Baseball 2011

[Hilltopper]

And the Zips were reasonably competetive against these guys.

Get Mike Birkbeck, TW.

Unless they are willing to pay him $150k+ and improve the facilities, that is not going to happen.

[Captain Kangaroo]

And the Zips were reasonably competetive against these guys.

Get Mike Birkbeck, TW.

Unless they are willing to pay him $150k+ and improve the facilities, that is not going to happen.

Then we should disband the program.

What's the use of bringing in another journeyman coach, paying him nothing, keeping the facilities in the bottom tier, and firing him in 4 years?

Take a big cut, or get out of the business.

Dambrot used to play baseball @ UA...give him and extra $100k and tell him to coach 'em up!

[BirdZip]

Dambrot used to play baseball @ UA...give him and extra $100k and tell him to coach 'em up!

I'll bet our defense would improve...

[Lee Adams]

Maybe KD can coach baseball and Basketball? But really,it has always amazed me that Can't could consistently have a strong program when the schools are recruiting from the same base of players. Please don't dump a lot of money into expensive baseball facilities and expect that is automatically going to make a difference in performance. We see how that has worked with f.ball. If it can be worked out play as many games as possible at Canal Park. Why wouldn't a college kid want to play there?

The last time they made the NCAA's was what,1987? Think they played T.Tech. I was living in Texas at the time. The coaches office was a little hole in Memorial Hall. Obviously,they have to find the 'right' coach who has enough local connections to bring the kids Can't is getting to Akron. Spend more money on the head coach.

[Deacs]

bump..

[Spin]

Maybe KD can coach baseball and Basketball? But really,it has always amazed me that Can't could consistently have a strong program when the schools are recruiting from the same base of players. Please don't dump a lot of money into expensive baseball facilities and expect that is automatically going to make a difference in performance. We see how that has worked with f.ball. If it can be worked out play as many games as possible at Canal Park. Why wouldn't a college kid want to play there?

The last time they made the NCAA's was what,1987? Think they played T.Tech. I was living in Texas at the time. The coaches office was a little hole in Memorial Hall. Obviously,they have to find the 'right' coach who has enough local connections to bring the kids Can't is getting to Akron. Spend more money on the head coach.

Things are a lot different now than they were 24 years ago. Athletes are a lot different.

The CP vs. on-campus stadium thing I haven't decided yet. If nobody knows Akron plays baseball, does it matter?

What would the cost be of (1) a drainage system, artificial surface, and some real seats compared to

(2) Canal Park rental, compared to

(3) costs in maintaining the natural surface at the current playground? Would you save money in the long run by renovating Lee Jackson? Attracting students, selling more hot dogs, and benefiting from the "campus atmosphere"?

One thing we have seen with the soccer stadium and (to a lesser extent) the softball stadium, is outside fans will come on campus to watch a game.

[bigzipguy]

They won the MAC tournament in 1996. Lost first to Southern Cal 20-10, then to Texas Tech 7-2, in the NCAA'S.

[Deacs]

Zips..

New member with no ties to UA... just looking for some thoughts and opinions on your head coaching vacancy. Any hint of Rembielak throwing his name in the hat? Would be difficult for me to believe that you could find someone more qualified to jump start your baseball program. Over 500 D1 wins at both Can't State and Wake Forest.. and a UA alum to boot. Being that he has ties from your area and now southern ties from his tenure at Wake and GT... his recruiting ability would be off the charts. Just a thought....

[johnnyzip84]

Birkbeck Article

Edit: Link doesn't seem to work. Here is the text:

By Josh Weir

CantonRep.com staff writer

Posted Jun 12, 2011 @ 07:01 AM

Maybe Can't State Professional Pitching Preparatory Academy is a bit of an overstatement.

But just know that professional baseball is well aware of the talented arms coming out of Can't State University.

The Golden Flashes had three pitchers selected in this year’s First-Year Player Draft, all of them in the first 10 rounds.

Lefty starter Andrew Chafin went in the compensatory first round to the Diamondbacks. Right-handed closer Kyle McMillen went in the fourth round to the White Sox. Lefty starter Kyle Hallock went in the 10th round to the Astros.

Also, right-handed reliever Justin Gill signed a free-agent deal with the Astros.

Yes, the scouts see what Can't State associate head coach and pitching coach Mike Birkbeck is doing with his staff.

“When programs are known for putting out good pitchers, we’re going to pay attention,” Astros scout Nick Venuto said. “I’ve always been a big fan of what Mike Birkbeck does over there at Can't. His pitchers are ready to go out and compete.”

As Venuto spoke by cell phone, he was traveling the Ohio Turnpike, coming from signing Hallock and going to sign Gill.

“Coach Birkbeck does such a tremendous job with his pitchers,” said Nick Hostetler of the White Sox scouting department, which selected McMillen with the 141st overall pick. “We know a pitcher like Kyle is going to continue to progress and continue to get better. It just shows you all the hard work he and the coaches have put in to get better.”

During the last three drafts, Can't State had pitchers selected 10 times. Consider that Ohio State had two pitchers selected during that same span, or that no other Mid-American Conference team had at least five.

The rest of the MAC combined had four pitchers taken in the first 10 rounds of the past three drafts. Can't State had five, which measures up to such power programs as North Carolina (5), Virginia (5), Florida (5), Georgia Tech (4) and LSU (3).

So coach Birkbeck, what is the secret?

“I attribute it to getting the right kids in our program and then watching them grow,” said Birkbeck, a Plain Township resident who has watched his pitchers get drafted 22 times over his 14 years at Can't. “It’s a fascinating thing (watching them develop). We spend a lot of time with those guys. But the key is getting the right personnel. We talk about it in recruiting. We don’t necessarily want the guys who are the best at 16, 17 years old, but (those who) have that burning desire to be great. And they get in here and get surrounded by some of those same type of guys.”

McMillen is a great example of the “best-is-yet-to come” philosophy. Birkbeck remembers a 6-foot-1, 170-pound kid at Hoban who had a good, raw arm but no feel for breaking pitches.

This year, as a 6-2, 200-pound junior, McMillen used a mid-90s fastball and a power slider to save a school- and conference-record 18 games with a 1.80 ERA.

“He turned into a man,” Birkbeck said with a laugh. “Mother Nature made all of us very smart.”

Gill lauded praise on Birkbeck, head coach Scott Stricklin and assistant coach Scott Daeley for the jobs they do with the Golden Flashes.

But, as can be expected, the pitchers are especially tight with Birkbeck, or “Birky” as they call him, a native of Orrville who played parts of six seasons in the majors with the Brewers and Mets and two seasons in Japan after a stellar college career at the University of Akron.

“He’s a magician,” Gill said. “He can work with anybody and make them into their own certain pitcher.”

Birkbeck preaches pitching basics: Be aggressive, throw strikes. The Flashes do a ton of film work. But his impact is more mental than physical, according to Gill.

"We’re all different pitchers, but we all follow Birky’s ways,” Gill said. “He puts you in that mental mindset from Day 1, that you’re a Can't State Golden Flash, and you’re going to have to perform higher than everybody else because of the reputation we have.”

Birkbeck’s son, John, joins the Golden Flashes next year after a second-team All-Ohio senior season at GlenOak. Birkbeck’s fatherly advice: “Get good grades, be a good human being and get people out,” the elder Birkbeck said, “and you won’t have any problems."

It'd be great to get both him and his son, but it sure doesn't seem like that will happen.

[ZachTheZip]

Zips..

New member with no ties to UA... just looking for some thoughts and opinions on your head coaching vacancy. Any hint of Rembielak throwing his name in the hat? Would be difficult for me to believe that you could find someone more qualified to jump start your baseball program. Over 500 D1 wins at both Can't State and Wake Forest.. and a UA alum to boot. Being that he has ties from your area and now southern ties from his tenure at Wake and GT... his recruiting ability would be off the charts. Just a thought....

This guy lists five possible candidates that he's heard mentioned, after a lengthy rant about how our coaching search is taking too long.

Little has been found of who may be considered for Akron's next coach but these five names have been mentioned.

Michigan assistant Matt Husted

Ex-Notre Dame Head Coach Dave Schrage

Ex-Wake Forest Rick Rembielak

Wayne State Head Coach Ryan Kelley

Wright State assistant Greg Lovelady

Watch it end up being some random guy who spent time with our AD at Wisky or Minnesota.

[Hilltopper]

Watch it end up being some random guy who spent time with our AD at Wisky or Minnesota.

For once, I think you might be on to something.

[johnnyzip84]

Zips..

New member with no ties to UA... just looking for some thoughts and opinions on your head coaching vacancy. Any hint of Rembielak throwing his name in the hat? Would be difficult for me to believe that you could find someone more qualified to jump start your baseball program. Over 500 D1 wins at both Can't State and Wake Forest.. and a UA alum to boot. Being that he has ties from your area and now southern ties from his tenure at Wake and GT... his recruiting ability would be off the charts. Just a thought....

This guy lists five possible candidates that he's heard mentioned, after a lengthy rant about how our coaching search is taking too long.

Little has been found of who may be considered for Akron's next coach but these five names have been mentioned.

Michigan assistant Matt Husted

Ex-Notre Dame Head Coach Dave Schrage

Ex-Wake Forest Rick Rembielak

Wayne State Head Coach Ryan Kelley

Wright State assistant Greg Lovelady

Watch it end up being some random guy who spent time with our AD at Wisky or Minnesota.

I thought this guy sounded familiar. He was HC at K.E.N.T. prior to Wake and, of course, had much success there. It'd be interesting to see if he'd even have any interest here.

[ZachTheZip]

We are rumored to be conducting interviews this week.

I hope that a part of the process is TW impressing prospective coaches with blueprints to a new baseball stadium. I remember when the first drawings of the new soccer stadium came out that it looked like baseball was getting a grandstand.

[Hilltopper]

Zips..

New member with no ties to UA... just looking for some thoughts and opinions on your head coaching vacancy. Any hint of Rembielak throwing his name in the hat? Would be difficult for me to believe that you could find someone more qualified to jump start your baseball program. Over 500 D1 wins at both Can't State and Wake Forest.. and a UA alum to boot. Being that he has ties from your area and now southern ties from his tenure at Wake and GT... his recruiting ability would be off the charts. Just a thought....

This guy lists five possible candidates that he's heard mentioned, after a lengthy rant about how our coaching search is taking too long.

Little has been found of who may be considered for Akron's next coach but these five names have been mentioned.

Michigan assistant Matt Husted

Ex-Notre Dame Head Coach Dave Schrage

Ex-Wake Forest Rick Rembielak

Wayne State Head Coach Ryan Kelley

Wright State assistant Greg Lovelady

Watch it end up being some random guy who spent time with our AD at Wisky or Minnesota.

I thought this guy sounded familiar. He was HC at K.E.N.T. prior to Wake and, of course, had much success there. It'd be interesting to see if he'd even have any interest here.

A big part of why Rembielak was so succesful at Can't was the coaching from this guy; Dick Schoonover.

During his time with the Golden Flashes, the Can't State pitching staffs recorded the best seasons in program history. In 1992, Can't State finished second in the NCAA in overall team ERA (2.61) and ranked first in the country in team ERA (2.37) during the 1993 campaign. Under his tutelage at Can't State, three pitchers were named All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association (Dustin Hermanson and Mike Nartker in 1993, Ted Rose in 1996). Schoonover mentored 12 All-Mid-American Conference pitchers, eight Mid-East Regional Team selections, six MAC Pitchers of the Year, four Can't State Varsity “K” Hall of Fame pitchers and three first round draft selections, including the third pick overall in 1994 (Hermanson).

[johnnyzip84]

A big part of why Rembielak was so succesful at Can't was the coaching from this guy; Dick Schoonover.

During his time with the Golden Flashes, the Can't State pitching staffs recorded the best seasons in program history. In 1992, Can't State finished second in the NCAA in overall team ERA (2.61) and ranked first in the country in team ERA (2.37) during the 1993 campaign. Under his tutelage at Can't State, three pitchers were named All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association (Dustin Hermanson and Mike Nartker in 1993, Ted Rose in 1996). Schoonover mentored 12 All-Mid-American Conference pitchers, eight Mid-East Regional Team selections, six MAC Pitchers of the Year, four Can't State Varsity “K” Hall of Fame pitchers and three first round draft selections, including the third pick overall in 1994 (Hermanson).

That's a very good point, Hilltopper. It looks like a new HC will be named soon and Rembielak remains among the names being mentioned.

[jockey16]

I am also an alumni to the baseball program from the early to mid 90's. When I was a freshman it was our first year in the MAC and we were terrible. Outmatched. By the time I left we made the playoffs twice and won the MAC tournament on Can't's field.

The facilities back then were nothing compared to now. We took indoor batting practice in a place we called "The Dungeon." Infielders took groundballs on the gym floor at Memorial Hall. Pitchers through off of wooden mounds made of 2X4's and plywood. We ran sprints in the bays at Rhodes Arena and had to help each other stop before we hit the walls. But, we did what we could and we got better.

Of course, facilities are a significant factor in recruiting. But they are not a determining factor in success and/or improvement. I only met Coach Bangston a couple times and do not know any of the players from his teams, but the facilities at Akron should not be an excuse. A new field, new grandstand, new backstop, new indoor cages and new wall will not make the team win. Leadership, teaching, hardwork and attention to detail will bring about improvement.

I went to a handful of games this past season and it was easy to see why they lost. Poor plate discipline (i.e. not working the count), routinely throwing behind the runners in the field, lack of execution on routine plays, pitcher's doing a poor job of holding runners, and a lack of leadership on the field are what I noticed the most. These are mostly mental errors.

In my opinion, the facilities are "good enough" to be successful. Besides, if you were running the athletic department, would you sink $500k into new facilities for a largely unsuccessful team? Or would you tell them to earn it first?

Also, you cannot move the backstop closer to home plate. It is already close by college standards and the field lacks in foul ball territory as it is.

[ZachTheZip]

I want new facilities so I don't have to stand or sit in wet grass when i choose to watch a game. it's more about the fans than the players. Why would a player care about the grandstand? I just want an actual place to sit. I bet attendance would double (not a difficult feat) if there were an actual place for people to watch from. Facility improvements are for the fans, not the players. The field is fine during the months they play on it.

As far as why the team lost, yes it was mostly mental errors. It doesn't take much to be competitive in the MAC. Good fundamentals should at least get you a top-8 finish and into the conference tournament, something Bangston failed to do in six years.

[zips4ever2008]

I've been to Akron baseball games and sitting on those wood bleachers is not comfortable. It would be nice if the whole field and surrounding area was redone to actually look like a college ballpark. I have not seen the other MAC school's baseball facilities, but I would think they would be better then Akron. It just amazes me when I watch college baseball on television and see the ballparks teams have.

As far as the next coach, I would like someone who was at some big school. It would be nice to get someone who was an assistent coach on a SEC, Big 12, ACC or even Pac 10 team. Get someone who knows college baseball and can really be a good coach/mentor to the student athletes. I know college baseball isn't as big in the MAC then maybe in the SEC, but I would still like someone who can bring experience and a winning attitude to Akron. I really enjoy college baseball and it would be great to build a winning program at Akron. I don't know who our A.D will pick, but since he hired our football coach, I really don't know.

[ZachTheZip]

Looks like the MAC tournament is moving to Avon. Not that it affects us since we can't seem to ever finish in the top 2/3 of a weak conference.

[dougmcnulty33]

I disagree completely Little Joey...

I remembered when I had to walk 15 miles to schools both ways in 33 inches of snow...stop with the History lessons...

You need new facilities...if you compared the Buckeye Scout top 100 now as opposed to 7-8 years ago...you notice that more of the Upper echelon kids are leaving the state of Ohio which means the lower half of the list is being spread even thinner across MAC Schools...I think you need facilities, but I don't discount your attitude and approach to how your teams worked.

I too once took grounds balls of Memorial Fieldhouse unforgiving floors...good thing I had a cup in..

I felt Pat was given no chance to succeed, and he was one of my two coaches (Tim Berenyi being the first), but I feel Rick is a good hire.

[Z.I.P.]

I disagree completely Little Joey...

I remembered when I had to walk 15 miles to schools both ways in 33 inches of snow...stop with the History lessons...

You need new facilities...if you compared the Buckeye Scout top 100 now as opposed to 7-8 years ago...you notice that more of the Upper echelon kids are leaving the state of Ohio which means the lower half of the list is being spread even thinner across MAC Schools...I think you need facilities, but I don't discount your attitude and approach to how your teams worked.

I too once took grounds balls of Memorial Fieldhouse unforgiving floors...good thing I had a cup in..

I felt Pat was given no chance to succeed, and he was one of my two coaches (Tim Berenyi being the first), but I feel Rick is a good hire.

Two cents from a guy who hasn't been to a baseball game in over a decade, but used to be a regular at the best college stadium in the Central Pacific (or America for that matter). College baseball has overgone a big transformation in the past 15-20 years. And the biggest facet of that transformation is geography. Top players are leaving Ohio -- and other snowbelt states more rapidly than ever, and sunbelt colleges have invested major $$ in their programs with beautiful facilities, while schools in the North, including I have to assume BCS level programs, have been left in the dingy grey dust of snowmelt. Akron needs to compete against MAC and similar mid-major conferences in baseball (no, not Wichita State or Creighton, major but declining teams from the MizzouValley), and that can be done for a smidgen of the cost of our soccer stadium upgrade. It seems the overall upgrade of Lee Jackson would help baseball, but yes, you have to have fan-friendly stands, even if Zach could bring a folding chair to keep his butt dry. Compare Akron with Can't State, Central Michigan or whoever is at the top of the MAC at a given time. It wouldn't seem a lot of money is needed to compete with ordinary mediocre programs. Wright State has become a respected program, how much better can their facilities be?

[Blue & Gold]

I disagree completely Little Joey...

I remembered when I had to walk 15 miles to schools both ways in 33 inches of snow...stop with the History lessons...

You need new facilities...if you compared the Buckeye Scout top 100 now as opposed to 7-8 years ago...you notice that more of the Upper echelon kids are leaving the state of Ohio which means the lower half of the list is being spread even thinner across MAC Schools...I think you need facilities, but I don't discount your attitude and approach to how your teams worked.

I too once took grounds balls of Memorial Fieldhouse unforgiving floors...good thing I had a cup in..

I felt Pat was given no chance to succeed, and he was one of my two coaches (Tim Berenyi being the first), but I feel Rick is a good hire.

Two cents from a guy who hasn't been to a baseball game in over a decade, but used to be a regular at the best college stadium in the Central Pacific (or America for that matter). College baseball has overgone a big transformation in the past 15-20 years. And the biggest facet of that transformation is geography. Top players are leaving Ohio -- and other snowbelt states more rapidly than ever, and sunbelt colleges have invested major $ in their programs with beautiful facilities, while schools in the North, including I have to assume BCS level programs, have been left in the dingy grey dust of snowmelt. Akron needs to compete against MAC and similar mid-major conferences in baseball (no, not Wichita State or Creighton, major but declining teams from the MizzouValley), and that can be done for a smidgen of the cost of our soccer stadium upgrade. It seems the overall upgrade of Lee Jackson would help baseball, but yes, you have to have fan-friendly stands, even if Zach could bring a folding chair to keep his butt dry. Compare Akron with Can't State, Central Michigan or whoever is at the top of the MAC at a given time. It wouldn't seem a lot of money is needed to compete with ordinary mediocre programs. Wright State has become a respected program, how much better can their facilities be?

Actually, CMU's stadium is gorgeous. Linky.

[Spin]

Why can't baseball have something even remotely as nice as the softball stadium???

[jockey16]

I disagree completely Little Joey...

I remembered when I had to walk 15 miles to schools both ways in 33 inches of snow...stop with the History lessons...

You need new facilities...if you compared the Buckeye Scout top 100 now as opposed to 7-8 years ago...you notice that more of the Upper echelon kids are leaving the state of Ohio which means the lower half of the list is being spread even thinner across MAC Schools...I think you need facilities, but I don't discount your attitude and approach to how your teams worked.

I too once took grounds balls of Memorial Fieldhouse unforgiving floors...good thing I had a cup in..

I felt Pat was given no chance to succeed, and he was one of my two coaches (Tim Berenyi being the first), but I feel Rick is a good hire.

I will not stop with the history lessons. Maybe today's players need to realize what they have is significantly better than previous ballplayers. Yet, previous teams enjoyed much greater success while utilizing lesser facilities. Keep in mind, when I played our facilities were the worst in the MAC, yet we found a way to win.

A new field will not magically translate to pitchers holding the runners on better or infielders making routine plays. New dugouts will not help the hitters work the count better. Even new batting cages by the field will not be the difference. A new backstop will not help the catcher throw more runners out. The players made way too many mental errors in the games I saw. Clearly a lack of focus and attention to detail. In my opinion, that is something the coaches should be able to address without state-of-the-art facilities.

Rembielak is a very good hire. Previous successful head coaching experience. Previous MAC experience and recruiting knowledge of the area. I will be very interested to observe the approach of his team this next season compared to what we saw previously.

[ZachTheZip]

Its hard to appreciate what they have now compared to past players when they're constantly reminded during road games that what they have Is still worse than every other ballpark they play in.