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Collegiate The Voice Of Amateur Baseball

Started In 1958 At The Request Of Our Nation’s Baseball Coaches Vol. 62, No. 13 Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 $4.00 Historic Rule Is Finally Approved 20-Second Action Rule Since NAIA, NJCAA and other junior college schools use NCAA , has the potential to cut 20 games on those levels should see this same minutes or more off game time reduction in games which should draw times in . more fans. A 20-second clock with men on base was By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. recommended by the NCAA Baseball Rules Editor/Collegiate Baseball Committee last year to prevent delay tactics which were hurting the game with lengthy UCSON, Ariz. — Possibly the most contests, especially in the NCAA Division important NCAA change I tournament. Tin history has been approved by the Unfortunately, the Playing Rules Oversight NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel after Panel did not allow the rule change for 2019 initially being recommended by the NCAA because of cost considerations with two Baseball Rules Committee. clocks that would have been mandatory at Starting with the 2020 baseball season, a schools. 20-Second Action Rule will be mandatory The change in wording with a 20-Second between pitches. It will include pitches Action Rule and no mandatory clock allowed thrown with nobody on base or runners on it to be passed for 2020. base. A has five options for the clock There has never been a time clock with to stop within the 20-Second Action Rule runners on base until now in the 110-year in place: history of the NCAA. 1) Must begin his windup motion. This historic rule has the potential of 2) Throw a to a base which has shaving off 20 minutes or more for all NCAA baseball games. See 20-SECOND ACTION, Page 3

Highest Amount Tabulated In Last 50 Years Quest For RECORD Bullseye Recruiting IN 2019 SEASON Strikeouts per 9 for each team was a record 8.08, according to NCAA Division I Trends report as numbers skyrocket last 5 years. By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. Editor/Collegiate Baseball

NDIANAPOLIS — The highest amount of strikeouts over the past 50 years of NCAA Division I baseball took place during Look at in the 2019 season, according to the NCAA Division I Baseball the Pac-12, ACC or StatisticsI Trends report. “ Compiled by Jeff Williams, Associate Director of Media Researchers Can Predict SEC. Half of pitching Coordination and Statistics with the NCAA, the 2019 NCAA staffs in these leagues Division I Strikeouts Per 9 Innings for each team was a record 8.08. Where Recruits Will Go are throwing It marks the first time in history the average has eclipsed 8.00 By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. If coaches across the USA utilize 90 mph or above. Each of the last five years have featured numbers that Editor/Collegiate Baseball this template in the major team have gone over 7.00. sports, it may be a way to That was unheard of a For the previous 45 years prior to 2015 (1970-2014), only twice OWA CITY, Iowa — University millions of dollars in needless decade ago. have strikeout totals risen over 7.00, and that was in 1998 (7.07) of Iowa researchers are recruiting. Why should recruiters able to predict with a high spend time and energy on recruits — Butch Thompson, and 1999 (7.12). I The strikeouts per 9 innings per game for each team the last probability where football recruits who have their minds set on another Auburn University five years include: will ultimately attend college by school? 2015: 7.02 analyzing Twitter accounts. The Institute for Operations The same formula can be utilized Research and Management Sciences See STRIKEOUTS AT HIGHEST LEVEL, Page 7 in baseball, according to the lead researcher Kristina Bigsby. See TWITTER, Page 9 Inside C”ollegiate Baseball Web Site: www.baseballnews.com Summer League Miami’s ‘Grand Illusion’ Special USA Baseball Summer Teams CB takes in-depth look at college Lou Pavlovich explains greatest Taking a look at how different summer teams that captured titles sting operation in history of game national baseball teams did over along with top players/Page 10 that happened in 1982/Page 4 the summer of 2019/Page 12 Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Numerous Coaching Changes Collegiate Baseball The Voice Of Take Place During Past Summer Amateur Baseball TUCSON, Ariz. — Throughout the last three years at Long Beach State. He has coached at multiple levels of baseball the summer, more coaching from junior college to several Division 1 changes have been announced by programs and in the minor league system of the universities and colleges around . Collegiate Baseball (ISSN 0530-9751) is published twice a month the country. Former MLB draftee and All American January-May and once in June, July, September and October pitcher with the Miami Hurricanes, Bryan (14 total issues) by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Inc., 2515 Head Coaches Radziewski was named the pitching at N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. Periodicals postage paid at Fullerton College announced the hiring of LaSalle University. longtime Cal State Fullerton assistant coach Last season he was the pitching coach and Tucson, AZ. Chad Baum as the Hornet’s new head baseball recruiting coordinator at Fairleigh Dickinson. In coach. one season, he helped the Knights increase their Send address changes to: Baum is the 10th head coach in the program’s conference win total by eight games. Previously Postmaster: history dating back to 1937. He replaced Nick he was a stellar pitcher for Miami (FL) and spent Collegiate Baseball Fuscardo who retried in the spring of 2018 after three years in the organization P.O. Box 50566 serving as the head coach since 1986. as a pitcher. Tucson, AZ 85703 Baum spent 13 seasons with Cal State Steve McKee returns to Florida Gulf Coast Fullerton and has the fourth longest tenure as after a 15-year hiatus to be an assistant coach. Overnight Mail: 2515 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 a Titan behind , McKee served as the team’s first-ever and . He finished his 20th pitching coach and recruiting coordinator from season as a Division 1 assistant coach. For the 2002-04, helping the team get off to a good start. Past Publishers: Abe Chanin, Lou Pavlovich, Sr. last 8 seasons with Cal State Fullerton he was During his time with the Green and Blue, the 1-Year Subscription Rate: $28 for 14 issues. the recruiting coordinator, coached third base, team posted a 72-33 record. Single 1-Year First Class U.S. Subscription: $45 hitting and . For the past few years he has coached at all Single 1-Year Foreign Air Mail Subscription: $50 Webber International University head coach levels of baseball, helping a total of 33 players Brad Niethammer stepped down to become get drafted, including six first-round picks. Special Team Subscriptions: 11 papers each issue sent to one the team’s Director of Baseball Operations and Central Florida announced that Ted Tom, address — $110 (save $198 off the single subscription price), and Assistant Athletic Director. Collin Martin was who was the volunteer coach the last two season, 21 papers each issue sent to one address — $189 (save $399). named the new head baseball coach. was promoted to an assistant coach. He has been Other Multiple Subscription Offers: Please inquire with sub- Niethammer has been the only head coach working with the and running Greg scription department at (520) 623-4530. in the history of Webber baseball which started NATE YESKIE Lovelady Camps at the school. in 1994. He retires with a 765-659 career record …Moves Over To Arizona Previously Tom was director of baseball which puts him in the top 20 on NAIA’s active operations at the University of Cincinnati and winningest coaches. Regionals and 17 NCAA Regionals. was head coach at his alma mater Shawnee Directory Martin is an alum of Webber from the , a 13-year MLB veteran, State University, where he compiled a 203- 2005-06 seasons. Since 2017, he has served joined the Longhorns’ baseball staff as an 193 record. as the Associate Head Coach and managed assistant coach. He replaces Phil Haig who is Prior to working at SSU, he was an Area Code (520) the Saugerties Stallions of the no longer with the program. instructor at the IMG Baseball Academies in Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530) Collegiate Baseball League the past two In addition to his five All-Star selections, Bradenton, FL and a head coach in the Florida Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. (Call 623-4530 to report stories) summers. Tulowitzki is a two-time Glove winner Collegiate Instructional League. Advertising Director: Diane Pavlovich (Call 623-4530) He previously coached at Florida Southern and a two-time Silver slugger winner. He spent Anthony Izzo joined the Tulane baseball Subscription Department: (Call 623-4530) 10 seasons with the before College and Polk State College before returning staff as an assistant coach. For the past three Fax Machine: (Call 624-5501) to Webber in 2015 to be an assistant coach. joining the from 2015-17 and seasons, Izzo was the pitching coach and finishing with the Yankees in 2019. recruiting coordinator at Pearl River CC in E-Mail: [email protected] Associate Head Coaches A career .290 hitter, Tulowitzki finished his Mississippi. He helped the team earn three Web Site: www.baseballnews.com Nate Yeskie, one of the top pitching coaches MLB career with 1,391 hits, 264 doubles, 225 consecutive NJCAA D2 regional appearances. in the country, has joined the University of runs and 780 RBI. The team made an appearance in 2019 at the Arizona’s baseball staff as an associate head Former MLB All-Star joined NJCAA D2 World . coach. the State baseball coaching staff. He Texas State hired Josh Blakley to be an 2019 Publication Schedule Yeskie spent the last 11 seasons with will be responsible for the Cowboys’ offensive assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Oregon State where he won an NCAA national development and outfield play. the team. Last season, Blakley was an assistant January 4 March 8 May 3 September 6 Champion in 2018 and was named Collegiate Holliday played 15 big league seasons for at Texas Rio Grande Valley where he helped January 25 March 22 May 17 October 4 Baseball’s National Pitching Coach of the Year Colorado, St. Louis, Oakland and New York the team win the Western Atheltic Conference February 8 April 5 June 14 in 2013 and 2017. His primary duties will be to Yankees and was a seven-time All-Star selection regular season championship for the program’s February 22 April 19 July 12 serve as the Wildcats’ pitching coach. during his career. first conference title since 1955. Arizona assistant Dave Lawn will remain on He .299 during his career and tallied In 2018, Blakley served as a volunteer staff and take over as the program’s defensive 316 home runs, 468 doubles and 1,220 RBI. assistant at Texas State where he helped with coordinator. He was a four-time Silver Slugger winner and outfielders, hitters and was the summer camp Former University of Arizona recruiting helped lead the Cardinals to the 2011 World coordinator. Moving? coordinator Sergio Brown joined the Cal State Series title. Former Delta College assistant Mat Fullerton baseball program as its new recruiting Make Sure CB Moves Along With You! Marty Lees returns to the Oklahoma Keplinger joined the University of San coordinator and associate head coach. State coaching staff as an assistant coach and Francisco baseball staff as the new pitching To change your address, please write us 30 days in advance if Brown won a national championship as a recruiting coordinator. He previously served coach. you can. Mail to: Collegiate Baseball Newspaper player with the Titans in 1995 and returns for on the staff from 2013-15 before spending the During Keplinger’s seven year stint, Delta Dept. Address Change his third stint as a coach on the staff. (2001-03 last four seasons as head coach at Washington College made seven consecutive Elite Eight and 2007-10). P.O. Box 50566 State. appearances in the California Community During his time at Cal State Fullerton, the Tucson, Ariz. 85703 Eddie Smith, who directed a record- College Athletics Association championships Titans won three Big West championships and breaking Tulane baseball offense in 2019, and five Final Four appearances. The team won finished seventh at the 2009 College World Please print OLD address here. has been hired as State’s volunteer the title in 2018. 1. Series. He helped the team to three Super coach/hitting coach. He built the Mustangs into a pitching Regionals and 14 total post-season wins. NAME Smith was Tulane’s hitting coach and powerhouse, producing 28 pitchers who went In his four seasons at Arizona, Brown’s 2018 recruiting coordinator for the past two seasons. on to Division 1 programs and 9 MLB draft STREET APT. # recruiting class was ranked No. 3 in the country The Green Wave set American Athletic picks. by Collegiate Baseball. CITY STATE ZIP Conference records this season for home runs Matt Williams joined the Liberty baseball Jeff Palumbo, who was assistant coach (89), average (.302), runs per game staff as the new pitching coach after spending and recruiting coordinator at East Carolina DATE OF (7.69), runs scored (446), total bases (1,055) the past year as a minor league pitching coach University since 2014, was promoted to and more. in the ’ organization. Under MOVE: associate head coach recently. In his 13 seasons as a college coach, Smith Williams, his minor league pitching staff had He oversees all aspects of the Pirates’ has tutored 48 players who were chosen in the great success, posting the best strikeout-to-walk recruiting efforts, serves as the and 2. Please print NEW address here. Major League Draft, including 23 in the top ratio in the and the fewest coach and assists with the hitters. He has 10 rounds. walks per nine innings. NAME had recruiting classes in the Top 25 rankings The new pitching coach at Oregon State is Kentucky announced the hiring of Dan in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and is considered one STREET APT. # Rich Dorman who was the pitching coach at Roszell and Will Coggin as new assistant of the Top 30 recruiters by his peers. Six of his Grand Canyon the past three seasons. He helped coaches in the baseball program. CITY STATE ZIP recruits were Major League Draft selections. the Antelopes to a pair of Western Athletic Roszell was at East Carolina for the last Contract Extensions Conference titles. Grand Canyon had its second- nine years mentoring the pitching staff. He Appalachian State baseball head coach best ERA (4.16) in 2019 since the team became has coached for 19 years at four successful (TX) and Sam Houston State. coach and helped with recruiting at Pearl River Kermit Smith signed a contract extension that a Division 1 program 14 years ago. programs. Western Kentucky hired Adam Pavkovich CC (MS) which made an appearance in the runs through the 2023 season. Both Pat Bailey and Ryan Gipson will Coggin will be an assistant coach and as an assistant coach. Last season he was NJCAA D2 . Previously he played In 2019, Smith completed his third season remain on the Oregon State coaching staff as recruiting coordinator for Kentucky. Previously an assistant at Notre Dame where he was at South Alabama where he was a first Team as head coach of the Mountaineers, who set a assistant coaches. Bailey returns for his 13th he worked at Mississippi State and has been a responsible for infield , running the All-Sun Belt Conference selection in 2016 program record with 13 victories in Sun Belt season with the program and Gipson will be in part of five conference championships in his offense and play calling. He also helped with and 2017. Conference play and won 22 games overall his second season as a volunteer assistant. nine years of coaching. He has been a recruiting recruiting and worked with the analytics team to Kirby Pellant is the new volunteer assistant despite having three in-state non-conference Joey returned to Oregon State to coordinator before and has helped develop develop advanced scouting reports and internal coach at State. He was Ohio State’s quality road or neutral site games canceled. In addition, be an undergraduate assistant coach for the and hitters. evaluations. control coordinator for 2019 and previously one of his players was named a Freshman All- Beavers. He was a three-time letterwinner With over 20 years of coaching experience, He also was an assistant coach at was the student assistant coach in 2015 after American and Kaleb Bowman had and 2007 National Champion while playing at Toby Bicknell joined the UNC Charlotte State for three years working with infielders finishing his career as a player and being the best ERA in the Sun Belt Conference. OSU. Drafted in 2009, he reached as high as baseball staff as an assistant coach. and hitting. drafted in 2013. -A baseball. Recently Bicknell was the CEO and scouting Assistant Coaches Tommy Winterstein is a new assistant Jamell Cervantez was named volunteer Bryant Gaines, a former director of Prep Baseball Report in Texas. Before coach for the University of Toledo. For three assistant for Wichita State. For the last seven Jason Dietrich, a nine-year coaching pitcher, returns to his alma mater to become veteran at the Division 1 level and Collegiate that, he had coaching stints at Kentucky, U.S. seasons, he was a volunteer coach at Western seasons, he was an assistant coach at Hutchinson the pitching coach. Air Force Academy, Davidson and Clemson. Kentucky where he also ran the school’s CC (KS). Baseball’s 2016 Pitching Coach of the Year, is Gaines spent nine seasons as a member of the new pitching coach at East Carolina. Former Southern Miss baseball standout summer camp. Eleven-year MLB veteran Cliff Pennington the Tar Heel program, five as a player and four Travis Creel returns to his alma mater as an Prior to WKU, he was director of player joined the Texas A&M baseball staff as a He will work with the Pirate pitching staff as an assistant coach. During his time, North and with recruiting. Dietrich has worked assistant coach. He will be the team’s recruiting development at Charleston Southern where student assistant coach. He returns to his Carolina advanced to five , coordinator and oversee the offense for the he worked with hitters and infielders among alma mater after being drafted in 2005 by the at UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton and Oregon four when he was a player. over the last nine years. His teams have been program, a role he enjoyed at Louisiana Tech other duties. . He played for five different For the past two seasons, he was the for the 2018 and 2019 seasons Joey Holcomb joined the NC State baseball professional teams until the 2018 season. in 8 NCAA Regionals and one College World pitching coach at Liberty, where he helped Series appearance. Creel worked for Louisiana Tech for three staff as an assistant. He spent the last seven Kyle Simonds was promoted from graduate the team to a school record tying 43 wins, an seasons as an assistant coach and director of seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting student to volunteer assistant coach While coaching at Oregon, he worked with ASUN Championship in the first year in the 6 players who went on to be Major League camps. coordinator at UNC Greensboro. He helped the by Texas A&M. He worked as the graduate conference and the school’s first NCAA regional Dan DeLucia was promoted to pitching UNCG baseball team improve its hitting over student manager for two years while finishing Baseball draft selections. From 2017-19, his appearance since 2014. pitching staffs ranked among the national coach for the Ohio State baseball team. He has the years, breaking school records in batting his master’s degree. Cal State Northridge has hired Neil Walton served as the team’s volunteer assistant coach average, hits, RBIs, doubles, triples and on- Greg Bergeron was named Washington leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio, strikeouts per and Eddie Cornejo as assistant coaches. nine innings, walks allowed per nine innings for the last six seasons, helping to guide the base percentage. State’s volunteer assistant coach. For the last Both worked at UC Santa Barbara from team to three NCAA Regional appearances After 13 years in , four season, he worked at Long Beach State and WHIP. 2014-17 where they helped the Gauchos Former Wichita State head coach Todd in the last four years as well as two Big Ten former Texas standout joined the and has been coaching for two decades mostly advance to the College World Series in 2016. Tournament titles. Longhorns baseball staff as a student assistant. in Southern California. Butler joined the baseball staff as an UCSB also posted a nationally ranked recruiting assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Last season, he guided a young pitching staff Over his career, Street pitched for four He coached the Dirtbags’ offense and served classes in each of those seasons. to the postseason and shattered the school record different MLB teams and appeared in 668 major as the team’s recruiting coordinator. Butler has been either a Division 1 head Walton was a volunteer assistant the last two coach or an assistant over the last 27 years. In for strikeouts in a season with 583. league games, amassing 324 career saves and Spencer Goodwin was promoted to seasons at Cal State Fullerton where he worked Scott Shepperd joined the Texas-San was a two-time All-Star. volunteer assistant at Northwestern State. He the last 6 years, he led Wichita State where he with the team’s offense and infielders. sent 30 players to and Antonio baseball staff as the pitching coach. He was a three-time All American at Texas joined the Demons as a walk-on and became Cornejo was an assistant coach, recruiting For the past two seasons, he has served as the and the MVP of the 2002 College World Series. a two-year letterman in 2016 and 2017. coached 11 All Americans. He’s also coached at coordinator and third base coach with San Jose McNeese State, Alabama and Arkansas during pitching coach at Incarnate Word where his staff He holds the Longhorn (41) and College World For the past two seasons he was a graduate State in 2019. lowered the team’s ERA by more than three Series (5) records for career saves. assistant manager and helped the team achieve his career where his teams made five College Dan Ricabal joined the Cal State Fullerton World Series appearances, six NCAA Super runs per game. Arkansas added Drew LaBounty as a its first Southland Conference Tournament staff as the new pitching coach after spending Previously he has coached at Rice, Concordia volunteer assistant. In 2019, he was the infield championship. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Important Change 20-Second Action Rule Should Cut 20 Minutes Or More Off Games Continued From Page 1 in Omaha saw attendance drop to 333,482. It was the worst overall a runner. attendance at the event since 3) Batter is granted time. 2012. 4) Step off the rubber. Attendance at the 2019 CWS saw 5) Call timeout to talk to a fielder another decline as 332,054 attended When the Missouri Valley Conference or coach. over 15 games. It was the lowest utilized the experimental clock during 1990 On a first violation, the pitcher total in the past seven years. “ will be issued a warning. A ball will Too many marathon games could and 1991, the players became comfortable be awarded to the batter for each be the reason for the decline in playing the game at a nice pace which subsequent violation. attendance. If the hitter violates the 20- Up to this point, a 20-second ultimately resulted in many games around Second Action Rule, a strike will rule has been in place only with no be awarded in the . runners on base. 2 hours and 30 minutes. If all of college Each team shall be allowed The Missouri Valley Conference baseball can reduce games to that time three offensive and six defensive proved nearly 30 years ago that conferences per game, no more utilizing a 20 second play clock frame, we will be better off as a sport. than three of which may include can substantially reduce the time — Elvis Dominguez, Head Coach a coach. of games. “In other words, a coach may be During the 1990 and 1991 Bradley University involved in no more than three of the seasons, this league was allowed six charged defensive conferences,” to experiment with a 20 second said Randy Bruns, NCAA Baseball clock. Secretary-Rules Editor. In 1989, the year prior to “Note that a pitching change implementing the 2-year experiment, be. 2018. “This is great for the game is not a charged conference. Parts Missouri Valley Conference games “By not requiring schools to “Our secretary/rules editor on the and college baseball. The Minor of the old rule remain, such as if averaged 2:52 for 9- games. purchase clocks, this rule will not NCAA Baseball Rules Committee Leagues have been using the clock a coach goes to the mound the Over the next two years, game impact schools financially. said that Minor League games were for the past two seasons” and the second time in the same inning times were reduced substantially “But with that said, schools do reduced 15-18 minutes in most Missouri Valley Conference utilized to talk with the same pitcher, the In 1990, MVC games averaged have the option of installing them cases,” said Brownlee. the clock during the 1990 and 1991 pitcher must be removed from the 2:38 for 9-inning games. to make life easier on a base “One thing I have noticed is seasons on an experimental basis. pitcher’s position for the remainder This included 105 games, plus who would then have to keep track when a pitcher is brought up from “The two on-field clocks of the game. conference tournament games. of the 20-second clock with a the Minors to the Big Leagues is aren’t mandatory, but they are “Also, if a coach has already The 1991 average game times stopwatch.” that he is used to working quickly recommended. Schools that utilize been involved in three other charged were even shorter at 2:32 because The NCAA Baseball Rules on the mound within 15-20 seconds. the time clocks will take pressure defensive conferences and then players, coaches and umpires were Committee last year felt it would It is noticeable compared to most off the base umpire who will be goes to the mound again, the pitcher now experienced with the time be an unfair burden to have a base veteran Major League pitchers.” forced to monitor the 20-seconds must be removed as pitcher.” clock and were ready to play the umpire looking at a stopwatch Brownlee pointed that the clock with a stopwatch. Jim Carone, NCAA Baseball game at a consistently quick pace. with his head down and reset it NCAA Baseball Rules Committee “When the Missouri Valley Rules Committee Chairman and Twenty minutes a game were approximately 300 times a game. is made up of nine members which Conference utilized the Head Coach at Wagner University trimmed off contests. The Rules Committee felt it include four from NCAA Div. I, two experimental clock during 1990 said the is a big Imagine College World Series would be more efficient for a base from Division II, two from Division and 1991, the players became issue. games averaging 2:32. It would be umpire to view a time clock on the III and an additional member being comfortable playing the game at a “As we get later in ballgames, a breath of fresh air. backstop behind home plate. the secretary-rules editor. nice pace which ultimately resulted things seem to take a little longer, It is interesting to note that The It would make it much easier for Four members are administrators in many games around 2 hours and and the game slows down,” said Wall Street Journal did a study in him to apply that rule. Plus, it would while four are coaches. 30 minutes. Carone. 2013 to find out what the actual be easy for the pitcher to see the “If all of college baseball can “We felt it is important that we time of action in a game was. Excited About Change clock winding down as well. reduce games to that time frame, have action every 20 seconds to By their calculations, a baseball Elvis Dominguez, head coach at “Pace of play has been one of the we will be better off as a sport. Fans keep the game flowing.” fan will see 17 minutes and 58 Bradley University, was chairman biggest issues in college baseball,” will embrace the game instead of It hasn’t been uncommon the seconds of action over the course of the NCAA Baseball Rules said Brownlee. suffering through excessively long last few years, especially during the of a three-hour game. Committee when the 20-second “It is the hope of the Rules games. We have too many 3 1/2 and NCAA Division I playoffs, to see This means 90 percent of the clock with men on base was initially Committee that once players on 4-hour games now. pitching coaches wait over a minute game is spent standing around. being drawn up. teams become comfortable with “Everyone is always apprehensive between pitches before signaling in He feels the change is important Visible Clocks Optional this change, the time of games will the to “freeze” batters. for baseball. While visible 20-second time drop. See BAT TESTING, Page 5 It was a stall tactic that caused “This is a significant rule clocks are optional now for NCAA “The way it is now, fans take many people within college change,” said Dominguez. schools, last year’s original proposal their kids to a game which starts baseball, as well as fans and TV “I can’t speak for the NCAA CheapBats.com by the NCAA Baseball Rules at 7 p.m. Typically after the sixth executives, to be frustrated as Baseball Rules Committee any Committee asked that two visible inning, those families are going games dragged on and on to the more, but it was at the forefront 1-800-589-HITS 20-second play clocks be utilized home because of the length of detriment of the sport. of what we were trying to do at Order today for all NCAA games — one in the games. In the 73-year-history of the the time. We felt it was extremely area behind home plate and another “The biggest frustration to have it tomorrow College World Series, two of the important. on or behind the outfield wall. members of the committee has been top three longest CWS average However, the NCAA Playing when runners get on base. Games game times took place the past Rules Oversight Panel felt the cost seem like they come grinding to a three years. Wood Bats 4 Sale of installing two play clocks was halt as more time is spent between The average game time for the woodbats4sale.com too much. pitches. 2018 CWS was 3:33 over 16 games, Ben Brownlee, NCAA staff “During the NCAA Div. I 503.208.2009 second highest in CWS history. liaison to the NCAA Baseball Rules tournament, we have seen pitchers The 2017 College World Series Pitchers Committee, told Collegiate Baseball take 45 seconds or more between saw an average game time of 3:25 Hate our Bats at the time that the estimated cost to pitches with runners on base.” over 16 games, third highest in install two play clocks was between The Minor League Triple-A and Best Wood & Composite history. $3,000-$10,000. -A levels adopted a 15- Wood Bats for Serious The 2019 CWS had an average “Portable visual clocks would second with no runners game time of 3:19 over 15 games, Baseball Teams and also have met the intent of the on base and 20-second pitch timer eighth highest in history. Players playing rule,” said Brownlee, citing with runners on base beginning in Six of the last seven College a low cost alternative. World Series have seen average “If you have portable, 3-digit games times range from 3:13 to intramural clocks, you could 3:33 each year. conceivably use those in the The 2018 College World Series locations where the clocks should

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Collegiate Baseball ‘Grand Illusion’ Was One For The Books The Voice Of Amateur Baseball OMAHA, Neb. — Nobody will the finest choreographed plays in ever forget the “Grand Illusion.” baseball history. This historic play that took place Around The Horn “I looked back and saw the first during the 1982 College World baseman diving,” explained Phil Series will always be remembered With Stephenson after the game. as the greatest sting operation in “I saw the Miami second OPINION CWS history. baseman (Mitch Seoane) and their While it worked to perfection, rightfielder (Mickey Williams) Publisher: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. Lou Pavlovich Editor: Lou Pavlovich, Jr. in reality it was not far from going running toward the right field south. as the Miami players and Miami, Fla. had just taken a 4-3 bat girls scattering. I assumed the lead against Wichita St. in the top ball must have got stuck in the The Topic: of the sixth inning. screen or under a chair.” Important Change All-American Naturally, Stephenson took the Each issue, Collegiate Baseball explores a major of the Shockers came to bat in the first. But this time, bait and ran to second base as any development in the world of baseball. This issue’s bottom of the sixth for WSU and Steve Lusby dove over Stephenson’s normal person would. editorial explains why college baseball will be much promptly walked. He had swiped outstretched legs in a remarkable As he raced toward second better off with its new 20-Second Action Rule. 86 bases in 91 attempts to set an acting job as he tried to snag the base, Kasprzak took the ball from NCAA record. “wild throw”. Lusby cursed his his glove behind the pitcher’s Everyone knew Stephenson was displeasure and started sprinting mound and tossed it to about to try and steal second base. toward the right field bullpen. Billy Wrona who tagged the New 20-Second Action Several leisurely tosses back At that precise moment, the flabbergasted Stephenson for an to first base got the desired result Miami bullpen pitchers, catchers out which effectively stopped the Rule Will Help Baseball — Stephenson diving back. and bat girls located in the right rally. The most important NCAA baseball rule change in history was A special play was flashed to the field bullpen scattered as if the ball Pandemonium reigned as Wichita recently approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel Miami defense by the Hurricane was coming toward them. Reliever St. coaches and players protested to after initially being recommended by the NCAA Baseball Rules Associate Head Coach Skip Dan Smith and Bob Walker no avail. Committee. Bertman by sticking a finger in leaped up as if to avoid being hit It was a sting job without Starting with the 2020 baseball season, a 20-Second Action Rule his ear, a maneuver which pitcher by a ball. parallel, and it was awfully hard to will be mandatory between pitches. It will include pitches thrown Mike Kasprzak repeated to clue his Shortstop Bill Wrona forlornly swallow if you were a member of with nobody on base or runners on base. teammates in on the play. covered second base and looked the Shocker faithful. There has never been a time clock with runners on base until Once Kasprzak received the ball in the distance at the bullpen was the Wichita now in the 110-year history of the NCAA. back from his first baseman, he commotion. Kasprzak shrugged St. first base coach, and he was This historic rule has the potential of shaving off 20 minutes or stepped off the pitching rubber and his shoulders as if he had indeed completely fooled as were many more for all NCAA baseball games. made a quick motion to first base thrown the ball away. WSU players and coaches in their Since NAIA, NJCAA and other junior college schools use as if he had thrown the ball. But the The Hurricane yelled, dugout. NCAA baseball rules, games on those levels should see this same ball was still in his glove. “Go! Go! Go!” time reduction in games. Again, Stephenson dove back to Undoubtedly, it was one of See GREATEST, Page 6 It hasn’t been uncommon the last few years, especially during the NCAA Division I playoffs, to see pitching coaches wait over a minute between pitches before signaling in the pitch to “freeze” batters. It was a stall tactic that caused many people within college Letters To The Editor baseball, as well as fans and TV executives, to be frustrated as games dragged on and on to the detriment of the sport. 10,000-Hour Rule Flawed John Smith U.S. I have to take strong issue with Geoff Colvin 17 Mockingbird Lane Mail In the 73-year-history of the College World Series, two of the Pullman, WA 99164 top three longest CWS average game times took place the past and his overly optimistic approach in his book three years. Talent Is Overrated. The average game time for the 2018 CWS was 3:33 over 16 I know Geoff to be a top-flight business Collegiate Baseball games, second highest in CWS history. journalist with Fortune magazine for many years, P.O. Box 50566 The 2017 College World Series saw an average game time of and his book was indeed a national bestseller. Tucson, AZ 85703 3:25 over 16 games, third highest in history. But that being said, I fear that the overriding The 2019 CWS had an average game time of 3:19 over 15 games, theme of his book sends a most alarming message eighth highest in history. to aspiring ballplayers and to their coaches and parents. You can also Six of the last seven College World Series have seen average FAX letters to games times range from 3:13 to 3:33 each year. In short, in my 30-plus years of working the editor or The 2018 College World Series in Omaha saw attendance drop directly with ballplayers at the youth, high school, E-Mail them: to 333,482. It was the worst overall attendance at the event since collegiate and professional levels, it’s very clear that there are two essential keys to becoming FAX: E-Mail: 2012. (520) 624-5501 [email protected] Attendance at the 2019 CWS saw another decline as 332,054 an elite, world-class performer: 1) One has to attended over 15 games. It was the lowest total in the past seven have been born with a God-given gift of superior Collegiate Baseball welcomes letters from years. Too many marathon games could be the reason for the athletic ability, which of course is extremely rare, readers. Letters must include the writer’s decline in attendance. and 2) One also has to be blessed with a burning name, address and telephone number. We Up to this point, a 20-second rule has been in place only with determination to compete and to develop one’s reserve the right to condense or reject any no runners on base. athletic gifts. letter and to limit frequent writers. The Missouri Valley Conference proved nearly 30 years ago The problem with books like Talent Is Overrated that utilizing a 20 second play clock can substantially reduce the is that it offers a seductive lure, or false promise, because you mix in 10,000 hours of practice. time of games. that if an athlete simply works hard and long Sure, we’d all like to be able to hit and the During the 1990 and 1991 seasons, this league was allowed enough (e.g. the 10,000 hours rule), then one will bases like or hit home runs like Aaron to experiment with a 20 second clock. In 1989, the year prior to indeed be able to elevate his game to the Major Judge. Or pitch with great velocity and pinpoint implementing the 2-year experiment, Missouri Valley Conference League level. accuracy like Jacob DeGrom. games averaged 2:52 for 9-inning games. That inherent promise is just misleading. It’s But those are exceedingly rare talents that these Over the next two years, game times were reduced substantially like saying that if you want to become an Olympic superstar ballplayers happen to be born with. In 1990, MVC games averaged 2:38 for 9-inning games. This champion sprinter or world-famous opera singer And in their developing years, once they included 105 games, plus conference tournament games. or Carnegie Hall concert violinist, all you need realized that they were blessed, then they worked The 1991 average game times were even shorter at 2:32 because to do is spend 10,000 hours of deliberate practice hard to develop and master those gifts. players, coaches and umpires were now experienced with the time time along with a deep desire to do your best. But the innate talent was already there, waiting clock and were ready to play the game at a consistently quick pace. Well, yes, if you happen to have been born to be developed. Twenty minutes a game were trimmed off contests. with those unique and rare physical gifts to run, In summation, talent is NOT overrated. Talent is Imagine College World Series games averaging 2:32. It would sing, or have the dexterity to play the violin a true and rare gift. No matter how many hours one be a breath of fresh air. AND spend 10,000 hours practicing at your skill, practices, or how badly one wants it, the bottom Collegiate Baseball’s only concern with the new rule is forcing then yes, maybe you will reach the top of your line is that you’re either pretty much born with a base umpire to keep track of the 20 second clock between pitches profession. super talent or not. if a school chooses not to purchase time clocks. But the sobering truth is that 99.99 percent of With my thanks for giving me the chance to The base umpire will be forced to use a stop watch and reset it us were NOT born with those talents or skills. present my point of view. approximately 300 times a game. It would be much better to have And no matter how many hours you put into Rick Wolff him look at the play clock behind home plate and focus on calls. deliberate practice, that will not get you to the Armonk, N.Y. Major League level. Sure, you will improve your game — but only Amazing Photos UOTE to the level of your natural potential. The College World Series edition (July 12, And that may be no better than making your 2019) was exceptional with the extensive coverage Unquote” high school team, or perhaps if you’re lucky, a Collegiate Baseball provided with stories. “Q college program. “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by Once again, Lou Pavlovich’s photos were very how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but For all those millions of kids who share the special. His action shots are always tremendous by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain same dreams of making the Big Leagues, but who along with his photos of devastated players and reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, DO NOT have those innate physical gifts, it’s players screaming for joy. a spark that creates extraordinary results.” disingenuous to think that your inherent skill level Bill Moore — Anonymous will propel you to where you want to go simply Los Angeles, Calif. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Bat Testing Protocols Explained LSU’s Mainieri Presented Continued From Page 3  Testing should be conducted no cracks are found, the bat will be with representatives from both tested a third time. 2019 Award BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU to change. But once everyone is teams present. c. If the bat has two failing baseball coach around this new 20-Second Action  Coaches or a team designee results, the bat will be considered received the Rod Dedeaux Award in Rule for two or three years, it will will bring all bats to the testing unacceptable for play and Los Angeles recently, recognizing be second nature to them. Before it location. surrendered for the duration of the his exemplary performance during used to be 20 seconds with nobody  Testing should not be game/series. the summer of 2018 as head coach on base. To now have a 20-Second conducted in public view or near  Bats passing both tests should of the USA Collegiate National Action Rule which also includes fans or members of the media. be identified as approved with a Team. men on base is fantastic.” Part of the testing procedure is tamper-proof sticker at the area near Mainieri was presented the Dominguez has one concern the visual inspection of the bat. This the bottom of the barrel just above award in Dodger Stadium prior with the new rule. will be done to ensure the bat is the handle. to the Dodgers’ game against the “You undoubtedly will have on the approved NCAA model list a. It is important that the sticker . pitchers who step off repeatedly to and does not have a predominantly being used for that game or series Tommy Lasorda, the Dodgers’ get around the new rule with men white barrel, flat spots, an audible must be visible. legendary Hall of Fame manager, on base. Believe me, it will happen. rattle or cracked or loose end caps b. The tamper-proof sticker and USA Baseball General My hope is that everyone embraces or attachments. is intended to not allow a team Manager Eric Campbell, made the the new rule and doesn’t repeatedly Bat testing consists of two to remove the sticker from an presentation to Mainieri. step off as a tactic.” parts. approved bat and place it on a bat The award is named for the The first part, a ring test is that was not tested. The preferred In-Season Bat Testing legendary University of Southern conducted to verify the maximum sticker material is very delicate, Several other important rules California and U.S. Olympic head diameter and that the barrel is not rips very easily and does not come will also be in place for the 2020 coach Rod Dedeaux, who led the misshapen. The procedure should off a bat cleanly once it has been season. Trojans to 11 national championships be: placed. The NCAA Baseball Rules and was instrumental in the creation  Place the bat end cap on the c. During the course of the Committee approved protocols for of the annual USA versus ground and place the bat ring over season with teams playing 60 or PAUL MAINIERI in-season bat testing that will take International Friendship Series in the knob, letting it fall. more games, old stickers do not place in NCAA Division I schools 1972. award from USA Baseball, our  If the ring passes over the bat have to stay on the bat after a series next season. Dedeaux coached Team USA to nation’s baseball organization, and from gravity alone (without force), is over. Committee members proposed the silver medal in the 1984 Los seeing the list of previous winners, the diameter passes. d. A sticker can be taken off in-season bat testing in 2017 Angeles Olympic Games. He also including two of my mentors, Skip  If the bat passes through a bat with a razor blade or with with approval by the NCAA is an American Baseball Coaches Bertman and Tommy Lasorda, the ring, it proceeds to barrel a solvent used for removing pine Playing Rules Oversight Panel. Association Hall of Famer. makes this one of the most special compression testing. tar. Implementation of the rule was Mainieri is the second LSU recognitions that I’ve received in  If the ring does not pass over delayed due to the cost of $1,500 Chest Protectors coach to receive the honor. Skip my career.” the bat, the bat is unacceptable for each bat testing device. The NCAA Baseball Rules Bertman won the Rod Dedeaux Mainieri led the Collegiate for play and is surrendered for the Bat testing will take place during Committee also recommended that Award after coaching the 1996 U.S. National Team in the summer of duration of the game/series. NCAA Div. I games in 2020 and in all catcher chest protectors used Olympic Team. 2018 to series wins over Chinese Barrel compression testing Divisions II and III in 2021. in competition for the 2019/20 “When I received the news that , Japan and Cuba. procedures are as follows: Bat testing must be conducted academic year be models that I was to receive the Rod Dedeaux Under his guidance, Team USA  Each bat will be tested before a team’s first game of a are approved by the National Coach of the Year Award, it literally posted an 11-3 record. approximately six inches from the series, single games, the first game Operating Committee on Standards brought tears to my eyes,” Mainieri The series win against Cuba end of the barrel. The bat then will of a and before of Athletics Equipment. said in January when USA Baseball marked the Americans’ fourth in be rotated 90 degrees and tested the first game of a series where It was subsequently approved by made the award announcement. a row in the annual series and was again. multiple games are played between the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight “To receive something with just the second time in Collegiate  Bats will be tested a maximum several teams. Panel. the name ‘Rod Dedeaux’ on it National Team history that Team of three times, until they receive The location for barrel testing The NCAA’s Brownlee told moved me to tears because of USA has claimed a series win on two passing results or two failing will be determined by the host Collegiate Baseball that no specific the immense respect that I have Cuban soil. results, whichever comes first. school and will be communicated incident prompted the proposal. for Rod. He is the ‘godfather Mainieri’s staff included Jim  If after two tests: to participating schools no less than “The NCAA Committee on of college baseball coaching’, a Hendry, the former Cubs a. The bat has two passing results, 24 hours before the scheduled start Competitive Safeguards and pioneer in the development of general manager and former the bat will be considered approved of competition. Medical Aspects of Sports proposed international baseball, and he was Creighton head coach, for competition. Testing should occur following the requirement for the safety Tommy Lasorda’s best friend. The head coach Brian O’Connor, East b. The bat has one passing result each team’s practice time or at an standard,” said Brownlee. interactions that I had with him are Carolina head coach Cliff Godwin and one failing result, the bat will agreed upon time by the participating The standard requirement had times that I will always cherish. and St. Thomas University head be removed from the machine and schools or the conference. previously been approved by the “That along with this being an coach Jorge Perez. Procedures are as follows: be visually inspected for cracks. If National High School Federation. The Hitting Aid RADAR TEE™ “Best Of Show” Award Winner at 2016 American Baseball Coaches Association Convention

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Wichita St. coaches felt part of the deception was Miami’s bat girls who were in the bullpen area. They scattered as well as pitchers and catchers. “I’m not saying it was a bad play,” said Phil Stephenson. “But it’s bush when they’ve got the bat girls out there. It’s a pile of crock.” Stephenson said he saw the bat girls scatter when the phantom ball headed in their direction. “I’m a little miffed at that,” Shocker Head Coach said after the game. “I don’t think that should be allowed.” However, Miami Head Coach insisted the bat girls were not part of the act. They were simply fooled as well by the amazing acting job by Hurricane players. Miami went on to beat Wichita St., 4-3. Umpire’s View Dale Williams, a 41-year veteran of college umpiring who worked eight College World Series, was the first base umpire during this game. “I remember it like it happened yesterday,” said Williams. “I also remember that no coach or player from Miami told me, or Phil Stephenson (No. 3) of Wichita St. is tagged out at second as umpire Linzy Sumpter makes the call. anybody else on the umpiring crew, that a special play was about to be as saucers. would look like idiots. inning with Miami leading 4-3, about the play that was about to run. So we had no idea what was “He had no idea where the ball “Since Miami was an independent Stephenson led off the inning take place, and that could have been about to unfold. And I sure wish was coming from. He then turned in 1982, we had a week off during with a walk for Wichita St. It was a huge mistake on our part. I was we had known.” his head to the left as Miami’s the time conferences played their dusk. A player for Wichita St. was worried about that. The reason is that Williams shortstop caught the ball and tagged tournaments. Dave traveled to a coaching first (Oelkers). Our pitcher “I had been told by other coaches nearly called the play dead because the runner out coming into second. California junior college tournament (Kasprzak) made a couple of throws who used the play successfully that he never saw the ball and thought it He was totally caught off guard.” where this play was successful once to first base, and Stephenson dove if you don’t let the umpires in on the skipped into the stands. Williams, who is in four Hall again.” back head first after huge leads. play prior to running it, they might “I remember the pitcher throwing of Fames for his umpiring and Bertman said putting in the play Everything was perfect for the play call a or call the ball dead over to first base several times as officiating, said he didn’t remember at the College World Series was at this time. So I gave the signal by because they might think it went the runner slid head first back into Wichita St. Head Coach Gene seriously discussed with Head putting a finger in my ear. into the stands. If that happens, the bag. Then the pitcher stepped Stephenson arguing the play with Coach Ron Fraser after Scott got “Dave (Scott) ran down to the the runner either advances one off the rubber and made a motion to umpires after the play. back from his trip. And Fraser bullpen located along the right field base to second on a balk or is sent throw over to first base. The runner “I was told he went to the allowed the play to be put in. foul line to alert our pitchers and back to first without an out being again dove head first into the bag, Baseball Committee along the first “We didn’t want to put it in until catchers that the play was on. So recorded. and the first baseman dove over him row near the third base dugout we won two games. But Wichita our pitcher stepped off the rubber “In fairness to our coaching to go after what appeared to be an where Wichita St. was. I was told St. was the perfect team to utilize and made a fake throw to first base staff, we really weren’t sure if we errant throw. he wanted to protest the game based this against since they had such with the ball still in his glove. would use the trick play. But the “At that point, the first baseman on Miami bat girls being involved an aggressive running team. They “Stephenson dove back in. perfect situation came up late in the gets up and runs toward the right in the play and were purposely had three players alone who had Our first baseman Steve Lusby game, and we put the play on. After field bullpen. The used as part of the choreography a combined 150 stolen bases. So dove for the imaginary ball over Stephenson was tagged out, for Miami and also of the play. after our first win of the College Stephenson’s outstretched legs, “First base umpire Dale Williams are running to the bullpen. I then “The protest never got anywhere. World Series (7-2 against Maine), quickly got up and ran toward the walked over to our catcher Nelson noticed the Miami bat girls in the It really was the most unusual play I we held a practice, and it was hot right field bullpen. Santovenia and asked him what bullpen who jumped up on the had seen in all my years of being a and sticky. “Our second baseman and the hell just happened. If he went bullpen bench to get out of the way baseball umpire. But it sure would “Coach Fraser couldn’t attend right fielder started running to the to the press conference, he wanted of the ‘ball’. The choreography was have made life a lot easier on the the practice, so Dave and I ran it bullpen. to know what transpired.” amazing. umpiring crew if we were told it that day. It was so hot that at the “Then our bullpen pitchers and Bertman said the play helped the “But I didn’t know that at the was coming. We are all caught off end of hitting and infield work, we catchers, on cue, scattered. Several Hurricanes the rest of the way in time. I never saw the ball, and guard.” put in the special pickoff play to bat girls were there also and got the tournament as Miami won its thought it may have gone into the Williams said the next season, have fun. out of the way, although they had first national title. When opposing stands. I was extremely close to numerous high schools, junior “All of our players had a blast nothing to do with the play. They runners got on base, they shortened throwing up my hands and killing colleges and 4-year schools tried with it and did a great job of were faked out as well. their lead a step or two. the play. Obviously I didn’t do this. to pull the play. choreography. But honestly, I “All I could think about when “We played Maine later in the But I was very close to doing it “Some schools were really never dreamed we could pull it off I watched this unfold was ‘Run, tournament (in a semi-final 10- because I wasn’t tipped off about successful at executing the play.” successfully if we actually used it Stephenson, run.’ 4 win by the Hurricanes), and the play by any Miami coaches or The play received huge national against Wichita St.” “He finally took off for second freshman Rob Souza was pitching players. If I had killed the play, the coverage. All three major networks Bertman said four criteria had to and was tagged out after our pitcher for us. runner would have been sent back requested footage of the play. The be met for the play to work. tossed the ball to our shortstop “Maine had a runner on second to first without Miami getting the wire services carried stories about 1. The runner had to be ultra Billy Wrona covering second. I base and Souza felt he could pick out.” the play. Every major newspaper in aggressive with big leads so that he felt so relieved when the out was off the runner. So he wheeled and Williams, who also was a head the nation picked up the story. would dive back into the bag. recorded.” turned to throw it, but the ball linesman for 24 years in the NFL Birth Of ‘Grand Illusion’ 2. The first base coach had to Bertman said that the play turned squirted out of his hand as it sailed and officiated three Super Bowls, Bertman, associate head coach of be a player. out to be a big momentum changer into centerfield. said another problem took place Miami at the time, said the genesis 3. The game had to be at dusk in the game. “The runner dove back in and with his umpiring crew that few of the phantom pickoff play came because it was harder to see. “It was the first out of the inning, didn’t even attempt to run toward know about. while watching a junior college 4. Miami’s pitcher had to make and we won the game, 4-3. If third base. “As I was watching the action in baseball game involving Indian several throws to first base to make Stephenson stole second base with “After the game, I asked Maine’s the right field bullpen area, I heard River and West Palm Beach in sure the runner would dive back no outs, there is a good chance he third base coach why the runner a commotion from the fans and Florida. head first. Then, most importantly, would have scored with his speed. didn’t take third base on the wild turned around toward the infield. “West Palm Beach Junior College he had to step off the rubber prior to So it was definitely a huge, huge throw. “Linzy Sumpter was the second ran the play, and it was successful, fake throwing the ball to first. If he play for us.” “They thought we were trying base umpire, and he was watching said Bertman. didn’t step off, it would obviously Umpires Not Informed another trick play and had our pitcher the play unfold from his position “Dave Scott (assistant Miami be a balk.” Bertman, who would ultimately throw the rosin bag into centerfield. near second base between the bag coach) and I laughed when we Bertman said Phil Stephenson be the skipper of Louisiana St. and Using the trick play helped us and the pitcher’s mound. As he was watched it unfold and talked about got on via a single early in the lead the Tigers to five national titles, throughout the tournament after we watching Miami players run toward how it would be great if we could game. He tried to steal second, but was asked if he told the umpires on successfully performed it.” the bullpen area near the right field utilize this play at the College Miami catcher the field what was about to unfold Bertman said the next season, line, a ball flew right in front of World Series. We discussed what threw him out on a bang-bang prior to the play. he heard about numerous programs his eyes from the pitcher’s mound would happen if the runner just play. “None of our coaches or players across the nation who attempted the which caused his eyes to get as big stood there and didn’t run. We “In the bottom of the sixth ever notified the umpiring crew phantom pickoff with success. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Historic Numbers Strikeouts At Highest Level In 50 Years With NCAA Div. I Baseball Continued From Page 1 is in more jeopardy time and time truth to that. But to make the best again. The other issue is that young whole pitcher, you must balance 2016: 7.17 pitchers 11-14 are playing travel all of these facets to create the best 2017: 7.54 ball more than ever. Their growth pitcher possible.” 2018: 7.88 plates aren’t closed up yet. These Higher Launch Angles 2019: 8.08 kids are throwing harder earlier in Trying to elevate balls is what Interestingly, the first year of life than ever before. hitting is all about now for many the low-seam ball was in 2015, the “We are seeing 15 year olds hitting coaches as specific launch first year of this trend, and strikeout throwing 90 mph now. If it is angles are focused on with the numbers have gone up every year dangerous for an older pitcher with payoff being more home runs in the since. their growth plates closed to throw quest for scoring more runs. So there may be a correlation 90 mph pitches because of that According to the NCAA Div. with the ball that is being used. ligament. Imagine how dangerous it I Statistics Trends, the last three “There may be several things is throwing 90 mph pitches for a 15 years have produced the most home going on which is causing the high year old because their body hasn’t runs in the past nine years. strikeout numbers in NCAA Div. I come to full maturity yet. Scoring in 2019 was the highest baseball,” said Butch Thompson, “Some of this damage is in the past nine years at 5.85 runs head coach at Auburn University. happening to pitchers before they per game for each team. Recognized as one of the elite get to us in college. What also is fascinating with pitching coaches in the game, he “It’s Russian roulette when you hitting numbers is that the batting feels launch angles being taught at get above 90 mph with pitches as average for Division I teams was 23-35 degrees by hitting coaches far as that ulnar collateral ligament only .269 in 2019 — the lowest in and the use of the low-seam ball or you throw too much. We know the past 47 years. are definitely a factor. more now about arm care than we The final year of wood bats “If you look at Major League ever have and we still are having being used in college baseball Baseball pitchers, the velocity has numerous arm injuries.” (1973) was the last time batting gone up the past 10 years. The ERA Highest In 10 Years averages were lower (.266) in average Major League is While strikeouts are at the Division I baseball. now 93.1 mph. The velocity of highest level in college baseball Intriguing Dynamics At Play pitchers has gone up almost a half history along with higher velocities mile per hour each of these years , head coach at and arm injuries, it is interesting Tulane, is one of the top hitting for the last decade, and that is truly to point out that the earned run amazing. minds in baseball. average of NCAA Div. I baseball “You see a lot of hitting coaches “I’m not talking about the top teams is the highest in the last nine fastballs in the league. This is just Former UCLA pitcher celebrates a strikeout. now who have bought into launch years at 5.06 for 2019. angles for their hitters,” said the average. dead). of bats. The driving force was “When the seams were lowered Jewett. “College baseball seems to be “Umpires are not allowing hitters throwing pitches down in the zone, in 2015 for college baseball, it “The problem with that and mirroring this velocity increase to intentionally get hit by pitches down in the zone and more down promoted more late movement with attempting to keep hit balls off the with pitchers throwing harder and anymore,” said Thompson. in the zone. pitches and more travel with hit ground is that you decrease the harder over the past 10 years. “With the new rule that was put “The good pitching coaches balls. Balls are going further with margin of in swings which “In addition to this, you have in place last season, pitchers have are working with pitchers to have more extra base hits. The low seam results in more strikeouts as we are a lot of hitting coaches in college more freedom to throw inside. strikeouts above and below the ball is a huge piece to all of this. seeing now. baseball who are teaching specific Hitters can’t stick their arms and and exploiting both “When we began enforcing the “Strikeouts on the offensive end launch angles they want their hitters legs over the plate to purposely get areas. It’s tough for hitters to hit BBCOR bat standards (in 2011), are becoming more of an acceptable to work on which is resulting in hit by pitches as they have in the balls well at both extremes. we immediately began seeing lower statistic. I personally believe in more fly balls. past. They have to move. “Now because of the (23-35 batting averages, lower scoring, having complete hitters who have “The dynamic you see is that “I feel this is another reason why degree) launch angle teachings of and much fewer home runs. Four the ability to hit balls the other way. batters are afforded less time when more strikeouts have taken place. If hitting coaches, there is less time years later when the low seam They should also have the ability to pitches are being thrown at higher pitchers are able to throw inside, it that a hitter has to react with faster baseball came into the game, there hit hard line drives and hard ground velocity. They have less time to makes it more difficult on hitters.” pitches thrown up in the zone. You has been a steady climb in offensive balls as well as hard fly balls. They decide ball, strike, in, out, up, are seeing many more pitchers and numbers. down, swing, take. More Elbow Surgeries also should be disciplined enough teams using elevated fastballs. Thompson feels higher velocity “We are seeing lower batting to take pitches just off the plate as “When you have less time, “The elevated fastball went averages, more strikeouts but more you will probably have more fastballs than ever before in pro and they walk more often. We want our away for a while. Now with this college baseball are causing more power production.” hitters to strike out less. strikeouts. evolution, it is back. It is being used “Look at pitchers in the Pac-12, surgeries to elbows High Velocity & Command “I don’t believe hitters should more than it’s been used in the last than ever before. Thompson said velocity is but sacrifice power for specific launch ACC or SEC. Half of pitching decade across the board.” staffs in these leagues are throwing “I am blessed. The team doctor one piece of a complex subject. angles. I may be a little bit different, fastballs 90 mph or above. That was Pitchers Throw Inside More here at Auburn is Dr. James “Pitching is like a large pizza but I want our hitters to have unheard of a decade ago.” Another factor for more strikeouts Andrews, the world’s top orthopedic with 8 slices. There is the mental great body positions to maximize Thompson said the low-seam by pitchers on the college level is surgeon when it comes to Tommy capacity to think through an at- leverage at the point of contact with baseball, introduced in 2015 the ability to throw inside without John surgery. bat, velocity, stability, pre-hab, the bat and ball. in college baseball, is another the fear of hitters intentionally “He has told me that it isn’t command, artistry, competitive “Our ball club hit 89 homers important component. getting hit. rocket science. Kids are bigger, spirit and more. All of these areas last year at Tulane and had a lot “You have increased velocity The NCAA Baseball Rule Book faster and stronger. There are are important in making up a great of success on offense. With some in college baseball. The ball has for 2019-2020 defines when a batter different people helping pitchers pitcher. batters, like a big 4-hole hitter, he lower seams. From a standpoint purposely gets hit by a pitch: throw harder than they ever have “I think you must balance all of might rarely . of physics, now you are producing 1) A batter may not make a thanks to Ron Wolforth and the those. If you are only trying to gain “But he can still be a highly more movement. What this all movement to intentionally get Texas Baseball Ranch, Driveline velocity, you will probably do it. productive hitter and limit the means is that you are decreasing hit by the pitch, regardless of the and Alan Jaeger, just to name a But I’m not sure it will make you number of strikeouts he has by the time a batter has to see a pitch location of the pitch. He must few. a better pitcher. The whole key is being disciplined which also leads and react. The lower seam baseball also avoid being hit whenever “It is interesting to note that can you gain velocity and improve to more walks.” is probably producing later life possible, unless the pitch is within many pitchers’ bodies, forearms command? Jewett said extreme shifting by or movement because of physics. the batter’s box occupied by the and shoulders are in better shape “The definition of command in teams in college baseball now is The result is the most strikeouts in batter. If the batter’s action is than ever. That’s a big part of arm the dictionary is ‘authority over.’ happening more than ever when NCAA Div. I history.” deemed intentional, then: health is creating great scaps and Can you have authority over the pull hitters come up who can’t go a) If the ball is in the strike zone shoulder health. You can train all baseball? Can you have authority the other way or even bunt. Elevated Fastballs when it touches the batter, or if the of this stuff. But you can’t train over yourself and can you stay “If you are a balanced hitter, Thompson said that pitching batter moves to intentionally get hit the ulnar collateral ligament in the controlled? A lot of times if you it allows you to survey the field coaches are utilizing the high or freezes to allow a pitch that is not elbow. are only pursuing velocity, you and take what the other team gives fastball with great success as well. within the batter’s box to hit him, “It is untrainable. So despite overthrow and have no authority you. “There is no question that the the ball is dead. It shall be called a everything around it being stronger over anything. “It is a fascinating time we are elevated fastball is back in play in strike and the batter is not awarded and more stable than ever with “We have to balance all those in. Strikeouts are at an all-time pro and college baseball. first base. our throwers, you can’t throw, things. That’s the trick with being high. Home runs are up as well as “When numerous hitters are b) If the ball is within the batter’s work or train with a weighted ball a pitching coach. Pitchers must scoring but batting averages are the working at swinging bats on a slight box occupied by the batter and — anything — to strengthen or understand there are all these lowest in 47 years. Yet scoring is the upswing, you see pitching coaches the batter makes no movement to improve that ligament. different ingredients. highest in the past nine years. lick their chops and exploit that intentionally get hit by the pitch, “Dr. Andrews has told me that “Can we get the same percentage “The hitting philosophy now is by having their pitchers fire high the batter is awarded first base. In we can do all of this stuff for of respect and balance with each feast or famine. Certainly in the fastballs. Pitching high fastballs other words, a batter who freezes training. But understand that any slice of this big pizza which we Big Leagues, you must hit balls might bite you with a . inside the batter’s box and who is time a ball is thrown over 90 mph call pitching? over the fence with the number of But many times it works extremely hit by the pitch shall be awarded with an already unnatural throwing “Everybody wants to throw high velocity pitchers they have well with hitters who have a slight first base. motion, the ligament in the elbow harder. Every dad who has a 15 on that level. You have powerful upswing. 2) If the pitch is ball four, the (UCL) is not built to withstand over year old is branding the brain of hitters who can time up 100 mph “For many years, pitchers got batter shall be awarded first base 90 mph. their child that they must throw 90 fastballs which have great stuff. So batters out by working low in and credited for being hit by the “Every time you get above that mph to get an SEC scholarship or the zone and got beneath barrels pitch (the ball is immediately threshold of 90 mph, the ligament get drafted. There is some sliver of See RECORD, Page 9 Page  Collegiate Baseball Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page  Twitter Study Of Recruits Uncovers Important Data Continued From Page 1 replies, and retweets, the authors school,” said the report. developed a model to help predict “In addition, when anyone (INFORMS) at Iowa conducted a which universities student athletes associated with a university (coach, study that centered on creating a would ultimately commit to. other recruit, or current athlete) data model on how to predict which High Percentage Predictions begins following a student on universities would win college Bigsby said that her research Twitter in the month leading up football recruiting wars. team poured through data from their decision, the odds of that They focused on data and insight student attending that university decommitments,” wrote lead From there, the authors 2,644 high school football athletes from Twitter posts from those increase 40 to 51 percent for each researcher Kristina Bigsby who narrowed their data set further to from the 2016 recruiting class and athletes and detected patterns new follower.” teamed with Jeffrey Ohlmann and 573 student athletes with two or found evidence that showed where leading up to commitment day. The authors also found that for Kang Zhao on the study. more scholarship offers and public athletes would go a high percentage The resulting data allowed every coach or fellow recruit of “We also obtained basic Twitter accounts. of the time. college coaches and recruiters to a university that a student began information about the recruiting By evaluating tweet content, “When a recruit interacts with modify their own schedules and following on Twitter, the student schools, including location, hashtags, followers, accounts a university on Twitter, this is efforts to go after the prospects they became 47 to 62 percent more academic ranking, and football followed and other Twitter associated with an 85 percent deemed the best fit and the most team ranking.” interactions such as mentions, increase in the odds of selecting that likely to commit. See TWITTER, Page 13 Since college recruiting season never stops, it’s probably during the season itself when some of that social media activity reveals itself the most. A high school athlete may post about last night’s game or the upcoming game. It might be a comment about a school which invited him for a visit, who’s contacting him the most, and in talking to the general media about the current status of the recruiting process. It all ends up on social media. The study Online and Off the Field: Predicting School Choice in Recruiting from Social Media Data, was conducted by researchers from the University of Iowa who scoured data on 2,644 high school football athletes in the 2016 recruiting class from 247Sports.com, an online recruiting database. “For each individual athlete, we collected timelines of recruiting events, such as scholarship offers, visits, commitments, and Record Amount Of Strikeouts Occur In 2019 Continued From Page 7 it makes sense. “In college baseball, we have a number of good arms and good hitters. On our level, it might be Big League Chew was invented by Rob Nelson, a former Cornell smarter to have complete hitters.” University lefthander who was pitching in Oregon in 1977 for the Sacrifice Bunts Drop Another interesting statistic in fabled when he came up with the idea for a new the NCAA Div. I Baseball Statistics Trends is that the use of sacrifice type of bubble gum. bunts is at its lowest level in the past decade at 0.49 per game per team. “Statistics show that if a runner is moved from first base to second Rob was literally sitting in the Portland bullpen, watching his team- on a , he doesn’t necessarily increase his chances of mates chewing other less salubrious stuff, when he thought that scoring compared to the runner on first base with no outs. shredded bubble gum would be a much more fun option. “However, if you have runners on first and second, many coaches are willing to sacrifice bunt in that Rob shared the idea with Mav teammate who liked the situation. Auburn’s Thompson said he has concept so much he spent the next two years searching for a gum seen fewer teams that bunt as part of their offensive strategy in the company to manufacture and distribute Big League Chew. He current world of college baseball. “If you are down a run at a certain succeeded, and BLC quickly became the must-have bubble gum for point in a ball game, you have to play for a run which probably ballplayers in the littlest leagues to the Big Leagues. means bunting,” said Thompson. “But most people believe statistically that you have a chance to score more runs or have just as Today, over 40 years later, Big League Chew is the #1-selling good of a chance of scoring by not bunting. That’s not the way shredded bubble gum in the world — with over 800 million pouches my generation was taught as the West Coast offense was highly sold. It is manufactured in the USA by Ford Gum of Akron, New York. popular with teams utilizing bunts down the line, push bunts toward the shortstop and second and fake ™ bunting and slashing. ® “There seems to be fewer innings BIG LEAGUE CHEW AMERICA’S BUBBLE GUM without giving away an out via the bunt and more of letting hitters Coaches Discount now available at bigleaguechew.com swing it which is resulting in more runs.” Page 10 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 2019 College Summer Leagues Here Are Your Champions, Top Players During The Past Summer WICHITA, Kan. — The Seattle the night. The Locos dominated game one, Studs captured their third NBC The Marlins added two more 7-0. But the Settlers responded World Series title in the past seven runs in the fifth inning. with a win in game two to set up a years with a 5-4 win over the Leading the way was Hunter winner-take-all game. Cheney Diamond Dawgs in the Shepherd who was 2-for-4 in the Lima then posted a 5-3 win in championship game. contest. the deciding game. Seattle made its seventh On the pitching side, Leo Perez Locos’ pitcher Jacob Penning appearance in the title game in the got the start and threw two innings threw the final four innings and last 12 years. of 1-run ball before giving way only allowed two hits. Seattle scored three runs in the to Jack Myers. In just his third The Great Lakes League post- first two innings to take a 3-0 lead appearance this season, he threw season awards include: before Cheney tied it with three four innings and allowed one run Player of The Year: Tyler Tolve runs in the bottom of the second. to earn the win. (Lima). The Studs scored two in the fifth Florida Collegiate League Pitcher of The Year: Zach to take a 5-3 lead and held on for the The Winter Park Diamond Iverson (Southern Ohio). NBC World Series title, 5-4. Dawgs beat the DeLand Suns, 4-0 Top Position Player Prospect: Seattle finished 5-2 in the NBC average. eighth. to capture their first Florida League Tyler Tolve (Lima). World Series and had a 33-11 The 2019 NBC Hall of Fame Andy Axelson (Rutgers) had title since 2014. Top Pitching Prospect: Sam regular-season record. class includes Isaiah “Fireball” three hits for the Eagles. Winter Park struck first with a Benschoter (Lake Erie). Jackson, Steve McFarland, Mike The MVP trophy went to OF California Collegiate League run in the first inning. Hamptons Baseball League Henry Cheney of the Studs after Moore, Mark Potter and Rick The Santa Barbara Foresters won Then Winter Park added another The Westhampton Aviators hitting .429 during the NBC World Schroeder. the California Collegiate League run in the second as playoff MVP captured their fourth Hamptons Series. Baseball League title and then the California State Luis Cabrera (Southeastern) singled Collegiate Baseball League title He will be a senior at the The Anchorage Bucs won the Championship Series with a 6-1 home Luke Reidy (Rollins). with a 7-3 win over the Riverhead University of Portland next title by win over the Healdsburg Prune Jack Wolgast (Southeastern) Tomcats in the league championship season. beating the Anchorage Glacier Packers. dominated the Suns with nine series. It was a remarkable achievement Pilots, 7-1 in the third game of the Leading the way was Ross strikeouts through six innings. The Aviators swept the series considering he hit close to .200 for best-of-three series. Cadena (Wichita St.) who doubled, Post-Season Honors: Wolgast two straight. the summer entering the ’Series. It marks the ninth championship hit an RBI-single and scored two was named the league’s Eric Callahan of Westhampton He wound up scoring the game- for the Bucs and first since 2015. runs, Christian Franklin (Arkansas) Award winner. He threw 24 2/3 was named the series MVP as he winning run in the fifth inning In the previous two seasons, they who hit a 2-run home run, Jacob innings and posted a 0.73 ERA and went 4-for-9 over two games with against the Diamond Dawgs. made it to the championship series. Katzfey (Wichita St.) who collected allowed only 7 hits all summer with a home run and 8 RBI while scoring Seattle finished with a 2.66 ERA But both times, Anchorage finished three hits along with pitcher Jake 23 strikeouts and 7 walks. twice. over seven games as the pitching second to the Mat-Su Miners. Jackson (Nevada) and four relievers DeLand Suns OF Mark Townsend No other team in the league has staff fanned 61 batters and walked The Bucs (33-16) also won the who allowed one run over nine (Stetson) was named MVP of the won more than two champion- 21. regular-season championship. innings. Florida League as he set franchise ships. NBC World Series Special The Bucs scored two runs in Jackson pitched the first five records for games played (40), The post-season Hamptons Awards: each of the first three innings as innings and allowed one run. home runs (7), runs scored (33) and Collegiate Baseball League awards Manager Of Year: Barry Aden pitcher Evan Taylor registered five total bases (83). His 83 total bases include: (Seattle). Cal Ripken League scoreless innings as he chalked up The Bethesda Big Train captured ranked second in Florida League Most Valuable Player: OF MVP: Henry Cheney (Seattle). his first win of the summer. single-season history. Jason Coules (Fordham). He won HR Trophy: Colton Whitehouse the Cal Ripken Collegiate League Taylor, a southpaw from the title with a 6-4 win over the Silver Brian Carruyo was voted the HCBL batting title (.407) for (Derby). University of Arkansas, limited the the Relief Pitcher of The Year for the Riverhead Tomcats. Sportsmanship Award: Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts Pilots to a single while striking out in game three of the league Winter Park. He appeared in 18 of Pitcher Of The Year: Harrison Colorado. three and walked one. Winter Park’s 37 regular-season Cohen (George Washington) of Top Pro Prospect: Ryan Bergert championship series. The Bucs took advantage of The championship is the fourth games and also pitched three times Westhampton. He was 4-1 on the (Santa Barbara). shaky pitching from starter Cody in the playoffs, helping Winter Park season with an ERA of 1.78 in 40 Most Inspirational Player: Hunter straight title for the Big Train and Curfman, the first of five Pilot eighth overall. to its fifth title. 1/3 innings. He struck out 45 and LaMunyan (Kansas). pitchers. They scored a run on a Chuck Schall of Winter Park walked 11. Best Team Offense: Fairbanks, Trailing by four runs, Matt pair of wild pitches in the first Thomas (William & Mary) hit a was named the league’s Coach Relief Pitcher Of The Year: AK. inning and loaded the bases in the of The Year. It is the second time Joshua Becker (UMass Lowell) of Best Team Defense: Santa 3-run homer for Bethesda in the second inning with two walks and eighth inning which got the Big Schall won the award. Winter Park the Riverhead Tomcats. He made Barbara. a single. finished the summer with a 30-7 16 appearances and posted 7 saves Best Team Pitching: Derby, KS Train within one. The game’s big hit came in the It was the spark which allowed record. with an ERA of 1.98. Leading Pitcher: Jonathan Sintes third inning from Justin Cook, a Bethesda to score six runs in the Futures Collegiate League Kansas Collegiate League (San Diego Stars). from the University Leading Hitter: Dawson Pomeroy frame as they rallied for the victory The In their first year in the Kansas of Richmond, whose 2-run blast as he was named the MVP in the swept the Bristol Blues two straight Collegiate League, the Liberal (Great Bend, KS). gave the Bucs a 6-0 lead. RBI Award: Dawson Pomeroy league championship series. to capture the league championship Bee Jays won the league title They held off the Pilots (29-20) Bethesda had gone from five series in the Futures Collegiate after beating the Kansas Cannons, (Great Bend, KS). in the first game, 6-5. The Pilots Catcher Award: Bryce Donovan outs away from losing the league Baseball League. 14-4. roared back with an 8-1 win to set itle game to three outs from winning The Bravehearts took game two The Bee Jays won the (Derby). up a winner-take-all game. Outstanding Local Player: Aaron it. of the series, 12-2. championship series two games Bechtel (Kansas). Arizona Collegiate League Carolina Virginia League Worcester takes home their to none. Hap Dumont Award: Bryn The Wilson Sandlot captured its The Fuquay-Varina Twins swept fourth title in the past six seasons. The Cannons took an early 4-1 Blasdel. second straight Arizona Collegiate the Kernersville Bulldogs in the The Bravehearts broke open a lead against Bee Jays’ starter Garret Umpire of Year: Jeff Spisak. Wood Bat League title by defeating best of three championship series to close 3-2 game in the sixth inning Bonnet. 2019 NBC All-Americans: the Arizona Pro, 3-1. win the Carolina Virginia Collegiate with five runs to make the score A Cayde Ward 3-run homer P Aaron Bechtel (Kansas) Sandlot Rocky League. 8-2. tied the game at 4-4. Then Liberal P Zander Clouse (Seattle) King tossed six innings of 2- Game one featured a back and Most Valuable Player was scored the final 10 runs in the title P Cody Culp (Seattle) run baseball before Jacob Lagos forth affair as the Twins halted a last Sean Lawlor (Flagler) of North game. came in to get the final out of the P Mike Mitchell (Derby) inning Bulldog rally to win, 7-6. Shore. The Pitcher of The Year was Maryland Collegiate League P Jonathan Sintes (San Diego seventh. In game two, the Twins erupted Angelo Baez (St. Thomas Aquinas) The Putty Hill Panthers won Stars) Michael Garvick and Justin for 11 hits and 3 home runs enroute of Worcester. the Maryland Collegiate Baseball C Kennedy Badgett (Colorado) Fleebee both went 2-for-3 in the to an 11-2 victory. Top Pro Prospects include Mark League title with two straight wins C Brock Gagliardi (Seattle) game. Coy Barnett of the Twins was Coley (Rhode Island) of Pittsfield in the league championship series 1B Dawson Pomeroy (Great Atlantic Collegiate League named Most Valuable Player in the and RHP Nick Sinicola (Maine) of over the Maryland Monarchs. Bend) The Allentown Railers won their tournament. He belted two homers Brockton. It was the third championship for 2B Kyle Strash (Seattle) fourth Atlantic Collegiate Baseball in the championship series. Defensive Player of The Putty Hill Manager Pete Karsos. 3B Collin Runge (Fairbanks, League title in the past five years Year is Buddy DeWaine (Central In game one, the Monarchs Connecticut St.) of Bristol. AK) with a 9-3 win over the North Jersey The won, 5-2. SS Blake Rambusch (Cheney, Eagles. Relief Pitcher of The Year is The Panthers won the title game, beat the , 6-2 to win Beau Dana (Dickinson College) of KS). A solo home run by John Mead their second straight Costal Plain 6-4. UT Jason Ajamian (Colorado). (Franklin Pierce) gave the Eagles North Shore. League title. Midwest Collegiate League UT Mitch Morales (San Diego Batting Champion is Thomas a 1-0 lead in the third. The Railers After winning a franchise record The Bloomington Bobcats Waves). Joyce () of then pushed across four runs in the 37 games during the regular season, captured their first Midwest NBC World Series Notes: The Westfield. fifth to take a 4-1 lead. the Marlins finished 4-1 in the Collegiate League title with a 2-1 2019 NBC Graduate of The Year is Manager of The Year is Mike Eddie Olsen (Moravian) allowed postseason to bring home the Petitt win over the N.W. Indiana Oilmen Jed Lowrie. Odenwaelder of North Shore. one run over 4 1/3 innings, and Cup. in the best of three championship The former Stanford player who reliever Francis Driscoll (Colby) The Marlins became the first CPL Great Lakes League series. played for the Matsu Minors in the pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings for team to repeat as champions since The beat the Licking Brandon Laux (Kirkwood C.C.) Alaska Baseball League in 2003, the win. the 2013-14 . County Settlers two games to one came in to close out the last three has played 12 years in the Major Ian Csencsits (Moravian) added Morehead City scored four to capture their sixth Great Lakes innings as he struck out three and Leagues. three hits for the Railers while runs in the fourth inning to take League championship. allowed one unearned run in the top He has hit 104 homers, collected Thylar Summarell (Stephen F. a 4-1 lead which set the tone for It was their third title in the past 509 RBI and posted a .263 batting ) hit a 2-run homer in the five years. See COTUIT WINS, Page 11 Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page 11 Cotuit Wins 17th League Championship Continued From Page 10 P Trey McLoughlin, Mystic (Fairfield of the eighth. P Ryan Murphy, Vermont (Le The Oilmen would get a man on Moyne) in the bottom of the ninth but were Relief Rob Griswold, Valley unable to score the tying run and (LIU Brooklyn) send the game into . Relief Nick Robino, Mystic N.W. Indiana’s pitching was (Wagner) superb as they only gave up two Relief Justin Willis, Keene runs on five hits. (Connecticut) Closer Aaron Hasse, Upper Cape Cod League The captured Valley (Wichita St.) their 17 th Cape Cod League New York Collegiate League championship as they beat the The Niagara Power won the two straight in the New York Collegiate League title best of three league championship by beating the Cortland Crush two series. straight in the league championship The Kettleers won game one, 7-6 series. in 15 innings and then won the title It is the first championship for in game two, 10-3. Niagara since 1993. It marked the first championship Niagara won game one, 10-6 by Cotuit since 2013. and then beat Cortland in game In the title game, Cotuit jumped two, 12-6. on top with two solo home runs in Niagara scored 22 runs in the the first inning, one by Matt Mervis two games on 30 hits. and another by Casey Schmitt. The league’s top pro prospects Schmitt hit his second homer include: of the game in the bottom of the INF Alex Flock, Cortland fourth while Mervis went 4-for-5 P Chase Nowak, Syracuse on the day. OF Connor Wilson, Syracuse Cotuit scored two more runs in Cotuit beat Harwich two straight to win the Cape Cod League championship series. P Gregg Scherrer, Cortland the bottom of the fourth and six OF Eric Wentz, Niagara later, he’s had one of the league’s Orleans: The New Bedford, MA league. in the bottom of the fifth to take a P Erik Johnson, Niagara best seasons. The affable All-Star native had a great season on the Best Starting Pitcher: Ryan commanding 10-2 lead and coasted C/DH Jack Anderson, Syracuse finished Top 5 in both AVG (.345) mound for the Firebirds. He finished Murphy, Vermont (LeMoyne). He home with a 10-3 victory. P Jack Collins, Olean and OBP (.427). 4-0 with a 35-5 K/BB ratio and a was the league leader in ERA (2.25) Cotuit Head Coach Mike OF Jacob Victor, Olean Outstanding Pro Prospect 1.40 ERA in 30 innings. and finished with a 5-2 overall Roberts, skipper for the past 16 P Jeff DeStefano, Syracuse - , YD Red Sox: record with 55 strikeouts over 48 seasons, celebrated his third Cape MINK League P Joseph Barberio, Niagara Coming off a spring where he was innings. Cod League title as manager. The St. Joseph Mustangs captured named Pac-12 Freshman of the Best Defensive Player: SS The Kettleers faced a number of the 2019 MINK League title by Year at Arizona, Wells hit .308 and Nander De Sedas, Martha’s The Traverse City Pit Spitters obstacles during the regular season beating the Ozark Generals two added 7 home runs and 26 RBI this Vineyard (Florida St.). In 24 games, won the Northwoods League as Cotuit only posted a 20-20-4 straight in the league championship summer on Cape Cod. He also won he committed nine errors in 107 championship over the Eau Claire overall record which was third in series. the Player of the Week for week chances. He also was involved in 15 Express, 3-2. the West Division. The MINK League Players of one, and East All-Star honors. double plays and made numerous Trailing 2-1 heading into the They came alive in the playoffs The Year include Logan Eickhoff Manager of the Year Award circus plays. bottom of the ninth, the Pit Spitters as the Kettleers had a 6-1 record of the Chillicothe Mudcats (.408, 10 - Jeff Trundy, Falmouth: Falmouth Top Relief Pitcher: Aaron loaded the bases and pushed across and won their final six games of 2B, 4 3B, 29 RBI) and A.J. Gardner Commodore’s manager Jeff Trundy Haase, Upper Valley (Wichita the final two runs of the game to the summer. of the Sedalia Bombers (.408, 10 took home his third Manager of St.). He saw action in 17 games win the title. In game one of the championship HR, 3 3B, 37 RBI). the Year award in his 21st season and posted 9 saves and two relief It was their first season in the series, of Cotuit The league’s Pitcher of The Year leading the Commodores. Trundy wins. league, and they swept the Great knocked in the winning run in is Tyson Campbell of the Ozark led the Commodores to the league’s Rookie Of The Year: David Lakes East division, taking the the top of the 15th inning to give Generals (6 wins, 2.59 ERA, 94 best record at 27-15-2, including an Beam, Mystic (Tennessee St.). He first half, second half, overall and the Kettleers the lead. Then Kyle K). 11-game win streak. hit .357 with 3 homers and 26 RBI playoff titles. Nicolas posted a save in the bottom Umpire of the Year Award New England Collegiate over 36 games. Traverse City tied the league of the 15th inning as Cotuit went up - Mark Delaney: Mark Delaney The Keene Swamp Bats captured Batting Champion: record for most wins in a season one game to none. brings the highest-level of their fifth New England Collegiate Cole Frederick, Upper Valley and set records for the longest win Richard Braerton was brilliant professionalism, integrity, Baseball League championship (Jacksonville St.). He led the streak and most shutout victories in on the mound for the Kettleers as he consistency and respect for the with two straight victories in the NECBL with a .396 batting average, a campaign. fired six shutout innings, allowing game of baseball. league championship series over hit 8 homers and collected 38 The Northwoods League top one hit while striking out five. General Manager of the Year the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. RBI. awards were announced: The playoff MVP was Casey Award - Sue Horton, Orleans: It was the Swamp Bats’ first title Most Improved Player: Sam Most Valuable Player: OF Schmidt Sue Horton has been recognized in six years. Cochrane, Winnipesaukee (Eckerd). Justice Bigbie, Madison (.349, 12 Cotuit second baseman Nick for her passion and long-time Back-to-back bases loaded walks After batting just .207 last season, HR, 70 RBI). Gonzales was named MVP of the dedication to the success of the allowed two runs to score for he was remarkable in 2019 with Pitcher of Year: Andrew Cape Cod League and also MVP and her Martha’s Vineyard in the top half a .352 batting average, good for Hoffman, Traverse City (8 Wins, by his Kettleer teammates. team, The . of the third inning. seventh best in the league. He drove 1.08 ERA, 43 K). He finished with a .351 batting Batting Champion - Zach Keene responded with four runs in 38 more runs while tacking on 10 Manager of Year: Will Flynt, average, second in the league, and DeLoach, Falmouth: DeLoach led in the bottom of the third as the doubles and 6 home runs. Wisconsin Rapids (44-26 record). finished first in runs scored (39), the league in batting average during Swamp Bats won the final game, 4- Manager Of The Year: Jay The 2019 Northwoods League hits (54), doubles (14) and tied the regular season at .353. He was 2. A solo home run from Kyle Ball Mendez, Martha’s Vineyard (Curry post-season All-Star team for first in triples with four. His also an All-Star, Player of the Week (Stetson) brought Keene within a College). Mendez led Martha’s features: seven home runs tied for third in winner, and he finished the season run. Then David Matthews (Central Vineyard to the best regular-season C Alonzo Rubalcaba, Waterloo the league while his 33 RBI were with 8 doubles, 5 home runs, .428 Connecticut St.) delivered a 3-run record by any team in the league (Santa Barbara City) second in the league. OBP, and a .969 OPS. homer, his ninth of the summer. (28-16) and earned a No. 1 seed in C Jake Dunham, Wisconsin Cape Cod League Awards: The Outstanding Pitcher Award Keene’s pitching was superb as the post-season where they finished (Northern ) Cape Cod League regular-season - Ian Bedell, Wareham: Bedell Marc Davis (Florida Southwestern second in the league championship 1B J.T. Schwartz, La Crosse award winners include: dominated the regular season with St.) and Jonathan Edwards (Georgia series to Keene. (UCLA) C o m m i s s i o n e r ’ s C u p an ERA of 0.58 while punching out Southern) combined on a 2-hitter The All-NECBL first team 1B Shea Kramer, Kalamazoo - Yarmouth-Dennis: T h e 36 batters with just 2 walks in 30.2 and struck out 16 batters. includes: (Utah) Commissioner’s Cup is presented . Davis pitched into the fifth C Colton Bender, Newport 2B Matt Bottcher, Eau Claire to the team that demonstrates Outstanding Relief Pitcher inning with 6 strikeouts while (Quinnipiac) (Illinois-Chicago) the highest level of integrity and Award – Zachary Brzykcy, Edwards fanned 10 batters in the 1B Terry “TT” Bowens, Mystic 2B Mario Camilletti, Traverse professionalism on and off the Falmouth: The righty led the final 4 1/3 innings while yielding (Central Connecticut St.) City (Oakland) field. league in saves (7), and finished no hits. 2B Drew DeMartino, Sanford 3B Jordan Barth, St. Cloud MVP Award - Nick Gonzales, the regular season with a .180 ERA, He finished the game with three (Hartford) (Augustana) Cotuit: Gonzales finished the and 14 K in 10 IP. He allowed just straight strikeouts. SS Austin Gauthier, Vermont 3B Andrew Morrow, Traverse season in the top-five in all major 2 runs on 4 hits. The NECBL unveiled its annual (Hofstra) City (Michigan St.) offensive categories. He racked up 10th Player Award – Austin end of season awards: 3B Cole Frederick, Upper Valley SS Evan Berkey, Rochester (Cal. 54 hits, 7 home runs, a .451 OBP, Masel, Falmouth: Masel batted Most Valuable Player: Terry (St. Joseph) St. Bakersfield) and a 1.081 OPS while adding solid .371 with a .437 OBP, and .905 “TT” Bowens, Mystic (Central OF Randy Bednar, Keene SS Daryl Myers, Lakeshore defense and smart base running. OPS this season, but it was his Connecticut St.). He led the league (Maryland) (Benedictine) He reached base in every game performance off the field that earned with 16 homers and 53 RBI. O F S a m C o c h r a n e , OF Garett Delano, St. Cloud but one. him this award. Masel exceeded Top Pro Prospect: 1B Terry Winnipesaukee (Eckerd) (Brown) Sportsmanship Award - Max expectations as a teammate and “TT” Bowens, Mystic (Central OF Alan Burnsed, Martha’s OF Ryan Holgate, La Crosse Troiani, Orleans: Max Troiani community member, making him Connecticut St.). Vineyard (Florida Southern) (Arizona) came to the Orleans Firebirds this an easy pick for this prestigious 10th Player Award: SS/2B DH Matthew Koperniak, North OF Josh Elvir, Mankato (Angelo season as a relatively unknown award. Joey Porricelli, North Adams Adams (Trinity) St.) player from a small New England Outstanding New England (Merrimack). His 23 stolen bases P Jordan DiValerio, Upper Valley program (Bentley). Two months Player Award. , were tied for second most in the (St. Joseph) See CHAMPIONS, Page 12 Page 12 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate National Team Wins 2 Important Series CARY, N.C. — The U.S. Colleg- national team debuts in 2019. Clarita, Calif.) iate National Team posted an 8-6 Spencer Butt (Davie, Fla.), Kai RHP Duke Ekstrom (San Diego, record this summer against rugged Caranto (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Calif.) competition from other countries. Brandon Olivera (Hialeah, Fla.) INF Termarr Johnson (, The ball club posted series wins and Benjamin Reiland (Irvine, Ga.) over Cuba and Chinese Taipei but Calif.) were named to the 15U INF/RHP Dylan Lina (Carson, dropped a 5-game series to Japan, National Team roster after earning Calif.) three games to two. an invitation to the 15U Trials RHP/INF Matthew Matthijs Japan won the series for the 16th following their performance at (Greenville, N.C.) straight time on its home soil over the 2019 14U National Team L H P E t h a n M c E l v a i n the last 40 years. Development Program (NTDP). (Thompson’s Station, Tenn.) The team was led offensively by This is the third consecutive INF/RHP Steven Milam (Las OF (Arkansas) and year two or more members of the Cruces, N.M.) SS Alika Williams (Arizona St.). current year’s 14U NTDP roster OF Aidan Miller (Trinity, Fla.) Kjerstad led the team with a were selected to the 15U National RHP Brandon Olivera (Hialeah, .395 batting average and had the 2018 National Team Identification trials, training and tournament Team. In total, 15 members of the Fla.) highest (.651). Series and the 2019 17U National play. 2019 roster have previously trained OF Benjamin Reiland (Irvine, He collected 2 homers, 3 doubles within the USA Baseball National Calif.) Team development Program. 15U National Team and 8 RBI. They convened in California Team Development Program. RHP Louis Rodriguez (Long Williams was second on the team USA baseball named its 15U Athletes selected for 15U Beach, Calif.) the 18U National Team Trials to national team and will compete at in batting average (.364), slugging compete for a spot on the 20-man National Team identification are INF Mikey Romero (Menifee, (.545) and total bases (24) as he the COPABE U-15 Pan American chosen from the 15U National Calif.) Team USA roster. Championships Sept. 13-22 in hit 1 homer, 2 triples, 1 double and At the conclusion of the trials, Team Championships in Arizona RHP/INF Logan Saloman 10 RBI. Playa del Carmen, Mexico. and Florida, the 2018 14U National (Chandler, Ariz.) the team will train in Los Angeles Team USA is the 3-time defending The pitching staff averaged 8 and before traveling to Team Identification Series, the 14U INF Nolan Schubart (Durand, strikeouts per game with 113 over champions of the event with titles NTDP and recommendations from Mich.) Gijang City, for the in 2013, 2015 and 2017. 14 games. 2019 World Baseball professional scouts and college and C/OF Colton Wombles (Salem, Leading the way were RHP Max The team roster was recently high school coaches. Ala.) Confederation (WBSC) U-18 named. Meyer (Minnesota) who posted a . The 15U National Team Roster 12U National Team 0.69 ERA in 13 innings with 10 Karson Bowen (Anaheim includes: The U.S. is the 4-time defending Hills, Calif.) and Joseph Brown Alexander Mercurius (Las Vegas, strikeouts and LHP Reid Detemers champions of the event and will LHP Brandon Barriera (Coconut Nev.) and Brenden Lewis (Santee, (Louisville) who posted a 0.69 ERA (Petaluma, Calif.) will compete Creek, Fla.) look to become the first team on the 15U team for the second Calif.) combined to throw a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in 13 innings. ever to claim five World Cup gold C/RHP Karson Bowen (Anaheim as the USA Baseball 12U National consecutive year after helping Hills, Calif.) 18U National Team medals in a row at the tournament the program to its first World Team dropped South Africa, 18-0 to From Los Angeles to Taiwan which takes place in late August to I N F / O F J o s e p h B r o w n conclude the 2019 World Baseball Baseball Softball Confederation (Petaluma, Calif.) to South Korea, the 18U National early September. U-15 Baseball World Cup gold Softball Confederation (WBSC) U- Team has begun a busy schedule. The 18U team will travel a total OF/INF Drew Burress (Perry, 12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, medal in 2018. Ga.) On Aug. 12, 48 of the top of 13,737 miles this summer and They are two of 11 national team Taiwan. baseball players in the country compete in five different cities in INF/RHP Spencer Butt (Davie, Team USA concluded the 2019 alumni to be selected to the roster, Fla.) were selected from the Prospect three countries on two separate while nine athletes will make their WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Development Pipeline League, the continents over 3 1/2 weeks of INF/RHP Kai Caranto (Santa with a 6-2 overall record. Champions Crowned Across USA In Summer Collegiate Leagues Continued From Page 11 Seattle made its seventh Rocky Mountain League Florida Collegiate League title after sixth inning to power the scoring appearance in the title game in the The Fort Collins Foxes beat beating Ft. Lauderdale. surge. OF Justice Bigbie, Madison last 12 years. the Colorado Sox, 6-1 in the In the title game, Luis Aviles Dobbins also retired eight batters (Tulane) led the offense as he went as a pitcher to close out the win. (Western Carolina) Perfect Game League championship game of the Rocky OF Michael Slaten, Traverse The Amsterdam Mohawks swept Mountain Collegiate Baseball 2-for-3 at the plate. Luis Chavez The Bombers finished the season City (Benedictine) the best-of-three championship League Tournament. (Florida International) added a 37-16. OF Richie Schiekofer, Wisconsin series to capture the Perfect Game The Foxes, in their first season double and RBI. Valley League (Rutgers) Collegiate Baseball League title in the RMBL, utilized a 10-hit On the mound, Gavin Gillespie The DH Patrick Ferguson, Waterloo over the Adirondack Trail Blazers. attack while the pitching staff only (Broward College) picked up the won their second Valley League (Kent St.) In game two, the Mohawks allowed one run. win as he threw 4 innings with 2 title with a 4-1 win over the DH Brandon Chinea, Kokomo spotted the Trail Blazers a 3-run A trio of Fort Collins players strikeouts and 1 earned run. to sweep the (Nova Southeastern) lead early in the contest. collected three hits while Jake Nelson Smith (Palm Beach St.) league championship series two RHP Polo Portela, Willmar A six-run third inning proved to Tomcheck (Oklahoma Christian) struck out 4 batters in 3 innings of straight. (Cumberland) be the turning point for Amsterdam earned the win as he allowed four relief. Tom Sox pitching allowed 10 hits LHP Trevor Koenig, St. Cloud as pitcher Nick Massa overcame hits in his six innings of work. The Championship Series MVP in the game but only surrendered (St. Cloud St.) early struggles to rack up 13 Jared Sharp (Washburn) closed out was awarded to Ross Maertz one run with seven strikeouts. RHP Keon Taylor, Rochester the final three innings and didn’t (Adelphi). strikeouts over six innings. (Georgetown College) It was the first league title for the allow a hit. LHP R.J. Martinez, St. Cloud The won their Mohawks since 2016. Southern Collegiate League The Brookhaven Bucks (21- fourth consecutive West Coast (Minot St.) 12) captured their second straight The Piedmont Pride won the League title with an 11-1 win over RHP Jared Freilich, La Crosse Southern Collegiate Baseball Sunbelt League title with a 10-3 (Penn State) The won the the Victoria HarbourCats. Prospect League championship League title over the Carolina win over the Norcross Astros (20- Corvallis won the league LHP Brett Newberg, Mankato Vipers, 16-11. 16). (Austin Peay St.) series two games to one over the championship series two games in capturing its first The winning pitcher was John Brookhaven is the third team in to one. RHP Andrew Hoffman, Traverse Bakke. He threw five scoreless Sunbelt League history to win at least City (Oakland) title since 2010. The title is the seventh in history The key hit for Chillicothe was innings and only allowed two hits two consecutive championships and for the Knights as Corvallis tied LHP Gareth Stroh, Wisconsin with five strikeouts. the first since the Atlanta Crackers (Nebraska) Trey Smith’s in the top a franchise record for victories of the sixth inning which turned a Bakke pitched 11 1/3 innings won four straight from 2013-16. (54-14). RHP Theo Denlinger, Madison during the playoffs and only The Bucks second straight (Bradley) 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead. Western Baseball Assn. It turned out to be the margin surrendered one run. title caps a season which saw LHP Jack Mahoney, Green Bay Richard de la Cruz was 2-for- Brookhaven set new Sunbelt single- The San Diego Stars won the (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) of victory. Western Baseball Association Paints’ starting pitcher Austin 4 with a triple, home run and six season records in batting average RHP Kyle Jones, Traverse City RBI. (.306), home runs (26) and RBI league championship series two (Toledo) Calopietro had a superb game. games to one over the San Diego The 6-foot-3, 215-pound The Pride went 28-10 on the (208). RHP Brayden Bonner, Wisconsin season and were unbeaten in the CJ Edmond and Jake Brace of Waves. (Dixie St.) righthander threw five innings and The Stars, which lost the first allowed two earned runs on five hits playoffs. the Bucks were named co-MVPs of Ohio Valley League the Sunbelt Championship. game of the series, utilized a walk- with five strikeouts. Southern California League off, 8-7 win in game two and then a The Hoptown Hoppers won the What makes the championship After posting a 30-0 record in Edmond hit two doubles and Ohio Valley League championship drove in two runs to lead the Bucks 12-9 victory in the winner-take-all even more special is that Chillicothe the Southern California Collegiate title game. series two straight over the Dubois started the season 2-7 but ended Baseball League through the at the plate. County Bombers. the regular season at 40-20. At regular season, the Palm Springs Brace (7-2) pitched seven strong Western Canadian League The Hoppers captured the title one point, The Paints won 11 Power beat the San Diego Force innings and allowed one run on The Okotoks Dawgs won the game, 10-3 and won all six games consecutive games. two straight in the championship four hits with seven strikeouts. Western Canadian Baseball League in the league playoffs. Chillicothe beat the Danville series. The righthander from Georgia Tech with two straight wins over the retired the side in four of the seven Pacific Dans to win the East Division title The Power posted 8-5 and 8-1 in the league The Seattle Studs captured the and then took two of three from wins. innings he pitched. championship series. 2019 Pacific International League Cape in the league championship It marked Palm Springs’ ninth Tristan Peters earned the playoff with a 16-2 record and 33-11 series. title which is a record high for any The Brazos Valley Bombers MVP after hitting .313 in the overall record. The Paints had five players team affiliated with the SCCBL. captured their sixth Texas Collegiate playoffs with 6 runs, 4 RBI and 3 The Studs then went on to win selected to the All-Star team in Overall, Palm Springs posted a League title with an 8-2 win over stolen bases. their third NBC World Series title in Zach Kendall, Cole Andrews, Nate 40-1 record this summer. the Texarkana Twins. Michael Batten of the Regina Brazos Valley scored six runs in Red Sox captured the pitching triple the past seven years with a 5-4 win Haugh, Cody Orr and Gavin Homer. South Florida Collegiate over the Cheney Diamond Dawgs The team featured the league’s the sixth inning to snap a 2-2 tie. crown this summer after leading the The West Boca Snappers won league in ERA (1.53), wins (8) and in the championship game. batting and strikeout champion in their second consecutive South Hunter Dobbins and Hunter Orr and Calopietro. Coleman each had doubles in the strikeouts (81). Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page 13 Here Is When Hitters Offer At Check Swings, Bunts ANSONIA, Conn. — What A strike should not be called on “swung” at the pitch in which case the ball as long as part of his foot his right wrist caused by the hit determines if a batter offers the batter if he does not pull his the swing supersedes the HBP. If is in the batter’s box. Keep in mind by pitch. You can view the play by at the pitch when attempting bat back unless it is ruled that the ball strikes the hand and the bat, that the batter’s box line is only going to the link: www.mlb.com/ to bunt? the batter’s intent was to make and there was no intent to swing, six-inches from the plate. Under news/trey-mancini-exits-game- If a batter never pulls his bat contact. the umpires will normally protect NFHS, if the batter makes contact against-twins back while in a bunt position, is In the above play, first base the batter and award him first base with the ball and part of his foot is In summary, the intent of the that to be interpreted as offering at umpire Dan Iasoggna, when based on the wildness of the pitch on home plate, he is out. batter is what defines an attempted the pitch? appealed, did not judge intent to if it is a good distance from the If Fowler’s left foot was on the bunt or a swing. If a batter checks his swing and make contact with the ball. If the strike zone. ground entirely out of the box when When a batter is pulling his bat is hit by the pitch what’s the call? HBP wasn’t called and confirmed In the above play, if a different he was hit by the pitch, it would still back after being in a bunt position, How about if the batter swings and in NYC, the ruling would have been crew was working the game, you be a HBP. That situation, however, a third strike should not be is hit by the pitch? a two strike “foul ball,” might have had a different outcome is not covered in the rules. called if the bat makes contact with The first month of the not a “strike three bunt because there were so many layers One ML umpire said, “The the ball and rolls foul. It is simply 2019 baseball season had foul ball” because it was of judgment. rule only talks about hitting a ball a strike. it all. Ruleball ruled that Lagares did I think Iassogna and his crew with a foot outside of the box not When a batter fails to check his Let’s start with the bunt not offer at the pitch with would agree! What’s the call if the getting hit with a ball and we cannot swing and is hit by the pitch, the attempt. an attempted bunt. One batter has a 1-2 count and a pitched combine the two so the batter is missed swing supersedes the HBP. The Mets had a four- could argue that Lagares ball strikes the bat as the batter is awarded first base. It’s not covered The pitch is a strike. If it is strike run ninth inning rally did not have control of pulling the bat back after initially in the 2019 OBR or the 2019 Major three, the batter is out. marked by controversy on his bat at the time of squaring to bunt and the ball rolls League Umpire Manual, but that’s If the batter checks his swing April 1 when they played contact because of the into foul territory? how we’ll interpret it.” and is HBP, the batter is awarded the Marlins at Marlins nature of the pitch which Is this a strike three bunt foul or a My question is how you can first base. If the batter is HBP Park. was headed toward his foul ball with the count remaining, award the batter a base when he has simultaneously with the ball hitting With Dominic Smith face. 1-2? violated the batter’s box rule? the bat, the batter is awarded first on first and no outs, Juan The Command Center This would be a foul ball, not a The manager of the defensive base unless it is ruled that he offered Lagares tried to bunt him in NYC cannot rule on foul ball strike three bunt. The batter team should appeal for a HBP if at the pitch. over, then reached on a hit- With Rich Marazzi the intent of the batter must, in the umpire’s judgment, the batter has offered at the pitch. The batter’s hands are not an by-pitch when home-plate Rules Consultant to make contact, but intentionally meet the ball with the The were in the extension of the bat. If the batter is Blue Jays, Brewers, they can rule on the bat, causing it to become foul on a middle of a HBP/swing controversy hit on the hands, it is a HBP unless umpire Cardinals, D’backs, said he didn’t offer. A Dodgers, Mariners, HBP. Apparently, there 2-strike count to be considered a on April 27 when they hosted the the batter offered at the pitch in replay review upheld the Orioles, Phillies, wasn’t enough evidence third strike. . which case it is a strike. call. Marlins’ manager Pirates, Rangers, to reverse Holbrook’s The Pirates and Cardinals played In the top of the first, Trey If the pitch hit the bat first and Rays, Red Sox, call. Unfortunately, some at PNC on April 1 when the Cards’ Mancini was batting against Jose then hit the batter, it is a foul ball argued Royals, Tigers, that Lagares offered at the Twins, Yankees, the Division I games have the was hit by a pitch as Berrios when he swung at a 1-2 as long as the batter did not swing pitch and the play should Fox Regional Sports luxury of using the video he was attempting to bunt. pitch and fouled it off. or offer at the pitch. be ruled a bunt strike three. Networks, ESPN and replay. But in general, There is no doubt that he pulled The pitch hit Mancini on the If the pitch only hit the bat it is This would negate the hit the White Sox TV high school, college and his bat back and was properly swing, but plate umpire Gerry a foul ball. Whenever the batter is announcers. by pitch ruling. The Mets minor league games do awarded first base. Fowler’s left Davis did not have a HBP. hit by the pitch, swinging or not, the proceeded to score four Readers can submit not have access to video foot was partially on the ground The Twins could have challenged ball is always dead and no runner/s runs and break a 3-3 tie en questions to Rich at: replay to rectify those out of the batter’s box. Should the HBP. If the Replay Official can advance. [email protected] route to a 7-3 win. situations. But umpires he have been awarded first base judged that Mancini was HBP on HBP controversies can be You can view the play by going and coaches can still appeal to the because part of his foot was out of the swing, it would have been a challenged or appealed unless to the link: www.mlb.com/video/ wing umpires or in the case of one the batter’s box.? strikeout. the field umpire rules that the lagares-gets-hbp-after-review field umpire, the appeal can be Also, what if his foot was on the Mancini proceeded to hit a bloop batter offered at the pitch. A called It should be understood that made to him. ground entirely out of the box when single to center but had to leave or swinging strike can never be a bunt is defined in the Official Keep in mind that the rule book he was hit by the pitch? Would you the game because of the pain in challenged. Baseball Rules as, “a not does not define a swing or offering award him first base? swung at, but intentionally met with at a pitch whether it’s a bunt attempt You can view the play by going the bat and tapped slowly within the or a swing. Umpires simply must to the link: www.dropbox.com/s/ Twitter Can Reveal Vital infield.” When a batter extends his judge the intent of the batter. kjplcuor1eu4cgh/Fowler%20HBP. bat to bunt and does not pull it back, It should be noted that the hands mp4?dl=0 Information On Recruits a strike should only be called if the are not part of the bat. This is In this scenario, Continued From Page 9 batter’s intent was to offer at the another timeless myth that refuses plate umpire ruled pitch. Forget the age-old myth that to die. I recently heard a major that Fowler was hit by the pitch as likely to attend that university. Research Report says if the batter does not pull the league broadcaster erroneously he was pulling his bat back. Alternately, the likelihood of IOWA CITY, Iowa — The entire bat back, a strike should be called. say, “The hands are an extension Fowler’s (left) foot was partially a student attending a university 35-page report, Online and Off the That’s nonsense. of the bat.” out of the box which is legal as long decreased by 3 percent for every Field: Predicting School Choice The bottom line is, did the batter If the batter is hit on the hand, as he had part of his foot in the box. account the student began following in College Football Recruiting intend to make contact with the he is hit by the pitch and awarded The batter can even step on home from a different university. from Social Media Data, can be ball? And that’s umpire judgment. first base unless he “offered” or plate while making contact with For hashtag fans, the likelihood viewed on the internet at: www.biz. of a student attending a specific uiowa.edu/faculty/kangzhao/pub/ university increased by 305 percent DecisionAnalysis_2017.pdf Role Of DH Expanded In H.S. Baseball when that student referenced the INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The player. university in a hashtag, while Minnesota but not California, he role of the in high Utilizing this option, the player mentioning an alternate school is probably more likely going to school baseball has been expanded has two positions: defensive player was associated with a 65 percent Minnesota. It takes a little bit more to give coaches an additional option and designated hitter. The team decrease in those odds. effort to go through the list of for the 2020 season. would begin the game with nine “You can definitely use our friends on Facebook and Twitter The revision to Rule 3-1-4 was starters — nine defensive players template in the sport of baseball,” and identify them.” the only change recommended by — one of whom also assumes the said Bigsby. Social Media Powerful the National Federation of State role of the designated hitter. “The hardest part about applying Bigsby said the power of social High School Associations (NFHS) “With the change adding pitch- this to sports outside of football media is remarkable and can Baseball Rules Committee at its count restrictions to high school and is the availability become a great tool for college June meetings in Indianapolis. baseball, this will allow pitchers to of information. I am less familiar recruiters in baseball. The change was subsequently remain in the game as a hitter while with baseball recruiting, but in “It allows recruiters to communi- approved by the NFHS Board of removing them from pitching,” football, there are numerous on-line cate with kids on their own turf. All Directors. Hopkins said. databases that tell you when recruits of these kids are already on Twitter. “The game is in the best shape “Typically, pitchers are stronger get an offer, where they have visited So why don’t we go where they are it has ever been in the history hitters as well. However, the intent and so on. to communicate with them? And in of high school baseball,” said of the rule is not for it to become “Schools could obviously track the process, monitor their account Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of strictly a pitcher-designated hitter the players they recruit as well by to see what school they are leaning sports and student services and role. applying our template. We have toward. liaison to the NFHS Baseball Rules “The rule provides additional found that a lot of football coaches “Twitter is a tool that many Committee. avenues for other position players are already tracking information coaches already utilize with recruits. “This has allowed coaches to as well. The change allows coaches manually. They are continually But they can optimize their use with coach, players to play and umpires ELLIOT HOPKINS to strategize how to keep players in monitoring their recruits on-line. this new information.” to umpire. This change, which was and nine hitters in the , the game to contribute offensively “However, I have no idea if Bigsby said being on Twitter with organic and intuitive, expands the one of whom is the designated hitter while allowing another player a they are analyzing Tweets as they a recruit can be more comfortable role of the designated hitter and hitting for a defensive player. chance to participate on defense.” analyze specific comments, hash than a phone call or e-mail. meets the desires of the high school “The traditional designated Also, a prior rule’s change tags and who recruits’ friends and “When you are on the phone, you baseball community.” hitter role remains intact,” Hopkins involving and chest and followers are on Twitter. must have a thoughtful conversation There are now two scenarios said. body protectors will take effect “Who is the recruit connected to with the recruiter on the other end, in which a designated hitter may “However, the committee Jan. 1, 2020. on-line? Let’s say Iowa is recruiting and sometimes it isn’t comfortable be used. The first scenario is the felt it was necessary to make As of that date, all baseballs and a player who also is being heavily for the recruit. traditional use where the designated an additional option available to chest and body protectors used in recruited at Michigan. “Twitter for many high school hitter may be a 10th starter who coaches that could be strategic but high school baseball competition “While he might appear to be kids today is relaxing and enjoyable hits for any one of the nine starting also maximize participation.” shall meet the NOCSAE (National leaning to Iowa, he might have a with no pressure. Tweets can be defensive players. The change to Rule 3-1-4 now Operating Committee on Standards lot of friends at Michigan. Maybe delivered directly to a recruit’s The team begins the game with allows the starting designated for Athletic Equipment) standard at we should be worried about this. phone as a direct message which 10 starters: nine defensive players hitter to also be a starting defensive the time of manufacture. If a kid is Tweeting a lot about is private.” Page 14 Collegiate Baseball Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Are We Going Backward With Strength Programs? By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR. the main guy in Gus’ work. I was based more around large muscles. list. These guys don’t have the Editor/Collegiate Baseball allowed to see Carlton do the It wasn’t about lower weights with complete body program. They get Hofeling exercises that lasted about high repetitions. We were concerned overdeveloped. STILLWATER, Okla. — Are we 45 minutes. He utilized controlled, about full range of motion and the “This concept has hurt a number going forward or backward when it rhythmic breathing exercise that joint structure. We felt we were of players. You worry about even comes to strength and conditioning featured a lot of arm work. Carlton highly successful in working with a (Mark) McGwire. Baseball is a programs in baseball? was very concentrated and really the tissue between joints. Our game played by athletes with supple Is it better to utilize weight believed in it. Through his Cy history from Yavapai through bodies that are loose and relaxed. machines that cost thousands of Young years, he sustained this Oklahoma State was outstanding Most are slope shouldered. The arm dollars or tap into techniques that workout. regarding arm injuries. girdles and hip girdles are loose, were utilized hundreds of years “When John Denny signed “When you go through 26 flexible and relaxed. ago by the Oriental martial art with , he became an or 27 years of college coaching “You watch Tiger Woods swing a masters? advocate of Gus’ program. After and you only have about three golf club. He has this loose, relaxed According to Gary Ward, retired a rather nondescript career in St. arm surgeries, you feel like an body where the arm and hip girdles Hall of Fame coach at Oklahoma Louis, he became a Cy Young awful lot of what we were doing are that way as well. If you have hip State University who led the award winner in Philadelphia. We was successful. We protected our and shoulder girdle flexibility, you Cowboys to 10 College World got Gus Hoefling’s tape when I was pitchers against injuries. We have can create body speed that results Series appearances in 19 seasons at Oklahoma State. We used the always been concerned with the in bat speed.” from 1978-96, the small muscles rice bucket to work fingers, wrists, connective tissue with throwing When you lose all of those in the body allow the athlete to forearms and shoulders. arms. We worked with Hoefling things and overdevelop the muscle perform great feats. “A number of his exercises on the physical end of it. We also structure, when stress comes to The total answer does not lie in the became a part of our weight training found that proper nutrition helped. stress, the muscle being built up conditioning of big muscle groups GARY WARD and conditioning program. “There are many other variables as being strong and supple are in the body as baseball players more at Yavapai J.C. in 1975 when John “He had two 5-gallon buckets involved. We have always felt a merely going to be a problem at the and more parade around like body McCloud brought the Phoenix Suns filled with white rice, and the 7-day rotation was the right way connective or joint levels. building specimens. in for pre-season work. Gus was a players worked their hands through to protect arms. We rarely threw a “If you increase joint flexibility Training the entire body, kung fu instructor working with the rice to exercise the fine muscles starter during mid-week. We never in the knees and hips, you increase including the small muscles, was the Suns at the time. I watched the in the hands. short rested guys. foot speed. That’s what plyometrics an approach that Gus Hoefling, stretching and breathing techniques “The movement of the finger tips “Gus was a total body condi- are all about. I bought into that legendary conditioning coach of that he brought with him. He through the rice and everything I tioning guy. He believed in the when it came out in the 1980s. the , took when referred to most of what he did as got out of Gus’ exercises were all power of the breath to relax since Even with good athletes, we saw he came up with his unique system kung fu. about small muscle control and the Oriental culture has shown muscle an immediate improvement. drawn from Oriental martial arts “He had just come back from connective tissue. I did my master’s control starts with breathing. “We were working on bounding decades ago. the Orient the year before and had work on exercise physiology. “His kung fu work, which and flexing exercises at the joint Hoefling, who used an intense spent several years over there. When I did those studies, I became included flexibility, was exactly level. As those joints in the knee training program to condition I was intrigued by his system intrigued with weight training. what I wanted for baseball players. and hip got better, the feet got players such as , Mike because this period in time marked “We had some success with I have read extensively in that faster. Schmidt, John Denny, , the beginning of the rejection of pitchers who were low velocity area. I have always been tuned in “As the joints in the wrist and , Tim McCarver calisthenics as we knew them which guys who left throwing 7 or 8 miles to controlled breathing which goes elbows got better, the hands got and , just to name was the Swedish system. There per hour higher. This program back to Dr. Maxwell Maltz in his faster. That is why I have always a few, was a master at raising was a subsequent movement to the followed us to Oklahoma State. book Psycho-Cybernetics which been a sequential unlocking guy. the athletic ability of his players Oriental sciences. You never know how much credit dealt with the subconscious mind If I create sequential unlocking, through strenuous workouts. “When you get heavily into to give these things. and how to quiet it.” then gearing can take place and All of these men swear by his what this system is about, the “There is a natural maturation Ward feels some of the products ultimately speed. Then you tap the techniques that were unique in the Oriental system is so much about with the athlete. There also is and weight machines now being athlete’s potential. annals of baseball conditioning up breathing, relaxation, centering, and a mechanical application. The used are of questionable value. “I am constantly amazed that to that point. concentration with small muscle physical application, if controlled “Steroids or steroid-type products with every new group of kids you When Ward was in the infancy control. I became fascinated with and worked at in a well thought out have led to plenty of overdeveloped get in college baseball, they will of his coaching career as head the whole concept. program, can result in two positives. muscles in baseball without much mainly use the big muscles and coach at Yavapai Junior College “When pitcher John Denny First, hard work can add velocity. attention to the connective tissue. the back muscles. Gus teaches you in Prescott, Ariz. years ago, great made it to the Major Leagues at Second, and most importantly, it Eventually the connective tissue that the game is played in front of fortune stepped into his life. about that same time, I was in St. can decrease injury and soreness begins to fail, and you have pulled you with front muscles and small “The first time I learned of Gus’ Louis, and they were playing the in the athlete. muscles and have an extraordinary muscles. He had it right a long program was when I was working Phillies. Steve Carlton had become “Weight training at that time was number of players on the disabled time ago.” Consistently Turning Double Plays Is Hallmark Of Successful Teams By JACK DUNN before the ball arrives. In order to last two or three steps should be dumped and possible injury. It Special To Collegiate Baseball do so, the second baseman will have short, chop steps. These steps, also forces the second baseman to cheat; he must move in toward similar to those used by a defensive to decide whether or not to throw PORTLAND, Ore. — Often the baseline and a step or two halfback in football, enable the at the base runner. Inexperienced referred to as the pitcher’s best nearer second base whenever the second baseman to bring his body second basemen try to throw around friend, the is the most possibility of a double play exists. weight under control. With his the runner, losing all chance for spectacular play in baseball. 2. How far the second baseman weight under control he is able the at first. We tell our Six-to-four-to-three is music to “cheats” (in and over) toward to move laterally and increase his second baseman that first base the coach’s ears if his team is on second base will depend upon fielding range in the event there is does not move and it is the runner’s defense. individual quickness and agility and a bad throw. responsibility to . The double play can “snuff-out” will vary from player to player. 6. Teaching Point: Draw a circle This has serious implications a rally, break up an opponent’s 3. Regardless of the number of (six-foot radius) around second because the runner can easily big inning and permit playing the moves the second baseman may base. When the second baseman be injured; however, the second infield deep in crucial situations. possess, he will have difficulty reaches this circle, he breaks down baseman cannot be intimidated by The double play is a vital using any of them except merely (choppy steps) and establishes his the base runner. It is the coach’s component of a solid defensive catching the ball and stepping on lateral movement. responsibility, more accurately his team. The ability to consistently the base when he is late. A late 7. Generate Throwing Rhythm: duty, to be certain that all runners make the double play when it arrival to the base will increase the Don’t Throw Flat Footed!!! know they must slide or get out of presents itself means winning chances of a bad throw because the Transferring the weight to the right the way when going into second games and achieving a winning second baseman presents a moving foot just as the ball hits the glove base in this situation. season. target to the throwing him can generate throwing rhythm. This 11. Use a Compact Arm: When Webster defines pivot as, “A the baseball. In addition, he will can be done by taking a step with we consider that it takes a runner point on which something turns; have difficulty moving laterally the right foot in the direction of the approximately 3.5 to 4.5 seconds a person or thing on or around while striding directly toward the throw. This step and weight transfer to run to first base, it is easy which something turns or depends; base. A perfect throw to him is will place the second baseman in JACK DUNN to understand why the second a central point.” necessary if he is late. rhythm to throw and in position to means maximum throwing speed baseman cannot afford to waste a In a baseball context, the second 4. Get One For Sure: The second throw, which will result in a more cannot be achieved and accuracy fraction of a second in getting his baseman is this central point, and baseman’s primary responsibility is accurate and powerful throw to is impaired. throw away. One way to achieve the double play depends largely to make the putout at second base, first base. “Get to your right leg” 9. A premature transfer of quickness is by using a compact upon how skillfully he executes not to throw the runner out at first for rhythm and power. This will the weight to the striding foot or arm when throwing. this pivot. base. An inexperienced second prevent you from throwing “flat- stepping too far to the left of the The compact arm simply means Team success is directly related baseman tends to become overly footed.” imaginary line to first base should that when the ball is caught in the to the second baseman’s ability to concerned about making the putout 8. Step Directly Toward First also be avoided. This causes the glove, the glove and the ball are make the double play since those at first base. This eagerness usually Base: The second baseman must throw to be made almost entirely pushed as far to the throwing side double plays involving him are the results in no one being putout. step directly toward first base with with the arm. A weak, inaccurate as possible. The elbow leads the most difficult to complete. Missing the runner going to first his left foot while completing his throw invariably results. way going back and up. The wrist The following are things that base is of little consequence when double play throw. If a line were 10. Stay Out of the Baseline: is above the ball, not under it. should be considered when teaching compared to the catastrophic effects to be drawn from his pivot foot to Many pivot men use footwork, Arm rhythm results from dropping the second baseman how to make of the base runners being at first base, the striding foot would which results in their being in the wrist and making a small the double play: both first and second bases. be placed down slightly to the left the baseline after making their counterclockwise circle with the 1. Be There On Time: The most 5. Maintain Lateral Movement of this line. Failure to step directly throw. Granted, at times, this is ball. Now contrast this method with important factor in making the and Body Balance: As the second toward the base results in the pivot unavoidable, but being in the that of a full arm extension and the double play is getting to the base baseman approaches the base, his man throwing across his body. This baseline too often results in getting wrist under the ball. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 Collegiate Baseball Page 15

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