UNCW

The new coaches are making impact @ UNCW. Being a number's guy here are a couple:

2012: 107 runs scored & 8 stolen bases in 54 games.

2013: 56 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 13 games.

It's still going be a struggle @ times this season as the young ladies on the team learn what it takes to win ballgames but things are headed in the right direction. There's a pledge for increased administrative support.

The academics at UNCW are top-notch. I'd encourage travel ball coaches and players who had given up on the program to give it another look. It's a great opportunity for young ladies who want to play early and be part of building something.

 

I have a Dream

Ok.well Good Luck.

 

Progress occurs is small steps

Those of us who aren't at practice every day have no business micro-managing via a message board. This program had been in terrible shape for years for reasons that are best not explicated here. In the circle, for example, there was only one girl on the roster who had thrown a pitch in college and her record last season was 1-22. The pitchers have some talent but there's only one way to learn to pitch to D1 batters . . . do it.

Yesterday's DH against Upstate demonstrated progress . . . yes, the Seahawks were one pitch away from winning game two and probably should have . . . . but the fact they were able (and willing) to compete was encouraging.

My original post was about the future of the program. UNCW is a great school. I firmly believe that AD there is putting people and resources in place that will allow success to occur. I've been involved in collegiate athletics for over 30 years. Turning around a program takes time. It's not about whether you should have bunted in sixth inning.

 

A little research

One more point:

You state the offense 'has become weak . . . "
You seem to know a lot about the team so I would assume you are aware in 2012 the team hit .202 and scored 106 runs for the entire season. Right now UNCW is hitting .257 and has already scored 105 runs. The facts suggest the offense is much improved from last year. Also understand that this team has faced Tennessee twice, Florida twice, a 20-win Upstate team twice and a Nebraska-Omaha team that already won 20 games. In fact, one could argue that of offense, defense and pitching that the offense is the most improved part of the team.

 

"Those of us who aren't at practice every day have no business micro-managing via a message board."

Absolutely! Not just in this situation, but in many others. It's very easy for people on the outside to sit back and criticize teams and their pitching, batting, coaching, recruiting choices, etc. There are so many factors that go into every decision. The fact is you can have the "best" hitting team out there, or the "best" pitcher, or the "best" overall team, and things just don't pan out. Likewise, many "average" players are put on a team and they come together to amaze us. That's the nature of the game.

It seems UNCW is making huge strides in improving the program. Congrats to the coaches and the team for working hard, even in the face of constant criticism.

 

There has already been tremendous improvement. With the current coaching staff, you can expect much more. There is no doubt about that.

 

My kid plays 3rd base for Upstate and your right they should have lost the 2nd game.. UNCW is headed in the right direction..... Good teams find a way to win though and they did.. Casey Shue you played good girl keep it up!!! 7 Carolina Curve girls on the field this weekend!!!

 

Their softball success may not have been everything they wanted it to be for the past four years, but every kid I knew on the team earned their degree. And softball played a major role in that. I love it!

 

Bottom line

There are very obvious signs of progress but changing the culture takes time. Kids like Casey Shue (mentioned above) a part of that change.

My original post was a simple request for NC/SC softball community to take a second look at the program. I think the new leadership there is committed to developing a competitive team.

Success in softball is about 70% recruiting. Hopefully, some talented, athletic kids who want a great education at the beach will sign up to move this team forward.

 

When I coached, I gave the credit to my players when we succeeded and I took the blame when we fell short. I'm sure the new coaches are doing just fine, but the players are the ones playing the game. Both the players and coaches have put in many hours and you don't get better without putting in the hard work, especially the sweat that the players have put in. How about a little love for the players, too? Just look at the numbers being put up by the two seniors along with the recruits that had committed prior to the coaching change!