Diamond Notes : Bama to Hold Friday Night Scrimmage

[Diamond Tide]

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Nov. 2, 2009

The Tide will hold its final scrimmage at 6:30 on eve of Alabama-LSU football game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama baseball team wraps up practice this week with its final two scrimmages of fall practice, with the highlight of the week taking place on the eve of the Alabama-LSU football game this Friday night.

The Crimson Tide will hold its final scrimmage of the fall this Friday, Nov. 6, with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

“With the amount of fans on campus this weekend for the Alabama-LSU football game, we wanted to hold our last scrimmage under the lights this Friday night to create a game-type atmosphere for our players and fans,” Alabama head baseball coach Mitch Gaspard said. “We want to give our players a chance to play under the lights, with the scoreboard on and fans in the stands, to get them ready for the season. We also want to give our fans a chance to see how hard this team has worked this fall and the style of baseball the Crimson Tide will play this season.”

The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. as the Crimson Tide will go through its normal pregame routine of batting practice and pregame infield. The team will be divided into two squads for the nine-inning scrimmage.

“We thought this would generate a little more excitement this weekend, on the eve of the Alabama-LSU game,” Gaspard added. “Our players are excited about the event on Friday. They have worked extremely hard and we have had a good fall. I think this is a great way to cap our fall season.”

The Alabama Grand Slammers will also be in attendance on Friday night with information on how to join the organization for the 2010 baseball season.

The Coleman Coliseum parking lot will be reserved for RV parking on Friday beginning at 5 p.m. Fans attending the baseball scrimmage will have to make alternate parking plans. For information on parking, please check UA Gameday on the internet.

The Crimson Tide will practice on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m. The team will also scrimmage on Thursday, Nov. 5, with practice beginning at 2:30 p.m. and a seven-inning scrimmage set for 3:30 p.m.


-UA-


RTR,

Diamond Tide

[crimsonkelly]

Well hopefully there will be a good crowd there. (now that stupid green box that says I haven't posted in awhile will go away.)

[NewTide]

Won't make this one. Somebody give us an update. Hope there is a crowd, and hope the players put on a show. Looking forward to spring!

[uabaseballdad]

I saw last weeks scrimmage and I'm planning to go Thursday and Friday.
I like what I saw with the players and coaches, a lot of energy and enthusiasm. There was a lot of hit-and-run, sacrifice bunts, bunts for hits, and stealing bases, players on the move; also, the occasional long ball.
The infield and outfield play was very consistent and should be strong in '010. In Sunday's scrimmage, the right-fielder (freshman) hosed a runner at third base on a hit-and run, very strong arm. Both Trotter and Smelly showed well behind the dish. (Defense looks good)
Jake Smith took a ground ball off the chin and almost passed out, a scary moment. He did return later in the scrimmage, even throwing one inning from the bump. We cannot afford to lose him or any other infielder.
The pitching did not dominate but was sufficient at this time of year. Unfortunately, I do not see a dominant, Friday night pitcher. We have several Sunday pitchers and a couple of potential closers but not a dominant starter at this time. Once again, it appears pitching will need to improve if this team is going to be successful.
The projected weekend pitchers will probably be on the bump Friday night so it should be an exciting scrimmage. Rather than the usual first team versus second team, the coaches paired the teams from the two groups, it will be interesting to see how the freshmen respond.
I am looking forward to this Thursday and Friday night, with all the activity in town this should be a good one. To top it off, Alabama vs LSwho on Saturday, what a weekend in Tuscaloosa! PRICELESS!

[uabaseballdad]

Very good scrimmage on Friday night!

Alabama Fall World Series: White Team Wins, 5-2 - ALABAMA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

[tg38]

	Quote:	uabaseballdad
	Very good scrimmage on Friday night! Alabama Fall World Series: White Team Wins, 5-2 - ALABAMA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

good article--- ua baseballdad --what was your observation on pitchers--- was there a decent crowd? thanks

[uabaseballdad]

Thursday night's scrimmage was a slug fest, with probably 20+ hits and 15 runs. I did not think the pitching was that poor but that the hitting was just that good.

Friday night's scrimmage was fun to watch. My estimate would be about 100 to 150 in attendance.

The pitching was much better but there were still some very hard hit balls.
The defense was very good, saving runs in several innings.

With the pitchers only throwing 2 innings each, it was difficult to determine how effective the pitching may be in the spring.

My Overall Assessment:
1) Hitting: A
2) Defense: A
3) Catching: B
4) Base running: A
5) Pitching: C
6) Coaching: A (Much more fundamental baseball)
7) Energy: A

I did not like last year's approach of waiting on the home run to save the game. And yes, there were some hard hit balls but the pitchers were throwing strikes and not walking batters. It appears Coach Bunn has the attitude of wanting the pitchers to attack and challenge the hitters.

At least this year, it should be more exciting watching the games.
JMHO!