I'm a new Valpo baseball fan and thought I'd post here to start to get a feel for this Forum. Hopefully I can pick up a little knowledge from the regulars here. The 2011-2012 baseball team has 35 on the roster. Of those 35, 18 are new to the program. Some are freshmen but many are transfers. I know the kids are having a great first week getting to know each other. The team is headed out to Gary for a Railcats game tomorrow night. Fall ball practices also start this week. Looking forward to a Horizon League championship run from this team in 2012...
many of us fans really don't follow the baseball team other than to wish them well and hope for conference championship. Valpotx is a former player and very knowledgeable when it comes to Valpo baseball and her former players.
OK, I understand that in the Fall. Let's get some baseball discussion started here, to include Valpo alums in the minors, current players in their summer programs, etc. This team will contend for what I believe will be the school's first Horizon League championship in any sport this spring.
I think that there is a very good chance that the volleyball team might get that first ever Horizon championship this year before the baseball gets it's chance. The women have been knocking on this door for the last 4 years it's time to kick it in.
It will be between volleyball, softball, and baseball for the first championship I am sure.
Welcome to board jetz, and feel free to ask any baseball-related questions as they come to you! Are you a new fan because of a family member that is joining our team?
Quote from: valpotx on August 29, 2011, 01:03:56 PM
It will be between volleyball, softball, and baseball for the first championship I am sure.
Welcome to board jetz, and feel free to ask any baseball-related questions as they come to you! Are you a new fan because of a family member that is joining our team?
Thanks, valpotx, for the welcome and yes, I am a baseball dad. So as not to embarrass my son and also to reserve the right to either gloat or pout in anonymity, he shall remain nameless for now. :-X First question: since I don't know the rotation from last year, who shapes up to be the weekend starters in 2012? How about a closer? I know Coach Woodson is big on bringing in some arms...
If healthy, Jarad Miller would probably be the closer, as he was two seasons ago before getting hurt last season (Third Team All-American as a closer). My assumption of starting pitching from afar would be Tyler Deetjen, Kevin Upp, and Kevin Wild based off of last season. That of course depends on how the incoming players line up against them. Karch Kowalczyk could also be a closer/setup guy.
We graduated our main starting pitching unfortunately in Jon Gulbransen, Damon McCormick, and Justin Frane. Someone will have to step up from the newbies or relievers. Deetjen was one of our top 3 starters in games, so we at least have one solid starter with collegiate starting experience.
OK so pencil in Deetjen as the Friday starter, maybe J Miller as a closer--good to have a senior there. How about an everyday lineup/batting order? I realize there will be lots of holes to be filled in by new arrivals, but can you remember any returning starters from last year and where they will be defensively? Can you fill out a 1-9 batting order, leaving blanks where you think they will be and plugging in returners in their likely spot? This will probably be just guessing, but it'd be good to get a feel for what's coming back...
This doesn't really fit in with your current discussion, but Kendall Rogers at Perfect Game just posted that he has seen Arkansas' schedule and that it includes a non-conference series with Valpo. Kudos to Coach Woodson for getting a series like this on our 2012 schedule.
Coach Woodson is doing a great job all-around. He has scheduled tough competition each year against some top teams, which did not happen that much when I was playing. I really enjoy seeing the West coast and Southern teams on the schedule to challenge us before conference, as it only makes our conference foes seem easier in comparison. The fact we have competed pretty well against tough top teams in recent years is impressive as well. I was always expecting 8-10 run losses, but we keep them within 1-4 runs each game in most circumstances.
I assume we play @ Arkansas? If so, I may have to make that series being only a few hours away, and see it with a buddy of mine that played ball there.
Agree. The only way to get good athletes from places like California is to schedule some tough teams. The Arkansas schedule is a highlight on this year's schedule, but the team will spend Spring Break traveling around the Carolinas. If I remember right, they play some big names there as well--I'm thinking College of Charleston or Coastal Carolina, but can't remember exactly. I do remember thinking that it was a great schedule for Valpo to play as it will toughen us up for a run to a Regional berth. Coach Woodson is moving the program in the right direction. When the schedule comes out, I'm sure you guys will be impressed. Not heading out West this year, though. Next year (2013) is looking like a Florida trip with Kentucky included on the way back.
Yes, the Arkansas series is there, and they have a great facility, complete with luxury suites and a capacity of 8K or so.....
Yes, I went to our series with Arkansas a few years back. I look forward to hopefully seeing us play someday in my state. Maybe a series against TCU, Baylor, or Dallas Baptist :-)
Don't think this story has been posted before. John Mutka goes in depth about the team and its sucessful recruiting:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/mutka/7458326-452/john-mutka-three-pros-raise-valparaisos-baseball-profile.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/mutka/7458326-452/john-mutka-three-pros-raise-valparaisos-baseball-profile.html)
Thanks for the article! Neat that a Valpo HS guy will be playing down here at my graduate school that I volunteer coached at when doing my MBA.
It would probably be hard to recruit in TX due to how many schools nationally recruit this state, but even if we got a 2nd/3rd tier guy at some of these high schools in N. Texas, it would be a great get!
Quote from: vu72 on September 10, 2011, 07:37:30 AM
Don't think this story has been posted before. John Mutka goes in depth about the team and its sucessful recruiting:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/mutka/7458326-452/john-mutka-three-pros-raise-valparaisos-baseball-profile.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/mutka/7458326-452/john-mutka-three-pros-raise-valparaisos-baseball-profile.html)
Yes, thanks for that post. Please keep posting as you come across these items. The schedule is out for 2012 if you all haven't checked it yet. Arkansas, Wake Forest, ND, and other nice schools. Campbell is a good baseball school, as is SC-Upstate. A couple of questions: Where's Grace? Do we historically schedule more MAC teams than this year? Seems like that would be a good fit, but I like the current schedule.
Remember the golf/bowling fundraiser for baseball on the 24th at Valpo. Starts at 12:30, $100 for the golf and $35 I think for the bowling. Everything provided. :thumbsup:
Grace College:
http://www.grace.edu/about (http://www.grace.edu/about)
We used to schedule a decent amount of MAC teams when I was playing, mainly Ball State, Western Michigan, and maybe Central/Eastern Michigan. I think we mainly play Ball State often now per the MAC schools.
I like the schedule as always with Coach Woodson. Definitely helps to schedule tougher competition in baseball to get used to the better pitching. Everything else after these teams is that much easier after some of these programs we have on the schedule.
Nice to see Wake Forest on the schedule. They are in my opinion the school we should be emulating. Building a closer relationship with them would be a good thing.
Wake also moved into the former-W-S minor league team's ballpark last year as their home field, while the minor league team moved into a new stadium. I believe that W-S is the White Sox high-A minor league affiliate.
http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/facilities/wake-wfbp.html (http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/facilities/wake-wfbp.html)
http://www.bloggersodear.com/2011/2/21/2006151/wake-forest-baseball-home-opener-its-the-right-thing-to-do (http://www.bloggersodear.com/2011/2/21/2006151/wake-forest-baseball-home-opener-its-the-right-thing-to-do)
Coach Woodson just keeps on impressing me with his recruiting! To get three Texans of this quality only makes me even happier, even though they are from more of the middle part of the state :-)...maybe we will get some from DFW soon as well, and I am more than willing to help recommend programs as always! I have always said that we can get some top talent from my state that otherwise go to other mid-majors, or to top D-2 teams. I like how we still get a good core of midwest players, but are bringing in players from CA and TX (FL next?). Overall this recruiting class sounds impressive, so I am hopeful of continuing our much improved program.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2011-12/11232/valparaiso-baseball-announce-2012-recruiting-class/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2011-12/11232/valparaiso-baseball-announce-2012-recruiting-class/)
Quote from: valpotx on November 22, 2011, 12:52:52 PM
Coach Woodson just keeps on impressing me with his recruiting! To get three Texans of this quality only makes me even happier, even though they are from more of the middle part of the state :-)...maybe we will get some from DFW soon as well, and I am more than willing to help recommend programs as always! I have always said that we can get some top talent from my state that otherwise go to other mid-majors, or to top D-2 teams. I like how we still get a good core of midwest players, but are bringing in players from CA and TX (FL next?). Overall this recruiting class sounds impressive, so I am hopeful of continuing our much improved program.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2011-12/11232/valparaiso-baseball-announce-2012-recruiting-class/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2011-12/11232/valparaiso-baseball-announce-2012-recruiting-class/)
Lots of RHPs with good size. I was impressed with the TX connection as well. Would love to see some LHPs show up somewhere. The team had a decent fall, but it seems like the pitchers got hit pretty hard in the intrasquad series. Rust? Freshmen? Good offense or spotty pitching? Lots of open spots in the rotation at the moment with weekend starting spots still up for grabs. I have to believe that's why the emphasis on RHPs in the 2012 class. Sounds like a nice job by the coaching staff so far.
By the time the Crusader World Series comes around, hitters always have the advantage. Each hitter has seen the pitchers many times over during the various scrimmages we always had, that they may be getting their 10th AB against some of these guys by the time that rolls around. I used to love the first few scrimmages when the hitters were rusty, just because we all knew that they would soon catch on to how each of us throws. You always have someone that just dominates every pitcher/hitter, but that is the exception rather than the expectation.
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper just published their Top 40 poll for 2012. I see Arkansas is listed as #8, and we go there for our second series of the year. There are others on our schedule, including ND, who at least received some votes. Here's the link:
http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/12/19/collegiate-baseball-newspaper-2012-preseason-top-40/ (http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/12/19/collegiate-baseball-newspaper-2012-preseason-top-40/)
I will be going to at least one of the Arkansas games, going with a friend that played there. Probably the closest we will get to playing in my state, so I am hoping that happens in the future as well! A road trip against TCU and Baylor would be nice in the near future, and would test us mightily ;)
Interesting note on the team's travel schedule...I see we're doing "out and backs" -- (no hotels) -- to the UIC series and also no hotel planned for the Horizon League Championships which are also in Chicago. Valpotx, do you recall this as standard? Any issues with playing games while traveling to downtown Chicago and back three days in a row? Also, out and backs to Indiana State and Western Michigan. Get used to the bus, boys!! :-\
The team got a piece of good news last week when UCONN transfer Zack Walsh was given an eligibility waiver from the NCAA. He will be able to play right away. He is a RS freshman C/RHP.
I'll also be at the Arkansas series. Maybe we'll see TX in the Regionals. Here's hopin'...
Yes, it was fairly standard for closer games to just head home after the games to save $$. We never had a conference tournament close by when I was in school (always at ORU), so we always had hotels for that one obviously.
It does appear that the HL champ typically gets sent down here for the regionals. It is my hope that when we make the NCAA tournament in the near future, we are sent to either a Baylor, Rice, Texas, or TCU regional :)
Louisville Slugger 2012 Preseason All-American teams are out. Wright State is the only Horizon League team to put players on the list, with relief pitcher Michael Schum making the Second Team and 1B Jake Hibberd getting a nod on the Third Team. Obviously the defending champs will be the team to beat in the HL this year. Get 'em Valpo!
Quote from: jetz on December 20, 2011, 11:16:02 AMInteresting note on the team's travel schedule...I see we're doing "out and backs" -- (no hotels) -- to the UIC series and also no hotel planned for the Horizon League Championships which are also in Chicago. Valpotx, do you recall this as standard? Any issues with playing games while traveling to downtown Chicago and back three days in a row? Also, out and backs to Indiana State and Western Michigan. Get used to the bus, boys!!
This is standard in college baseball. The trips to Indiana State, Chicago, IU, Purdue, Notre Dame, Western Mich, and even CMU are "out and backs" as you refer to them. Mid-week games are one day trips to limit the number of classes missed. They save money too, as Valpotx mentions, but the prime reason is to limit missed classes.
Most college teams treat games this way, with hotel stays limited to weekend series or distance travel where commuting is not an option. Trips to UIC have been day trips for the history of the program. Chicago is an hour away from campus, and sleeping in their own beds should be a greater benefit to the players than staying in a hotel and saving 30 minutes on the bus.
Yes, sleeping in your own bed is underestimated by a lot of people. When you are out on the road, you have the feeling of being out of place and not able to really do anything. While you study and do homework, it can just feel odd to be stuck in a hotel in-between practices/games. This is obviously why a lot of home teams in sports usually win more often, that comfortable feeling can go a long way.
I never liked not sleeping in my own bed during cross country or track season. I always knew the bed would be contoured appropriately for me, the sheets and pillow were comfortable, and I knew just what kind of noise/silence I need to get settled. Being in a strange room with people that you didn't room with on campus can be unnerving because you're having to learn their quirks, when all you want to do is go to bed when you normally do, and not have someone bugging you with their need to have the tv on, laughter, tossing and turning, flatulence/burping, and other things they would need to get settled. Of course, we only stayed in hotels for conference and regionals, during cross country, and occasionally had a hotel stay for track because of the distance travelled and when the competition for that portion of the day was ending, and the start of the next day's competition.
Quote from: valporun on December 21, 2011, 02:46:32 PMbecause you're having to learn their quirks, when all you want to do is go to bed when you normally do, and not have someone bugging you with their need to have the tv on, laughter, tossing and turning, flatulence/burping, and other things they would need to get settled.
You never had brothers that you had to share a room with growing up, did you? :-[
Quote from: bbtds on December 21, 2011, 10:11:36 PM
Quote from: valporun on December 21, 2011, 02:46:32 PMbecause you're having to learn their quirks, when all you want to do is go to bed when you normally do, and not have someone bugging you with their need to have the tv on, laughter, tossing and turning, flatulence/burping, and other things they would need to get settled.
You never had brothers that you had to share a room with growing up, did you? :-[
Nope! The perk of being the oldest was having my own room.
Congrats to Coach Tracey Woodson, who will be admitted to the North Carolina State University Hall of Fame on February 16, 2012. Check out the article on the Valpo baseball website... :thumbsup:
Definitely an awesome achievement. Didn't know he had such solid stats in college!
Tested early: Valpo will play their second series of the 2012 season at Arkansas on February 24-26. Arkansas is ranked preseason #4 in the country according to Baseball America. The Razorbacks are the only team in the BA Top 25 on the Valpo schedule.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/top-25/rankings/2012/2612857.html (http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/top-25/rankings/2012/2612857.html)
I will be there with my friend who played there :)
Most D1 programs started official "team" practices yesterday. They are allowed to start these practices exactly three weeks before the season starts. I know Valpo practiced, and I think it was even outside---but probably on the football field. Pretty wet in Indiana.
The Valpo baseball family stands in support this week of their teammate and current Valpo senior Kevin Wild. Kevin's 24 year old brother, Shaun, was killed last week in Chicago. A suspect is in custody. Although I have never met him, Shaun was known by many of the Valpo baseball players as he visited Kevin for some games in the past. He was a football player at Northern Illinois, I believe. He was also a second grade teacher and very well respected by all who knew him, as evidenced by a Facebook page set up to provide a scholarship in his name. Search Facebook for "In Memory of Shaun Wild" to give to the cause. Shaun will be laid to rest this Friday in Wisconsin. Tragic news for Kevin and his family just before the start of his senior season. I believe Kevin is in the mix for a weekend starting spot on the mound. We parents trust that our boys will do what they can for their teammate during this tough time.
Very sad news indeed. My prayers go out to the Wild family in this troubling time.
To follow up the softball prediction, we were picked 3rd in baseball. A generous prediction given that we lost most of our starting pitching, so hopefully the returners/newbies pick up the slack!
Wright State has lost their ace RHP to Tommy John. That said, they were still a solid pick to win the League. Chicago brings everybody back, but we were only one point behind them in the coaches vote for second--a long way behind WSU. The Raiders got five of six first place votes, and UIC got the other one. I hear that WSU is also trying to turn their All-American closer into a starter after the injury to their ace.
It is a much easier adjustment to move a closer to starter in college, as most of these guys were starters just a few years ago in HS. It is very rare to do what we are trying to do with Neftali Feliz (Texas Rangers), in moving him to a start this year from a few years of closing. Also, having personal experience with Tommy John surgery, it can either make you better, or end your career :). I had mine going into FR year of 1999-2000, so I am sure it is much better nowadays, but I lost about 6-8 mph on my fastball, though always keeping my junk balls and location.
Quote from: valpotx on February 08, 2012, 11:32:24 PMIt is very rare to do what we are trying to do with Neftali Feliz (Texas Rangers), in moving him to a start this year from a few years of closing.
Well, Feliz better get out of the bullpen after what David Freese and the Cardinals did to him in Game 6 of the World Series. Most relievers never get over or at least it takes a while to get over things such as that when the World Series is down to one strike and then all is lost.
Quote from: bbtds on February 09, 2012, 02:42:56 AM
Quote from: valpotx on February 08, 2012, 11:32:24 PMIt is very rare to do what we are trying to do with Neftali Feliz (Texas Rangers), in moving him to a start this year from a few years of closing.
Well, Feliz better get out of the bullpen after what David Freese and the Cardinals did to him in Game 6 of the World Series. Most relievers never get over or at least it takes a while to get over things such as that when the World Series is down to one strike and then all is lost.
We like to call that "Getting Lidged" down here, but Lidge did bounce back with the Phillies in 08, if I recall correctly (in fact not one single blown save the entire season, right?)
Quote from: StlVUFan on February 09, 2012, 07:36:53 AMWe like to call that "Getting Lidged" down here, but Lidge did bounce back with the Phillies in 08, if I recall correctly (in fact not one single blown save the entire season, right?)
Lidge or Feliz?
Quote from: bbtds on February 09, 2012, 08:37:05 AM
Quote from: StlVUFan on February 09, 2012, 07:36:53 AMWe like to call that "Getting Lidged" down here, but Lidge did bounce back with the Phillies in 08, if I recall correctly (in fact not one single blown save the entire season, right?)
Lidge or Feliz?
Lidge
Quote from: StlVUFan on February 09, 2012, 07:36:53 AM
Quote from: bbtds on February 09, 2012, 02:42:56 AMWell, Feliz better get out of the bullpen after what David Freese and the Cardinals did to him in Game 6 of the World Series. Most relievers never get over or at least it takes a while to get over things such as that when the World Series is down to one strike and then all is lost.
We like to call that "Getting Lidged" down here, but Lidge did bounce back with the Phillies in 08, if I recall correctly (in fact not one single blown save the entire season, right?)
a couple of my fondest baseball memories from the last decade: pujols bombing lidge in houston in the '05 nlcs, and the last 3 innings of game 6 of this year's world series.
and yes, lidge went 48/48 in the '08 season (including playoffs) for saves opportunities.
It might be difficult for some pitchers to go from being a closer to a starter, but I don't think the Rangers are looking for Feliz to be the ace of the staff. An example of going from closer to starter that has seemed to work in the right way is Ryan Dempster with the Cubs. He went from being the closer to the #3 starter in the rotation. I feel that as long as you aren't making your closer the ace of the starting rotation, the move can be handled easier, as long as you don't have a meathead like Carlos Zambrano in your #1 spot, when he's not really a #1 anyway.
Feliz has incredible stuff, he will be fine. He wasn't the only one who couldn't close out the WS: Oliver, Ogando, and Feliz all struggled the last 2 games.
In regards to Valpo, it sounds like we will have a good team again this year. The starting pitching still concerns me, but we do have 2 guys coming back with D-1 starting experience (Deetjen and Upp). We will have to see if Miller can stay injury-free, as in his last full season of 2009, he was close-the-door good for us. He is at around 28 saves I believe for his career, with the next closest being around 17 I think. Twenge never really utilized a single closer, usually going with whoever was hot at that particular time to shut the door. I have always said that since Woodson started as coach, I really enjoy the way he utilizes our pitching staff. That was one thing that could have led to more wins when I was in school, as we had some pretty good pitchers, just left them in a little too long sometimes.
I look forward to this season, and am very much hoping we make the NCAA tournament, while being placed in a regional at either TCU or UT!
Quote from: valporun on February 09, 2012, 11:38:55 AMas long as you don't have a meathead like Carlos Zambrano in your #1 spot, when he's not really a #1 anyway.
It will be interesting to see if Zambrano is successful outside of Chicago.
Saw this on the Valpo sports site about the upcoming game with Ball State. Apparently the last meeting was something to remember! Hey tex, were you a part of this one??
The two schools have not met since the 2006 season when the Cardinals posted a 31-19 win over Valpo on April 4 in Muncie, Ind.
Thanks goodness I did not have to witness such a thing. I was on the team from 2000-2004, so just missed it. As a pitcher, that game would have killed me to watch lol
The team was named CBI Central team of the week for last week! Congrats again!
http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2011-12/11787/valpo-baseball-named-cbi-central-team-of-the-week/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2011-12/11787/valpo-baseball-named-cbi-central-team-of-the-week/)
Quote from: valpotx on May 08, 2012, 03:05:23 AM
Thanks goodness I did not have to witness such a thing. I was on the team from 2000-2004, so just missed it. As a pitcher, that game would have killed me to watch lol
I'm pretty sure the pitchers missed the bus!!
Too bad 31-19 was not a football score against Ball State. Imagine how happy we would have been about only losing by 12. :lol: