I will say my blood is pumping for the showdown of the worst pitching duel between the SECs worst. We hit better so we’ll win, stressful but fun.
Let me change your statement to Skylar hits better so we'll win. Gators have 125 hits in SEC play. Skylar has 27 hits and the rest of the team has 98.
Regardless of coaching staff changes and the new incoming class, we would all love to see a high quality arm come in via the portal, I’d like to see another power bat come in as well. I know we got outbid for Storako last offseason, but I want to point out that all members of the softball team are members of Florida Victorious, Floridas new NIL program. I don’t know if it was here or somewhere else, but I know I read that NIL was a big factor in bringing in some of our incoming recruits in the next couple classes. Hopefully, player retention and portal recruitment is helped by Florida Victorious.
We are absolutely headed in the right direction with Florida Victorius.....but for it to truly be what we want/need they are going to need greater buy in and support from the fan base. The more $$ they have the more can be accomplished, right now we certainly have to be judicious where we spend
Quality pitching will keep any team in the game and imho wins championships. That's what we're missing.
Haggar can not be hired as a pitching coach here as she never graduated and does not have a degree. As a side not besides Corrick who I love, (good call 1990) , I believe a rather great pitcher named Monica is looking to get into coaching. I could care less if she has experience. Great players know what it takes and can pass that knowledge onto younger players. Lets see, if I was a player, would I listen to arguably the greatest pitcher in USA Softball history with a bunch of Rings and Gold Medals? Anyone that answers no to that is either a fool or is just trying to be a fool!
I just add this but most great players do not make great coaches. Name me a great player who is a great coach. Things come easy to great players and they have a hard time with those players who don't.
That would be a coup if Tim Walton could convince Monica Abbott to be the Gators' pitching coach. What a recruiting tool as well.
You are 100 You are 100% correct. There have been a few but not many. SOS, Lenny Wilkens, Tom Flores, Mike Ditka, Dusty Baker, Aaron Boone come to mind.
The UCLA softball coach was an excellent player. Carol Hutchins, D1 softball's all-time winningest coach, was an excellent player - and she played college basketball as well. I agree with the overall point, though. Many of the better coaches in all sports have been grinders who had to work hard to succeed. There are exceptions and it has to do with the personality of the individual, IMO. Colby Halter has said he wants to be a coach one day and he's a perfect example of the point ya'll are making. He knows the game, studies it, works hard, but is not a star talent himself. Reading about Monica Abbott and listening to her talk, I think she might be one of the exceptions to the rule. She has a deep love and appreciation for the game and wants to give back and contribute to the future of the sport now that's she's retired form playing.
Yeah, great player doesn't necessarily translate to great communicator, great teacher, great motivator, etc. Certainly doesn't exclude them, but to immediately assume they will work out is a fallacy
I think Ocalaman should start his own softball blog. He has forgotten more about college softball than I will ever know. He deserves the Swampy softball poster of the decade award. Kudos.
On a scary side note....saw Tommy and the boys in Lakeland when they toured to support that album in 197something
Unfortunately, I think the day is coming soon where NIL is going to be the most important thing for softball recruiting. Montana Fouts NIL deals are widely reported to total in the $145,000 per year range and include H&R Block, an outdoor retailer, and a custom sports uniform company among others.
I agree but I think UF has some recruiting advantages. 1. A better education than all but a handful of the good softball schools. 2. KSP is an outstanding facility. 3. UF probably gets more national television than anyone. 4. A tradition of a very successful program and has had many great players. 5. Weather
Florida's RPI is now at #17, SOS #7. We are 6-11 vs. Top 25 teams, 4-4 against teams ranked 26-50. 5 SEC teams are ranked above us in RPI - LSU #6, Tennessee #7, Alabama #12, Georgia #15, Arkansas #16. I think the SEC is down this year as a conference. Why? The ONLY 2 SEC teams with a winning record against Top 25 teams are Tennessee at 15-4 and Georgia at 10-8. It wouldn't surprise me if only 1 SEC team makes the WCWS again.
