[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2023/11/8/so...-four.aspx

lol signed 5 but here’s the incoming class and it’s very good. More later like need much better hitting. Plus new league and what does that mean ?

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2023/11/8/so...-four.aspx

lol signed 5 but here’s the incoming class and it’s very good. More later like need much better hitting. Plus new league and what does that mean ?

[BobK]

The great hope is first Canady stays. That goes without saying.
Then that Houston improves pitching a lot like the skill she showed in HS/Travel
And Prystajko the incoming Frosh is top level right away.

[BobK]

The great hope is first Canady stays. That goes without saying.
Then that Houston improves pitching a lot like the skill she showed in HS/Travel
And Prystajko the incoming Frosh is top level right away.

[GK3]

The great hope is first Canady stays.  That goes without saying.
Then that Houston improves pitching a lot like the skill she showed in HS/Travel
And Prystajko the incoming Frosh is top level right away.

Absolutely, losing Canady would be a real blow.  I haven't seen anything that would make one think she would life but money talks and all that.
A young team, some fielding issues now and then and simply just not enough hitting. I have no idea if there is enough talent there to see a years improvement make our hitting look more like UCLA, Texas or Oklahoma.  You just can't win all your games 1 - 0.
Lots of fun to watch their games.  Sometimes you watch some team play and you get the clear impression, no one was enjoying the experience.  Cannot say that about Stanford. Having Houston come back bigger and stronger would be nice. We really need a pitcher like Vawter who can keep her pitches down all the time making anything but a ground ball a real challenge.  Going to miss Kanashiro.

[GK3]

The great hope is first Canady stays.  That goes without saying.
Then that Houston improves pitching a lot like the skill she showed in HS/Travel
And Prystajko the incoming Frosh is top level right away.

Absolutely, losing Canady would be a real blow.  I haven't seen anything that would make one think she would life but money talks and all that.
A young team, some fielding issues now and then and simply just not enough hitting. I have no idea if there is enough talent there to see a years improvement make our hitting look more like UCLA, Texas or Oklahoma.  You just can't win all your games 1 - 0.
Lots of fun to watch their games.  Sometimes you watch some team play and you get the clear impression, no one was enjoying the experience.  Cannot say that about Stanford. Having Houston come back bigger and stronger would be nice. We really need a pitcher like Vawter who can keep her pitches down all the time making anything but a ground ball a real challenge.  Going to miss Kanashiro.

[BobK]

We have a 1B coming in and Gall was a catcher before this season in HS and travel. Possible Gall replaced Kanashiro

[BobK]

We have a 1B coming in and Gall was a catcher before this season in HS and travel. Possible Gall replaced Kanashiro

[BobK]

Now we really need pitchers. Canady in the portal

https://www.ksnt.com/sports/local-sports...er-portal/

[BobK]

Now we really need pitchers. Canady in the portal

https://www.ksnt.com/sports/local-sports...er-portal/

[GK3]

Now we really need pitchers. Canady in the portal

https://www.ksnt.com/sports/local-sports...er-portal/

I had hoped that the lesser sports would not have this issue, but it is now really all about the money.  Why would anyone want to coach in this environment.  I wonder whether than news will trigger others to leave.  There will be a brobdingnagian difference between Stanford with and without Canady.  I really feel for the rest of the ladies and the coaches.  I wonder how much Oklahoma would pay and she could play much closer to home.

[GK3]

Now we really need pitchers. Canady in the portal

https://www.ksnt.com/sports/local-sports...er-portal/

I had hoped that the lesser sports would not have this issue, but it is now really all about the money.  Why would anyone want to coach in this environment.  I wonder whether than news will trigger others to leave.  There will be a brobdingnagian difference between Stanford with and without Canady.  I really feel for the rest of the ladies and the coaches.  I wonder how much Oklahoma would pay and she could play much closer to home.

[BobK]

Word is more info soon
“Are you saying there’s hope “?

[BobK]

Word is more info soon
“Are you saying there’s hope “?

[Card10Fan]

Word is more info soon   
“Are you saying there’s hope “?

I think any type of speculation or rumor of a transfer can't be good. The rumor had to start somewhere! I hope she stays...at least another year to maybe graduate early with her Stanford degree. Oklahoma would be the obvious choice if she leaves. They are a powerhouse and it's closer to her hometown and family.  
Does Lifetime Cardinal include women's softball players?

[Card10Fan]

Word is more info soon   
“Are you saying there’s hope “?

I think any type of speculation or rumor of a transfer can't be good. The rumor had to start somewhere! I hope she stays...at least another year to maybe graduate early with her Stanford degree. Oklahoma would be the obvious choice if she leaves. They are a powerhouse and it's closer to her hometown and family.  
Does Lifetime Cardinal include women's softball players?

[BobK]

No clue on softball. They don’t keep us up to date. Which is understandable for us small donors

[BobK]

No clue on softball. They don’t keep us up to date. Which is understandable for us small donors

[cardfan77]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

[cardfan77]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

[Jamesy]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

Think it makes more sense in softball than football or basketball. Her earning potential may never be higher than it is now in college whereas the NFL and NBA ceilings are much higher. I doubt the top softball pros are making even $500k.

[Jamesy]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

Think it makes more sense in softball than football or basketball. Her earning potential may never be higher than it is now in college whereas the NFL and NBA ceilings are much higher. I doubt the top softball pros are making even $500k.

[old spanish trail]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

Think it makes more sense in softball than football or basketball. Her earning potential may never be higher than it is now in college whereas the NFL and NBA ceilings are much higher. I doubt the top softball pros are making even $500k.

Yep, I was afraid of this. Hoping some alumni can pull a rabbit out of the hat.

[old spanish trail]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

Think it makes more sense in softball than football or basketball. Her earning potential may never be higher than it is now in college whereas the NFL and NBA ceilings are much higher. I doubt the top softball pros are making even $500k.

Yep, I was afraid of this. Hoping some alumni can pull a rabbit out of the hat.

[d4cohn]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

Think it makes more sense in softball than football or basketball. Her earning potential may never be higher than it is now in college whereas the NFL and NBA ceilings are much higher. I doubt the top softball pros are making even $500k.

I obviously hope/hoped NiJaree would stay at Stanford, but I am so grateful for all that she has provided the program. If NiJaree and her family believe it is in her best interest (whether that is opportunity to win or some other reason), she has that right.

Jamesy, when you commented on my post about Alana Vawter transferring, if this news is true, this is why I am skeptical whether that decision was entirely academic as Alana had indicated (two pitching transfers in consecutive years in this NIL era is a pattern). NiJaree and Alana don't need to provide us a reason for transferring. I also have a right to my opinion. 

I also think Jessica Mendoza's career in professional softball and then broadcasting provide a path to an earning potential far greater than through NIL and far longer than a 4 year college career (to say nothing of the value of the 40 year decision). Jessica achieved all of that as a four-year player at Stanford. I feel sad, because Alana was a Stanford Athletics HoF caliber player, and NiJaree had the potential to be the greatest player in this program's history.

I also wonder whether the move to the ACC (and the prospect of a lot longer travel) factors into the equation. I think the ACC is now the second strongest conference in softball, but it is admittedly a distant second behind the SEC. The SEC figures to be just light years ahead of every other conference in college softball.

[d4cohn]

I was really afraid of this. I guess everyone is chasing the $$$$$. I get it in other sports but not in softball. Of course, I don’t know her reasons.

Think it makes more sense in softball than football or basketball. Her earning potential may never be higher than it is now in college whereas the NFL and NBA ceilings are much higher. I doubt the top softball pros are making even $500k.

I obviously hope/hoped NiJaree would stay at Stanford, but I am so grateful for all that she has provided the program. If NiJaree and her family believe it is in her best interest (whether that is opportunity to win or some other reason), she has that right.

Jamesy, when you commented on my post about Alana Vawter transferring, if this news is true, this is why I am skeptical whether that decision was entirely academic as Alana had indicated (two pitching transfers in consecutive years in this NIL era is a pattern). NiJaree and Alana don't need to provide us a reason for transferring. I also have a right to my opinion. 

I also think Jessica Mendoza's career in professional softball and then broadcasting provide a path to an earning potential far greater than through NIL and far longer than a 4 year college career (to say nothing of the value of the 40 year decision). Jessica achieved all of that as a four-year player at Stanford. I feel sad, because Alana was a Stanford Athletics HoF caliber player, and NiJaree had the potential to be the greatest player in this program's history.

I also wonder whether the move to the ACC (and the prospect of a lot longer travel) factors into the equation. I think the ACC is now the second strongest conference in softball, but it is admittedly a distant second behind the SEC. The SEC figures to be just light years ahead of every other conference in college softball.

[needle]

Am I the only one crazy enough to hope that after playing for the highest bidder, she comes back to Stanford for her senior year?

[needle]

Am I the only one crazy enough to hope that after playing for the highest bidder, she comes back to Stanford for her senior year?

[Bampa]

Now we really need pitchers. Canady in the portal

 Sadly, we are watching the destruction of college sports...

[Bampa]

Now we really need pitchers. Canady in the portal

 Sadly, we are watching the destruction of college sports...

[martyup]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

[martyup]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

[StanfordMatt]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

I have found that us old people typically overestimate the degree to which NIL can cause feelings of tension and jealousy within a team. I don’t think it’s accurate to say thay NiJa’s decision “has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.” Some of her teammates may feel this way while others may genuinely be happy for their friend regardless of outcome.

[StanfordMatt]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

I have found that us old people typically overestimate the degree to which NIL can cause feelings of tension and jealousy within a team. I don’t think it’s accurate to say thay NiJa’s decision “has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.” Some of her teammates may feel this way while others may genuinely be happy for their friend regardless of outcome.

[old spanish trail]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

I have found that us old people typically overestimate the degree to which NIL can cause feelings of tension and jealousy within a team. I don’t think it’s accurate to say thay NiJa’s decision “has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.” Some of her teammates may feel this way while others may genuinely be happy for their friend regardless of outcome.

Yep.

[old spanish trail]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

I have found that us old people typically overestimate the degree to which NIL can cause feelings of tension and jealousy within a team. I don’t think it’s accurate to say thay NiJa’s decision “has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.” Some of her teammates may feel this way while others may genuinely be happy for their friend regardless of outcome.

Yep.

[martyup]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

I have found that us old people typically overestimate the degree to which NIL can cause feelings of tension and jealousy within a team. I don’t think it’s accurate to say thay NiJa’s decision “has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.” Some of her teammates may feel this way while others may genuinely be happy for their friend regardless of outcome.

[martyup]

I heard repeatedly from our softball team members about how their close sisterhood was tied to their success on the field.  Canaday's leaving the team has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.  It takes time and trust to build team cohesion.  This might just rip the soul out of our team and it might take years to rebuild it.  Heck, this might cause us to lose our coach too.  Just devastating.

I have found that us old people typically overestimate the degree to which NIL can cause feelings of tension and jealousy within a team. I don’t think it’s accurate to say thay NiJa’s decision “has to be viewed by her teammates as the ultimate betrayal.” Some of her teammates may feel this way while others may genuinely be happy for their friend regardless of outcome.

[Blue Hawk (Mizzou) Card]

This breaks my heart, but that is because my heart bleeds for Stanford and I loved seeing her pitch for my team.

But how in the world can I blame her? She has a special skill, developed through years of effort and hard work, that she can only monetize (unless she can develop a career like Jessica Mendoza, as has been noted, but that is a once in a half century possibility that lots of others will also be pursuing) for the next two years of her life. How can you blame her for doing so? I mean, much as I love Stanford, if you had given me a chance to take my skill set (assuming I have one) and substantially monetize it for a couple of years before finishing law school (in my case), when I had no way to monetize it at anything like the same level after law school, I tend to believe that Stanford Law School would have been in my rear view mirror.

Much as these realities hurt us as Stanford fans, I think none of us should blame the athletes for pursuing opportunities that are best for them and their families. None of us really know what economic realities our student-athletes face.

Indeed, one could make the argument that Stanford has benefited over the past few decades from student-athletes making decisions that made the most economic sense for them. What we like to think of as "the forty year decision," if put in pure economic terms, is the reality that a Stanford degree opens doors that degrees from other institutions do not. (Indeed, many of us here on this board have benefited from the way that our Stanford degrees have opened doors for us.) For many non-revenue sport student-athletes, a Stanford degree was the best monetization of a specialized skill set that was available to them, and that helped us win may championships. Yes, there is more to it than that, but that is a big part of it, not just for student-athletes but for all students making college decisions.

Now the world is changing. Indeed, many of the non-revenue sport student-athletes may soon lose what little power they used to have to monetize their skill sets into college educations, as schools drop their sports.

The way the big time college sports world is changing makes me feel sad, as I loved the good old days. The schools I love to root for are not going to do well in the new world. So I am left to try to be glad that it happened, instead of sad that it is over. But I am sad that it is over, as my soon to come retirement years are going to be a lot less fun, from a college sports fan standpoint, than I had planned on them to be, because my big time college sports teams are not going to be as competitive as they were in the old system (which was one that exploited some student athletes via an agreement among big time sports schools to not pay their athletes at levels reflecting their market value, which I have thought was a major antitrust violation ever since I took Antitrust at Stanford Law School).

In making that transition that I now have to make as a big time college sports fan, I try not to blame the student-athletes. I am not saying anyone else here is doing so, but I urge us all to remember that doing what is best for them and their families might mean going routes other than the one we prefer, i.e., wearing a Stanford uniform.

Bottom Line: It was a lot of fun while it lasted, just like it was a lot of fun to see the best pitcher in softball in a Stanford uniform. I will very much miss seeing that, but I will try to remember to thank her for those two years, not blame her for the next two. Thanks for the memories, NiJa, and best of luck in all future endeavors except those where you are pitching against Stanford.

[Blue Hawk (Mizzou) Card]

This breaks my heart, but that is because my heart bleeds for Stanford and I loved seeing her pitch for my team.

But how in the world can I blame her? She has a special skill, developed through years of effort and hard work, that she can only monetize (unless she can develop a career like Jessica Mendoza, as has been noted, but that is a once in a half century possibility that lots of others will also be pursuing) for the next two years of her life. How can you blame her for doing so? I mean, much as I love Stanford, if you had given me a chance to take my skill set (assuming I have one) and substantially monetize it for a couple of years before finishing law school (in my case), when I had no way to monetize it at anything like the same level after law school, I tend to believe that Stanford Law School would have been in my rear view mirror.

Much as these realities hurt us as Stanford fans, I think none of us should blame the athletes for pursuing opportunities that are best for them and their families. None of us really know what economic realities our student-athletes face.

Indeed, one could make the argument that Stanford has benefited over the past few decades from student-athletes making decisions that made the most economic sense for them. What we like to think of as "the forty year decision," if put in pure economic terms, is the reality that a Stanford degree opens doors that degrees from other institutions do not. (Indeed, many of us here on this board have benefited from the way that our Stanford degrees have opened doors for us.) For many non-revenue sport student-athletes, a Stanford degree was the best monetization of a specialized skill set that was available to them, and that helped us win may championships. Yes, there is more to it than that, but that is a big part of it, not just for student-athletes but for all students making college decisions.

Now the world is changing. Indeed, many of the non-revenue sport student-athletes may soon lose what little power they used to have to monetize their skill sets into college educations, as schools drop their sports.

The way the big time college sports world is changing makes me feel sad, as I loved the good old days. The schools I love to root for are not going to do well in the new world. So I am left to try to be glad that it happened, instead of sad that it is over. But I am sad that it is over, as my soon to come retirement years are going to be a lot less fun, from a college sports fan standpoint, than I had planned on them to be, because my big time college sports teams are not going to be as competitive as they were in the old system (which was one that exploited some student athletes via an agreement among big time sports schools to not pay their athletes at levels reflecting their market value, which I have thought was a major antitrust violation ever since I took Antitrust at Stanford Law School).

In making that transition that I now have to make as a big time college sports fan, I try not to blame the student-athletes. I am not saying anyone else here is doing so, but I urge us all to remember that doing what is best for them and their families might mean going routes other than the one we prefer, i.e., wearing a Stanford uniform.

Bottom Line: It was a lot of fun while it lasted, just like it was a lot of fun to see the best pitcher in softball in a Stanford uniform. I will very much miss seeing that, but I will try to remember to thank her for those two years, not blame her for the next two. Thanks for the memories, NiJa, and best of luck in all future endeavors except those where you are pitching against Stanford.