Much more so than professional sports, in college rosters are in a constant state of flux from year to year. This is, of course, because of the built-in four (sometimes five) year elibibility limit that players have, addition to transfers and early draftees. Because of this structure, recruiting is one of the most important functions of a college coaching staff. Depending on who you ask, some will tell you it’s better to be a mediocre coaches and great recruiter than the other way around. Though I suspect there are actually very few who meet that definition (but, just in case, I’m looking at you, Les Miles).
I bring this up because I was researching a different topic and came across a list of 2018 Towson baseball commitments, and then another (you may have to sort those pages by year to see the current lists). I have no idea how Matt Tyner and his staff fit it in, but they have obviously been hard at work. Somehow, while coaching the current team, working on improving facilities, engaging in fundraising, and community engagement, Tyner and his staff have been identifying and courting the next crop of Tigers players. It appears to be work well done, as what they have so far includes some promising prospects who fill some obvious niches in the Towson roster. The future does appear to be getting brighter.
I gotta wear…you know.
Three is was a magic number for the Towson Tigers today as they walloped Coppin State 9-4 for their third straight victory and first official winning streak of the season. Despite my prediction of a wild game on the bases, the Tigers also won the track meet in one-sided fashion, stealing four bases in as many attempts, while throwing out one of two would-be Eagles thieves. So much for Nostradamus.
The minor leagues are one of my favorite parts of major league baseball. No other sport has such an extensive feeder system for each team, so only in baseball do you get to effectively root for 5-6, or more, teams. This is especially wonderful on days (or nights) when the parent club doesn’t do so well – it’s pretty rare for every team in the system to lose on the same day, so you can usually find a win to be happy about somewhere.