Room for Improvement

After one weekend of Razorback baseball I am left with a good feeling about the squad as a whole.  They hit the ball very well and pitched well enough to get a sweep.  There are a few things I have against them so far, though, and I want to get them out there for those who may be unaware (or pessimistic) of them.

My brother (Jordan) and my father (Keith) will tell you I am the ultimate optimist when it comes to the Hogs baseball teams.  I have to really work on seeing things in perspective and I personally think I do a decent job of it.  For instance, when I see the opposing team check a swing and the umpire get the call right, I am not going to boo him for getting it right.  I want to see the game played the right way, regardless of whether my team comes out on top as a result of a "good" call.

But my family will tell you I see the cup completely full all the time, so this post will be about a couple things I saw this weekend that Arkansas will need to improve upon in these next few weeks.

Arkansas committed 6 errors that resulted in 3 unearned runs.  From overthrowing a pick off to allowing a ball to roll under their glove to sailing a relay throw, the hogs kicked it around too much for my liking and really should have been beaten at least once as a result.

Now here comes the optimistic side of me.  I can give the Hogs some room after one week of play (especially since they swept) to commit errors after not being able to practice much on the field in the days leading up to the season.  There was a great amount of snow covering George Cole Field and temperatures down low enough to make you unable to think straight.  Plus, this weekend the field was visibly in the worst condition I have ever seen it in after being under all the snow for so long.

One might argue that the game was played by both teams on the same field and I will agree that is a valid argument, but Appalachian State averaged an error per game.

This is not all to say the Hogs' errors are permissible because they aren't.  I am just optimistically thinking they are going to get more reps in during the week at practice and live up to their defensive potential.

All together there were 19 hit batters in three games played.  That is an absurd number and I would love to have the resources to research if that has ever been done at any level.  Arkansas pitchers were responsible for only 7 of them.  ONLY 7 in three games.  That is also absurd and it is a wonder they were able to hold the Mountaineers to only 11 runs all weekend.

Optimism time.  This was the first weekend being able to throw to live batters outside of their own roster.  There is a heightened level of excitement and that can lead to overthrowing pitches and getting too far in on some batters.  This will also work itself out with reps and experience throwing in games and getting used to using your pitches in live situations with all the nerves to deal with.

Don't forget this is a young pitching staff for the most part and even the older guys are mostly inexperienced with the exception of a couple.  I do have a lot of confidence in them, so I will be careful not to let their youth overcome how much potential they have to being another great staff.

I would also just like to say how proud I am of the fan base that was in attendance all weekend.  The weather cooperated better than any other opening weekend I have been able to see.  Hog fans did not disappoint, coming out in droves and pushing the actual attendance to nearly 15,000 for the weekend.

I am not under the illusion that the weather won't be below freezing in two weeks but it was nice to see three large, engaged crowds out to cheer on the Diamond Hogs.

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We have plans to make this a more diverse sports blog and not one filled only with stats and jargon.  We are excited about baseball and that you have decided to give ear to what we have to say about it.  Have a great week and God bless.