422 COMMENTS

  1. Both teams looking at the others starter and seeing a big opportunity. Beavs will need to pull away so LSU has no shot at a comeback. Beavs the visitors tonight.

  2. Hello everyone……from the State of Alabama…..SEC fans here are impressed with OSU. Been following the drama at OSU closely over the last several weeks. I must say, it’s been interesting.

    I am VERY impressed with OSU Baseball this season. Good Luck to y’all tonight. I am NOT an LSU fan ( I’m a Mississippi ( Ole Miss & MSU) fan living under an onslaught of turmoil in Alabama, and it’s hell) so if y’all win, and I hope you do, I’ll have big grin on my face!

  3. I don’t get Casey being “the most underrated coach in the country.” Perhaps if you don’t come out of the bayous. Casey just won Coach of the Year from several organizations.

  4. Back from CWS. Retro Benny flag flew proudly in the lot next to Luke’s and Drew’s RV.
    Flag is undefeated in the postseason and will be flying tonight outside Rodent Manor. We got this. Go Beavs!

  5. OT: We started talking to a nice lady late in the game against Fullerton. Turns out she is Pat Bailey’s wife and told us the Beavs got some sort of recognition or award for having the highest team GPA of the eight teams in the CWS. More great news lost in the Luke fiasco.

  6. On Saturday a few other beav Alums and I infiltrated the official Cal State Fullerton watch party down here. I live about 10 minutes from their campus. What a day. For the first few innings we were getting politely cussed out but when the tides turned in our favor the bliss was too real!

    That energy reminded me of us (a few of the same dudes) watching the Lakers beat the Celtics in game 7 at a Boston bar. Fullerton fans were much more polite of course.

    Let’s keep it rolling Beavs!

  7. I hope the ump behind the plate tonight has a tight, consistent strike zone. LSU’s starting pitcher, Eric Walker, is a guy with an average fastball (high 80’s) but with excellent command, along with an above-average changeup. A wide zone favors Walker, since Walker can then make batters swing at pitches they can’t barrel up. A tight zone (especially a consistent, tight zone) always favors the batter, of course, but especially against a guy like Walker, who doesn’t have overpowering stuff. If Walker is forced to put the ball over the plate, OSU should be able to barrel up and drive his average fastball early and often.

    • If Walker benefits from a wide zone, so will Bryce benefit. That could extend his outing to get to the pen. If that’s the case, it will come down to who plays the better D and who is most patient at the plate.

      I’m good with playing small ball, making Walker pitch from the stretch and waiting for them to make a mistake. I’d be tempted to play Jones. But I don”t know how much we give up by replacing Cary in the field.

      If Grenier wants to do some bunting and Rutsch wants to make sac flies… when they both count… let’s put them to use.

        • Yes, but he’s built for small ball right now. Even if he gets on first on a fielder’s choice, he’s a plus on the paths. That leads to the D making mistakes, which leads to rallies starting.

      • Agreed. But I think Fehmel and Eric Walker are rather different pitchers who stand to benefit somewhat differently from a wider strike zone (and also to be disadvantaged differently from a narrower/tighter strike zone).

        Fehmel’s best pitches have a lot of break to them (e.g., Fehmel’s swing-and-miss curveball, which he used so effectively against Vanderbilt). There is enough break on Fehmel’s pitches that he can get away with leaving pitches over the plate, so long as his breaking pitches stay in the bottom half of the strike zone. For Fehmel, an extra narrow strike zone will of course make it harder for him to throw strikes (and likely lead to more walks). But an extra narrow strike zone won’t necessarily lead to LSU hitters driving the ball all over the park.

        Eric Walker, in contrast, relies mostly on an average fastball placed on — or just outside — the edge of the plate, along with a changeup, in the bottom half of the strike zone, that makes his fastball look faster than it really is. There is nothing particularly deceptive about Walker’s fastball (unlike Fehmel’s breaking balls). For Walker, it’s all about location. If Walker is forced by the umpire to put his average fastball over the plate, it’s likely to get hit by OSU batters (and often hit hard). Unlike Fehmel with his breaking pitches, Walker won’t necessarily give up a lot of walks with a tight strike zone (since Walker’s control/command of his fastball is very good, and it’s easier to command a fastball than it is to command a curve or a slider). But if Walker is forced to come in with his fastball, Walker WILL likely give up a lot of hard hit balls.

        One other factor. Game time is 6 pm in Omaha. For the first hour of the game, there are likely to be some nasty shadows between home plate and the mound if the sun is bright (as is expected this evening in Omaha). A pitcher with an above-average fastball would have an advantage in such conditions (but neither Fehmel nor Walker has the velocity to enjoy that advantage). Next best in such conditions are nasty breaking pitches (because the shadows make it hard to pick up the spin).
        Fehmel should benefit from this. In contrast, pitchers such as Eric Walker who rely more on location rather than on velocity or spin, get no particular advantage from the shadows between home plate and the mound.

  8. Kwan gets on with 1st pitch bunt, madeigal sacrifice takes him to 2nd. Larnach single brings him home.
    1-0 beavs, 1 out

    • I’m guessing Casey has told OSU’s batters to make Eric Walker throw it over the plate, but then to swing if Walker does put the ball over the plate. Walker has been doing that, and (as Bill says) the Beavs are hitting it hard when he does.

  9. Heimlich decided not to come to keep everything low profile. So we’re going to talk about it now on national television for the second time.

    • It’ll be mentioned in every game. Looks like ESPN doesn’t want to talk about it though since they keep it short and the analysts say nothing about it.

  10. Eric Walker’s departure puts significant added pressure on LSU to win this game. LSU’s pitching staff was thinner than OSU’s coming in to the CWS. With Walker probably unavailable for the rest of the CWS, LSU knows it needs to win this game and avoid dropping down to the loser’s bracket. They just don’t have the pitching depth to survive otherwise.

  11. So let me get this straight — the ESPN announcers are now telling LSU exactly how to pick Fehmel’s pitches.. This is not okay! You think someone is not going to tell the LSU bench about this?

  12. Where did they find these broadcasters? The nicest thing I can say is that, for folks who don’t really follow or like baseball, they fill some time.
    Parker is just ahead of the TV action and much easier to listen to.

  13. I don’t twitter but could someone please send a message to those creeps – no only that – they weren’t even showing the game – just those fat has-beens.

  14. In honor of Greg Maddux, this ump has decided four inches off the plate is a strike.

    And it’s not “ok”, screw these SEC jack off announcers.

  15. I would assume by this point that both Pat Casey and Paul Mainieri know what the ESPN announcers have said about picking Fehmel’s pitches. I hope Casey calls out the ESPN announcers for this misbehavior during his upcoming interview….

  16. Fehmel does seem to be leaving balls up in the zone more and more. LSU only has one hit so far, but it does feel like he is playing with fire. I’m hoping we see Rasmussen sooner rather than later….

  17. I just sent the following tweet to Kyle Peterson, color guy for tonight’s game, and regular baseball announcer for ESPN and the SEC network:

    @KP_Omaha So are you going to tell the world how to pick pitches thrown by the LSU pitcher? Or do you only do that for OSU pitchers?

  18. Announcers openly rooting for LSU to “get to” Fehmel, and then openly expressing disgust about LSU baserunning mistake that ended the inning.

  19. Listening to the ESPN clown show you would think we are a #4 regional team that is lucky to be hanging with the mighty LSU Tigers from the mighty SEC. Oh and while we are at it we are so smart we will tell the viewing audience what pitch is coming from the little team that has no chance. Funny how they did not do the same analysis on LSU. The most bias analysis I have ever seen watching sports. Someone should be fired but you know it won’t happen. Absolutely brutal.

  20. If OSU can hold this lead,, OSU’s next game is not until Friday. Rasmussen, as well as Sam Tweedt, should be warming up in the bullpen soon, just in case.

  21. Right after the Beavs go up 3-0 Perez says. “The winner of this game is going to have to get at least 5 runs. You know LSU is going to bust out at some point.” Hey Edwardo how do you “know” that????

  22. 4-0 Madrigal with a ball back to the pitcher he could not handle two outs two on 2nd and 3rd
    not the best at bats by nick but hey scored a run

    • Not the first time LSU has been bothered by the speed of the Beavs, they’re playing scared when they get the ball, knowing they have to hurry……..and unable to.

  23. The run is nice, but it’s good to let Adley sit with the 4th run. I always have some concern when a catcher has to spend a lot of time on base late in the game. Actually, doubt it would be a big factor with him, but still a possibility.
    4-0 Beavs t6 with 2 down, and another LSU arm comes in.

    • The announcers won that award innings ago, when they spent five minutes explaining how to pick Fehmel’s pitches. Still can’t get over that….

      • That was embarrassing. Plus he was wrong lol. Like if it was an obvious tell that’s fine and kind of part of the game but to try and say a guy is tipping pitches on national TV and be wrong was embarrassing.

  24. Can’t think of anything more fitting than to have an Oregon State player hit the first grand slam homer in Ameritrade Park.

  25. Bryce a 1-2-3 sixth, guess I’d bring him out for the seventh. BUT, no reason to not have Tweedt and Drew ready to go, a win means time off till Friday.

  26. you can’t recruit in Corvallis now is that what he is saying??? Linda Shill is that you? these announcers are just bad it is the Vandy game all over again with these guys

  27. Such a waste to constantly show depressed LSU fans. My family in the stands reports the place is rocking and very pro beaver. Could never tell by this broadcast. Show some happy people already

  28. D E S T I N Y !!!
    and the broadcasters begin to jump for the bandwagon.

    EDIT: forget the bandwagon remark, now it is “LSU helped them”

  29. so here comes the excuses now Beavers were getting hits off the 1st pitcher before he came out of the game unless I’m wrong… or I am being just bitter

      • Genuine and sincere coach speak. Talked about building a program which defines what “we” do and what “we are”. Never say die, ignore the scoreboard.

        Rueck flew out just for this game after graduation for Syd, Gabby, Brie, other; and getting a new player started into classes. He has to head back to work camps.

        He enjoys visiting with fans and was in/near the dugout as KJ came in after the Slam. Mentioned his relationship with Pat Bailey from their time at George Fox.

  30. First ever CES grand slam, most points scored, LSU using record 8th pitcher.

    Suck Every Cock.

    Sorry for the juvenile humor but SO tired of the SEC and their media influence….

  31. For being “impartial” That was about the most jock riding commentating crew I’ve ever heard, espically for a 10 + run smack down. Might as well’ve been playing the celtics with Tommy Heinsohn calling the game. ESECPN living up to its name. Great win.

    GO BEAVS!

  32. Very nice DP to end it.
    4 hits, 2 pretty cheap, for “the best offensive team we will face” (per Casey).

    Now, will Jake T. get the start in a not much pressure Friday game; he just cannot redeem himself in angry’s eyes!

    • Possibly LSU again on Friday. Or Florida in the championship depending on how the other side of the bracket shakes out.

  33. The next question is who will get the ball on Friday. I kind of think Drew will get the call and Jake would start Sat if needed.

    Whoever starts Friday would also be slated to start game 3 of the championship series.

  34. This has been a good three OSU sports days. Beavs win twice and my son received some nice lineman training from Josh Andrews and Alex Linnenkohl on Sunday. Of course, he’s 10 years old, so he’s forgotten everything by now.

  35. And the SEC is overrated AGAIN. I’m shocked.

    LSU made Holy Cross look like the freaking Yankees. And forget about the other hype machine called Vanderbilt. Embarrassing.

  36. God, if the Beavs make it to the finals and play Florida, I just don’t want to read another f-ing SEC article about OSU not having faced any competition during the regular season.

    • When you get right down to it…maybe they haven’t faced any competition this year! I mean, at 56-4 and TWO 23 game win streaks no one can compete with the Beavs!

    • First they said “but they didn’t play Vandy!” Then it was “but they didn’t play LSU!” Now it’s “but they didn’t play Florida!”

      I’m convinced no one on the east coast will give the team credit unless they beat the entire SEC. Then it’ll be “but Luke Heimlich!” (who isn’t even playing)

      SEC idiots gonna SEC

  37. I must admit I would have liked to been seated next to a couple of those gorgeous LSU women they showed, so I could “comfort” them in their time of need!

  38. It’s kind of bizarre that opposing pitchers can’t throw strikes against the Beavers for any length of time over and over again.

  39. Hello from Omaha
    1.- LSU fans are arrogant dumb ass holes. I was called Tiger bait and told that we were going to know what it would feel like to get beat down by the mighty SEC.
    2- This beaver team is loose and very focused. That is a tribute to coaching.
    3- Nothing can compare to thumping a team that has fans that are rowdy,loud and from the SEC
    4- Bryce Fehmel deserves a lot of credit for his last 2 outings.
    5- I heard from viewers how biased the ESPN announcers were, well even the people running the video board at the park were pro LSU. Most all highlights were of LSU even though they had very few.
    6-Not all LSU fans were jackasses some sitting near me said what a bum deal the LH situation was and even thought Uncle Phil had something to do with it.
    7- And a lot of Nebraska fans have asked me to take Mike Riley back with me.

  40. OT – but Dave Miller on an OPB show (replay) talking about crime, punishment, and how families move on. The way it was described in the intro I thought it might go into the LH story….he was interviewing a woman whose step-brother murdered her sister when he was 15, murdered sister 16…

    Similar themes, may be an interesting listen.

    • Sort of a shock, but not really given the culture. I don’t recall many of us referring to athletes by the color of their skin on here or making stupid puns with regard to nationality.

    • What a cluster of a game thread, I could only get through a couple of pages of it. One of the assholes referred to Kwan as “Wong” and another said that one of their pitchers who throws 97 should be put into the next game to hit Madrigal.

    • Here’s some posts. At least this LSU fan gets it.

      “It’s hard to have the best team in the nation. Lots of teams are trying to do it, and even though we have tremendous advantages in facilities, resources, etc. over almost all of them, it’s just not going to happen at LSU. On paper, this may be our best team in years, and it’s not even close to the best, as tonight is demonstrating. Oregon State could have played every game this season against us and they’d still probably be 56-4 like they are now.”

    • Man, just read through some of their game thread. Apparently, somebody posted something porny on the site and got banned, yet there are numerous racial slurs directed at Kwan, and nobody blinks an eye. It’s pretty bad.
      Oh yeah, and they can’t drop F bombs, so everybody used “frick”
      What the frick, unfrickingbelievable, frick this, frick that.

      Can’t drop an F bomb, but asian slurs are all good…..go figure.

      • Yeah… what a bunch of bitches… whose pussies must hurt… because they’re hysterical… or it must be that time of month.

        Amiright?

    • Thanks for the thread. Jumped forward to page 150 and read their waning comments. Pretty funny stuff. Not as blustery as the first pages.
      Karma………

    • It’s like reading a thread comprised of only middle schoolers. And agreed on the racism/homophobia. I was a bit uncomfortable reading it, to be honest.

      Kind of funny to read the countless posts about how Fehmel is “shite” and the LSU hitters were to going to get to him eventually.

  41. So typical grind em down game by the Beavs. KJs blast was the beginning of the end ripping the game wide open.
    I’m all for ESPN talkin’ up the SEC…. it shows complete ignorance on their part, and makes the SEC players think they are better than they really are. Beavs seem to be doing just fine with the pressure to not go very far in the CWS.
    Beavs completely outplayed LSU….good stuff. Drew should start on Friday with Mulholland and Eisert to bail him out.

    • I called KJ’s blast. Said to my mom “what? they wanna walk the bases loaded to get to kj. He’s gonna hit a grand slam now”. Then bam, there it goes. He’s really heating up at the right time.

      • The ESPN commentator right before the grand slam was complementary of how LSU walked the Larnach. Basically saying, despite loading the bases for the cleanup hitter, LSU did a nice job of intentionally walking Larnach by throwing a mix of good and bad pitches to hopefully get Larnach to strike out (but the walk was intentional……right…..)
        Bad plan of attack

      • I told my twin daughters the same thing……they didn’t care and wanted me to turn the Disney channel back on. They’re 5. And not baseball fans.

  42. I spent the first 7 innings listening to the game on the radio while working outside. From the sounds of it, I made the right decision. Mike Parker was in good game mode. Not too over-the-top, not too emotional. Respectful of LSU. Maybe just used the phrase “the cat bird’s seat” a couple too many times. Finally watched on ESPN in 7th and was so tired of announcers that I turned MP back on, despite a 20 second TV game delay. These particular ESPN announcers just didn’t seem to know much about OSU. They even messed up talking about the 06 and 07 CWS – losing the first game and winning it all vs. undefeated. Had them backwards.

    It was hard not to yell during the GS, but I might’ve danced and fist pumped. :)

  43. Donahue must feel like a jerk. I wonder if PC lets him come back next year? He really screwed himself and let down his teamates. Misses the payoff for all the work over three years.

    • It’s going to be real tough for him to break into the lineup next year. With Anderson not getting drafted, there is quite the logjam in the outfield next year. Might think taking the year off and redshirting.

      Cary, Anderson, Larnach, Donahue, Jones, and Nobach is returning as well. Also have Watson a commit coming in who was drafted in the 18th round.

        • Gretler is most likely to shift to first. Atwood, Armstrong or commit McMahan can handle third.

          Maybe Malone at first? I don’t recall what position he plays. He’s shown he can get on base this year at a high rate. Leads the team in OBP in limited action. Walked 14 times, struck out only 6 times.

      • Wasn’t he originally an infielder? Casey has often admired his work ethic and focus; that is all suspect now.

        The nature of the violation and how Donahue handles discipline will certainly have an impact on how Casey deals with him, but I can’t argue with your suggestion of a year off.

        In any event, beavergopher is right, “Misses the payoff for all the work over three years”

  44. We’ve talked about alternatives to the big zero for coverage. I notice Eggers has been pretty quiet and the Salem paper isn’t covering the CWS very well at all.

    D1 and the Gazette Times doing a good job though, and you guys have provided some good links, keep it up. Any sources I’m missing?

      • You know he’s crawling out of his skin to find another LH angle, but he beat that horse six feet under, so he does a story about a bus driver nobody in Oregon gives two shits about.

  45. I was sitting in a local pub watching the game with the sound off and subtitles on and I really didn’t pick up a severe SEC bias. One of the guys was going through the Beavs lineup mentioning all the young guys saying this club could be repeat winners like the 06/07 teams. But then he had to stop himself and say that they hadn’t won this year yet…

    Parker said yesterday that Gretler would be back next year.

    • Gretler coming back wouldn’t be a big surprise (IMO) being a 39th round pick. As far as position players, KJ is probably the only non-returner. He is going out in style. The current soph. class is incredibly talented and deep. Even pitching will be interesting (after losing Jake and Drew).

      I think ESPN announcers were realizing this could be a team that could make another deep-run.

      Re SEC bias by announcers: by the time I started watching in the 7th, the announcers sounded bored. I’m just not sure whether these ESPN guys call much college baseball that isn’t SEC. By comparison, ESPN televised the D1 T&F championships this month and had Dwight Stones as a lead announcer, someone who is very knowledgeable. Maybe ESPN could give a simulcast with radio play-by-play as an alternative. College baseball is still a niche sport.

    • So what’s the ideal situation? Do we want FSU or LSU to win Wednesday? Seems like LSU’s pitching depth problems would make them the ideal team to face Friday, but they also have the ability to put some runs on the board against most pitchers not named Fehmel. Anybody know what FSU’s staff looks like?

      • “So what’s the ideal situation?”

        The ideal situation would be that tomorrow’s LSU-FSU elimination game goes for at least 15 innings.

        • Ha, a nice 0-0 tie in the 15th….neither team wanting to put a run on the board, to avoid earning a beat down at the hands of OSU

          • Probably want the opposite score. Very high scoring where both teams have to go deep in their bullpens and yeah extra innings too.

            Either way, OSU will face the #1 starter on Friday. Both have similar profiles, high strike out rates.

            LSU’s Alex Lange was picked in the 1st round, one spot ahead of Drew.
            FSU’ s Holton posted slightly better stats. Went into the 8th and then his defense let him down on Saturday.

            Both teams are similar offensively but the biggest advantage OSU has is over FSU’s defense. I believe FSU is the worst defensive team in the CWS. 3 errors on Sat and 1 yesterday.

            So it seems like FSU would be the better matchup.

          • Agree on FSU, also because it would help make the OSU resume look even better, having am ACC team in there too.

            LSU doesn’t appear to have the pitching to get through a double header though, if they were to earn a W in game 1. FSU, I just don’t know anything about.

      • I wonder if we could see either Will Zirzow for Florida State, or Alex Lange on limited rest. I would rather see LSU pitchers other than Lange.

  46. Larnach, Fehmel, and Harrison all put their chairs back under the table after post-game interviews. It is all about the little things.

  47. As I said earlier in this thread, I love the SEC (well most of the SEC) LSU not so much since I’m originally from Mississippi now living in occupied territory in Alabama. I’ve about had all I can stand of Roll Tide and War Eagle chants.

    So for this week, I’m a Beaver Fan. I’m very impressed with OSU, it’s coaches, players and institution. I hope y’all continue to dominate.

  48. Anybody find a clip of Jack Anderson giving the thumbs up as he catches the fly in foul territory while sliding? That was awesome. He has turned himself into an excellent player.

  49. I think with the exception of KJ, DR and JT, the beavs return everyone else for next season. Certainly, those are three key losses, but with Luke hopefully returning, the reemergence of fehmel and mull Mulholland a likely starter, this team will be stacked again.

    • Is Martinek still on the team? Been looking forward to seeing him for 2 years now. I want to say he went through TJ surgery, but 2 years seems like a long recovery period

      • I think he’s still on the roster as he threw earlier this season..according to early season reports, his velocity hasn’t quite returned but don’t know about his future….apparently, the kid had a bright future before the injury….hopefully he’s able to come back.

    • We also lose Scotland church and Max too…..not sure where church has been this season as he gave the beavs some quality innings last year. Anyway, if the beavs can replace some of KJ power at the plate as well as quality to replace JT and Drew, this team could be in the CWS again next season too.

      • Church went out late last season due to injury. He’s probably just not back to form enough to beat out others for situational ABs.

    • Sure they (LSU) might be “fired up” and want some payback, but they are having an existential crisis right now. There has to be a lot of doubt and questions in that locker room. They need to regroup against a good FSU that nearly won on Saturday.

  50. Question: with OSU up by over 10 runs against LSU late in last night’s game, shouldn’t Pat Casey have let some other guys play a little bit in the CWS?

    No problem with OSU guys continuing to play hard all the way to the end (e.g., taking the extra base, sliding to make outfield catches). That’s exactly what they should be doing.

    However, I do wonder whether it might have been wise to give guys like Preston Jones or Andy Atwood a chance to play an inning or two last night. That would not have been a big risk at that point in the game, and would have meant a lot to those guys. More important, if those guys happen to be needed later in the CWS, giving them that experience last night would have prepared them better for it.

    • Maybe but they are still playing the #4 team in the nation.

      I can see why Casey left them in to really close out the game. But sure, it would be nice to empty the bench sometimes. Does seem like Casey shortened the bench and it going with his A lineup. Outside of Cary and Malone switching in the lineup, there doesn’t seem like there will much change in the starters.

    • Maybe. Wondering the same about the bullpen. Guys like Eisert, Verberg, Englebrekt, et al. are being saved, but OSU is going to need Fehmel again. He could use a break.

      But Casey really shortens up the rotation and bench in the post-season. He did plenty of platooning during the regular season. Having the best defense on the field likely saves the pitcher several pitches by getting outs (i.e. Jack Anderson’s catch in foul territory).

  51. Poo-yi! We caught the peunez and laid down like a buncha peeshwanks for a bunch skinny mullets. Arrete toi, ye Beavers, cuz we’ll be back a bon couer and running our bouches.

    Over and out.

    -From the swamp.

  52. Post-game perspective from a sports writer who works in the bayou:

    “A 13-1 Oregon State victory, the Beavers 56th in 60 games this season, set them firmly in control of Bracket One of the College World Series. It turned LSU into Rogue One, trying to figure out a way between now and Saturday to find and exploit a weakness in the Death Star from Corvallis.

    Here are some suggestions, other than a couple of proton torpedoes down Oregon State’s exhaust port (they won’t be expecting that): Stop walking so many people. Don’t make errors. Get clutch hits. Generally, play as close to a perfect game as humanly possible.”

    http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_a2ff22a0-5566-11e7-948b-5fed72410683.html

    This year’s OSU baseball team as “the Death Star from Corvallis.” :)

  53. By the way, OldBeav, I see you made a jab that I’d never buy into Thompson. I’m not sure either way. I’m just waiting to see if I ever have confidence in him and can relax that he’ll do just fine.

    Came across another good example of a pitcher having a career year. Last year’s Cy Young winner Porcello. http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/29966/rick-porcello

    Look at last year vs this year. Felt last year he was garbage and just getting by on luck. Turned out true. So when people tell me a string of 14-0 means anything I just roll my eyes and realize they haven’t watched much baseball. It’s 150+ year history is littered with these types.

    Regarding Adley. I love him as a catcher. Feel he’s behind a lot of the success this year in how he manages the staff. I attribute Thompson being decent to Adley being a great catcher. Rough swing, though. I think if he just gets his hands up higher he’ll be able to get more lift and hit better overall. My criticism of him isn’t his fault. It’s on Casey for batting him 4th and higher than 7th. Maybe one day he’ll deserve to be in those slots…but not at this point.

    • Adley’s got some work to do on his receiving skills. Arm is plus plus. Framing is where he can improve the most. If he does that, he’ll be a first day pick.

      Not sure his bat will ever come around. Might be better off picking a side of the plate instead of switch hitting. Batting lefty as a catcher would boost his draft value.

    • Heh, heh, didn’t know if you’d take time to read the thread. Hope your fathers day visit to Dodger Stadium was fun. I see Kershaw gave up 6 ER for the first time in more than three years (luck-o-the angry Beavs?) Maybe you’ve seen his quote: He said he had two options to rebound, the first of which involved extensive analysis to replay and rethink every pitch.
      “Or you can say screw it and come back tomorrow,” he said. “I’m going to go with the latter.”

      Back to Jake T., he still makes me nervous. Same for Fehmel, but for different reasons. At least with Fehmel you do know that he intends to be a “pitch to contact” guy. I just thought it was a perfect setup for the “Jake can’t handle pressure” argument if he were to go Friday when the Beavs would still have Saturday to fall back on. Seems the consensus now is that it will be Drew on Friday.

      I always appreciate Bill’s comments and can see the sense in Adley forgetting the switch hitter angle; I don’t, however, see a weakness in framing up the ball. Maybe I’ve simply missed mistakes in that area.
      And, yeah, it’s on Casey that Adley has so often been 4-5-6 in the lineup. I’m betting he’ll deserve those spots, next year.

      Welcome back.

      • The Mets are so shitty, they hammer Kershaw and still lose 10-6. Angry and I got some shit over Conforto earlier in the year, but has anyone noticed he’s in a deep slump again? Lost 50 plus points off of his average in less than a month.

        • And they got butt fucked tonight 12-0. And looked worse than shitty. Seager hit 3 HR’s for LA and just missed a 4th.

      • Thanks. Yeah Kershaw bombed. It wasn’t a great game except all the HRs.
        We had a great day though…found a bar that had the Beavs on, and the atmosphere and food were great. Got to watch 6 innings before heading to the Dodger game.

        Fehmel makes me nervous as well. Very hittable stuff if he misses location or isn’t fooling guys with changing speeds. Thompson has better stuff, but he’s been regressing as the competition picks up, which is what I expected. My point was baseball is littered with magical seasons. In 2015, Dallas Keuchel won a Cy Young, then got shelled the following year. Rick Porcello won the Cy last year, and is getting shelled this year. So it’s just annoying to hear people say “14-0! He’s great!”. It’s like, have you watched any baseball or actually know how to analyze a pitcher? He’s having a magical season statistically (very common), but I still see a lot of the same flaws as the prior two.

        We agree on Adley, I think. I see a special defensive catcher/game manager with room for improvement as a hitter. He has raw power, so he could have 10-13hr by the time he’s an upperclassman. Not sure who our hitting coach is, but they should have him raise his hands a bit more. Especially lefty…he’ll get more lift.

  54. Per Yray’s tweet, it sounds like we have a new commit.
    My first guess is a DT/OT named Andy Koch, but just a guess at this point

  55. Tried watching some other CWS games. Man…brutal. ESPN (aka SEC) announcers just jizzing all over about these mediocre teams. When they mention the Beavs, they say, “yeah they’re 56-4” all matter of fact. Can you imagine how much jizz would be on the camera lens if an SEC team was 56-4? Wouldn’t be able to see the game!

    • Didn’t the P-10/12 used to be considered the premiere baseball conference? I think when the Beavs won it in 2007, they got in to the tourney with a 10-14 conference record. It is because USC, ASU and Oregon were shitty this year? I know it’s a SEC suckfest, but ESPN seems to “jizz” over the Trojans and Ducks when given the chance.

    • No shit. 56. And 4! That’s insane domination. Never lost a series all season.

      Anybody with respect for the game should laud that kind of season-long performance.

      All the more reason to beat all these cock gobblers….

  56. SEC bias of ESPN announcers is hard to stomach, but still did manage to watch significant parts of Florida’s Sunday win against TCU (3-0) and Florida’s win tonight against Louisville (5-1). Florida’s pitching appears to be strong — especially Florida’s two top starting pitchers (Alex Faedo and Brady Singer). Could make for an interesting championship series against the Beavers (assuming the Beavers take care of business against the winner of tomorrow night’s game between LSU and Florida State).

    • N B, I posted a comment on OLive that said if Starz has advertised on Canzano’s radio show, they’d have been spared scorn from the Mighty O.

      • If you want to make that type of comment count, you need to put it somewhere it will be noticed and discussed. Just explain that you’re not shooting the messenger. The messenger just inserted himself on the firing range.

        The original article was news in the way that they should have linked the court documents to support their story. That they did not speaks to both the misleading information in their story and the sensitivity with which they should have treated the whole of the info itself.

        They outed an 11 year-old girl when they thought they were only outing a registered juvenile sex offender. Actually, they thought they were outing an adult sex offender, which speaks to their haste to disregard any nuances of the story.

        Canzano doubled down despite all those red flags because he thought he had free license due to his Brenda Tracy story. He even dragged her into it and had her write a story conflating campus violence and some random family’s extreme dysfunction.

        And then we find out his free license was shat upon by Canzano himself because he was being sponsored by an organization like this while supposedly championing Tracy and the outed 11 year-old girl in Luke’s story.

        I honestly can’t decide whether the original news itself (not the story, just the news) or finding this more than extreme hypocrisy in Canzano, given the subject, is worse. And I don’t care if he’s just negligent of his sponsorship. Given the business he’s in, he has zero excuse. And I think he wasn’t just negligent.

    • It seems highly likely that Stars Cabaret ran classified ads in the Oregonian before being shut down. If so, Stars Cabaret was helping to pay Canzano’s salary (regardless of whether or not Stars Cabaret was also running ads on Canzano’s shows). Okay, it’s a less direct connection, but it’s still Canzano’s employer taking money from — and doing business with — an operation that was sexually exploiting underage girls. Did Canzano ever say anything about this? If not, why not?

      • That’s getting pretty indirect once you look into the classifieds. I’d imagine what Stars is guilty of is just scratching the surface whem you go that deep.
        I’m 95% sure Stars advertised directly on JC’s station and show in the past, but proof is hard to come by because he has since pulled any spots, and the podcasts don’t feature the advertisements.

    • The reason I don’t listen to Canzano is because of the Damon smokes weed thing. He was so fucking whiny, and that was the first time I heard him speak. I tried listening to him again during the Brenda Tracy story. But he just presents himself as a whiny bandwagoner.

      I will say that my experience with people who always have to be the loudest and most outraged by something does not bode well in my estimation of his involvement in this sector:
      https://baldfacedtruth.org/
      … neither does being openly and loudly devoted to religion help, btw. And I say that not as someone who can find humor in religion to counteract the annoyance of proselytizing. I say that as an historical observer of someone who acts as Canzano does. I think it’s just another piece in what looks like a really dirty puzzle.

      I believe they have to list all their donors and sponsors. And we can see that this organization has received money indirectly from money gained by selling an underage girl for sex just because the radio station is a sponsor.

      But it will be okay. They’ll break out that money and… um… give it to charity.

      So… way to go Canzano. You should be very proud of yourself at this point in your life. This is what you stand for.

      • Great point Jack. 102.9/750TheGame are one of the main sponsors listed for the Bald Faced Truth Foundation.
        When it was pointed out to JC last week that his radio show was playing ads from the Dolphin, he had those ads removed from his show because “that’s my real estate”, but said people would have to contact Alpha radio regarding the continuing ads that were playing on the 102.9/750TheGame station during other hours of programming.

        So, he has recognized publicly that his parent station receives ad revenue from the Dolphin Club, but does not have the courage to confront them about it himself. He’s still willing to be hosted by this station. And he’s willing to take sponsorship money from this station for his children’s foundation. Imagine that, an underage girl stripping and being prostituted at the Dolphin Club has been contributing to the donation pool for John Canzano’s Children’s Foundation.

        Round of applause for this guy….

    • If Stars is going to be paying out 1.5 million for child prostitution with another case waiting to be tried. Not sure they are going to have any money to advertise anymore. I guess Canzano can bury his head in the sand until they go away.

    • I believe Pac schools were given the option to give over their Third Tier rights or not. So if the numbers say all get a net gain from this model, it’s a moot point.

      What I find interesting is that the PTN is still positioned better despite their flaws because they are their own entity. I know this is the same reason revenues are lower than they could be. But the old model of TV distribution is about to get blown up. And let’s not forget the Pac 12’s TV deal is the one that begat all these future deals. They will be out from under the TV-revenue model first. That plus having actual capital which was invested early (causing these perceived shortfalls), positions the PTN to take better advantage of the new distribution models coming down the pike.

      The infrastructure costs may be real now. But they will pay off in the future in more ways than just sports distribution. If the other schools are using the differences in payouts to invest in the same infrastructure for themselves, more power to them. But I think they’re going to spend it in the same ways Wilner suggests here. ESPN (Disney) and Fox (Newscorp) control the capital equity in all the other deals. That gives those conferences less leverage in future negotiations. And it would leave them with nothing of value if the college football/hoops bubbles ever burst.

      That’s not to say that there aren’t organizational issues with the PTN. There are. But the conservative approach the Pac 12 has taken will pay off in bigger ways than the “deficit” snapshot provided here.

  57. Way OT: MR and Keyshawn….
    “Wideout Keyshawn Johnson Jr. taking leave of absence from the Nebraska football program; dad says decision mutual

  58. Is the LSU game at 1pm or 4pm?

    BTW, that LSU shortstop in the interview above seemed cool. No excuses and basically just said they sucked.

  59. So the 4 star wr with a nice offer list who has the beavs in his top 6 says he hasn’t heard from the staff in about a month. Seems odd that we would give up on a guy like that while other solid programs are in touch with him regularly.

    • Who do we have either committed or still very interested? The staff might think they have a lock somewhere if they prioritize that kid. There also might be a logjam at WR for the near future, and those priorities may have changed for this class.

      • I throw the latter in there because of the timing. This is the time of year we hear if so and so made grades and come come to school. Priorities change if the 2018 class WR was a contingency for a 2017 class WR not making it.

      • I would think the only wr ranked higher and somewhat likely to get would be Crocker. Someone with more knowledge maybe nicebeav would know he seems to have a good pulse on the recruiting front.

        • There have been a number of WRs connected with the Beavs in this class.
          Crocker is probably option 1A.
          Danial Arias is up there.
          Cole Turner, from Clackamas was recently offered. In state recruiting is a priority, so he must be up there.
          Jacoby Hopkins has us in his top list
          Michael Ezeike i believe had us in his top group recently

          There are so many others who they also have shown interest in, but haven’t indicated which schools they prefer. This new top 6 list from Hunt is a good sign, but with USC on the list, I don’t know how likely we would be to land him. On our side, his high school quarterback is Spencer Petras.

  60. Andrew Moore called up to the big leagues.

    Seems very rushed but the Mariners starting rotation has been devastated by injuries. Gaviligio, Moore and Smith now up with the Mariners.

    Too bad Boyd got sent down to the minors. M’s are the playing the Tigers right now.

    Mariners do play the Mets later this year. Hopefully all the guys are still there when that series happens.

  61. To win the CWS, OSU is going to have to pitch Jake Thompson at least one more time. Seems to me that Friday is the best time to do it.

    Jake totally cracked under pressure in game 1 of the CWS, reverting/regressing to his old self from years past, and looking like a scared rabbit on the mound. This Friday, Jake should feel less pressure. It will be his second time on the mound in the CWS. It’s not an elimination game for OSU. Jake should be ready and able to pitch better, and should be highly motivated to redeem himself after his game 1 flop.

    Worst case, if Jake spits the bit again on Friday, OSU has a well-rested bullpen to come to Jake’s rescue early. If OSU goes on to lose on Friday, OSU still could pitch Rasmussen on Saturday in the elimination game. Not ideal, but not a disaster.

    Best case: If Jake does well on Friday, then OSU has both Rasmussen and Fehmel well-rested and available to pitch games 1 & 2 of the finals on Mon and Tues. And Jake Thompson himself should even be available for a few innings on Wed. if needed (assuming, again, that Jake does well on Friday and earns the right to take the mound for a third time in the CWS).

    • Now you are going down the path I started in my “jab at angry” post.

      Warts and all, Casey and TLN have to deal with Jake’s mental state. Is it a confidence builder to say on Friday that “you’re the guy”? Is it a plain indicator of lack of confidence if they go with Drew instead? Or does saving him for a Saturday start (hoping it doesn’t happen) send Jake a disturbing message?

      Bottom line, whoever starts, the pen gives Nate a lot of cards to play. He better not hold ’em.

      Another thought: Whoever goes Friday is likely to get more innings between Friday and next Wednesday than the other guy. That argues for starting the one you think is best (I think that was part of Bill’s thought earlier when he pointed out that a start for Drew on Friday would leave him available for Wed.).

  62. LSUs Walker not to pitch again according to the announcers. So who do they have left who can pitch that we didn’t already see? Besides the guy pitching tonight.

  63. Wow. FSU runner was safe by half a second at 2nd base and the ref called him out. That is some serious crooked SEC favoritism shit there. FSU would have had a good runner on 2nd with just 1 out and chance to make this a game.

    Looks like the fix is in for the SEC to get their rematch with Oregon State. Beavs better pounce on them out of the gate and not let them get any momentum. Keep them under 3 runs and I imagine we win and can get ready for the Finals.

    Beavs need to score 1st and keep up the pressure by seizing any chance we have to tack on additional runs.

    • The fix is definitely in, read on Twitter that 5 of LSU’s runs came off of an illegal bat they were using. Also since the bat was confiscated the batters aren’t doing near as well and dropping f-bombs like crazy. Did read it on the Twitter so take it with a grain of salt…

      • I think they took that bat before they got the homer. So only 2 runs, but they took it because 1 guy took a swing at a ball in the dirt and hit the ground hard.

    • Agreed. But it’s going to be LSU (unless something totally crazy happens in the bottom of the ninth inning tonight).

      So, on Friday, LSU will start their ace, Alex Lange, a right-hander drafted in the first round (#30) by the Cubs. LSU’s bullpen will be relatively well-rested. LSU will be highly motivated not just because LSU will be facing elimination, but because LSU will be getting another chance to take down a Beaver team that poured it on and flat-out embarrassed LSU on the sport’s biggest stage earlier in the week.

      Yes, the Beavers have already faced and beaten an SEC “ace” pitcher in this post season i (Kyle Wright, who was drafted a lot higher in the first round than Lange). Still, Friday is probably going to be a challenge. Another stiff test for a Beaver team that has risen to such challenges all season.

      The good news is that the Beavs will also have Saturday if needed, and OSU should have a significant pitching advantage if a game is required on Saturday. LSU will have burned Poche (tonight) and Lange (Friday). Eric Walker is injured and out for the rest of the CWS. Those are LSU’s three starters. So LSU would likely reach into the bullpen and start Caleb Gilbert, who has a power arm, but whom the Beavers have already seen. Assuming Gilbert would not go deep into the game, after that it would become pitching by committee for LSU.

      Better for the Beavers, of course, to win on Friday and save their pitching for the CWS finals starting Monday. Wouldn’t be surprised if Beavs win on Friday. Also wouldn’t be surprised if a Saturday game is required.

  64. so with LUS up 5-2 in the top of the night look like we’ll get a round two.

    You think there will be different play by play and commentators for Fridays game?

    • I think I heard that horrid Eduardo somebody would be there. He was in on the analysis of how to know what Fehmel was going to throw. Not that he was necessarily correct.

      OT question. What is the cut-off date for LH’s eligibility in this draft period?

  65. LSU got benefit if doubt on a high pitch that dropped after it was past the plate against last hitter for strike 2, then got strike 3 called on a ball that was never within 6 inches outside the plate on a 2-2 count.

    Ref didn’t want it to come down to one pitch that he might have to call a ball and bring the tying run to the plate. Couldn’t take that chance. After two consecutive home runs by FSU they certaainly deserved far better than that last called strike. FSU Manager had to shake his head as just never was close to plate.

    Beavs just need to attack these guys out of the gate. Casey is making a good choice to keep our starter close to the vest.

  66. LSU wins 7-4, setting up the rematch. I would feel better going against FSU’s pitching, but I also think as a team the Beavs have the best approach at the plate and could (and have) hit off anybody.

    I expect a much closer game, as LSU will be motivated by the rout and the fact it’s an elimination game for them.

  67. Rematch with LSU. Seemed like they were going to run away with the game but ended up only scoring in two innings.

    LSU starter Alex Lange –
    9-5 with a 3.08 ERA. .237 batting average against. Given up 10 HRs on the year.
    117 innings with 142 ks and 44 walks.
    Went 6 innings vs FSU. Gave up 4 runs on 7 hits with 4 walks and 8Ks.
    Picked in 1st round.

    Obviously no one is expecting the LSU staff to melt down like they did and they will hit better too.

    Early thoughts on the game –
    1. Game plan doesn’t change. Work the starter, get into their bullpen. It’s soft in the middle.
    2. Use Fehmel’s game plan to keep the hitters off balance.
    3. Throw strikes! Let the defense make plays.
    4. LSU will be much better than last game so the game will be close.
    5. Same lineup. Malone stays.
    6. Both teams are front runners. Important to draw first blood.
    7. Beavs will be the home team. Too bad – would have loved to see them wear the gray pinstripes.

    This will be the third 1st round pick they will face this year. Wright and Peterson were the others. Hitting will carry them to the championship series.

    If Thompson starts, likely on a short leash with Mulholland and Eisert first in.

    I would think Drew would be available to close if needed.

    • But according to his holiness Canzano, Altman has been forgiven and redeemed himself. For such a good coach, Dana has made millions by playing dumb. Police call asking for one of your players contact information and you don’t “ask for any specifics”. WTF????

      Also, the Oregonian didn’t break the story, so unless it’s a “Danny Moran investigation” it didn’t happen.

    • First… that’s an O link.

      But since we’re there, they gave this guy the byline:
      http://connect.oregonlive.com/staff/ecampuzano/posts.html

      They’ve blown their wad, and they can’t afford to lose the other half of their traffic right now.

      The story is much more compelling when a real news agency tells it.
      https://www.dailyemerald.com/2017/06/21/oregons-kavell-bigby-williams-is-under-investigation-for-sexual-assault/

      Oddly, this is my favorite part:

      “I don’t have any awareness of that,” Schill said. “In any event, I can’t comment on an individual student. What if I was asked by another reporter about you being obnoxious? Would you want me to tell them that?”

      THAT… is highly inappropriate for the head of a university. It’s also really lazy humor, if we’re awarding points in that sector. That looks like something I would have expected Pete Rose to say some 10 years ago.

      • “Why are you being an obnoxious jerk, asking me all of these questions and stuff?”

        I liked reading the Emeral piece too. So many paths the writer would follow up on, only to get shut down, leading to a new dead end. Seems everybody knew Williams had a criminal investigation happening, but they didnt bother to ask what the nature of the investigation was, so they’re all clear due to ignorance.

        Lalala….i can’t hear you…..lalala

      • This is the same dude who makes $800,000 a year, and wanted to raise his tuition by over 10%, saying his students could “get second jobs.” He needs to pay off that new sports car!

        What a douchebag.

      • It was my favorite part too, just because it was such an odd response. A person usually does that when they are caught off guard and are frustrated. I hope there’s more to this situation, Altman is a sleazeball disguised as a Midwestern pastor.

  68. Slick Willie’s found a new box of fortune cookies:

    You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you. Think about where you want to be

  69. Call me a pessimist, but Lange is the real deal, and the LSU bats are gonna come alive (Kramer Robertson is due), and Beavs are due for some errors.

    LSU 4-3

    Hope I’m wrong!!!

  70. More on Alex Lange, LSU’s ace and starting pitcher for tomorrow’s game against OSU:

    http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2017/05/lsus_alex_lange_on_pitching_wi.html

    http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2017/06/alex_lange_makes_lsu_comeback.html

    http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2017/06/lsu_baseball_alex_lange_4.html

    Takeaway from these articles (and also from the scouting evaluations posted yesterday) is that Lange is a power pitcher who sometimes struggles with command, especially early in a game. (both walking and hitting batters).

    Lange’s best pitch is a swing-and-miss curveball, set up by a 92-95 mph fastball. Lange likes to get ahead in the count with his fastball, and then to use his curveball as his “out” pitch. When Lange is commanding both his fastball and his curveball, he is very tough to hit, and is going to rack up a lot of strikeouts.

    In short, a lot depends on which Lange shows up tomorrow at the start of the game. If Lange lacks command early, and the Beavs can maintain strike-zone discipline and patience (as they usually do), the Beavs could grab a quick lead in the first couple of innings that would put pressure on LSU. OSU could then methodically drive up Lange’s pitch count to get to the soft part of the LSU bullpen — their middle relievers — as quickly as possible.

    But if Lange starts tomorrow’s game with good command of his fastball and curve, the Beavers will probably need to switch tactics quickly and jump on fastballs early in the count, to avoid getting behind and having to deal with Lange’s curveball.

    So, which Lange shows up at the start of tomorrow’s game? No clue….

    • “So, which Lange shows up at the start of tomorrow’s game?”
      That may depend on who is behind the plate calling balls and strikes… apparently some strikes can be called even if the ball is thrown into the opposite batters box.

      • In the CWS games I’ve been able to watch, seems like the umpires usually have a tighter strike zone early in the game. Some of the strike calls at the end of the game get pretty awful (such as the game-ending, head-scratcher strike call against FSU last night — which truly was thrown into the opposite batters box).

        That being said, Lange is not a control pitcher who nibbles at the corners. Nor is he a “pitch to contact” kind of guy. He is more of a power pitcher who rears back, throws hard, hopes his pitches catch part of the plate, and goes for strikeouts. Lange’s delivery, rather than being smooth and easy, takes a lot of effort, and Lange has a hard time keeping his mechanics consistent. As a result, when he struggles with his command, he tends to be all over the place (including hitting batters), and a somewhat larger strike zone won’t save him.

        Perhaps Lange and LSU will try to make adjustments and changes for tomorrow’s game. LSU of course knows that Beaver batters have been trained to exercise patience and strike-zone discipline. It wouldn’t be shocking if Lange decided to start tomorrow’s game by grooving a few fastballs to Kwan, and daring Kwan to hit (or bunt) them. The good news is that Kwan is quite capable of doing that. As are Madrigal and Larnach. And then you have KJ coming up with men on base. So that strategy is probably a loser.

        My guess is that Lange in tomorrow’s game is not going to try to change his approach and suddenly become a “pitch to contact” guy. Instead, he’ll just rear back and fire, as usual. If his mechanics come together early, he’ll be tough to hit. If his mechanics are off, and if the Beavers are patient at the plate as usual, OSU is going to get some good scoring opportunities early in the game. We’ll see soon enough….

      • @orangejulius: “That may depend on who is behind the plate calling balls and strikes… apparently some strikes can be called even if the ball is thrown into the opposite batters box.”

        Got me curious to see what people were saying about that awful final called strike last night to end FSU’s CWS run.

        Aaron Fitt of D1 Baseball tweeted: “one thing to miss a call, it happens. this pitch was never even close. and it ended a team’s season. Just unfortunate.”

        @Billlygeezy, a Seminole fan who claimed to be a college umpire (in a past life), tweeted in response: “Come on….make the guy actually earn the strikeout. He is nasty enough without giving him 6″ off the place. Effing ridiculous.”. And he included a video of that last pitch, in slow motion, to prove his point. https://twitter.com/Billygeezy/status/877715613942022145

        • The ump is positioned horribly on that. His perspective is from the far side at like a 45 deg angle, of course he’s gonna think it went over the plate — he was better sitting higher in the grandstand. WOW!

          • Agreed. Maybe that’s one reason ball and strike calls seem to get sketchier towards the end of games. Umps get tired, no longer make the effort to position themselves properly on every pitch, and then can’t tell whether certain pitches are on or off the plate. This may be an example of that. Not an excuse for such an awful call, but perhaps an explanation of how an umpire could miss a call this badly.

        • Would be interesting to see the ump/go pro cam and the birds eye/straight down on the plate views to see just how off the plate

    • Read they’ve confiscated about 20 bats throughout the tournament. Most cases seem to be as the bat’s have become “hot” as they’ve gotten older and broken down.

          • This opens up more interesting questions. Is there a way for the NCAA to test these bats objectively and on the fly in order to gauge their structure?

          • I’m going to guess that if the NCAA holds a Duracell to either end and the label doesn’t disappear… it’s a charged bat.

        • The guys on the radio broadcast were saying most likely is that the bats developed a flat spot or the bat was scarred up so it wasn’t a smooth surface any longer.

          • Jack, they (the umps and a officals) check each bat before each game a passing bat receives a sticker of approval. The bat are check with a social doughnut that checks the tolerances. If a bat has a flat spot the doughnut will not pass over the barrel.

            That bat that was taken during the game was check and stickers as good before the game started. But the umps questioned it’s integrity after one of the LSU players skipped it off the ground when swinging at a ball that was in the dirt.

          • I’ve seen them do that. It just never registered that the bat was oblong. I figured it was just to keep bats within a certain limit so you don’t have guys with clubs out there.

      • Back in my college days, the big thing to do was actually have someone “roll” then bat. The thinking was that the walls of the bar would slightly thin, and give you more pop. Seriously, I watched teammates get a brand new Demarini VooDoo and immediately stick it under their truck tire and run it over a few times. The bats did feel like they had more pop to them, but whether the ball came off hotter it was hard to say.

  71. Regarding the bats –

    LSU is swinging Demarinis just like the Beavs. Yeah for an Oregon company!

    I would say you don’t want to get into the bat issue with the other team. They’ll come right back and have all of OSU’s bats put through inspection. It’s all just petty crap anyways. The BBCOR standards that were put in a few years ago pretty much make the bats the same. There’s not much a person can do to make it hotter. “rolling” a bat has some benefits but it significantly reduces the life of the bat since the structure of the bat is changed.

    I’m pretty familiar with Demarini baseball bats and some of the guys swing older models that are at least 3 or 4 years old so those bats could have issues.

  72. oh boy…doctored and rolled bats. I’ve pitched 6 out of the last 8 years for a senior travelling tourney team. The senior bats they allow nowadays are made from composites and hotter than shit. I had never hit home runs until I turned 50…even so, there are guys who still have to roll their bats.

    When I pitch, every pitch is freaking intense–can’t take a play off mentally. I’ve seen broken orbitals, and damn near worse. Guys pitch with helmets and masks.

    Sorry to get off topic.

    • “When I pitch, every pitch is freaking intense–can’t take a play off mentally. I’ve seen broken orbitals, and damn near worse. Guys pitch with helmets and masks.”

      What nickname do you have stitched to your jersey? “Meatball”?

      • No halo. My point—rolled bats are bad juju. I’m sure teams stay within spec’s, but once you’re outside the lines, it can get dangerous in a hurry.

        As far as any negative votes, you stand 45 feet away from the plate and field your position. Oh yeah, make sure you’re throwing strikes while you do that. Not just down the middle, but changing arc and placement each pitch.

        I’m a fucking good defensive pitcher. I’m not playing travel ball this year to take a break. Spent my time watching a great beaver baseball team. Hope they have 3-4 good games left in them.

        • Aluminum bats in general are “bad juju” take some of that college football money and buy fucking wood bats for the team. i play in a wood bat softball league, wouldn’t have it any other way. I love college baseball, but it ain’t quite the real thing with those dings.

  73. Seems like most times I check the GT they have another story up, more good writing here from Lundeberg:
    …Steven Kwan drag bunted Eric Walker’s first offering as a comatose LSU defense failed to react.
    That’s just a sample which made me chuckle, there is a lot more in the story.

    No, I’m not on the payroll. Just seems that anyone fed up with the big zero actually does have a viable alternative.

    http://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/baseball/cws-lsu-aims-for-redemption/article_a8ef17be-6999-56de-9933-389dca831d18.html

  74. Here’s a pre-game analysis from LSU’s hometown paper: http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_5af6b6ce-5798-11e7-a9eb-3322e8b67c7e.html

    Re Alex Lange, again, it’s all about getting ahead in the count with his fastball, and then putting hitters away with his swing-and-miss curveball:

    “Analysis: The key to Lange’s outing Friday, as it always is, is how well he commands his pitches, particularly early in counts. Lange’s curveball is arguably the best put-away pitch in college baseball, but it’s not as effective if he is not getting ahead early in counts. Put Lange in a 1-2 count, and he will bury his curveball in the dirt near home plate, a pitch hitters routinely flail at for strike three. But, put Lange in a 2-1 count, and that tool is no longer as effective. When Lange struggles (by his definition of struggling), he is forced to throw his fastball in the hittable zone, and Oregon State is certainly a lineup that can make him pay for that. Lange had difficulty locating against Florida State, and was pulled after six innings. LSU needs a longer, cleaner outing from him Friday.

    What they said: “When you get ahead of hitters, you have the opportunity to change their game plan. They want to get a starter out of the game as early as possible, see as many pitches as they can. When you’re locating the heater early, then it really helps to change their game plan up and make them more aggressive early in the counts.” — Lange.”

  75. One other thought. Everyone seems to agree that Lange’s best pitch is a late, sharp breaking curveball thrown low in the zone, and often in the dirt. If there are men on base, that’s a risky pitch to throw. A key to beating Lange, and LSU, will be to make him pitch from the stretch (i.e., with men on base) as often as possible. That will limit Lange’s opportunities to finish off batters with his best pitch, and instead make him rely more on locating his fastball — which is not his forte.

  76. OT- Canzano has done an editorial on the Bigby-Williams situation. Not as much outrage as with LH, but he says he has “questions” for Altman, Schill, et al. I will be curious to see if JC runs an opinion piece for eight days in a row on this.

      • Radio. Sorry…

        Did anybody hear it? I did not. Curious how they covered in terms of context, depth. They introduced it by saying {paraphrasing] “OSU baseball plays today, and if they win, the are in the CWS. One of the reasons they got there was pitcher LH…we’ll talk about an incident from his past…”

        • I listened to it. Nothing new. They gave the brief re-cap of what happened, and Moran called in from Omaha to be interviewed. Moran explained the same story again about how they were working on a piece about LH when they ran his name through some system – he did not say it is a routine practice.

          He also again implied that LH was a convicted felon. My understanding is that isn’t true. When I say it was implied, he actually was talking about how OSU still hasn’t indicated how the policy will change when it comes to bringing in convicted felons.

          OPB guy asked Moran if LH could have played in the CWS if he wanted to. Then they talked about him coming back next year and with time, he may get an opportunity in MLB.

    • I’m good with this, too. OSU is almost certainly going to need Jake Thompson to pitch at some point between now and next Wednesday in order to win the championship. Today seems like the best time for Jake Thompson to pitch. Yes, there will be pressure, and Jake does not always handle pressure well. But the pressure is only going to increase from this point forward.

      If OSU loses today, OSU can start Drew Rasmussen tomorrow in OSU’s first elimination game of the CWS (when the pressure will be much greater than it is today). If OSU wins today (and doesn’t need to use Drew much or at all in today’s game), then OSU will have Drew and also Bryce Fehmel rested and ready to go for the CWS finals (probably against Florida). And, again, those games are likely to be higher pressure situations than today’s game.

      One other point. OSU only needs four or five innings from Jake Thompson today, after which OSU can bring in Jake Mulholland, and can then bring in Drew to close. Fingers crossed that Jake Thompson can redeem himself from his poor performance in game 1, and provide four or five good innings today. If he can’t do that, frankly, he should consider returning his First Team All-American trophy.

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