(06-06-2016 11:54 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Jason-- you can have my four tickets (at cost), if you like, as all of us have now departed Baton Rouge. If interested (or anyone else is interested), send me a PM or e-mail so I can make arrangements with the Rice ticket office.

Thanks. I already have 2 tickets under my name, but I'll keep that in mind if anyone else comes up with me.

(06-06-2016 11:59 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  You're right. It just takes a keyboard and anonymity!

Give Coach Graham the benefit of the doubt - you're starting to fall for Keith Law's schtick and that's not consistent with how Coach Graham has treated pitchers for years.

I've defended Coach Graham's use of starting pitchers over the last decade or so with Klaw. Some seasons I feel like he's been fine with relievers as well. My personal opinion, which is just that (and doesn't matter at all) is that he's leaned a little too heavily on Otto. I'm not trying to claim some special knowledge here.

(06-07-2016 12:12 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Yeah, it's not as if Mr Big was ever a college baseball player or anything

I appreciate the defense, but I consider myself to be the least significant player of the Wayne Graham era. So as to not mislead people, I make sure and tell them that I was on the baseball team at Rice, not that I played baseball at Rice!

(06-07-2016 12:17 AM)RiceDad Wrote:  So, for us ignorant sluts out here, who is Mr Big??

One of my favorite posts. Unfortunately, my baseballcube citation no longer works!

(06-07-2016 12:19 AM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  ...and it's not as if Coach Graham is in the College Baseball HOF or anything..

come on, son.

Bottom line is that I trust our medical team, Coach G and the player before I'll go spreading allegations of abuse.

Look I'm just happy we won - we've got nice momentum going into tomorrow, which is certainly a huge improvement vs. where we stood last night.

I never said or wrote anything about abuse. I used the word "dislike". What I really mean is concern. And because I think Wayne Graham is an amazing coach, it makes me uncomfortable when he uses pitchers in a way that opens himself to criticism regarding player health, which I believe is paramount to him. I wasn't trying to make this about me. I'm just a fan. I have no special knowledge. I'm allowed to criticize decisions to bunt or not pulling a pitcher, just like the rest of you!

(06-07-2016 12:53 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(06-06-2016 11:54 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Jason-- you can have my four tickets (at cost), if you like, as all of us have now departed Baton Rouge. If interested (or anyone else is interested), send me a PM or e-mail so I can make arrangements with the Rice ticket office.

Thanks. I already have 2 tickets under my name, but I'll keep that in mind if anyone else comes up with me.

(06-06-2016 11:59 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  You're right. It just takes a keyboard and anonymity!

Give Coach Graham the benefit of the doubt - you're starting to fall for Keith Law's schtick and that's not consistent with how Coach Graham has treated pitchers for years.

I've defended Coach Graham's use of starting pitchers over the last decade or so with Klaw. Some seasons I feel like he's been fine with relievers as well. My personal opinion, which is just that (and doesn't matter at all) is that he's leaned a little too heavily on Otto. I'm not trying to claim some special knowledge here.

(06-07-2016 12:12 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Yeah, it's not as if Mr Big was ever a college baseball player or anything

I appreciate the defense, but I consider myself to be the least significant player of the Wayne Graham era. So as to not mislead people, I make sure and tell them that I was on the baseball team at Rice, not that I played baseball at Rice!

(06-07-2016 12:17 AM)RiceDad Wrote:  So, for us ignorant sluts out here, who is Mr Big??

One of my favorite posts. Unfortunately, my baseballcube citation no longer works!

(06-07-2016 12:19 AM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  ...and it's not as if Coach Graham is in the College Baseball HOF or anything..

come on, son.

Bottom line is that I trust our medical team, Coach G and the player before I'll go spreading allegations of abuse.

Look I'm just happy we won - we've got nice momentum going into tomorrow, which is certainly a huge improvement vs. where we stood last night.

I never said or wrote anything about abuse. I used the word "dislike". What I really mean is concern. And because I think Wayne Graham is an amazing coach, it makes me uncomfortable when he uses pitchers in a way that opens himself to criticism regarding player health, which I believe is paramount to him. I wasn't trying to make this about me. I'm just a fan. I have no special knowledge. I'm allowed to criticize decisions to bunt or not pulling a pitcher, just like the rest of you!

I don't understand the constant need to rehash the subject just about every game. None of us are in on any of the decision making process , so why feel the need to keep repeating the argument, on either side of the equation. One poster said " it's on the coaches to recruit and develop " better pitchers. Well of course it is, buts is not like we don't recruit multiple pitchers every year, we do. I'm quite sure if they could sing more highly sought-after players , they would . There are little items such as academic standards, tuition , etc that just might be a factor . Oh, then, BTW, there is Texas A&M, UT, TT, and TCU all w P5 money, updated facilities, lower admission standards, cheaper tuition and larger alumni bases. Then lets throw in UH, DBU among others . I just don't understand why we don't get to the CWS every year,(sarcasm) .

Do I think OG is perfect, NO. Do I think I'm in position to criticize himon the particulars of the use of players, such as the batting order, or the pitching staff, clearly NOT.
I managed to catch quite a bit of the game in between patients, and was quite impressed with a well-coached, gritty team that would not cave in to pressure . Even if they don't win tomorrow, this win was BIG in re-establishing the program as one that can compete w ANYBODY, as opposed to going out w a whimper as we have seen too often in post season recently.

So can we PLEASE just enjoy watching some real student athletes play great ball?

(06-07-2016 04:01 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 12:53 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(06-06-2016 11:54 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Jason-- you can have my four tickets (at cost), if you like, as all of us have now departed Baton Rouge. If interested (or anyone else is interested), send me a PM or e-mail so I can make arrangements with the Rice ticket office.

Thanks. I already have 2 tickets under my name, but I'll keep that in mind if anyone else comes up with me.

(06-06-2016 11:59 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  You're right. It just takes a keyboard and anonymity!

Give Coach Graham the benefit of the doubt - you're starting to fall for Keith Law's schtick and that's not consistent with how Coach Graham has treated pitchers for years.

I've defended Coach Graham's use of starting pitchers over the last decade or so with Klaw. Some seasons I feel like he's been fine with relievers as well. My personal opinion, which is just that (and doesn't matter at all) is that he's leaned a little too heavily on Otto. I'm not trying to claim some special knowledge here.

(06-07-2016 12:12 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Yeah, it's not as if Mr Big was ever a college baseball player or anything

I appreciate the defense, but I consider myself to be the least significant player of the Wayne Graham era. So as to not mislead people, I make sure and tell them that I was on the baseball team at Rice, not that I played baseball at Rice!

(06-07-2016 12:17 AM)RiceDad Wrote:  So, for us ignorant sluts out here, who is Mr Big??

One of my favorite posts. Unfortunately, my baseballcube citation no longer works!

(06-07-2016 12:19 AM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  ...and it's not as if Coach Graham is in the College Baseball HOF or anything..

come on, son.

Bottom line is that I trust our medical team, Coach G and the player before I'll go spreading allegations of abuse.

Look I'm just happy we won - we've got nice momentum going into tomorrow, which is certainly a huge improvement vs. where we stood last night.

I never said or wrote anything about abuse. I used the word "dislike". What I really mean is concern. And because I think Wayne Graham is an amazing coach, it makes me uncomfortable when he uses pitchers in a way that opens himself to criticism regarding player health, which I believe is paramount to him. I wasn't trying to make this about me. I'm just a fan. I have no special knowledge. I'm allowed to criticize decisions to bunt or not pulling a pitcher, just like the rest of you!

I don't understand the constant need to rehash the subject just about every game. None of us are in on any of the decision making process , so why feel the need to keep repeating the argument, on either side of the equation. One poster said " it's on the coaches to recruit and develop " better pitchers. Well of course it is, buts is not like we don't recruit multiple pitchers every year, we do. I'm quite sure if they could sing more highly sought-after players , they would . There are little items such as academic standards, tuition , etc that just might be a factor . Oh, then, BTW, there is Texas A&M, UT, TT, and TCU all w P5 money, updated facilities, lower admission standards, cheaper tuition and larger alumni bases. Then lets throw in UH, DBU among others . I just don't understand why we don't get to the CWS every year,(sarcasm) .

Do I think OG is perfect, NO. Do I think I'm in position to criticize himon the particulars of the use of players, such as the batting order, or the pitching staff, clearly NOT.
I managed to catch quite a bit of the game in between patients, and was quite impressed with a well-coached, gritty team that would not cave in to pressure . Even if they don't win tomorrow, this win was BIG in re-establishing the program as one that can compete w ANYBODY, as opposed to going out w a whimper as we have seen too often in post season recently.

So can we PLEASE just enjoy watching some real student athletes play great ball?

I have to ask, what do you think is the point of a message board? Just curious

I have no opinion on the the the discussion above, but I do find questioning the existence of a discussion that seems to have some scope to discuss and debate to be odd.

Just my 2 cents.

(06-07-2016 12:19 AM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 12:12 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Yeah, it's not as if Mr Big was ever a college baseball player or anything

...and it's not as if Coach Graham is in the College Baseball HOF or anything..

come on, son.

Bottom line is that I trust our medical team, Coach G and the player before I'll go spreading allegations of abuse.

Look I'm just happy we won - we've got nice momentum going into tomorrow, which is certainly a huge improvement vs. where we stood last night.

They asked Otto in the post game if he had pitched back to back like that a lot this year. He smiled and said maybe one other time. Said he warmed up before the game and felt good or else he would've let the coaches know and they would've kept him out. I don't think this is really and issue. Now if we run him out for 50 pitches today then I'll think there is a problem.

So anyone know who LSU is pitching today? They don't seem to have a lot of obvious folks either.

(06-07-2016 04:01 AM)HawaiiOwl Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 12:53 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(06-06-2016 11:54 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Jason-- you can have my four tickets (at cost), if you like, as all of us have now departed Baton Rouge. If interested (or anyone else is interested), send me a PM or e-mail so I can make arrangements with the Rice ticket office.

Thanks. I already have 2 tickets under my name, but I'll keep that in mind if anyone else comes up with me.

(06-06-2016 11:59 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  You're right. It just takes a keyboard and anonymity!

Give Coach Graham the benefit of the doubt - you're starting to fall for Keith Law's schtick and that's not consistent with how Coach Graham has treated pitchers for years.

I've defended Coach Graham's use of starting pitchers over the last decade or so with Klaw. Some seasons I feel like he's been fine with relievers as well. My personal opinion, which is just that (and doesn't matter at all) is that he's leaned a little too heavily on Otto. I'm not trying to claim some special knowledge here.

(06-07-2016 12:12 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Yeah, it's not as if Mr Big was ever a college baseball player or anything

I appreciate the defense, but I consider myself to be the least significant player of the Wayne Graham era. So as to not mislead people, I make sure and tell them that I was on the baseball team at Rice, not that I played baseball at Rice!

(06-07-2016 12:17 AM)RiceDad Wrote:  So, for us ignorant sluts out here, who is Mr Big??

One of my favorite posts. Unfortunately, my baseballcube citation no longer works!

(06-07-2016 12:19 AM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  ...and it's not as if Coach Graham is in the College Baseball HOF or anything..

come on, son.

Bottom line is that I trust our medical team, Coach G and the player before I'll go spreading allegations of abuse.

Look I'm just happy we won - we've got nice momentum going into tomorrow, which is certainly a huge improvement vs. where we stood last night.

I never said or wrote anything about abuse. I used the word "dislike". What I really mean is concern. And because I think Wayne Graham is an amazing coach, it makes me uncomfortable when he uses pitchers in a way that opens himself to criticism regarding player health, which I believe is paramount to him. I wasn't trying to make this about me. I'm just a fan. I have no special knowledge. I'm allowed to criticize decisions to bunt or not pulling a pitcher, just like the rest of you!

I don't understand the constant need to rehash the subject just about every game. None of us are in on any of the decision making process , so why feel the need to keep repeating the argument, on either side of the equation. One poster said " it's on the coaches to recruit and develop " better pitchers. Well of course it is, buts is not like we don't recruit multiple pitchers every year, we do. I'm quite sure if they could sing more highly sought-after players , they would . There are little items such as academic standards, tuition , etc that just might be a factor . Oh, then, BTW, there is Texas A&M, UT, TT, and TCU all w P5 money, updated facilities, lower admission standards, cheaper tuition and larger alumni bases. Then lets throw in UH, DBU among others . I just don't understand why we don't get to the CWS every year,(sarcasm) .

Do I think OG is perfect, NO. Do I think I'm in position to criticize himon the particulars of the use of players, such as the batting order, or the pitching staff, clearly NOT.
I managed to catch quite a bit of the game in between patients, and was quite impressed with a well-coached, gritty team that would not cave in to pressure . Even if they don't win tomorrow, this win was BIG in re-establishing the program as one that can compete w ANYBODY, as opposed to going out w a whimper as we have seen too often in post season recently.

So can we PLEASE just enjoy watching some real student athletes play great ball?

Also, it's not as if The OG didn't try other options in that 5th inning yesterday (Kravetz, Esquivel). For those who have not been to Alex Box Stadium, that is one intimidating place, especially when LSU is rallying and the fans are chanting in unison (while the pitcher is trying to pitch). I'm still scratching my head on how he has elected to use (and not use) Amador the past two games, but Wayne can be proven the genius if Willy can give us 3 - 5 quality innings today int he championship game.

Without question the turning point in last night's game was our offense answering LSU's game-tying 3-run rally in the top of the 5th inning. At that point, LSU had all the momentum, the fans were into it and we were running out of pitchers. I'd imagine it is a rare occassion for a visiting team to bounce back from that, in that environment...but we did it-- immediately and decisively.

(06-07-2016 07:05 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  So anyone know who LSU is pitching today? They don't seem to have a lot of obvious folks either.

I'd guess Poche can go today like Fox for us. Also Valek came in for only 1 guy last night and he was their Sunday starter all season I believe.

(06-07-2016 07:31 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Without question the turning point in last night's game was our offense answering LSU's game-tying 3-run rally in the top of the 5th inning. At that point, LSU had all the momentum, the fans were into it and we were running out of pitchers. I'd imagine it is a rare occassion for a visiting team to bounce back from that, in that environment...but we did it-- immediately and decisively.

Where has this team been all year? The team that played yesterday is championship quality. Way to go young Owls!

Now, as WG said last night when asked who would be pitching today, I've got a lot to think about...

(06-07-2016 07:52 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 07:05 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  So anyone know who LSU is pitching today? They don't seem to have a lot of obvious folks either.

I'd guess Poche can go today like Fox for us. Also Valek came in for only 1 guy last night and he was their Sunday starter all season I believe.

Poche has an extra day of rest since he was able to pitch on Friday; whereas due to all the rain delays, Blake didn't pitch until Saturday.

Another point gone largely unnoticed (or unreported) is the great job our pitchers have done throughout this regional holding baserunners on 1B...and the job Hunter has done throwing out attempted basestealers. SELA and LSU are two of the best running teams in the nation.

(06-07-2016 06:50 AM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 12:19 AM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 12:12 AM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  Yeah, it's not as if Mr Big was ever a college baseball player or anything

...and it's not as if Coach Graham is in the College Baseball HOF or anything..

come on, son.

Bottom line is that I trust our medical team, Coach G and the player before I'll go spreading allegations of abuse.

Look I'm just happy we won - we've got nice momentum going into tomorrow, which is certainly a huge improvement vs. where we stood last night.

They asked Otto in the post game if he had pitched back to back like that a lot this year. He smiled and said maybe one other time. Said he warmed up before the game and felt good or else he would've let the coaches know and they would've kept him out. I don't think this is really and issue. Now if we run him out for 50 pitches today then I'll think there is a problem.

Exactly.

(06-07-2016 07:53 AM)grol Wrote:  Where has this team been all year? The team that played yesterday is championship quality. Way to go young Owls!

We have heard often that the purpose of the season is to prepare the team for the post season. Guess it worked...

(06-07-2016 08:30 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 07:53 AM)grol Wrote:  Where has this team been all year? The team that played yesterday is championship quality. Way to go young Owls!

We have heard often that the purpose of the season is to prepare the team for the post season. Guess it worked...

Or, as I have long-contended, the post-season is a crap shoot, as any quality team can get red hot for a 3-week run.

(06-07-2016 08:33 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 08:30 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 07:53 AM)grol Wrote:  Where has this team been all year? The team that played yesterday is championship quality. Way to go young Owls!

We have heard often that the purpose of the season is to prepare the team for the post season. Guess it worked...

Or, as I have long-contended, the post-season is a crap shoot, as any quality team can get red hot for a 3-week run.

yeah, or that.

Even if we win Coastal comes back and beats NC St., and we win tonight, we will not be hosting a super.

http://www.d1baseball.com/news/d1basebal...s-central/

(06-07-2016 09:10 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Even if we win Coastal comes back and beats NC St., and we win tonight, we will not be hosting a super.

http://www.d1baseball.com/news/d1basebal...s-central/

Ugh. I had assumed we would host if we win and Coastal wins. Here's the NCAA announcement. http://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/articl...i-baseball

(06-07-2016 09:10 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Even if we win Coastal comes back and beats NC St., and we win tonight, we will not be hosting a super.

http://www.d1baseball.com/news/d1basebal...s-central/

Yes, but given we're the 8:00pm EST start on Saturday, we don't have to travel until mid-day on Saturday.

(06-07-2016 09:12 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 09:10 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Even if we win Coastal comes back and beats NC St., and we win tonight, we will not be hosting a super.

http://www.d1baseball.com/news/d1basebal...s-central/

Yes, but given we're the 8:00pm EST start on Saturday, we don't have to travel until mid-day on Saturday.

I don't know if that was TIC, but if not, why wouldn't we go ahead and go out there to get acclimated to the weather and park?

(06-07-2016 09:12 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-07-2016 09:10 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Even if we win Coastal comes back and beats NC St., and we win tonight, we will not be hosting a super.

http://www.d1baseball.com/news/d1basebal...s-central/

Yes, but given we're the 8:00pm EST start on Saturday, we don't have to travel until mid-day on Saturday.

What's the likely rationale for Coastal hosting over us?

I have to imagine that Houston is much easier for any team to travel to, Reckling is at worst, a comparable park to Coastal's as far as I can tell, and we would be coming out of a regional over a national seed.

The NCAA might have felt obligated to give Coastal the spot after they were "left out" of hosting a regional.

Or, Coastal just bid more than we did.