Boblope

With a high-visibility win near the end of the year, to create some buzz around the program - and in so doing, providing a bump for ‘27/portal and ‘28 recruiting.

Man, I wish they could have gotten it there. Maybe they even win. But even if not….. The game was phenomenal no matter. Props to Cape Verde.

We have escaped many a situation this year with RISP due to multiple walks. I sure hope they stop calling the ‘wasted’ pitches and make teams hit the ball. We have a good defense behind the pitchers. Yes, they will get smashed here and there, but without the walks the damage should be pretty controlled.

You have just stated your idea of it, and said because we haven’t suffered the undesirable effects than your hypothesis is correct. Your hypothesis has held so far. I sincerely hope it stays that way. But we will see if my concerns are ultimately founded as we play better teams. And even if we get away with it then, I won’t be convinced that walking lots of batters is a recipe for success. We have proven we can have some success DESPITE doing it, but that doesn’t make it a good plan.

but we are tempting fate. Case in point - UNCheat scored the go-ahead run in game 3 WITHOUT a hit. Up 1-2, Mazz gives up a walk. Then a passed ball moves the runner to second. A fielder’s choice to first base gets an out - but the runner scores from 2nd. It is worse when teams take advantage of those runners on base with hits. Case in point - GT games. I fear it will be much worse against higher caliber teams, with higher caliber hitters throughout their lineup (like we have). So I take your point. It’s not an unreasonable one. But IMO we are playing with fire with all these walks. It may turn out fine for awhile, but sooner or later you’re going to get burned. Moreso, I worry about it as a cognitive decision our pitching coach is making. You and I seem to agree that it may be a purposeful strategy - but just disagree on the pros/cons of that strategy. ** Edited by Boblope at 4/27/2026, 8:19:24 PM

Hear me out. We have very good pitching most of the time. I think the talent is there. We do, though, struggle with control. We give up waaay too many walks, while also scoring a very high strikeout number. I understand Mazz may be more prone to control issues. But I have trouble believing that ALL of our girls struggle, that consistently, that we end up putting on so many free passes no matter who’s pitching or the situation in a game. I have come to believe they all are being coached to pitch a certain way. One that focuses on pitching outside the zone and angling for strikeouts. Lots of walks. A high number of passed balls. And a lot of strikeouts. We have a phenomenal defensive team in the field. I know people around me get tired of me saying “make them hit the ball”. Do others see what I’m seeing? Do you think I’m all wet here? ** Edited by Boblope at 4/26/2026, 5:14:32 PM ** Edited by Boblope at 4/26/2026, 5:15:02 PM ** Edited by Boblope at 4/26/2026, 5:15:41 PM

In-between rants about soggy PB&J sandwiches and the Apple they sometimes put on top of it.

Miami - Texas A&M was good. Ole Miss - Georgia was a classic.

But I perceive it to be coming from the bench or stands. Kilah is on the floor, running back to play D after a made shot - but even then the screaming is still going on. It very well could be a player or staffer on the bench though, calling out screens. And baskets. And good defense. And a rebound. And for the concessions guy to bring them some popcorn. And….all of it incredibly LOUDLY. 😈 ** Edited by Boblope at 1/8/2026, 7:46:26 PM

Does it every time something good happens for VT. Same exact sounding scream at the Miami game in Blacksburg, so gotta figure it’s a relative of a player or someone associated with the team. Anyone that has seen them in person - have you noticed too? Know who it is?

But didn’t Manziel win one? So there’s that.

A good OL/DL show too. For me, it doesn’t have to be high-flying and a lot of points to be a great game. Just like a 1-0 pitchers duel in a baseball game.

Love the night games in September thru mid-October. After that, we need sunlight and warmth. Even with the antifreeze we’re all drinking at our tailgates. 😉

And portals out to give himself a shot getting eyeballs while playing at a strong FB school.

No TD’s will do that to you. And for me, that’s only because we played a piece of the needed gameplan to perfection - by playing keep away and dominating the time of possession. (34+ for VT vs. 24+ for USCe).

The TV picture itself is fine for me. It’s the teams that make it putrid. 😈

Worried that they would ignore it. Is it Drones not giving on the zone read? Either way, there need to be some strict QB keep plays run.

CC has written great articles (plural) about our stubbornness with this…..and how we realize success when we finally figure out to do something differently. The guys did a great story recently about the effectiveness of the lead outside zone. When we ran it….

Hammond and Johnson get passes as first year players on a bad team. Thank goodness for Lawal and at times Schutt.

Woodson is a keeper, but otherwise we have to start over. Keller seems to be a good kid by all accounts, but he should be a depth piece - at best - at this level. The instincts aren’t there and he is almost always out of position.

Best of luck. Sometimes change can be a win in life, even if you had a good situation before. I hope that works out that way for you.