SSU

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Hi Bob!

Great article....

Got a couple really great prospects I'm working on sending that way as we speak...

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Observer 44

The game next week with Grand Canyon will be very important. Will you attend?

I will be pitching BP in the tunnels to players interested in our Australian trip.

Stop over!

Bob

What a nice article about SSU. Out of curiosity, I checked out their website. Definitely seems to be a good program... and sounds like they have a team-oriented focus. Great story about the Adler kid. I was looking at the SSU stats and even noted how they get a LOT of players in the game... and they are still winning. In fact, they carry five catchers and they are all getting quality playing time (PT). Also lot of high BA's on this squad.

I am curious. In general, it seems PT approaches run the gamut from playing only starters all the time to a more rotational approach. What's the underlying philosophy? I've always heard that starters need to "gel" and fine-tune their game by logging lots of innings (even in meaningless games)... and that this is the key to consistent winning. But, here's an example (and I've seen others) where playing time is spread around, even platooned, and the team is very successful.

Just wondering what you coaching experts think. Looks like SSU has had a lot of success with players moving on to professional baseball too.

This has been and age-old hmmmmm for me since Little League days. I personally found that rotations worked best, but I always seemed to be in the minority.

Snowball;
You are correct. They carry 5 catchers and all receive playing time. Many times, I have discussed John's strategy of rotating the players
in the games. I have discussed with the parents and noticed that there are 5 "drop downs" from Division 1 programs.

Everyone is OK with this strategy. As long as the team is winning, it is accepted.

When I played at MSU [Michigan State*, we won the Big Ten and entered the College World Series with this same strategy. When my son Robert played at U of Hawaii, Coach Les used the same strategy and they were ranked #8 in the Nation in 1991.

The college season is long and when a coach plays his entire team this helps when there are injury's.

This provides a coach with information as to his players as to how they "match up" against specific teams and specific pitchers.

Bob Williams

Other than word of mouth... and careful gleaning of team stats... how do you "find" programs like this?

Snowball;

Talk with pro scouts. They scout the college teams and learn of the team philosophy from the players and the Assistant Coaches.

They learn quickly to accept "no excuses for failure" from players, parents and coaches.

Ask the "right" questions.

Good Luck
Bob

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Bob thanks so muhc for the invite! Haven't made it up recently...busy with mine. But I do think highly of the program...and I do catch them down this way...and I do sing their praises with those who fit. Will take in more games next year with my favorite local lefty having done his transfer pen-nanace, and ready to reclaim his dominance...they are going to be even more fun!

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