You know what? The guys just aren't having any fun. They're too tight and over-thinking everything. College is either your last chance to play organized ball, or to play for fun before it becomes a job. Back up, shake it off, and try to enjoy it! The season can't get much worse, so what the heck. Throw caution to the wind and show that you love the game! 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: 4 12 South Carolina (PDF) - Florida Gators Weather: 77 Deg at the start and 73 to finish. No precip expected. NW Wind @7-9 = blowing across the field from left to right. Starting Gator: #18 RSo LHP Coppola (0.00, 0-0, 0.0 IP) Starting Earl: #24 Gr RHP Good (1.93, 4-0, 28.0 IP) Go Gators!
Let me add to those rumors... Pierce Coppola available to make season debut against South Carolina Sorry I'm forbidden to post a link. Oh wait maybe this one will be be okay. MSN
Fun for sure but pressure squarely on to win this one this evening to break a rough stretch. Time to go back to basics. Put bat in ball. Play hungry and find ways to score runs. Start with truly just trying to have quality at bats and limit the all out giveaways.
Gatorgal is 100% correct about players attitude. You can see the stress in their faces. You see it at bat, in the field. They need to loosen up. They need to do what us fans do. Stand in the middle of the house and SCREAM at the top of your lungs then bang your fist on a table or counter. There, I feel better already.
True. Winning makes it all more fun. I agree with playing lose big gotta play smart too. We aren’t very baseball smart right now and we keep continuing to do the same things over and over with our approach at the plate. Continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting change is the definition of chaos.
I hope Sully plays some new sticks. When you are slumping, sometimes you need a break from hitting as all you are doing is continuing to reinforce bad habits. Learned that at baseball camp back in '81, from the late, great Coach Boyd Coffee of Rollins College. Play some new sticks. The other key point he made, is that when you are up to bat, you are there to hit, not window shop. It starts with the first pitch you are thrown...... (Yes, I realize there are certain "take" situations.....) All the best fellas, go get some rips and rake...... GO GATORS!!!!
I respectfully disagree. Gators hitters need to have more pitches per plate appearance, not fewer. They have scored only 14 runs in the 6th, tied for fewest in any inning with the 9th. Usually SEC teams beat the absolute snot out of midweeks in the 5th through 7th and score a lot on each other then, too. The lack of ability to burn through the starter's pitch count and get into the soft underbelly of the bullpen -- especially the 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. guy down there -- is a big problem this year.
We just aren’t a good hitting team. Blame recruiting and coaching imho. Pitching needs more experience. Freshmen aren’t going to cot it. No excuses for getting pounded by fsu.
Every time I read the name "Coppola" I think of Francis Ford Coppola, a significant director, producer, and writer in Hollywood (that set of 3 is about as rare as Jac's ability as a two-way player). I then think of the (under-appreciated!) FFC series "First Wave" with Cade Foster (a GBB first-name, but not Kurland, or Fisher) as the main protagonist. It came out of the same Vancouver studio as Stargate SG-1 and the 90's Outer Limits. Anywho... Gator baseball is losing the conflict. PC is the reserves finally showing up.
Maybe, but if he’s one of top 3 pitchers, then there is no other place he should go. Hopefully, the move doesn’t seem so desperate after tonight.
It’s been 783 days since Coppola’s last start—let that sink in a minute so everyone can manage their expectations. Don’t misread what I’m saying—I absolutely wish him the best luck from his first pitch until his last. But it sure seems like a tall order for your first start in 783 days to be an SEC weekend start. Here we go Gators here we go!
Interesting thread. Starts with smart words about just enjoying the game. Then back to hitters need to be replaced by those hitters hidden in the dugout. Then our coaches are to blame. Then bring out the older pitchers. Then turn of a once promising pitcher is desperation. I prefer GatorGal's advice. It may not win more games, but it's the best way to enjoy games.
Remember, Coppola is starting because Sully wanted him to go through the prep that a starter does. Doesn’t mean he’ll be in the game long, but it’s a good way to prepare and get your toe back into the water.