Some shocking stats for hitting. 12 teams in CUSA baseball. We're dead last in runs, doubles, homers, RBI, total bases, on base pct and hit by pitch.
We're next to last in batting average, hits, triples and slugging pct. And we're 10th in stolen bases. But we're only one sacrifice short of being successful to being 2nd in sac bunts.

(04-25-2016 06:11 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  Some shocking stats for hitting. 12 teams in CUSA baseball. We're dead last in runs, doubles, homers, RBI, total bases, on base pct and hit by pitch.
We're next to last in batting average, hits, triples and slugging pct. And we're 10th in stolen bases. But we're only one sacrifice short of being successful to being 2nd in sac bunts.

My belief is that, when your offense has problems like ours, every run is precious and you have to play small ball. If you can't hit, better learn how to bunt.

What's worse is that the other teams' offensive stats are depressed by having to face our pitching.

There's no question this offense is atrocious. We knew that going into the season, but likely not to the extent it's played out to date.

Just don't think we're recruiting the same offensive talent anymore. Up to our athletic department and coaches to make sure we remain competitive for top talent.

(04-25-2016 06:11 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  Some shocking stats for hitting. 12 teams in CUSA baseball. We're dead last in runs, doubles, homers, RBI, total bases, on base pct and hit by pitch.
We're next to last in batting average, hits, triples and slugging pct. And we're 10th in stolen bases. But we're only one sacrifice short of being successful to being 2nd in sac bunts.

OTOH, we're 4th in conference RPI, .001 behind the Pac-12, ahead of Big12 and B1G

(04-25-2016 09:38 PM)Old Sammy Wrote:  

(04-25-2016 06:11 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  Some shocking stats for hitting. 12 teams in CUSA baseball. We're dead last in runs, doubles, homers, RBI, total bases, on base pct and hit by pitch.
We're next to last in batting average, hits, triples and slugging pct. And we're 10th in stolen bases. But we're only one sacrifice short of being successful to being 2nd in sac bunts.

OTOH, we're 4th in conference RPI, .001 behind the Pac-12, ahead of Big12 and B1G

We also now rank in the Top 10 nationally in ERA, BAA and strikeouts.

Wonder if Berkman would have been able to help recruit some offensive talent?

"Just don't think we're recruiting the same offensive talent anymore. Up to our athletic department and coaches to make sure we remain competitive for top talent."

This. Look at our line-up; there basically are no 3,4 and 5 hole hitters. We recruit middle infielders and center fielders, which is terrific for our middle infield and outfield depth. For our hitting, it is not so good. I think this is a choice we make (and I have said that for years). With a DH, 1B and LF to play with, you would think we would find a kid every year who can just drive the ball. That is simply something we do not do. Given the chance to pick up a slick fielding CF or a hitter, when that is the choice, we go one direction, every time.

I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements). Of course this doesn't even count the public schools. We continue to have our hands tied when we're going after the best prospects.

(04-26-2016 08:36 AM)davidw Wrote:  I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements). Of course this doesn't even count the public schools. We continue to have our hands tied when we're going after the best prospects.

+1000

(04-26-2016 09:22 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 08:36 AM)davidw Wrote:  I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements). Of course this doesn't even count the public schools. We continue to have our hands tied when we're going after the best prospects.

+1000

while this is true, it doesn't explain why we can recruit pitchers but not hitters.

(04-25-2016 09:38 PM)Old Sammy Wrote:  

(04-25-2016 06:11 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  Some shocking stats for hitting. 12 teams in CUSA baseball. We're dead last in runs, doubles, homers, RBI, total bases, on base pct and hit by pitch.
We're next to last in batting average, hits, triples and slugging pct. And we're 10th in stolen bases. But we're only one sacrifice short of being successful to being 2nd in sac bunts.

OTOH, we're 4th in conference RPI, .001 behind the Pac-12, ahead of Big12 and B1G

Not sure it is any accomplishment to rank ahead of the B1G, but being ahead of the Big12 is great.

(04-26-2016 09:25 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 09:22 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 08:36 AM)davidw Wrote:  I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements). Of course this doesn't even count the public schools. We continue to have our hands tied when we're going after the best prospects.

+1000

while this is true, it doesn't explain why we can recruit pitchers but not hitters.

Perhaps our/The OG's well-earned reputation for developing pitchers just may have something to do with this.

(04-26-2016 08:36 AM)davidw Wrote:  I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements).

Is there a realistic way that Rice can provide merit-based aid to baseball recruits (on par with what baseball peer schools provide) without having to provide the same aid to essentially every single student on campus? Rice's student body profile makes this a real challenge -- one which TCU, Baylor and even Vandy don't quite face.

(04-26-2016 10:51 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 09:25 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 09:22 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 08:36 AM)davidw Wrote:  I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements). Of course this doesn't even count the public schools. We continue to have our hands tied when we're going after the best prospects.

+1000

while this is true, it doesn't explain why we can recruit pitchers but not hitters.

Perhaps our/The OG's well-earned reputation for developing pitchers just may have something to do with this.

\


maybe, but the flip side of that coin would be his reputation for NOT developing hitters? Could that possible be right?

(04-26-2016 12:31 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 08:36 AM)davidw Wrote:  I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements).

Is there a realistic way that Rice can provide merit-based aid to baseball recruits (on par with what baseball peer schools provide) without having to provide the same aid to essentially every single student on campus? Rice's student body profile makes this a real challenge -- one which TCU, Baylor and even Vandy don't quite face.

Dang. Almost made it the month without stumbling on a post about our scholarship disadvantage. Not surprisingly it comes right on the heels of a weekend series loss. We're up into the top 20 in several polls without the merit-based aid and if it weren't for some early losses and two hard loss games in Hattiesburg we'd be in solid hosting position. Can we save the we're at a disadvantage talks for the offseason and stay focused on winning games? I get we lost a couple but the excuses posts don't make it feel better.

Can Rice just jack up tuition $1,000 for all students, then say that all students gaining admittance to Rice earn a $1,000 merit scholarship because they cross the minimum threhold for merit scholarships ... with additional amounts to be determined based on other factors?

(04-26-2016 01:28 PM)BufflOwl Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 12:31 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(04-26-2016 08:36 AM)davidw Wrote:  I'll say it again; we've got to get on a level playing field with TCU, Baylor, Vandy etc in terms of scholarship money. It simply costs too much to go to Rice on a half scholly for most of these kids, while the other private schools are giving full rides (with need based supplements).

Is there a realistic way that Rice can provide merit-based aid to baseball recruits (on par with what baseball peer schools provide) without having to provide the same aid to essentially every single student on campus? Rice's student body profile makes this a real challenge -- one which TCU, Baylor and even Vandy don't quite face.

Dang. Almost made it the month without stumbling on a post about our scholarship disadvantage. Not surprisingly it comes right on the heels of a weekend series loss. We're up into the top 20 in several polls without the merit-based aid and if it weren't for some early losses and two hard loss games in Hattiesburg we'd be in solid hosting position. Can we save the we're at a disadvantage talks for the offseason and stay focused on winning games? I get we lost a couple but the excuses posts don't make it feel better.

There was a recent thread w comments from a former player stating that in fact that a large percentage of his teammates actually took the need-based route and received more financial support than what would have been received by getting, say, 1/4-1/3 of a schollie

(04-26-2016 02:52 PM)mrbig Wrote:  Can Rice just jack up tuition $1,000 for all students, then say that all students gaining admittance to Rice earn a $1,000 merit scholarship because they cross the minimum threhold for merit scholarships ... with additional amounts to be determined based on other factors?

Sure, but those other factors can't be sports-based -- and it's hard to come up with non-sports-based factors that would apply to baseball recruits but not to the student body as a whole.

Rice needs to be cutting tuition instead of raising it. It is too much considering what it was in the past and William Marsh Rice's desire to have Rice tuition free.