(06-26-2013 09:02 AM)d1owls4life Wrote:  While I understand the desire to make the college game about executing instead of gorilla ball, I also would think that "purists" would want a ball that is well struck to be rewarded. With the way the bats/ball are and how the ballpark is set up in Omaha, that didn't happen on some shots that were absolutely crushed.

They've basically overcorrected. I'm confident that he NCAA will find some way to bring things back to a happy medium.

As for the tournament, UCLA played the style of ball needed to be successful in the current climate, and they did it far better than anyone else. After they got past Fullerton rather easily, I was pretty sure that they were going to win it all.

UCLA got one major break in the first game in their regional: Cal Poly was ahead 4-1 in the 6th inning, but UCLA managed to load the bases. A UCLA player then hit a fly ball that should have been the third out, but because of UCLA's criminally low lights in their ****** stadium, Cal Poly's right fielder completely lost sight of the ball. What should have been a routine third out became a bases-clearing single, tying the game at 4. The wheels came off for Poly thereafter.

Cal Poly should have beaten Vander Tuig, but I still think that UCLA would have advanced anyway. Fullerton was probably the second-best team in the nation (definitely belonged in Omaha ahead of UNC, NCSU, Indiana, and Louisville), and UCLA dismissed them in the SR without breaking a sweat. It was kind of a joke that those two regionals got matched up.

(06-26-2013 11:10 AM)Wiessman Wrote:  

(06-26-2013 09:02 AM)d1owls4life Wrote:  While I understand the desire to make the college game about executing instead of gorilla ball, I also would think that "purists" would want a ball that is well struck to be rewarded. With the way the bats/ball are and how the ballpark is set up in Omaha, that didn't happen on some shots that were absolutely crushed.

As for the tournament, UCLA played the style of ball needed to be successful in the current climate, and they did it far better than anyone else. After they got past Fullerton rather easily, I was pretty sure that they were going to win it all.

My sentiments exactly. Both teams played at the same stadium under the same conditions (and it was neither teams home stadium) and UCLA was clearly the superior team.

Further, they scored 8 in the second game, so it wasn't like they eeked out a win there either. Their bats were certainly able to manage some offense in the finals.

(06-26-2013 11:25 AM)Antarius Wrote:  

(06-26-2013 11:10 AM)Wiessman Wrote:  

(06-26-2013 09:02 AM)d1owls4life Wrote:  While I understand the desire to make the college game about executing instead of gorilla ball, I also would think that "purists" would want a ball that is well struck to be rewarded. With the way the bats/ball are and how the ballpark is set up in Omaha, that didn't happen on some shots that were absolutely crushed.

As for the tournament, UCLA played the style of ball needed to be successful in the current climate, and they did it far better than anyone else. After they got past Fullerton rather easily, I was pretty sure that they were going to win it all.

My sentiments exactly. Both teams played at the same stadium under the same conditions (and it was neither teams home stadium) and UCLA was clearly the superior team.

Further, they scored 8 in the second game, so it wasn't like they eeked out a win there either. Their bats were certainly able to manage some offense in the finals.

Agree, it could be done. Just wasn't done much, hence why it was the lowest scoring CWS in the metal bat era. I do hope they can swing things back the other way just a bit. But, knowing the NCAA, they probably won't.

Hopefully they accelerate the timeframe in looking at the new balls that may play more lively.

I don't remember if UCLA dogpiled before they got to Omaha, or not. Would be interested to know how that superstition worked this year.

But in their CWS dogpile, I loved the girl (trainer maybe) who jumped right into the pile. She's wearing a blue shirt (so easy to see). I wonder if that is a first. Very cool.

Wayne sounds off on the changing of the ball issue (from @aaronfitt):

"Graham: "I noticed some people saying, 'Well this is the real game.' No, that's not the real game—that's poo-poo. That's dead ball-era game""

"Wayne Graham, cont'd: "The real game has balance. You can tell that I'm disturbed. I had too many friends say, 'I can't watch this anymore'""

TCU's Schlossnagle responded to the tweets in agreement with Wayne.

Quote:Jim Schlossnagle ‏@TCUSchloss 4h
@aaronfitt amen, there's a reason they changed the ball back then too...I think most of us just want a balanced game.
Retweeted by Aaron Fitt

Interesting that Fitt reports that Graham called him. Also, strong that another coach immediately backs him up. Good!