Bradley Baseball

[panther12thman]

Why is it that Elvis gets a pass and is not on the hot seat. No articles by KW demanding accountibility for what is arguably Bradleys worst program. A great facility, a great academic school and he (Elvis) can only use the injury excuse!

[SFP]

Why is it that Elvis gets a pass and is not on the hot seat. No articles by KW demanding accountibility for what is arguably Bradleys worst program. A great facility, a great academic school and he (Elvis) can only use the injury excuse!

According to some on this board the facilities are not on par with other Valley schools, we do have a full compliment of scholarships for the program and Peoria is too cold to recruit.

[TylerDurden]

When was BU baseball last relevant? I'm certainly not suggesting that Elvis has done a great job, but it wasn't exactly a baseball power when he got here either.

According to the MVC records (http://www.mvc-sports.com/media/pdf/baseballrecords.pdf), in DK's 28 MVC seasons (1980-0, the only seasons BU had a winning conference record were:

1986 (11-9)
1987 (11-9)
1993 (13-7)
2007 (13-11)

Dewey was 260-377-1 in MVC games and finished in last place in 1983, 2001, 2002 and in 2004, was a tie game away from another last place finish.

So in 28 seasons, he essentially finished in last as many times as he had a winning record.

The BU baseball program hasn't been good for a long time. Elvis hasn't exactly energized the program with two last place finishes in three years, but part of that is what he was left with from Dewey.

To be fair, BU doesn't support baseball on a level that would suggest they should be much better than that. It's an institutional decision to support the program at a certain level. The coaches are only going to be able to do so much with what they have, especially in a "northern" climate.

[tornado]

but based on what's been said publicly so many times -- the standards for success should be applied equally....

[Braves4Life]

but based on what's been said publicly so many times -- the standards for success should be applied equally....

You're "connected"..... an "insider"..... Why not grab Michael Cross' ear and ask him rather than cryptically posting on this obscure thread?

[BuB]

When was BU baseball last relevant? I'm certainly not suggesting that Elvis has done a great job, but it wasn't exactly a baseball power when he got here either.

According to the MVC records (http://www.mvc-sports.com/media/pdf/baseballrecords.pdf), in DK's 28 MVC seasons (1980-0, the only seasons BU had a winning conference record were:

1986 (11-9)
1987 (11-9)
1993 (13-7)
2007 (13-11)

Dewey was 260-377-1 in MVC games and finished in last place in 1983, 2001, 2002 and in 2004, was a tie game away from another last place finish.

So in 28 seasons, he essentially finished in last as many times as he had a winning record.

The BU baseball program hasn't been good for a long time. Elvis hasn't exactly energized the program with two last place finishes in three years, but part of that is what he was left with from Dewey.

To be fair, BU doesn't support baseball on a level that would suggest they should be much better than that. It's an institutional decision to support the program at a certain level. The coaches are only going to be able to do so much with what they have, especially in a "northern" climate.

Just to add a little clarity to your post. In 1983 the Valley was split into divisions. The Bradley baseball team did finish last in their division that year but when you put all the Valley teams records all together, New Mexico St finished last overall.

Kalmers only last places finish in 01 and 02 were in large part related to his being unable to recruit much off campus in 1999 and 2000 due to detached retina's in both eyes. At that time he had 1 underpaid assistant who assisted him in recruiting off campus.

You may not know to much about his history at Bradley. All of his early years there he was the only coach. He also had required duties as an asst A.D. He was the grounds keeper at Meinen Field. He had a local H.S. volunteer coach and was lucky to have a grad assistant to help at practices. Neither of whom recruited. No other Valley coach or program had less to work with, which includes budgets/salary. Evansville may be the exception but they were not in the Valley during most of Kalmers years.

Yes, the record in conference play was not sparkling. If he only had the resources and support Wichita St, Missouri St. and most Valley coaches had....But if you compared his track record to any school north of St Louis, in the entire midwest, it would be hard to find any program that has as many drafts picks, a higher APR, raised as much $, create more positive publicity for their school, and yes, win games as he had more than 1000 wins, as his did. Baseball America did a comprehensive story on top college programs in the U.S. I can't find the story but I believe it listed Bradley in the top 75 schools (out of 330) in the entire U.S.

You mention the team/players that Kalmer left Elvis. It was an experienced veteran group. It think it included 13 Seniors 7 of whom started most games the year before. It also included 2 drafted pitchers who returned to Bradley. Every player on the team had made the Valley playoffs every year they were at Bradley. They were on a streak of 4 consecutive years advancing to the Valley tournament. This was when only the top 6 teams made the tournament. Not like it is now when every team advances.

You are absolutely correct about the lack of support. But it was much worse for Kalmer. He had to deal with other restrictions and requirements that were in place at that time. Elvis has many improvements in the program that were not there 3 years ago. He was able to get the program upgrades that were long overdue and that is good for the program. These should make it easier to have a successful program. Having said that, it will always be hard to keep up with the inexpensive State schools, battle the climate, and convince players to come to a small private school. Plus many of the potential recruits go elsewhere to major in Physical Education and Bradley doesn't offer that

[Da Coach]

Having said that, it will always be hard to keep up with the inexpensive State schools, battle the climate, and convince players to come to a small private school. Plus many of the potential recruits go elsewhere to major in Physical Education and Bradley doesn't offer that

You are correct about these couple of important factors. The NCAA allows Division I baseball teams to have only a maximum of 11.7 scholarships in any year.-

http://www.educationplanner.org/education_planner/paying_article.asp?sponsor=2859&articleName=NCAA_Scholarship_Limits

http://www.collegesportsscholarships.com/baseball.htm

http://www.athleticscholarships.net/baseballscholarships.htm

Of course, every team has more than 11 or 12 players. Bradley's roster lists 30 or more players on the baseball team every year. So, many of the players are on partial scholarships, or are walk-ons who must pay their own way. and some of those partial and non-scholarship players are key players that play an important part in the success of any team.
That gives the state schools a tremendous advantage since the tuition and costs at a state school are much lower and state taxpayers fund much of those costs.

The same problem exists in many other sports, which puts private schools at a marked disadvantage in virtually every sport. Soccer has only a maximum total of 9.9 scholarships, so for Coach DeRose to be about to field a team every year that competes with large state schools is admirable.

[DUBrave5]

You are correct about these couple of important factors. The NCAA allows Division I baseball teams to have only a maximum of 11.7 scholarships in any year.-

http://www.educationplanner.org/education_planner/paying_article.asp?sponsor=2859&articleName=NCAA_Scholarship_Limits

http://www.collegesportsscholarships.com/baseball.htm

http://www.athleticscholarships.net/baseballscholarships.htm

Of course, every team has more than 11 or 12 players. Bradley's roster lists 30 or more players on the baseball team every year. So, many of the players are on partial scholarships, or are walk-ons who must pay their own way. and some of those partial and non-scholarship players are key players that play an important part in the success of any team.
That gives the state schools a tremendous advantage since the tuition and costs at a state school are much lower and state taxpayers fund much of those costs.

The same problem exists in many other sports, which puts private schools at a marked disadvantage in virtually every sport. Soccer has only a maximum total of 9.9 scholarships, so for Coach DeRose to be about to field a team every year that competes with large state schools is admirable.

Creighton is playing against Wichita St. for the Championship game today. Creighton's tuition is $31,894. They manage to get it done.

If I remember correctly, for the past two years ED has had a nationally ranked recruiting class, but still we finish at the bottom of the Valley. The team show real promise earlier this year with their performance in non-conference play. But as we know from basketball and our neighbors on 74, the non-conference schedule doesn't do you much good if you can't perform in conference. And while the Valley has a few good teams such as Wichita St., Creighton, and Illinois St., I still have a hard time considering it to be a baseball power house.

[TylerDurden]

Just to add a little clarity to your post. In 1983 the Valley was split into divisions. The Bradley baseball team did finish last in their division that year but when you put all the Valley teams records all together, New Mexico St finished last overall.

Kalmers only last places finish in 01 and 02 were in large part related to his being unable to recruit much off campus in 1999 and 2000 due to detached retina's in both eyes. At that time he had 1 underpaid assistant who assisted him in recruiting off campus.

You may not know to much about his history at Bradley. All of his early years there he was the only coach. He also had required duties as an asst A.D. He was the grounds keeper at Meinen Field. He had a local H.S. volunteer coach and was lucky to have a grad assistant to help at practices. Neither of whom recruited. No other Valley coach or program had less to work with, which includes budgets/salary. Evansville may be the exception but they were not in the Valley during most of Kalmers years.

Yes, the record in conference play was not sparkling. If he only had the resources and support Wichita St, Missouri St. and most Valley coaches had....But if you compared his track record to any school north of St Louis, in the entire midwest, it would be hard to find any program that has as many drafts picks, a higher APR, raised as much $, create more positive publicity for their school, and yes, win games as he had more than 1000 wins, as his did. Baseball America did a comprehensive story on top college programs in the U.S. I can't find the story but I believe it listed Bradley in the top 75 schools (out of 330) in the entire U.S.

You mention the team/players that Kalmer left Elvis. It was an experienced veteran group. It think it included 13 Seniors 7 of whom started most games the year before. It also included 2 drafted pitchers who returned to Bradley. Every player on the team had made the Valley playoffs every year they were at Bradley. They were on a streak of 4 consecutive years advancing to the Valley tournament. This was when only the top 6 teams made the tournament. Not like it is now when every team advances.

You are absolutely correct about the lack of support. But it was much worse for Kalmer. He had to deal with other restrictions and requirements that were in place at that time. Elvis has many improvements in the program that were not there 3 years ago. He was able to get the program upgrades that were long overdue and that is good for the program. These should make it easier to have a successful program. Having said that, it will always be hard to keep up with the inexpensive State schools, battle the climate, and convince players to come to a small private school. Plus many of the potential recruits go elsewhere to major in Physical Education and Bradley doesn't offer that

I certainly wasn't intending to rag on DK, but rather provide some perspective for the OP who sarcastically (I hope) asked about the evaluation for ED.

That said, DK wasn't the only MVC coach to have to perform multiple roles -- especially during the early years -- and the resources, while not good by any measure, weren't vastly inferior to many MVC schools and still aren't.

We agree on some of the limitations at BU, but disagree about others.

The results are the results. The reality is the BU baseball hasn't been a priority at the school for a long time and probably will continue down the same path.

[BU30]

DU - The Valley's RPI this year has been as high as 7 and low as 9. The Big Ten is currently 17. Not bad for a cold weather Conference.

[DUBrave5]

DU - The Valley's RPI this year has been as high as 7 and low as 9. The Big Ten is currently 17. Not bad for a cold weather Conference.

Yeah you are right not bad, but unless you are on the team, can you honestly tell me that you think of the Valley as a good baseball conference? Minus a couple teams, I do not think so and that is my opinion. The fact of the matter is that when it comes to conference play, year in and year out the Braves can't get it done. Make all the excuses you want, they just don't get it done.

[BU30]

No excuses from me. If ED's 2 recruiting classes don't produce as they mature, he should be held accountable. Personally, I think he needs to recruit a couple of guys that have some pop. He likes to play small ball, but there is nothing like a 3 run homer!!

[Braves4Life]

No excuses from me. If ED's 2 recruiting classes don't produce as they mature, he should be held accountable.

That's a statement I can agree on.

[DUBrave5]

No excuses from me. If ED's 2 recruiting classes don't produce as they mature, he should be held accountable. Personally, I think he needs to recruit a couple of guys that have some pop. He likes to play small ball, but there is nothing like a 3 run homer!!

That's a statement I can agree on.

As can I

[kahnduit]

2012

I like the guys ED is adding for 2012. Pitching depth along with speed and athleticisim in the outfield is exactly what is needed. Let's hope the new guys end up being "gamers". A player that bats .325 isn't worth spit if he hits .175 in RISP situations.

The best thing about this team is that they almost always competed - they were close, and they experienced a lot of disappointment. They will probably be picked to finish at the bottom of the Valley again in 2012. Then they can go out and ruin someone else's season.

I would love to see how the community would respond if Bradley turned into a winning program. They have good facilities, and the school is top notch. It is more expensive than State schools...but academic scholarships are available to offset some of those costs. You can't be a dufus and succeed at Bradley University. But do we really want dufusses running around with baseball bats?