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.