(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

I do not trust SS either!! Players are already advocating for Dave Boos on social media!! They are supporting/all in for him, so why mess it up?? Go away from him and u risk losing players, especially the top ones!! SS does not have a good hiring record!!!

 

Just first game, I know. While we took advantage of everything that was handed to us and got a run rule, we got all of our runs from just four hits off UNF pitching.

Great crowd for a Thursday night.

...but Smiley seems to be gone. YMCA not the same.

 

We'll be there; flying out to visit family and take in some UF softball. But we arrive late on Thursday, so won't make the practice.

 

When you get 8 BB/HBP in four innings it is hard to have a lot of hits.

 

You knew I had to post this:

 

You must have been ecstatic!

 

I just started laughing.

 

Im not sure that matters since putting a runner on base doesn’t get the defense any closer to ending the inning. The Gators are still allowed three outs no matter how many free passes they are issued.

The Gators ended up with 16 ABs, so they batted .250 as a team. Certainly nothing horrific, but last year the Gators cumulatively batted .330 including the SEC and postseason games, so .250 against UNF is a bit south of the Gator standard. Obviously it’s just one game though.

 

I would not look at anybody's stats until maybe 12-15 games into the season.

The only stat lines I'm eye balling is walks given up by our pitchers, defensive errors by us which was zero and how many times we are striking out at the plate for which none of our batters struck out last night - at the very least they did put in the ball in play.

 

Quick impressions from last night:

• Rothrock appears to be throwing even harder than last year, but the MPH on the scoreboard wasn't working (which is a pet peeve: million-dollar scoreboard, $.05 operation of it). Will be curious to see what her velo is like this year.
• Walsh's HR traveled the farthest, but Shumaker's was the hardest hit. Absolute laser line drive
• Erickson didn't get a good pitch it seemed like all night. Curious to see how opposing teams will strategize around her at the plate since there's not many places to hide in this lineup
• Left side infield transfers looked very smooth in defensive operation. Holtorf with a great charging putout and Cahalan with a couple nice snags.
• Great environment last night. To my eye, many more fans than has been typical the previous few seasons for an early-season, non-marquee matchup. Seems like the word is out and Gator softball is an even hotter ticket.

 

I was shocked that Mary Wise resigned which goes to show you we never know when these coaches are going to leave including TW. If that happens, Rick needs to crawl out of those mountains in Georgia and come to Gainesville and run this program. We could do a lot worse. Go Gators.

 

Re; Broadcast problem.
In response to my pestering CTW he replied problem was way above him and passed it along to Steve McClain Senior Associate Athletic Director
Strategic Communications, Live Broadcast Productions.
He emailed me and offered to call me and discuss the matter..
In response, I sent the following reply:
Dear Steve

Thanks for your email and offer to call and discuss my concerns about softball game video not being available again this year.

You are off the hook-no need to call me as I could care less about the coordination or finances or other reasons why not.

I pestered Coach Walton, Ms. Lauren Staff (A great hire!) and Mr. Spagnuolo before the schedule was finished to lobby for the games.

I am not going to repeat all the stats I provided about how far UF is behind other SEC (including OMG Miss. Sate) and Florida schools in broadcasting games. You know all that. It is embarrassing and should have provided incentive to correct the situation years ago. Get the job done, now!

Besides satisfying fans, I would think the availability of broadcasted games could be a factor in recruiting and keeping players. The exposure to this successful team enhances the UF image.

I suggest you might want to troll or even contribute to the ongoing softball thread on the Gator Country, Diamond Gators forum to see what other fans are saying on this subject: (SB) - Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

I will get off my stump now.

I am copying Coach Walton with thanks for the help and for being a great coach and leader! Also, Lauren with thanks!

Thank you for your patience and no reply needed or expected.

Go Gators!

Bill Morris

I have done all I can do as an individual to get the wheel greased. I am finished and do not plan any further activity.
If the forum members and fans could contact UAA administration as a unified group it may carry more weight. Maybe a petition or such.

To Rick. Hope the swelling has gone down. Taylor is the real deal.

 

That's true. You still need to get 12 outs in the four innings. But, with that many free passes you are also taking the bat out of productive hands. I'm not sure the point is provable either way. Edit: Let's just assume instead of getting nothing to hit in those eight plate appearances we got three hits instead. We would then have been 7 for 19 in the game instead of 4 for 16 and hit around .368. I do think that number of free passes in four innings has an effect.

 

OMG...no. I can't manage my way out of a paper bag.

 

I heard they do monitor this place but I don't know any specifics. Somebody mentioned that here quite some time ago.

 

I have no idea why you would turn down a phone call. I'd love to be able to discuss the issues I believe are involved in us not getting broadcasts with someone who is responsible (to an extent) for the situation. Write back and tell him I have some understanding from my previous discussions with Alicia Longworth and he can call me if he wishes. I'm sending you a PM with my phone number.

 

With some of the previous hires in football, that seems to be where the bar is set.

When can you start?

 

ufgator72sb is never to be exceeded again. Phil asked me for my mailing address right after the gathering with the team the other night. I forgot about it until I went and got my mail today. It is a poster signed like this: To Rick. Thanks for all your support! Go Gators! Love, Taylor Shumaker #21. (Oh, my)

 

You’re welcome Rick. Many Thanks to Taylor for doing the kind gesture.