1980VT

Most of those subs will end up playing significant roles in the future. It's called building depth and it makes practices meaningful for the whole team.

Excessive punishment drills are not the best way to correct bad behaviors.

Two grandkids were playing in travel tournaments, one baseball and one softball. For some reason both were middle of afternoon / early evening games. G-daughter was in NC and grandson in Christiansburg. Only way I can see them play is with Gamechanger app. So I was using laptop for one set of games and cellphone for other. Riding for more than an hour presents physical problems for my legs (risking future amputation) so I usually watch games with my laptop, so I had to choose between VT and family. Grandson (9) pitched game of his short career. Gave up 1 run in 5 2/3 innings to a team that slaughter ruled them twice already this spring. Granddaughter (12) hit a game winning bases loaded double for a walkoff win in final game. Go Hokies and grandkids.

1. Luck - good for other team or bad for us? 2. Coaching? 3. Talent? One possession wins, were they same? The losses seemed like daggers, we should have won. The wins were like phew, we survived.

a blister on inside of middle finger next to nail. They put so much pressure on middle finger every pitch. Soaking fingers in pickle juice helped after blister developed worked for me. Takes couple of days though.

Seemed like the spent 1/2 of pregame on FSU and other half on Duke. I think they did mention VT two or 3 times.

I’ve been battling an infection in my left foot. I go Tuesday to a vascular surgeon for consultation. 2 years ago sepsis from a foot infection got me and losing 1/2 my left foot was the result. I call it giving up my 5th metatarsal for the Hokies. That was 4 months of hell battling sepsis though. This time it’s either ending up with a former NFL kicker Tom Dempsey type foot or a Capt Ahab peg by leg. It all depends on blood flow in foot / ankle area. I’ve battled health issues for the past 30 years. It’s just another hurdle that makes life interesting.

With that, throwing strikes early in the count is essential. With the ever decreasing umpire strike zones, the earlier in the count that you get batters swinging, the better it is.

Looks like we lost the $$$ battle with most high level recruits and transfers this year. Can we win in ACC with mid level talent? Yes, but they need to buy in to what VT needs, not what’s in their wallets. The question is can VT find them each year?

I met Mizell when he was in Congress from North Carolina and lived in Alexandria area. His son was on my Legion team in mid 1970's. He might be her possible grandfather / great grandfather. After Congress we heard he went back to North Carolina. Neat story, Mizell noticed I was struggling with my pickoff move to first. I was a lefty just like he was. He asked me if he could show me some tips. Main tip, umps didn't have clue how to call the balk against lefties. He said keep upper body square to first and my legs could almost go straight to home as long as my leg/foot didn't cross the rubber. I used this move from then on, no balks and picked off 1/2 guys at first. ** Edited by 1980VT at 4/16/2026, 5:05:11 PM ** Edited by 1980VT at 4/16/2026, 5:07:22 PM

Even when VT’s batters were up in the count UVA kept with their plan. Give up a single / walk and stay out of the big innings.

Umpiring is a tough job. The only thing everyone wants is consistency. An 0-0 pitch should be called the same as a 3-2 pitch, for both teams. And, the ever shrinking strike zone hurts both the pitcher and batters. Pitchers for obvious reasons and the batter waits on perfect pitches and loses aggressiveness early in the count.

1. Starting - Final game for championship 2. Top of 7 - up one, bases loaded, 2 outs 3. Top of 7 - up one, nobody on, no outs These are decisions a coach has to make. End of season is where coaches earn the majority of their salary. Right now, the way these young ladies are pitching, he has 2 #1’s. I think it’s a great problem to have.

Not only the pitcher Layne, but also LF Hackett. She didn’t face Layne head to head from the mound But, everyone looks at it in a special way. With Layne at Appomattox, they were back to back state champions her Jr/Sr years.. Havkett, same grade as Layne, struck out twice today. Carrico must be feeling extra pumped tonight. Special day for her.

One to Liberty, other to Radford. Both families grew up in Appomattox. Both dads were pitchers and played multiple sports. One mom was one of best female 3 sport athletes ever in Appomattox. Also an excellent pitcher.

Doesn’t seem to have athleticism of Lawal (very few do), but seems to have more usable BB skills.

A lot of it is mental toughness and personalities. A few years ago, while coaching JV teams i always tried to develop 2 pitchers each year. I would try to go 4/3 innings between the 2. I’d start one for one game and the other for the next. In a game where one was really on, i would let them continue as long as they were effective. By the end of the season the innings usually evened out. This goes well if you have players & parents that are team players. Out of the 10 years I did this, only one year was a problem. Parents of one player thought I was costing her a “scholarship” by not letting her pitch full games every game. AD, principal, and actual school board backed me. That’s how far the parents pushed it. Girl transferred after freshman year to private school for more exposure. Ironic part is she didn’t even play as a senior. Parents, be careful of what you wish for. Let your kids enjoy the game and they will be successful. Maybe not the star, but they will have lasting memories of playing for a team.

What's better, ripping bandage off all in one painful move or bits and pieces? Entire team should know where they stand for next year, I would think the faster they get their names out there, the better chance to get picked up by another school.

Tougher to crack lineuo, but he’s game for anything.

From what friend has heard, he’s been doing well so far. He was QB in high school, but is working as DB so far. He’s 6’3 200+ and doesn’t shy away from contact. He was recruited by just about all D3 in virginia as senior but wanted to come to VT. Both parents and grandparents of mother’s side are VT grads. Didn’t tryout last year but he missed football so much and knew this would be his last shot. He knows it’s a huge longshot, but isn’t this the great part of college sports?

Proud grandpa. As a 7th grader on middle school team after 3 games she is batting .727 with 5 doubles. Hit 2 off fence yesterday, just missing HRs by less than 2 feet. For her travel team after 3 spring tournaments this spring she is batting .600. after 30 at bats. They’re playing very good competition so far. In her last fall tment she went 9 for 11 with 7 doubles. In the final game they intentionally walked her twice with runners on 2nd and third to load bases. She is starting to love softball even though it’s been her 3rd favorite sport behind basketball and volleyball. My daughter wants to bring her to a VT game before season ends. Daughter is s VT grad who played 4 years on VT club team. Go Hokies.

Schools with players spending 4 years playing have become fewer and fewer each year. Sad times.

I would say that there are some different reasons included. But what are they? Not all deals with $$$. VT needs to see in exit interviews if there are any common causes and correct the correctable. Some are not in fixable column though. - lack of playing time? - coach’s choice of them moving on? - player - coaching staff conflicts? - VT location?

With today’s NBA they look for guys (4 spot) who can spread defenses not bull his way thru it.

Temps that low can damage today’s bats. We still have the rest of the season to play. The way they hit today, i think they could swing a lead pipe and crush BC.

He did tag up but left way too early heading to 3B. I’ve seen numerous HS players do this. You just use it as coaching point for the whole team. You could see him tell 3B coach “But I did tag up”. 3B coach looked away. This player, freshman, was #2 overall recruit from Va. he should know better.

Basic middle / high school stuff.

College players not knowing tagging up is inexcusable. One day in practice to review rules or reviewing a couple of rules each day is coaching. No matter what level.

VT was in on him when he was coming out of HS but chose Butler. 6'9 215. May struggle defensively, but seems to have all-around offensive game. Only played a few games this year due to dental surgery complications this year.

My expectation is returning 4-5 players again. Disappointing for those who enjoy year to year interactions with the team.

Storm cold front coming tonight / tomorrow morning

All depends on how much VT is willing to spend. 1 - Hammond - a lock unless he gets offer for big $$$ elsewhere 2 - ??? -,Schutt / Pasha / Bedford likely move on. Need big NIL ready. 3 - Johnson - unless he gets big offer closer to home 4 - ??? - I think a Ky / Tenn dangle big $$$ for Hansberry. We’ll need to have big $$$ to throw at transfer. I did like what Sincere showed those few games, but my bet is he’s gone to VCU or ODU next year. 5 - Gurdak / Dorn - Combo - steady bigs that you know provide needed intangibles

Coach Young has acquired the Beamer “Who farted?” look during the tight times in 2nd half of games. He lets the guys play, but there are times that they need more sideline, in game, coaching.

She doesn’t appear to be blowing it by them and can’t see speed numbers pitch by pitch. Her pitch locations are excellent in and out. But, they seem to be getting good swings while they swing thru the pitches.

Basketball is tough on your body. Anyone who might have back problems will tell you, it’s tough to do anything when hurting.

Usually I’d follow game on my phone. Yesterday, i didn’t even bother to check score until about 9pm. I felt team’s defense was ready to implode after FSU started penetrating at will and 3’s falling. I guess my blood pressure was under control by not watching.