[Phogge]

Healdsburg has a team in a college wood bat league. The catcher makes the pitch calls, the pitcher can shake him off, nobody is wearing a rodeo-size belt buckle or wrist band weighing five pounds. The kids are prospects but they seem to be having fun.

College baseball, to me and I played, is almost unwatchable no matter if you are pulling for a team or not. The games are long, the coaches make all the decisions, the players are stone faced and uptight. Example: I watched a couple of innings on Monday. Stanford had a lefty named Williams I think. He is going to have a pro career. Has a live arm, hope he goes to the right organization. However, he delivers a pitch, turns his back on the plate and walks off the mound, turns around and toes the rubber, peers into the dugout, looks at his cheat sheet, goes into the stretch and finally delivers. He is not having fun. I understand that he's got a chance for a baseball career but if you play you need to enjoy it, win or lose. Without enjoying playing baseball why play. Hope he can enjoy.

[Phogge]

Healdsburg has a team in a college wood bat league. The catcher makes the pitch calls, the pitcher can shake him off, nobody is wearing a rodeo-size belt buckle or wrist band weighing five pounds. The kids are prospects but they seem to be having fun.

College baseball, to me and I played, is almost unwatchable no matter if you are pulling for a team or not. The games are long, the coaches make all the decisions, the players are stone faced and uptight. Example: I watched a couple of innings on Monday. Stanford had a lefty named Williams I think. He is going to have a pro career. Has a live arm, hope he goes to the right organization. However, he delivers a pitch, turns his back on the plate and walks off the mound, turns around and toes the rubber, peers into the dugout, looks at his cheat sheet, goes into the stretch and finally delivers. He is not having fun. I understand that he's got a chance for a baseball career but if you play you need to enjoy it, win or lose. Without enjoying playing baseball why play. Hope he can enjoy.

[oman]

I don't watch any pro baseball.  College baseball playoffs are about my favorite playoffs of all.  Mostly because my two favorite teams tend to in the hunt.  The games are stupidly long, yes, but that's baseball.  But the regional playoffs are fantastic, followed by great best of threes and Omaha may be my favorite thing next to the World Cup.  As much as I love March Madness, I kind of wish the games were done this way. 

So I guess I really can't comment on the regular season, because I don't really follow, but given my limited diet of the stuff, I LOVE college baseball.

[oman]

I don't watch any pro baseball.  College baseball playoffs are about my favorite playoffs of all.  Mostly because my two favorite teams tend to in the hunt.  The games are stupidly long, yes, but that's baseball.  But the regional playoffs are fantastic, followed by great best of threes and Omaha may be my favorite thing next to the World Cup.  As much as I love March Madness, I kind of wish the games were done this way. 

So I guess I really can't comment on the regular season, because I don't really follow, but given my limited diet of the stuff, I LOVE college baseball.

[Brickcity]

I don't watch any pro baseball.  College baseball playoffs are about my favorite playoffs of all.  Mostly because my two favorite teams tend to in the hunt.  The games are stupidly long, yes, but that's baseball.  But the regional playoffs are fantastic, followed by great best of threes and Omaha may be my favorite thing next to the World Cup.  As much as I love March Madness, I kind of wish the games were done this way. 

So I guess I really can't comment on the regular season, because I don't really follow, but given my limited diet of the stuff, I LOVE college baseball.

I'll echo what Oman said: I love college baseball and the kids are clearly having fun out there. Conversely, I saw a highlight of a towering home run by Ohtani (MLB) the other day and his teammates gave him a polite, tennis clap. Even during the regular season, the dugout for a college team goes crazy over the same thing. And if you're referring to Stanford's Alex Williams, the kid was going nuts after he struck out a dude to get out of the one jam he was in all game during his outing against Texas Tech.

P.S. After Stanford lost to Vandy, ESPN immediately switched to a Dodgers/Padres game. This was the first MLB game I'd seen live in years, so I wasn't aware that for MLB games, ESPN uses a "strike box." What an abomination. Truly, one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen on a TV screen, and that's saying something. The good news is that any temptation I had to watch another MLB game flew out the window - I'll gladly use my baseball watching time to see Stanford play!

[Brickcity]

I don't watch any pro baseball.  College baseball playoffs are about my favorite playoffs of all.  Mostly because my two favorite teams tend to in the hunt.  The games are stupidly long, yes, but that's baseball.  But the regional playoffs are fantastic, followed by great best of threes and Omaha may be my favorite thing next to the World Cup.  As much as I love March Madness, I kind of wish the games were done this way. 

So I guess I really can't comment on the regular season, because I don't really follow, but given my limited diet of the stuff, I LOVE college baseball.

I'll echo what Oman said: I love college baseball and the kids are clearly having fun out there. Conversely, I saw a highlight of a towering home run by Ohtani (MLB) the other day and his teammates gave him a polite, tennis clap. Even during the regular season, the dugout for a college team goes crazy over the same thing. And if you're referring to Stanford's Alex Williams, the kid was going nuts after he struck out a dude to get out of the one jam he was in all game during his outing against Texas Tech.

P.S. After Stanford lost to Vandy, ESPN immediately switched to a Dodgers/Padres game. This was the first MLB game I'd seen live in years, so I wasn't aware that for MLB games, ESPN uses a "strike box." What an abomination. Truly, one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen on a TV screen, and that's saying something. The good news is that any temptation I had to watch another MLB game flew out the window - I'll gladly use my baseball watching time to see Stanford play!

[Phogge]

I guess you guys like to watch games where players are puppets.

[Phogge]

I guess you guys like to watch games where players are puppets.

[DC 86]

College baseball, to me and I played, is almost unwatchable no matter if you are pulling for a team or not. The games are long, the coaches make all the decisions, the players are stone faced and uptight.

I also hate the over-management of college games. Players are supposed to be learning how to play the game but they are micro managed from the dugout. A ridiculous amount of sacrifice bunts and intentional walks. However ...

College baseball games are still - on average - shorter than Major League baseball games by about eight minutes despite more baserunners and higher scoring, and the pace of play feels much crisper. Getting the signals from the dugout slows things up but when hitters step into the box they are ready to hit, they don't call timeout after every pitch to adjust their batting gloves and elbow protectors. Pitchers tend to work much faster at the college level between pitches and between batters, even with the additional time to get the signal from the catcher. And players seem to be having fun, lots of chatter from the dugouts and celebrations after big hits and big plays. MLB is evolving but there are still too many Tony LaRussas policing the game who are hypersensitive to anything that could be considered overexuberant. I like baseball at all levels; the annoying aspects of the college game are outweighed by the many parts that I do like. But to each his own, obviously, there is no right answer.

[DC 86]

College baseball, to me and I played, is almost unwatchable no matter if you are pulling for a team or not. The games are long, the coaches make all the decisions, the players are stone faced and uptight.

I also hate the over-management of college games. Players are supposed to be learning how to play the game but they are micro managed from the dugout. A ridiculous amount of sacrifice bunts and intentional walks. However ...

College baseball games are still - on average - shorter than Major League baseball games by about eight minutes despite more baserunners and higher scoring, and the pace of play feels much crisper. Getting the signals from the dugout slows things up but when hitters step into the box they are ready to hit, they don't call timeout after every pitch to adjust their batting gloves and elbow protectors. Pitchers tend to work much faster at the college level between pitches and between batters, even with the additional time to get the signal from the catcher. And players seem to be having fun, lots of chatter from the dugouts and celebrations after big hits and big plays. MLB is evolving but there are still too many Tony LaRussas policing the game who are hypersensitive to anything that could be considered overexuberant. I like baseball at all levels; the annoying aspects of the college game are outweighed by the many parts that I do like. But to each his own, obviously, there is no right answer.

[Phogge]

College baseball for me was being in sync with my catcher. Now pitchers are in sink with their cheat sheet. Unless you are a rodeo performer brobdingnagian belt buckles went out in the early 80's. Stanford's unis are ridiculous. I remember going to Sunken with an old teammate whose kid was the Cal SS. Stanford was up by about 19 runs and in the 8th inning Marquess was still having the hitters step out of the box and look at him after every pitch. Bush and CS. And DC both MLB and college games are too long.

To each his own.

[Phogge]

College baseball for me was being in sync with my catcher. Now pitchers are in sink with their cheat sheet. Unless you are a rodeo performer brobdingnagian belt buckles went out in the early 80's. Stanford's unis are ridiculous. I remember going to Sunken with an old teammate whose kid was the Cal SS. Stanford was up by about 19 runs and in the 8th inning Marquess was still having the hitters step out of the box and look at him after every pitch. Bush and CS. And DC both MLB and college games are too long.

To each his own.

[BobK]

Please please don’t go to a 12u little league game. Boys or girls coaches call the pitch and have for 15 years.

[BobK]

Please please don’t go to a 12u little league game. Boys or girls coaches call the pitch and have for 15 years.

[SamuelMcF]

Please please don’t go to a 12u little league game.  Boys or girls coaches call the pitch and have for 15 years.

Can confirm, as a former 12u little league player, I was not having fun. Phogge would've hated it.

[SamuelMcF]

Please please don’t go to a 12u little league game.  Boys or girls coaches call the pitch and have for 15 years.

Can confirm, as a former 12u little league player, I was not having fun. Phogge would've hated it.

[oman]

I guess you guys like to watch games where players are puppets.

---

Can confirm, as a former 12u little league player, I was not having fun. Phogge would've hated it.

I hope one day he can enjoy.

[oman]

I guess you guys like to watch games where players are puppets.

---

Can confirm, as a former 12u little league player, I was not having fun. Phogge would've hated it.

I hope one day he can enjoy.

[Phogge]

It was a different game when I played. I had fun as long as Duffy wasn't at the plate. The guys today don't look like they are having fun.

[Phogge]

It was a different game when I played. I had fun as long as Duffy wasn't at the plate. The guys today don't look like they are having fun.

[BaseballJunkie]

It was a different game when I played. I had fun as long as Duffy wasn't at the plate. The guys today don't look like they are having fun.

My son was the second baseman on Stanford's team. I can confirm that they had shitloads of fun, even as I agree with you that college coaches have taken more control.

But that's true of all sports. College QBs and MLBs used to call the offense and defense. Not anymore. Hand signals, placards...In basketball, coaches can't stay off the court! That's how badly they try to control the action!

[BaseballJunkie]

It was a different game when I played. I had fun as long as Duffy wasn't at the plate. The guys today don't look like they are having fun.

My son was the second baseman on Stanford's team. I can confirm that they had shitloads of fun, even as I agree with you that college coaches have taken more control.

But that's true of all sports. College QBs and MLBs used to call the offense and defense. Not anymore. Hand signals, placards...In basketball, coaches can't stay off the court! That's how badly they try to control the action!

[Phogge]

Junkie, I think you would love to see the games in Healdsburg. The kids all think they have a shot but they don’t seem uptight about it. Games are quick. I think all college games should be seven innings and no cheatsheets be allowed.

My ideal battery is Billy O’Dell and Ed Bailey. Bailey told him to throw anything you want and I’ll catch it. No signs, no problem.

[Phogge]

Junkie, I think you would love to see the games in Healdsburg. The kids all think they have a shot but they don’t seem uptight about it. Games are quick. I think all college games should be seven innings and no cheatsheets be allowed.

My ideal battery is Billy O’Dell and Ed Bailey. Bailey told him to throw anything you want and I’ll catch it. No signs, no problem.

[PVTree]

My son was the second baseman on Stanford's team. 

How about that!? Ever since I saw your son play his freshman year, he became my favorite player on the team. He was the bat I trusted the most at the plate.

I'm hoping he has a long, successful pro career. The draft must be delayed. We usually hear who got drafted where during the CWS, but I haven't heard anything this year. He'd sure look good in a Cubbie uniform ;)

Happy he and his teammates got to experience the CWS, although one more strike, and the memories may have been even bigger.

[PVTree]

My son was the second baseman on Stanford's team. 

How about that!? Ever since I saw your son play his freshman year, he became my favorite player on the team. He was the bat I trusted the most at the plate.

I'm hoping he has a long, successful pro career. The draft must be delayed. We usually hear who got drafted where during the CWS, but I haven't heard anything this year. He'd sure look good in a Cubbie uniform ;)

Happy he and his teammates got to experience the CWS, although one more strike, and the memories may have been even bigger.

[BobK]

The baseball draft is July 11-13. Not delayed that’s been the schedule

Hope Tawa is drafted high. Of course also would love him back for his free year lol.

Baseball America has published their top 500 for the draft but I haven’t gone past the first 100

[BobK]

The baseball draft is July 11-13. Not delayed that’s been the schedule

Hope Tawa is drafted high. Of course also would love him back for his free year lol.

Baseball America has published their top 500 for the draft but I haven’t gone past the first 100

[BostonCard]

Glad your son was having fun. Sometimes we forget that in the end, it is a bunch of 18-20 year olds out there playing a game. For all the work, the long days, the early morning workouts and practices, It would be awful if they weren’t enjoying themselves.

That being said, I sympathize with Phogge’s POV. Baseball is overly micromanaged at all levels, and it hurts the enjoyment for all involved (players, fans, etc).

BC

[BostonCard]

Glad your son was having fun. Sometimes we forget that in the end, it is a bunch of 18-20 year olds out there playing a game. For all the work, the long days, the early morning workouts and practices, It would be awful if they weren’t enjoying themselves.

That being said, I sympathize with Phogge’s POV. Baseball is overly micromanaged at all levels, and it hurts the enjoyment for all involved (players, fans, etc).

BC

[Goose]

That being said, I sympathize with Phogge’s POV. Baseball is overly micromanaged at all levels, and it hurts the enjoyment for all involved (players, fans, etc).


BC

While it may seem that the managers/coaches are "micromanaging" the games, I am not sure it hurts the enjoyment of all involved. The players want to win. If taking the coaches signs and playing the game "his way" helps them win, they want to do it. These guys are dead serious about their game. Yes, they have fun, but they also concentrate like mad. For lots of people, that itself  is "fun". As a fan, I don't think it detracts from my enjoyment of the game. The manager is trying to place his players in the best spot to make a play. This is also how the players learn to know the process of playing baseball. If the other team knows your tendencies and you don't know theirs, you are at a disadvantage.
Back "in the day" both sides probably didn't know as much about their opponents as is common today. But even Phogge himself shows by his comments that he knew quite a bit about the opponents he faced. Naturally, with the easier travel today many teams face each other with little or no actual experience with the opponent. It may be that the managers used to rely on the players "doing the right thing" without having to be reminded of what that was. I suspect in most cases the players knows what is going to be suggested (because it has been discussed at length) for defensive positioning and and are already shifting before the "call" is made. As for batting signs and pitching signs, they are almost as old as the game itself. I don't think todays game is that different.

[Goose]

That being said, I sympathize with Phogge’s POV. Baseball is overly micromanaged at all levels, and it hurts the enjoyment for all involved (players, fans, etc).


BC

While it may seem that the managers/coaches are "micromanaging" the games, I am not sure it hurts the enjoyment of all involved. The players want to win. If taking the coaches signs and playing the game "his way" helps them win, they want to do it. These guys are dead serious about their game. Yes, they have fun, but they also concentrate like mad. For lots of people, that itself  is "fun". As a fan, I don't think it detracts from my enjoyment of the game. The manager is trying to place his players in the best spot to make a play. This is also how the players learn to know the process of playing baseball. If the other team knows your tendencies and you don't know theirs, you are at a disadvantage.
Back "in the day" both sides probably didn't know as much about their opponents as is common today. But even Phogge himself shows by his comments that he knew quite a bit about the opponents he faced. Naturally, with the easier travel today many teams face each other with little or no actual experience with the opponent. It may be that the managers used to rely on the players "doing the right thing" without having to be reminded of what that was. I suspect in most cases the players knows what is going to be suggested (because it has been discussed at length) for defensive positioning and and are already shifting before the "call" is made. As for batting signs and pitching signs, they are almost as old as the game itself. I don't think todays game is that different.

[Phogge]

College athletics in my ideal world should be in this order:

1) Character building
2) Fun for participants (a very small % go on to pro sports and they should be counseled about it).
2B) Entertaining.
3) Winning.

Of course #3 pervades. Shame. That's why golf on TV is so fun. I don't care who wins and I can nap and not miss much and start with the Euro Tour and coffee, lunch with the LPGA and have a beer with the PGA on a Sunday afternoon.

[Phogge]

College athletics in my ideal world should be in this order:

1) Character building
2) Fun for participants (a very small % go on to pro sports and they should be counseled about it).
2B) Entertaining.
3) Winning.

Of course #3 pervades. Shame. That's why golf on TV is so fun. I don't care who wins and I can nap and not miss much and start with the Euro Tour and coffee, lunch with the LPGA and have a beer with the PGA on a Sunday afternoon.

[BaseballJunkie]

Junkie, I think you would love to see the games in Healdsburg. The kids all think they have a shot but they don’t seem uptight about it. Games are quick. I think all college games should be seven innings and no cheatsheets be allowed.

My ideal battery is Billy O’Dell and Ed Bailey. Bailey told him to throw anything you want and I’ll catch it. No signs, no problem.

Tim played for the Puffcaps before his freshman year; so they've been to Healdsburg. All teams in that league and other summer leagues for that matter, call their own pitches. They also steal on their own, swing away...

---

My son was the second baseman on Stanford's team. 

How about that!? Ever since I saw your son play his freshman year, he became my favorite player on the team. He was the bat I trusted the most at the plate.

I'm hoping he has a long, successful pro career. The draft must be delayed. We usually hear who got drafted where during the CWS, but I haven't heard anything this year. He'd sure look good in a Cubbie uniform ;)

Happy he and his teammates got to experience the CWS, although one more strike, and the memories may have been even bigger.

It was a great ride, remarkable year, memories created forever. Thanks for rooting him on! Baseball is hard and while he had a terrific career, he will tell you that it fell considerably short of his own expectations. Maybe at the next level! Card for life! JT

[BaseballJunkie]

Junkie, I think you would love to see the games in Healdsburg. The kids all think they have a shot but they don’t seem uptight about it. Games are quick. I think all college games should be seven innings and no cheatsheets be allowed.

My ideal battery is Billy O’Dell and Ed Bailey. Bailey told him to throw anything you want and I’ll catch it. No signs, no problem.

Tim played for the Puffcaps before his freshman year; so they've been to Healdsburg. All teams in that league and other summer leagues for that matter, call their own pitches. They also steal on their own, swing away...

---

My son was the second baseman on Stanford's team. 

How about that!? Ever since I saw your son play his freshman year, he became my favorite player on the team. He was the bat I trusted the most at the plate.

I'm hoping he has a long, successful pro career. The draft must be delayed. We usually hear who got drafted where during the CWS, but I haven't heard anything this year. He'd sure look good in a Cubbie uniform ;)

Happy he and his teammates got to experience the CWS, although one more strike, and the memories may have been even bigger.

It was a great ride, remarkable year, memories created forever. Thanks for rooting him on! Baseball is hard and while he had a terrific career, he will tell you that it fell considerably short of his own expectations. Maybe at the next level! Card for life! JT

[DC 86]

It was a great ride, remarkable year, memories created forever. Thanks for rooting him on! Baseball is hard and while he had a terrific career, he will tell you that it fell considerably short of his own expectations. Maybe at the next level! Card for life! JT

It was easy to root for your son who always played hard and contributed in many ways. Best of luck to him in the pros.

Below is a copy of what you wrote back in February, amid general pessimism on this board:

Stanford is going to make believers out of folks. The "experts" haven't seen nor heard from the Card in a year. No fall practice...they know nothing about us. The veterans on this team are the glue -- the experts forget that Beck, Palisch, Wieirmiller, Tawa, Robinson and Brueser all were starters or key contributors on a Super Regional Team. And they are clueless about how talented our youngsters are. There is continuity on the staff as well. Just wait! By the end of March, Baseball America and everybody else will be fawning over just how good this team is.

[DC 86]

It was a great ride, remarkable year, memories created forever. Thanks for rooting him on! Baseball is hard and while he had a terrific career, he will tell you that it fell considerably short of his own expectations. Maybe at the next level! Card for life! JT

It was easy to root for your son who always played hard and contributed in many ways. Best of luck to him in the pros.

Below is a copy of what you wrote back in February, amid general pessimism on this board:

Stanford is going to make believers out of folks. The "experts" haven't seen nor heard from the Card in a year. No fall practice...they know nothing about us. The veterans on this team are the glue -- the experts forget that Beck, Palisch, Wieirmiller, Tawa, Robinson and Brueser all were starters or key contributors on a Super Regional Team. And they are clueless about how talented our youngsters are. There is continuity on the staff as well. Just wait! By the end of March, Baseball America and everybody else will be fawning over just how good this team is.

[OutsiderFan]

My gut reaction is nobody cares about the players being micromanaged. They do care about the games being 4 hours long.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/morethanballs/status/1412173832694153217[/tweet]

[OutsiderFan]

My gut reaction is nobody cares about the players being micromanaged. They do care about the games being 4 hours long.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/morethanballs/status/1412173832694153217[/tweet]