(SB) OGT: Sun Devil/GCU Classic February 21-23 in Tempe/Phoenix, Arizona

Mary Nutter has had some basic field problems. Earlier in a Tennessee game the batters boxes were all screwed up and they had to wipe them out and redo them. Today before the start of the Duke/UCLA game, second base is in the wrong place and they have to remeasure it.

 

Liv, a 3 up three down inning.

 

But assuming no Red, do you think this staff is sufficient for a Natty run without her?

 

I answered.

 

Perhaps I didn't understand your original question. Without Red it would be much more difficult. Not impossible but Red changes this staff.

 

Red pitched yesterday. Did she reinsure herself?

 

No insight into this specific situation, but in baseball I have seen guys that had their arm slots changed to develop more repeatable mechanics. The guys had good stuff, and the grit to be on the mound, but were inconsistent due to poor mechanics or an unnatural arm slot. I have seen some guys really blossom after the changes and some never really come around.

So it’s possible, they liked what they saw in her when they brought her in, but still saw something wrong in her mechanics that they thought they could fix. Remember, she was not their first choice. She was a last second addition after striking out on their top prospects in the portal. She was brought in for numbers as much as anything. The plan to make all these changes could have very well been known to both sides when they made the decision to let her come.

I had high hopes when she was brought in and still have hope that she can be productive here if she stays around.

 

I know Phil has said repeatedly that Dobbins was changing her motion last year. I haven't heard any other details on that and don't know what or how much they actually did. In any event, Dobbins lasted one year and was gone. I know the reason was "spending more time with her family". That is for public consumption and not what I have heard behind the scene. And I don't know what we may or may not have done to Delbrey but she has done next to nothing at Louisiana in two years.

 

That's what I wanted your opinion on -- thanks!

With all due respect to Ava, I'm thinking we would come up short without Red getting healthy. We have a lot of depth at other positions, but it seems like we're a bit shallow in the circle.

 

I am starting to feel like we have a decent shot at winning this one.