will have their own 3,000 sq ft. weight room.
The next phase of the project will add 1,000 seats on the first base side. They needed to improve these facilities if they ever want to host a "super" regional!
The next phase of the project will add 1,000 seats on the first base side. They needed to improve these facilities if they ever want to host a "super" regional!
Bakich has been in place six months. He and his staff have made great strides. Everything suggests he knows exactly how tough the ACC competition will be and is prepared to have the Terp program go through a few 'growing pains' as it develops.
Things appear to be very much on the right track. All the naysayers might want to give the new staff a little time. Everyone is very anxious to be sure....but continuing to focus continually on a new stadium is not the right focus at this time.
Let's get a few wins, get some positive karma going and my guess is a new stadium (or upgrade) will happen a lot sooner than many think.
Things appear to be very much on the right track. All the naysayers might want to give the new staff a little time. Everyone is very anxious to be sure....but continuing to focus continually on a new stadium is not the right focus at this time.
Let's get a few wins, get some positive karma going and my guess is a new stadium (or upgrade) will happen a lot sooner than many think.
I have to echo everything that nhmonty wrote. My son is currently being recruited by several ACC schools including Maryland and his interaction with Coaches Bakich and Burton has been exceptional. These are the type of guys who I would have loved to play for in college. I know it will be an uphill battle and the facilities are a throwback to a bad high school 30 yrs ago, but if anyone can pull it off it's Coach Bakich and the staff he has assembled. He has a great energy and enthusiasm for the program and really believes it will be successful. While they are likely going to struggle in 2010 and maybe some in 2011, the 2012 season and beyond should be very interesting!
quote:Originally posted by baseballguy:
Everything suggests he knows exactly how tough the ACC competition will be and is prepared to have the Terp program go through a few 'growing pains' as it develops.
Is/was there really ever a question as to whether Bakich could get it done recruiting and on the field because of the tough ACC? I have seen this written or implied a couple times, and I don't get it. The SEC is right there with the ACC in terms of baseball strength and passion. Of course, he's never been a head coach, but he certainly gets credit for a lot of what Vandy has been able to build at a more expensive school with tougher admissions.
He has recruited nationally...just look at some of their premier players recently:
Pedro Alvarez (NYC)
Casey Weathers (California)
Jeremy Sowers (Kentucky)
David Price (Tennessee)
Sonny Gray (Tennessee)
Ryan Flaherty (Maine)
Jack Armstrong (Florida)
Who knows exactly which coach should get credit for all these guys, but he was the recruiting coordinator. All I'm saying is I don't get the questions about 1) recruiting ability and 2)is he prepared for the ACC.
quote:Originally posted by Emanski's Heroes:
just look at some of their premier players recently:
Pedro Alvarez (NYC)
Casey Weathers (California)
Jeremy Sowers (Kentucky)
David Price (Tennessee)
Sonny Gray (Tennessee)
Ryan Flaherty (Maine)
Jack Armstrong (Florida)
Interesting List. Too bad the errors within it, takes something away.
what are the errors?
Hi guys just popping in here from Ca. I was crusing around and saw the UMD pop up so I thought I would check out the Maryland forum. I posted this elsewhere, but UMD has contacted my son (2011), which surprised me...I think one of you mentioned the Pepperdine connection, but they seem like they are casting a bigger net out on the West Coast to recruit players FWIW.
I would think there would have to be some sort of hook to attract some (top) West Coast players, not sure what that would be, but thinking about it at least for me (Dad) it would have to be academics, maybe $$, and for son I guess it would have to be facilities and playing in the ACC, baseball development. He looked at their schedule and thought it would be a fun division to play in.
Certainly to compete in the ACC they would have to be getting some of the better players, no mater where they recruit from. Obviously as deldad pointed out keeping the home grown ones would be a first priority. If they could figure out a way to attract a few more from around the country they could raise up the level of the program.
I am not sure what profile of kid they would be looking for? Maybe a few JC transfers might be the ticket, don't know.
My thoughts from a West Coast dad. Best of luck to you all this season.
I would think there would have to be some sort of hook to attract some (top) West Coast players, not sure what that would be, but thinking about it at least for me (Dad) it would have to be academics, maybe $$, and for son I guess it would have to be facilities and playing in the ACC, baseball development. He looked at their schedule and thought it would be a fun division to play in.
Certainly to compete in the ACC they would have to be getting some of the better players, no mater where they recruit from. Obviously as deldad pointed out keeping the home grown ones would be a first priority. If they could figure out a way to attract a few more from around the country they could raise up the level of the program.
I am not sure what profile of kid they would be looking for? Maybe a few JC transfers might be the ticket, don't know.
My thoughts from a West Coast dad. Best of luck to you all this season.