I think you said it in a different post, but it does feel like Sunday was a microcosm of the whole season. There was some great baseball played, but in the end, we just couldn’t get it done. Couldn’t “step on their throats,” as Casey likes to say.

I did hesitate a bit when typing that about TCU fans, because I know OSU fans can be harsh as well. I went to two consecutive games against USC this year, as you may recall (lost both), and there was something that one USC player did (it escapes me now) that carried over from Friday’s game into Saturday’s game and probably Sunday’s as well. I think as a whole the OSU fanbase at Goss is a lot more educated on baseball and what-have-you, there’s just always those few guys who are either a) really funny, or b) make everybody look bad.

I agree, but I think we are a bit edgy about the Texas thing of late for the CBI championship against Texas El_Paso really didn’t leave a good impression either. The fans were awesome in showing support for their team, but then just came across as very immature in the way they went all ape-poop against Roland Schaftenaar (this is college ball people-chill out), throwing stuff on the court, etc.

But yes, we do need to probably back off the all of TX deal, but it is hard right now when: first we lose in a pretty heart-breaking fashion; and second just feel disrespected overall by the TCU experience (good call on the announcers) which all starts to add up.

We’ll all get over it soon though, won’t we!

I definitely agree. The two games in which TCU wasn’t playing and the OSU Parker feed were used was beautiful. A) we won those games, and B) gotta love Mike Parker’s calls, especially when things are going well.

During the games we played TCU, I decided to just listen to Parker on a radio. It was willing to sacrifice a delay (2 pitches or whatever) between the sound and the video feed. It just wasn’t worth listening to those TCU guys… Parker, who does it by himself, I might add… gives much more information, is much more knowledgeable, and is fair to both teams.

And from what I DID hear from the TCU broadcast, it sounded like the play by play guy taught Sports Broadcasting classes at TCU.

It is just a game, and I think we are venting a bit after a disappointing loss. But here are some of my thoughts and reading of the above comments in response:

With regard to the timing, why not hold that in your back pocket until needed? I would call that one advantage Schlossnagle. He used it when he needed it and more power to him.

Maybe, maybe not, who are we to say really I guess. But it did seem a bit ill-timed and under-handed, but yes sure there are all kinds-of mind games going on in baseball where coaches slow down and try to break up the rhythm of players. This just seemed a bit extreme, and personally why not call it out once it was known by the coaching staff? Doesn’t it all come across as kind-of a trick in the hat deal, and I can’t trust my players to break down the pitcher? But in many ways not a big deal compared to our team’s lack of hitting runners in when it counted.

Your comments about our fans was a bit alarming but baseball in this part of the country is not a gentleman’s sport. Sure we have some fans that can be brutal but for the most part they are clean mouthed and friendly.

Probably true, and I’m a bit on the Corvallis crowds are not all saints side of things when it comes down to it. I think a lot of our beef here is that it happened ALL weekend, and what was the point of doing it when you are not even playing? BUT that all said the fans didn’t beat the players, TCU’s players did.

Thanks for the note and we’ll get over it all, sooner or later!

This is pretty much TCU’s world series so I guess I can’t blame them for acting the way they did. Plus we’re talking about Texas here…

I’m disappointed that we didn’t show up in game one and fizzled in game two. This was a hot team that we really should have beaten. That said, they can still kiss the rings.

Why the heck is there a rule about the length of your sleeves on your undershirt. There’s no way it was distracting the batter. As far as the advantage goes, isn’t there a bit of sportsmanship that needs to be shown here. I mean, I know it’s a big game and it’s not a fairy tale, but come on! Sports are about sportsmanship, and if you don’t have it then you shouldn’t be participating in them.

As far as the fans, they reminded me alot of the UTEP fans in the CBI. They were definitely hostile, but that’s what fans are supposed to do, make a tough enviroment for imposing teams.

But will respond with a couple comments here too:

So there was absolutely gamesmanship involved in the sleeve incident and that played a factor.

What I have an issue here is that a coach should not take the college kids attitudes personally. Now if Schlossnagle had an issue with Casey or another coach or even the OSU players take it up with Casey. Don’t piss on the game itself. Like with Pat Murphy and his beef against Rhoderick in the ASU series, or if Casey would do something similar. I don’t/wouldn’t like it. Play the game and let your play speak the smack.

But admittedly, things are a little different in Texas and sports are a way of life and can get personal for some people rightly or wrongly.

This just doesn’t make all that much sense to me. Maybe you should hang out during Civil War football time here! This TX is so different is an interesting thing and here’s a story. Once I tried to pull that line on a Texan and he got very pissed that I would even imply that everyone in Texas lives in their own little world. Not an excuse or a proper way to label people is what I learned that day.

Anyway, thanks for the level-headed and nice post! All the best for the rest of the post-season for TCU!