2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[Elktonnick]

As Jacko said Sox Sport' date=' it is kind of a tradition andm besides, it is only the first two contests. The rest will be against real Major League teams. Consider this, though, it will afford some of our young pitching prospects to get in some needed work in game situations where they might have the opportunity in a week or so when minor leaguers are reassigned to minor league camp. Besides, we've done this for years and it didn't hurt us in 2004 and 2007, for instance. I don't think playing them last year had much to do with our bad collapse. After today it is all over with the collegiates and we can really get down to business.[/quote']

 

Believe it or not folks there was a time around WW1 when college baseball actually out drew pro baseball in Boston. During the 1920's BC-Holy Cross drew about 40,000 fans for a baseball game at old Braves field. The tradition I believe goes back that far of training against Collegiate teams. I know in the thirties Holy Cross played the Braves when Babe Ruth played for them.

[The Boomer]

I noticed the Sox are playing a doubleheader against college teams today. I guess they've played B.C. the first game' date=' or early, the last few years. But why? Why waste games against college teams? Isn't spring training supposed to be serious? I mean, getting yourself ready to be competitive again against major league teams. If the Sox are getting serious about spring training, one thing they can do is stop playing college teams. Spring training is not for fun. I'm thinking about that embarrassing first series in Texas last year.[/quote']

 

I don't see how playing a college team is any more or less serious than playing a split-squad MLB team. The college team is probably going to play you harder since some of those guys could be looking to be drafted and I would think there are scouts there from other teams too.

[SoxSport]

I don't see how playing a college team is any more or less serious than playing a split-squad MLB team. The college team is probably going to play you harder since some of those guys could be looking to be drafted and I would think there are scouts there from other teams too.

 

Playing the local college team is pure PR, and has nothing to do with the team's preparation for the season. It's like playing in an all-star game. I'd rather see them playing split-squad, but that isn't very reportable or appealing to fans.

 

This club has had a spring training problem the last few years, and has started slowly.

They just need to get more serious down there--about conditioning and winning. Beating B.C., 24-2, doesn't do it.

[SoxSport]

As Jacko said Sox Sport' date=' it is kind of a tradition andm besides, it is only the first two contests. The rest will be against real Major League teams. Consider this, though, it will afford some of our young pitching prospects to get in some needed work in game situations where they might have the opportunity in a week or so when minor leaguers are reassigned to minor league camp. Besides, we've done this for years and it didn't hurt us in 2004 and 2007, for instance. I don't think playing them last year had much to do with our bad collapse. After today it is all over with the collegiates and we can really get down to business.[/quote']

 

Sure. But playing B.C. just puts more focus on the casual attitude the team has had recently about spring training. Valentine has to turn that around. The fans are looking for a more serious effort, and a better April from the team.

[mvp 78]

The grapefruit league games haven't started yet. Playing against BU and NU at least simulates game situations. I don't see the problem with it.

[mvp 78]

Also, Yankees, Nats and Tigers all played against college teams yesterday.

 

It's the 22nd time they've played BC. It's a 7 inning exhibition.

[ORS]

Also, Yankees, Nats and Tigers all played against college teams yesterday.

 

It's the 22nd time they've played BC. It's a 7 inning exhibition.

End tangent.

[yeszir]

Given that we're now in Spring Training I'm thinking that this thread should be closed soon.

[seabeachfred]

Given that we're now in Spring Training I'm thinking that this thread should be closed soon.

 

Some of us suggested this earlier in the week and it went nowhere. I think it is time to say adios to this thread. The games in Florida are now beginning and it doesn't seem like the off season any more to me.

[a700hitter]

Time to go to the Spring Training Threads. Is this afternoon's game televised?

[seabeachfred]

Sure. But playing B.C. just puts more focus on the casual attitude the team has had recently about spring training. Valentine has to turn that around. The fans are looking for a more serious effort' date=' and a better April from the team.[/quote']

 

Wow Sox Sport, now it is finally my turn to urge a collegue to get away from the ledge. Look, I know exactly how you feel and what you're thinking but in my opinion your concern shouldn't be. As Shaunessy said in his column either today or yesterday, the intensity of the workouts has been pronounced and some very positve reactions have been made by Youkilis and Buchholz about how it is great that the team is really stressing the fundamentals. I think we're going to be all right in the commitment department. Besides, as I said earlier, after today, no more collegiates. We'll be fine.

[a700hitter]

Wow Sox Sport' date=' now it is finally my turn to urge a collegue to get away from the ledge. Look, I know exactly how you feel and what you're thinking but in my opinion your concern shouldn't be. As Shaunessy said in his column either today or yesterday, the intensity of the workouts has been pronounced and some very positve reactions have been made by Youkilis and Buchholz about how it is great that the team is really stressing the fundamentals. I think we're going to be all right in the commitment department. Besides, as I said earlier, after today, no more collegiates. We'll be fine.[/quote']We used to joke by calling Francona "Fran-coma", but last year's Spring camp was a mirror image of the Fran-coma caricature. The camp was lifeless. There wasn't an ounce of spirit in the team. I remember being concerned that they might have been over-confident. Bobby V has brought energy to the place from everything I have read.

[SoxSport]

Also, Yankees, Nats and Tigers all played against college teams yesterday.

 

It's the 22nd time they've played BC. It's a 7 inning exhibition.

 

Ha. Well I stand corrected. Of course none of those teams collapsed like the Red Sox did last year. You could say the Red Sox have something special to prove this year. But I agree, it's no big deal.

[yeszir]

It feels good to close this. Baseball is right around the corner.