BB: SLIAC: St Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[VideoDawg]

I think the rules are a silly number like 54. I will double check.   

[HangEmBangEm]

Joe Biagini is a freshman at Webster, looks like he will add to the lineup.  The addition of a new shortstop and second baseman will help tighten up the not always amazing D-fence.  It looks like they had a decent recruiting year, picking up some pitchers that might make an impact. You guys think maryville's pitching can take the Webster offence?

[VideoDawg]

Joe Biagini is a freshman at Webster, looks like he will add to the lineup.  The addition of a new shortstop and second baseman will help tighten up the not always amazing D-fence.  It looks like they had a decent recruiting year, picking up some pitchers that might make an impact. You guys think maryville's pitching can take the Webster offence?

I don't hate Freshmen but it really takes someone special to be any good your first year. The pitching is better, the classes harder, more pressure. If there is any good transfer or new player for Webster you should look at Ricky Pisani  an outfielder who in the previous two years at Rockhurst played 66 games with a .346 average, with 11 double and no triples or homeruns. Not fleet of foot he had 5 stolen base attempts and 4 successes.

He is the best of the newcomers other than possible freshmen.

Maryville pitching vs. Webster hitting? Good pitching always beats good hitting. But great hitting beats good pitching. The question for everyone is...is their pitching good or great? Too early to tell. 

[HangEmBangEm]

Very true, but being all-state in highschool may give him some confidence coming in. You are correct though we will have to wait and see. But Webster has another returning first team all conference hitter that hasnt been mention either. It'll be a test to see who comes up big again this year.

[VideoDawg]

He is a talent for sure but the pitching is a step up. Murfin, Blount, Byrd, Ward and Cashdollar are just a few of the top flight pitchers that will tear up about every freshman they face.

Also you always hear about the 90 mph fastballs in high school but they are very, very rare and a couple of the guys above are legit 90+. In all my years of coaching and watching high school baseball there has only been 1, yes one that actually pitched over 90. And i have seen a ton of baseball.

That 1 was drafted in the first round. 

People always say so and so throws 90. It was rarely true. I have caught and hit 90+ fastball I know what I am talking about. I hope he has a great year but if he is committed and talented he will really get good his sophomore year.       

[thenatural13]

i just wanted to throw my two cents into the convo about pitchers.. Ward from Blackburn is one of the best in the conferece.. When he gets the defense behind him he is one hell of a pitcher.. I believe this season, his senior season, will be one of his  best and will definatly be shooting for the pitcher of the year. I know there is tough competition but i PERSONALLY think Ward will shine this year. I dont want to make anyone mad with that comment, just saying i think he will be tough to face this year.

[VideoDawg]

i just wanted to throw my two cents into the convo about pitchers.. Ward from Blackburn is one of the best in the conferece.. When he gets the defense behind him he is one hell of a pitcher.. I believe this season, his senior season, will be one of his  best and will definatly be shooting for the pitcher of the year. I know there is tough competition but i PERSONALLY think Ward will shine this year. I dont want to make anyone mad with that comment, just saying i think he will be tough to face this year.

You are on target with Ward. When I have seen him pitch the thing that stands out other than the breaking stuff is the mound presence. He is absolutely intense. Does he hate everyone in the batter's box or did I just see him on a good day?   

[HangEmBangEm]

Seems to me there is a growing number of transfer pitchers in the league. It's going to be hard to tell who the strong arms are till we see some of em in action now.

[VideoDawg]

There are a lot of good arms coming in, some will bust some will contribute. That's why college ball is so fun. Often there are no multiple year stats, kids take a year off or transfer as a result players end up surprising coaches and teams. Even some of the best players can lose focus year to year or have to spend more time in class or with studies.

I can't wait for it all to get started full steam ahead.   

[thenatural13]

You are on target with Ward. When I have seen him pitch the thing that stands out other than the breaking stuff is the mound presence. He is absolutely intense. Does he hate everyone in the batter's box or did I just see him on a good day?   

He does seem as if he hates every batter when he is on the mound. His attitude off the field is completely different  haha!.. he is a great guy/player but when hes on the mound hes is one of the most intense players in the league and it does seem as if he hates every batter. AND you probably saw him on a good day haha!

[VideoDawg]

I know Ward has no trouble plunking people. He has been accused of doing it on purpose.

[#1PantherFan]

I know Ward has no trouble plunking people. He has been accused of doing it on purpose.

Last year he hit 21 batters in 60 2/3 innings. Last year's MLB leader was Daniel Cabrera of Baltimore with 18 in 180 innings. The last time a major leaguer pitcher had more than 21 hit batsmen was 1922.

[VideoDawg]

I wouldn't dig in. He can get it up there.

[VideoDawg]

Spring Trips - Where Is Everyone Headed and When Do We Get Reports?

[#1PantherFan]

Spring Trips - Where Is Everyone Headed and When Do We Get Reports?

Greenville College will make a weekend trip March 6-7 to Birmingham, Alabama to play Birmingham Southern and also Capital University from Columbus, Ohio. They will then travel to Winter Haven, Florida on March 16-21. They are scheduled to face Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Franklin & Marshall, Millikin, Edgewood, and St. Norbert.