I heard he pitched an inning of relief today. Great to hear he's back on the mound... anyone see him? How'd he look? How was the velo?
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2008 St. John's grad--did not pitch his senior year of HS. If I am not mistaken, has not pitched at UVA until this inning. Is that correct? I wish him the best of luck and hope he finds his superior form again soon.
Interesting bit of information passed along to me today about another WCAC pitcher. PVI 2010 grad Josh Ruffin, I am told, is pitching for Duke as a walk-on. Ruffin was used sparingly at PVI, but apparently impressed the Duke coaches enough to earn a spot on the roster and has been nailing down wins for a young and improving Duke team. Fascinating turnabout for him. He did not get across the lines at PVI, and now finds himself tearing up Div I opponents at Duke.
Interesting bit of information passed along to me today about another WCAC pitcher. PVI 2010 grad Josh Ruffin, I am told, is pitching for Duke as a walk-on. Ruffin was used sparingly at PVI, but apparently impressed the Duke coaches enough to earn a spot on the roster and has been nailing down wins for a young and improving Duke team. Fascinating turnabout for him. He did not get across the lines at PVI, and now finds himself tearing up Div I opponents at Duke.
quote:Originally posted by vabaseballfan:
I get the point of your post, and I think its great that Ruffin has made the team at Duke and has gotten in a game.
However I think its real important to give factual and accurate portrayals here. I dont think its appropriate to say that he's "nailing down wins", when he's in fact made one appearance with 0.1 innings pitched, striking out the one batter he faced. While certainly a great start, this hardly represents "tearing up D1 opponents" either.
I dont want to come off as being against this young man at all here. He's from VA so Im pulling for him. However, the fact that he's made an ACC team as an unrecruited walk-on and has even appeared in a game this early is impressive enough. No need to exaggerate or make stuff up.
Agree-- appearance was last out of 11-2 win against NCCU, not exactly D-1 power program.
Lots of kids with good backgrounds show on college teams, and either due to maturity, recovering from injuries or move to pitching full-time, make contributions that maybe weren't foreseen from HS--doesn't mean HS coach did not use them properly.
Silverstein Shines in Long-Awaited Debut
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 02/27/2011
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Scott Silverstein
By Jeff White
jwhite@virginia.edu
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- On an afternoon when his team lost for the first time this season, UVa baseball coach Brian O'Connor still had reason to smile Sunday.
He saw Scott Silverstein pitch for the first time as a Cavalier.
Even better, he saw Silverstein retire each of the three batters he faced.
"It's one thing getting your first opportunity. It's another thing getting your first opportunity and going out there and pitching great baseball," O'Connor said after Virginia's 4-3 loss to East Carolina before 2,914 at Davenport Field.
"That was very, very encouraging to see what he did in a big environment, when the game's on the line, and that will obviously help moving forward."
Silverstein, 6-6, 235-pound left-hander, was considered one of the nation's top recruits as a senior at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. But shoulder problems derailed his career, and he came into this season, his third at UVa, still waiting to make his first appearance on the mound in a college game.
A torn labrum in his left shoulder had required two operations, the first in June 2008, the second in October 2009. Silverstein appeared in 19 games as a UVa freshman in '09 -- O'Connor used him as a first baseman, designated hitter and pinch hitter -- and then missed all of last season.
He came into the new year cleared to play, but he was a spectactor for the Cavaliers' first six games this season. In the seventh game, Silverstein got his chance.
With none on and one out in the eighth inning and UVa down 4-2, Silverstein came in to face Ben Fultz, who had singled in the second.
In the dugout, O'Connor was nervous. Imagine how No. 29 felt on the mound.
"I was shaking a little bit," Silverstein admitted later.
"Obviously I haven't been out there in a while. Really I was just thinking about throwing strikes. I didn't want my first outing to be a four-pitch walk and you're out of the game. I wanted to have some success, and luckily I did."
Silverstein struck out Fultz. He retired Tim Younger on a grounder for the third out. Silverstein opened the ninth by retiring Philip Clark on a fly ball, then gave way to closer Branden Kline.
In high school, Silverstein's fastball routinely topped 90 mph. He's yet to regain that velocity, he said, "but I felt like I could get people out, even with subpar stuff. Right now I'm still working to get back. Hopefully I can get back to full health, full strength, and it's just a matter of time."
For a pitcher recovering from a torn labrum, Silverstein said, doctors "say the first thing that comes back is the velocity, and then it's the feel for the pitches. For me it's kind of gone the other way. I've sort of been able to find the zone and work different pitches, and then the velocity is starting to come. I think the game atmosphere has a lot to do with it, because you get the nerves and you get the adrenaline going, and [the ball] comes out of your hand a little better."
Because of his shoulder injury, Silverstein did not pitch for St. John's as a 12th-grader. Which meant his most recent appearance in an official game had come in 2007.
"He's had some unfortunate things happen to him," O'Connor said. "That's life. That's part of the game. He's worked really hard to get to this point, and he's deserving of that opportunity. I'm sure he was wondering at what point his opportunity would come, but I knew it would come soon.
"I'm sure that Scott was really excited. It wouldn't have surprised me if he would have thrown the ball in the back screen. I'd be excited. You've waited so long for that kind of opportunity, and what a great situation to get your first opportunity. And then to go out and do the job like he did, against some very good hitters, I think really is a testament to who he is and what his character is, in that he didn't back down at all from that situation."
The loss ended UVa's streak of 36 consecutive wins in February games at Davenport. But Virginia, ranked No. 13 nationally by Baseball America, beat East Carolina 10-1 on Friday and 4-3 on Saturday, and O'Connor liked much of what he saw from his club in the series.
"That pitching staff that we faced this weekend is a pitching staff like one of the top in [the ACC]," he said, "so it's good for our players to play great people like we have the last two weekends. And to be standing here 6-1 and have played pretty good baseball for the first seven games, you feel good about it.
"There's things that we need to clean up, and that's why you play the whole season. But I'm encouraged that there's some guys that are really stepping forward out of our bullpen, that are starting to show that they can pitch in some roles for us, and that's going to be important. We've got a couple of other things to get figured out, but I'm pretty encouraged by what I see."
East Carolina (4-2) scored all of its runs in the second Sunday. Designated hitter Chase McDonald led off the inning by drawing a walk off UVa starter Cody Winiarski, the first issued by a UVa pitcher in this series, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Fultz then smacked a line drive that right-fielder Danny Hultzen appeared to snare for the second out. The umpire, however, ruled that Hultzen had trapped the ball.
Winiarski fanned Younger, but Clark loaded the bases with an infield single. If he had it do over, UVa shortstop Chris Taylor would have thrown immediately to first base after fielding the grounder. But the sophomore from Virginia Beach glanced toward second base first, and the delay allowed Clark to reach safely.
The next batter, Mike Ussery, doubled into center field, and it was 3-0.
"Obviously I wish I could have that play back, but that kind of stuff happens, and hopefully I can learn from it," said Taylor, who went 2 for 4 on Sunday and otherwise was flawless in the field.
Pirates starter Mike Wright, a 6-5 right-hander, retired the Cavaliers' first eight batters Sunday. UVa did not get a hit until the fifth inning, when John Barr singled down the third-base line.
Virginia pulled to 4-1 in the sixth, on Steven Proscia's RBI single, and then to 4-2 in the seventh. In the eighth, Taylor led off with a single. He moved to third when the next batter, Keith Werman, singled, and the Wahoos appeared poised for a big inning.
But Werman broke for second on a pitch that struck out Proscia, and catcher Zach Wright's throw beat him to the bag. Taylor scored on the play to make it 4-3, but suddenly there were two outs, and Hultzen flew out to end the inning.
In the ninth, John Hicks led off with a walk. But he too was thrown out trying to steal second, and the Cavaliers went quietly after that.
"You make decisions based on the personnel that you have," O'Connor said, "running the bases and at the plate and [knowing] what they're capable of doing. We just didn't execute what we needed to. We have before, and we will the next time we get that opportunity.
"Sometimes you take chances. We've taken a lot of chances over the years in some of these situations, to go for wins, and when you do that, sometimes it doesn't work out."
Virginia hosts William and Mary at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Niagara plays at Davenport Field at the same time Wednesday.
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 02/27/2011
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Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Scott Silverstein
By Jeff White
jwhite@virginia.edu
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- On an afternoon when his team lost for the first time this season, UVa baseball coach Brian O'Connor still had reason to smile Sunday.
He saw Scott Silverstein pitch for the first time as a Cavalier.
Even better, he saw Silverstein retire each of the three batters he faced.
"It's one thing getting your first opportunity. It's another thing getting your first opportunity and going out there and pitching great baseball," O'Connor said after Virginia's 4-3 loss to East Carolina before 2,914 at Davenport Field.
"That was very, very encouraging to see what he did in a big environment, when the game's on the line, and that will obviously help moving forward."
Silverstein, 6-6, 235-pound left-hander, was considered one of the nation's top recruits as a senior at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. But shoulder problems derailed his career, and he came into this season, his third at UVa, still waiting to make his first appearance on the mound in a college game.
A torn labrum in his left shoulder had required two operations, the first in June 2008, the second in October 2009. Silverstein appeared in 19 games as a UVa freshman in '09 -- O'Connor used him as a first baseman, designated hitter and pinch hitter -- and then missed all of last season.
He came into the new year cleared to play, but he was a spectactor for the Cavaliers' first six games this season. In the seventh game, Silverstein got his chance.
With none on and one out in the eighth inning and UVa down 4-2, Silverstein came in to face Ben Fultz, who had singled in the second.
In the dugout, O'Connor was nervous. Imagine how No. 29 felt on the mound.
"I was shaking a little bit," Silverstein admitted later.
"Obviously I haven't been out there in a while. Really I was just thinking about throwing strikes. I didn't want my first outing to be a four-pitch walk and you're out of the game. I wanted to have some success, and luckily I did."
Silverstein struck out Fultz. He retired Tim Younger on a grounder for the third out. Silverstein opened the ninth by retiring Philip Clark on a fly ball, then gave way to closer Branden Kline.
In high school, Silverstein's fastball routinely topped 90 mph. He's yet to regain that velocity, he said, "but I felt like I could get people out, even with subpar stuff. Right now I'm still working to get back. Hopefully I can get back to full health, full strength, and it's just a matter of time."
For a pitcher recovering from a torn labrum, Silverstein said, doctors "say the first thing that comes back is the velocity, and then it's the feel for the pitches. For me it's kind of gone the other way. I've sort of been able to find the zone and work different pitches, and then the velocity is starting to come. I think the game atmosphere has a lot to do with it, because you get the nerves and you get the adrenaline going, and [the ball] comes out of your hand a little better."
Because of his shoulder injury, Silverstein did not pitch for St. John's as a 12th-grader. Which meant his most recent appearance in an official game had come in 2007.
"He's had some unfortunate things happen to him," O'Connor said. "That's life. That's part of the game. He's worked really hard to get to this point, and he's deserving of that opportunity. I'm sure he was wondering at what point his opportunity would come, but I knew it would come soon.
"I'm sure that Scott was really excited. It wouldn't have surprised me if he would have thrown the ball in the back screen. I'd be excited. You've waited so long for that kind of opportunity, and what a great situation to get your first opportunity. And then to go out and do the job like he did, against some very good hitters, I think really is a testament to who he is and what his character is, in that he didn't back down at all from that situation."
The loss ended UVa's streak of 36 consecutive wins in February games at Davenport. But Virginia, ranked No. 13 nationally by Baseball America, beat East Carolina 10-1 on Friday and 4-3 on Saturday, and O'Connor liked much of what he saw from his club in the series.
"That pitching staff that we faced this weekend is a pitching staff like one of the top in [the ACC]," he said, "so it's good for our players to play great people like we have the last two weekends. And to be standing here 6-1 and have played pretty good baseball for the first seven games, you feel good about it.
"There's things that we need to clean up, and that's why you play the whole season. But I'm encouraged that there's some guys that are really stepping forward out of our bullpen, that are starting to show that they can pitch in some roles for us, and that's going to be important. We've got a couple of other things to get figured out, but I'm pretty encouraged by what I see."
East Carolina (4-2) scored all of its runs in the second Sunday. Designated hitter Chase McDonald led off the inning by drawing a walk off UVa starter Cody Winiarski, the first issued by a UVa pitcher in this series, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Fultz then smacked a line drive that right-fielder Danny Hultzen appeared to snare for the second out. The umpire, however, ruled that Hultzen had trapped the ball.
Winiarski fanned Younger, but Clark loaded the bases with an infield single. If he had it do over, UVa shortstop Chris Taylor would have thrown immediately to first base after fielding the grounder. But the sophomore from Virginia Beach glanced toward second base first, and the delay allowed Clark to reach safely.
The next batter, Mike Ussery, doubled into center field, and it was 3-0.
"Obviously I wish I could have that play back, but that kind of stuff happens, and hopefully I can learn from it," said Taylor, who went 2 for 4 on Sunday and otherwise was flawless in the field.
Pirates starter Mike Wright, a 6-5 right-hander, retired the Cavaliers' first eight batters Sunday. UVa did not get a hit until the fifth inning, when John Barr singled down the third-base line.
Virginia pulled to 4-1 in the sixth, on Steven Proscia's RBI single, and then to 4-2 in the seventh. In the eighth, Taylor led off with a single. He moved to third when the next batter, Keith Werman, singled, and the Wahoos appeared poised for a big inning.
But Werman broke for second on a pitch that struck out Proscia, and catcher Zach Wright's throw beat him to the bag. Taylor scored on the play to make it 4-3, but suddenly there were two outs, and Hultzen flew out to end the inning.
In the ninth, John Hicks led off with a walk. But he too was thrown out trying to steal second, and the Cavaliers went quietly after that.
"You make decisions based on the personnel that you have," O'Connor said, "running the bases and at the plate and [knowing] what they're capable of doing. We just didn't execute what we needed to. We have before, and we will the next time we get that opportunity.
"Sometimes you take chances. We've taken a lot of chances over the years in some of these situations, to go for wins, and when you do that, sometimes it doesn't work out."
Virginia hosts William and Mary at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Niagara plays at Davenport Field at the same time Wednesday.
quote:Originally posted by Trepfan:
Silverstein Shines in Long-Awaited Debut
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Release: 02/27/2011
Share |
Box Score
Video Highlights from Series Finale
Cavalier News Beat
Subscribe to Jeff White's Articles
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com
Scott Silverstein
By Jeff White
jwhite@virginia.edu
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- On an afternoon when his team lost for the first time this season, UVa baseball coach Brian O'Connor still had reason to smile Sunday.
He saw Scott Silverstein pitch for the first time as a Cavalier.
Even better, he saw Silverstein retire each of the three batters he faced.
"It's one thing getting your first opportunity. It's another thing getting your first opportunity and going out there and pitching great baseball," O'Connor said after Virginia's 4-3 loss to East Carolina before 2,914 at Davenport Field.
"That was very, very encouraging to see what he did in a big environment, when the game's on the line, and that will obviously help moving forward."
Silverstein, 6-6, 235-pound left-hander, was considered one of the nation's top recruits as a senior at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. But shoulder problems derailed his career, and he came into this season, his third at UVa, still waiting to make his first appearance on the mound in a college game.
A torn labrum in his left shoulder had required two operations, the first in June 2008, the second in October 2009. Silverstein appeared in 19 games as a UVa freshman in '09 -- O'Connor used him as a first baseman, designated hitter and pinch hitter -- and then missed all of last season.
He came into the new year cleared to play, but he was a spectactor for the Cavaliers' first six games this season. In the seventh game, Silverstein got his chance.
With none on and one out in the eighth inning and UVa down 4-2, Silverstein came in to face Ben Fultz, who had singled in the second.
In the dugout, O'Connor was nervous. Imagine how No. 29 felt on the mound.
"I was shaking a little bit," Silverstein admitted later.
"Obviously I haven't been out there in a while. Really I was just thinking about throwing strikes. I didn't want my first outing to be a four-pitch walk and you're out of the game. I wanted to have some success, and luckily I did."
Silverstein struck out Fultz. He retired Tim Younger on a grounder for the third out. Silverstein opened the ninth by retiring Philip Clark on a fly ball, then gave way to closer Branden Kline.
In high school, Silverstein's fastball routinely topped 90 mph. He's yet to regain that velocity, he said, "but I felt like I could get people out, even with subpar stuff. Right now I'm still working to get back. Hopefully I can get back to full health, full strength, and it's just a matter of time."
For a pitcher recovering from a torn labrum, Silverstein said, doctors "say the first thing that comes back is the velocity, and then it's the feel for the pitches. For me it's kind of gone the other way. I've sort of been able to find the zone and work different pitches, and then the velocity is starting to come. I think the game atmosphere has a lot to do with it, because you get the nerves and you get the adrenaline going, and [the ball] comes out of your hand a little better."
Because of his shoulder injury, Silverstein did not pitch for St. John's as a 12th-grader. Which meant his most recent appearance in an official game had come in 2007.
"He's had some unfortunate things happen to him," O'Connor said. "That's life. That's part of the game. He's worked really hard to get to this point, and he's deserving of that opportunity. I'm sure he was wondering at what point his opportunity would come, but I knew it would come soon.
"I'm sure that Scott was really excited. It wouldn't have surprised me if he would have thrown the ball in the back screen. I'd be excited. You've waited so long for that kind of opportunity, and what a great situation to get your first opportunity. And then to go out and do the job like he did, against some very good hitters, I think really is a testament to who he is and what his character is, in that he didn't back down at all from that situation."
The loss ended UVa's streak of 36 consecutive wins in February games at Davenport. But Virginia, ranked No. 13 nationally by Baseball America, beat East Carolina 10-1 on Friday and 4-3 on Saturday, and O'Connor liked much of what he saw from his club in the series.
"That pitching staff that we faced this weekend is a pitching staff like one of the top in [the ACC]," he said, "so it's good for our players to play great people like we have the last two weekends. And to be standing here 6-1 and have played pretty good baseball for the first seven games, you feel good about it.
"There's things that we need to clean up, and that's why you play the whole season. But I'm encouraged that there's some guys that are really stepping forward out of our bullpen, that are starting to show that they can pitch in some roles for us, and that's going to be important. We've got a couple of other things to get figured out, but I'm pretty encouraged by what I see."
East Carolina (4-2) scored all of its runs in the second Sunday. Designated hitter Chase McDonald led off the inning by drawing a walk off UVa starter Cody Winiarski, the first issued by a UVa pitcher in this series, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Fultz then smacked a line drive that right-fielder Danny Hultzen appeared to snare for the second out. The umpire, however, ruled that Hultzen had trapped the ball.
Winiarski fanned Younger, but Clark loaded the bases with an infield single. If he had it do over, UVa shortstop Chris Taylor would have thrown immediately to first base after fielding the grounder. But the sophomore from Virginia Beach glanced toward second base first, and the delay allowed Clark to reach safely.
The next batter, Mike Ussery, doubled into center field, and it was 3-0.
"Obviously I wish I could have that play back, but that kind of stuff happens, and hopefully I can learn from it," said Taylor, who went 2 for 4 on Sunday and otherwise was flawless in the field.
Pirates starter Mike Wright, a 6-5 right-hander, retired the Cavaliers' first eight batters Sunday. UVa did not get a hit until the fifth inning, when John Barr singled down the third-base line.
Virginia pulled to 4-1 in the sixth, on Steven Proscia's RBI single, and then to 4-2 in the seventh. In the eighth, Taylor led off with a single. He moved to third when the next batter, Keith Werman, singled, and the Wahoos appeared poised for a big inning.
But Werman broke for second on a pitch that struck out Proscia, and catcher Zach Wright's throw beat him to the bag. Taylor scored on the play to make it 4-3, but suddenly there were two outs, and Hultzen flew out to end the inning.
In the ninth, John Hicks led off with a walk. But he too was thrown out trying to steal second, and the Cavaliers went quietly after that.
"You make decisions based on the personnel that you have," O'Connor said, "running the bases and at the plate and [knowing] what they're capable of doing. We just didn't execute what we needed to. We have before, and we will the next time we get that opportunity.
"Sometimes you take chances. We've taken a lot of chances over the years in some of these situations, to go for wins, and when you do that, sometimes it doesn't work out."
Virginia hosts William and Mary at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Niagara plays at Davenport Field at the same time Wednesday.
good story for a kid who has persevered and worked hard.
His fastball topped out at 89mph. Threw strikes with fastball,cutter and change. One strike out, ground out to third and top fly to left. Three batters, no hits, no walks. Coach left him in for one batter in next inning - departed to standing ovation (3,000 in attendance).
Steve, that's great news and not just for Scott. It's always encouraging to see others come back from this particular injury.
There was a time when the elbow ligament injury was a career ender. The advent of Tommy John surgery and the improvement in that technique and the recovery approach have gotten that to where people have great confidence that a pitcher will actually return to form.
Not so long ago, a labrum tear was a career ender. Thanks to advances in sports medicine, that is no longer the case. We saw it with CPLZ's son last year. At Wake, we have a former 2-way guy now focusing on being only an offensive player, but that's just because his bat is so strong -- I believe he could pitch at 90+ if he wanted to, he just prefers to be an every day guy.
And I might add, I had the pleasure of seeing Midlo Son hit 92 indoors in January, and sit at 88 in his 2nd outing (in chilly weather; didn't see the gun the first game when it was warmer at LSU) the past weekend. Still some steps to walk on the path, and Wake has started him in one-inning outings thus far (as UVA did with Scott). Mine walked 2 the first time and 1 the second time, but otherwise the results have been that batters are 0-6 with 2 K's. In fact no one has hit a ball hard yet. (Hope that doesn't jinx it!)
Not to steal your thunder, Steve, but just to let you know, we've been following Scott and we continue to be happy for him and for you with his progress. I actually saw him at a basketball game earlier this year and he told me then that he was very pleased with where things were heading. Ran into him again when I happened to be on the same plane connecting from ATL when they were returning from Auburn and I was coming back from LSU, and again he looked great and upbeat.
It's encouraging to us to hear of Scott's change of fortunes for the better, and maybe we can return that favor. Good luck with the rest of the season. (I can say that because we don't play each other this year! So go out there and peg losses on everyone else for us, will you?)
There was a time when the elbow ligament injury was a career ender. The advent of Tommy John surgery and the improvement in that technique and the recovery approach have gotten that to where people have great confidence that a pitcher will actually return to form.
Not so long ago, a labrum tear was a career ender. Thanks to advances in sports medicine, that is no longer the case. We saw it with CPLZ's son last year. At Wake, we have a former 2-way guy now focusing on being only an offensive player, but that's just because his bat is so strong -- I believe he could pitch at 90+ if he wanted to, he just prefers to be an every day guy.
And I might add, I had the pleasure of seeing Midlo Son hit 92 indoors in January, and sit at 88 in his 2nd outing (in chilly weather; didn't see the gun the first game when it was warmer at LSU) the past weekend. Still some steps to walk on the path, and Wake has started him in one-inning outings thus far (as UVA did with Scott). Mine walked 2 the first time and 1 the second time, but otherwise the results have been that batters are 0-6 with 2 K's. In fact no one has hit a ball hard yet. (Hope that doesn't jinx it!)
Not to steal your thunder, Steve, but just to let you know, we've been following Scott and we continue to be happy for him and for you with his progress. I actually saw him at a basketball game earlier this year and he told me then that he was very pleased with where things were heading. Ran into him again when I happened to be on the same plane connecting from ATL when they were returning from Auburn and I was coming back from LSU, and again he looked great and upbeat.
It's encouraging to us to hear of Scott's change of fortunes for the better, and maybe we can return that favor. Good luck with the rest of the season. (I can say that because we don't play each other this year! So go out there and peg losses on everyone else for us, will you?)
We have been following Daniel's return also. Really happy to hear that his speed has returned and that he is painfree.......Hopefully he will be able to continue his journey back to one of the finest right handers in the country........sincerely wish him all the success and health -- he deserves it!
A scout told me that their perserverence from such injuries will make them stronger mentally in the future. I only hope that some good will come from their challenges.....I will be following Daniel this year (and next) and lets hope they both get some real consideration in the MLB draft.
A scout told me that their perserverence from such injuries will make them stronger mentally in the future. I only hope that some good will come from their challenges.....I will be following Daniel this year (and next) and lets hope they both get some real consideration in the MLB draft.
Although I have never had the pleasure of seeing either Scott or Daniel pitch, I have had the pleasure of meeting both Dads around the ball fields, and SP_son met Scott when Scott was in HS.
SP_son has both UVa and Wake on his dream list of schools and we have been following both boys from afar as they have been working their way back.
My heartfelt congratulations to both boys for battling through all the physical, mental & emotional pain they have had to endure as they fought their way back. That which does not kill us DOES make us stronger, and I wish both boys all the success in the world as they chase their dreams on and off the field.
I'm sure there are also two Dads (and Moms) whose hearts have born every bit of the pain and frustration their sons have endured. Blessings to you all.
SP_son has both UVa and Wake on his dream list of schools and we have been following both boys from afar as they have been working their way back.
My heartfelt congratulations to both boys for battling through all the physical, mental & emotional pain they have had to endure as they fought their way back. That which does not kill us DOES make us stronger, and I wish both boys all the success in the world as they chase their dreams on and off the field.
I'm sure there are also two Dads (and Moms) whose hearts have born every bit of the pain and frustration their sons have endured. Blessings to you all.
This is all good news, particularly, since my son tore his labrum 3 games into his junior season last year. Its been 10 months since surgery...tons of rehab, and he'll start throwing off a mound next week. Too soon to know how things will turn out...his mechanics have to change if he is to stay injury free.
quote:Originally posted by venkman:
This is all good news, particularly, since my son tore his labrum 3 games into his junior season last year. Its been 10 months since surgery...tons of rehab, and he'll start throwing off a mound next week. Too soon to know how things will turn out...his mechanics have to change if he is to stay injury free.
Best of luck to your son...keep us posted on his progress.
I don't know how the draft will go, but I would have to agree that anyone who questioned these boys' "makeup" at this point would need to have their head examined.
Venkman, I remember when we first found out about this injury. It was just emotionally devastating, and I had a hole in my gut for weeks (that returned from time to time). So if this lets you know that there can be light at the end of the tunnel, I'm glad for that at least.
Daniel was a 94-98 guy before all this. I don't know whether we'll ever see that again, but then again, we don't know that he's done regaining velocity, either. Right now we're still maybe 5-6 mph short of pre-injury levels. It has been amazing to see him blowing it by guys at 88-89, though. I always thought it would take more to do that!
Chris Carpenter is now our favorite MLB pitcher. If you check his history, and you know his current performance levels, you'll know why.
Venkman, I remember when we first found out about this injury. It was just emotionally devastating, and I had a hole in my gut for weeks (that returned from time to time). So if this lets you know that there can be light at the end of the tunnel, I'm glad for that at least.
Daniel was a 94-98 guy before all this. I don't know whether we'll ever see that again, but then again, we don't know that he's done regaining velocity, either. Right now we're still maybe 5-6 mph short of pre-injury levels. It has been amazing to see him blowing it by guys at 88-89, though. I always thought it would take more to do that!
Chris Carpenter is now our favorite MLB pitcher. If you check his history, and you know his current performance levels, you'll know why.
va/preppie:
Seriously, why such mean-spiritedness. Ruffin is doing great, another PVI grad in major Div I baseball, and you want to tear it all down. Sorry I used the term "nailing down." It is not like I called it a "save" or a "win." He entered the game for Duke, a Div I program in baseball-power ACC, and did his job. Is that not "nailing down" the win?
Clearly, you have a thing against Ruffin, PVI, Coach Emerson, Duke, or something. And if you want to promote other VA kids, do so. Don't cry about me pointing out a great success story.
As for Silverstein, it is all great news. Happy to hear it. Good luck in the future, as well. Heck, there you have the right attitude--and not even a VA kid!
Seriously, why such mean-spiritedness. Ruffin is doing great, another PVI grad in major Div I baseball, and you want to tear it all down. Sorry I used the term "nailing down." It is not like I called it a "save" or a "win." He entered the game for Duke, a Div I program in baseball-power ACC, and did his job. Is that not "nailing down" the win?
Clearly, you have a thing against Ruffin, PVI, Coach Emerson, Duke, or something. And if you want to promote other VA kids, do so. Don't cry about me pointing out a great success story.
As for Silverstein, it is all great news. Happy to hear it. Good luck in the future, as well. Heck, there you have the right attitude--and not even a VA kid!
quote:Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
I don't know how the draft will go, but I would have to agree that anyone who questioned these boys' "makeup" at this point would need to have their head examined.
Venkman, I remember when we first found out about this injury. It was just emotionally devastating, and I had a hole in my gut for weeks (that returned from time to time). So if this lets you know that there can be light at the end of the tunnel, I'm glad for that at least.
Daniel was a 94-98 guy before all this. I don't know whether we'll ever see that again, but then again, we don't know that he's done regaining velocity, either. Right now we're still maybe 5-6 mph short of pre-injury levels. It has been amazing to see him blowing it by guys at 88-89, though. I always thought it would take more to do that!
Chris Carpenter is now our favorite MLB pitcher. If you check his history, and you know his current performance levels, you'll know why.
Thanks Midlo. My son is not a phenom...he's been succesful playing travel ball and tried out and made a showcase team that would have given him some exposure this past summer. Its like his whole life plan blew up...so emotionally its been tough for him. Now he's made the varsity but is trying to start at 3rd base but hasn't seen a competitively pitched ball in a year.
At the same time he's trying to protect his arm...the Doc said 12 to 18 months before he can expect to feel as strong as before...he's at 10 months...he gets pretty conflicted as to how to proceed. I try to get him to focus on each day as a challenge. He's decided to stay home in the fall and go to a junior college in hopes of fully recovering and maybe walking on at a D-3 school.
Easy hobbs.......not looking to tear anything down. First of all, my post is no longer there (someone reposted it after I removed it). Secondly, if you'll re-read what I wrote, it wasn't tearing the kid down at all. Also, to say that what was posted must've be because of a problem with Emerson, PVI, or Duke is a reach. It was 100% objective.
All I was trying to do was encourage straight and honest reporting facts from people who are giving updates on kids. Then I thought better of it so I took my post down. Did not mean to come off as negative, and I really dont think that I was, but Im sorry if it offended anybody. That was not my intent.
Anyways this is a good thread so I dont want to detract further from it.
All I was trying to do was encourage straight and honest reporting facts from people who are giving updates on kids. Then I thought better of it so I took my post down. Did not mean to come off as negative, and I really dont think that I was, but Im sorry if it offended anybody. That was not my intent.
Anyways this is a good thread so I dont want to detract further from it.
quote:Easy hobbs.......not looking to tear anything down. First of all, my post is no longer there (someone reposted it after I removed it). Secondly, if you'll re-read what I wrote, it wasn't tearing the kid down at all. Also, to say that what was posted must've be because of a problem with Emerson, PVI, or Duke is a reach. It was 100% objective.
All I was trying to do was encourage straight and honest reporting facts from people who are giving updates on kids. Then I thought better of it so I took my post down. Did not mean to come off as negative, and I really dont think that I was, but Im sorry if it offended anybody. That was not my intent.
vabaseballfan,
For what it's worth, I don't think there was anything wrong with your post.
quote:All I was trying to do was encourage straight and honest reporting facts from people who are giving updates on kids.
Well, Vabaseballfan & Prep Ballfan, you both would be correct to say “slow down” on Ruffin’s accomplishments IF it were only after his FIRST appearance (the 0.1 inning against NCCU). But consider, after VERY little use at PVI (‘sparing use’ would be gracious terms), he is called in for the last out, pitches 4 strikes to get the SO, game over. Would have been a “1-pitch” outing if SS had not made an errant throw to 1b. Oh yeah, there were still scholarship pitchers in the bullpen.
Sooooo, IF clarification were asked of Rhobbs about their statements, you would note they were based on TWO great appearances by Ruffin – the second coming in relief to pitch the entire 9th inning against VILLANOVA on Sunday (comments Monday)!!! Yes, Ruffin’s first pitch was HBP, and he could have gone south from there, but his next pitch was a strike, then the next was a strike producing a grounder back to him and he threw over to 1b (Out 1). THEN next pitch was a strike followed by the next strike producing a grounder to 3b who gunned it to 1b (Out 2). THEN his next pitch was a strike producing a grounder up the middle to the SS who gunned it to 1b. Ahhh, Out 3, GAME OVER. Total of 6 pitches of which 5 were strikes; most would call that efficient. And all of this via submarine style that he switched to mid-season while a PVI senior (no injury involved)!
Yea, Rhobbs just may have gotten it right – Ruffin earned an outing in a mid-week game followed by a steller showing in a weekend game. He “nailed down” the Duke coach’s decision that this unrecruited ‘walk-on’ is a wise investment. But playing in the WCAC can prepare a player for such an opportunity to ‘tear up’ Div 1 opponents – factual and accurate, no exaggerating. That’s the non-typical story worth sharing.
Also don’t mean to distract from Silverstein's thread, but you asked for straight and honest reporting of facts.
Glad to hear Josh is still playing...my son played on a few teams with him including a trip with him to the Dominican last summer...Nice young man and I wish him the best!
Ruffin and Silverstein are great stories indeed, as is Marrs. I will continue to pull for them all. Great to hear that Ruffin keeps getting appearances and doing well.
FWIW, I totally agree that playing in the WCAC is a great path to being prepared to play at a high level in college, btw.
Side question, does anyone know if Silverstein continues to work as a hitter at UVA? Im just glad to see him back on the mound, but was wondering if he were still in the 1B/DH mix at all as well. Just curious......
Hopefully he can keep his positive momentum going on the mound either way!
FWIW, I totally agree that playing in the WCAC is a great path to being prepared to play at a high level in college, btw.
Side question, does anyone know if Silverstein continues to work as a hitter at UVA? Im just glad to see him back on the mound, but was wondering if he were still in the 1B/DH mix at all as well. Just curious......
Hopefully he can keep his positive momentum going on the mound either way!