Spring Break
Hoping for Omaha plans
Kacy Hochstatter
Issue date: 5/16/08 Section: Sports
I have had the joy of covering the 2008 team this season and to tell you the truth, I don't know if anybody knows what to expect when the playoffs roll around this year. They still have a little bit of work to do to guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season, but they are currently in decent shape and this weekend will be a big indicator.
Trying to figure this team out has been nearly impossible. This year's team has played a brutal schedule and they have done well against top-tier competition this season, which is a great sign. Like previous teams, the 'twenty-08' (as Mike Parker would say) team has a knack for stepping up in big games and getting contributions from all over the place.
Then there is the other side of the coin. They have played very poorly against some of the weakest teams on the schedule. There have been some ugly losses sprinkled between some great wins, which is why it is so hard to figure this team out.
Is it because they are bored? Has Pat Casey created an atmosphere where his players are only interested in playing the tough teams? If that were the case, then that would be the biggest breakthrough in coaching history. All you would need to do is play the toughest schedule imaginable every season and it would become the biggest dynasty since the Wooden-era Bruins.
As great as that would be, I admit that is a rather ridiculous idea. In all reality, the youth of this team and a lot of young arms in the pitching rotation is the likely cause of the ups and downs this season. But that doesn't mean this team can't do big things.
This team has a lot of confidence, and with Casey on the bench, you know they will never give up. He simply won't allow it. If the Beavers can make another magical run in June, it is going to be pretty hard to find a way to avoid going to Omaha for a fourth consecutive year.
If anyone can tell me what is going to happen this postseason, I would sure like to know. Amsterdam is in my sights and it is a Mecca for - well, I probably don't have to tell all of you. I guess I am going to put my summer plans on hold in the hopes that I can make three previous wrongs into one right.
If it doesn't work out, then I guess that is what I deserve. But it is okay, Amsterdam is not going anywhere.
Kacy Hochstatter, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
Trying to figure this team out has been nearly impossible. This year's team has played a brutal schedule and they have done well against top-tier competition this season, which is a great sign. Like previous teams, the 'twenty-08' (as Mike Parker would say) team has a knack for stepping up in big games and getting contributions from all over the place.
Then there is the other side of the coin. They have played very poorly against some of the weakest teams on the schedule. There have been some ugly losses sprinkled between some great wins, which is why it is so hard to figure this team out.
Is it because they are bored? Has Pat Casey created an atmosphere where his players are only interested in playing the tough teams? If that were the case, then that would be the biggest breakthrough in coaching history. All you would need to do is play the toughest schedule imaginable every season and it would become the biggest dynasty since the Wooden-era Bruins.
As great as that would be, I admit that is a rather ridiculous idea. In all reality, the youth of this team and a lot of young arms in the pitching rotation is the likely cause of the ups and downs this season. But that doesn't mean this team can't do big things.
This team has a lot of confidence, and with Casey on the bench, you know they will never give up. He simply won't allow it. If the Beavers can make another magical run in June, it is going to be pretty hard to find a way to avoid going to Omaha for a fourth consecutive year.
If anyone can tell me what is going to happen this postseason, I would sure like to know. Amsterdam is in my sights and it is a Mecca for - well, I probably don't have to tell all of you. I guess I am going to put my summer plans on hold in the hopes that I can make three previous wrongs into one right.
If it doesn't work out, then I guess that is what I deserve. But it is okay, Amsterdam is not going anywhere.
Kacy Hochstatter, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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