Arlington review from my time there.
Feb 27, 2024 15:57:35 GMT -8
TheGlove, beaverintheberg, and 14 more like this
Post by Bodhisattva on Feb 27, 2024 15:57:35 GMT -8
Globe Life Field
The stadium itself is really nice, but really lacks character. Maybe if the roof was open, I would feel different but according to the staff the roof is closed most of the time. With the roof closed, it is really hard to pick up the ball. I can see why teams had a difficult time catching high fly balls. Overall, I wish we were playing next door at Chocktow stadium. That stadium is gorgeous.
Texas Live was nice, but I don't think they took into account the number of fans that would be there. The staffing was too light unless Arkansas was playing. We learned real quick to only eat there when Arkansas was playing. Tried getting lunch before our game on Saturday, and it was nearly impossible to get any service.
Globe Life Teams
Beavers - Team is legit, it will be really hard to beat this team in a series unless their pitching staff takes a hit. This looks like an Omaha team.
Razorbacks - Their pitching staff is as advertised, but boy their lack of offense will keep other teams in the game. They will need to improve their offense to be a complete contender. Past Beaver champion teams in 06/07 hung their hats on pitching, so it can be done.
Cowboys - This is an okay team, but not a Big12 contender. They are probably at best 5th in the conference. At best they are a 2 seed, but I could see them not making the tournament.
Wolverines - Not a good team at all. Probably a middle of road Big10 team. No chance at post season.
Arkansas Fans
They brought around 13k fans and vastly outnumbered everyone else combined. The Friday night game was electric, and I sat in the middle of large swath of their fans. Pretty much all of them were nice to us and the ones I met on the concourse were very respectful. Apparently, that wasn't the case with some of our other fans. Coaches' parents were getting cussed at, and apparently a few really let our bullpen and outfielders hear it. Every fanbase has some assholes, so I won't judge their entire fanbase by a few.
Cowboy and Michigan Fans
Both fanbases were pretty nice. Michigan probably had less that 100 and probably closer to 50. Cowboys brought a pretty sizeable contingent, and was comparable to Beaver fans, but not quite as much as us.
Beaver Team
I got to sit in the front row next to the Beaver dugout for last 2 games which was nice. Up close, this team is big. Real big. This team isn't built like past teams with smaller speedy guys that could hit for average, but rarely hit the long ball. Hainline is the only regular starter on the smaller side. The rest, you can tell spent some time in the weight room, including the pitchers. Dallas Macias looked like he was the most jacked out of all of them. Turley, doesn't look as big as most of the other guys, so obviously size isn't everything.
This team really feels like it is missing a Madrigal or Kwan type of batter that puts balls in play and rarely strikes out. Bazzana might be that player, but he still strikes out quite a bit more than either of those guys. Micah might actually be the closest.
The bullpen looked really good. Hit a few too many batters, but overall not too many walks.
Defense is still above average, but probably won't be considered one of the better ones we have grown accustomed to.
Just heard Aaron Fitt say after talking with the Arkansas pitching coach that the Beaver lineup is the best they will face this year. On the D1 podcast, their other correspondent mentioned that the Beaver team was team that exceeded his expectations in that tournament.
Other Notes:
May - I really hope it isn't a big deal as I am hearing reported, but track record of pitchers leaving the game to arm injury typically isn't great news.
Kasper - He was still limping. I heard some people say it was his ankle, but it looked more like a hammy to me. I wouldn't expect him back for the next 2 weekends.
Macias - I really think this guy is going to break out. The injury to Kasper may help him get the constant at bats he needs to improve; his glove is already there. This kid needs more at bats.
Segura - My goodness that guy looks like Jorge Reyes. His demeanor is excellent. He will be a good one.
Hainline - His average will increase greatly as the year goes on, but don't expect him to bat as well as last year. He makes good contact, the hits will come.
Caraway - He is a freshman and it still shows. Playing 3rd as a true freshmen will be a learning curve. Expect him to lead the team in errors by a long shot. His bat is pretty good, but he does swing at some pitches that are head scratchers. The dropped pop that cost us the game against Arkansas, I will give him a pass. It was so hard to get a handle of those moon shots in the park.
The stadium itself is really nice, but really lacks character. Maybe if the roof was open, I would feel different but according to the staff the roof is closed most of the time. With the roof closed, it is really hard to pick up the ball. I can see why teams had a difficult time catching high fly balls. Overall, I wish we were playing next door at Chocktow stadium. That stadium is gorgeous.
Texas Live was nice, but I don't think they took into account the number of fans that would be there. The staffing was too light unless Arkansas was playing. We learned real quick to only eat there when Arkansas was playing. Tried getting lunch before our game on Saturday, and it was nearly impossible to get any service.
Globe Life Teams
Beavers - Team is legit, it will be really hard to beat this team in a series unless their pitching staff takes a hit. This looks like an Omaha team.
Razorbacks - Their pitching staff is as advertised, but boy their lack of offense will keep other teams in the game. They will need to improve their offense to be a complete contender. Past Beaver champion teams in 06/07 hung their hats on pitching, so it can be done.
Cowboys - This is an okay team, but not a Big12 contender. They are probably at best 5th in the conference. At best they are a 2 seed, but I could see them not making the tournament.
Wolverines - Not a good team at all. Probably a middle of road Big10 team. No chance at post season.
Arkansas Fans
They brought around 13k fans and vastly outnumbered everyone else combined. The Friday night game was electric, and I sat in the middle of large swath of their fans. Pretty much all of them were nice to us and the ones I met on the concourse were very respectful. Apparently, that wasn't the case with some of our other fans. Coaches' parents were getting cussed at, and apparently a few really let our bullpen and outfielders hear it. Every fanbase has some assholes, so I won't judge their entire fanbase by a few.
Cowboy and Michigan Fans
Both fanbases were pretty nice. Michigan probably had less that 100 and probably closer to 50. Cowboys brought a pretty sizeable contingent, and was comparable to Beaver fans, but not quite as much as us.
Beaver Team
I got to sit in the front row next to the Beaver dugout for last 2 games which was nice. Up close, this team is big. Real big. This team isn't built like past teams with smaller speedy guys that could hit for average, but rarely hit the long ball. Hainline is the only regular starter on the smaller side. The rest, you can tell spent some time in the weight room, including the pitchers. Dallas Macias looked like he was the most jacked out of all of them. Turley, doesn't look as big as most of the other guys, so obviously size isn't everything.
This team really feels like it is missing a Madrigal or Kwan type of batter that puts balls in play and rarely strikes out. Bazzana might be that player, but he still strikes out quite a bit more than either of those guys. Micah might actually be the closest.
The bullpen looked really good. Hit a few too many batters, but overall not too many walks.
Defense is still above average, but probably won't be considered one of the better ones we have grown accustomed to.
Just heard Aaron Fitt say after talking with the Arkansas pitching coach that the Beaver lineup is the best they will face this year. On the D1 podcast, their other correspondent mentioned that the Beaver team was team that exceeded his expectations in that tournament.
Other Notes:
May - I really hope it isn't a big deal as I am hearing reported, but track record of pitchers leaving the game to arm injury typically isn't great news.
Kasper - He was still limping. I heard some people say it was his ankle, but it looked more like a hammy to me. I wouldn't expect him back for the next 2 weekends.
Macias - I really think this guy is going to break out. The injury to Kasper may help him get the constant at bats he needs to improve; his glove is already there. This kid needs more at bats.
Segura - My goodness that guy looks like Jorge Reyes. His demeanor is excellent. He will be a good one.
Hainline - His average will increase greatly as the year goes on, but don't expect him to bat as well as last year. He makes good contact, the hits will come.
Caraway - He is a freshman and it still shows. Playing 3rd as a true freshmen will be a learning curve. Expect him to lead the team in errors by a long shot. His bat is pretty good, but he does swing at some pitches that are head scratchers. The dropped pop that cost us the game against Arkansas, I will give him a pass. It was so hard to get a handle of those moon shots in the park.
