It's a relatively slow Monday, so why not share some baseball info. First, the Horns have played two 14-inning scrimmages in the last 8 days, beating Baylor 9-4 on Oct 12 and losing to Rice 13-6 on Oct 19. The story of this team appears to be the deep starting pitching, with freshman sensation Taylor Jungmann allowing no runs on 3 hits in 5 innings of work. Cameron Rupp went yard twice against Rice and Tant Shepherd has played solidly both games, raising the question of where Preston Clark plays once he's cleared to do so. The irony of the two games is that the Horns played better in the first nine of the "loss" to Rice than the "win" over Baylor.
The Horns will play Rice again in Houston next Sunday before closing out the Fall baseball schedule at home against Texas State on Nov 2.
Finally, stopped by the newly renovated UFCU-DFF this weekend and have a (very) few pictures to share. The new field-turf looks 1,000 times better than the old astroturf, but it remains a long way off from having a grass field. Anyhow, enjoy.
0 recs | 17 comments
Why astroturf?
Could someone out there in BONland explain? Guess I’ve just never asked, or been told, why Texas opts for turf rather than grass on the basball diamond. Is it just a question of bucks? If so, seems odd, since many less-wealthy programs have grass.
EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel - October 20, 2008
Year-round playability
That’s the excuse I’ve always heard. Athletics Department has always said that the amount of play the field gets, from summer camps through Fall-ball makes upkeep on grass too expensive and a less attractive option than some sort of turf. Seems to me it’s the kind of argument that was said once and has been repeated so many times that UT believes it no matter how ridiculous it sounds.
40AS - October 20, 2008
Agree on the grass over astro or field turf
Although the problem with going to a grass field (besides concerns about wear and tear) is that it negates some of the advantage that UFCU Disch-Falk Field provides. Namely, the fact that most teams rarely play on turf means that they aren’t as accustomed to the speed of the infield and the large hops the ball can take in the outfield. For a team used to playing on it and designed with speed in mind (less so the last several years) that could be the difference in several games every year.
As for Preston Clark, I’m not sure where he fits this year. If Shephard plays third, Keyes or Moldenhauer take over the left field spot and Rupp continues behind the plate, that doesn’t leave much for Clark except for the DH role. When taking into consideration Clark’s desire to continue his baseball career after Texas, I’m really not sure where that leaves him.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - October 20, 2008
DH
If Clark is playing DH then that means you’re taking Hernandez’ bat out of the lineup. It’s definitely an interesting situation but it’s a much better problem to have than too little depth.
40AS - October 20, 2008
first base?
Having too many players is never a bad thing. Playing good ball in June this time around would be a very good thing.
Thanks 40AS for the update.
edsp - October 20, 2008
Do you mean Torres?
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - October 20, 2008
Yea, good call
Also, Belt’s got 1B locked up, although theoretically he can contribute from the bullpen, but I’d hate to have his bat and glove out of the lineup.
40AS - October 20, 2008
That coaching box seems about twice as far away as it should be
And I’m surprised the third baseline isn’t cut out and filled with dirt. But then I never have seen a game at this field. I was so pissed when they took down the old field I never wanted to go to the new one even when I lived in Austin. Just call me a cranky old bastard traditionalist.
whills - October 20, 2008
"You damn kids get off my field-turf lawn!" - whills .nt whills
horndude - October 20, 2008
Damn right. I had aggies spray paint it green. And don't step on the damn lines. Now git. nt
whills - October 20, 2008
Haha, whills is old .nt whills
Horn Brain - October 20, 2008
haha...nt a cranky old bastard traditionalist
vy til i die - October 20, 2008
hmmm.
Taylor, Cameron, Tant and Preston? I didn’t realize I went to an Ivy league school…
DaGoose - October 21, 2008
You should totally read this except from Freakonomics
http://www.slate.com/id/2116505/
It’s totally cyclical.
billyzane - October 21, 2008
tant is a name?
That’s way too close to pant, tent, or, dare I say it, taint.
jc25 - October 21, 2008
Tant
His first name is William. I sat with his parents during the Rice Regional. Great folks! Tant’s mom was a scholarship track star at UT during my years there:‘79 – ’83. She could definitely still outrun most of you guys, so careful on the name criticism. Father Tom probably lurks on this site, if not comment. (One of Tant’s 3 sibs is named Syler but don’t ask me the gender)
It’s a great time (for me) to be a Longhorn, seeing all my classmates’, like John Danks Sr. out supporting their kids. Big John was constantly swarmed by all of Jordan’s “women” during the games last year. Great times for them, and I’ll childlessly tag along.
Hook ’em!
horndude - October 21, 2008
haha, I kid...
But Syler? Like…Sylar? Creepy.
jc25 - October 22, 2008
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