Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Great to see! Congrats to Coach Martel!
.
.
.
Joe Froelich (OPRF/05)was instrumental in getting Illinois Wesleyan to the title game.
After having arm problems all year he had 2 terrific outings in the playoffs, one of which was in the crucial game VS Linfeld coached by former World Series hero Scott Brosius. It was labled a "masterpiece" by [D3baseball.com].
After having arm problems all year he had 2 terrific outings in the playoffs, one of which was in the crucial game VS Linfeld coached by former World Series hero Scott Brosius. It was labled a "masterpiece" by [D3baseball.com].
Congrats to Joe, Coach Martel and all the guys... Its nice to see good things happen to great people.
Smokey,
Be proud of that kid.
Job well Done!
Smokey,
Be proud of that kid.
Job well Done!
Thanks Duece and Pat – I’m button-popping-proud!!!!!!
Joseph came in, top of the 3rd, with no outs, runners on the corners, and shut down the best offense in the tournament. Up to that moment, Linfield, coached by former NY Yankee – 3 times MLB Champion - 1998 World Series MVP, had scored 39 runs in 19 innings of CWS Tournament play, and he SHUT THEM DOWN!!!!! Duece - You should be proud as well! You had a tremendous impact on Joseph – you taught him how to think as a pitcher – the mental game – what to throw when and how to set up the batter – read the batter – and how to adjust to the umpire – i.e. nibble the corners and see what you could get away with….. For example; he stuck out one of their best hitters looking with 3 straight fast-balls to end an inning after twisting his team mates in to the ground – a pop-up and a weak ground-ball. The thing he was most proud of – not the 6 Ks – not the victory - the fact that he did not walk a batter – “walks will kill ya…”. He gave up one run – earned – a home run to one of their best hitters. It was a 1st pitch change-up - which you taught him BTW. The batter was out over his front foot and just “flicked” it and “wristed” the ball out of the park. Joseph just stepped off the mound and started laughing. He through the next pitch with a big grin on his face and struck the next batter out. I asked him later what that was all about and he said he just had to laugh –“the kid hit a great pitch – can’t get’em all out”….. They only hit 2 balls out of the infield off him – the second was a double off the CF wall. Sorry - I’ll stop – getting carried away – still high as a kite!!!!!!
I guess my point is that all these kids had coaches and programs – right here in ILLINOIS – that were the building blocks and influences that got them to a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. WE HAVE THE BEST BASEBALL IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT HERE IN ILLINOIS!
Most of these fine men are from Illinois. You don’t have to travel far to find the BEST PROGRAM IN THE NATION. It’s right under your nose…….. ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY!
Recognize any of these names;
Brett Moore – Bloomington HS, Bloomington, Ill.
Zack Scott – St. Charles East HS, St. Charles, Ill.
Tyler Still – York HS, Elmhurst, Ill.
Marc North – Central Catholic HS, Bloomington, Ill.
Pat Hayn – St. Ignatius HS, Chicago, Ill.
Tim Gordon - Bradley-Bourbonnais HS, Bourbonnais, Ill.
Anthony Lopez – Naperville Central HS, Bolingbrook, Ill.
Joe Sweeney – Fenwick HS, Chicago, Ill.
Anthony Kopp – Highland Park HS, Highland Park, Ill.
Mark McDermott – Andrews HS, Tinley Park, Ill. (CWS All Tournament Team)
Danny Walker – St. Teresa HS, Decatur, Ill.
Matt Caruso – Marian Catholic HS, Monee, Ill.
Joe Froelich – Oak Park River Forest HS, River Forest, Ill.
Alex Tosi – Dunlap HS, Peoria, Ill.
Eric McCullough – University HS, Normal, Ill.
Billy Dillion – Downers Grove South HS, Downers Grove, Ill.
Chris Tapia – Romeoville HS, Romeoville, Ill.
Pat Forbringer – Mary Institute and Country Day School, St. Louis, Mo.
Jeff Grodecki – Glenbrook South HS, Glenview, Ill. (CWS All Tournament Team, Tournament MVP)
Kevin Sullivan – Highland Park HS, Highland Park, Ill.
Ryan Hopp – Hinsdale South HS, Darien, Ill.
Paul Kabbes – Central Catholic HS, Normal, Ill.
Jason Pankau – York HS, Elmhurst, Ill. (All-American Selection, CWS All Tournament Team)
Casey McIntosh – Hickman HS, Columbia, Mo. (CWS All Tournament Team)
Mike Morrissey – Carmel HS, Grayslake, Ill.
E.J. Schiller – University HS, Normal, Ill.
Kraig Ladd – Shelbyville HS, Shelbyville, Ill.
Marty Roche – Brother Rice HS, Alsip, Ill.
Brent Kulavic – Pleasant Plains HS, Springfield, Ill.
Nick Mehn – Limestone HS, Peoria, Ill.
Kevin Callahan – Brother Rice HS, Chicago, Ill.
When you see any of these gentlemen around town, tip-your-cap,
they’ve beaten the best. They are NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!
Duece – it’s about time we had a “board of directors meeting” – and “talked a little treason”….. pick the spot and I’m there.
Joseph came in, top of the 3rd, with no outs, runners on the corners, and shut down the best offense in the tournament. Up to that moment, Linfield, coached by former NY Yankee – 3 times MLB Champion - 1998 World Series MVP, had scored 39 runs in 19 innings of CWS Tournament play, and he SHUT THEM DOWN!!!!! Duece - You should be proud as well! You had a tremendous impact on Joseph – you taught him how to think as a pitcher – the mental game – what to throw when and how to set up the batter – read the batter – and how to adjust to the umpire – i.e. nibble the corners and see what you could get away with….. For example; he stuck out one of their best hitters looking with 3 straight fast-balls to end an inning after twisting his team mates in to the ground – a pop-up and a weak ground-ball. The thing he was most proud of – not the 6 Ks – not the victory - the fact that he did not walk a batter – “walks will kill ya…”. He gave up one run – earned – a home run to one of their best hitters. It was a 1st pitch change-up - which you taught him BTW. The batter was out over his front foot and just “flicked” it and “wristed” the ball out of the park. Joseph just stepped off the mound and started laughing. He through the next pitch with a big grin on his face and struck the next batter out. I asked him later what that was all about and he said he just had to laugh –“the kid hit a great pitch – can’t get’em all out”….. They only hit 2 balls out of the infield off him – the second was a double off the CF wall. Sorry - I’ll stop – getting carried away – still high as a kite!!!!!!
I guess my point is that all these kids had coaches and programs – right here in ILLINOIS – that were the building blocks and influences that got them to a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. WE HAVE THE BEST BASEBALL IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT HERE IN ILLINOIS!
Most of these fine men are from Illinois. You don’t have to travel far to find the BEST PROGRAM IN THE NATION. It’s right under your nose…….. ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY!
Recognize any of these names;
Brett Moore – Bloomington HS, Bloomington, Ill.
Zack Scott – St. Charles East HS, St. Charles, Ill.
Tyler Still – York HS, Elmhurst, Ill.
Marc North – Central Catholic HS, Bloomington, Ill.
Pat Hayn – St. Ignatius HS, Chicago, Ill.
Tim Gordon - Bradley-Bourbonnais HS, Bourbonnais, Ill.
Anthony Lopez – Naperville Central HS, Bolingbrook, Ill.
Joe Sweeney – Fenwick HS, Chicago, Ill.
Anthony Kopp – Highland Park HS, Highland Park, Ill.
Mark McDermott – Andrews HS, Tinley Park, Ill. (CWS All Tournament Team)
Danny Walker – St. Teresa HS, Decatur, Ill.
Matt Caruso – Marian Catholic HS, Monee, Ill.
Joe Froelich – Oak Park River Forest HS, River Forest, Ill.
Alex Tosi – Dunlap HS, Peoria, Ill.
Eric McCullough – University HS, Normal, Ill.
Billy Dillion – Downers Grove South HS, Downers Grove, Ill.
Chris Tapia – Romeoville HS, Romeoville, Ill.
Pat Forbringer – Mary Institute and Country Day School, St. Louis, Mo.
Jeff Grodecki – Glenbrook South HS, Glenview, Ill. (CWS All Tournament Team, Tournament MVP)
Kevin Sullivan – Highland Park HS, Highland Park, Ill.
Ryan Hopp – Hinsdale South HS, Darien, Ill.
Paul Kabbes – Central Catholic HS, Normal, Ill.
Jason Pankau – York HS, Elmhurst, Ill. (All-American Selection, CWS All Tournament Team)
Casey McIntosh – Hickman HS, Columbia, Mo. (CWS All Tournament Team)
Mike Morrissey – Carmel HS, Grayslake, Ill.
E.J. Schiller – University HS, Normal, Ill.
Kraig Ladd – Shelbyville HS, Shelbyville, Ill.
Marty Roche – Brother Rice HS, Alsip, Ill.
Brent Kulavic – Pleasant Plains HS, Springfield, Ill.
Nick Mehn – Limestone HS, Peoria, Ill.
Kevin Callahan – Brother Rice HS, Chicago, Ill.
When you see any of these gentlemen around town, tip-your-cap,
Duece – it’s about time we had a “board of directors meeting” – and “talked a little treason”….. pick the spot and I’m there.
To expand the scope a bit, Southern Indiana won the DII National Championship.
Only a couple of Illinois kids, but a heartland school nonetheless.
Also, Southern Indiana is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which includes Lewis, Wisconsin-Parkside and St. Joe's.
Only a couple of Illinois kids, but a heartland school nonetheless.
Also, Southern Indiana is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which includes Lewis, Wisconsin-Parkside and St. Joe's.
Who are those IL kids from Southern Ind?
Just wanted to clear the record;
Joseph did not have arm problems this year. He just wasn’t hitting his spots. After pitching a team leading 2.15 era last year, 2009, he just had a rough start to the 2010 season. I think he was trying to do too much. It doesn’t take much to run your era out….
It’s not where you start – it’s where you finish.
GO TITANS – National Champions
Joseph did not have arm problems this year. He just wasn’t hitting his spots. After pitching a team leading 2.15 era last year, 2009, he just had a rough start to the 2010 season. I think he was trying to do too much. It doesn’t take much to run your era out….
It’s not where you start – it’s where you finish.
GO TITANS – National Champions
smokey
in town this weekend... lets hit Leds place and catch up...
in town this weekend... lets hit Leds place and catch up...
Duece
Done - PM me with a day and time. I'm wide open... Lookin' forward to catching up... D1 Super Regionals should be on.
Smokey
Done - PM me with a day and time. I'm wide open... Lookin' forward to catching up... D1 Super Regionals should be on.
Smokey
Congratulations to Wesleyan and especially to Joe Froelich & Smokey! A truly great accomplishment.
Must have been some great baseball down there in Bloomington/Normal with what Wesleyan and ISU did this past year.
Must have been some great baseball down there in Bloomington/Normal with what Wesleyan and ISU did this past year.
a big HATS OFF to coach Martel and his staff for a well deserved CHAMPIONSHIP... THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME
also my deepest sympathy to Coach Martel and his family in his recent loss of his father-in-law
see you next week for the DSP WORLD SERIES!
also my deepest sympathy to Coach Martel and his family in his recent loss of his father-in-law
see you next week for the DSP WORLD SERIES!