Questions on Duke baseball

Baseballman: I'd like to ad my congratulations to your son; as I've always felt that the combination of a Davidson education and 4 years of D1 baseball was a pretty special one. One of my son's high school teammates took them up on their offer, had an outstanding career there, and now finds himself in law school.

Turning to Duke, I've heard the same sort of positive things about the current staff that Coach27 related. Historically, Duke baseball staffs have tended to believe that there were only a handful of North Carolina players who would bring sufficient academic credentials with them to warrant recruiting them. Whether the current staff feels differently, I couldn't say.

I've always felt that if other top-flight private schools like Vanderbilt, Rice, and Stanford could bring championship caliber baseball to their campuses, Duke ought to be able to, as well. Perhaps this staff can accomplish that.

 

Thanks for your kind words, guys. I am a strong believer that the good lord guides us where he needs us. Sometimes in life the best things that happen to us are the things that DON'T happen the way we thought they should. Mac is extremely happy at Davidson and if we can get him healthy (TJ surgery in Sept), will be back on the mound to prove the ones that didn't recruit him wrong.

 

BaseballMan

He doesnt have to prove anyone wrong. Just prove that Davidson was right. And I have no doubt he will do just that. And I can say this with no hesitation your son is one of the most polite and respectfull young men I have I ever met. He is a tremendous young man.

 

A Davidson education is top notch. I'd send my kid to Davidson in a heartbeat. My son loves Davidson as it is. Baseballman, I don't know you or your son but what a great opportunity to get a Davidson education. I'm happy for you.

 

I was most impressed by the way the Duke staff recruited one of our players. As a Duke grad ('90), I am extremely pleased at the attempt to bring pride and a winning product to a school that IMO hasn't previously made baseball a priority like it could. Yes, the academic credentials needed are stringent, but this staff will search high and low, starting in state, to find the right players.

 

Coach, did you say Duke grad? Wow, between 999 and yourself, you guys have singlehandedly balanced the intelligence level of TBR prep...as one that tilted that balance in the other direction, I appreciate it.

 

Hey...

Easy on Catawba grads. He's our calling card.

 

Interesting Davidson Fact

BASEBALLMAN and ONE PUTT, I coached at Davidson in the mid to late 70's football and wrestling and in doing so was actively involved in recruiting. One of the things we were able to tell kids interested in Medicine was that everyone one of our players who played 4 years and graduated interested in Med school got their #1 choice of Med Schools. The competition for this positions at the top schools is fierce. The combination of playing college sports and the Davidson Education obviously was well respected. Good luck to your kids and whatever their future endeavors are.

 

Thanks Yankees. Good to hear. That is one of two fields my son is looking.

 

Having played there in the mid 90's, we had a few good years and some not so much. The key for their success is always the play of three or four freshman. I decided to go there because I felt that was the best place for me to pitch right away and the money they offered. Every year several freshman will pitch and one or two will need to play big in the line up. It is just a long season and the academics can weigh on you with the amount of time needed to stay on above water. As a public school grad, I was not ready for the academic demand at Duke. It took me a year to get on the right page with what the professors required. That can wear a freshman out which results in deterioration of their play at a time they are needed most! This is where the 26 man roster really hurts the team.

The 26 players limit was set by the athletic department, but I am not sure if it is still that way. Also, the commitment is just not there by the dept. Duke could easily be similar to Vanderbilt and be competing with Stanford for players, but the facilities are awful, especially compared to the other ACC schools or even Davidson's renovated facility. Hopefully as McNally works hard, the school is putting forth the money. McNally is a first class guy and will do a great job with what he is given.