We have, perhaps, the least experienced pitching staff of any . . .
top 15 team and no pitching coach? At least not one present at the first two tournaments of the year. Don't kid yourself folks, these relative inexperienced pitchers will suffer without a seasoned pitching coach to work with them. Let's hope whatever the issue is that it get fixed pretty soon.
35 Replies
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vt49701
3y
+1 to “let’s hope whatever the issue is that it gets fixed very soon”
** Edited by vt49701 at 2/18/2023, 10:09:04 AM
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
I don’t worry much about Emma but Grein, Peck, and Molly could benefit from
having a good pitching coach, and Doug is among the best in the business.
There was a quote from Lemley tonight, basically saying she figured some things out during the game that she needed to correct. Obviously if Doug was there he probably would’ve guided her earlier. But Emma is way advanced beyond her years and is extremely smart so she’ll be fine. But I think the development of Grein, Peck, and Molly could benefit greatly from Doug’s expertise. Honestly, if Doug isn’t going to be around, it is going to put some pressure on Emma to not only be Emma but also help to bring Grein, Peck, and Molly along. It’s a lot to ask of a true sophomore. Hopefully Doug comes back.
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
3y
of the best pitching coaches. As a former pitcher myself, being without a pitching coach will definitely affect the team. Coach P cannot do everything himself. Mac is a catcher, not a pitching coach. To be an elite team and make it to the CWS, you need an elite pitching coach. Since the season has already started, it will be difficult to find a replacement. Will VT be able to find a pitching coach from another team, or find one who may have recently retired and bring him/her on the team for this one year? I am thinking about Angela Tincher, who was previously our pitching coach. Good possibility that Gillis may not come back.
** Edited by carhokies at 2/18/2023, 7:38:25 AM
(In response to this post by VT66)
3y
Please don't turn this board into a rumor mill. I know fans want to know the inside scoop, but both issues have been asked about many times... and not answered. Whatever anyone knows, they're keeping it to themselves. I believe that players and coaches deserve a little privacy. When/if VT wants to reveal something, they will.
I know for a fact, however, that the 2 are ABSOLUTELY NOT RELATED and that is all that I'm going to say about either situation.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
3y
is good.
(In response to this post by Hokie4Life_89)
3y
know specific details (and wouldn't put details out anyway). I do not know, however, if he will be back or not. Have not heard anything in that regard.
** Edited by Nortazhokie at 2/18/2023, 10:49:37 AM
(In response to this post by carhokies)
3y
be a good choice for this job. She was a once in a generation pitching talent but her style (think mechanics) was pretty unique. Her dad has made a career of her success (credit to him for developing her) but he hasn't ever created a second Angela. That said, it will be very difficult to hire a collegiate pitching coach at this point in the season. Assuming Gillis is, in fact, done it will need to be addressed at the end of the season as whoever comes in will need to get recruiting ASAP.
(In response to this post by 133919Hokie)
3y
(In response to this post by 133919Hokie)
3y
have a complete and competent coaching staff. The teams that will end up winning in OKC will not be boot-strap operations.
(In response to this post by carhokies)
3y
or personal issue, fine hold the nature of the problem in confidence but at least acknowledge his absence with some kind of statement. The current situation is weird. If Van Brakle wasn't in the 'Bama dugout or Mowatt in the Arizona dugout I think there would be some acknowledgement of the absence.
(In response to this post by VT66)
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2hhoop3
3y
to handle. Your post is fair and reasonable, IMO. The question I have is whether if they wish to keep situation in confidence what kind of statement can they really make without just calling more attention and creating more speculation? The flip side is that by saying nothing you give free rein to the rumor mill to control the narrative. Ideally VT's movement to its strategic communication initiative should be tailor made for just this type situation. ;-)
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
3y
Please do not go there.
Our student athletes deserve better.
Hopefully she'll be back next year.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
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2hhoop3
3y
I must have missed your question/post earlier. Sorry. Judging from @VTChip and his response I think I can probably guess what it is in regard to. I believe you to be a fair and honest poster based on your history with no ulterior motives or ax to grind. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of at least one other poster. As Chip said our athletes deserve better and I would add so do the coaches and real fans. It will play out and in due time people will be able to form their own opinions and conclusions from facts as opposed to rumors and innuendo of people with a personal ax to grind.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
I think we are mostly curious as to whether he might be back at some point?
Whatever the issue is, probably at some point it will come out. There aren’t really that many possibilities in terms of the general nature of the issue but it doesn’t matter to me and I won’t speculate.
I could have sworn I saw him in a picture last month on Twitter (I know, forgive me) taken at the VT indoor softball practice center that was clearly current because the ladies were in the new pinstripe uniforms.
He’s also still listed on the coaching roster on Hokie Sports. Is it possible he is just not allowed to be at games for some reason but is working with the team at practice??
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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RJHokie
3y
As you state, the “issue” will most likely be disclosed at some point, though the exact details may not be.
(In response to this post by HolidayInnHokie)
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RJHokie
3y
Maybe they do now that the Wisconsin cheese whiz/connoisseur has left for Northern Iowa or wherever he wound up.
I anticipate whatever the issue is will be known/made public to the extent possible at some point.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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VT4Natty
3y
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RJHokie
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2hhoop3
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RJHokie
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Believe he was the pitching coach at Mizzou for quite a while before he became a head coach.
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)
3y
defensive coordinator and head coach. Collegiate pitching coaches spend hours in the bullpen with the pitchers while the remainder of the team practices. This is where the little things that separate the exceptional from the average D1 pitchers get worked out. The head coach simply can't do this and attend to everything else that needs to get done. Mickey Dean did pretty much do this at JMU but he had very experienced assistants with him there. One had been a D1 head coach for 5+ years (J Herzig) the other good enough to eventually lead the Dukes to the WCWS (Loren). That's currently not the case at VT.
** Edited by MidloHokie at 2/17/2023, 9:29:05 PM
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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2hhoop3
3y
worked with pitchers and catchers at Mizzou and I think 2 or 3 of his pitchers there were SEC Pitchers of the year. Biggest question is how thin can he spread himself and be effective as he has proven to be effective on the hitting side as well.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
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RJHokie
3y
and the other catchers with that function. Mike Lewis is the third base coach and Mac Lawter the first base coach while we are batting. He has another assistant coach as well. It is true that he’s the hitting coach, but they also have electronic devices and programs to assist in that capacity. So, I’m sure he’s got everything under control. It’s not quite like when Scot Thomas essentially had no one as a pitching coach when his pitching coach left on maternity leave…..and Denny Tincher “pitched in” as a volunteer for a while.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)