IndySooner
6/6/2011, 08:58 AM
http://normantranscript.com/sports/x1261855490/Sooners-might-be-a-changed-team-in-2012
First, let me say that I do like a few things. I think it's pretty obvious that Sunny knows who is good in the locker room and who he wants back. It's who most of us knew were in that position all year. Ogle, Bushyhead, Ross & Ellison are named specifically. Part of this is because he knows there's a good chance they're coming back. Part of this is because these are the guys that buy into, and aren't bothered by, his style.
He also talks about Seitzer, Buechele and Smith getting drafted high enough to be signed. We all knew that, too.
Don't be surprised if the rest of the team is pretty much turned over. My guess is he'll give the remaining guys the opportunity to commit to his style and if they aren't willing to do so, they'll be gone.
I like all of this. This needs to happen, in my opinion.
Here's what I don't like: He talks about the "new bats" constantly. He's going to build a team around the "new bats". What this tells me is he's trying to build a team for small ball. Look at the teams who have advanced so far in the regionals. NOT ONE of those teams plays that style of baseball. Every single one of those teams figured out how to score in bunches with the new bats. They don't give up outs. They go for big innings.
You can build a pitching staff with the new bats in mind. You can't allow the new bats to change the way you play offensively. No, you're not going to hit as many home runs, but you certainly can hit gaps, run aggressively on the bases and score in bunches.
He wants to build a program like Texas. He should be trying to build a program like Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, etc.
First, let me say that I do like a few things. I think it's pretty obvious that Sunny knows who is good in the locker room and who he wants back. It's who most of us knew were in that position all year. Ogle, Bushyhead, Ross & Ellison are named specifically. Part of this is because he knows there's a good chance they're coming back. Part of this is because these are the guys that buy into, and aren't bothered by, his style.
He also talks about Seitzer, Buechele and Smith getting drafted high enough to be signed. We all knew that, too.
Don't be surprised if the rest of the team is pretty much turned over. My guess is he'll give the remaining guys the opportunity to commit to his style and if they aren't willing to do so, they'll be gone.
I like all of this. This needs to happen, in my opinion.
Here's what I don't like: He talks about the "new bats" constantly. He's going to build a team around the "new bats". What this tells me is he's trying to build a team for small ball. Look at the teams who have advanced so far in the regionals. NOT ONE of those teams plays that style of baseball. Every single one of those teams figured out how to score in bunches with the new bats. They don't give up outs. They go for big innings.
You can build a pitching staff with the new bats in mind. You can't allow the new bats to change the way you play offensively. No, you're not going to hit as many home runs, but you certainly can hit gaps, run aggressively on the bases and score in bunches.
He wants to build a program like Texas. He should be trying to build a program like Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, etc.