I love college baseball. Just watched the Oral Roberts @ Clemson game. Oral Roberts led most of the game, Clemson fought back. Went up 7-5 going into the top of the ninth. Oral Roberts scores 3 runs, 2 of them, the tying and go ahead run, with two outs. Clemson comes back, loads the bases with 1 out and Colvin (#13 pick in the draft) hits a walk off grand slam. A back and forth game that was just exciting to watch. I love the College World Series.
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"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Yep, we love it too! Since I went to graduate school at Rice, we've taken a liking to the Owls and have been to a game just about every season since 1998.
Here's a picture of my daughter at her first college baseball game when she was six months old. This was at Reckling Park to see the Rice Owls play in the 2003 season when they were national champs:
So how'd your season end up, Kevin? Is it a personal goal of yours to be playing college ball in a couple of years?
__________________ Megaloi -- My Blog
"Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers."
- Mignon McLaughlin
I started 5 out of the 8 varsity preseason scrimmages and played the majority of them all, but due to some circumstances out of my control, I got stuck playing JV for the regular season. Didn't really mind all too much once I realized that I'd be able to play everyday and be in a leadership role. My fielding was perfect, I only made 2 throwing errors, and I ended up batting around .441 with an OBP of about .592. Took a while to find the power stroke - my first 13 hits were all singles. I hit the ball hard, just right at the outfielders. Found a groove, and ended up with 6 doubles, a triple, and a homer. My last game, I went 3 for 4 with 3 doubles. Glad to end the year on a high note.
I played up for the county and state tournaments and a couple extra varsity games. Only played 3 innings total, but all of them in pressure situations, so I was happy to get the experience. My first varsity appearance had me playing about 45 feet up the first baseline anticipating a bunt that never happened. It was fun :p Played an inning in the county tournament with the team down 1 and made all the plays that came my way. Played in another varsity regular season game and solid again. Pinch ran twice in the states game and got to take out the second baseman to break up a double play
First base next year is mine to lose, and I don't plan on losing it :p I'm going to a baseball camp at Notre Dame this summer and am really looking forward to it. Looking forward to summer ball starting in a week or two and to start training again on Monday.
Yea I'm really looking to play ball in college, so as I begin my search I'll be looking for schools that will give me an opportunity to play. Any tips or insight you got, I'll listen :p
OK kinda got off topic there but just watching the CWS reminds me of how much I love the game. I'd take a college game over a professional game any day.
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"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
I know this is a little off topic but I'm just curious. Kevin what brand of bat do you prefer? My son needs a new one and most everyone in his league uses Louisville Sluggers but I couldn't help but notice that most of those college players are using Eastons. I was just wondering what someone who has used metal bats for a while prefers.
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There are no born winners. There are no born losers. Everyone is born a chooser. Choose your path wisely.
Honestly, this year I used a bunch of different bats and found success with all of them. I used a Louisville Slugger TPX Omaha, a DeMarini Vexxum, and 3 different models Stealths - the original red one, the black and red one and the black and green one. The farthest I've hit the ball in the past year have been with the Omaha, but I switched to the DeMarini for a while because it was a 33, 30 compared to the 32 29. I hit my home run with that bat but switched to a Easton for a change of pace and hit 3 consecutive doulbes with it.
I've always been a bit fond of the Omaha because when you hit the ball squarely, you can feel it and it goes places. The DeMarini has a different feel and sound off the bat, and I noticed that I hit a lot of hard line drives with it. The Stealth has a lot of pop off the bat. Using it, I was able to slap a lot of curveballs into left field. Of the three, I used some type of Stealth the most because I felt the pop off the bat gave me a bit more margin of error to work with. Either of the three, I'd be happy to use.
How old is your son? I grew up using the Easton Connexions and Louisville Sluggers. I'd be comfortbale with either. Honestly, its a feel kind of thing. I just don't like the feel of the new composite bats. I've swung a Rawlings Plasma and the new Stealth in BP and didn't like either of them. So, basically, in my opinion, both Easton and Louisville Slugger make quality bats. DeMarini is making a name for itself with quality bats. My suggestion would be go to the store and just swing a bunch of Easton, Louisville Slugger, and even DeMarini bats and see which one he thinks feels the best. That's what I do. Whichever bat feels the best is the one I swing.
P.S. Mizzou is up 1-0 over Cal State Fullerton in the 4th as I type this.
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Thanks Kevin & Ninga. My son is just going into 7 year old ball next season. He is playing 5/6 all star ball right now. He has good bat speed but I don't think he can swing hard enough to make one of those 2 piece bats flex so there is probably no need for that. He started the year with a L.S. TPX 27/15oz. but soon outgrew it. For most of the year he has used a TPX Dynasty big barrel 27/18.5 oz. That belonged to one of his teammates. I swear though after one season of 2 kids using that bat it is already loosing its pop. I'm looking for a midrange bat around 27/19 28/20 that will get him through the next couple seasons until he gets into older kid ball.
__________________
There are no born winners. There are no born losers. Everyone is born a chooser. Choose your path wisely.
Wow, losing pop already? Did they use cage balls with it? That can make a bat deader than a doornail pretty dang quickly.
Nope just practice and games all with real balls and just a few times with the whiffle balls. I kinda feel bad that my son helped wear it out but the dad offered to let him use it. I'm not sure what he gave for that bat but the retail on it is $219.95. I wont spend that kind of money on a bat until he gets a little older.
__________________
There are no born winners. There are no born losers. Everyone is born a chooser. Choose your path wisely.
Great battle, capped off by another walk off home run
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Spectacular CANE ass kicking last night. Can't wait to see the numbers we hang on Rice tomorrow night at 7. Looks like I have to split time between the canes and game 7 of the stanley cup!
It's all about The U!
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You have to test yourself everyday. If you don't, then it's a wasted day.
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