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Post by mallardhunter on Jun 10, 2024 4:09:41 GMT -8
I had the drive back south all night to think this over so my hope is that it is not reactionary and has tempered my views some. These takes should also be taken with some grain of salt because living out east, I follow my Beaver baseball primarily through twitter...but I do follow.
Having moved south to an SEC town there just really is something different about it. "It Just Means More" is not just a clever slogan. Kentucky Proud Park is a great place to watch a game with a pro-level scoreboard. The announced attendance set another record of just shy of 7,600 and they made their presence felt.
Beavs just didn't have it (Captain Obvious reporting for duty). There is a difference between plate discipline and a total lack of aggression. They had NO feel for the strike zone (good or bad they have to adj to what the ump is calling) so they painted themselves into bad counts and when they did swing it looked a total mess mechanically. They were pressing/panicking at the plate and therefore never really put any fear into the UK pitching staff to get them out of their rhythm or pressing with their pitches. Regardless of 3 hits in 54 outs, there weren't even that many hard hit foul balls or warning track type power contact.
Apologies in advance to anyone here who is related to either of them but if I were in charge I would invite Weber and Guerra to hit the portal or find another, less critical field position for both. Neither has a good enough bat to make up for the defensive liabilities they present. I'm not pinning the blame on either or both but it became painfully obvious they were not up to the task.
All that being said, let's give UK credit. The Beav pitchers had quality starts and good relief appearances. They shut down the UK leadoff hitter who will be a late first round pick. UK found a way to get it done plain and simple. They were aggressive on the base paths and made the most of the pitches they got to hit. They knew the opportunity presented to them: to host a Super and make their 1st trip to Omaha. That is a team on the rise and I won't be surprised to see them in the mix for the tournament/Regionals/Supers for the next several years.
To wrap on a positive note, while we have high expectations, a trip to the final 16 is nothing to sneeze at. We hope to advance past that but this is another example that this time of year a team has to be peaking. Canham is the guy and my hope is that even with the implosion of the Pac, that baseball keeps going strong.
Go Beavs!
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Post by badwack on Jun 10, 2024 4:33:17 GMT -8
We are about to find out a lot about this Beaver Baseball program. My guess is it is about to implode with talented Players bailing out. Would like to believe the OSU status will attract the next best kind of kids who won't get selected by the Conferences. Money?
Just from observations this team didn't seem to play with much energy. The hitting potential seemed top notch but really didn't delver in Crunch Time. It has been a while since we have developed our own Friday Night Guy and Bullpen was pretty much an adventure.
Good team missing something.
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Post by irimi on Jun 10, 2024 4:34:36 GMT -8
While I agree with much of what you’ve written, I disagree about Guerra and Weber. Both are fine players. Guerra went through a terrible hitting slump this year that is probably still lurking in the back of his mind. Summer ball will help with that.
And how do you finger two guys on the team when the other seven were failing, too?
When the entire team can’t make contact, then you really should evaluate the preparation for the game. If this were the only time that Beaver bats were silenced this year, then I’d say it was Kentucky, but it wasn’t. So we probably need a new approach in the box.
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Post by 56chevy on Jun 10, 2024 4:47:06 GMT -8
Inviting players who played a significant role this season to leave the program on a fanboard the day after getting knocked out of the tournament is a bit much. Kind of like Jonathan Smith showing up and sitting behind the Beav dugout last night.
The claim that a fan base somewhere else cares more because they are in the SEC is... well...I'm not going to type it. I had three different Kentucky supporters last night as we were leaving the stadium comment in amazement that a few hundred people dressed in
Orange could be so loud.
We've got a nucleus of players to be right back in the mix next year. Next February in Surprise can't get here soon enough.
I'm not going to bitch about specific ball and strike calls but I will say it is sad that the NCAA can not do better in putting people behind the plate who are consistent. Hard for a hitter to manage a strike zone while at the plate when the guy responsible for managing it does not do so. Our biggest fault in all of that losing too many games to be a national seed in the first place.
Safe travels today for everyone who made the trip to Lexington.
Greatful for not having to watch the ucks play game three in Texas today.
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Post by mallardhunter on Jun 10, 2024 4:47:47 GMT -8
While I agree with much of what you’ve written, I disagree about Guerra and Weber. Both are fine players. Guerra went through a terrible hitting slump this year that is probably still lurking in the back of his mind. Summer ball will help with that. And how do you finger two guys on the team when the other seven were failing, too? When the entire team can’t make contact, then you really should evaluate the preparation for the game. If this were the only time that Beaver bats were silenced this year, then I’d say it was Kentucky, but it wasn’t. So we probably need a new approach in the box. First, for the record, I object to your wording in the 2nd paragraph!  I was mostly talking about their defense. No one hit so wasn't singling anyone out for the plate appearances other than saying that for the lack of what I saw defensively, they better have huge averages/power numbers and they don't. Catchers have passed balls, First baseman don't pick everything. But like the employees who's names always end up at my desk, when I notice, it is a problem! Just my take. I agree, the approach they're using isn't working. Previous Beaver teams could make that plate discipline work by recognizing and taking advantage of those pitches that did come to them. This team seems to only do so sporadically. |
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Post by speakthetruth on Jun 10, 2024 4:55:49 GMT -8
If you disagree with it "just means more" in the SEC that's fine. But then what accounts for the crowds, top notch facilities, large athletic budgets, big NIL budgets, etc...It appears to be at every school, every sport.
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Post by mallardhunter on Jun 10, 2024 5:02:19 GMT -8
"Inviting players who played a significant role this season to leave the program on a fanboard the day after getting knocked out of the tournament is a bit much."
I can concede you may be right here. You've probably seen far more of them that I have. Luckily though my thoughts are mine alone and no one involved with the program will give them much heed. Mitch has forgotten more about baseball than I will ever know and he saw/knows enough to have them in the lineup for both games after real shaky defense in game 1.
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Post by 56chevy on Jun 10, 2024 5:41:00 GMT -8
"Inviting players who played a significant role this season to leave the program on a fanboard the day after getting knocked out of the tournament is a bit much." I can concede you may be right here. You've probably seen far more of them that I have. Luckily though my thoughts are mine alone and no one involved with the program will give them much heed. Mitch has forgotten more about baseball than I will ever know and he saw/knows enough to have them in the lineup for both games after real shaky defense in game 1. This site is open to view by the public. You and I, as well as everyone else who posts here who indicates they are part of the OSU fan base has a responsibility for the content of their comments. If you have to qualify a statement by first apologizing to family members, then continue to type I've just got to ask, would you make such statements in front of these kids families in person? |
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Post by rgeorge on Jun 10, 2024 9:09:23 GMT -8
"Inviting players who played a significant role this season to leave the program on a fanboard the day after getting knocked out of the tournament is a bit much." I can concede you may be right here. You've probably seen far more of them that I have. Luckily though my thoughts are mine alone and no one involved with the program will give them much heed. Mitch has forgotten more about baseball than I will ever know and he saw/knows enough to have them in the lineup for both games after real shaky defense in game 1. This site is open to view by the public. You and I, as well as everyone else who posts here who indicates they are part of the OSU fan base has a responsibility for the content of their comments. If you have to qualify a statement by first apologizing to family members, then continue to type I've just got to ask, would you make such statements in front of these kids families in person? FFS get off your high horse. Ever read an anonymous message board before? No where were any comments anything but authentic and very mild. "Public"... you mean there is some sort of "56Chevy" censorship rule? Get a grip... I've seen zero disrespect that needs admonished. And, if family members come to a message board they better have tougher skin than to have to have your "protection". It's an opinion based board. Yours count as much as everyone else's until you tell them how they can post. |
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Post by obf on Jun 10, 2024 9:14:01 GMT -8
My take is that for whatever reason.... our bats just do not travel. The team swinging the bats in Kentucky just looked totally different than the team that was batting against UCI at Goss. Maybe the reliance on power vs small ball has a heavy home/away difference to it? Not sure, and my guess is that it has nothing to do with Mitch, or even the players, just something that got in their heads down the stretch. Oh well, still an incredibly successful season, you have to step back and realize what a treat it is for us to get to follow a team that is consistently in the top 10, and feel like a disappointment when we don't finish the season in Omaha... This is Kentucky's first trip there EVER, for crying out loud, and we think we deserve to be there every year, fire the coach if we miss two years in a row  Thanks to all the Beaver players and coaches for giving us a great season to watch and listen to, it is too bad we didn't peak at the right time. Now PLEASE don't rush to the portal and lets go get them next year!! Oh, and I am super excited to see another Beaver go 1-1 in the MLB draft  |
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Post by rgeorge on Jun 10, 2024 9:26:29 GMT -8
My take is that for whatever reason.... our bats just do not travel. The team swinging the bats in Kentucky just looked totally different than the team that was batting against UCI at Goss. Maybe the reliance on power vs small ball has a heavy home/away difference to it? Not sure, and my guess is that it has nothing to do with Mitch, or even the players, just something that got in their heads down the stretch. Oh well, still an incredibly successful season, you have to step back and realize what a treat it is for us to get to follow a team that is consistently in the top 10, and feel like a disappointment when we don't finish the season in Omaha... This is Kentucky's first trip there EVER, for crying out loud, and we think we deserve to be there every year, fire the coach if we miss two years in a row ::rofl:: Thanks to all the Beaver players and coaches for giving us a great season to watch and listen to, it is too bad we didn't peak at the right time. Now PLEASE don't rush to the portal and lets go get them next year!! Next year... I believe OSU has the opportunity to break the two post-season streaks record of 7 seasons?? The announcers mentioned the independent schedule and speaking to MC about it. Days it works be as strong as in years past. I'll be curious to see as word is there has been some talks, but no commitment from any other teams. Even with a "down" Pac12 I'm still the skeptic that scheduling ~49 more games can reach that level. I'm just hoping to do so OSU doesn't have to be road warriors and the Goss schedule becomes a series of CSUN, ND St, Nevada. Along with other sports there is bound to be budget restrictions or cuts. How will that effect travel options and staffing? Players... portal and NIL are always going to be issues. OSU will win some, lose some. But, OSU will never have the NIL $ of the ACC & SEC. If that's what motivates certain players, good for them. But, my concern with the scheduling has a ton to do with recruiting. It'll be year two of that we'll begin see if it effects recruiting. So, getting to the post-season next year is essential in my mind. |
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Post by beaver1989 on Jun 10, 2024 9:27:46 GMT -8
My take is that for whatever reason.... our bats just do not travel. The team swinging the bats in Kentucky just looked totally different than the team that was batting against UCI at Goss. Maybe the reliance on power vs small ball has a heavy home/away difference to it? Not sure, and my guess is that it has nothing to do with Mitch, or even the players, just something that got in their heads down the stretch. Oh well, still an incredibly successful season, you have to step back and realize what a treat it is for us to get to follow a team that is consistently in the top 10, and feel like a disappointment when we don't finish the season in Omaha... This is Kentucky's first trip there EVER, for crying out loud, and we think we deserve to be there every year, fire the coach if we miss two years in a row Thanks to all the Beaver players and coaches for giving us a great season to watch and listen to, it is too bad we didn't peak at the right time. Now PLEASE don't rush to the portal and lets go get them next year!! Oh, and I am super excited to see another Beaver go 1-1 in the MLB draft One of things that Kentucky pitching did very well, was not giving in on hitter counts and living on the edges of the plate. You could see the frustration on our faces, when Bazz or Kasper would foul off one of their few mistakes. They gave up some walks, but that was it, very impressive discipline from the Kentucky pitching staff. |
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Post by Judge Smails on Jun 10, 2024 9:29:31 GMT -8
My take is that for whatever reason.... our bats just do not travel. The team swinging the bats in Kentucky just looked totally different than the team that was batting against UCI at Goss. Maybe the reliance on power vs small ball has a heavy home/away difference to it? Not sure, and my guess is that it has nothing to do with Mitch, or even the players, just something that got in their heads down the stretch. Oh well, still an incredibly successful season, you have to step back and realize what a treat it is for us to get to follow a team that is consistently in the top 10, and feel like a disappointment when we don't finish the season in Omaha... This is Kentucky's first trip there EVER, for crying out loud, and we think we deserve to be there every year, fire the coach if we miss two years in a row ::rofl:: Thanks to all the Beaver players and coaches for giving us a great season to watch and listen to, it is too bad we didn't peak at the right time. Now PLEASE don't rush to the portal and lets go get them next year!! Next year... I believe OSU has the opportunity to break the two post-season streaks record of 7 seasons?? The announcers mentioned the independent schedule and speaking to MC about it. Days it works be as strong as in years past. I'll be curious to see as word is there has been some talks, but no commitment from any other teams. Even with a "down" Pac12 I'm still the skeptic that scheduling ~49 more games can reach that level. I'm just hoping to do so OSU doesn't have to be road warriors and the Goss schedule becomes a series of CSUN, ND St, Nevada. Along with other sports there is bound to be budget restrictions or cuts. How will that effect travel options and staffing? Players... portal and NIL are always going to be issues. OSU will win some, lose some. But, OSU will never have the NIL $ of the ACC & SEC. If that's what motivates certain players, good for them. But, my concern with the scheduling has a ton to do with recruiting. It'll be year two of that we'll begin see if it effects recruiting. So, getting to the post-season next year is essential in my mind. I've heard that we may have a lot of road games once other conferences start their conference schedules. |
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Post by rgeorge on Jun 10, 2024 9:45:54 GMT -8
Next year... I believe OSU has the opportunity to break the two post-season streaks record of 7 seasons?? The announcers mentioned the independent schedule and speaking to MC about it. Days it works be as strong as in years past. I'll be curious to see as word is there has been some talks, but no commitment from any other teams. Even with a "down" Pac12 I'm still the skeptic that scheduling ~49 more games can reach that level. I'm just hoping to do so OSU doesn't have to be road warriors and the Goss schedule becomes a series of CSUN, ND St, Nevada. Along with other sports there is bound to be budget restrictions or cuts. How will that effect travel options and staffing? Players... portal and NIL are always going to be issues. OSU will win some, lose some. But, OSU will never have the NIL $ of the ACC & SEC. If that's what motivates certain players, good for them. But, my concern with the scheduling has a ton to do with recruiting. It'll be year two of that we'll begin see if it effects recruiting. So, getting to the post-season next year is essential in my mind. I've heard that we may have a lot of road games once other conferences start their conference schedules. That's what some in the AD have heard. Not sure how much 2nd/3rd hand info is very accurate, but one of the hangups is OSU is trying to get game/series in the same general location with some larger travel stipends/$. Other than tourneys with sponsors that's typically not a college baseball budget item. |
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Post by Henry Skrimshander on Jun 10, 2024 9:55:16 GMT -8
Hearing fewer home games in 2025. We played 26 home regular-season games this year and 30 in 2023; I doubt that's happening next year.
Being in the WCC (9 opponents) guaranteed us 12 or 15 home games; being in the MWC (8 opponents) guaranteed us 12, plus conference tournaments. Filling 10-15 OOC games would not have been a major challenge. Filling 24 OOC games will be.
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