Softball Offseason

[JMV JustMyView]

Even though we beat Ole Miss regularly, guess no one considers us top tier D1 softball anymore. Man that changed quickly.

Will today be the day for good news?

[UL_Cajuns]

Will today be the day for good news?

Hopefully this doesn't go on as long as the mascot issue. LOL.

[VObserver]

Sure, you have to be good in both HS and travel ball BUT, I think "tools" are much more important than any stat ever (all due respect VO). As I have mentioned in my earlier comments, so many factors go into determining these young ladies productivity its extremely hard to predict.

Speaking only from the offensive perspective, "tools" are important; but if they aren't applied in a way that produces runs, they are meaningless.

[Reality Check]

..."In my experiences over the years seeing players through the process, what a player is through HS and travel ball is very seldom an absolute indication of what they will be in College once all the underlying factors come into play. Sure, you have to be good in both HS and travel ball BUT, I think "tools" are much more important than any stat ever (all due respect VO). As I have mentioned in my earlier comments, so many factors go into determining these young ladies productivity its extremely hard to predict"...

When you say "tools", are you referencing a players physical tools such as their ability to run, hit, field and throw? Or are you refering to a player's leadership ability and comprehension of the game? Because certain players that just stand out in both travel and high school and just ooze the "it" factor. I'm talking about a Bailey Hemphill type player. I feel most people never doubted she would be successful at the collegiate level. On the flip side, there are players like Savannah White for the Cajuns last year. From all reports, she had command of the locker room and the respect of her teammates. She wasn't gifted with the most physical ability but understood the game and was able to help her teammates with her knowledge and understanding of the game. She helped keep the team together and moving forward when things weren't going well from what I have been told.

[SportyCajun459]

Even though we beat Ole Miss regularly, guess no one considers us top tier D1 softball anymore. Man that changed quickly.

Well, Ole Miss made it to the WCWS last year. They regularly are getting in tranfers from major P4 programs. They have a brand new 32 million dollar stadium. They obviously have a decent NIL budget for softball. UL has none of that and now appears to be relegated to the shelves of low tier G-5 D1 schools like Sam Houston, New Mexico State and East Carolina. Depressing for sure.

[ridinsuicide]

Speaking only from the offensive perspective, "tools" are important; but if they aren't applied in a way that produces runs, they are meaningless.

I would think that, when trying to find ways to "project" an athlete's future productivity to a team or even grading their value in past seasons only looking at run production using your before mention calculations, while an interesting stat for sure, it is extremely subjective and only tells an incredibly small portion of what could be identified and considered "productive". I'll explain my logic.......

Example 1. - The 2-3 players in the lineup before her during the time period you are using for the stat, what were their BA's/OBP for the same time frame? Surely, if those kids were not on base and in scoring position its extremely difficult to produce runs. Especially if you are taking the HRs out of your equation (if I read the calculations correctly).

Example 2. - Hitter in question comes to the plate with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Here's an opportunity to drive great numbers for "run production" and Coach decides to go to the bench (to no fault of her own. Could be trust, a matchup, etc). There went an opportunity to produce runs.

Example 3. - Leadoff double, Hitter in question up to bat runner at 2 and 0 outs. Coach gives her the bunt sign. Moves runner to 3B, next kid hits sac fly to score that run. Does hitter in question get credit for that run produced in your calcs?

Maybe those scenarios are accounted for and subtracted in your calculations. Maybe each PA for the hitter with no chance to produce runs is also subtracted out of the equation which would be a "team" issue and not necessarily that individual athlete's?

I am not saying your formula isn't important (you have to score runs to win and an extremely interesting stat) but unless I am missing something in that formula, which I PROMISE you I certainly can be, it's hard for me to see that to be a stat used to project an athlete's future value.

[ridinsuicide]

When you say "tools", are you referencing a players physical tools such as their ability to run, hit, field and throw? Or are you refering to a player's leadership ability and comprehension of the game? Because certain players that just stand out in both travel and high school and just ooze the "it" factor. I'm talking about a Bailey Hemphill type player. I feel most people never doubted she would be successful at the collegiate level. On the flip side, there are players like Savannah White for the Cajuns last year. From all reports, she had command of the locker room and the respect of her teammates. She wasn't gifted with the most physical ability but understood the game and was able to help her teammates with her knowledge and understanding of the game. She helped keep the team together and moving forward when things weren't going well from what I have been told.

In that specific comment I was referring to physical ability. All the other factors that go into playing at that level are what make it extremely difficult to project in my opinion. And now with the transfer portal I would argue its program specific to an extent. Meaning, just because they were not their best at one program, That same young lady in a different environment may thrive and be great!!

And to your point, I do think the attributes and intangibles you mentioned Savannah having are extremely important to have on the team, in the locker room, etc. as well!

[Turbine]

Love the scenarios

[CajunSID]

In that specific comment I was referring to physical ability. All the other factors that go into playing at that level are what make it extremely difficult to project in my opinion. And now with the transfer portal I would argue its program specific to an extent. Meaning, just because they were not their best at one program, That same young lady in a different environment may thrive and be great!!

And to your point, I do think the attributes and intangibles you mentioned Savannah having are extremely important to have on the team, in the locker room, etc. as well!

You are hands down the best poster I have seen on this site. No ego, no agenda, just well-based opinions!! Please stay on board and provide much-needed perspective among us village idiots.

And to add to this, what many coaches struggle with in college (and, for different reasons, travel ball) is proper roster construction.

How a coach puts together skillsets, personalities and strengths and weaknesses is underrated.

[JMV JustMyView]

When you say "tools", are you referencing a players physical tools such as their ability to run, hit, field and throw? Or are you refering to a player's leadership ability and comprehension of the game? Because certain players that just stand out in both travel and high school and just ooze the "it" factor. I'm talking about a Bailey Hemphill type player. I feel most people never doubted she would be successful at the collegiate level. On the flip side, there are players like Savannah White for the Cajuns last year. From all reports, she had command of the locker room and the respect of her teammates. She wasn't gifted with the most physical ability but understood the game and was able to help her teammates with her knowledge and understanding of the game. She helped keep the team together and moving forward when things weren't going well from what I have been told.

Sav has all the making of a good coach down the road.