(03-18-2023 01:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Oh, you're going to love this ... (sarcasm intended) ...

Earlier in the post, someone mentioned former NIU coach/now North Central Coach Ed Mathey and the success he had before departure. I checked the NC website, and their pitching coach is Tim Stoddard. You remember Stoddard. Pitched Baltimore to the Game 4 win over the Phillies in the '83 World Series. Was with the Division winning Cubs in '84. Also played with San Diego, the NY Yankees and finished up with Cleveland in '89.

How many former pro pitchers are out there and why don't we have one?

Now look at NIU's pitching coach: Josh Pethoud. His profile says that "After three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach, Josh Pethoud was named an assistant coach for the NIU baseball team in the summer of 2021. He will work primarily with the Huskies' pitching staff."

Not knocking Pethoud at all. Don't even know the guy. And he's not in charge. He didn't hire himself.

So is the issue -- as it seems with many Huskies programs -- what resources are available and how are those resources used? NIU is spending a ton of money to rebuild the baseball stadium. Can't stop now, with many $100ks into it. And no, I am not a proponent of dropping baseball.

But that brings into question NIU's commitment to its programs. Do we have some of these because that's the "thing to do?" The questions, I think, are a lot larger than that. Did the baseball stadium project get launched because STF needed a ribbon to cut for his resume? You take it from there if you want.

Almost sounds like our AD is underperforming, and in dire need of replacement...

(03-22-2023 09:14 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(03-18-2023 01:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Oh, you're going to love this ... (sarcasm intended) ...

Earlier in the post, someone mentioned former NIU coach/now North Central Coach Ed Mathey and the success he had before departure. I checked the NC website, and their pitching coach is Tim Stoddard. You remember Stoddard. Pitched Baltimore to the Game 4 win over the Phillies in the '83 World Series. Was with the Division winning Cubs in '84. Also played with San Diego, the NY Yankees and finished up with Cleveland in '89.

How many former pro pitchers are out there and why don't we have one?

Now look at NIU's pitching coach: Josh Pethoud. His profile says that "After three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach, Josh Pethoud was named an assistant coach for the NIU baseball team in the summer of 2021. He will work primarily with the Huskies' pitching staff."

Not knocking Pethoud at all. Don't even know the guy. And he's not in charge. He didn't hire himself.

So is the issue -- as it seems with many Huskies programs -- what resources are available and how are those resources used? NIU is spending a ton of money to rebuild the baseball stadium. Can't stop now, with many $100ks into it. And no, I am not a proponent of dropping baseball.

But that brings into question NIU's commitment to its programs. Do we have some of these because that's the "thing to do?" The questions, I think, are a lot larger than that. Did the baseball stadium project get launched because STF needed a ribbon to cut for his resume? You take it from there if you want.

Almost sounds like our AD is underperforming, and in dire need of replacement...

I've seen high schools and community colleges with better baseball facilities than us. I was also a frequenter of Huskie baseball. It's a nice little activity to sober up to on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the warm spring sun.

(03-18-2023 01:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Oh, you're going to love this ... (sarcasm intended) ...

Earlier in the post, someone mentioned former NIU coach/now North Central Coach Ed Mathey and the success he had before departure. I checked the NC website, and their pitching coach is Tim Stoddard. You remember Stoddard. Pitched Baltimore to the Game 4 win over the Phillies in the '83 World Series. Was with the Division winning Cubs in '84. Also played with San Diego, the NY Yankees and finished up with Cleveland in '89.

How many former pro pitchers are out there and why don't we have one?

Now look at NIU's pitching coach: Josh Pethoud. His profile says that "After three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach, Josh Pethoud was named an assistant coach for the NIU baseball team in the summer of 2021. He will work primarily with the Huskies' pitching staff."

Not knocking Pethoud at all. Don't even know the guy. And he's not in charge. He didn't hire himself.

So is the issue -- as it seems with many Huskies programs -- what resources are available and how are those resources used? NIU is spending a ton of money to rebuild the baseball stadium. Can't stop now, with many $100ks into it. And no, I am not a proponent of dropping baseball.

But that brings into question NIU's commitment to its programs. Do we have some of these because that's the "thing to do?" The questions, I think, are a lot larger than that. Did the baseball stadium project get launched because STF needed a ribbon to cut for his resume? You take it from there if you want.

Another tidbit of Tim Stoddard- Not only did he pitch collegiately for N C State but was also was on the basketball team and won the 1974 NCAA Tourney with David Thompson.

Great find!

As it turns out, the NC website is right saying Stoddard was in two Series with the Baltimore Orioles in 1979 and 1983, but wrong when it adds "defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983." Stoddard was with the Orioles in 1983 but did not pitch in the Series vs. Philly. Actually he pitched a win vs the Pirates in the 1979 Series.

(Source: baseball-reference.com, fwiw.)

Anyway ... Just goes to show anyone's official website can make an error. And anyone can post that error if they're not extra cautious.

I was just curious how many on this board go to any games. I realize that many of you don't live close but wonder who does go.

(03-25-2023 01:02 PM)niu16 Wrote:  I was just curious how many on this board go to any games. I realize that many of you don't live close but wonder who does go.

I usually make a baseball game along with the spring football game/practice and a softball game each spring.

This is the ball field at the local JUCO.
https://www.ictritons.com/sports/bsb/202...0301rs71r6

https://www.messengernews.net/news/local...ruction-5/
A new clubhouse being built.

(03-25-2023 08:51 PM)niu16 Wrote:  https://www.messengernews.net/news/local...ruction-5/
A new clubhouse being built.

Iowa Central is a JC baseball factory and 20-1 right now for the season. I has a nephew playing there now and having a great time.

Currently losing 8-0 to Northwestern in the second inning. Northwestern is 1-17. How can the pitching be this bad so consistently? Clearly we have a significant number of non-D1 level players.

Edit. Now 8-6 in the third inning, so Northwestern can’t pitch either.

Edit #2. Huskies lose 15-11 to 1-17 Northwestern. NIU now 5-18.

145-281.

Loss at Xavier 8-3 now 5-19 overall.

(03-31-2023 04:54 PM)niu16 Wrote:  Loss at Xavier 8-3 now 5-19 overall.

You read that wrong. STF has now extended the baseball coach's contract between 5-19 years. It was reported on Twitter, because there's no official NIU post on it and it was done last week behind closed doors.

STF u about wins. Winning % during tenor has to be at the bottom in NIU history.

(03-31-2023 07:08 PM)prairiedawg Wrote:  STF u about wins. Winning % during tenor has to be at the bottom in NIU history.

Yep. Coach K is at .339. Next lowest is .405 (minimum 100 games).

(03-31-2023 07:08 PM)prairiedawg Wrote:  STF u about wins. Winning % during tenor has to be at the bottom in NIU history.

How was he during his baritone and soprano phases?

(04-01-2023 09:39 AM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(03-31-2023 07:08 PM)prairiedawg Wrote:  STF u about wins. Winning % during tenor has to be at the bottom in NIU history.

How was he during his baritone and soprano phases?

Well played.

NIU with a 9-4 loss today.

NIU drops the finale 3-2 to fall to 5-21. That's a winning % of .192. Let that number sink in.

(04-02-2023 06:56 PM)niu16 Wrote:  NIU drops the finale 3-2 to fall to 5-21. That's a winning % of .192. Let that number sink in.

On a positive note our ineffective AD just got a regional accolade for making the convocation center welcoming and convenient for furries.

(04-03-2023 01:45 PM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(04-02-2023 06:56 PM)niu16 Wrote:  NIU drops the finale 3-2 to fall to 5-21. That's a winning % of .192. Let that number sink in.

On a positive note our ineffective AD just got a regional accolade for making the convocation center welcoming and convenient for furries.

Yuck. My blood hurts. Because I bleed Huskie red.