(05-09-2013 10:06 AM)WheresWaldo42 Wrote: I just dont know if WMU will ever really be a baseball/softball power.
The interesting part is that as some have mentioned, this area is a hotbed for HS baseball and softball. Portage Central is dominant in both. Gull Lake baseball is incredible. Stevensville Lakeshore is also very good. And it seems that many of the other schools that might not be a state power often have a player or 2 with college level talent.
I see baseball and softball as a sport at WMU that probably SHOULD be able to keep the top local talent in the area. Its alot different than football and basketball in that respect.
The biggest issue is that they play in a cold weather area where they really cant train year round or at least get outside year round. I know that my daughters HS team this year had only practiced outdoors 3 times before last week. Played nearly 20 games, but spent all spring hitting and fielding inside because of the weather. Now that said you cant tell me CMU or most of the Ohio schools have much different weather than WMU, so that isnt a fair excuse for MAC success.
I just dont think there is really a history of success with WMU baseball. Then again, you could insert most WMU sports into that prevous statement. It just is what it is.......but changing coaches every few years isnt going to change that either.
Without looking, I'd be hard pressed to think of another sport at WMU with more success. It's been rough recently...but they still boast the following...
1,822–1349–23 (.574) through 2012
6 College World Series appearances
1955 College World Series runner up
14 MAC c-ships
13 of 19 c-ships from 1949-1967
*taken from wikipedia
I don't expect them to replicate those numbers, and obviously college baseball has changed significantly in the last 20-30 years. However, they have a fairly rich tradition that really can't be matched by other MAC schools in that time frame. Kent has absolutely dominated in the last two decades or so. They have 10 MAC titles. And WMU boasts zero MAC titles since 1981.
Recent success = basically none
success 50-60 years ago = lots
In regards to local talent. WMU started signing more of it around 15 years ago. They've typically carried 4-6 local guys on their roster ever since that time frame. I don't consider GR to be local. I would say that the Kalamazoo area (St. Joe to Three Rivers to Sturgis to Battle Creek to Plainwell) has more than it's fair share of talent in baseball.
I don't have an answer as to why they are struggling right now...or in recent years. I don't think it's a $$$ issue at this point though.
/
Time to find a new baseball coach?
