KCDuck1

All of You Duck Softball Fans Listening to the First Duck-Stanford Game, Many of you may be texting from The Jane while others are listening to the radio and/or BIG network. My brother and his wife are seated in The Jane behind the backstop and to one side. He has passed on to me via I-phone that the Home Plate umpire is calling an extremely small strike zone for this game between the Ducks and Stanford. He is also calling a very inconsistent strike zone. This strike zone seems to begin at most players' crotch and moves up to their chest; how wide is it? It is about half the width of most of the players' upper body. Hard to believe, but if so, this would explain many of the balls & strikes being called. Justify the calls? No, If he is accurate, this umpire has to be rotated out or just go. Regardless, that won't happen until the game is complete. My brother, Dave has noted the Stanford coach has been closely observing the batters' box and has talked to one of her Asst coaches and the batters after watching how the umpire is calling the pitches. She has apparently coached her players to tighten up to the plate and box; then, lean in (to the right or left based on which side is dominant). Do I know this for a fact? No, but this is what my brother is seeing and describing. The above paragraphs may serve or assist to explain some of the odd things that are taking place during the first game between the Ducks and Stanford. I cannot verify the accuracy of my brother's comments, but he has been one heck of a high school baseball coach. He's not perfect, but he has a keen and knowing eye. He loves the Ducks, but he knows people very well, and that includes softball and baseball umpires and the rules. Take my comments for what they are worth - not much. VR, KCDuck1

OBDs, Men of Oregon - Don't let up now! Finish this series out strong! Remember what happened when you shut out Ohio State in the first game of that series? Ohio State was embarrassed, and were determined to beat Oregon; their pitchers pitched the games of their careers; they beat OBDs soundly! Don't let history repeat itself in the midlands. Finish this series out with two more wins; and then, win the BIG Conf tourney! Go into the regional tourney with a mental and physical toughness, playing smart team ball! Let's go to the World Series of College Baseball this year and win it! VR, KCDuck1

30Duck, That was a seemingly accurate prediction (for this time of the year). Montana State and Indiana may be tougher than you predict, and I believe every team will be focused on defeating the Ducks; we will get all their best games. I believe our pass defense will be improved and so will the linebackers, and our depth and ability in each position. The D-Line may be young, but hungry. Thanks again. Would love to knock off Penn State at State College; believe this is an early (time-wise in the late morning or noon) game. Don't wish to second-guess the Head Coach, but it seemed like the team coasted into the playoffs last year, but it may just be that we gained everyone's best game. We'll see. That effect won't change. Every team wants to beat OBD. VR, KCDuck1

Spartan2785, If a team and its' coaching staff want to be ranked highly, then win when expected and when unexpected, regardless of conference. Just because our Lady Ducks team beat Michigan softball three times when we played them, that is no guarantee of a win in the conference tournament. I believe UM beat UCLA in the conference finals. UM recognized the way into the NCAA Tourney (for them) was to win the BIG tourney, and they did! That same freeway was wide open for our Lady Ducks; they chose through their Prep and play the off-ramp. That was a terrible decision! But, they chose it! Now, let's see whether they can get out of their own regional tourney and win a super regional. Then, forget about the world series, and just making it there. Prepare to play to win it! If they play as a team, this team could win it. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1

30Duck, That game against Michigan was similar to the Saturday game near the end of the season when the Ducks played UCLA on a Saturday at the Jane. No matter what UCLA did, it worked; no matter what the Ducks did, it was wrong. The following game on a Sunday was the exact opposite. This game, no matter what the Wolverines did, it worked; no matter what the Ducks did, it was wrong. That last conditions-outcomes shouts to the level of leadership/maturity within the coaching staff and the team. Preparation? Naaah. The team already beat all the other teams; they will all be easy pickins. In actual fact, the Ducks were unprepared to win. What a shame, to get this far, and then blow it! Perhaps it's better here than in the Regional or in a Super-regional. Get that attitude, that fat-headedness out of the team, out of the coaches! UCLA displayed that arrogance during and after the 2d game, and the Ducks smoked them the next day. This time, our Ducks had that arrogance internalized, and the Wolverines gave our Ducks the bill to pay. VR, KCDuck1

By the way, The Ducks defeated & swept the Hoosiers, and NOT the Utes! VR, KCDuck1

HDuck, When I last checked, Cornelius was selected at Approx #204; That brings the Ducks to 9 selections. Could be more since I last checked. VR, KCDuck1

11-3 over Mizzou; 15-1, now. VR, KCDuck1

Actually, the smaller ship has the right-of-way, but I believe I would "give way" to the aircraft carrier. After all, both ships have radar, and the A/C has sonar; they both have look-outs, with at least one look-out posted forward near the bow and stern of each ship, respectively. Were I to see that mountain emerging from a fog bank, I would be on the phone to the bridge/"wheel-house" immediately. The A/C bridge cannot see the small "smacks" and boats on the water's surface immediately to their front. VR, KCDuck1

WRT the TENN and Folsom, CA QBs, I enjoy watching how the TENN QB uses his feet and eyes. His practice time at OBDs would provide many opportunities to develop and use his instincts, eyes and feet. He has not replaced my admiration for the Folsom QB, who has the instincts, arm, eyes, and feet; still, I am not a coach. That QB from Folsom plays to OBDs' brand: we recruit nationally, but we are a Western team (and not just West Coast, or just California). The Folsom QB: how good is he, really? He is definitely a team player. He has talked about his admiration for the Duck's leadership, for Coach Stein and OBDs overall. He recognizes leadership (and chutzpah). He has the arm, the eyes, the accuracy, and the feet, and he has had them all for several years. He has benefitted from the coaching at Folsom, and he is the Cali State Player of the Year (unless someone knows something different). Overall, he is a smart athlete who knows how to employ his coaching and teammates to win games and championships. OBDs have the coaches, players, the practice and game ethic and rationales to succeed together at the highest level; Or, not. I believe we are reaching the point where it will be difficult to keep us out of the top four every year. But, it all begins up front (Off and Def); and the Rose Bowl was a succinct reminder. Still, the chariot driver should be the best (or one of the best), and this young man (among the several esteemed QB players we have), may be The Best, or he will assist to push The Best up to and over the top. VR, KCDuck1

The young man (QB) from Folsom, CA looks great! His arm talent and his head are exceptionally good. VR, KCDuck1

I really enjoyed watching Doug (the Cowboy) Little, Mark Barwig, and Gerald Willett play; they played hard and smart. VR, KCDuck1

CjAllen180, Have you not figured it out, yet? OBD are not part of the blue-blooded club. Gabriel plays better as the opposing teams become better, and he played a superb game against Penn State. Did that change anything WRT the medias' support for the Heisman or the Davey O'Brien awards? No, not a whit. So, what's a body to do to receive any media and/or foundation's award recognition? Or, is that even desired? How about the biggest achievement in the sport annually. What might that be? Why the National Championship, of course. Our Head Coach remarked the games (and therefore opportunities) are not becoming any easier as we win, but then no one expects the teams contending for the Natl Championship to have easy or easier games. After all, it is The National Championship. Win it, and the winner is The Story; the winner joins the history books related to sports, and football specifically. This does not mean ALL the sports media are blind, deaf, and dumb. Did you read the Athlon Sports article earlier this week. It's here on the FishDuck site. Several Athlon writers and an editor have emerged from some type of exclusive dysphoria or blue-blood induced blindness. Athlon writers and an editor see the effects of the problem, and they are asking what has caused this willful blindness. By the way, this willful blindness is protecting OBDs from the strong effects of what Coach Saban calls "rat poison". OBDs may have experienced it with Idaho and BSU initially, but OBDs seem to have shaken those effects off. It's really quite simple: Just W-I-N and keep W-I-N-N-I-N-G, for a total of three games. Notice the high school and other Div 1 and 1A players aren't distracted by OBD's success. They want to win, too. They welcome the teaching practices where they are observing/involved, and participating with and against the players who are doing exactly what they see players doing on TV. They want to know who the best team, coaching staff/coaches, and players are, and why. What are the techniques? How do I do them? All the replays on the networks and U-Tube are tailor made for observing, evaluating, learning, and dreaming. Just get out of their way, and let's wish OBDs the best when they prepare to compete in the quarterfinals, and more. It's not all about the "club", it's not about "M-E", it's about our team, their discipline/teamwork, and their Brotherhood. FEBU. You must request someone else to develop the meaning of that acronym - very simple. So, CjAllen180, does that make any sense? Did it at least partially answer your question? If I fouled up the explanation, someone else will tweak my ears or kick me in the pants and then explain it more effectively to you. Great questions, and you are correct to ask what the heck is taking place, and why. I remain VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks; Win Ducks, Win!

Coach Samples has been an incredible recruiter, but even more important is his coaching of the RB room. Although we usually have two backs running in a game, all the backs are running hard and smart when they are playing. He's a great recruiter and a great coach. His foundation is very solid, and he is still learning. It would be nice to have him for one more year, but SHS is close to family and it's located in East Texas. Stick around a year, Coach; you won't regret it, or have any second thoughts. Thanks for everything you have brought to the team so far. It has been almost a fair exchange. VR, KCDuck1

The Athlon article writers stated the following two paragraphs, and I am not sure I could have stated it more succinctly and accurately: "...the 6th-year senior from Mililani, Hawaii has followed in Marcus' footsteps in another way, as an unselfish leader who makes his entire team better. He's said from the beginning that he doesn't care about individual awards or accolades. Instead, he's chasing relationships, moments, cherishing the people you meet along the way." "Which is exactly why he deserves the award. Outstanding leadership and winning at the highest level ought to mean more than snap counts. If it doesn't, keep your trophy. The Ducks are still pursuing another one that means infinitely more, driven by connections that mean far more than trophies." Dillon Gabriel is the best player on the best team, and he has the best attitude as a leader, period. OBDs would not be here - at the Rose Bowl awaiting their opponent without everything DG has brought to the table. An athlete - Yes! But, The Leader! Great article! Athlon, thank you; but, DG, a Duck fan Thanks You! VR, KCDuck1