I played baseball at JMU in the early 90's and we were much more competitive against 'top-15 type' programs. The UNCs, ECUs, Clemsons, GA Techs, etc. I agree with LH... the current state of JMU baseball needs to improve. The first step to getting there is to raise the bar and remove this perception that we need to "steal" wins and replace it with the expectation to win. No matter what is name or acronym is splashed on the front of the opponents jersey.

(02-24-2021 03:55 PM)boozeNammo Wrote:  I played baseball at JMU in the early 90's and we were much more competitive against 'top-15 type' programs. The UNCs, ECUs, Clemsons, GA Techs, etc. I agree with LH... the current state of JMU baseball needs to improve. The first step to getting there is to raise the bar and remove this perception that we need to "steal" wins and replace it with the expectation to win. No matter what is name or acronym is splashed on the front of the opponents jersey.

I hope we can. Sadly, it's a P5 world we live in. There are currently 2 non P5 programs in the Top25: UCSB and ECU. The media thinks if you're not P5, then you're not worthy of coverage. It's a cumulative effect over years. It is so difficult to maintain excellence without having that "branding and pedigree".

I would love for todays JMU students to be able to watch a top quality team compete with name and ranked schools. When I was in school, we were very tough to beat at home. There were signs out on campus announcing there was a home game today and we'd get good turnouts on sunny days. (being by the Village dorms and parking lot certainly helped attendance)

(02-24-2021 03:55 PM)boozeNammo Wrote:  I played baseball at JMU in the early 90's and we were much more competitive against 'top-15 type' programs. The UNCs, ECUs, Clemsons, GA Techs, etc. I agree with LH... the current state of JMU baseball needs to improve. The first step to getting there is to raise the bar and remove this perception that we need to "steal" wins and replace it with the expectation to win. No matter what is name or acronym is splashed on the front of the opponents jersey.

Booze I think/know we need to upgrade the coaching. To me this wasn't as bad as the LR hire, but in my opinion it was in the same direction. The best we could find is the ex VMI coach who had been out of coaching for a year?

I have a hard time believing that is the best we could do. The reality is you are not going to out perform the quality of the coach you hire.

(02-24-2021 03:22 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 08:52 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-23-2021 09:37 AM)JMU08 Wrote:  I guess I should attempt to remain positive and just say I'll wait and see how CAA play unfolds, but man, that's really tough given all these years.

Starting 0-3 is tough, no matter who the opponent is and how competitive the score was in two losses.

CAA play is important, but JMU baseball is fully funded and plays in good facilities. The team must perform better on the national level than just being competitive in the CAA. The standard of national success is the JMU softball program. There’s no reason to think baseball can not, should not, be playing at the same level of success as JMU’s softball program.

Coaching is everything. The turnaround this year in JMU’s MBB is proof of that. Coach Ike has never been “the guy” IMO, but let’s see what happens this season. Still, one good year out of 6 doesn’t cut it in my book.

You do realize that the baseball team was on track to have a good season last year before it was cut short....right.

You do realize that UNC is typically a top-15 type program and hosts a super regional most seasons. Geez it would have been nice to steal a game at UNC but i see that as a pretty positive opening series rolling without one of the projected weekend starting pitchers.

Oh not to point out the obvious but JMU softball was NOT dominant last year when the season ended to say the least just like Women's bball is mediocre this year.....they are both fully funded by the way. Every sport at JMU is fully funded.

I am aware of all the aspects you outline. None of them alter the facts. My point stands. Ike’s cumulative record is what it is. He was awarded this year solely because of how last season was interrupted, but last year wasn’t phenomenal, and his overall record at JMU is mediocre, and that’s being generous. Let’s see how he and the team does this year, however, the fact remain the team is now 0-3.

As far as your trying to denigrate last year’s softball team’s performance, you have missed my point all together. Not every season will excel, but the softball program has excelled and established a sustained level of success that makes the program relevant on a national level. That is the standard that should be expected for the baseball program. Anything less is making excuses for mediocrity.

(02-24-2021 05:36 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 03:55 PM)boozeNammo Wrote:  I played baseball at JMU in the early 90's and we were much more competitive against 'top-15 type' programs. The UNCs, ECUs, Clemsons, GA Techs, etc. I agree with LH... the current state of JMU baseball needs to improve. The first step to getting there is to raise the bar and remove this perception that we need to "steal" wins and replace it with the expectation to win. No matter what is name or acronym is splashed on the front of the opponents jersey.

Booze I think/know we need to upgrade the coaching. To me this wasn't as bad as the LR hire, but in my opinion it was in the same direction. The best we could find is the ex VMI coach who had been out of coaching for a year?

I have a hard time believing that is the best we could do. The reality is you are not going to out perform the quality of the coach you hire.

I don't disagree at all. All I'm saying is that the JMU program really doesn't have an excuse to be mediocre or bad. Coaching, recruiting, being in VA, etc... doesn't matter. We should consistently be a top 30 program.

(02-24-2021 05:42 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 03:22 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 08:52 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(02-23-2021 09:37 AM)JMU08 Wrote:  I guess I should attempt to remain positive and just say I'll wait and see how CAA play unfolds, but man, that's really tough given all these years.

Starting 0-3 is tough, no matter who the opponent is and how competitive the score was in two losses.

CAA play is important, but JMU baseball is fully funded and plays in good facilities. The team must perform better on the national level than just being competitive in the CAA. The standard of national success is the JMU softball program. There’s no reason to think baseball can not, should not, be playing at the same level of success as JMU’s softball program.

Coaching is everything. The turnaround this year in JMU’s MBB is proof of that. Coach Ike has never been “the guy” IMO, but let’s see what happens this season. Still, one good year out of 6 doesn’t cut it in my book.

You do realize that the baseball team was on track to have a good season last year before it was cut short....right.

You do realize that UNC is typically a top-15 type program and hosts a super regional most seasons. Geez it would have been nice to steal a game at UNC but i see that as a pretty positive opening series rolling without one of the projected weekend starting pitchers.

Oh not to point out the obvious but JMU softball was NOT dominant last year when the season ended to say the least just like Women's bball is mediocre this year.....they are both fully funded by the way. Every sport at JMU is fully funded.

I am aware of all the aspects you outline. None of them alter the facts. My point stands. Ike’s cumulative record is what it is. He was awarded this year solely because of how last season was interrupted, but last year wasn’t phenomenal, and his overall record at JMU is mediocre, and that’s being generous. Let’s see how he and the team does this year, however, the fact remain the team is now 0-3.

As far as your trying to denigrate last year’s softball team’s performance, you have missed my point all together. Not every season will excel, but the softball program has excelled and established a sustained level of success that makes the program relevant on a national level. That is the standard that should be expected for the baseball program. Anything less is making excuses for mediocrity.

What gets me is that we haven't been competitive in the CAA. Most teams in the CAA aren't fully funded and we struggle to make the CAA tournament. The "we looked good last year" crowd, seems to forget that in 2019 we were 15-7 OOC, but we still ended up posting a losing CAA record.

Ike hasn’t produced a consistent winner yet. I will say the program was run into the ground by his predecessor and the rebuilding job was significant. Might someone else done it more quickly is a reasonable argument. I do know the next guy will have a far easier job than Ike had if Ike is let go.

I believe this roster is poised for a breakout season. There are equal parts experience and youth. With the funding, facilities and school experience JMU offers, we should be able to out recruit all mid major programs in our region and compete well in recruiting wars with VT and UVA.

(02-25-2021 10:13 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  Ike hasn’t produced a consistent winner yet. I will say the program was run into the ground by his predecessor and the rebuilding job was significant. Might someone else done it more quickly is a reasonable argument. I do know the next guy will have a far easier job than Ike had if Ike is let go.

I believe this roster is poised for a breakout season. There are equal parts experience and youth. With the funding, facilities and school experience JMU offers, we should be able to out recruit all mid major programs in our region and compete well in recruiting wars with VT and UVA.

Maybe, I do think things weren't great when he took over. On the other hand, Ike's best CAA season was his first. Remains as his only CAAT win to date.

(02-25-2021 10:29 AM)JMU08 Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 10:13 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  Ike hasn’t produced a consistent winner yet. I will say the program was run into the ground by his predecessor and the rebuilding job was significant. Might someone else done it more quickly is a reasonable argument. I do know the next guy will have a far easier job than Ike had if Ike is let go.

I believe this roster is poised for a breakout season. There are equal parts experience and youth. With the funding, facilities and school experience JMU offers, we should be able to out recruit all mid major programs in our region and compete well in recruiting wars with VT and UVA.

Maybe, I do think things weren't great when he took over. On the other hand, Ike's best CAA season was his first. Remains as his only CAAT win to date.

A valid point. There is certainly an argument to replace him.

I feel like he is building the program and this year will prove it if injuries don’t derail the season. He certainly has been given enough time to turn the corner, which I believe is happening. Maybe not at the level we all feel he should but I see the program as better. Where he takes it from here is more important to me than where it has come from. If what we have is the best he can produce, then I say next man up.

(02-24-2021 06:20 PM)boozeNammo Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 05:36 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(02-24-2021 03:55 PM)boozeNammo Wrote:  I played baseball at JMU in the early 90's and we were much more competitive against 'top-15 type' programs. The UNCs, ECUs, Clemsons, GA Techs, etc. I agree with LH... the current state of JMU baseball needs to improve. The first step to getting there is to raise the bar and remove this perception that we need to "steal" wins and replace it with the expectation to win. No matter what is name or acronym is splashed on the front of the opponents jersey.

Booze I think/know we need to upgrade the coaching. To me this wasn't as bad as the LR hire, but in my opinion it was in the same direction. The best we could find is the ex VMI coach who had been out of coaching for a year?

I have a hard time believing that is the best we could do. The reality is you are not going to out perform the quality of the coach you hire.

I don't disagree at all. All I'm saying is that the JMU program really doesn't have an excuse to be mediocre or bad. Coaching, recruiting, being in VA, etc... doesn't matter. We should consistently be a top 30 program.

I 100% agree. Our bar is too low. Should we be a top 30 D1 football team, no but it is possible to be close - see ASU.

Should we be a top 30 D1 basketball team? no, but we should consistently be a least a TOP 1/3 or 120 program

Since softball and women's basketball are not big money sports we can be the top 40-50 caliber, and Baseball is a similar category to me.

Byington was a young proven coach. He had not made the NIT or the dance, but he took a bad program and moved it to a top 3rd program in a better conference. We should be able to find similar in baseball. I was shocked at the hire when it announced. I have no idea who the top coaches are in NCAA baseball, but I can certainly read an underwhelming resume. JMU should be so easy to recruit an up and coming coach, or a P5 coach that was released on not retained. Due to the fan support and facilities this is a great middle step to the P5.

#Coaching Matters

I get that we had an empty cupboard, but we can't be using that excuse in year 5 and 6. After a couple years that excuse is gone and you gotta perform on the field. In baseball you can bring in HS recruits and there are plenty of JuCo programs where you can get upperclassmen to balance the roster and find immediate dividends if needed. And it isn't like this team hasn't had talent until last year or this year. We have had guys drafted by MLB teams and move up in their minor league systems, so we have had talent on the field. But we are beyond time to see the results. We have been stuck in the bottom third of the league for too long. I don't think it is reasonable to say we need to have an MBB style turnaround, but we can't be a two and done in the CAAT this year. That is unacceptable.

Last year's shortened season seemed like it was a promising start, and this year is only three games old. I am withholding judgement until more games are played, but my patience has worn thin.

(02-25-2021 10:37 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 10:29 AM)JMU08 Wrote:  

(02-25-2021 10:13 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  Ike hasn’t produced a consistent winner yet. I will say the program was run into the ground by his predecessor and the rebuilding job was significant. Might someone else done it more quickly is a reasonable argument. I do know the next guy will have a far easier job than Ike had if Ike is let go.

I believe this roster is poised for a breakout season. There are equal parts experience and youth. With the funding, facilities and school experience JMU offers, we should be able to out recruit all mid major programs in our region and compete well in recruiting wars with VT and UVA.

Maybe, I do think things weren't great when he took over. On the other hand, Ike's best CAA season was his first. Remains as his only CAAT win to date.

A valid point. There is certainly an argument to replace him.

I feel like he is building the program and this year will prove it if injuries don’t derail the season. He certainly has been given enough time to turn the corner, which I believe is happening. Maybe not at the level we all feel he should but I see the program as better. Where he takes it from here is more important to me than where it has come from. If what we have is the best he can produce, then I say next man up.

Ike has had 4+ years to build (or rebuild) the program. I see no evidence that he’s turned the corner.

^^This is fair. Should be a make or break year for Ike and for him to 'make', nothing short of an NCAA bid should suffice. Like Dukester said, time to consistently raise the bar for the JMU baseball program.

Dukes lose the first game of the series 10-6 at home to Bowling Green. 0-4 hopefully will bounce back to take the next two sat/sun

The baseball program is a train wreck.

My sources are very credible.

Diamond Duds. We seem to have finally found a coach to get men's basketball on upward trajectory, let's get it done in with baseball.
Does Byington know anyone?

Dukes win 15-4. rubber game tomorrow

(03-06-2021 07:09 PM)jmuduke10 Wrote:  Dukes win 15-4. rubber game tomorrow

Thanks for the info. Need to win the series and go from there.

Is baseball on our gal Flo?

Trying to find a reason to not go work outside.
Thx

This was a serious, unironic quote on the Game Notes for this series (we only had 3 games prior to this):

- On the pitching staff, six different JMU players have a 0.00 ERA

Well... i guess put it in there while you technically can as the pitching staff is taking another beating today. Dukes trail 8-3 in the 5th.