Matt Smith

Oh my gosh!!!!! This is horrible news. Matt has been playing unbelievable ball! You better believe he'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

FO - please let us know what's up. I hope this info is exagerated a bit. My prayers are with him.

Matt received an injury to his left knee last night on what will become a very questioned sliding play at the plate.

He has a level II+ strain of his left medial collateral ligament. A level III strain is a complete tear of the liganment, so the doctors exam indicates some tearing.

This injury does not usually require surgery because the ligament will heal itself, unfortunately for Matt, in about 4-6 weeks, essentially the remainder of the season.

We have been very fortunate that, except for some broken fingers, our boys have never suffered a serious season ending injury while catching a baseball game, a possibility that we always knew existed.

Ironically, our internet connection was acting up at the moment the play happened, and we did not see (but could hear) the play. The video portion returned just as Matt was walking, with a limp, off the field.

We were fortunate to see Matt walk off the field, know the injury could have been much worse, and are thankful that it was not.

Matt has enjoyed tremendous success and recognition in his baseball career. Our family does not take that success and recognition for granted and know that every game could be the last.

The really bad news is that he had to be at the trainer's office this morning at 8:00AM.

Here's links to the articles about the game.

http://www.redraiders.com/stories/041506/bas_041506008.shtml

http://texastech.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/041506aaa.html

Thank you for your concern and prayers.

We play again today at 1:00PM.

FO -- very sorry to hear the news -- I know it's very disappointing for you, but also for all of us that have followed his season and enjoyed his success. I too will pray for his speedy recovery -- hoping to see him DH in the tourney. If there is a positive side to having to endure such an injury, I suppose we could say, "at least it's not next year!" when MLB will be lined up to get a shot at him in early June.

Keep us posted on his recovery.

FO, we'll be praying for your son's healing. Very sorry to hear the bad news.

FO:
So sorry to hear this news and I too am hoping for a speedy recovery for your son.......keep us posted.....

FO sorry to hear of the injury to Matt. We all hope for a speedy recovery.
Fungo

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Matt!

FO:

Best of luck to your son. I was sorry to hear the news. He sounds like a very tough kid.

FO,
There are really no words that can make one feel better when these things happen. I understand and will pray for Matt that he and his family will get through this difficult time and look towards his bright future.
BK

These injuries are just getting to be too much for the HSBBW family.

FO - Thanks for articles. I'm so sorry to hear this! Again, thoughts and prayers are with him. I sent Lori an email, so she'll know what's happened with her other Matt Smith! Keep us posted!

In the words of 33 and 2 "We got yer back" Hope Matt has some great news after the training room this morning. He's a gamer, he'll be back better than ever.

quote:

Originally posted by swingdoctor14:
In the words of 33 and 2 "We got yer back" Hope Matt has some great news after the training room this morning. He's a gamer, he'll be back better than ever.

And, the whole team did, and seeing that was just overwhelming to me....................

Ice, heat, (I think) brace today, crutches, and a regimen for the rest of the body to be maintained so he will be ready when the knee is.

The trainers are very, very good.

Were you watching?

FO,

I am so relieved to hear it's not a major tear. I know it's devistating to have what happen, happen, but it sounds like it could have been much worse. He'll bounce back in not time I bet.

Good luck to AS the rest of the way with the Dawgs. They're gonna be tough to beat with the arms and sticks they have.

Keep your head up and know that our prayers are with Matt and your family right now.

OP

FO,

collikar is out of town this weekend, but wants me to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with Matt and you guys. I have been reading the Tech box scores every time they play and have enjoyed Matt's success.

He will be back stronger than ever. Stay strong.

Terrible collision. Hope Matt comes back even stronger.

FO,
From the picture, it looks like Matt was inside the plate (not blocking it) and Rumler slide into his knee. The angle of the picture could be misleading, but sure doesn't look like a clean slide.
joe

joedaddy, I agree. No need for a collision here. It appears the plate is not being blocked and a smart base runner would have scored without a collision.

I wasn't gonna say or post anything about the slide and just let the processes take care of themselves.

And, I think they will.

But, I was looking at those pictures in the paper again after hearing others express their observations about the slide, and noticed these things.


First you can clearly see that Matt is on the infield in front of the plate.

Second, you can see the runners RIGHT foot across the foul line. So, then think about where the runners left leg is.

Third, you can see the back of Matt's left foot behind the runners right knee.

The throw was on the way, Matt could have blocked the plate. In fact you can see the ball at the mitt in the other picture. He allowed plenty of room for the runner to make it to the base.

All the runner had to do was go wide to his right and stick his left hand out across the plate.

Umpires call?

Safe at home.

Because I would probably have every word edited by modiraters I will simply say "A picture is worth a thousand words" If this were the NFL, which the runner is acting as if he's in, there would be a hefty fine awaiting Tuesday morning.
Hard nose baseball is hard nose baseball, this is not!
PS Sorry for all the misspelled words and english errors. What can I say, I'm a C student.

Well, I didn't think enough before I posted that
and didn't realize the anxiety that it causes some, including you Swinger.

So, swinger, I'll have a special PM for your viewing pleasure later.

For the rest of you, you should know that the runner and the batter that drove the run in that smiled while he was on second base and Matt was down were intentionally walked later in the game.

PM might be a good idea or we stand a good chance on when is it OK to plunk at the college level thread. I'm afraid I'd have to give my 2 cents worth on that topic due to this incident. I don't want to get one going, so everybody just take a deep breath and have a Great Easter. 1 more thing ~ Thank God for shingaurds! It could have been twice as bad.

FO,

I have looked at the whole sequence of pics on the Tech website and it was a total cheap shot.

Big XII should dole out a suspension to the K-State turd that took Matt out.

I agree with doc...not a hard-nosed play...a chicken "S" play.

quote:

Originally posted by FormerObserver:
For the rest of you, you should know that the runner and the batter that drove the run in that smiled while he was on second base and Matt was down were intentionally walked later in the game.

Intentionally walked in Drysdale style?

How is his knee feeling today?

Look's like a good 0-2 pitch is in order. Except a little closer to the earhole!

Swingdoc, you're gonna think I'm really p****d when you see all the PM's I sent you.

I am a C student, too.

Texan, he said they got ice on it within just a few minutes and he kept it iced all day yesterday and was headed to icing today when I talked to him.

With that much icing, it probably shriveled up............

FO - I am very sorry to hear this news. Matt was dominating this season. My prayers for a speedy recovery.

I will take it one step further than some of the other comments. From the photographs alone, the slide looks like a dirty play designed to injure a player. No need whatsoever to take the catcher out because the plate does not appear blocked

FO,
I, too, am very sorry to hear about Matt's injury. Hope he heals fully and quickly.
Also hope the Big XII reviews this situation and takes the appropriate action for what appears to be a runner going way outside the baseline, and for no reason.

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
FO,
Also hope the Big XII reviews this situation and takes the appropriate action for what appears to be a runner going way outside the baseline, and for no reason.

Ditto that comment!

I know Matt will take this set back and turn it into something positive. Unfortunately, we don't always get to pick and choose our life changing moments, but we do get to decide how to deal with them.

Prayers for a speedy, full recovery! Matt's one of the good guys! God speed!

FO - just returning from the weekend and very sorry to see this news about Matt --- yes, it looks like a cheap shot to me as well. The silver lining is that it is the MCL and not the ACL which would have required surgery and a six month rehab. I will include Matt in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Let him know many are praying for him. I saw firsthand how powerful that is with my own's injury last summer. Take care and God bless.

Thank ya'll again for your support.

Matt is dealing with it very well and so are we.

NO need to bear ill will.

We are disappointed that it has happend now right when the team seems to be gaining momentum for a potential run in the playoffs.

PantherDads comment about returning as a DH really provided a positive spin on things.

Sometimes these things heal pretty quickly, so or enough, that he might be able to return in A DH capacity before the end of the year.

Good things do come from bad.

With distance and maturity, parents perspectives are more removed on college teams. Reading the comments from other players and noting the teams reaction, provided an insight to his contributions to the team in leadership and respect that we did not realize.

He's taking it in stride, so we will too.

FO sorry to hear about Matt's injury and it is horrible what the pictures show....They truly show there was intent...

I'll be praying for a speedy recovery for Matt.

Thanks, 03parent, mom of Austin Peay catcher Matt Smith, from Texas Tech catcher Matt Smith's dad.

Tony,

Just spotted this thread..... glad to hear that damage is not as bad as could have been....hope Matt heals completely, do not rush it though!

I will keep your family in my thoughts, this will turn out better than anticipated.

Let me know if I can be of assistance in any way.

Tom (OPP)

Fo,
I, too just saw this thread.
More well wishes, thoughts & prayers that Matt will recover soon!

FO - We joined the hecklers on Saturday afternoon and Eli had a rough day. The Tanya Harding chants were strong and several references to his Hobbitt like physique. We started at the first pitch and finished about 20 minutes after the last out. He was 0 for the day with 2 k's and a big error in the 6th. His trip to Lubbock was less than pleasant. I am already marking my calender for next season because I believe he is an underclassman.

It was obvious the team missed Matt. Keep him positive. This should be a bump in the road. Keep us posted.

Mr. Frodo is a junior. No return trip to Lubbock unless there is a schedule change; however, K - State "Mildcats" have played in the UTA tournament each of the last 2 years.

Catcher and I may need to attend. If so, he will need life support, huh catcher?

Any good news updates, FO?

Didn't speak with Matt today. They are playing Arizona State right now and ahead.

Matt's diagnosis was not iffy. The trainer knew the diagnosis when they were on the field. A physicians assistant and the physician did separate exams and both diagnosed II and II plus within just a few seconds.

Matt said that when he was trying to stay in the game, he squatted and moved side to side and said, "my left knee just rammed into my right knee and I couldn't stop it".

This one will have a happy ending but its gonna be a few weeks.

Poignant paragraph in the Lubbock paper today.

quote:

Zachry readily admits he won't be able to replace Smith's offensive production. Smith entered the Kansas State series ranked 14th in the league in batting average (.370) and ranked in the top 10 in hits (54), home runs (7), walks (22), doubles (14), RBIs (41) and total bases (90). They were numbers that put him in serious contention for all-Big 12 honors and landed him on the watch list for the Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the nation's best collegiate catcher

Glad you enjoyed yourself Vanlandingham. That'll get in your blood and is more addictive than the hsbaseballweb, ain't it?

And while I reviewed those intentional walks with a coworker today, she pointed out that they headed directly to 1B, mouths closed, with no body language, as apparently instructed....

Maybe they learned some baseball this weekend.

Youngest Collikar sent Matt an email today. He was very impressed with the LAJ stats listed for your boy. Said he wanted to be just like him when he was older. He's a great role model. Apples don't fall far from the tree.