Davidson, Game 3

[hapapp]

Davidson jumped out to an 8-0 lead after two. Apps rallied for 5 in the bottom of the 2nd and trail 8-5 in the top of the 3rd.

[WataugaMan]

Top of the 5th, down 12-5, getting schooled again.

[WataugaMan]

15-5, wood shed, turn the lights out.

[hapapp]

Now trail 15-5 in the 6th. Perhaps, we see why Davidson leads the conference.

I hope this year was an aberration for App State sports or otherwise we find ourselves with one of the worst athletic programs in the Sun Belt. We have complained for years about being in a conference with small, private schools and longed for the opportunity to be matched up with our larger peers. Well, we may discover that old adage "be careful what you wish for." That is not meant to be an anti-Sun Belt statement as I am solidly in favor of the move but we may find our athletic programs struggling against the stiffer competition. This year more than any year demonstrates the deceptive nature of the Commissioner's Cup competition. We have had a horrendous year across the board, yet we still in contention for the Cup. If you look at our average score per sport you see the real weakness in our overall athletic program. We look good because we offer more sports. That's not necessarily a bad thing that we offer more opportunities but it makes it appear that our program performs at a higher level than it does.

[mtnjax]

Springs is still bad. Need to try someone else I that rotation spot. I left after 6 it was going so bad.

[WataugaMan]

Now trail 15-5 in the 6th. Perhaps, we see why Davidson leads the conference.

I hope this year was an aberration for App State sports or otherwise we find ourselves with one of the worst athletic programs in the Sun Belt. We have complained for years about being in a conference with small, private schools and longed for the opportunity to be matched up with our larger peers. Well, we may discover that old adage "be careful what you wish for." That is not meant to be an anti-Sun Belt statement as I am solidly in favor of the move but we may find our athletic programs struggling against the stiffer competition. This year more than any year demonstrates the deceptive nature of the Commissioner's Cup competition. We have had a horrendous year across the board, yet we still in contention for the Cup. If you look at our average score per sport you see the real weakness in our overall athletic program. We look good because we offer more sports. That's not necessarily a bad thing that we offer more opportunities but it makes it appear that our program performs at a higher level than it does.

Briefly - As we move forward, of the three major sports, the one of most concern is baseball. Given time I believe Satterfield will get things moving in a positive direction in football. There was a lot of improvement from the beginning of the season and where it ended. With the hiring of Coach Fox, I believe basketball will be seeing an improvement as well. How could it get any worse, right? With the departure of Pollard, it is obvious that baseball has begun a steady decline. However, to be fair, seeing that Jones has only been here two years more time is in order.

[HeffnerIV]

Now trail 15-5 in the 6th. Perhaps, we see why Davidson leads the conference.

I hope this year was an aberration for App State sports or otherwise we find ourselves with one of the worst athletic programs in the Sun Belt. We have complained for years about being in a conference with small, private schools and longed for the opportunity to be matched up with our larger peers. Well, we may discover that old adage "be careful what you wish for." That is not meant to be an anti-Sun Belt statement as I am solidly in favor of the move but we may find our athletic programs struggling against the stiffer competition. This year more than any year demonstrates the deceptive nature of the Commissioner's Cup competition. We have had a horrendous year across the board, yet we still in contention for the Cup. If you look at our average score per sport you see the real weakness in our overall athletic program. We look good because we offer more sports. That's not necessarily a bad thing that we offer more opportunities but it makes it appear that our program performs at a higher level than it does.

Briefly - As we move forward, of the three major sports, the one of most concern is baseball. Given time I believe Satterfield will get things moving in a positive direction in football. There was a lot of improvement from the beginning of the season and where it ended. With the hiring of Coach Fox, I believe basketball will be seeing an improvement as well. How could it get any worse, right? With the departure of Pollard, it is obvious that baseball has begun a steady decline. However, to be fair, seeing that Jones has only been here two years more time is in order.

I agree, but a lot of really good guys graduated or left after Pollard. I'm not happy with the last two seasons, but I am encouraged by the take the talent he's recruited and what we have returning next year.

[moehler]

Agree, Jones seems to be a better recruiter than Pollard, and the talent he has brought in the last 2 years validates that point, but, Pollard seems to be a better game day coach than Jones. Frankly, some of the game decisions he has made this year have been puzzling, especially how he has handled the bullpen issues late in a game. I like Jones, I think he can be a really good coach, but he has got to do a better job managing games.

[Blackandgold]

Springs is still bad. Need to try someone else I that rotation spot. I left after 6 it was going so bad.

He's put up very good numbers so far this year, before yesterday.
Come on man.

[Blackandgold]

Agree, Jones seems to be a better recruiter than Pollard, and the talent he has brought in the last 2 years validates that point, but, Pollard seems to be a better game day coach than Jones. Frankly, some of the game decisions he has made this year have been puzzling, especially how he has handled the bullpen issues late in a game. I like Jones, I think he can be a really good coach, but he has got to do a better job managing games.

Just out of curiosity. How do you figure jones is a better recruiter??? Who has he brought in that has made a big impact?

[JTApps1]

Agree, Jones seems to be a better recruiter than Pollard, and the talent he has brought in the last 2 years validates that point, but, Pollard seems to be a better game day coach than Jones. Frankly, some of the game decisions he has made this year have been puzzling, especially how he has handled the bullpen issues late in a game. I like Jones, I think he can be a really good coach, but he has got to do a better job managing games.

Just out of curiosity. How do you figure jones is a better recruiter??? Who has he brought in that has made a big impact?

Matt Brill, Tyler Stroup, and Sean Mason all come to mind.

[Blackandgold]

Agree, Jones seems to be a better recruiter than Pollard, and the talent he has brought in the last 2 years validates that point, but, Pollard seems to be a better game day coach than Jones. Frankly, some of the game decisions he has made this year have been puzzling, especially how he has handled the bullpen issues late in a game. I like Jones, I think he can be a really good coach, but he has got to do a better job managing games.

Just out of curiosity. How do you figure jones is a better recruiter??? Who has he brought in that has made a big impact?

Matt Brill, Tyler Stroup, and Sean Mason all come to mind.

Those three are having solid freshman years. But I don't think any will be freshman all Americans. pollard had several freshman all Americans, not to mention double digit guys drafted in last 4 years at app. Until jones can match and surpass that, he is not a better recruiter than pollard.

[WataugaMan]

"Until jones can match and surpass that, he is not a better recruiter than pollard."

I have heard that Jones has gotten himself on the bad side of a few in-state high school coaches. Mending a few fences in that area might be a good start.

[Blackandgold]

"Until jones can match and surpass that, he is not a better recruiter than pollard."

I have heard that Jones has gotten himself on the bad side of a few in-state high school coaches. Mending a few fences in that area might be a good start.

That wouldn't surprise me. Pollard heavily recruited within nc. It seems as if jones will concentrate on different areas of the country. Changing conferences probably has an influence on this.

But after one recruiting class, he does not surpass pollard's recruiting genius. Most ppl think pollard was a great coach. IMO, he was a great recruiter and manager. He had good assistants that actually coached. Which is how it's supposed to work in baseball.

[WataugaMan]

"Until jones can match and surpass that, he is not a better recruiter than pollard."

I have heard that Jones has gotten himself on the bad side of a few in-state high school coaches. Mending a few fences in that area might be a good start.

That wouldn't surprise me. Pollard heavily recruited within nc. It seems as if jones will concentrate on different areas of the country. Changing conferences probably has an influence on this.

But after one recruiting class, he does not surpass pollard's recruiting genius. Most ppl think pollard was a great coach. IMO, he was a great recruiter and manager. He had good assistants that actually coached. Which is how it's supposed to work in baseball.

It is not about where he recruits, it is more of a "protocol" issue.

[Blackandgold]

"Until jones can match and surpass that, he is not a better recruiter than pollard."

I have heard that Jones has gotten himself on the bad side of a few in-state high school coaches. Mending a few fences in that area might be a good start.

That wouldn't surprise me. Pollard heavily recruited within nc. It seems as if jones will concentrate on different areas of the country. Changing conferences probably has an influence on this.

But after one recruiting class, he does not surpass pollard's recruiting genius. Most ppl think pollard was a great coach. IMO, he was a great recruiter and manager. He had good assistants that actually coached. Which is how it's supposed to work in baseball.

It is not about where he recruits, it is more of a "protocol" issue.

What do you mean by protocol? And how would that make nc high school coaches mad?

[WataugaMan]

What I heard is second hand, therefore, take that for what its worth. Also, since I've never recruited college players before, to be honest I'm not sure what the "protocol" is. With that said, "the story" goes, Jones tried out a potential recruit without permission (whever that means??) from a high school coach. And, the potential recruit was injured, seems this didn't sit right with a few. Like I previously said this is only rumor and may be just a bunch of bull. Who knows?

[ASUPATCH]

Of the three major sports I feel coaching is the least important. Game management is very important but it is nothing like calling plays in football or adjusting defense or offensive sets in basketball. Not a dig on baseball I just feel it is much more in the players hands than the other two.

[App91]

"Until jones can match and surpass that, he is not a better recruiter than pollard."

I have heard that Jones has gotten himself on the bad side of a few in-state high school coaches. Mending a few fences in that area might be a good start.

May be, but he is making better strides with the summer league/showcase/travel ball coaches better than Pollard did. This I know. Think that will help in the long run as these people do alot of recruiting themselves

[WVAPPeer]

Of the three major sports I feel coaching is the least important. Game management is very important but it is nothing like calling plays in football or adjusting defense or offensive sets in basketball. Not a dig on baseball I just feel it is much more in the players hands than the other two.

patch - you are correct - I have coached all three on the hs level plus some soccer which I had to do out of default - Baseball was my love and where I spent most of my time - There is very little a coach can do --- He can't milk the clock, must keep pitching --- Can't really change defenses --- Can't really dictate offense until someone gets on base --- and so forth --- --- There are little things that can be and are done during the course of the game but nothing like football nor basketball ---