How does everyone feel about the idea of training on campus as opposed to going to various summer leagues around the country to play?

I don't believe coach has stopped players from going to summer leagues his previous stops. I heard is was more to do with keeping the team together so they can work out together and focus on team chemistry.

Copperheads still playing, just not Bobcats.

Is this really what they are doing???  No one is playing in a summer baseball league?

That's a great recruiting tool, "you can fix the field so others can play".

This is simply stupid. As for who's paying, 11.9 schollies, there are a lot of kids on their own dime.

What a complete joke!!!  I wouldn't expect anything else based on what I witnessed in the spring.  The stupidity continues.

So why not this year?

Reading the stats?!?! 14-39 is certainly a telling one. Worst ERA (5.68) in the MAC is another. I don't care how good they "look"...sports is a results-oriented activity. And the results weren't good!

For the record, I was also able to watch 6-7 games last year. And they looked about as good as the stats above indicate. I didn't see a lot of fight or passion out there, either. And the number of players kicked off the team probably wasn't a great indicator of success.

Smith is a mediocre coach who will get mediocre results, at best. You're hard pressed to find many around Athens that speak highly of him...and it's not just Carbone supporters. I hope this year can be better, but I fear baseball is entering a Bryant/Lichtenberg-esque era of futility.

I still would love to know how a team with 11.7 scholarships can force 35 guys to stay on campus all summer. Hopefully the team has some rich parents, or the Copperheads pay $30/hour to drag the field.

They all get host families, or team houses free of charge (if they want to utilize it).

Meals are paid for on the road, although the per diem is less than it is during the school season.

Teams like the Cincinnati Steam only target players from the area, so they are an exception.

I honestly didn't even think this was allowed under NCAA rules.

You are only allowed to have up to four players from the same school on a summer league team.

So they can't actually be having full team workouts.

Most guys live off campus where their lease agreements/rental term begins during the first week in June.  They are paying rent anyway so why not live there and take a couple classes?  I imagine that some of the underclass men are staying in off campus housing too.  I happened to stop by the facility last Tuesday.... players were conducting a full scale 2 hour practice that featured all the intensity and effort expected of them when the coaching staff is present.  They took a fast-paced, intense round of infield/outfield, followed by a 9 inning scrimmage.  Pitchers conducted their own bullpen sessions.  I was impressed.  Leadership roles were apparent.   

I haven't seen many Ohio players playing in the big-time summer leagues out East.  Most of our guys are placed in the Great Lakes or Prospect league .  Hell, they spend more time riding a bus than playing baseball anyway.  I saw probably 20+ Prospect League games over the last couple years,,,, very little coaching takes place, very,very few pro scouts ever attend.  No weight training takes place, no conditioning takes place, and a lot of just plain ole goofing off occurs.  I doubt that many of the players in these leages get any better at their skills.

Like I said if this is so great why isn't everyone doing it?