We are not particularly interested in tranquilizing and sanitizing our prose so that the mass media out on the fringe gets what we are doing. We believe once they discover us, they SHOULD get it. We are a season-long exhibition of our sports’ universal truth. Our followers understand us, so we refuse to condescend or insult their intelligence by spoon-feeding them with the greatest sport ever invented in mere small doses. We respect our audience enough to give them a broad spectrum of styles, influences and points of view. Week-by-week, every spring, as our niche is exposed to our portrayal of the games, players and personalities, they are inspired by them, motivated by them and satiated by them. When we all descend upon the grand stage of Mecca, otherwise known as Rosenblatt, we firmly believe that, unlike the Johnny-come-latelys and local ink slingers that converge there, we are the only ones that truly understand our sport in its broad focus. Welcome to our inner sanctum of college baseball’s national media.
Preambles aside, my question for you is, ever wonder what the national writers and watchdogs of college baseball are really thinking going into a new season? Here’s a small sampling of quick questions I gave to each of them, some with a bit of commentary. In random order, enjoy…
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- MARK ETHERIDGE, SEBaseball.com (Atlanta)
1. ONE CAN’T MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Louisiana State
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss
(In the Regionals last year, he threw 109-pitches in a win on Friday, then a 119-pitch, complete game, 2-hitter vs. Western Kentucky on Monday. This kid put his team on his shoulders and ran stadium steps.)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Blake Dean, LSU
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
East Carolina
(Not that they came from nowhere, but they are often overlooked by many casual observers. If Conference USA is as good as I think it will be, their RPI could allow for a national seed and home trail to Omaha.)
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Coastal Carolina
(North Carolina typically stands in their way and they are expected to take a small step back this year.)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The SEC tournament.
(I know Stitch-head Eric hates them like Charlie Sheen hates sobriety, but the SEC rolls out the red carpet for the media and it is the best five day event of the sports year)
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Arkansas at LSU.
(Who doesn’t want an excuse for good cajun food?)
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
I get the Southern homer label.
(But truth be told I enjoy covering the programs with the best crowds the most, because when they’re into it, I have a better time at the game.)
9- CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
Selfishly, I wish there were more demand for information to make sites like ours self-sustaining.
(Other than that, I’d increase the scholarship limit)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
For me personally, driving up to Rosenblatt for the first time.
(As for on-the-field, the late Wally Pontiff of LSU, pulling the hidden ball trick on Ole Miss in Oxford)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
Something by the Jonas Brothers… nah, just kidding. Maybe “Happy Birthday”
(Who doesn’t like that song? if not, maybe a cheesy porn soundtrack – boom, chicka, mow-wow.)
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- KYLE PETERSON, ESPN (Omaha)
1. ONE CAN’T MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Cal State Fullerton
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Vs. Left: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss
Vs. Right: Chance Ruffin, Texas
(As a closer, his stuff matches up great)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
UCLA
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Central Florida
(I really like Terry Rooney)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
A West Coast trip.
(other than that, Selection Monday. It is the most exciting day all year.)
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Rice at Stanford
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
See above
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
Scholarship level.
(Needs to be at least 15.)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
ASU vs. Nebraska, 2005 CWS.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Omaha” by Counting Crows
(Another bias rears its head)
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- JEREMY MILLS, D1Baseball.com and ESPN. (Bristol, Connecticut)
1. ONE CAN’T MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Virginia
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Josh Spence, Arizona State
(Too many weapons)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Anthony Rendon, Rice
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Duke
(Devils final get over the hurdles and make ACC and NCAA tournament)
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Middle Tennessee State
(Two words, Bryce Brentz.)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
Opening pitch on the 19th. Then sending Rosenblatt off with a bang.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Virginia at East Carolina
(Two huge home series to start the season for the Pirates… if they have aspirations for Omaha)
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
See No. 3 and No. 10
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
More (and better focused) exposure on national television
(Hopefully it’s coming)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Rice dogpile, 2003.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Shipping up to Boston” Dropkick Murphys
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- AARON FITT, Baseball America (Durham, North Carolina)
1. ONE CAN’T MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Cal State Fullerton
(So much pitching, All Americans up the middle and a chip on their shoulders after going 0-2 last year. You can take it to the bank – Fullerton in Omaha)
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Taylor Jungmann, Texas
(I can’t get over that CG performance vs. LSU in the finals)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Virginia Tech.
(They might have three Top 50 picks in the draft – Jesse Hahn, Austin Wates and Mathew Price)
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
James Madison
(Then, in an Email later, Aaron wrote to me: “Hey, let me add one more out-of-nowhere sleeper along with JMU: Bowling Green. They are my pick to win the MAC and those guys are loaded.”)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The bittersweet emotions of the final CWS in Rosenblatt Stadium.
(I’ll hate to say goodbye to that place, but it’s going to be a memorable two weeks in June)
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Cal State Fullerton at UC Irvine
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
Everybody knows we’re biased for the ACC – it comes with the territory
(written tongue-in-cheek)
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
I’d love to see it played during, you know, baseball season.
(Say, March through August. You can only imagine what it’s like in the North. They draw some awfully big crowds in the Northwoods League – there’s no reason college baseball teams couldn’t benefit from the fine summer weather if the season were played later.)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Kevin Gunderson getting the final out in 2006 for Oregon State.
(With apologies to the fine people at my alma mater – UNC – that Oregon State run was simply magical and had amazing drama)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News.
(If it’s good enough to get Marty McFly fired up, it’s good enough for me)
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- BOYD NATION, BoydsWorld.com, (Birmingham)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Texas
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Daniel Renken, Cal State Fullerton
(Although I hate these kind of questions)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee
(Although I hate these kind of questions)
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Auburn
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
San Francisco
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The return of the 14th week.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Oregon State at Hawaii, opening weekend
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
I’m constantly accused of being pro-West Coast.
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
More accountability and hard-line criteria in the selection process.
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
My only live triple play in Skip Bertman’s last SEC tournament.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
The live version of “Why Does The Sun Shine? (The Sun Is A Mass of Incandescent Gas)” by They Might Be Giants.
They Might Be Giants performing on Craig Ferguson last week.
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- DOUG KROLL, NCAA.com (like a pro wrestler, he is from “Parts Unknown”)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Virginia
(They’re locked and loaded)
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Josh Spence, Arizona State
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Tony Thompson, Kansas
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Kansas
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Winthrop
(After a couple years hiatus, the Eagles get back to the national headlines)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The new crop of stars
(Guys like Taylor Jungmann and Anthony Ranaudo, it’ll be fun to see them perform with such high expectations.)
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Kansas at LSU, March 13-15
(I might be the only one that puts that series down, but it’ll be the first true test of the year for the Tigers. I’d love to dust off the CSTV Lear jet that’s sitting in Kingman, Arizona to get there.) (Editor’s note: Wait… how did Doug know that’s where I’ve been hiding the former company lear jet?)
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
Miami/ACC
(for alumnus reasons)
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
The time limit on SEC tournament games.
(If it works, I’d implement it across the sport.)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Fresno State winning the national title.
(Even with their stars hurt and no pitching to speak of. I know it sounds corny or cliche, but it really showed that anything in the world is possible.)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Hell’s Bells” AC-DC
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- DR. KENNY COOK, the Doctor of college baseball. (Durham, North Carolina)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Texas
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Eric Pettis, UC Irvine or Matty Ott, LSU
(Since it’s one last out, I’d go with a closer)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Anthony Rendon, Rice
(If healthy. That guy was a beast before getting hurt at LSU in the supers.)
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
UCLA
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Charlotte
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
Bittersweet, but final season festivities at Rosenblatt for the CWS.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
TCU at Cal State Fullerton
(As interesting of a cross-sectional matchup as there is out there.)
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
SEC baseball.
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
Full scholarships for all players on the roster, just like other sports.
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Rice winning national title with Wayne Graham.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Free Me” Foo Fighters
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- WILL KIMMEY, ESPN studio analyst (Chapel Hill)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Texas
(All kinds of pitching and Augie Garrido)
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
vs. lefty: Josh Spence, Arizona State
vs. righty: Taylor Jungmann, Texas
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Anthony Rendon, Rice
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Kansas or Long Beach State.
(The pick was Kentucky before all the James Paxton/NCAA battle appeared.)
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
TCU and Coastal Carolina
(A lot of people also like San Diego’s talent after injuries wrecked 2009. Off the radar, I’ll say Florida Gulf Coast.)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The drama of Rosenblatt’s final season.
(It’s exciting to be one year away from a brand new home for the CWS, but sad to see the old one bow out.)
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
For atmosphere, I’m going to LSU. But for the best baseball, Fullerton at UC Irvine.
(Although any weekend out at Pepperdine would be perfect, right?)
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
Anyone that performed an internet search would probably say that it’s North Carolina, since I have two degrees from there.
(But college sports fans, because they’re so passionate, use the word “bias” to mean “Any opinion that doesn’t favor the team that I support.”)
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
The scholarships.
(Each school having 25 full scholarships would better distribute the talent among baseball programs and draw more players into the college game.)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
The 2005 College World Series.
(The Kevin Gunderson guarantee, the ASU-Nebarska game and Baylor’s comeback against Tulane happening on the same day and the Chance Wheeless game-ending homer against Baylor make that my favorite Omaha year.)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny”
(You’ll have to Google that one. Or maybe just use dogpile.com since we’re talking college baseball.)
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- KENDALL ROGERS, Rivals.com (Austin)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Virginia.
(Texas is my pick to win the national title, however I think Virginia is the safest bet of all to not stumble on the way to Omaha)
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Chance Ruffin, Texas
(Taylor Jungmann and Josh Spence are good picks, but Ruffin is one of those guys that if you are approached in a smoky pool hall and are challenged to a fight, you want him on your side.)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Blake Dean, LSU
(The senior has seen everything. He lives for these moments.)
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Kansas.
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Florida Gulf Coast.
(This will be a program to remember in the future, the Sunshine State’s version of Coastal Carolina.)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
Seeing if East Carolina and Coastal Carolina can make it to the College World Series.
(I’m also looking forward to the last CWS at Rosenblatt Stadium. I’ll miss that place.)
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Cal State Fullerton at UC Irvine.
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
Depends.
(When I first started covering things nationally people used to say I was a Big 12 homer. Then when I moved to Nashville people said I was an SEC homer. I graduated from Texas A&M, so there used to be Rice and Texas fans that would go bonkers any time I said something good about the Aggies. I can’t stand biases.)
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
Have the NCAA try a little harder to establish better TV contracts in the regular season.
(We’ve come a long way in terms of coverage on the net, now it’s time to take the thing to the television.)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
The Texas-Boston College crazy inning affair last year.
(I’d rank Oregon State winning back-to-back titles and LSU winning last year up there too. And Fresno, one of the best stories ever.)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Country Boy Can Survive”
(Runner up, “Smooth Operator” by Sade)
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- PHIL STANTON, CollegeBaseballInsider.com (Richmond, Va)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Virginia.
(Should not have as tough of a Super Regional opponent as Texas, LSU or Fullerton)
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Addison Reed, San Diego State
(20-for-20 in saves situations last year.)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Preston Tucker, Florida
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Auburn.
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Liberty.
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The performance of post-Pat Murphy Arizona State.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Cal State Fullerton at UC Irvine.
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
Don’t know.
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
Add a National Game of the Week on ESPN.
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Justin Orenduff of VCU vs. Justin Verlander of Old Dominion in 2004.
(One of the most anticipated matchups in CAA history. Both were 1st round draft picks in 2004.)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel.
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- BRIAN FOLEY, CollegeBaseballBlog.com (Worchester, Mass)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Virginia
(I would have went with Texas but the offense is a question right now)
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Addison Reed, San Diego State
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee State
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Kansas.
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
UConn.
(They have some issues to settle on the mound but they can hit with anyone. San Diego could sneak in and watch out for Army, who have some insane talent on that team.)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
Getting back to the diamond instead of fighting snowstorms and crashing my car into tree stumps.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
The Big 10/Big East Challenge.
(I bet nobody else says that, but you could see over 40 games in three days. That is baseball overload!… if I had to pick one series, Florida State hosting Virginia.)
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
The ACC.
(And that I put too much emphasis on summer league action, especially the Cape Cod League)
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
For some of the major programs to head on the road to Northern schools.
(We would all love to see a team like LSU play at Ohio State in May. It would sell out.)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Fresno State winning the title as a four-seed.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Hell’s Bells” by AC-DC
(Because once I get on the basepaths it is HELL since I am going to score!)
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- CHRIS WEBB, BuckeyeStateBaseball.com (Columbus)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Texas
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Matty Ott, LSU
(He’s got icewater in his veins… and his stuff is pretty nasty too.)
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Dan Burkhart, Ohio State
(Gotta be a homer here but Coach Bob Todd said whenever the team needed a hit, Burky got it done.)
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
North Carolina.
(With all the attention going to Virginia and Florida State, Mike Fox will once again reload the Tarheels and show their dynasty doesn’t end with Ackley and White.)
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Wright State.
(Potent lineup and a very underrated ace in Alex Kaminsky)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
For me, in Columbus, going through a season with a team of great guys with high expectations.
(Will be interesting to see if history can be made at Ohio State.)
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Virginia at Florida State.
(Though the series I am personally looking forward to the most is Minnesota at Ohio State.)
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
Anti-Bob Todd.
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
Eliminate conference tournaments.
(in the Big Ten’s case, it would allow every team to play each other during the season. Fans were cheated last year with Indiana and Ohio State not playing.)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Alan Oaks shot off of David Price in the 2007 Regionals.
(Us here in the Midwest knew that Michigan team was good, but to go toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the country and having a nobody end the career of the game’s best pitcher is making a statement.)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“If I can’t” by 50 Cent.
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- SEAN RYAN, CollegeBaseballInsider.com (Richmond, Va)
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Virginia
(And one to break through… Coastal Carolina)
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Addison Reed, San Diego State
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee State
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Auburn or Virginia Tech.
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
College of Charleston.
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The continued growth of college baseball.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Arizona State at Cal State Fullerton
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
The ACC
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
How about reigning in the bats a little.
(And only one thing to change?…)
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Georgia Tech winning three games in one day at the ACC tournament in 2003.
(On a national level, covering Oregon State’s back-to-back titles, which set the stage for underdogs all around the country, including Fresno State.)
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Thunderstruck” by AC-DC.
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James says:
Amen on all the comments regarding baseball scholarships. As currently constructed by the NCAA, they are a joke.
Pre-season thoughts from the national media « Easton Baseball | Drakz Free Online Service says:
[...] link: Pre-season thoughts from the national media « Easton Baseball Share and [...]
waltgreenberg says:
Really fun read, Eric– and very few of the responses are surprising given the respective writers.
6-4-2 says:
It always disturbs me to see people refer to TCU as a mid major. I am not a TCU fan, but come on guys. Someone needs to come up with a Mid Major definitions for baseball. It is not necessarily the same schools as defined by football.
National attention, and other Division I nuggets including SOS « Buckeye State Baseball says:
[...] a win, step to the plate if we need a hit, and who our surprise mid-majors are, check out E’s College Baseball Today National Media feature. There is a slight Ohio homer taste to my answers coughBurkhartKaminskyWrightStatecough. But [...]
Robert says:
Agreed on the mid major comment. It really makes no sense in college baseball. If college baseball had mid majors, every single school in the Big West would necessarily be classified as a mid major. Of course, that is the furthest possible thing from the reality of what a being a mid major is supposed to mean.
Again, look at Omaha. In the SEC, only LSU and Georgia have won national titles. In the ACC, a school hasn’t won a national title in over 50 years. In the Big12, it is Texas, and a whole bunch of teams that can’t win the big one. The Big10 hasn’t been nationally relevant in about 50 years. Only the Pac10 historically has had multiple teams who have won multiple titles in Omaha. Every other BCS conference continually falls short in Omaha.
Stitch-head says:
For this exercise, I told the dudes that I considered mid-majors to be any team in a conference outside of the Big 6 power conferences in baseball – because as you guys know, every sport has different “power” conferences. In baseball, the Big 6 would be Big 12, ACC, SEC, Big West, Pac 10 and C-USA. So even though I consider TCU a national power, the Mountain West isn’t a power conference.
Kind of like Wichita State in the 80s and 90s. No one would say they weren’t a national power, egads no. But they still played in a mid-major conference, the Missouri Valley. It’s kind of weird, ‘coz I don’t look at Marshall as a great program in a power conference. But they ARE in a power conference in the sport of baseball. That’s just how the ball crumbles and the cookie bounces in college sports guys.
Cody Thrasher says:
Nice read Eric. Are you going to post your list as well? I figured I might as well post one too, since I have a little free time to do so.
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Cal-State Fullerton
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Alex Wimmers, Ohio State
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Christian Colon, Cal-State Fullerton
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Vanderbilt
(The offense will be good from the start, and the pitching will be good by the end of the season.)
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Wichita State
(The weekend rotation is very good, and I think their hitting will come along well enough to make a run.)
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The last CWS at Rosenblatt is the obvious answer, but I also want to see if teams like Ohio State and East Carolina can get to Omaha.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
LSU at Florida. If Oregon State went to Oregon for three, I’d pick it. But this one will do for now.
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
I don’t really have an audience, but I’m sure I’m a little partial to Oklahoma State and the Big 12.
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
I’d love to see the scholarship limit increase, but for now, I’d love to see more games on TV. The SEC has quite a few, but I want to see more from the other regions as well.
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Oregon State winning their first of two consecutive titles. That was a great moment, even though I was kinda pulling for UNC.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
“Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp
uberVU - social comments says:
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by BFoley82: RT @49erHall: College baseball fans – very good read: http://collegebaseballtoday.com/?p=3021. Features @TheCBB, @collbaseball, @roadtoomaha, @willkimmey…
Johnny Gardner says:
Great stuff. I am excited about the season and am glad to see Coastal mentioned. The first 9 days of the season will play a large roll in showing whether they will make a “big splash” this year.
MK Bower says:
What credentials does a brother have to amass to gain ‘national media’ status? I digress …
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA: Texas. That staff is ridiculous. The concerns over the offense do not phase me. Barring injury, the Longhorns will feature one of the strongest staffs, top to bottom, in recent memory. And, the Big 12 is woefully down.
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND: RHP Chance Ruffin, Texas. From watching Ruffin these past few seasons, I get the feeling that, if the rules allowed, he would gnaw someone’s arm off to get a crucial out. He’s salty.
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH: 3B Anthony Rendon, Rice. This is tough because in many ways this question suggest who is the most clutch hitter, not necessarily the most skilled. Rendon might be on a Dustin Ackley path.
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE: Vanderbilt. In a league where all eyes will be on LSU and Florida, the ‘Dores offer sensational pitching and just enough under-the-radar mojo to sneak up on folks and do some damage.
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH: Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers have been on the brink for a few years now. It’s time they break through and cobble together an Omaha push, no? Yes, that scenario is matchup dependent, but it’s feasible.
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON: Trying to figure out how the good people of Omaha will move the village enclosing Rosenblatt to the blocks surrounding TD Ameritrade Park. The 2011 CWS won’t be the same without Zesto’s.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS: Virginia–East Carolina. The Cavs will be in Omaha for a second consecutive season; the Pirates have CWS aspirations. Non-conference matchups are far more intriguing that annual league showdowns.
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS: For the institution cutting my paychecks.
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL: Wood bats. Make it work, people. The aluminum is what keeps the purists from embracing the wonderful game. Eliminate the ping, and watch the general interest soar.
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s? Jeff Larish going absolutely bonkers against the regional favorites, Nebraska, in the 2005 CWS. The sound inside Rosenblatt after he bashed his third home run of the game remains etched in my memory.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS: ‘Star’ by The Roots.
Andrew says:
ECU will wind up being overrated, UT will be back in Omaha and the best college baseball is played in the Summer!
http://collegesummerball.blogspot.com/
David says:
I am glad MTSU has the big bulleye on there back this year. However, you can’t sleep on WKU baseball, they lost a lot of power, but bring back a great pitching staff. There also very strong up the middle and have an All-America at catcher in Matt Rice. Don’t sleep on the TOPS this year.
bbfan says:
Stichhead, fun. fun. fun….
Kyle Peterson, I really, really, really, like Terry Rooney too. I have been watching him for a while and I think he will be a top 5 name coach in college baseball one day soon. (Otherwise you are leaning toward the West a bit.)
Aaron Fitt, …..
“9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
I’d love to see it played during, you know, baseball season.
(Say, March through August. You can only imagine what it’s like in the North. They draw some awfully big crowds in the Northwoods League – there’s no reason college baseball teams couldn’t benefit from the fine summer weather if the season were played later.)”
Yep, what he says. They are called the boys of summer for a reason (and I’m a West Coaster!).
Boyd, 5. “MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
San Francisco” IMO…. good call., but go to sleep Craig Ferguson is on in the middle of the night.
- PHIL STANTON.. 6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
The performance of post-Pat Murphy Arizona State”
IMO, Me too!
Sean says:
A great read. I really enjoyed getting the different perspectives from the top college baseball writers across the country.
For fun, below are my answers. I don’t run a website, though I used to write a college baseball homepage for the first half of the decade.
1. ONE CAN’T-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA:
Cal State Fullerton. I’m probably a homer as an alum, but the Titans have gone 5 times in the last 7 years. The pitching staff is loaded and the offense will be better than people expect.
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND:
Gerrit Cole, UCLA. Put his dominating stuff in a one hitter situation, game over. If this is the final out of the CWS, I may side with Jungmann due to experience. Just purely on who I think is the most dominating pitcher in college, it’s Cole.
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH:
Anthony Rendon, Rice. If you saw Rice play multiple times last season, I think this has to be the answer. Just a great hitter.
4. BIG-CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COME FROM NOWHERE:
Oregon. Don’t laugh, I’m semi-serious. It’s going out on a huge limb since they were awful last year. However, the Pac 10 is wide open in 2010. I don’t really see any elite teams in that conference at this point, meaning any of the bottom feeders can make a push.
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH:
Florida Gulf Coast. Can make a regional, and maybe even win one, in their first year eligible. Coastal Carolina may be able to make a splash to the national audience, but everyone that follows college closely knows how great that program is currently.
6. WHAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON:
Last CWS in Rosenblatt. It isn’t just the stadium, the entire surrounding area is what has made the CWS so enjoyable. I’ve gone six times and can’t imagine the CWS in another stadium or part of the city.
7. YOU GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS:
Cal State Fullerton at UC Irvine. There is something wrong if you live in the West and don’t list this series. It will be a pair of top 10 teams, fighting for a conference title and national seeding. Great players, great coaching, great fundamentals. The series gets better every year.
8. YOUR AUDIENCE ERRONEOUSLY MAY SAY YOUR BIGGEST BIAS IS:
When I had a college baseball page, a certain BA writers would claim I was West Coast bias. I never thought that was the case. When you are passionate about change in college baseball and live in California, you’re going to be labeled West Coast though.
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL:
The NCAA Committee. Let’s just start with the people in charge of the sham that is playoff seeding and regionals. The sport makes enough money at this point that playoff pairings do not need to be entirely decided by geography. We can start ranking teams 1-32 and placing them in regionals accordingly (with some geographical consideration). Super Regionals should never be paird based on geography. The makeup of the committee needs to change, both in terms of areas being represented and the actual members. Increasing scholarships is clearly necessary, but it has been for a very long time now.
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000s?
Brad Cresse’s national championship winning hit versus Stanford in 2000. It was exciting as a game winning hit for a National Title. It was also interesting because of the situation and mental aspect. If I remember correctly, Cresse was up with 2 men on base and 0 outs in a tie game. To most fundamentalists, this is a bunting spot. Cresse was an elite offensive hitter, and LSU didn’t bunt, so that may have been out. Even without bunting, hitters are typically trying to get a pitch on the outer half of the plate and drive it to right field, that way the baserunning can advance to third if you don’t get a hit. Cresse had none of this in mind, he was obviously trying to turn on any pitch he could. He got the pitch and the hit.
11. YOU ARE GOING UP TO BAT, YOUR WALK-UP SONG IS:
As a relief pitcher, my intro song was “King Nothing” by Metallica. I’d probably change it to “Pain for Pleasure” by Sum 41 now. Completely different aspect as a hitter because you only have about 15-20 seconds instead of a full minute and a half jogging in from the bullpen. The one I heard a long time ago that I really liked was the Star Wars Imperial March.
Turbo says:
I just want to point out how coherent, and well presented Sean’s thoughts were. He was just as illuminating as the writers questioned for this piece. Somebody should hire this guy!
Roons says:
Awesome stuff here! CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT CBB: We gotta have a Friday Night GOW on ESPN.. Friday night chuckers in great atmoshpheres.. this could change the popularity of college baseball forever!! We’re ready for it!
CJS says:
This was awesome, Sorenson. Loved the different perspectives.
Tsalem Mueller says:
Super article and analysis by everyone who participated – Looking forward to seeing the Diamond Bucs in action against UVA – should be a fun series – and then the following series against the Gamecocks -
Go Pirates!!!! East Carolina University Baseball!!!!!
PhxTitan says:
Geez Stitch, I was looking for the questionaire from yourself… see how they stacked up. Interesting panel. Well done! Pics are nice of performers… but your video picks work better on that front.
PLAY BALL!
diamonddogs says:
Here is my perspective:
1. ONE CANT-MISS TEAM FOR OMAHA
Virginia. They made it last year. The could make it even further this year.
2. YOU NEED ONE LAST OUT, THE PITCHER YOU WANT ON THE MOUND IS
Daniel Bibona, UC Irvine. This senior lefty will get things done for the Anteaters this year
3. YOU NEED ONE HIT, THE BATTER YOU WANT AT THE DISH IS
Blake Dean, LSU. This senior first basemen just might win the Golden Spikes this year
4. BIG CONFERENCE TEAM THAT WILL COMA OUT OF NOWHERE
Michigan. Watch out Buckeyes, the Wolverines might just steal the Big Ten title from you
5. MID-MAJOR THAT WILL MAKE A BIG SPLASH
Dallas Baptist. This Independent team will crash the top 25 this year.
6. WHAT I LOOK FORWARD TO MOST THIS SEASON
The last year for Rosenblatt. Hope Fresno State can make it.
7. I GET A PRIVATE JET FOR ONE SERIES, IT IS
Virginia at Florida State, 3/12-3/14.
8. MY BIGGEST BIAS
Being from Fresno, it would be West Coast
9. CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT COLLEGE BASEBALL, IT WOULD BE
More T.V. time on ESPN. Add Friday College Baseball on ESPN2.
10. FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE 2000’s
Being from the great city of Fresno, it would have to be Fresno State winning the title in 2008. We partied all that week with a parade, then a huge rally at Beiden Field. At that rally I was standing shallow center field behind second base.
11. GOING UP TO BAT, MY WALK-UP SONG IS
“Shipping up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys
andy says:
There are the usual conferences with the usual teams, but what about a small conference or a team that for whatever reason may not have the big name, but can play with some of the big boys every once in awhile. We get to caught up in names and conferences. Let the best teams play and not get caught up in the money aspect which ruins everything. Give every single conference winner and auto matic bid, then let all else fall into place. Have 3-4 play in games if needed.That would be very ezciting for those schools, alumni, etc. There is no down side to have play in games. There are plenty of good teams not from the west coast or florida or texas that would fit that bill. Thats what college baseball should be about. Give every Div I school a chance. Win your conference and you are in. Give them some reward for those 5am pratices, or running in the 30 degree weather, and for winning their conference.,period. That would be great for teams,coaches,fans,and most important the GAME OF COLLEGE BASEBALL.