Softball recruiting

[Hovpen]

Have to start with beating teams of = ability before you can beat the teams with more talent. Our states best players will still go to Nebraska, OSU, OU, Missouri, etc because of the competition level. But this state produces a lot of girls who can compete in the Valley.

I find it funny that our girls want to go somewhere else when I've talked to dozen's of parents over the years who have said WSU never even talked to them. Hopefully, that is now changed and the Shockers are at least opening communication with our local athletes. However, don't expect them to walk on because you're WSU.

[1972Shocker]

I find it funny that our girls want to go somewhere else when I've talked to dozen's of parents over the years who have said WSU never even talked to them. Hopefully, that is now changed and the Shockers are at least opening communication with our local athletes. However, don't expect them to walk on because you're WSU.

Yes, let's hope the effort is at least being made. In your conversations with parents did you get the feel they would have at least considered WSU if the effort had been made and interest shown?

[Hovpen]

As with anything, some would have, and then some thought they could do better for their kids. Either way, you will never get anyone unless you at least make the effort and I believe current coaches are at least trying. All they can do is say no. And we've all been told that before.

[Shock watch]

I do not believe that Head Coach Kristie Bredbenner will, or should, last long. She was a horrible pick. Having met and observed coaches around the country, there are so many good coaches out there. How did WSU hire the worst possible prospect. It is possible to go from a D2 player and coach to D1 coach. However, you need to follow the right path. To hire a D2 player and D2 coach as a D1 head coach is very risky and the person who took the risk, either the assistant athletic director, or the athletic director, needs to be held accountable. Based on the performance of HCKB last year, there were too many HCKB coaching mistakes that resulted in losses for the team. Lets see how she does this year. It does not look very promising so far.

[SubGod22]

I don't follow the team that closely, but putting a lot of blame on a first year head coach seems a bit much. We were a bad program before she got here. I liked Pooch, he was a good guy and fun to be around, but he didn't get things done. I could see where the new coach rubs some people the wrong way because she's a little more intense than Pooch and isn't there to be everyones friend. There're almost always some issues with players leaving or struggling with the transition to a new coach. I haven't met the new coach and have no real opinion of her. All I know is she was pretty successful at Emporia and I'll give her 3 seasons to start showing a turn. Women's basketball has dealt with the same type of transition from a very likeable and losing coach to one that's much more intense and has "run" a few players off because of it.

I don't care where someone played or coached previously. If you know the game and can coach you can do it at any level. Look at 3G. He played small college and began coaching there. He did spend some time as an assistant at the DI level but has been great. Judging someone based on where they played or began coaching is ridiculous. Results are what matter and for a new coach taking over a bad team/program, they get more than one or two years to prove themselves.

[flyingMoose]

Lets see how she does this year. It does not look very promising so far.

What??!! They are weeks away from their first game of fall ball. You are going to make that assessment based on this year's roster v last year's? On which side of the bed you woke up on? Unbelievable.

[1972Shocker]

Not sure if HCKB will be successful at WSU or not. Very few of her predecessors outside of Tim Walton have been. So it is apparently not the easiest job in the world. What is clear is it is way to early to make any judgement about HCKB.

She came in too late last year to be able to do any recruiting to have any impact on that front. Obviously, her team with the players she inherited from Pooch were not very successful. In evaluating this year looks like HCKB has already been dealt some bad breaks with the loss of Sydney and Rachel. AFAIK, there is no evidence to blame those losses on HCKB at this point. About all we can look at this year is how much have the returning players improved and what kind of talent has she recruited.

At a minimum HCKB deserves at least 3 more seasons (including this year) unless she otherwise shows some character flaws that would dictate a change. If we have not shown any significant improvement at that point then we need to consider going a different direction.

[Hovpen]

Long and Holt should be playing at Butler with the Renegades team this weekend at 10 and 11:30 Sunday.

[Quick Pitch]

Long and Holt should be playing at Butler with the Renegades team this weekend at 10 and 11:30 Sunday.

Any results?
How did they look?

[Hovpen]

I didn't get to see them. After three consecutive football game nights, I spent most of my day editing video and typing up information. Didn't get done till after four on Sunday. Coach Chance did talk to me about their preformance however, and said Mac threw a no hitter against the Gold team.

I think the next opp to see them will come when and if WSU has their little get together again like they did last year.

[Shock watch]

I missed the alumni game. Does anyone have any thoughts on what they saw. I sure hope that the three run home run isn't an indication of the season to come.

[SBFan]

Attended the game. It was good to see Moose,( Jessica Spencer), Jamie Hull and Ozzy again. Moose could always hit the ball well, not much of a surprise there. The new Ou transfer was extremely good at short. Kent State transfer played well, so good pick ups there. New freshman pitcher not impressive IMHO, not much spin or control or speed. Hopefully Coach Sheely will get her going through the years. Freshman at third for a couple of innings didn't have much hit her way. Struck out first at bat, and had a walk. BCCC transfers,only one played, outfield, and other was in a boot on her foot (Abby). Walk-on Molly, played right for a couple, not much her way, either. I don't recall any of the other "new" players, just the ones mentioned. I am not sure if the girls hit as well as they are capable. I know this was for fun, so they may have been a bit less serious. That is my take of the game. Most of the girls did get hits, but keep in mind the fielding wasn't what they will be against.

[Shock watch]

Thanks for your thoughts. Did the freshman pitcher give up the runs?

[RoyalShock]

Twitter says @Paige_Luellen is signing her LOI to WSU today.

[Hovpen]

Butler third baseman, the one that got nine hits against WSU, Creighton and OU in the fall, signed with Indiana State. Another tough out for the Shocks to worry about.