In keeping with tradition, the first game thread of the season includes the following opening soliloquy from Bull Durham as recited by Annie Savoy: I believe in the Church of Baseball. I've tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones. I've worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things. For instance, there are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance. But it just didn't work out between us. The Lord laid too much guilt on me. I prefer metaphysics to theology. I've tried them all, I really have. And the only church that truly feeds the soul day in, day out, is the Church of Baseball. Walt Whitman once said, "I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us." Enough practice! Let’s do this! St. John's University (New York City) plays in the Big East. They finished 2023 with a 28-25 (8-12) record and did not play post-season. TV: SEC Network+ (on-line) Radio: WRUF 850 AM / 98.1 FM Listen Live - ESPN 98.1 FM - 850 AM WRUF Stats: StatBroadcast Live Stat Feed Game Notes: 2 16 St. John's (PDF) - Florida Gators Weather: 64 Deg. at the start and 59 to finish. 14-16% chance of precip. W/NW wind @ 2-4 = breeze out to right field. Ceremonial First Pitch by: B.T. Riopelle Starting Gator: #3 So LHP Cade Fisher (0-0, 0.00) Starting Earl: #33 RSo RHP Xavier Kolhosser (0-0, 0.00) Go Gators!
I like the Crash Davis "I believe" speech but it might not pass muster with the GatorCountry censors.
I see you wisely added the detailed citation for this quote after getting accused of blasphemy last year.
Let's get it together there Gal.... I get we all can't be in mid-season form yet. HA https://247sports.com/college/flori...ation-jac-caglianone-liam-peterson-227124317/ Florida will open the year with sophomore lefty Cade Fisher starting on Friday nights, true freshman righty Liam Peterson on Saturdays and junior two-way star Jac Caglianone on Sunday.
Annie also said "Baseball may be a religion full of magic, cosmic truth, and the fundamental ontological riddles of our time, but it's also a job." Let's get to work, Gators!
Thanks Gatorgal for ur coverage of The Game also to Matherly and 74Nole for ur info and insights ! PLAY BALL
Wow I can hardly recognize Diamond Gators around here any more. All these posters starting to speak up again. You would think it's the first week of the season or something. Oh wait...
I don't read 247sports as they are a Gatorcountry competitor (please don't post a link to this site again). However, I see an announcement of Cade being the Friday Night Guy was added to floridagators.com after I posted this thread.
Here's to another great season of your game thread reports Miss GatorGal. Thank you for all you do. Hope the boys find the Championship this season. GO GATORS!!!!⚾️
I know it's early and Florida weather changes almost daily. However, Westher Underground is showing over an inch of rain Saturday, pretty much raining all day and through the night, not clearing up until around 3 pm Sunday. Just sayin'.
Weather.com now has the Saturday night chance of rain at 100% here in Ocala. With on and off rain Saturday and early Sunday it sounds like they will be lucky at best to get two games in. I will not be surprised if we only see Friday night baseball unless the weather cooperates some how.
Seems like they never do, unless the first game is on Thursday. They hardly change to a double header on the front end for some reason. Probably puts somewhat unreasonable travel timelines on the vistor.