Looks like JMU plays their first game this afternoon. Anything to report around potential results, who to watch, etc?

(02-19-2016 08:28 AM)JMUETC Wrote:  Looks like JMU plays their first game this afternoon. Anything to report around potential results, who to watch, etc?

This team is really going to struggle this season. The position players are 'ok' but the pitching staff is not very good at all. Spanky left the cupboard pretty bare on the bump. Ikenberry is a good coach and has some nice pitching prospects signed for next season. Just got to get through this season. If they can be .500 that would be a very successful season this year.

Had one of the 10 worst ERA'S in baseball at year. Some arms back from injury now and almost all position players.
Fix the pitching, fix the team.

The team will have a winning record if they just go from awful to poor on the mound. Decent pitching would give them a huge win total turnaround.

I just don't see decent pitching showing up. While some may be back from injury, they are just not very good. I hope I am wrong but would not bet on it. If JMU can actually make the CAA tournament I would be thrilled.

I would just go totally unconventional with this group of pitchers. Not even worry about roles (starters/closers) for the weekend. Just throw a fresh pitcher out every time thru the order unless someone is really dealing. The danger is an order seeing these guys a second time much less a 3rd time thru an order. I think Ike will help the pitchers a lot.....if JMU just cuts down on walks that would help them a lot.

Met Coach Ikenberry for a while on Godwin Field before the-game-that-shall-not-be-mentioned from the fall (I meant Gameday, but realized that could apply to 'gate too - ugh). Seemed like a really good guy and I'll be pulling for him to get things turned around.

I heard Ikenberry made this required reading for his pitching staff

http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Pitchers-...0736045090

(02-19-2016 10:24 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  I heard Ikenberry made this required reading for his pitching staff

http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Pitchers-...0736045090

Spanky can/could coach, but Spanky decided to stop recruiting.

(02-19-2016 10:30 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(02-19-2016 10:24 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  I heard Ikenberry made this required reading for his pitching staff

http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Pitchers-...0736045090

Spanky can/could coach, but Spanky decided to stop recruiting.

True....well he did recruit, he just chose to stay within Rockingham County to recruit.

(02-19-2016 10:30 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(02-19-2016 10:24 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  I heard Ikenberry made this required reading for his pitching staff

http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Pitchers-...0736045090

Spanky can/could coach, but Spanky decided to stop recruiting.

Just because you write a book doesn't mean you can/could coach.

(02-19-2016 12:37 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(02-19-2016 10:30 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(02-19-2016 10:24 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  I heard Ikenberry made this required reading for his pitching staff

http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Pitchers-...0736045090

Spanky can/could coach, but Spanky decided to stop recruiting.

Just because you write a book doesn't mean you can/could coach.

His results over a long career were pretty solid, which is what I based my statement on.

(02-19-2016 12:46 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(02-19-2016 12:37 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  

(02-19-2016 10:30 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(02-19-2016 10:24 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  I heard Ikenberry made this required reading for his pitching staff

http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Pitchers-...0736045090

Spanky can/could coach, but Spanky decided to stop recruiting.

Just because you write a book doesn't mean you can/could coach.

His results over a long career were pretty solid, which is what I based my statement on.

Agreed. Plus he had some fun teams in H'Burg for a number of seasons. Unfortunately, a few just didn't get it done in the CAA Tourney.

Dukes win 9-3, 1-0!

Split doubleheader yesterday. One more today.

Although game 1 was a disappointment, it was good to see us battle back twice in game 2 in the late innings for the walk off win.

The team showed huge heart yesterday with the extra inning win. That wouldn't have happened last year. I'm betting that this team fights all year.

That is true.....last year the team quit and it was very visible from the stands. I don't think the team will ever quit on Coach Ike.

.500 vs the team picked to finish 4th in the Patriot league
http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-ba...16aaa.html

Wonder how long it will take for ol Coach IKE to try and breathe life back in to this program...

(02-22-2016 09:07 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  .500 vs the team picked to finish 4th in the Patriot league
http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-ba...16aaa.html

Wonder how long it will take for ol Coach IKE to try and breathe life back in to this program...

Wait...

...what?

(02-22-2016 09:23 AM)MadisonTownie Wrote:  

(02-22-2016 09:07 AM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  .500 vs the team picked to finish 4th in the Patriot league
http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-ba...16aaa.html

Wonder how long it will take for ol Coach IKE to try and breathe life back in to this program...

Wait...

...what?

JMU played Bucknell 4 times this weekend. They won twice and lost twice, leaving them at .500 on the season. Bucknell plays in the Patriot League, which in most estimations isn't as strong as the CAA. Bucknell was picked to finish 4th in the Patriot League. JMU fell far down the competitive playing ladder in Spanky's last few seasons. So much so that we struggle to compete with mediocre Patriot League programs. See last seasons schedule and record. Many on this board believe Ikenberry was hired late in the process of finding a new coach. This year is more of Spanky's guys. That being said, how long will it take for him to bring in his type of players and compete. Beat the teams they should beat more often than not and breathe new life in to the struggling baseball program.

I miss the days of Kellen Kulbacki hitting bombs