2025 Razorback Baseball

[woodhog14]

I'd be good with that.

I hope DVH gets over the hump and wins a title one day. More for him than than anything else.

As a fan I can't ask for anything more than what he's done. Baseball is just one of those games where so much is outside of anyone's control. He has us in position to win more that just about any coach out there.

He deserves a title before he's done.

Agree.

[HughJasole]

Agree.

Which is why I really hope he gets one before he hangs it up because I'm afraid 2018 is going to haunt him.

[Guardrail]

Everytime I see a new post on this thread I go into it hoping it's not bad news.
Like the whole starting rotation portaled or got hit by a meteorite.

[DirkPiggler]

On the D1Baseball podcast for their top 25, Mike Rooney said he's all in on Arkansas to win it all this year. 

It seems like every year some pundit picks us, and we always drop the ball along the way.  I guess that's better than consistently having them set our football over/under on wins at 5.5 or lower.

[Barton Fink]

Rooney is good. He's usually high on us.

[Son of Spam]

It will all (as usual) depend on injuries. Or hitting slumps. Hopefully we can keep all our pitchers healthy and the supposed hitters we have come through. But, don't we have the same hitting coach? If so, they will all swing for the fences instead of just getting on base.

[Hizog]

It will all (as usual) depend on injuries. Or hitting slumps. Hopefully we can keep all our pitchers healthy and the supposed hitters we have come through. But, don't we have the same hitting coach? If so, they will all swing for the fences instead of just getting on base.

DVH has basically admitted twice now publicly that the all or nothing approach didn't work last year and that won't be the approach this year.

My understanding is Nate was teaching a swing last year. I assume that means a swing that optimized HR potential at the expense of contact.

Definitely interested to see if there's a noticeable difference at the plate this year.

[BASS]

I'll take 15 singles a game

[Son of Spam]

I'll take 15 singles a game

Exactly. Just get on base.

[BleedinRed]

As long as we don't go complete 180 and start playing small ball.  No bunts. A bunt is an out. No bunting whatsoever.

[DirkPiggler]

As long as we don't go complete 180 and start playing small ball.  No bunts. A bunt is an out. No bunting whatsoever.

Cosign.

And I don't want this apparent emphasis on contact to result in fewer walks.  Swinging at marginal strikes early in the count is not a good thing.  We need a balance between going up hoping for a walk and the old Todd Butler approach of "Walks are for pussies. Swing the bat no matter what".

[BASS]

If we can figure out how to keep our hitters from staring down a home run derby ball for a k, and to swing at that sumbitch instead, that would be huge.

I know we always stare down a 3-0 or 3-1 pitch and the analytics say you have to, but that's the easiest pitch to hit you'll get all game.

I'm with Dirk... I still want us to take walks, but by not swing at bad pitches, not by taking k's and waiting on the pitcher to screw up .

A hit in that situation is worth more than a walk. A hit demoralizes the pitcher more than a walk. It sucks with his psyche more. A hit builds more confidence than a walk for the batter and the whole team.

You still want to swing for the fences now and then?  Take a shot on a 3-0 ball down Broadway.

I'd much rather have the mentality of going and taking the win than waiting on the other team to give it to you.

[Barton Fink]

You still want to swing for the fences now and then?  Take a shot on a 3-0 ball down Broadway.

This is what gets me. We want to swing for HRs but take a pitch we are looking for on 3-0. Look for a pitch and if you get pitch/location, take a swing at it.

[DirkPiggler]

This is what gets me. We want to swing for HRs but take a pitch we are looking for on 3-0. Look for a pitch and if you get pitch/location, take a swing at it.

I think that's just a lack of confidence from our hitters.  Or maybe from the coaches in the player at the plate. 

I mean, Stovall and White swung at plenty of 3-0 and 3-1 pitches last year.  That's exactly what you want.  None of us wanted Wilmsmeyer or a broken Diggs swinging when a walk was their best chance of reaching base.

[egregious]

We need a Wee Willie Keeler at the plate and a couple of old Hoss Radbourns on the mound.

[Rick B.]

Bro, if I'm in town I'll be there and pester you incessantly.  You have seats yet?

Yes sir.  Bought ours way the heck back in September or October.  Section 14, Row 8, seats 1-2.  Wave at me!

And/or come to Boomerjacks on Friday at around noon to buy me a Dr. Pepper.

[HOGSRUNWILD]

Yes sir.  Bought ours way the heck back in September or October.  Section 14, Row 8, seats 1-2.  Wave at me!

And/or come to Boomerjacks on Friday at around noon to buy me a Dr. Pepper.

Will just have to see my schedule. Had a surprise "go to Taiwan" Sunday night so heading there now so hard to plan too far ahead. 

[DirkPiggler]

It appears we're purging the Jeff Long font from the baseball uniforms.


https://x.com/EllisAndrew_/status/1881752675966128505

[Borenutz]

Good. Purge everything Jeff Long related.

[buff2.0]

SEC looks stacked, and primed to watch another conference win the CWS for some reason.

https://x.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1883870464214507534