The Four6Three would like to issue a formal apology. The Four6Three prides itself in accurate analysis & honesty devoid of emotion to cloud or slant our judgement. This evening my brother made some negative comments on Twitter about the home plate umpire in the Arizona State vs. Arkansas Super Regional. Those comments were not completely true or accurrate. I am afraid my brother let his emotions get the best of him. In order to be a 100% honest & accurrate I will clarify. ESPN announcers did not complain about calls 10 times, it was atleast 18. They also said the umpiring was "shady". My brother was also far too cruel to state the umpire should be sent to little league. The Four6Three believes that children are the world & the future. In order to make it a brighter day for the children we must not expose them to an umpire like this the pain & suffering could require counseling. Again we would like to apologize & hope that our fans will forgive our mistakes concerning this matter.
Sincerely,
your nonbias emotionally controlled friends @ the Four6Three
Showing posts with label College Baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College Baseball. Show all posts
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sweet 16 Baseball Style
The Road to Omaha now has just 16 as finally we know the Super Regional Matchups thanks to a little bit of sunshine finally coming out in the Sunshie State. Miami defeated Texas A&M to claim the last spot today inspite of a rainout yesterday and more rain delays today. The Super Regional Matchups are as follows:
Friday/Saturday/Sunday Super Regionals (home team listed last):
Miami vs. Florida
Cal St. Fullerton vs. UCLA
Vanderbilt vs. Florida State
TCU vs. Texas
Saturday/Sunday/Monday Super Regionals (home team listed last):
Arkansas vs. Arizona St.
Alabama vs. Clemson
Oklahoma vs. Virginia
South Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina
The stage is set after Monday, hopefully barring a rainout, we will have the CWS lineup.
For more information, start times, and interactive stats etc. go here.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday Super Regionals (home team listed last):
Miami vs. Florida
Cal St. Fullerton vs. UCLA
Vanderbilt vs. Florida State
TCU vs. Texas
Saturday/Sunday/Monday Super Regionals (home team listed last):
Arkansas vs. Arizona St.
Alabama vs. Clemson
Oklahoma vs. Virginia
South Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina
The stage is set after Monday, hopefully barring a rainout, we will have the CWS lineup.
For more information, start times, and interactive stats etc. go here.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Regional Update Part II -- Coastal Moves On
One more moves on to the Super Regional as Coastal Carolina wins a seesaw back and forth affair over College of Charleston. The Chanticleers took extra innings to pull it off, but they did it and will now host in the state rival, South Carolina Gamecocks, at Myrtle Beach this weekend. One more down and one more moves on. We hope that Super Regional is as good as the Regionals. For complete Regional coverage go to NCAA.com or stay tune to the Four6Three.blogspot.com & our twitter feed.
College Baseball Regional Update
After three days of regional action 8 teams have claimed Super Regional births and 8 spots remain to be decided today. Those who advanced: Oklahoma, Arizona State, South Carolina, TCU, Texas, Florida St, UCLA, Florida.
The matchups today for those still fighting for spots include: Arkansas vs. Washington St., Clemson vs. Auburn,
Georgia Tech vs. Alabama, Virginia vs. St. John's, Coastal Carolina vs. College of Charelston, Louisville vs. Vanderbilt, Cal St. Fullerton vs. Minnesota, & Miami vs. Texas A&M.
Eight will advance and eight will go home today. It is compelling action. To tune in click here and then click on progress then on the video of the game of your choice.
The Four6Three loves college baseball and loves the Regional & Super Regional action on the way to Omaha. We also attempt to not have favorites, but just to root on great college baseball action.
GO HOGS! I guess we failed, but it was worth a shot.
The matchups today for those still fighting for spots include: Arkansas vs. Washington St., Clemson vs. Auburn,
Georgia Tech vs. Alabama, Virginia vs. St. John's, Coastal Carolina vs. College of Charelston, Louisville vs. Vanderbilt, Cal St. Fullerton vs. Minnesota, & Miami vs. Texas A&M.
Eight will advance and eight will go home today. It is compelling action. To tune in click here and then click on progress then on the video of the game of your choice.
The Four6Three loves college baseball and loves the Regional & Super Regional action on the way to Omaha. We also attempt to not have favorites, but just to root on great college baseball action.
GO HOGS! I guess we failed, but it was worth a shot.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
College Baseball Home away from Home
The 64 teams have been selected (no crazy 65 like basketball) for this years Road to Omaha.
The Top 8 National Seeds are:
1: Arizona State
2: Texas
3: Florida
4: Coastal Carolina
5: Virginia
6: UClA
7: Louisville
8: Georgia Tech
All of which are hosting. The other hosts include Oklahoma, Arkansas, TCU, Miami, South Carolina, Fullerton, Auburn, UConn.
The controversy surrounds UConn since Florida State is actually the #1 Seed in that bracket and yet UConn gets to host in order to "help grow college baseball." I understand wanting to help grow college baseball, but Florida State cannot be happy about going all the way to Connecticut to play the lower seeded Huskies. I think this is a great plan that can be executed when the hosting school does not have an adequate site/facility i.e. Coastal Carolina. FSU's stadium is great so that is not the case here and as far as growing college baseball, I think the people in Tallahassee would beg to differ.
For the full interactive bracket complete with game times click here.
If you are looking for a printable version to take with you, fill out, and tuck under your pillow at night click here.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
SportsLife-- Perspective: A Baseball Story
The crisp cool air refreshed me with every breath. I was trying to control my anxious excitement. I was nervous and if I had doubts, my stomach confirmed it as it churned. I did not mind though, I knew it would not last. It was often curious to me that I could still be anxious about something I had done so many times before. The game was still three hours away yet the nervousness had begun as I jogged across the grass in preparation of my efforts to stretch every muscle. I knew the nervousness would gradually grow from now until it peaked with the crack of the bats in batting practice. It would stay constant from there until it would suddenly evaporate as I dug in for the first pitch. After playing for years in little league and high school still in my sophomore year of collegiate baseball- I was nervous. That nervousness was a constant until over two years later.
The first game of a series seemed always to be the worst. It may have been the different colored uniforms or playing again after two days off. Maybe it was simply the newness of each series, each three or four game set being its own mini season in a way. The series is a true test of who, at any given time, is playing better baseball. Any team can out execute for nine innings but to do it over a series of games truly means something.
Today was like opening day anxiety levels as we started a tournament. A series of sorts- with a different opponent each time out. As I warmed up in batting practice, so did the bright Florida sun. After taking my hacks in the cage, I shed my hitting jacket. I would take another round from the other side of the plate. One of the bonuses and chores of being a switch hitter was you had to hit twice as much. A blessing when things were going well at the plate, a curse when they were going badly. Fortunately, I normally had one swing right most of the time; unfortunately, it seemed seldom that I had them both.
After the cage, I loosened my arm and took some reps of fly balls- not normal for me but today I was out of my normal position of second base. I was playing centerfield due to a teammate’s injury, but it was fine with me. I was comfortable in center field; I played it in summer ball and always enjoyed the chance to switch positions. Fly balls never worried me- they were far easier than groundballs and I could cover ground quickly to get them. The throws, however, did worry me as I was blessed with a second base man’s arm. At the appointed time, a half hour before the first pitch, we took our official infield outfield. After coming in we each prepared in our own way some grabbing some Gatorade, others talking in groups, some silent in the corner of the dugout. Each had his own routine and routine must be kept.
The game began uneventfully with a one, two, three inning. Both teams traded blows and the scoreboard reflected it. Each team threatened and each strived to prevent the game from getting away. Our team pulled away early with a three to nothing lead, but the opponent would fight back. I was playing well in the field with a diving catch and a few other good plays. It was soon the last inning with the score tied at five. After regulation, it was all tied and we went to extras.
The top half of the last inning went without a score. Our leadoff hitter was retired, but with one out my teammate, and friend of mine from my hometown, doubled. Baseball is a game where every advantage must be sought. As I approached the plate, I knew I had to drive in this run. After a pitch high, a strike, and a curveball that I just missed by fouling it over the backstop, I looked out to see my teammate stood on second base with both feet. A small thing- both feet standing on the bag as he checked the outfielders positioning- but it was the key. Both feet on the bag told me that he had the catcher’s signs to the pitcher. The great DaVinci-like code of baseball was cracked. As the code cracker took his lead, he rested his hands on his knees and his index finger slid slightly onto his kneecap. As I stared out at the pitcher in his stretch, I noticed the finger of my teammate on his kneecap. This was my cue- a curve ball was on its way.
As the ball left the lefthanders hand, I focused in on watching its speed and rotation. I was in exact rhythm, thanks to my teammates tip. I waited on the off speed pitch and then exploded. I began to drive my hands forward as I took a stride with my left foot- my eyes still focused on the ball. The contact came- it was solid. I hit the ball squarely on the sweet spot of the bat. As the ball jumped off my bat and headed toward left field I knew if it was not caught, it would score my teammate. As I ran towards first I looked on as the left fielder ran back towards the scoreboard in left center. As he approached the fence, he simply looked up.
I was mobbed at home plate after my quick home run trot. I never could make myself run quite slow enough to seem proper. The only thing I really remember about my quick trip around the bases was a five to my coach at third base and immediately after that looking just behind him to see my family in the stands ecstatic. My parents attended along with my grandparents, my brother, and my sister. That night a big supporter of the team took us all to steak dinner. To hit a walk-off homer was a dream that was finally realized.
Unfortunately, my history with the Bluffton University baseball team did not end here. Three years later in 2007, I would stare at my television with tears in my eyes. Friday March 2, a bus heading south to play in Sarasota once again, was carrying 35 members of the Bluffton baseball team when it tragically took an exit and ran off the overpass. Six were killed including four players. I now prayed for the team I had once fought so fiercely to defeat. A great moment in my life and a dream of mine was now perfectly in perspective. Events and accomplishments are worthwhile, but the things that really matter are people and the relationships we share with them.
The first game of a series seemed always to be the worst. It may have been the different colored uniforms or playing again after two days off. Maybe it was simply the newness of each series, each three or four game set being its own mini season in a way. The series is a true test of who, at any given time, is playing better baseball. Any team can out execute for nine innings but to do it over a series of games truly means something.
Today was like opening day anxiety levels as we started a tournament. A series of sorts- with a different opponent each time out. As I warmed up in batting practice, so did the bright Florida sun. After taking my hacks in the cage, I shed my hitting jacket. I would take another round from the other side of the plate. One of the bonuses and chores of being a switch hitter was you had to hit twice as much. A blessing when things were going well at the plate, a curse when they were going badly. Fortunately, I normally had one swing right most of the time; unfortunately, it seemed seldom that I had them both.
After the cage, I loosened my arm and took some reps of fly balls- not normal for me but today I was out of my normal position of second base. I was playing centerfield due to a teammate’s injury, but it was fine with me. I was comfortable in center field; I played it in summer ball and always enjoyed the chance to switch positions. Fly balls never worried me- they were far easier than groundballs and I could cover ground quickly to get them. The throws, however, did worry me as I was blessed with a second base man’s arm. At the appointed time, a half hour before the first pitch, we took our official infield outfield. After coming in we each prepared in our own way some grabbing some Gatorade, others talking in groups, some silent in the corner of the dugout. Each had his own routine and routine must be kept.
The game began uneventfully with a one, two, three inning. Both teams traded blows and the scoreboard reflected it. Each team threatened and each strived to prevent the game from getting away. Our team pulled away early with a three to nothing lead, but the opponent would fight back. I was playing well in the field with a diving catch and a few other good plays. It was soon the last inning with the score tied at five. After regulation, it was all tied and we went to extras.
The top half of the last inning went without a score. Our leadoff hitter was retired, but with one out my teammate, and friend of mine from my hometown, doubled. Baseball is a game where every advantage must be sought. As I approached the plate, I knew I had to drive in this run. After a pitch high, a strike, and a curveball that I just missed by fouling it over the backstop, I looked out to see my teammate stood on second base with both feet. A small thing- both feet standing on the bag as he checked the outfielders positioning- but it was the key. Both feet on the bag told me that he had the catcher’s signs to the pitcher. The great DaVinci-like code of baseball was cracked. As the code cracker took his lead, he rested his hands on his knees and his index finger slid slightly onto his kneecap. As I stared out at the pitcher in his stretch, I noticed the finger of my teammate on his kneecap. This was my cue- a curve ball was on its way.
As the ball left the lefthanders hand, I focused in on watching its speed and rotation. I was in exact rhythm, thanks to my teammates tip. I waited on the off speed pitch and then exploded. I began to drive my hands forward as I took a stride with my left foot- my eyes still focused on the ball. The contact came- it was solid. I hit the ball squarely on the sweet spot of the bat. As the ball jumped off my bat and headed toward left field I knew if it was not caught, it would score my teammate. As I ran towards first I looked on as the left fielder ran back towards the scoreboard in left center. As he approached the fence, he simply looked up.
I was mobbed at home plate after my quick home run trot. I never could make myself run quite slow enough to seem proper. The only thing I really remember about my quick trip around the bases was a five to my coach at third base and immediately after that looking just behind him to see my family in the stands ecstatic. My parents attended along with my grandparents, my brother, and my sister. That night a big supporter of the team took us all to steak dinner. To hit a walk-off homer was a dream that was finally realized.
Unfortunately, my history with the Bluffton University baseball team did not end here. Three years later in 2007, I would stare at my television with tears in my eyes. Friday March 2, a bus heading south to play in Sarasota once again, was carrying 35 members of the Bluffton baseball team when it tragically took an exit and ran off the overpass. Six were killed including four players. I now prayed for the team I had once fought so fiercely to defeat. A great moment in my life and a dream of mine was now perfectly in perspective. Events and accomplishments are worthwhile, but the things that really matter are people and the relationships we share with them.
Monday, May 3, 2010
SportsLife: Fans, Ask For What You Really Want!
As I attended a Razorback Baseball game this week with my trusty two and a half year-old side-kick Aleksandra I learned an important lesson about being a fan. As the Razorbacks fell behind early to Auburn four to nothing, they were trying to mount a rally in the bottom of the fifth.
The Hogs got the lead-off runner on base and I hollered, "Come on we need a hit."
Aleksandra stopped dancing to the introduction music for the next hitter and looked at me and stated, "Daddy, we have a hit."
I replied, "We need another hit."
"Two hits."
"Yes, two hits."
"Two hits or Five hits?"
"Five hits would be awesome."
She then yelled emphatically "Come on, we need Five Hits!"
The Razorbacks did get those five hits and even more as they went on to win. So next time your at a sporting event ask for what you want, you just might get it.
The Hogs got the lead-off runner on base and I hollered, "Come on we need a hit."
Aleksandra stopped dancing to the introduction music for the next hitter and looked at me and stated, "Daddy, we have a hit."
I replied, "We need another hit."
"Two hits."
"Yes, two hits."
"Two hits or Five hits?"
"Five hits would be awesome."
She then yelled emphatically "Come on, we need Five Hits!"
The Razorbacks did get those five hits and even more as they went on to win. So next time your at a sporting event ask for what you want, you just might get it.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
College Baseball Update
College baseball is in crunch time as the ACC and SEC battle for conference dominance and Arizona State stands a top all four polls. Texas is close behind rank 2nd in 3 out of the 4 polls.
In the RPI however, it is Arizona State and Arkansas sitting 1 & 2 respectively for the second staight week. The great thing about the RPI is it ranks 1 to 301 so you can see where your favorite team is whether it is Fullerton at 15, BYU at 82, Longwood at 180, Utah Valley at 193, or Arkansas Pine-Bluff at 293.
Attendance in the SEC has been huge, the top four in average attendance are SEC schools.
This weekend features a couple of huge matchups in the SEC. Arkansas travels to Gainesville for a big matchup against the Gators. The other huge matchup is a battle of two SEC West teams the Ole Miss Rebels and the LSU Tigers both battling for positioning. All for of these teams are battling to be possible National Seed wih LSU, Florida, and Arkansas appearing to be the most likely right now, but with a strong finish Ole Miss could be there. The pitching matchup of the weekend is Friday night as LSU's Anthony Ranaudo faces Drew Pomeranz of Ole Miss. These are the two best draft eligible pitchers in college baseball and arguably the two best period. Tune in to watch it at 7:00 pm ET on ESPNU.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday Farewells for April 9, 2010
This edition of Friday Farewells is brought to you by our friends in the Burg: Uncle Dave and our biggest fan Cindy we appreciate your readership and more importantly your subscription fees.
It is Friday once a again so we must say so long to another week in sports.
Farewell:
Spring Training. So long meaningless games. Hello Opening Week! Major League Baseball is back after another winter of hibernation. Every team after the first week is still in the hunt for the pennant. Yes, hope springs eternal. I can’t stop crying I am so happy.
Hoosiers Sequel. Thanks to Duke and Coach K the blockbuster hit of 2010, Hoosiers the College Years has been cancelled. The film was set to feature the Butler Bulldogs and their ball boy/coach Brad Stevens, who was to be played by Zack Ephron. The real Coach Stevens (not Zack) just signed a deal to coach Butler through 2022 at which point they are excited because he will be old enough to drive. Buckets of tears, Hoosiers is my favorite movie.
Break from Football Season. College Spring Football is in full swing Arkansas went outside the box and instead of scrimmaging itself it played St. Louis who it beat 32-8. The Billikens were able to score a touchdown late and add the two point conversion. Oh wait my bad… this was a college baseball game. The game included 30 hits by the Razorbacks and was mercifully, for the fans, called after 6 ½ innings. After playing the hogs the billikens cried boo hoo hoo all the way home.
Hiatus. Tiger resumed playing golf yesterday at the Masters and I resumed writing after a few days off, both monumental breaks with huge ramifications upon the sports industry. This may prove the golf course is the only place he is comfortable and others are comfortable with him. No tears yet, but judging by the way he played the tears are about to return for the other competitors.
Fighting Sioux. University of North Dakota will change its nickname from the Fighting Sioux after a board decision and four year legal battle. The NCAA decided that the name was “hostile and offensive”. Members of the Spirit Lake Sioux however were trying to prevent the change. Fighting is such a derogatory word that I can see why the NCAA called it “hostile and offensive”. I am a member of the OBAGFWC, Organization to Ban All Go Fight Win Cheers. I think these cheers are hostile and offensive to opposing teams and their fans. They incite things like trying to beat (mega hostile) and defeat (ubber offensive) others. I think North Dakota should go with the Olive Branches, the Peace Makers (catchy slogan, “blessed are us”) or the Tying Sioux because clearly Native American names are not offensive or the Native American Tribe members wouldn’t be trying to keep them. It is those darn adjectives like fighting it did in the Illini and now the Sioux. Tears that this used up money in this economy for a four-year legal battle, wait no come to think of it that is exactly where money should go to people with law degrees. How do I sign up?
Perfect Season. After a 2-0 start I had dreams of the perfect season for my Atlanta Braves. Perfection was still possible only 160 more to go. The Cubs dashed all those hopes yesterday with a 2-0 win over the Braves. Don’t worry about me I am sure I will be okay…maybe?!? The Cubs cheated I just know it I don’t have any proof yet, but I know it happened!
If you are like Cindy and cannot get enough of Friday Farewells click here for more.
It is Friday once a again so we must say so long to another week in sports.
Farewell:
Spring Training. So long meaningless games. Hello Opening Week! Major League Baseball is back after another winter of hibernation. Every team after the first week is still in the hunt for the pennant. Yes, hope springs eternal. I can’t stop crying I am so happy.
Hoosiers Sequel. Thanks to Duke and Coach K the blockbuster hit of 2010, Hoosiers the College Years has been cancelled. The film was set to feature the Butler Bulldogs and their ball boy/coach Brad Stevens, who was to be played by Zack Ephron. The real Coach Stevens (not Zack) just signed a deal to coach Butler through 2022 at which point they are excited because he will be old enough to drive. Buckets of tears, Hoosiers is my favorite movie.
Break from Football Season. College Spring Football is in full swing Arkansas went outside the box and instead of scrimmaging itself it played St. Louis who it beat 32-8. The Billikens were able to score a touchdown late and add the two point conversion. Oh wait my bad… this was a college baseball game. The game included 30 hits by the Razorbacks and was mercifully, for the fans, called after 6 ½ innings. After playing the hogs the billikens cried boo hoo hoo all the way home.
Hiatus. Tiger resumed playing golf yesterday at the Masters and I resumed writing after a few days off, both monumental breaks with huge ramifications upon the sports industry. This may prove the golf course is the only place he is comfortable and others are comfortable with him. No tears yet, but judging by the way he played the tears are about to return for the other competitors.
Fighting Sioux. University of North Dakota will change its nickname from the Fighting Sioux after a board decision and four year legal battle. The NCAA decided that the name was “hostile and offensive”. Members of the Spirit Lake Sioux however were trying to prevent the change. Fighting is such a derogatory word that I can see why the NCAA called it “hostile and offensive”. I am a member of the OBAGFWC, Organization to Ban All Go Fight Win Cheers. I think these cheers are hostile and offensive to opposing teams and their fans. They incite things like trying to beat (mega hostile) and defeat (ubber offensive) others. I think North Dakota should go with the Olive Branches, the Peace Makers (catchy slogan, “blessed are us”) or the Tying Sioux because clearly Native American names are not offensive or the Native American Tribe members wouldn’t be trying to keep them. It is those darn adjectives like fighting it did in the Illini and now the Sioux. Tears that this used up money in this economy for a four-year legal battle, wait no come to think of it that is exactly where money should go to people with law degrees. How do I sign up?
Perfect Season. After a 2-0 start I had dreams of the perfect season for my Atlanta Braves. Perfection was still possible only 160 more to go. The Cubs dashed all those hopes yesterday with a 2-0 win over the Braves. Don’t worry about me I am sure I will be okay…maybe?!? The Cubs cheated I just know it I don’t have any proof yet, but I know it happened!
If you are like Cindy and cannot get enough of Friday Farewells click here for more.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
College Baseball
Spring is here and that means College Baseball is too. College Baseball does not get enough love so we are going to try and give what it deserves. The SEC has a great document they post every week, that shows all four of the major polls on one page. The bold schools are SEC schools, but the poll shows everyone.
Arizona State tops three out of four polls while Virginia leads the Baseball America Poll. Baseball America is a little different in that it puts more emphasis on who will be the national champion rather than who is the best right now.
The SEC is definitely the deepest conference with as many as 8 ranked teams in one poll and no fewer than 6 in all polls. The ACC is not far behind with 5 ranked teams in each poll lead by Virginia and Georgia Tech who are both in the top 5 in both Polls.
There is still a lot to play as conference play is just getting under way. If you want to check out a great blog dedicated to College Basball go to The College Baseball Blog. Tell them the Four6Three sent ya.
Arizona State tops three out of four polls while Virginia leads the Baseball America Poll. Baseball America is a little different in that it puts more emphasis on who will be the national champion rather than who is the best right now.
The SEC is definitely the deepest conference with as many as 8 ranked teams in one poll and no fewer than 6 in all polls. The ACC is not far behind with 5 ranked teams in each poll lead by Virginia and Georgia Tech who are both in the top 5 in both Polls.
There is still a lot to play as conference play is just getting under way. If you want to check out a great blog dedicated to College Basball go to The College Baseball Blog. Tell them the Four6Three sent ya.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)