Tiger Baseball

Don't look now, but ETBU's baseball team has won five in a row and has absolutely cruised through its non-conference schedule with 10 wins in its final 10 games against non-ASC opponents.

Now if your glass is half empty, you'll say that non-conference games don't mean much. Against American Southwest Conference teams, the Tigers have gone 3-18 this season counting the two series against ASC West opponents UMHB and McMurry prior to opening ASC East action.

But our glass is half full around here -- actually closer to three-quarters full, and the 13-3 mark against teams outside the ASC is a good thing because it shows progress for Tiger baseball.

Three things make this one particular fan of ETBU baseball look forward to the immediate future. Number one, we've got a coach in Sam Blackmon who has won everywhere he's been. At the University of Dallas earlier this decade, in five years there, Coach Blackmon won over 70 percent of his games as coach. He's won at all levels of baseball -- high school, college and professional. There is no reason why that won't continue here because guys who win generally know how to get it done, and Sam is a guy who has won.

Sam's first team last year was not really his. Recruiting at the college level is pretty much impossible when you have to start in the summer, and Coach Blackmon didn't come on board at ETBU until late in June of 2006. That's about as late as it gets in the game when it comes to recruiting. His first freshman class was pretty much overmatched from day one, and it showed with just 11 wins that first year.

What do I mean by overmatched? Think about this -- it is tough to succeed when you are throwing kids out there who less than a year before were playing for district championships in high school, and you are competing against programs with grown men who are 22, 23 years old in some cases and who are drawing looks from major league scouts. The Tigers have had to deal with that the last two years, and they have taken their lumps.

Reason number two: the Tigers have a young core in place now. Coming off last season, the coaches knew what they wanted in recruiting but they also wanted to keep the big picture in place. If you are in it for the long haul, you have got to have good, solid upperclassmen as leaders every year. You also have to bring in quality freshmen who eventually will become leaders. If you can do that every year -- well, that's called a program.

ETBU brought in some experienced help to mix with a handful of seniors coming back from '07. Guys like Cody Jones, Matt Hale, Kyle Pope -- guys who had played some college baseball elsewhere and had that experience. Those transfers, along with seniors Will Melton and Jared Gage, have given the Tigers a solid lineup most of the season.

But the young guys -- guys like Matt Schimpf, Ryan Yezak, Drew Banks, Milton Williams, Jake Atchley, Jered Price... the list goes on. This is Coach Blackmon's first full recruiting class, meaning first class as a result of a year's worth of recruiting. Did they have their rough spots this year? You bet, several of them. But there's not a one of those guys playing solid innings for ETBU right now that hasn't gotten better as the season progressed. With youth, you look for talent first and then look for improvement. With five straight wins and 10 straight against non-league opponents over the last couple of months, you can see the improvement.

Reason number three: improved facilities. It has been a priority for Coach Blackmon from day one at making ETBU's baseball facility one of the best in the conference. Not that Woods Field was shabby or second-rate when he arrived in 2006, but there is always room for improvement when you think about the future. The late Mr. Lloyd Woods made it possible for lights to be installed this season, and we have enjoyed nighttime baseball all year that has increased attendance. It also allows the players more class time while still playing every game.

There have been discussions also of a possible baseball-only field house, a redesigned outfield wall, a renovated press box and grandstand area, and further landscaping around Woods Field that would enhance the look and atmosphere even further. Those things are just discussions right now, but it is nice to think about. One thing is for sure -- the better your facility, the better your chances to recruit quality student-athletes. See the previous blog entry ("Houses Built For Tigers") for more info on that particular subject.

Last night's win at LSU Alexandria moved the Tigers to 16-21 on the season. That's five more victories than all of 2007, and we've got another three games to go. On the field, that's progress. You want your team to be better than it was the previous year, and I don't think there's any doubt about that with this club.

And all signs are pointing to continued improvement in 2008. The pieces are in place, and the steps are being taken. Patience is also part of being good, and patience is usually rewarded.

Great job, guys.