Sunday, June 12, 2016

Baseball's run comes to an end

Very few (with me at the front of the line) would have predicted that BC Baseball would come within one game of the College World Series. While being firmly on the bubble, they spent the past four weeks winning more than expected, got into the ACC Tourney, the NCAA Tournament and then won their bracket. It came to an end Sunday in Miami. After chipping away at Miami's lead, the game got away on a Canes grand slam. The final score was 9-4.

Both benches emptied after the grand slam, as our guys took exception to the bat flips and taunting from the Hurricanes. Based on social media, many BC fans were angered by Miami's display and proud of the boys for standing up. I am more of the opinion that if you don't want someone showboating or taunting, don't let them score. The whole thing was unfortunate, because it was a great series.

Let's hope BC rides this momentum. This should only help recruiting, fundraising and fan support. If we get the new stadium in a reasonable time, BC Baseball could be a real force. I also hope Gambino has officially turned the corner. There were many times over the past few years where the results on the field raised numerous questions. This year was a breakthrough. Now, let's not fall back.

Congrats to the whole team and organization on a great season. They ended a rough year for BC Sports on a high note. 

14 comments:

bceagle91 said...

I think there's a difference between flipping the bat on a big homer versus a homer in a 7-1 game. This was a big homer. And they're college kids. The team was surely upset at allowing the grand slam, putting the game out of reach and ending a tremendous season. I get the frustration, but that wasn't our finest hour.

mod34b said...

Wish BC would not have taken the bait and got into a brawl. Looked like BC catcher went out of his way to give Miami thug a piece of his mind. Unnecessary by the catcher. BC looked like they were just frustrated they gave up the grand salami. Sore losers

Gotta figure Gambino will cash in and move on.

This is the high point for baseball. Back to the cellar and a perfect time to end the sport on a high note. #bringbacklax - the fastest growing NCAA sport.

Legal Eagle said...

I will admit I don't watch college baseball but I watch a ton of MLB. That bat flip would have caused a bench clearing brawl (or retaliation on the next pitch) in any game. The hitter took his bat with him as he walked up the line admiring his HR and then flipped the bat. I think BC showed restraint if anything. Baseball has weird unwritten rules and Miami certainly broke them in a big way.

Congrats to the baseball team! Great showing all around.

perkindc said...

If the BC athletic dept ever replaces baseball with LAX or even considers re-allocating (even so much as) a penny of the baseball budget to a Lacrosse program, I will return my diploma after I wipe my ass with it.

I actually missed the bat flip...but if our guys got upset... well, that's the correct response. As for the Miami guy, well...we probably should've thrown him a different pitch.

That was a lot of fun...I think I saw the last 4-5 games. I didn't realize how much I would enjoy watching college baseball.

mod34b said...

Perk - your imagery is .. yeesch ........ I assume baseball loses money every year? is that right? why pay for a loser sport nobody cares about or watches.

perkindc said...

Thank you, Mod. I take that as a compliment. BC taught me how to write well. Fr. Izzo was probably my favorite writing instructor.

I haven't seen the numbers yet, but I'm confident the ESPN and BC will be happy with the baseball ratings over the last 3 weeks--don't forget, all that content was distributed online. We wouldn't want to miss out on a huge money making opportunity like NCAA Lacrosse.

mod34b said...

don't take it as a compliment . . . outside of a medical (or perhaps psychological) text book (or a certain other BC blogs), scatological writing is never good writing - as is the case with your fecal foment.

perkindc said...

Don't take this the wrong way, but I've noticed that people who use words like 'scatological' and/or 'fecal foment' typically have their butt cheeks crunched up too tight.

mod34b said...

now Butt cheeks...... oh my...

Lenny Sienko said...

I was watching "live" on ESPN and saw multiple replays, also on ESPN. They showed no "bat flip". The pro-U Miami announcers (one was Alex Cora -alum of U Miami) were the ones who mentioned the "bat flip".

What I did see was the U hitter turning to the BC catcher as he was approaching home plate and stop his run, turn completely toward the catcher, who was on the mound side of the plate, do a little extra dance, and make a hand gesture toward the BC catcher, clearly taunting. The catcher took exception, as well he should have. Then the altercation ensued.

The home plate umpire couldn't have missed this taunting display by the U M player. It took place right in front of him. The ump should have done something, warned or, perhaps, ejected the U M player for his actions and forestalled the fight.

Given Miami's overwhelming home field advantage, the BC kids did well to win the game they did. Lets hope they continue to improve.

Bravesbill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bravesbill said...

The bat flip and celebratory jaunt around the bases was fine. The dance, taunting, and jawing off at the catcher was not.

JBQ said...

There is no joy in Mudville. Mighty Casey struck out one more time.

Lenny Sienko said...

Later saw separate video of the "bat flip" not shown during the "on air" broadcast of the game. The "bat flip" was certainly enough to spark an MLB argy bargy; but not a college punch up. Taunting of the BC catcher was the cause of the bench clearing.