Let's Review

[CajunVic]

Some people are interested in the nuances and some people are bottom line. Neither is right or wrong.

Quit trying to cover that two years in a row you prematurely sold out on your team and it’s players and coaches and did it in a very vocal manner.

[sportsfanatic21]

Some people are interested in the nuances and some people are bottom line. Neither is right or wrong.

I’m all about the nuances myself. I love to analyze situations and statistics. And I can 100% say that I didn’t agree with a lot of things that happened this season. Or any other one.

But I’m not gonna say the coach is stupid or terrible, and that I hate this team, and that so and so should have to find his way back home from a road trip because he got picked off or struck out with the bases loaded or walked a guy or gave up a HR.

I’m also not going to call the coaches, players…the entire team, a failure a week before they are announced as an at large NCAA regional team.

[ManAboutTown]

I’m all about the nuances myself. I love to analyze situations and statistics. And I can 100% say that I didn’t agree with a lot of things that happened this season. Or any other one.

But I’m not gonna say the coach is stupid or terrible, and that I hate this team, and that so and so should have to find his way back home from a road trip because he got picked off or struck out with the bases loaded or walked a guy or gave up a HR.

I’m also not going to call the coaches, players…the entire team, a failure a week before they are announced as an at large NCAA regional team.

If you’re a nuanced guy, then you can’t honestly ignore the emotional component to being a fan either. Fringe comments in low situations don’t fairly represent the overwhelming majority of even the nuanced crowd.

[sportsfanatic21]

Now all of this said, we are all fans of the same team (at least I think so in some cases) and our team is heading to play a regional with 2 of the most historically dominant programs in the country. And another that, in my day, was a powerhouse as well. This regional is one of only 3 that has 4 schools that have all been to Omaha, and has the most combined appearances of any of the regionals.

We should be celebrating the accomplishment and getting ready to cheer on our guys playing big boy college baseball this weekend.

[CharlieK]

Some people are interested in the nuances and some people are bottom line. Neither is right or wrong.

In this case all the nuances led to a pretty good bottom line. I recommend everyone enjoy it, because it doesn't always happen.

[sportsfanatic21]

If you’re a nuanced guy, then you can’t honestly ignore the emotional component to being a fan either. Fringe comments in low situations don’t fairly represent the overwhelming majority of even the nuanced crowd.

Most of the emotional outbursts are typically about things that the average Joe has no idea how difficult the things they are mad about are to do at this level. And

I would venture to guess, actually it’s pretty obvious, that most of the people that bash the things the Cajuns do or don’t do to their liking, don’t watch very many other college baseball games. The same stuff happens everywhere. And always has.

I’m moving on now. I’m excited to see what this team is able to do this weekend.

[CajunRage]

So making regionals is only good enough (and a coach is only successful) if it’s done playing a style that you like?

And each of the last two seasons were failures…until they weren’t?

Lol. This is exactly what I’m referring to. I’m not arguing with you. I was just pointing out what a strange outlook that is, at least to me. Maybe I’m the odd one though.

To me, results are results. And they aren’t the result until the end. I’ve never understood being upset about what MIGHT happen. I prefer to enjoy the process along the way and wait for something bad to happen before being mad about it. And if the end result is good, be happy about it. Like each of the last 2 seasons.

To each his own though. Hopefully next season the team goes 50-6 and everyone is happy. Unless they lose the first game of the season to someone like Eastern Illinois. Then I’m sure the pitchforks will be out in full effect.

Just FYI, this years team’s ERA is better in relation to the median ERA in the Sun Belt than the 2014 team’s was.

And this years team has a higher success rate stealing bases than the 2014 team did. This team has hit more HRs per game than the 2014 team did (and are just 2 behind the 2014 total). This team has a higher fielding % than the 2014 did.

That team had 3 starters that were true starting types, and they all stayed healthy all season. This one does not, and did not.

The point is, this team is good. And whether or not they earned their at large bid in the first week or the last week is irrelevant. After 62 games, they were one of the teams chosen to play in the NCAA tournament based on their results in those 62 games.

First, what you described is not my outlook. I was simply giving an explanation of not being sure that Degg's approach is sustainable at this moment in time and that the results don't prove anything in my opinion. As I said earlier, if Tulane had the same season next year, would you say that they were heading in the right direction simply by making a regional two years in a row? I highly doubt it.

Second, why was 2014 #1 and this team was on the bubble? It's not apples to apples and you know that. Claiming that this team was so close to being 2014 is a disservice because it overlooks some obvious issues with the team that need to be fixed.

I'm with you though. We all love this team and it's who we have to cheer on until they are no longer playing this season. It's not going to be pretty. There will be times everyone will be holding their breath. But if they continue to win, I'll be cheering them on every pitch.

[cajun4life]

I'll bite.

I very rarely come to this site during games just to see what folks are talking about. It's usually because something happened and I want to discuss. So, when things are going well, I don't really have a need to come here. I also don't believe in saying "great job team, you did everything you were supposed to" on a message board as often as some of you would like. I have posted it several times throughout the season but will not come here and congratulate the team on every victory. I'm also bit of a baseball purist and Deggs style of coaching is not very conducive to that. There's a reason he's getting paid and I'm on a message board, but I don't have to like everything he does. I'm going to mention it every single time because I believe that there's a reason that many baseball strategies have stood the test of time. The biggest pet peeve of mine, though, and likely the biggest reason that I lean to the negative side and get into arguments is that there are some that will claim to be Robe "disciples" (for lack of better term) but will go out of their way to justify things that Tony would be rolling in his grave over. A couple examples, pitching staff management and poor baserunning (both by players and coaches). Saying Deggs is the man now is one thing. Talking about how it's smart and good strategy is another.

All that said, I love this school and love this program. My dad wore Cajuns across his chest and every one of his children holds a degree from here. I want the best for the program and hope this team can hoist a trophy in a few weeks doing it whatever way they can.

I will say this. Robe had a certain style of play. It worked for his style of coaching.

Deggs has his style of play. It seems to work pretty darn well.

Both were/are successful and very frustrating at time. But Robe’s style of play is not how we do things around here anymore. Yes we could use better pitching. But there were tons of times Robe’s pitching decisions didn’t work out.

Degg’s can frustrate some of y’all every game, but the bottom line is we are in back to back regionals. Once as the SBC Tourney Champ and now as an at large. We will continue to improve and get better each year as a program. Deggs took over a program that was in pretty poor shape, by our standards.

He just has to build off of that.

[cajun4life]

So making regionals is only good enough (and a coach is only successful) if it’s done playing a style that you like?

And each of the last two seasons were failures…until they weren’t?

Lol. This is exactly what I’m referring to. I’m not arguing with you. I was just pointing out what a strange outlook that is, at least to me. Maybe I’m the odd one though.

To me, results are results. And they aren’t the result until the end. I’ve never understood being upset about what MIGHT happen. I prefer to enjoy the process along the way and wait for something bad to happen before being mad about it. And if the end result is good, be happy about it. Like each of the last 2 seasons.

To each his own though. Hopefully next season the team goes 50-6 and everyone is happy. Unless they lose the first game of the season to someone like Eastern Illinois. Then I’m sure the pitchforks will be out in full effect.

Just FYI, this years team’s ERA is better in relation to the median ERA in the Sun Belt than the 2014 team’s was.

And this years team has a higher success rate stealing bases than the 2014 team did. This team has hit more HRs per game than the 2014 team did (and are just 2 behind the 2014 total). This team has a higher fielding % than the 2014 did.

That team had 3 starters that were true starting types, and they all stayed healthy all season. This one does not, and did not.

The point is, this team is good. And whether or not they earned their at large bid in the first week or the last week is irrelevant. After 62 games, they were one of the teams chosen to play in the NCAA tournament based on their results in those 62 games.

Bingo! The 2014 team had bulldogs on the mound that stayed healthy. Performances like Marshall’s were what we expected. Albeit, not 140 pitches. But the way he commanded his pitches and establish a presence on the mound.

We only saw glimpses of that this year from the staff. They just couldn’t sustain it from an individual perspective. Collectively they did well.

There were three frustrating series. App, Troy and JMU. Yet here we are, an at large that was earned. It wasn’t given. The SEC at larges are given. The SBC earns at large bids and this squad earned it. With Matt Deggs at the helm. He is building his pack and when the buy in is there. It’s some fun baseball to watch.

[CajunFun]

“Real love” also comes with the obligation to have tough conversations and shine light in dark places. There is a sect of our fanbase (and Administration) who are often times too quick to sweep things under the rug and sunshine pump. We will never achieve up to our potential with that attitude.

Yes, we’ve certainly improved in many ways over the last 2 decades. And yes, we fall woefully short of an acceptable standard in many ways. Both things can be true. I have no problem with people acknowledging our triumphs, as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of addressing our weaknesses.

Yes, we need to give feedback about problems...

...but how much negative feedback at one time?

I was at a United Way talk years ago, and they were describing the differences in social classes. On raising children, they noted that the poorer class tends to give their kids mostly criticism. Middle class, somewhat balanced. The upper class -- educationally and/or financially -- gave their kids a lot more encouragement than criticism.*

So: Which one builds a kid's self-esteem? Which one motivates them to keep trying, and to work harder?

And for me, here's the gut-punch: At what age does that stop being true? Good managers, and good coaches, say it's always true. Heck, I'm 66, and I still need more encouragement than criticism. If not, I'm probably getting out of Dodge.

To that, I want to relate a story I heard from the golf program years ago. We had a foreign student from one of the advanced countries, a very good golfer. After a bad day on the course, he went to the UL coach in tears. The coach was surprised, and tried to talk the young man back up. The athlete then explained that, back in his home country, when he had a bad day his coach chewed him out, even cursed him. And he was shocked, but grateful, that the UL coach was being so supportive of him.

But I think most of us would have done exactly the same thing as our coach did. First, we would do it because because it's just the right thing to do. When someone's trying their best, you support them. But second, we would do it because we know that people don't perform well under pressure, particularly not in a game like golf, which requires so much intense, but relaxed, concentration.

Again, it's true for every human being, from the waterboy to the President. So I would encourage people here to:
a) make sure we are saying a lot more good things than bad;
and for the bad:
b) stick to a few things;
c) pick things that can be fixed;
d) pick things that the coaches or administrators may not already see;
e) make sure that the criticism is constructive, that it comes with a solution.

And never, ever, criticize the players.

Just my 2¢.

*NB: they didn't discuss this, but in my limited experience, there is also a 'privileged' class. These people basically don't give their kids any negative feedback, and enforce no accountability. Think, oh, Dudley Dursely. So giving kids toys doesn't ruin them; failing to correct them does. It's the opposite of only criticizing them, although either approach still produces a ruined human being.

[ManAboutTown]

Yes, we need to give feedback about problems...

...but how much negative feedback at one time?

I was at a United Way talk years ago, and they were describing the differences in social classes. On raising children, they noted that the poorer class tends to give their kids mostly criticism. Middle class, somewhat balanced. The upper class -- educationally and/or financially -- gave their kids a lot more encouragement than criticism.*

So: Which one builds a kid's self-esteem? Which one motivates them to keep trying, and to work harder?

And for me, here's the gut-punch: At what age does that stop being true? Good managers, and good coaches, say it's always true. Heck, I'm 66, and I still need more encouragement than criticism. If not, I'm probably getting out of Dodge.

To that, I want to relate a story I heard from the golf program years ago. We had a foreign student from one of the advanced countries, a very good golfer. After a bad day on the course, he went to the UL coach in tears. The coach was surprised, and tried to talk the young man back up. The athlete then explained that, back in his home country, when he had a bad day his coach chewed him out, even cursed him. And he was shocked, but grateful, that the UL coach was being so supportive of him.

But I think most of us would have done exactly the same thing as our coach did. First, we would do it because because it's just the right thing to do. When someone's trying their best, you support them. But second, we would do it because we know that people don't perform well under pressure, particularly not in a game like golf, which requires so much intense, but relaxed, concentration.

Again, it's true for every human being, from the waterboy to the President. So I would encourage people here to:
a) make sure we are saying a lot more good things than bad;
and for the bad:
b) stick to a few things;
c) pick things that can be fixed;
d) pick things that the coaches or administrators may not already see;
e) make sure that the criticism is constructive, that it comes with a solution.

And never, ever, criticize the players.

Just my 2¢.

*NB: they didn't discuss this, but in my limited experience, there is also a 'privileged' class. These people basically don't give their kids any negative feedback, and enforce no accountability. Think, oh, Dudley Dursely. So giving kids toys doesn't ruin them; failing to correct them does. It's the opposite of only criticizing them, although either approach still produces a ruined human being.

I appreciate this response and welcome the conversation. I’ve actually had a similar conversation about classes and the approach to parenting with a Play Therapist. The truth is, it comes down to the personality of the person you’re parenting, coaching and/or caring for. Case in point: My Daughter responds to a challenge/critique and my Son responds to positive reinforcement.

You said something very interesting in the golfer anecdote. “When people are trying their best…”

Can you honestly say that the administration, both academically and athletically, are doing everything they possibly can to advance the mission of this University?

[CajunFun]

I appreciate this response and welcome the conversation. I’ve actually had a similar conversation about classes and the approach to parenting with a Play Therapist. The truth is, it comes down to the personality of the person you’re parenting, coaching and/or caring for. Case in point: My Daughter responds to a challenge/critique and my Son responds to positive reinforcement.

You said something very interesting in the golfer anecdote. “When people are trying their best…”

Can you honestly say that the administration, both academically and athletically, are doing everything they possibly can to advance the mission of this University?

Some people are motivated by pressure, and the negative... but only after they have been given enough positive reinforcement that their self-confidence is strong. I would bet good money you made sure that your daughter got that encouragement first.

But even then, you can't be hard on her all the time. Sometimes she needs encouragement and reassurance.

As for the admin: first, I have this theory that everyone on the planet is doing the best they can with what they know. The problem is, none of us knows very much.

But beyond that, and particularly with regard to Martin Hall, I often scratch my head. But we need to recognize that they are playing a tricky political game.

You and I don't know what cards our administrators are holding; we don't know who else is at the table; we don't know what cards they are holding; we don't even know how many cards are in the deck, nor even what all the cards are.

A few times over the years, talking to Ray he would explain some seemingly bone-headed decision he made. Quite often, he made a good decision, but the rest of us were clueless as to what was really going on.

It reminds me of the Cuban Missile Crisis (I specifically remember it, even though I was only in the 1st grade; it wasn't until years later I understood why everyone was acting weird). The Americans thought we understood what the Russians were up to. They thought they knew what we were up to.

Everyone was wrong.

And amid all the cock-sure arrogance and hubris, we almost blew up the world.