Collegiate The Voice Of Amateur Baseball

Started In 1958 At The Request Of Our Nation’s Baseball Coaches Vol. 63, No. 5 Friday, March 6, 2020 $4.00 Baseball’s Greatest Story Simply Amazing Given no chance called 11 World . was for all the men and women who O’Leary spent five months in showed up every day for a of living after 100% of the hospital, underwent dozens of cause bigger than themselves. John O’Leary’s body surgeries, lost all of his fingers to “My dad sets the champagne in was burned, Cardinals’ amputation and relearned to walk, the corner and then walks over to me, write and feed himself. puts his hand on my leg and looks at announcer Jack Buck “Thirty-three years ago, I was by me squarely in the eyes, “John, little springs into action. myself in a burn center room in a man. You did it.’ I looked up at my wheelchair,” said O’Leary. dad and said, ‘Yes I did!’ By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. “It was a room I knew well because “I look back at that experience Editor/Collegiate Baseball I had been in it for the previous five 33 years ago realizing how little I months. After spending five months really did. ASHVILLE, Tenn. — The anywhere, you are ready to go home. “Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck greatest baseball story My dad was down the hall speaking in the rut and be beaten down by life. Never told took place at the to a nurse. The question my father When you struggle as a , father, 2020 American Baseball Coaches asked her was, ‘Is he ready?’ wife or son, and when you choose Association Convention. “What dad wanted to know was to remain a victim to it, what is the The remarkable John O’Leary whether his nine year old boy was victim’s favorite question to ask? talked about when he was a 9-year- ready to go home after being burned “I will give you three questions to old boy in 1987 and was playing with on 100 percent of his body. stop asking. The first is, ‘Why me?’ fire and gasoline at his parents’ home “I wasn’t sure what that nurse Rather than being grateful for all we which caused a massive explosion was going to say. I was just a young have, we look down, cross our arms that burned 100 percent of his body. kid in a wheelchair on morphine. and look a little bit indifferent and He was given no chance of Morphine is like truth serum. I yell ask the second question which is, living. the doorway, ‘Yes, he’s ready. ‘Who cares?’ This is when St. Louis Cardinals’ Come get him.’ “This ultimately leads to the third Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck “My father’s footsteps came closer question which is the final nail in the entered his life. and closer. He opens the door and coffin, ‘What more can I do?’ Other He gave this young boy the walks in. In front of my dad was a red teams have more resources, more strength to live and recover. wheelbarrow. It was full of lifesavers talent and much more to offer.”

Buck was the Cardinals’ announcer and champagne. They weren’t for Photo By Seth Farmer for more than three decades as he me. It was for the hospital staff. It See PLAYING WITH, Page 2 JOHN O’LEARY

Earns NCAA Div. II National Player Of Year in 2019 Cut At Houston, Josh Elvir Does The Impossible Angelo St. rightfielder hits earlier. and I believed in myself. I knew I could play So far in 2020, Elvir has been incredible the game of baseball at a high level if given .458 in 55 games with 20 once again. a second chance. homers, 17 doubles, 81 RBI After 10 games, he is hitting .531 with 5 “Several of the coaches at Houston made and steals 11 of 12 bases. homers, 5 doubles, 14 RBI, 11 walks, 7-for-7 calls on my behalf to try and get me in another in stolen bases and has an on-base percentage program. Angelo State was one of the first of .667. programs they gave a call to. By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. Editor/Collegiate Baseball “I walked on at the University of Houston “I visited Angelo State and loved in the fall of 2018 after playing for Angelina everything about the program. I haven’t AN ANGELO, Tex. — Josh Elvir is College in 2017,” said Elvir. regretted it since.” one of those amazing stories you never He .404 with 11 homers, 11 doubles and Since it was too late to enroll at Angelo forget. 39 RBI in 49 games for Angelina. State for the 2018 baseball season, he S “I went through the entire fall at Houston, continued going to classes at the University The rightfielder for Angelo State University was cut at the University of Houston as the and everything was smooth sailing as I made of Houston during the spring of 2018. When Cougars were about to begin the 2018 the team. When I got back to school to start he was finished with that semester, he season. the spring semester, one of our players quit transferred to Angelo State. Given a second chance at Angelo State in the team, and he was on scholarship. During the summer of 2018, Elvir the fall of 2018, he started off slowly at his “Then the coaching staff brought back a played for the Mankato MoonDogs of the new school and struggled as he put pressure couple of redshirts who replaced him. The Northwoods League and got a bunch of at- on himself to perform. NCAA rule is that teams can only have 35 bats so he wouldn’t be rusty once he arrived Just before the 2019 season was ready to players once the season starts. I was the only at Angelo State. begin, he was given a simple hitting tip that walk-on who made the team at the time. Just “My first few months at Angelo State, I turned him into a beast of a hitter. before the first game of the 2018 season, didn’t hit well,” said Elvir. When the season ended, he was the NCAA they let me go so they could be within that “I might have been the worst player on the Div. II National Player of The Year as he 35-player limit. team during the fall of 2018. When I arrived hit .458 in 55 games with 20 homers, 17 “That was probably the lowest moment of that fall, I had very high hands when I took doubles, 81 RBI and stole 11 of 12 bases as my life,” said Elvir. my stance in the batter’s box. My hands were he was walked 50 times and had an on-base “I thought my baseball career was over, just above my back ear. percentage of .584. and I was devastated. After a few days passed, I realized that I could play somewhere else, JOSH ELVIR Not bad for a guy who was cut one year See SMALL MECHANICAL, Page 6 Inside Collegiate Baseball Web Site: www.baseballnews.com Will Game Times Go Down? How Japanese Train Players Best College Coaches Ever With new 20 second action rule Brutally tough practices pay off Former USC legendary skipper in place with men on base, 20 big when looking at pitching had a number of minutes could be cut/Page 7 command during games/Page 4 great tactics he utilized/Page 14 Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 Playing With Gasoline And Fire Nearly Kills O’Leary Continued From Page 1 “Ultimately I went into my “The explosion launched a 9- Cardinals. parents’ garage and grabbed a can year-old little 20 feet to “The way we watched baseball O’Leary said when he grew up of gasoline. Then I attempted to the other side of the garage. My life in the 1980s was not necessarily by in St. Louis, he saw boys playing pour a little bit before the liquid changed in an instant. One moment, going to games at . with fire and gasoline in his came out. What happens is that I was a happy, healthy young boy. It was not on television or on the neighborhood. fumes come out before actual The next, I was a nine year old on internet because it hadn’t been “What these boys would do is gasoline. my back in a burn center with burns invented yet. The best way to watch sprinkle gasoline on the sidewalk “In baseball, coaching, on 100 percent of my body, dying. baseball during those years was on and strike a match. Then they leadership, love, health, finance “I was blessed to be served by the radio. would stand back two feet, throw and life, its seldom what we see a great staff at the hospital and “Many days of my existence as a the match on the sidewalk, and the coming that burns. It’s not the my parents in addition to one 9-year-old, I listened to a larger than liquid would dance to life. When liquid that burns you. It’s the fumes. remarkable leader who played life personality (Jack Buck) call St. you are nine years old and are a Harnessing the fumes is what is baseball, taught baseball and who Louis Cardinals’ games which gave male, this is awesome. vital in life. That day fumes came also was a phenomenal baseball listeners a vivid picture of games “The 11-year-olds who did this out of the can as I stuck a match and announcer by the name of Jack as they took place. I was rocked to were like adults to me. created a massive explosion. Buck, voice of the St. Louis sleep on many of those days not by Photo By Wesley Law Photo By Wesley JOHN O’LEARY my mom or dad but by his voice as I listened to games on my a.m. radio under my pillow case. “Then I got burned on January 17, 1987. On the 18th, I’m stretched out on a hospital bed dying. There was no reason for hope. I can’t move my arms or legs. My lungs were burned so bad that they had to put a hole in my neck which is called a tracheotomy. While I could breathe, I couldn’t eat, drink or talk. “My eyes were also swollen shut. I was laying there tied down and couldn’t communicate, see, struggling as I was sad and mad. But I could dream, hope and pray and also listen. Have you ever noticed when your eyes are shut how much better you can hear?” Enter Jack Buck O’Leary said his second day at the burn unit, he heard his door open with footsteps. A chair was dragged across the room close to him. “Then this voice cuts across the darkness. The voice (Jack Buck) says to me, ‘Kid, wake up. You are going to live. You are going to survive. And when you get out of here, we are going to celebrate. We’ll call it John O’Leary Day at Big League Chew was invented by Rob Nelson, a former Cornell Busch Stadium. I had never met Jack Buck before. University lefthander who was pitching in Oregon in 1977 for the “Then he says, ‘Kid, are you listening?’ I nodded yes. Then Jack fabled Portland Mavericks when he came up with the idea for a new says, ‘Keep fighting.’ “The man stands and walks out type of bubble gum. of my room eight seconds after he arrived. He leaves a little 9-year- old shortstop with Major League dreams on his back tied down to a Rob was literally sitting in the Portland , watching his team- hospital bed. That man came into my room for eight seconds and mates chewing other less salubrious stuff, when he thought that changed my life forever. This is the shredded bubble gum would be a much more fun option. power of relationships. “I learned later on he made his way down the hallway. He leaned his head against a glass door and Rob shared the idea with Mav teammate Jim Bouton who liked the started weeping. “One of the nurses kneels down concept so much he spent the next two years searching for a gum near him and asks, ‘Mr. Buck, are you alright?’ She said we can’t lose company to manufacture and distribute Big League Chew. He you. You are the only celebrity in St. Louis. He looks down and says, succeeded, and BLC quickly became the must-have bubble gum for ‘I’m not sure. That little boy won’t make it, will he? The ‘expert’ on ballplayers in the littlest leagues to the Big Leagues. her knees looks up to Jack and says, ‘Mr. Buck, there is absolutely no chance he will live. It is his time.’ “What this man’s man did was go Today, over 40 years later, Big League Chew is the #1-selling home, cried, prayed and reflected on one question: What more can shredded bubble gum in the world — with over 800 million pouches I do? sold. It is manufactured in the USA by Ford Gum of Akron, New York. “The following day, there is a little fella named John O’Leary whose dream was to play Major ™ League Baseball tied down to a burn center bed dying. The door ® opens up, foot steps are heard and BIG LEAGUE CHEW AMERICA’S BUBBLE GUM a chair is dragged close to me. Then there is a cough and I hear Coaches Discount now available at bigleaguechew.com that amazing voice of Jack Buck See JACK BUCK, Page 3 Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  Collegiate Baseball Jack Buck Fights To Save Life The Voice Of Amateur Baseball Of 9-Year-Old John O’Leary Continued From Page 2

once more. He said, ‘Kid, wake up! Collegiate Baseball (ISSN 0530-9751) is published twice a month January-May and once in June, July, September and October I’m back. You are going to live and (14 total issues) by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Inc., 2515 going to survive. Keep fighting. We N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. Periodicals postage paid at will celebrate John O’Leary Day at Tucson, AZ. the ballpark. “Then the next day he showed Postmaster: Send address changes to: up in my room once again. He said, Collegiate Baseball ‘I’m back kid, wake up. I’m back. P.O. Box 50566 Keep fighting. He showed up every Tucson, AZ 85703 day in the hospital for five months until he left for . He Overnight Mail: 2515 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 would talk about me every day in the Cardinals’ broadcasts. Past Publishers: Abe Chanin, Lou Pavlovich, Sr. “He would say, ‘How’s my little Single 1-Year Subscription Rate: $28 for 14 issues. buddy John O’Leary recovering $45 Single 1-Year First Class U.S. Subscription: and doing back in St. Louis? Single 1-Year Foreign Air Mail Subscription: $50 Special Team Subscriptions: 11 papers each issue sent to one Encouragement matters. Instruction address — $110 (save $198 off the single subscription price), and matters as well as discipline to 21 papers each issue sent to one address — $189 (save $399). baseball coaches. But that man Other Multiple Subscription Offers: Please inquire with sub- encouraged me to move forward scription department at (520) 623-4530. toward a dream. “It changed my life. On August 26, 1987, he picked me up in a Directory Lincoln town car. I had never been in a Lincoln my entire life. The Area Code (520) man takes me downtown, and we Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530) have John O’Leary Day at Busch Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530 to report stories) Editor: Stadium. I get to meet Cardinals’ Advertising Director: Diane Pavlovich (Call 623-4530) Subscription Department: (Call 623-4530) . Jack sets Fax Machine: (Call 624-5501) me back in my wheelchair and rolls E-Mail: [email protected] me to the elevator and brings me up Web Site: www.baseballnews.com to the fourth floor. Cardinals’ Announcer Jack Buck (left) and John O’Leary. “Together that evening, we didn’t have any fingers because “Jack taught a little boy to believe broadcast the ball game. I don’t they were amputated after the fire. again when I previously did not. He know what your dream was when 2020 Publication Schedule So it was virtually impossible for encouraged a little boy to go back to you grew up. My dream was to me to write a thank you letter. school. Grade school was followed January 3 March 6 May 1 September 4 play baseball. I was going to be January 24 March 20 May 15 October 2 “Do you think Jack Buck didn’t by middle school, four years of high involved with baseball one way February 7 April 3 June 12 know that? Why would he make a school and university study.” February 21 April 17 July 10 or another. On August 26, 1987, I kid do something he wasn’t able to O’Leary ultimately became an got to broadcast a baseball game do? It was motivation to push me. internationally renowned inspir- nationally with Jack Buck. It was My mom would routinely bring a ational speaker and now talks to incredible. Moving? pen into my room and encouraged more than 50,000 people a year. “Jack put the microphone in me to work on writing. She would Make Sure CB Moves Along With You! front of me, and on national radio Piano Torture Chamber say, ‘Baby, when you learn to write To change your address, please write us 30 days in advance if says, “It’s John O’Leary Day at the John’s mother Susan was one of again, then you can go back to you can. Mail to: Collegiate Baseball Newspaper ballpark, and the the greatest motivators in his life school.’ Is that good motivation for Dept. Address Change are in town. He said, ‘Kid, are you as well. a young boy? P.O. Box 50566 having fun?’ I just nodded. I was “The day after I got back from Tucson, Ariz. 85703 “Great coaching is inspiring incredibly shy as a young boy. the burn center after five months players to reach new levels by being “Jack saw a little boy in a there, on a Tuesday morning the 1. Please print OLD address here. creative. Jack knew I was a typical wheelchair unable to speak. He doorbell rang,” said John. NAME fourth grade boy and wouldn’t be saw a little boy with no fingers. He “My mother brought somebody STREET APT. # motivated by simply asking me to saw a little boy with scars that ran into our home, and it was a piano learn to write again. His way of CITY STATE ZIP from the left side of his neck all the teacher by the name of Mrs. Bartello. motivation was having me write a way down to his toes. I was a little I hated Mrs. Bartello. What was the DATE OF thank you letter to . boy as the world saw as useless. point? I wanted to play baseball, “I wrote the note and mailed it MOVE: But Jack Buck saw much more than but I realized I would never play off. Two days later, I got a second that. He saw a little kid smiling at baseball again because I had no 2. Please print NEW address here. baseball. With it was another note that moment. fingers which were amputated after from Jack Buck. It said, ‘Kid, if you NAME “Jack saw the whole person. He the fire. How would I ever play want a third baseball, write a thank STREET APT. # cried and prayed while reflecting you note to the person whose name CITY STATE ZIP on one simple question. He simply See O’LEARY MOVES, Page 5 is on the ball. I asked my mom to asked himself what more can he bring me a pen. do?” “This went on for a long time until Special Mail Arrives Jack Buck send me 60 autographed Jarvis Fires The next day at home, O’Leary over time so I could send DURHAM, N.C. — Junior RHP Of the 94 pitches he threw, 73 had a special package delivered that thank you letters to those players Bryce Jarvis of Duke made history were strikes. was in his parent’s mail box. which allowed me to learn how to by throwing the program’s first The performance marked just “Inside was a ball signed by write again. perfect game during an 8-0 win the 31st perfect game in NCAA Ozzie Smith, shortstop for the over Cornell. Division I history. Cardinals. He retired all 27 batters he The last perfect game took place “Below the ball was a note that CheapBats.com faced on the afternoon, registering when Jake Kuchmaner of East read, ‘Kid, if you want a second a career-high 15 , 10 Carolina fired a perfecto on March baseball, all you have to do is send 1-800-589-HITS groundouts and two fly outs in his 17, 2019. a thank you letter to Ozzie Smith. Order today perfect outing. The outing by Jarvis marked There was only one problem. I have it tomorrow He fanned at least one batter the seventh no-hitter in Duke in eight of his nine while University history and first since managing to work in just one 3-ball the Blue Devils combined no-hitter across 94 pitches the entire over Penn State last season on afternoon. March 1, 2019.

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[email protected] Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Amateur Baseball Japanese Train Their Players Hard TUCSON, Ariz. — What is the “The manager never praised me. best way to prepare baseball players That’s not the Japanese way, but he during Spring Training? Around The Horn really changed me.” Numerous methods are available Dave Johnson, manager of to athletes, including time-honored With several Major League teams, was OPINION techniques from Major League the first non-Oriental American ever teams. to wear a Tokyo Giants uniform in Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. But the Japanese way makes 1975. Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. American spring training look like Lou Pavlovich The year prior, he had belted 43 a Sunday outing in the park. home runs for Atlanta. Over the years, Japanese players The Giants had failed to win The Topic: have worked anywhere from five to their 10th straight pennant in 1974, nine hours a day in spring training and it was a shock for many in Ethics In Baseball during near freezing temperatures. the organization. So they did the Each issue, Collegiate Baseball explores a major One team may start the day quoted Wally Yonamine, formerly unthinkable and hired the 32-year- development in the world of baseball. This issue’s at 8:30 a.m. with a 5-mile . of the Tokyo Giants, on what is was old American to infuse some power editorial explains why college and high school base- Another team makes pitchers run like for him to undergo such a test into the lineup. ball are fortunate not to have many ethics issues. up and down stadium steps with of endurance and will. Johnson only hit .197 that first 50-pound sacks strapped to their “When I first came to the Giants, year with 13 home runs. The Giants backs. I was really lazy,” said Yonamine. finished in last place for the first Baseball Is Now Under One diabolical exercise is called “I lacked self-discipline. The time in history. He was naturally the “1,000 fungo drill.” Giants worked me hard. They put the scapegoat. A Powerful Microscope A coach or crew of coaches hits me in centerfield and began to hit Collegiate Baseball contacted The biggest story in baseball centers around the illegal sign ground balls to the player’s left, then the ball to me. First to the left, then Johnson at the Mets spring training right, left, right and so on before the to the right, then back to the left, headquarters in Florida several stealing scandal involving the in 2017. player has a chance to resume his then up in front of me, then way years ago and asked him how One or more players watched the live feed of the position. As many as 1,000 balls are back over my head. the Japanese playing experience centerfield camera on a monitor, and after decoding the hit in this fashion until the player “Man, after chasing 35-40 fly influenced him as a manager. ’s signs, a player would bang a nearby trash can with drops from exhaustion. More often, balls, I was flat on my back. The “When I think of Japan, I think a bat to communicate the upcoming type to Houston only a few hundred balls are hit. coach told me to get up, but I of running,” said Johnson. hitters. A variation of this drill is called couldn’t move. Then they started “We used to run 40-45 minutes handed out 1-year suspensions for the “100-flyball drill” where to hit me with the ball. The coaches before we did anything. They had Astros’ manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow. chase balls hit by were that good. a rule over there that guys under 30 The organization was fined $5 million and stripped of first coaches. “I’m grateful I got that training had to run from the hotel to the ball and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021. In the outstanding book, The while I was young. It made me park every day. That distance was The duo was then fired by Astros Owner Jim Crane. Chrysanthemum And The Bat, a better ballplayer. It gave me written by Robert Whiting, he discipline. See ORIENTAL, Page 6 Red Sox Coach Alex Cora, a former Astros’ bench coach during 2017, was then fired by the Red Sox. Mets’ Manager Carlos Beltran became the third MLB manager to lose his job after he was implicated in the sign- stealing scandal. The most troubling aspect about all of this was that not Letters To The Editor one single player was suspended or fined. Greatest Pitch Picker John Smith U.S. After the story made national news, Collegiate Baseball Great article on USC’s Rob Klein (Greatest 17 Mockingbird Lane Mail Pullman, WA 99164 did an in-depth story about the greatest pitch picker in history Pitch Picker In History Tells All in Feb. 7, 2020 in Rob Klein, former assistant coach with Mike Gillespie edition). at College of The Canyons and the University of Southern What many people may not know is that Rob Collegiate Baseball California for 22 years in the Feb.7 edition was an outstanding first base coach. P.O. Box 50566 Rob did everything legally and used his incredible skills It was my privilege to many games at Tucson, AZ 85703 to pick 50-60 percent of pitchers he focused on while he was USC, and I marveled at the way he communicated coaching first base. Hitters on his teams knew thousands of with his base runners. pitches that were coming over the years. He was like a human computer. “OK, the rightfielder just moved a couple of You can also FAX letters to We also pointed out one ugly episode in 2004 when charges steps toward the line” or “The centerfielder is were leveled during a Miami (Fla.) home game with Florida the editor or shading to his right,” etc. E-Mail them: St. that the Hurricanes were using the live television feed It was always an avalanche of information. from a centerfield camera to steal catcher’s signs and let It was as much fun listening to Rob as it was FAX: E-Mail: (520) 624-5501 [email protected] their hitters know what pitches were coming. umpiring the game. In the last edition of Collegiate Baseball, we delved into Ken Allen Collegiate Baseball welcomes letters from ethics in baseball since it is such a hot topic. Diamond Bar, Calif. readers. Letters must include the writer’s Many unsavory tactics were discussed that coaches have name, address and telephone number. We done over the years, including teaching players to purposely reserve the right to condense or reject any ASU’s Spencer Torkelson letter and to limit frequent writers. get hit by pitches. I thoroughly enjoyed your in-depth article on Some coaches have even allowed hitters to wear wet suits Spencer Torkelson of Arizona State (Feb. 21, used in ocean diving so batters won’t get bruised, or wear 2020 edition). But for the life of me, I can’t figure out how other body armor in strategic spots. After seeing him play the last two years at ASU, he quickly arranges one side of a cube to have the he is a remarkable hitter who will be a fabulous precise colors necessary to make such a mural. It Is it ethical to doctor playing fields so the home team has took me months to solve one Rubik’s cube. He has an unfair advantage or is this part of the game tolerated? Major League player. Your article said he was never chosen in the to rotate 720 cubes so each square has the perfect Almost everyone in the game looks down on coaches who 2017 draft, and there were 1,215 players chosen color to produce such a mural. order pitchers to purposely throw at batters. and 40 rounds. It is amazing to me that it only takes him about What about the coach who directs his pitcher to throw at It really is shocking when you see what he has 10 hours from designing to completion of each the home plate umpire and has the catcher duck in an effort done with the Sun Devils the last two years. mural. to physically hurt the umpire? How he only could have hit 11 home runs in Keep the great feature stories coming. I really That actually happened in a college game years ago. 110 high school varsity games at Casa Grande enjoy them. Collegiate Baseball is thankful that the vast majority of H.S. is surprising when you factor in that he hit David Bray college and high school baseball coaches are quality people 48 homers in 116 games at ASU against much Des Moines, Iowa who are ethics oriented. Their teams play the game the right more challenging pitching. way. The few coaches who do anything to win is troubling The subtle change hitting coach Mike Earley Ethics Meltdown In Baseball to all of baseball. made with him Spencer Torkelson has really Great story on Ethics In Baseball which paid off along with his in-game hitting plan, appeared n your Feb. 21, 2020 issue. preparation and structure. I frankly was a stunned at all the wild and Eric Hunt unusual stunts that coaches pull to win baseball UOTE Glendale, Ariz. games. Unquote” What happened to integrity, ethics, respect and “Q Making 6-foot Tall Murals honesty? “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by I really got a kick out of reading about They appear to have been lost along the way. how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but University of Iowa pitcher Jack Dreyer who builds I hope coaches really read this article closely by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain 6-foot tall murals with Rubik’s cubes (Feb. 21, and stay away from the dark side of coaching. reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, 2020 edition). It just isn’t worth it. a spark that creates extraordinary results.” Leave it to a southpaw pitcher to figure out how Simply play the game of baseball hard every — Anonymous to do something like this. pitch. The photos you showed of his completed works There is absolutely no reason to cheat. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you were intriguing. I honestly believe he has a future Doug Baker going.” in doing this. Houston, Tex. — Jim Ryun Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  O’Leary Moves Coaches With ‘Amazing Grace’ Continued From Page 3 II and picked up two purple hearts. He spent his entire life making life the piano in my condition? I just bigger than himself. He is a great couldn’t figure out why this woman example for all of us. was in my home. “Jack showed up one final time “Mrs. Bartello came into my in my life with a package and a room, and I look up at my mom and note. He said, ‘Kid, this means a ask her, ‘Why is she here?’ Here great deal to me. I hope it means is what my mother did. Without a lot to you as well. This is the saying a word, she took bold baseball that I received when I went action in a loving way. She rolled into the Hall of Fame. It is made me away from my pity party in the of crystal and is priceless. There is wheelchair and pushed me to the only one like it in the entire world. piano, moves the bench and then He continued by saying, ‘Don’t locks the brakes on my wheelchair drop it.’ right in front of the keyboard. “His last words to me were: ‘It’s “A little boy named John O’Leary yours.’ ” was now taking piano lessons from O’Leary put this remarkable story Mrs. Bartello. I hated my mom at in context for baseball coaches. that time. The only time I hated her “One directional question asked more was the next day when Mrs. nightly can change coaches for Bartello showed up again. life. It can change your season and “Mrs. Bartello came back for change your club. It can change the five years as my piano coach.” life of one kid you are coaching this O’Leary then sat down on a year. What is the question? What bench in front of a piano keyboard can I do to make tomorrow better on the big stage of the clinic hall than today? It covers all facets of at the 2020 ABCA Convention. He your life. Ask that question and the REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT — Despite only having stubs on his hands after every finger was began playing his mom’s favorite next day do it. amputated following an explosion that burned 100 percent of John O’Leary’s body at age 9, he was song, Amazing Grace, in front of “Your kids will leave you some motivated to use his hands again thanks to Cardinals’ announcer Jack Buck and a special piano thousands of coaches in attendance day from your baseball program. teacher named Mrs. Bartello who taught him for five years. A number of baseball coaches at the that special day. Make tomorrow better for them 2020 American Baseball Coaches Association Convention in Nashville who heard O’Leary’s talk There were few dry eyes in the today.” openly cried when they listened to him play Amazing Grace at the end of his presentation. audience as O’Leary played this moving song with two hands that had fused finger stubs with the flair Effective Communiction Vital With Baseball Coaches of Stevie Wonder. By TOM KOVIC process. goal is to land eight prospects each scholarships do you have to offer It was magnificent as he received Special To Collegiate Baseball College coaches have an year, they may begin the process in my recruiting cycle? a standing ovation as coaches wiped uncanny ability to target goals, with 100 interested athletes. Step  Can you provide support in away tears. CHADDS FORD, Pa. — determine clear strategies and 1 is to “divide and conquer.” the admissions process? Meets Love Of His Life Effective communication between execute successful plans with Families and prospects who have  If athletic aid is exhausted, On graduation day in college, prospects and college coaches can relentless persistence. placed a great effort into gathering can you guide us toward alternative O’Leary met a special woman who be a critical component in the final It’s part of their make-up because information about the college grant opportunities? he fell in love with. choice in the college search for high they have high expectations of search need to target clear plans Most college coaches will “I never dated in grade school, school athletes. winning. of action. not provide you with straight middle school, high school or That being the case, communi- Furthermore, most coaches The next step is to execute the answers during the early stages of college. That is a long drought. cation is truly an art. College do not use rocket science when project to the point where you begin recruiting. Yet on graduation night in college, coaches are masters in providing determining how to reach goals. asking tough questions. Below are They are masters at speaking in the miracle of love showed up prospects and families with valuable They are gut thinkers who some examples: “codes” and feel very comfortable in my future wife, Elizabeth. We information, yet in very subtle and advance one inch at a time.  Coach, based on your navigating gray areas of recruiting ultimately had four kids together. non-committing ways. Every coach wants to win and assessment of me as a prospective with confidence. “Other times, love shows up in As prospects begin to narrow the best coaches realize winning student-athlete, can you give my They have a mystical way of the form of a 76-year-old guy who down their college choices, they takes time, patience and the right family and me an idea to where I answering every question politely spent his entire life in baseball in should have a clear understanding team to accomplish the task. stand on your priority list? without backing themselves into Jack Buck. He served in World War of where they stand in the recruiting For instance, if the recruiting  H o w m a n y a t h l e t i c a corner.

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(888) 542-9246 www.sportssensors.com Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 Small Mechanical Change Results In Big Numbers Continued From Page 1 compared to when everything goes perfectly for them. The way Josh “A week before our opening worked so hard the fall of 2018 had game in 2019, Coach Kevin Brooks an impact on him starting the first suggested that I put the bat on my game of our 2019 season. When back shoulder. Then I took the bat adversity hit him that fall, he still off my shoulder and got into the got out there and worked harder load position prior to swinging. It than anybody on our team. was one of those things that helped “Baseball is a game of adversity, me relax. and how you handle that defines “I did that for a week, and it you as a player. Our hope was that worked great.” he would get off to a good start in Prior to the mechanical the spring and ride it from there. adjustment, there was a question Boy, did that play out better than about whether Elvir would even our wildest expectations.” start the opening game of 2019 Low In Lineup against Colorado Mines. Brooks said Elvir hit seventh in Because of his rapid hitting the lineup for the first month of the progress, Brooks allowed Elvir to 2019 season. hit eighth in the for the “He was hitting great and playing first game of the season. superb in right field for us,” said The new Josh Elvir went 3-for-3 Brooks. with 2 home runs, 1 , 1 walk, “One thing I never want to do 3 runs scored and 5 RBI. is take away the comfort level of The rest is history. a player who is doing well. But “It’s funny how that small, it was obvious that we needed to subtle changed really worked for move him up in the lineup because me and made all the difference in he was hitting about .600 or so and the world.” driving in a ton of runs. During the 2019 season, Elvir “One day we are doing batting had 28 multiple hit games which practice, and Josh is in the . included 20 with two hits, seven I go over to him and ask him with three hits and one game with what his thoughts were in moving four hits. him into the 2-hole in the batting “Early in the season, not many lineup. He was fine with that. So pitchers had faced me before and we moved him to that spot in the didn’t have a plan to get me out,” hitting order. said Elvir. “It worked very well, and he “Many of them were giving continued to hit well. The bottom me a consistent diet of outside part of the order was good about pitches. But later in the season, a getting on base. So it gave Josh lot of pitchers were trying to jam plenty of chances to drive runs in. me inside so I couldn’t extend my “Then we just left him in the arms. That was very different for second spot in the batting lineup me which caused me to change the rest of the season. This season, my approach a little. It was more he has bounced around from the of a reaction to inside pitches than second and third spot in the lineup. anything. But I was ready for those Wherever we put him, he will do pitches coming. the job for us.” “I stuck with my approach that Elvir said he played with the I always have. If a pitcher is going Mankato MoonDogs once again to give me a pitch that is a strike, last summer in the Northwoods then I will hit it. More often than League and hit 11 homers with 10 not, when I swing I will hit the ball doubles over 50 games. and good things happen. “I made the All-Star team and “I look at the count during at-bats was invited to the and try to understand what pitches Derby. Then I was invited to play in I will get in certain situations. You the MLB Dream Showcase Game. have to be aware of pitchers are After the season, I went home for trying to get you to chase pitches two weeks and then came back to or not allow you to get your arms Angelo State for the fall as I got Angelo State’s Josh Elvir has put up huge numbers after being cut from Houston. extended by busting you inside. back to work.” Being ready with a great approach College, he would come to all my on my shoulder and steered me to who bring in more kids than they is absolutely crucial.” Incredible Singer home games, and he was one of my Angelo State which has worked out should every fall and have tryouts Angelo State Head Coach Kevin Josh said one additional talent he biggest supporters. He loved seeing so well playing for Coach Brooks as before they bring the roster size Brooks said his staff had seen Elvir has surprises many people. He is a me do what I love doing every day I have had the time of my life.” down to 35 and let guys go.” play in junior college at Angelina. gifted singer. which was play baseball. Brooks said the situation at “He was a guy we were interested “I sing all the time,” said Elvir, “My grandparents are from Houston for Elvir happens to young Oriental Training in at the time. He had a good season who catches people by surprise. Lamar, Tex. which is about 45 athletes from time to time at NCAA at Angelina in 2017 offensively. “I started noticing my talent minutes south of Houston. When I Division I schools. in the shower. I don’t know what Can Be Grueling Once he got to our school, I was was at Angelina College and at the “Our program has made a living Continued From Page 4 impressed with his work ethic. He it is about being in a shower that Regional Tournament, I was getting at resurrecting careers of players,” drives me to sing. But I do it, and worked harder than anybody on calls from a bunch of NCAA Div. said Brooks. about six or seven miles. the team. Josh turned out to be the it is enjoyable. My roommate Riley I schools trying to get me to visit “That’s one of the reasons we Peterson even told me that I have “We had a lot of fallen arches, best player on our team, and he still and offer me scholarships. Among have been so successful.” and they also had a lot of different has that amazing work ethic that is ‘nice pipes.’ the universities were Sam Houston Currently the Rams are 10-0 “I brought my singing skills to exercises. They did leap frogs second to none through good days St., Louisiana Tech. and Alabama. with a team batting average of (hands are behind head and player and bad days. the one day and even Just about every school in the .401 and are averaging 13 runs per sing in right field during games. squats and raises up numerous “Josh is an incredible athlete. He Southland Conference offered me game. Angelo State has outscored times). is our fastest guy, and we have a lot Sometimes when we are on the a scholarship. opponents, 129-39. road, the home team will have some “After our workout, we would run of team speed. He recently ran a 6.5 “When the University of Houston “Over recruiting on the NCAA another 40-45 minutes. Sometimes 60 yard dash. He has a 90-plus mph great walkup songs for their batters, entered the picture, I was told they Div. I level is an awful thing that is and I am singing in right field as I didn’t know if we were baseball arm. Josh obviously can hit as well didn’t have any scholarship money going on in our sport at this time. players or track stars.” and with power. they hit.” available. So they would allow me It’s not right, and it’s not fair for His favorite band is the Foo Red Berry, former pitching coach “When he came in for the to walk on. I took the tour on a visit the young men who are impacted. with the University of Miami, Fla. fall of 2018, he didn’t tear it up Fighters. to see everything they offered. I It just isn’t the right way to treat Elvir also said that he enjoys many years ago witnessed highly offensively. But you could see the talked about all my options with kids. We are blessed that we have unusual . amazing athlete he was. He just bass, trout and deep sea fishing my parents. But frankly, all I could been a landing spot for some of when he gets the time. “Their bullpen never needed some time. think about was my grandpa. I these kids. wore masks,” said Berry. “I have been in the game a long Why He Picked Houston really wanted him to be at my “Every kid who has come “This was something unusual for time, and his season in 2019 was Elvir was asked why he decided games as much as he could just like through our program who has been me to see. In American baseball, the best I have ever seen anybody to walk on at the University of at Angelina College. in an over recruiting situation will catchers always have masks on to have because there was never one Houston in the fall of 2017 when he “I was also intrigued about tell you their experience here was protect them from wild pitches. down day. It’s just so hard to be had a chance to receive scholarships playing at Houston since the team as good or better than where they But after watching three to five consistent at the level he played at from many 4-year programs. was fresh off winning a conference came from. Japanese pitchers warm up for 30 all season long. “One of the biggest reasons was championship. They got deep into “All NCAA Division I schools to 45 minutes, I understood why “Baseball players are fascinating that my grandfather would be able the playoffs. realize they have a 35-man roster the Japanese didn’t use any face from a coaching perspective. You to see me play, and he was very sick “While what happened to me at limit. masks. can learn so much from a player at the time,” said Elvir. Houston was devastating as I was “While many programs adhere to “The pitchers never threw when things aren’t going well “When I was at Angelina let go, it was like God put a hand that limit, there are others out there anything away.” Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page  Collegiate Baseball’s UCLA No. 1 NCAA Division I Bruins Allow 1 Or 0 Runs In 6 Of 7 Games TUCSON, Ariz. — UCLA straight over Gonzaga, took over (7-0) is ranked No. 1 in Collegiate the No. 2 and 3 spots in the poll. Get Latest 2020 Baseball’s NCAA Division I Poll Notes: Auburn lost three TOP 30 POLL baseball poll presented by Big straight home games to Central Standings, Stats Presented By League Chew bubble gum. Florida while Long Beach St. swept The Bruins have only allowed a 3-game series at home against For NCAA Div. I TUCSON, Ariz. — Readers 1 or 0 runs in six of their seven Wake Forest. Cal. St. Fullerton of Collegiate Baseball can get games and have a microscopic dropped two of three at home to the most current NCAA Division 0.71 ERA. Tulane. Michigan lost two of three I standings by going to: www. The staff has struck out 88 batters to Connecticut. baseballnews.com and then clicking and only walked 14. Defensively, Six teams fell out of the top 30 the category Polls. UCLA has only committed 4 errors including Wake Forest (0-3 during Then click on NCAA Division I. in seven games. the last polling period), Arizona Once there, click on NCAA Div. Texas Tech. (6-1), previously (2-2), Cal. St. Fullerton (1-3), U.C. I Conference Standings. ranked No. 1, slipped to No. 4. The Santa Barbara (3-1), Grand Canyon For NCAA Div. I statistics, go to: Red Raiders lost to Tennessee but (3-2) and South Alabama (1-4). www.baseballnews.com and then rebounded with wins over Stanford New to the poll is Central Florida click on Polls, NCAA Division I and Houston. (7-1 overall), Pepperdine (7-0), and then NCAA Div. I Statistics. Undefeated Florida (8-0) swept a Tennessee (7-0), Long Beach St. Navigate from there to find the stats www.bigleaguechew.com 3-game series at Miami, Fla. while (5-2), Clemson (7-0) and Tulane you are after. (As of Feb. 24) Arkansas (7-0), winners of four (6-1). Rank School Record Points Prev. 1. UCLA (7-0) 495 10 Monitoring 20 Action Rule With Men On Base 2. Florida (8-0) 494 14 3. Arkansas (7-0) 492 9 4. Texas Tech. (6-1) 490 1 5. Vanderbilt (6-2) 486 5 Will Game Times Drop 6. Mississippi St. (5-1) 483 6 7. Louisville (4-3) 480 4 8. Georgia (7-1) 478 7 During 2020 Season? 9. Michigan (4-3) 475 3 INDIANAPOLIS — Possibly 10. N.C. State (7-0) 472 16 the most important NCAA baseball rule change in history was approved 11. Florida St. (6-1) 470 15 last summer by the NCAA Baseball 12. Arizona St. (5-3) 468 11 Rules Committee. 13. Miami, Fla. (4-3) 465 2 For the first time in the 111-year- 14. Mississippi (6-1) 462 19 history of the NCAA, a 20-second action rule is being utilized for 15. Texas A&M (8-0) 460 21 NCAA games this season with 16. Texas (8-0) 459 22 runners on base. 17. Central Florida (7-1) 454 — The hope is that games will be 18. Auburn (5-3) 452 8 shorter in time. 19. Louisiana St. (5-3) 450 12 This historic rule has the potential of shaving off 20 minutes for all 20. North Carolina (6-2) 448 13 NCAA baseball games and possibly 21. Texas Christian (5-1) 446 20 more in the future. 22. Pepperdine (7-0) 444 — Since NAIA, NJCAA and other 23. Tennessee (7-0) 441 — junior college schools use NCAA 24. East Carolina (6-1) 439 23 25. Long Beach St. (5-2) 436 — NCAA D-1 Notes 26. Clemson (7-0) 434 — 27. Central Michigan (5-2) 432 24 , games on those levels should see this same time with the 20 second action rule as innings to lead the way, including 28. Oklahoma St. (5-2) 431 28 reduction in games. conference games take place. seven straight to begin the game. 29. Tulane (6-1) 428 — Itching to see what the time of Back in 1990 and 1991, the Arizona State pitchers struck out 30. Georgia Tech. (6-1) 426 29 games have been during the first Valley Conference utilized 18 Oklahoma State batters during a four days of the NCAA season, a 20-second time clock. 2-1 loss to the Cowboys. Source: Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Collegiate Baseball made a special The year prior to implementing LHP Erik Tolman fanned 12 request to NCAA statistics so see the 2-year experiment, Missouri batters in six innings of work for what the times have been so far. Valley Conference games averaged the Sun Devils. This is a very small sample size, 2:52 for 9- games. Seven East Carolina pitchers ATIONAL LAYERS and we realize the game times will In 1990, MVC games averaged combined to strike out 17 batters N P be higher than they typically are. 2:38 for 9-inning games. during a 7-4 win over William & Starting pitchers typically don’t go The 1991 average game times Mary. past five innings in their first starts were even shorter at 2:32 because Pitchers’ Duel OF THE WEEK of the year, and coaches use many players, coaches and umpires were Missouri State kicked off its Powered By players at positions until they settle now experienced with the time 2020 season in style, blanking on their starting lineup and pitching clock and were ready to play the Central Arkansas 1-0 in a pitchers’ rotation along with key relievers game at a consistently quick pace. duel. and closers. The game duration numbers we RHP Logan Wiley of Missouri According to the data Jeff are also anxious to see are during State tossed seven shutout innings Williams of NCAA statistics sent this year’s NCAA Div. I College and retired the final 12 batters he to Collegiate Baseball, there were . faced with 7 strikeouts. 457 Division I baseball games In the 73-year-history of the Closer Hayden Juenger closed www.diamond-sports.com played the first four days of the CWS, two of the top three longest out the win for his first save. 2020 season. CWS average game times took Dakota Kotowski of the Bears RHP Bryce Jarvis, Duke: Jarvis tossed the program’s first We looked at only nine inning place the past three years. drove in the only run of the game perfect game during an 8-0 win over Cornell. He retired all 27 games, and the average duration The average game time for the when he hit a ball into the left center batters in the 9-inning game and struck out a career-high 15 of those games was 3:02 which 2018 CWS was 3:33 over 16 games, field gap. batters with 10 groundouts and two fly outs. He managed to featured 447 games. second highest in history. Gavin Stone of Central Arkansas work in just one 3-ball count across 94 pitches. It was just the Not included were games less The 2017 was superb as well. 31st perfect game in NCAA Division I history. than 9 innings or extra inning saw an average game time of 3:25 He allowed one run on five hits OF Tyler Kelder, St. Bonaventure: Kelder belted 6 home runs games. over 16 games, third highest in in six innings of work. Reliever during a 3-game series against Mount St. Mary’s as he went According to Williams, the 9- history. Brad Verel didn’t allow a run in 10-for-16 at the plate with 11 RBI. inning game time average for the The 2019 CWS had an average three scoreless frames to finish the full 2019 season was 3:03. game time of 3:19 over 15 games, RHP Braden Olthoff, Tulane: Olthoff struck out 16 Cal. St. game for Central Arkansas as he There are several promising eighth highest in history. only allowed three hits. Fullerton batters on the road during a 1-0 complete game win trends. Collegiate Baseball found as he only surrendered 3 hits. Loads Of Strikeouts Milestone Victories that 147 games were 2:50 or less. Troy pitchers combined to strike DH/C Nate Rombach, Texas Tech.: Rombach belted 5 home There were only seven 9-inning N.C. State Head Coach Elliott out 20 Northern Kentucky batters Avent picked up his 1,100th career runs with 2 doubles and recorded 15 RBI over 4 games for the games 4 hours or more with the during an 18-6 win. longest being 4:17. win with a 4-0 victory over James See NATIONAL PLAYERS OF WEEK, Page 8 Trojan pitcher Levi Thomas We can’t wait to see the numbers mowed down 14 batters in five once all teams are comfortable See $60 MILLION, Page 8 Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 $60 Million Gift Given For Binghamton’s Complex Continued From Page 7 against Fairfield, 1-0 in a combined no-hitter. Madison on opening day of the Jake Lewis started the game 2020 season. for the Spartans and threw seven San Francisco Head Coach Nino perfect innings, giving up his first Giarratano celebrated the 900th base runner of the afternoon to lead win of his collegiate head coaching off the eighth on a walk. career with a 6-0 win over U.C. Austin Parsley came in and sat Davis. down six straight batters to close Florida Gulf Coast Head Coach out the top half of the eighth and Dave Tollett celebrated his 600th ninth innings to pick up the save. career victory with a 2-0 win over Near No-Hitter Kent State. Ty Barnes of Louisiana $60 Million Gift Monroe retired the first 14 batters A $60 million anonymous he faced and carried a no-hitter gift will create a new baseball into the seventh inning as the stadium complex at Binghamton Warhawks posted a 15-0 win over University. Grambling. Fawley Bryant Architecture will Barnes was sharp all evening and design the stadium upgrades. This didn’t allow a base runner until he firm has worked on the Atlanta hit Michael Sookdeo with two outs Braves spring training complex, This is an artist’s rendition of what the stadium at Binghamton University will look like. in the fifth inning. He then retired among others. the , 16-0 in Fort Eleven different Broncos Drew McDaniel went the next the next six hitters before Jordyn This gift will build an 84,000 Myers, Fla. registered a hit in the win as WMU two innings with one and Smith hit a solid single to left for square foot facility to support the Competing against high end registered six doubles, four shy Jackson Kimbrell closed out the Grambling’s only hit of the night. baseball team that will include a Major League prospects and non- of the school record set in 1987 game in the final inning with one Spoils No-Hit Bid new stadium, clubhouse and indoor roster invitees, the Gophers began against Boston College. strikeout. Kansas State’s Jordan Wicks and training facility. the game facing Twins reliever The 32 runs is the most by an North Carolina Greensboro It will feature increased fan Randy Dobnak. NCAA Div. I team this season and made history in their home opener See GONZALES, Page 15 seating, locker rooms, batting cages, Dobnak held the Gophers without the fourth most over the past two coaches’ offices, study spaces and a hit before the maroon and gold seasons. an athletic training room. broke through with a Gabe Knowles The Broncos scored 14 of their “The new baseball complex will single to right in the sixth inning. 32 runs in the second inning. NATIONAL PLAYERS be a one-of-a-kind facility in this It would be the lone base hit for Leading the way was Justin region and will be better than most the Gophers in the game. McIntyre and Sean O’Keefe. Division I programs across the The beat McIntyre went 3-for-5 with 4 RBI OF THE WEEK country,” said Binghamton Head Northeastern, 3-0 in an exhibition and 4 runs scored while O’Keefe Coach Tim Sinicki. game in Fort Myers, Fla. went 3-for-5 with 4 runs scored Continued From Page 7 “It will rival the outstanding Scores 32 Runs In Tilt and 3 RBI. Red Raiders as he went 7-for-14 at the plate in games against facilities of many programs that Western Michigan set a school No-Hitters Houston Baptist and Northern Colorado. compete in Power 5 conferences.” scoring record during a 32-4 win Mississippi pitchers threw just 1B Jason Hinchman, Tennessee Tech.: Hinchman hit 5 home There is no projected date for over Alabama A&M. the second combined no-hitter in the completion of this renovation runs over 3 games against Evansville. Over three games, he The Broncos utilized a 17-hit program history and the team’s first drove in 7 while scoring 7 runs. project yet. attack in the game but also were nine inning no-hitter since 1966 in MLB Exhibition Games helped with 18 walks by Alabama a 13-0 win over Xavier. SS Nick Gonzales, New Mexico St.: Gonzales recorded 17 RBI The University of Minnesota A&M as Blake Dunn walked five Doug Nikhazy went the first six over 4 games as he belted 4 home runs, 2 doubles and scored dropped an exhibition game against times. innings and struck out nine. 8 runs for 22 against Texas Southern. He walked 6 times and was 8-for-14 at the plate. LF/C Jake MacNichols, Santa Clara: MacNichols hit 4 home Trio Of Pitchers Fire Combined No-Hitter runs during a 4-game sweep of San Jose St. He went 7-for-17 at PERKINSTON, Miss. — In his 1.54 ERA, 5 walks, 35 strikeouts in the plate with 11 RBI and scored 7 runs. first collegiate start at Mississippi 23.1 innings. OF Heston Kjerstad, Arkansas: Kjerstad went 7-for-12 during Gulf Coast, freshman RHP Antoine Jauregui was named SoCal a trio of wins against Eastern Illinois with 4 home runs, 10 RBI, Harris was the first of three pitchers Player of the Week. 6 runs scored and 20 total bases. to combine for a 5-0 no-hitter over Coaching Milestones INF Tanner Craig, Evansville: Craig hit 4 home runs as he Nunez CC (LA). Two California JC coaches Harris tossed the first five innings went 8-for-11 at the plate and collected 7 RBI. He only hit 5 reached milestones for coaching home runs in 197 at-bats last season. of the game, allowing no hits, two victories recently. walks and struck out 9 which was Derek Sullivan of Sacramento RHP Levi Thomas, Troy: Thomas posted a career-high 14 enough to be awarded the NJCAA City College notched his 200th win strikeouts in just 5 innings of work during an 18-6 win over D2 Pitcher of the Week honors and as the Panthers defeated Fresno Northern Kentucky. He started the game with 7 consecutive MACJC Pitcher of the Week. City, 9-1. strikeouts. Pat McGee of Pasadena City INF Bryce Blaum, Texas A&M: Blaum had an incredible week College captured his 100th career for the Aggies as he recorded 10 RBI, 12 runs scored, 5 doubles, JC NOTES victory as a head coach. 5 stolen bases and 9 walks as he went 7-for-14 at the plate. Teammate C/DH Tucker Thomas Around The Horn... LHP Sam Weatherly, Clemson: Weatherly had the most was awarded the MACJC Player Santa Fe College (FL) LHP strikeouts by a Clemson pitcher in 24 years when he mowed of the Week honors for his efforts Robb Adams tossed a gem against down 14 Stony Brook batters over 6 scoreless innings. in the series against Nunez. He hit Hillsborough CC. He threw a seven OF Elijah Cabell, Florida St.: Cabell hit 3 home runs with .444 with two home runs, a double inning no-hitter, striking out 9 and and over four games. 11 RBI for the Seminoles. He reached base at a .667 clip after helping his team to a 3-1 victory. getting hit five times and drawing two walks. Richland Hitting .398 ANTOINE HARRIS He was named the NJCAA Region LHP Reid Detmers, Louisville: Detmers struck out 14 Richland College (TX) kicked .429 with 4 walks, 11 runs scored, 8 Pitcher of the Week. off its season with a 12-4 record, OF Quinton Hall of Johnson Valparaiso batters in six innings during a 3-0 win. He retired one home run, one triple and 3 the first nine hitters in order. thanks in part to a great offensive doubles. County (KS) started his collegiate lineup. He earned NJCAA D2 Player of career helping his team to a 3-1 RF/3B Devonte Brown, N.C. State: Brown hit 3 homers and a The team boasts a .398 batting the Week honors recently. week against Brookhaven. He hit double as he collected 8 RBI over four games last week. average in 16 games led by three .714 (10-for-14) with two doubles, LHP Asa Lacy, Texas A&M: Lacy struck out a career-high top hitters in NJCAA D3. Two Top Pitching two triples, a home run, 8 runs Eastern Oklahoma State’s RHP 14 batters in only 5 innings during a 12-3 win over Army. He garnered National Player of the scored and 8 RBI. allowed 1 run on 4 hits. Week honors in the first two weeks Koty Frank started his season with His effort garnered him KJCCC of the season. two outstanding performances that and NJCAA D1 Player of the Week RHP Ryan Bergert, West Virginia: Bergert struck out a career- INF Nathan Van Maanen leads earned him NJCAA D1 Pitcher of honors. high 14 batters in 8 innings of work against Saint Joseph’s. the Week honors. the team and the nation in batting Eastfield (TX) LHP Jackson RHP Dominic Hamel, Dallas Baptist: Hamel worked 7 shutout Through two games, he has gone average (.558) and RBI (27). He has Phillips combined for a 7-0 shutout innings and took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in the Patriots’ 13 innings with 27 strikeouts and posted 7 doubles, one triple, two over Kansas City (KS). He tossed 3-0 win over North Carolina. He struck out 10 with one hit. a 0.69 ERA. He has allowed just the first 6 innings, allowing two home runs and has a .646 on-base SS Anthony Servideo, Mississippi: Servideo belted 3 home seven hits and one walk. hits, walking three and striking out percentage. runs with 7 RBI as he scored 6 runs, walked 5 times and was 9. He was awarded the NJCAA D3 Walk-Off Homer Leads State In Strikeouts 3-for-3 in stolen bases. RHP Elias Jauregui of Chaffey Pitcher of the Week honors for his Carl Albert State (OK) captured RHP Zach Pettway, UCLA: Pettway struck out a career-high a victory over Allen County CC College (CA) leads California JC’s effort. in strikeouts with 35. For the season, he is 2-1 with a 13 batters over 6 2/3 innings and only allowed 3 hits. He struck (KS) when SS Mack Moody belted out the side in three consecutive innings (second to fourth). a two-run homer to break a 10-10 Jauregui picked up a big win 1.35 ERA, 10 walks, 24 strikeouts tied in the bottom of the seventh. recently over El Camino College in 13.1 innings. LHP Ian Seymour, Virginia Tech.: Seymour struck out 17 He went 2-for-4 with a double, (CA). He went eight innings and Golden West (CA) Justin batters in two outings. Against East Tennessee St., he mowed home run, 3 RBI and 3 runs allowed only one run on six hits, Simpson, a switch-hitting shortstop, down 6 in three innings. Then against Louisiana, he struck out scored. no walks and 14 strikeouts. was named SoCal Player of the 11 more in 6 innings. He only allowed 1 run and 4 walks. On the season, he is hitting For the season, he is 3-1 with a Week after going 8-for-14. Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 

OFFICIAL BALL

THE BALL OF CHOICE TM

For more information or if you would like a proposal for your conference, please contact us at: [email protected] diamond-sports.com Page 10 Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball’s Jesuit H.S. No. 1 Pitchers Strike Out 23 Hitters In 2 Games National High School TUCSON, Ariz. — Jesuit “We came from behind with two (Southhaven, MS) is 2-0 with wins (Tampa, FL) is No. 1 in Collegiate outs in the last inning of the Region over Madison Central (MS), 7-3 Baseball’s first regular-season semi-final and then rallied again in and Saltillo (MS), 2-0. National High School Poll presented the state championship 4-3 win over No. 15 Huntington Beach (CA) TOP 30 POLL by Diamond Pro. Dunedin.” started its season 3-0 with victories Presented By The Tigers kicked off the season Two-thirds of the teams from our over Orange (CA), 22-0, Temecula with two wins over Blake (Tampa, pre-season poll have started and a Valley (CA), 6-3 and Gahr (Cerritos, FL), 13-0 and Tampa Catholic, few have moved in the rankings. CA), 7-0. 11-1. No. 2 Notre Dame (Sherman No. 16 Reagan (San Antonio, Coach Miguel Menendez said Oaks, CA) began the season 2-0 by TX) is 3-0 and defeated Eagle Pass both games ended in the mercy rule defeating Bishop Amat (La Puente, (TX), 8-3 and Antonio Prep (San as six different pitchers were used. CA) 2-1 in 13 innings and 5-2. Antonio, TX), 9-0 and 5-1. The staff fanned 23 batters in 10 The first game was tied 1-1 in No. 19 North Gwinnett (Suwanee, innings of work. Three hits were the first inning. GA) kicked off the season with a allowed and one unearned run. The two teams then traded zeroes 4-1 record, beating two nationally Over the two games, INF Jalen for the next 11 1/2 innings before ranked teams Loganville (GA), Niles and C Bennett Lee both hit the Knights came through in the 5-0 and Parkview (GA), 2-1. The .600 and recorded a double, a triple bottom of the 13th as Notre Dame’s Bulldogs also defeated Lanier, 10- and 2 RBI each. Daylen Reyes scored a run. He went 1 and Brookwood, 2-1 and lost to The Tigers return a powerful 3-for-5 with a double in the game. Flowery Branch, 1-2. ball club from its Florida 6A state No. 4 Orange Lutheran (Orange, In the first 38 innings, North championship team of 2019. CA) is 3-0, defeating Cypress Gwinnett’s pitching staff has only Eight of nine starting position (CA), 3-2 and 4-0 and La Mirada given up 3 earned runs. They will PROFESSIONAL GROUNDSKEEPING PRODUCTS players are back along with the (CA), 2-0. fly to California to play Valley entire pitching staff. In the game against La Mirada, Christian (San Jose, CA), another Eight pitchers have signed or Orange Lutheran’s Max Rajcic top team in the country. committed to NCAA Division outdueled Jared Jones with a one hit No. 20 Kingwood (TX) defeated I schools. Five of the pitchers shutout. Rajcic struck out 7. Both Klein Collins (Spring, TX) 5-2 in (As of Feb. 24, 2020) feature that are 91 mph pitchers are Collegiate Baseball the season opener. or higher. Pre-Season All Americans. No. 21 Harvard-Westlake (Studio Rank School Record There are 11 seniors who have No. 7 American Heritage (Delray City, CA) won its season opener 1. Jesuit (Tampa, FL) 2-0 signed or committed to colleges and Beach, FL) started the season 11-3 over Mira Costa (Manhattan 2. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, CA) 2-0 five underclassmen. with three straight shutouts over Beach, CA). 3. Carroll (Southake, TX) 0-0 Of the 16 committed or signed Santaluces (Lantana, FL), 7-0, No. 22 Parkview (Lilburn, GA) 4. Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA) 3-0 players, 13 are going to NCAA Jupiter (FL), 12-0 and Palm Beach is currently second in Georgia’s 7A Division I schools. Gardens (FL), 8-0. They added a behind North Gwinnett. After losing 5. Farragut (Knoxville, TN) 0-0 “This is the most talented team fourth win over Palm Beach Central to them, the Panthers defeated 6. Barbe (Lake Charles, LA) 0-0 I have ever coached,” said Head (Wellington, FL), 11-2. Berkmar (GA), 15-0 and 19-0 and 7. American Heritage (Delray Beach, FL) 4-0 Coach Miguel Menendez who is The pitching staff has been Loganville (GA), 6-1. 8. American Heritage (Plantation, FL) 3-0 in his sixth season with the Tigers. exceptional. RHP Mason Manriquez Both Parkview and Loganville 9. Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) 0-0 “We obviously have to keep struck out 8 in 6 innings against will host the Georgia Peach 10. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, CA) 4-0 working and improve. On paper, it Santaluces. tournament this weekend. should be a special ball club with LHP Nelson Berkwich struck No. 23 La Mirada (CA) dropped 11. The Woodlands (The Woodlands, TX) 0-0 the number of arms we have and the out 10 Jupiter hitters while LHP its season opener against Orange 12. Bob Jones (Madison, AL) 5-1 position players back as well. Carsten Finnvold fanned 7 Palm Lutheran, 2-0 and defeated Loara 13. DeSoto Central (Southaven, MS) 2-0 “We had a great fall and had a Beach Gardens hitters. (Anaheim, CA), 25-3 for a 1-1 number of players push each other No. 8 American Heritage record. 14. Lake Travis (Austin, TX) 0-0 which is important. I am excited for (Plantation, FL) is 3-0 with wins No. 24 Venice (FL) is 2-1 to start 15. Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, CA) 3-0 the season to start.” over Westminster Christian (Miami, the season, beating Archbishop 16. Reagan (San Antonio, TX) 3-0 Last season, Jesuit finished 27-5 FL), 2-0, Miami Christian (FL), 5-2 McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, FL) 17. Sam Houston (Lake Charles, LA) 0-0 and won their last eight games of and No. 24 ranked Venice (FL), 4-3. 6-0 and North Broward Prep (FL), 18. St. Mary’s (Orchard Lake, MI) 0-0 the season. The team had a 2.40 Kolbe Aven hit a in the 6-2 and lost to American Heritage 19. North Gwinnett (Suwanee, GA) 4-1 ERA with 283 strikeouts and 102 Venice game. (Plantation, FL), 4-3. walks. No. 10 JSerra Catholic (San No. 26 Loganville (GA) is 2-1 20. Kingwood (Kingwood, TX) 1-0 On offense, the Tigers swiped Juan Capistrano, CA) kicked off with wins over Winder-Barrow 21. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, CA) 1-0 95 bases in 32 games, hit .317 and the season with four straight wins (GA), 7-4, Lowndes (GA), 6-3 and 22. Parkview (Lilburn, GA) 3-1 belted 8 home runs, 69 doubles and over West Ranch (Valencia, CA), lost to Parkview, 6-1. 16 triples as they averaged 7.4 runs 3-0 and 4-2, Corona (CA), 4-0 and New to the poll is No. 30 23. La Mirada (La Mirada, CA) 1-1 per game. Poly (Riverside, CA) 5-2. Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, AZ) 24. Venice (Venice, FL) 2-1 “Defensively, we are fortunate to No. 12 Bob Jones (Madison, AL) which will start its season on March 25. Jesuit (Portland, OR) 0-0 have three guys in our who is 5-1. The Patriots split games with 3 against Red Mountain (Mesa, 26. Valley Christian (San Jose, CA) 0-0 can play shortstop. They will fill Hartselle, winning 7-2 and losing 5- AZ). Loganville (Loganville, GA) 2-1 out spots at shortstop, second base 7. They beat Smiths Station, 6-0 and Teams to watch are Calvary and third base. Our outfielders can 2-1, Buckhorn, 7-1 and Sparkman, Christian (Clearwater, FL) 3-0, De 27. Har-Ber (Springdale, AR) 0-0 really run and track balls down. 12-5. The offense has posted a .321 La Salle (Concord, CA) 0-0, Baylor 28. Millard West (Omaha, NE) 0-0 “The experience factor is team batting average with 7 hitters (TN) starts March 19, St. Augustine 29. St. John Vianney (St. Louis, MO) 0-0 something I am excited about. Our batting over .315 and recording 6 Prep (NJ) starts March 13, Regis 30. Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, AZ) 0-0 team went through a lot as we won home runs, 13 doubles and 1 triple Jesuit (CO) starts March 24, and the school’s fifth state title last in six games. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial season. No. 13 DeSoto Central (TX) starts Feb. 25. High School Notes Top High School Tournaments Have Been Scheduled TUCSON, Ariz. — More For more information, visit crown an overall state champion. www.borasclassic.com off Home Run Derby contest and national and regional high school www.borasclassic.com/locations/ The Boras Classic North will be San Diego Lions family bbq events held on April 4. tournaments have been announced. arizona played April 6-9 with Oak Ridge The San Diego Lions Tournament The tournament is hosted by El Coaches and fans can see some of Dorado H.S. in Placentia, CA and Coach Bob Invitational H.S. serving as the host team. will be held April 6-9 at various the top teams and players in the Various high schools in Phoenix Teams from the Sac-Joaquin, locations around the San Diego will be played at that school’s field, USA. and Glendale, AZ will be hosts to Central, North Coast and Central area. The tournament is divided nearby Ameriage Park and Cal State Boras Classic Arizona the Coach Bob Invitational March Coast sections are expected to into 10 divisions with the top teams Fullerton’s field. The Boras Classic Arizona is 18-26. attend, including Archbishop Mitty competing in the Open, Classic and Teams already scheduled to slated for March 11-14 and will be The tournament is divided into (San Jose, CA), the tournament’s Premier divisions. participate are El Dorado, Bishop played in two venues — Arcadia 7 divisions and typically includes defending champion. Participating in the Open Division Amat, West Ranch, Arcadia, San and Corona del Sol high schools in teams from Arizona, Nevada, The Boras Classic South will be are Granite Hills, Rancho Bernardo, Dimas, Servite, St. John Bosco, the Phoenix, AZ area. Colorado, Idaho, Florida and held April 14-17 at JSerra Catholic Mira Costa, Carlsbad, Poway, Redondo Union, Birmingham, Sixteen teams will compete in Oklahoma. and Mater Dei high schools. Many Valencia, South Hills, Bonita Vista, San Joaquin Memorial, all from the event from four states. Top Visit www.coachbobinvitational. of the top teams from Orange Elk Grove, Grossmont, La Costa California, Basic, Coronado and participants include Corona del com for teams, schedules. County and southern California Canyon, St. Augustine, El Camino Desert Oasis from Nevada, Liberty Sol (Tempe, AZ), the defending will participate, including JSerra Real, Eastlake, Torry Pines and from Arizona, Pleasant Grove Boras Classic North/South tournament champion, Hamilton Catholic, Mater Dei, Orange San Pedro. from Utah and James River from In California the Boras Classic Lutheran, Santa Margarita, Virginia. and Nogales, also from Arizona, is played in two divisions — a National Classic Bishop Gorman and Palo Verde Cypress, La Mirada, Notre Dame For information about the event, northern and southern version and Huntington Beach, among This year’s National Classic is visit www.nationalclassicbaseball. from Nevada and Cherry Creek — with the two winners meeting to slated for April 6-9 with the kick- from Colorado. others.For more infiormation, visit com Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 11 Marazzi Explains When Runs Are Allowed In Games ANSONIA, Conn. — In this out as the inning-ending third situations. the appeals is not important because caught fly ball or line drive. column, I will answer questions on out. The defensive team loses When the batter hits a line drive the inning cannot end in a force out And the defensive team has the when runs are allowed in games. the right to appeal, when all the or fly ball that is caught and there is since the batter-runner never forces luxury of utilizing the The only difference in playing infielders, including the pitcher, a subsequent appeal/s, the order of another runner to advance on a appeal, if necessary. codes regarding the answers below have crossed the foul line. As long would be the verbal option under as one infielder is in fair territory, NFHS rules involving appeal the defensive team can still make Crabaugh Picks Up 1,500th Career Win plays. an appeal. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Extends Shutout Streak To understand the rule Q. Let’s say there are runners on — Oklahoma City Head Coach St. Thomas University’s RHP interpretations in the following first and third with one out when Denney Crabaugh celebrated his Ernesto Pino started the season plays, it’s important to review the the batter hits a fly ball in the short 1,500th career victory with a sweep with three straight wins and has 12 following points: outfield that is caught by the right of York College (NE) in the season consecutive shutout innings. 1. No run can score when an fielder. opener . In his second game of the season inning ends in a force out. A runner The runner on third tags-up The Stars beat the Panthers, 11- against Middle Georgia, Pino went is never forced to advance and scores. The runner 3 and 7-3. The first game was the 7 innings, walking two and striking when a line drive or fly on first, who was off 1,500th career win for Crabaugh. out 12 while allowing no hits or ball is caught. Ruleball on the crack of the bat, He is the second active coach in runs. St. Thomas won 2-0. 2. No run can score is doubled-up before NAIA to reach that plateau, joining In his next outing against Keiser when the batter-runner returning to first base. Cumberland University’s Woody University, he tossed 5 innings, makes the third out before The runner on third has Hunt, who is the active leader in allowing four hits, two walks, 7 reaching first base, which crossed the plate before career wins. strikeouts, but no runs. STU won means legally occupying the third out at first base “You don’t win that many ball 7-4. first base in any manner. was recorded. Does the 3. When the Infield run count? Great Plate Appearances Fly Rule (IFR) is invoked, A. Yes. This is a NAIA NOTES Tyler Williams of Oklahoma runners are never forced classic “Time Play.” City collected his second Sooner to advance whether or The inning did not end games unless you surround yourself Athletic Conference player of the not the fly ball is caught. in a force out because with good people,” Crabaugh week honors for the year. Because runners are not no runner was forced said after the games. “I have been From February 10-16 he forced to advance, any With Rich Marazzi to advance because of blessed to have a lot of good people compiled a .462 batting average play made on a runner Rules Consultant the caught fly ball and around me, and topping that list is DENNEY CRABAUGH with four homers, 6 RBI, 5 runs Blue Jays, Brewers, Keith Lytle, who has been with me scored and a . attempting to advance Cardinals, D’backs, the batter-runner made Tough Pitching Staff requires a tag. the second out before for every one of those wins.” Faulkner (AL) pitching staff He smacked his seventh home Dodgers, Mariners, Crabaugh is in his 32nd year 4. When the IFR is Orioles, Phillies, reaching first base, not issued only one walk in 16 innings run of the year in a 5-4 win over invoked, if the fly ball is Pirates, Rangers, the third out. as Oklahoma City’s head coach. to sweep Lindsey Wilson College, Cumberland (TN). Rays, Red Sox, He has led the team to 14 NAIA 1-0 and 3-1. For the year, Williams has a.471 caught, runners need to Royals, Tigers, Q. In the bottom of the tag-up like any other fly ninth with the score tied World Series appearances, 14 50- In the first game, Zack Glines got batting average, 3 doubles, 7 home Twins, Yankees, the win seasons and the 2005 national ball that is caught if they Fox Regional Sports 4-4, the offensive team into a pitcher’s duel with Lindsey runs, 15 RBI and a 1.176 slugging wish to advance. If the fly Networks, ESPN and has the bases loaded championship. Wilson’s Chandler Harnage. percentage. the White Sox TV Harnage struck out four, walked ball is not caught, runners announcers. with one out when the Hits For Cycle Two Dominate Pitchers do not need to tag-up if batter hits a shot into Andrew Ishii helped Bellevue one and scattered three hits in Texas Wesleyan boast two they wish to advance. This Readers can submit the left centerfield gap (NE) to a double-header sweep of six innings while Glines tossed a dominate pitchers so far this questions to Rich at: Our Lady of the Lake University by career-high six innings, allowing situation is possible when [email protected] scoring the runner on season and both have garner Sooner the ball is hit into the short third for the apparent in the series’ three hits and one walk. Athletic Conference honors. outfield. winning run. opening game. Glines opened the seventh inning LHP Gabriel Sequeira recorded 5. When necessary, the defensive The runners on first and second The drove in four run before running into trouble and his second complete-game win team can utilize the Fourth Out thinking the game is over, leave the to lead Bellevue to a 11-3 victory. closer Heath Olive took over to of the season, defeating Bellevue appeal to nullify a run. (See Pro field without ever reaching their He hit a double in the first inning, strikeout the three batters he faced (NE) 6-1. rule 5.09-c that covers the Fourth next base. While the celebration a two-run triple in the second, a for the save. The junior registered 16 Out Appeal on page 49 in the 2019 is going on in the plate area, the single in the fourth and a two-run Faulkner scored an unearned run strikeouts while allowing one run Official Baseball Rules.) It is also defensive team throws the ball to homer in the fifth to complete the in the third inning for the win. on two hits in seven innings. This covered below in Question No. 2 second base to appeal the runner cycle. In the second game, Mike Battle was the most strikeouts against Q. The team has the bases on first who never touched second The Bruins managed a 5-4 and Ford Hilyer combined for the seventh-ranked Bellevue since loaded and one out when the batter for the second out. victory in the second game by 3-1 win. 2004. He improved to 3-0 on the hits a high pop fly into the short The defensive team then throws scoring three times in the bottom Battle scattered three hits and season. outfield. The umpires invoke the the ball to third base to appeal that of the seventh. allowed one earned run in four LHP Jesse Ramirez tossed declaring the the runner on second base never On the young season, Ishii is innings. a seven-inning complete game batter out. touched third base and the runner batting .320 with one doubles, Hilyer tossed five scoreless shutout in a 17-0 win over Bethany The ball is caught by the is called out for the third out. two triples, two home runs and innings, allowing two hits and (KS). He struck out 11 and allowed shortstop. The runner on second Should the run count giving the 10 RBI. striking out three. only four hits. base, thinking two were out at the team at bat a 5-4 win or should the time of the pitch, takes off on the game go into with the crack of the bat. The runner on third score tied, 4-4? base tags-up and crosses the plate A. The run should count. Outfi t Your With Major League-Style before the defensive team decides Because the batter-runner legally to appeal the runner on second who occupied first base on his hit, it Benches, Helmet & Bat Racks never tagged-up. The runner is created a force situation for all three called out. Does the run count? runners. A. Yes, because the runner on However, once the runner, who third base crossed the plate before was originally on first base, was the third out was recorded which ruled out at second base, it removed was not the result of a , the force out meaning the runner nor did the batter-runner make originally on second base was no the third out before reaching first longer forced to go third base. base. Therefore, the out at third base, The batter-runner made the which would be the third out of the second out of a continuing play, not inning, was not a force out and the the third out. Therefore, the inning inning ended in a “Time Play.” ended in a “Time Play.” The run counts and the game is The plate umpire must determine over. By rule, the runners on first what came first in time — the and second should be called out for runner on third crossing the plate abandonment which is an irrelevant or the third out at second base. point in this play. Assuming the runner on third If the defensive team initially touched the plate before the third appealed the runner going to third out was recorded, the run counts. and then appealed the runner going Q. In the above play, what if the to second base in that order, the runner on third also failed to tag-up. force would have been kept alive. Can the defensive team appeal that Since the third out was the result after they already appealed the third of a force out, the run would not out at second base? score and the game would go into A. Yes. This is called the Fourth extra innings. Out Appeal. If the defensive team When appealing multiple Tarps • Wall Pads • Rail Pads • Windscreen • Netting successfully makes the Fourth Out runners, the defensive team should Appeal at third base, the run would always try to keep the force alive Contact: Dave Payton be nullified because the defensive for the purpose of having the inning team can elect to take the out that end in a force out which would Bridgeview, Illinois gives them the best advantage. negate any run/s. The order of the Cell Phone: (708) 846-4119 Because the Fourth Out would appeal is very important in inning- erase the run, they would use that ending and game-ending force out www.pytsports.net Page 12 Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 No-Hit Gem Missouri Southern’s Parish Strikes Out 9 Univ. Of Mary Hitters JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri scored 7 runs and recorded 8 RBI. home run and 2 runs scored. He has Southern’s Zach Parish fired a no- 10 RBI Week hit 4 home runs through the Weevils NCAA Div. II hitter during a 13-0, 7-inning win Tusculum’s Luis Ezra was opening 10 game games. over University of Mary in the first collected 2 homers, 2 doubles and 11 Strikeouts Baseball Poll game of a doubleheader. 10 RBI over 5 games and scored Caleb Bly of Oklahoma Baptist (As Of Feb. 24) Rank School 2020 Rec. Points He struck out nine batters and 5 runs. was named Great American became the 10th pitcher in school 1. North Greenville (13-2-1) 238 Four of his 7 hits were for extra Conference pitcher of the week after 2. U.C. San Diego (10-3) 231 history to fire a no-hitter. bases as he compiled a 1.154 limiting Southeastern Oklahoma 3. Colorado Mesa (8-2) 223 In the second game, Zac 4. Tampa (8-4) 211 and .647 on- State to only 4 base runners in 6 5. Central Missouri (11-3) 207 Shoemaker of Missouri Southern base percentage. innings of work. 6. Catawba (11-2) 200 struck out 15 batters and only He struck out 11 and walked 7. Angelo St. (14-0) 199 allowed two hits over seven innings 12 Strikeouts 8. Georgia College (8-1) 181 Ethan Brodsky of Cal. State East only 1 in the 16-0 victory. He 9. Delta St. (10-3) 173 during a 4-1 win over University fanned multiple batters in 4 of the 10. Ashland (2-1) 172 of Mary. Bay struck out 12 batters and fired a SECOND TEN 3-hitter during a 5-0 win over Cal. 6 innings. 11. Mercyhurst (1-2) 158 Three Missouri Southern pitchers 12. New York Tech. (4-1) 156 combined to strike out 19 Mary State San Bernardino. Around The Horn… 13. West Texas A&M (12-2) 154 batters in the 9-inning contest. He was just three strikeouts off Montana State Billings’ Daniel 14. Mount Olive (12-2) 131 the single game program record. Cipriano went 8-for-16 over 4 15. Newberry (12-3) 121 16. Millersville (7-2) 119 21 Strikeouts His 9-inning complete game was games with 2 home runs, 2 doubles A trio of East Stroudsburg 17. S. New Hampshire (5-3) 113 the first in the California Collegiate and 7 RBI.…Western Oregon’s 18. Florida Southern (9-4) 111 pitchers struck out 21 Assumption Athletic Association this season. Alan Vasquez struck out 11 batters 19. East Stroudsburg (9-1) 98 batters during a 9-1 win. 20. North Georgia (10-2) 95 over 5 innings during a 4-1 win THIRD TEN Cam Voss struck out 12 batters Racking Up Innings 21. Texas-Tyler (12-1) 86 Erik Calderon, Jr. of King over Fresno Pacific.…RHP Benton in five innings while Justin Guidos McGill of Kentucky Wesleyan 22. Dixie St. (11-3) 75 mowed down 5 in 2 innings and C.J. College earned Pitcher of The Week 23. Columbus St. (10-3) 73 ZACH PARISH recorded 10 strikeouts in just 4 24. Biola (9-1) 63 Gonzales fanned the final 4 over the honors in Conference Carolinas over Augusta. innings of work against North 25. Valdosta St. (8-3) 49 last 2 innings. after making three appearances 26. Pitt-Johnstown (8-0) 48 He only allowed 3 hits. during a week and striking out 9 Greenville. He faced 18 hitters and 27. Seton Hill (4-2) 31 Angelo State Red-Hot only allowed 4 hits. 28. Embry Riddle (10-3) 28 7 Superb Innings batters in 3 2/3 innings of work. Angelo State raced to a 10- Eric Keating of West Florida 29. West Chester (3-1) 21 Kyle King of Georgia College He pitched 1 2/3 innings during 30. Concordia Irvine (10-4) 16 0 record to kick off the 2020 fanned 13 Montevallo batters while pitched seven masterful innings a 12-6 road win at Carson-Newman Source: NCAA Div. II Poll Committee season. against Francis Marion. with 3 strikeouts. Then he made allowing no runs and just two hits The Rams are hitting .401, He struck out 12 batters, allowed an appearance in both wins over in seven innings of work.…Blake averaging 12.9 runs per game and no runs and surrendered only 3 Salem four days later as he fanned Burns of Tarleton was 7-for-12 have hit 17 home runs, 30 doubles innings of work in a 9-2 win. He hits with 1 walk as the Bobcats 6 more batters. with 7 runs scored 3 home runs, and 7 triples. The disciplined allowed only three hits and two runs won, 6-1. 10 RBI and 17 total bases during a Great Weeks On Offense as he picked up his first collegiate He set down the side in order weekend of baseball. Alex Bedard of Southwestern win for the Bearcats. five times and retired 15 Patriots LHP Benjamin Elder of Angelo Oklahoma State went 11-for- RHP Braxton Roxby of Pitt- NCAA D-2 NOTES in a row at one point. State held Oklahoma Christian 15 during a series against East batters to just 2 hits and struck Johnstown struck out 12 batters offense is averaging 6 walks per This season, he has only allowed Central. out 12 batters over 6 innings of in 7 innings of work over two game as well. one earned run in 14 innings of He doubled twice and scored work. He didn’t allow a walk and appearances. He picked up a win The pitching staff has a 4.04 work and is second in the Peach six runs. allowed only 4 runners to reach against Fairmont State as he tossed ERA and has struck out 113 batters Belt Conference with a 0.50 ERA. Jordan Johnson of Arkansas- base.…Jacob Ensz of Fort Hays 5 innings of 2-hit ball. and only walked 25. 4 Home Run Week Monticello went 7-for-10 in a State struck out 10 batters in 5 1/3 Garrett Goodall of Embry- 16 Strikeouts Spencer Bramwell of Colorado 3-game set against Harding. He innings of relief against Colorado Riddle had a superb outing against RHP Lucas Smith of Anderson Mesa was on fire in recent games. opened with 4 hits, including a 2- Mines.…Spencer Hanson of Savannah State. He tossed nine struck out 16 batters over 9 innings He went 7-for-13 over the course run homer in the 12-4 win. In game Northwest Missouri fanned 11 shutout innings in a 9-0 win and during a 7-0 complete game victory of a week and belted 4 home runs, two, he went 2-for-3 with a solo Oklahoma Baptist batters in 7 struck out 11 batters with 1 walk. Finding Talented Athletes Is Challenging Quest For Baseball Coaches By CHARLIE GREENE the game! For a normal or average Left handed pitchers do not need At 2B/SS, a success playing Special To Collegiate Baseball scout/recruiter it takes five years to to throw hard to win. pattern is a major factor. At 1B, learn to evaluate properly and more Be aware of winning pitchers. your bat must carry you. MIAMI, Fla. — Finding skilled if you put the time in to really reach Convert strong armed outfielders At 3B your bat is most important players is a never ending search. the top limit of getting the feel for or third basemen to pitching. and your fielding can be ordinary Locating those with high caliber evaluation and to eliminate the fear Clint Eastwood at the age of under the right circumstances. talent is an art in itself. Scouting for aspect of evaluation. 75, said, “Always stay in a state of Tidbits players at all positions offers unique George Kissell, perhaps the most learning.” , former major challenges depending on certain brilliant instructor in professional Infielders league manager and Hall of Famer, physical prerequisites for each and baseball, said “See what they are You can play the middle (2B or said: “Find out what they can do every role. doing in game situations. Practice SS) right now or you can’t. and don’t ask for anything more.” Requirements at each position doesn’t really count.” These positions take a lot of On leadership — being wanted is vary in types of players that best Pitchers athletic skill. the most important quality starting fit. The tall and slender body type For example, Omar Visquel or with your family on down. At a recent meeting of the Miami with sloped shoulders and large Tom Foley (longtime major league If a player hasn’t had success, Baseball Forum (baseball discussion hands added into a fluid and free infielders) hardly ever had to make how can you ask him to help his group), we were fortunate to listen delivery means one thing in a a tough play. It was really very team? to legendary professional scout pitcher regardless of velocity- easy for them to play the game Catchers George Zuraw outline specific projection. defensively. guidelines to help identify the skills You don’t need a good arm to Years ago, prior to the draft I They rarely had to show you a throw runners out. You need a required for the variety of positions tried to sign a pitcher from North “good arm” due to their positioning. needed in the game. quick release and quick feet. Also Miami High School by the name CHARLIE GREENE It was basically their high baseball the catcher must have a short arm To say the least it was a unique of . 80’s, worked like a charm. IQ, along with great soft hands experience. release rather than a throwing I had first scouted him warming We had a history of the and body control. Joe DiMaggio fault like a pitcher having to reach A subsequent e-mail he forwarded up in the bullpen as a sophomore individuals’ progress. There were and started out delved into identifying talent. back to throw. Soft hands are very at Avon Park, Fla. during the high others, but not many. at shortstop but were moved to important. Here goes…Rex Bowen, perhaps school state playoffs and followed Pitchers with a herky-jerky centerfield because of limited body one of the better scouts ever and The ability to block pitches in him for the next few years until his motion, who labor while throwing control. the dirt and calling a game can one of the best teachers of scouts senior year. the ball should be put in the bullpen Today there are major league gave this advice to a young scout be taught (same for shifting.) As a senior his velocity was from the start. second basemen struggling to play Leadership is also important. whenever he started, “Go make roughly 84-85 mph with a slow Normally these type pitchers defensively. some mistakes.” Proper framing with the glove to rolling soft curve ball and he threw have uncorrectable flaws, making They make the routine play help the pitcher and learning verbal Identifying Prospects strikes. Projection was written all them throwers and usually effective most of the time but lack overall skills all come into play. Your wife or girlfriend can tell over him. for an inning or so before tiring or skills to perform up to major league If you have a good defensive you about the real good player- The same can be said about worse yet — hurting their arm or standards. They will make too many catcher, don’t be concerned about pitcher. Doc Gooden of Hillsborough High shoulder as starters. mistakes over a period of games. his hitting. Jerry Grote caught for It is an evaluator who can identify School in Tampa. Faults include hookers, arm Out of high school these the Mets, and his defensive skills the in-between type who can help He had the same type of delivery wrappers, slingers, short-arm and Florida players (Jody Reed, Robby were outstanding. your program as role players. and body as Carlton. He threw 83 others who will lack control because Thompson and David Eckstein) had His bat wasn’t the best. Do his These notes cover the so called mph on the gun in his first outing of their delivery. great playing ability but physically pitchers win? Remember, you might “secondary type prospect.” of the year. Tidbits were not ready to go out, so to speak, have a big OF/3B or 1B with a good What can they do and how do I first scouted Doc when he was Mental toughness is a major but were good college players who arm (?) who you can convert to they do it? Forget the stop watch just 14. Our scouting system with factor in the success of pitchers. then matured physically. catcher. Many major league players and radar gun. Use them, but the “Big Red Machine,” meaning Success pattern is a major factor Bill Mazeroski made the Hall of ended up as catchers. remember what is happening during the of the 70’s and in judging a pitchers performance. Fame because of his great glove. was a 3B in high school. Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 13

Coaches: Do You Know Your ABCA Membership Benefits?

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Page 14 Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 Greatest Coaches Of All Time Legendary USC Skipper Rod Dedeaux Utilized Many Teaching Tools By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. “I believe the mind is a powerful Editor/Collegiate Baseball instrument, and any coach should (Second Of A 3-Part Series) tap into it when he feels a change would help his team be more LOS ANGELES, Calif. — One successful. of the greatest coaches in college “There has never been a computer baseball history was Rod Dedeaux, built to match the human mind. legendary skipper at the University A good business executive will of Southern California for 45 stimulate people to come up with years. ideas on how jobs can be done more He led the Trojans to an efficiently. unprecedented 11 national “The same is true during the championships, 28 conference College World Series.” titles and posted an overall record Amazing Final Few Years of 1,332-571-11. Dedeaux said the final few He was named Collegiate years of his coaching career were Baseball’s NCAA Division I Coach amazing. of The Century by a landslide in In May of 1996, he was honored voting by his peers in 1999. by the Emperor of Japan with the Dedeaux, who stepped down as Fourth Order of Merit — Cordon head coach after the 1986 season, of the Rising Sun Award for his helped develop more than 50 work with the USA-Japan baseball major leaguers, including some of series. baseball’s top stars such as Tom This award had never been given Seaver, , , to another American in history and Mark McGwire, , also nobody in the sports realm Roy Smalley, , Ron before. Fairley and to name Then he was honored as Coach just a few. Dedeaux died in 2006. of The Century in NCAA Division I He not only was the skipper at by Collegiate Baseball, watched his USC for more than four decades, USC Trojans win another national but he also served as President championship, and then enjoyed of DART Transportation, Inc., a Rod Dedeaux (center) is with two future Major Leaguers in (far left) and watching former player Mark million-dollar trucking firm that (far right). Dedeaux led the Trojans to 11 national titles. McGwire set a new Major League had world-wide distribution. record with 70 homers. What was his system for he taught his pitchers to excel Since every game is important something totally wrong. especially in the clutch. to teams because of the Rating “If he practices this for five “After I was named Coach success? of The Century, it seemed like “Whether you are a coach “We had some outstanding Percentage Index computer program consecutive days, how will he pitchers come into our program. that the NCAA utilizes, the chance perform properly in a game when everyone in the world was sending or involved in business, good me congratulatory letters or calling organization is absolutely essential,” But throwing hard only gets you for experimentation is essentially a everything is on the line? so far. We had to teach them how thing of the past, and Dedeaux feels “Chances are he won’t. My me. said Dedeaux shortly after he was “The good people at Sears named Coach of The Century by to pitch. this is wrong. motto was do it right every day.” “That’s the secret. Pitching “I liked to develop the team Dedeaux explained how he Roebuck, who I work with in Collegiate Baseball. my business, gave me what was “Every good coach I know of is as different speeds and where to slowly at the beginning of the year recruited baseball players. throw it in different counts with to see who we had and who could “Living in southern California probably an $800 jacket which was a good organizer, and I don’t care cardinal and gold (USC colors) what sport it is. All the good baseball confidence is crucial or pitchers compete. has a lot of natural advantages. to learn. We had some guys who “How else can you develop your There are a lot of outstanding high with the words ‘Coach of The managers are good organizers. Century.’ “I have been blessed with pitched some great ball games and ball club? We did it out of necessity. school and college coaches along became Major Leaguers. We did not have the luxury of with great athletes. “It was really touching. But how some fine assistant coaches who can I go around wearing a jacket helped our program through the “As far as pitchers with control having 20 top-notch ball players. “Those are big, big advantages. problems, control is physical. But “They had to be developed along You can never underestimate what like this in public? I can only wear years. Consistently, my assistant it in my bedroom.” coaches have been former players. mentally you must want to do it. If the way. We were going to lose my son Justin did for our program. They liked to call it the Dedeaux you’re playing , throw the ball games because of that. He was a premiere judge of talent Dedeaux On McGwire system. right at the target you intended it to “But as the season progressed, when he coached for us. But as with The former Trojan skipper “At my place of business, my go to. Always throw it where you we were going to do things right. most programs, you have contacts explained how he changed Mark No. 1 man played baseball for me want it to go.” With a great deal of passion, I who you call when you are looking McGwire from a pitcher into a hitter as well. We’ve had as many as six Dedeaux also discussed how object to the way baseball has gone for players, and that’s who we while he was attending USC. or seven players work there at one to motivate players which was a (with the RPI) which affects this tapped into.” “I have always been a strong, time.” specialty of his. early season development. Dedeaux explained why he made strong believer in recruiting the best Dedeaux delved into what “Salesmanship with your players “Coaches need the early part of bold, unexpected coaching moves athletes possible. his system was for producing is absolutely crucial. the season to help develop a team during the College World Series “In high school, the coach usually successful teams. “I always believed you had to properly.” that almost always worked out to has his best athlete play shortstop or “There were several things. We sell your players to do the right Dedeaux said he was not a stern perfection when members of the pitch. That doesn’t mean that will attempted to get the best athletes thing. I only had one set of rules disciplinarian at USC. media would cringe wondering be the position they will wind up we could find and bring people into because I wasn’t smart enough to “I never really used any strong- what he was doing. playing in college or pro baseball. the program who had real heart. I know another set. armed tactics when I was coaching. Some people called his moves “Dave Kingman came to USC wanted players who had this special “My key rule was to do the I was focused on doing everything hunches or gut feelings. as a pitcher. But I thought he had combination and wanted to work right thing all the time. My players right. I am proud that our players The most memorable came tremendous potential as a hitter. So hard at winning. usually responded well. learned what I wanted them to do during the 1968 College World he tried and tried to hit with limited “Other coaches were severe task “I always felt whether in business without resisting too much. Series. success. masters at doing things right. That’s or baseball, an important area was “In a way, they became their own Southern California leftfielder “He really only wanted to pitch. why our record shows that we got a motivation. People had to believe teachers after months of instruction Pat Kuehner was mired in a horrible But I asked him to keep his options lot better as the seasons unfolded. in what they were doing. by the coaches because they knew . open. “So often, people outside the “I always said you can’t make exactly what they had to do to He was 0-for-14 in the CWS “Mark McGwire was very similar program would say we had a lot of a cow trot. They obviously must perform at a higher level. entering the national championship to Dave Kingman. In many ways, help. But the misconception was have some talent and then believe “I never found discipline was game against Southern Illinois and they were the same. They were so wrong. in what they’re doing. a problem if it was properly was benched. both power hitters. They both were “We had NCAA rules to follow, “If they do believe in what you presented. You look at successful SIU was trying to hold onto a Major League pitching prospects. and also had restrictions from the are teaching, they must work at it ball clubs or successful businesses, 3-2 lead going into the bottom of For the sake of the discussion, let university to follow. 100 percent. Over the years, we and you decide what you will do the ninth. me throw in another one who came “At a private school like have done extremely well down and execute the plan. With two USC runners on, to us as a lefthanded pitcher and USC, money has to come from the stretch (regionals and College “We had very limited facilities Dedeaux summoned a pinch hitter Major League prospect by the name somewhere, and we were not able World Series). and people, despite what some to the plate who was none other than of Fred Lynn. to hand out full ride scholarships “I feel it is the coaches’ job to might have believed. We didn’t Kuehner as members of the media “I could go on to name others left and right as many have said have people in the lineup who won’t have big areas to work in.” shook their heads in disbelief. along the way. over the years.” make key mistakes during that time Hard Practice Sessions Kuehner proceeded to make “After a tremendous amount Dedeaux said prior to one of his of year.” Dedeaux was firm to his players Dedeaux look like a genius as he of work, Dave Kingman became 11 national championships that he Works In Progress about working hard in practice. hit a triple to knock in the tying and the No. 1 pick in the draft. Mark looked over his starting lineup. The vast majority of Dedeaux’s “I always believed the way you winning runs of the title game. really liked the idea of hitting. He “Other than our shortstop, none teams were works in progress. practiced was the way you would “It all revolves around knowing was a great athlete who could do of our starting lineup had a full ride He utilized the early part of the play. I just would not stand for your personnel extremely well. so much. scholarship the first year when they season to drill and work his players anybody to be lackadaisical in “I made some coaching moves “There was never a doubt in arrived at USC.” into baseball playing machines. practice. that would have seemed unusual my mind that he could be a great With pitching being such a But there were always bumps “Do it the right way. It drives me if you didn’t know our guys. But power hitters because of his size crucial element on any level of along the way during this learning crazy when I watch a Major League if you see them all year long in and athletic ability. baseball, Dedeaux explained how process. game and somebody is doing practice and games, you know what they are capable of. See HAVING FUN, Page 15 Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Page 15 Having Fun Was Vital For Dedeaux’s Teams Continued From Page 14 prank or two on his players as well wig on, people thought he was a — all in good fun. mechanical man. “I said from the very beginning The fun-loving USC coach was “Danny Litwhiler (former that when he learned to play first famous for his bright red wig which Michigan State coach and Major base, he would be outstanding he swiped from a production in his Leaguer) told the story of what defensively. He has such soft hands days at Hollywood High. happened when he put on the wig and can throw. He probably would “It was made out of human hair,” at a bar. have been a great third baseman. laughed Dedeaux. “This guy had his head down on “Some people didn’t want to get “Every guy who ever played for the bar and looked over at Danny. Mark off the mound because they our team had to wear that wig at Not knowing what sort of creature felt he would be a great one. some time during their first year he was looking at, his eyes opened “We’ve done this through the with the team. widely as he stared at Danny.” years with different players who “But it was always in great fun. In the arena of fun, USC players were great athletes. The main thing People don’t believe it, but the were the absolute best in the is keep the options open for your hair on that wig kept growing. I business at bench jockeying, a time- players. We have done that with went to the barber shop on campus honored skill which was outlawed multiple-sport athletes as well. and was the only guy to get two by the NCAA Rules Committee “We had many dual sport athletes haircuts (one for Dedeaux and one many years ago. play for us who came from our for the wig) and got charged for “I thought bench jockeying football program. My philosophy one haircut.” was a lot of fun, and it’s a shame was that if you liked both sports Stories about the red wig are it was done away with. Our team and wanted to play both, why not? legendary. was never profane or said things See how it goes. “I began wearing the wig at off color. “Let time decide how everything different functions as a gag long “I always felt everyone on the will work out. We had more than before people wore long hair. team should be in the game. We most. One great one was Bill People accused me of starting a wanted our bench to be organized. Sharman who played basketball and trend. It caused a lot of stares, and “Bench jockeying allowed us baseball for us.” I put it on Jim Whatley (former to needle guys on the other team. University of Georgia coach) in What is wrong with that? Nobody Fun-Loving Antics No coach in college baseball Philadelphia one year. was on our bench unless they were history had as much fun with his “He got up to do a dance on the part of the team. They all got into players than Dedeaux. floor as everyone roared. With this the spirit of playing the game.” Legendary USC Head Coach Rod Dedeaux “My philosophy was always to have fun. Sure, we had good ball clubs. But nobody has ever had more fun than our guys. “There is no doubt about it. I personally think people in the game, from coaches to players, are taking everything way too serious now. It’s a fun game. One of the secrets to the game is having fun. “How often have you seen players on TV after winning a championship say, ‘We had fun’ or the coach instructing his players to have fun out there.” Dedeaux was known to play a DIAMONDDIAMOND Gonzales Hits For Cycle And Collects 7 RBI Continued From Page 8

Tyler Eckberg combined to carry a no-hitter into the ninth inning in a game against Utah. But the Utes rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Wildcats, 2-1. Utah’s Matt Richardson broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the ninth. Richardson would come around to score on a which tied the game, 1-1. Utah then loaded the bases with one out. Vinny Zavolta scored the game winner after the Wildcats were unable to turn an inning-ending . Hits For Cycle New Mexico St. All-American Nick Gonzales added to his remarkable resume when he hit for the cycle in an 18-4 win over Iona. He belted two home runs as he went 5-for-6 in the game with 7 RBI and 5 runs scored. RED INFIELD Walk-Off Homer Cam Williams hit a 10th inning CONDITIONER walk-off homer to give Texas a 7-5 win over Boise St. BULK DELIVERY 10, 15 AND 24 TONS Renovation Almost Done Seton Hall will unveil its latest facility improvement on March 10 for the newly renovated Mike Sheppard, Sr. Stadium at Owen T. AVAILABLE IN BULK NATIONWIDE Carroll Field. Seton Hall broke ground on the renovation project last March, and improvements will feature new field turf, chairback seating, permanent restrooms and enclosed press boxes. Page 16 Collegiate Baseball Friday, March 6, 2020 Collegiate Baseball Catch All The Exciting Action For less than the cost of a handful of baseballs, you can read about all aspects of college and high school baseball starting with pre-season editions, moving to in-season coverage and culminating in post-season championships. From All-American teams to important news that is fit to print, we take pride in running the best human interest stories of any publication covering the game. Plus, we delve into unique teaching methods from the best baseball coaches in the business along with in-depth reports on the best new baseball products available. Subscribe today and pick 1 of 8 special E-books below for FREE!

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