Charles Fischer

Oh NO! The last two outings have been a disaster for Pace. He had completely lost his confidence...

Oh yes, there is always another way to look at it...

I do not know how much of this has been already posted, but with my schedule--I could not post this combination of two of his newsletters until now, and part may have been behind a paywall. Nonetheless, it might be new to some people... (References to "Friday" below is a week ago Friday) From John Canzano: I think the presidents and chancellors in the Pac-12 got a peek at the media rights figures months ago. I reported in October and March that members of the Pac-12 CEO Group were confident the conference was going to be in range — or beat — the Big 12’s annual media-rights distribution of $31.6 million, per school. One source in the room later called it: “a lay-up.” I’m not sure how anyone could confidently say that if they weren’t seeing numbers. Q: Any chance the Pac-12 Media deal surprises everyone and beats the recent Big-12 deal by $2 million to $3 million per school? That would be nifty after all the rumor-mongering. — @davidnevue A: I was told in March by a well-placed source that the conference was confident it would be in range of — or eclipse — the Big 12’s annual distribution of $31.6 million per school. This week, I circled back and got a quote from a second Pac-12 source who told me “we will beat the Big 12 number.” Clobbering that figure would be great for the Pac-12, but only because it means more money for the schools. The main focus is to avoid ending up with a media-rights number that is significantly lower than the Big 12’s. Keep in mind, it’s game-changing money that drives the movement in expansion and realignment. Even without the Los Angeles presence, the Pac-12 has better schools and better TV markets. The schools themselves know that. In 2022, the Pac-12 generated $385 million in media rights money or $32.1 million per school. “Fairly flat” puts the Pac-12 in front of the Big 12. The figure rings true with what I’ve been told to this point. Still, I reached out to a source with direct knowledge on Friday and asked again — is the Pac-12 confident it will beat that $31.6 million distribution? The answer: “We will beat the Big 12 number.” One member of the Pac-12 CEO Group reminded me on Friday there’s no urgency in their camp. I’m told that all 10 members agreed to stay unified and committed until they saw final media-rights numbers — no matter how long it took. That removes some of the urgency for the group of leaders, but leaves fans, media and SDSU hanging. Ignore the Big-12 Propagandists...

Whew! I don't know if dropping a team or two and replacing with USC and UCLA is a win? Seems like a draw or worse to me... The B1G is going to become quite the haves/haves-not conference, as 5-6 teams will fight for the top while Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland, Minnesota, etc., will be dramatically lower and fighting for crumbs. No easy deal for USC/UCLA or any of the top B1G schools... So if Our Beloved Ducks could dominate the Pac-12 the way Clemson used to with the ACC...and we make BIG BUCKS being in the Playoff with the result being almost as good as revenue as being a member of the B1G...wouldn't you agree that it would be....??? The Trojans and Bruins could be envious in five years?

This is one of the few times, that I am lost for the right words to write as I am so grateful you are home and making progress with your healing. I cannot convey enough my feelings, and I offer prayers upward of gratitude on this Sunday morning. While we all so love the work that you, NJDuck and others do to provide us articles...please only do what you can without over-exerting yourself, as I'm sure the energy level has to be low. We are grateful for anything you do, and when you cannot--we will get by, and again--are so thankful for what you have done and for your healing path.

This was discussed on another board that I scanned and did not have time to post here, but the consensus there was this ruling referring to personal deductions by individuals. If a business is paying an athlete via NIL to represent them in a commercial for example--that is still a business expense.

I am sure their third starter is more experienced/skilled than what we have right now is the problem.

Well, that sucks. But we played great, had our chances and are playing a very good team. I am concerned about having enough quality pitchers for tomorrow...

For those who want to discuss the game before, during and after! No announcement yet for any change to the line-up or starting pitcher, but I'm betting on Turner Spoljaric. Great to see Tualatin/Sherwood HS native freshman Ian Umlandt pitch scoreless innings in the last two games.

The fans really got to see it all; home runs, smart base running, great pitching for eight innings and a bunch of double plays. Fun, Fun Fun! Now, if I was Oral Roberts....I am coming out with steam streaming from my ears, my back is up against the wall, and tonight for the Ducks...

Let's accept the truth? Fan attendance for Oregon Baseball has been bad....because Horton killed it in his last five years. But start winning again, and "they will come." Games like this, and the obvious trendline under Coach Waz over three years should change the size of crowds at PK Park next year!

Full interview of Coach Waz and players...

What a freshman in Drew Smith!

Omigosh...a THREE RUN HOMER by our Oregon player from Medford?

The pride of Medford, Bennett Thompson, hit the first of two homers!

Simply unbelievable. In the pregame interview on the GoDucks.com app for Oregon Baseball, Coach Waz was asked what he wanted the large crowd (second largest ever at PK) to learn about Oregon? What is Oregon's identity? Waz answered that he wanted Oregon fans to see "a team that was tough, gritty, and determined to fight to the last out." Could he have been any more prescient? The track record for teams down eight runs in the entire history of Super-Regionals? 0-96...until now. Oregon made the record books with the biggest comeback ever in the Supers!