Baseball recruiting class

[Todd4State]

We dumped Easton to go to Adidas. F both of them. Switch to Louisville Slugger, dammit. There's a reason most of the top teams are using LS.

This is incorrect. I'll let you infer as to the real reason why we went with Adidas.

[Oxdawg]

This is incorrect. I'll let you infer as to the real reason why we went with Adidas.

$200,000-$250,000 reasons.

[Todd4State]

$200,000-$250,000 reasons.

Yep. Same reason why we go along with wearing some of the "uniforms" we do as well.

[War Machine Dawg]

This is incorrect. I'll let you infer as to the real reason why we went with Adidas.

Doesn't change the FACT that we were an Easton team first. In case you forgot, EASTON not Adidas, built our infield practice area. We were a huge priority for them, signing to at that time the biggest bat contract on record. Adidas may have given us more, but the fact still remains we left Easton for Adidas. And frankly, I think both suck. Louisville Slugger is the way to go.

[ScottH]

LSU and Vandy use DeMarini as best I can tell from TV.

[smootness]

Doesn't change the FACT that we were an Easton team first. In case you forgot, EASTON not Adidas, built our infield practice area. We were a huge priority for them, signing to at that time the biggest bat contract on record. Adidas may have given us more, but the fact still remains we left Easton for Adidas. And frankly, I think both suck. Louisville Slugger is the way to go.

I'm assuming that using Adidas' bats was somehow part of the deal of them making us their #1 baseball school. That may be enough of a negative to have not made the deal worth it, but it's tough to tell.

I have no idea if the bats are better or worse. It definitely isn't that big a difference one way or another.

[thf24]

I tend to slide back and forth on the bat argument based on the most recent observations and analysis, but in the back of my mind I always have trouble believing that in this day and age every company's bat isn't engineered to be as effective as the rules allow.

[Todd4State]

Doesn't change the FACT that we were an Easton team first. In case you forgot, EASTON not Adidas, built our infield practice area. We were a huge priority for them, signing to at that time the biggest bat contract on record. Adidas may have given us more, but the fact still remains we left Easton for Adidas. And frankly, I think both suck. Louisville Slugger is the way to go.

You need to take that up with Scott. It doesn't matter to me if we're Easton, Louisville Slugger, or DeMarini- we should use a reputable brand whatever it is. And Adidas isn't a reputable brand when it comes to baseball bats.

It's sad that in baseball we put Adidas over what is best for our baseball program- whether that is bats or literally embarrassing uniforms like the practice jersey that was totally unacceptable on so many levels.

And yes, I'm sure that they have been good to us in many ways- but moreso in other sports and maybe the most in basketball. But we're not going to make our basketball team wear Louisville Slugger basketball shoes. Adidas has also done very many unpopular things as well in all of our sports.

And then we get the lame excuses from Scott like "the players like them", "the players think it's more comfortable than the uniforms that the fans like", "we look like those great Phillies teams in the 80's" and "Adidas couldn't make the white version of the throwback uniform in one week",

[Todd4State]

I tend to slide back and forth on the bat argument based on the most recent observations and analysis, but in the back of my mind I always have trouble believing that in this day and age every company's bat isn't engineered to be as effective as the rules allow.

Baseball bats are just like everything else on the market. Some are just higher quality than others.

[Todd4State]

LSU and Vandy use DeMarini as best I can tell from TV.

I actually prefer DeMarini personally if I had to choose, but I'm not hung up on it either. As long as it is a reputable brand.

[ScottH]

Contracts aside, does a team have to use the same bat?

Or could they mix and match?

[smootness]

Every team uses the bats they use because of the money they're getting from the bat company.

[Todd4State]

Contracts aside, does a team have to use the same bat?

Or could they mix and match?

I'm pretty sure most teams have to use bats from whomever the team contract is with. I suppose it's possible for a school to have more than one contract, although I don't think that's common.

[War Machine Dawg]

You need to take that up with Scott. It doesn't matter to me if we're Easton, Louisville Slugger, or DeMarini- we should use a reputable brand whatever it is. And Adidas isn't a reputable brand when it comes to baseball bats.

It's sad that in baseball we put Adidas over what is best for our baseball program- whether that is bats or literally embarrassing uniforms like the practice jersey that was totally unacceptable on so many levels.

And yes, I'm sure that they have been good to us in many ways- but moreso in other sports and maybe the most in basketball. But we're not going to make our basketball team wear Louisville Slugger basketball shoes. Adidas has also done very many unpopular things as well in all of our sports.

And then we get the lame excuses from Scott like "the players like them", "the players think it's more comfortable than the uniforms that the fans like", "we look like those great Phillies teams in the 80's" and "Adidas couldn't make the white version of the throwback uniform in one week",

Agree with every word. If this is how Adidas treats it's #1 baseball school, then screw them. Yeah, they helped us with Howland and seem to be making us a basketball priority. But I'd bet dollars to donuts we'll wind up wearing some clown uniform in basketball now, too. Seems like the more "preferential" treatment we get from Adidas, the worse they are.

[HailState13]

nm

[HancockCountyDog]

I'm past giving a dang about ratings. I want to get back to recruiting hard-nosed players that never, ever quit and fight to the very end. We may have upgraded "talent" -- but we've downgraded mental capability. We've lost our identity somewhere along the way here...

Engie, I've talked to a few local coaches and guys that talk to scouts regularly and Im not so sure we have all this "talent" that people think are underperforming. Scouts are telling local coaches that all three schools (USM, MSU, bears) are lacking in MLB talent. The best players on the bears Orvis, Trent, Bramlett, and Weathersby are all college players. Trent may get drafted, but it won't be top 5 rounds.

On our team, I don't see a single player that is a top 5 round pick in this year's class or next years. Some say Gavin Collins, and I know he is hurt, but I don't see an Ed Easley skill set with Gavin.

Maybe there is a pitcher on our team that will progress and be a top 150 pick next year, but I know there isn't one on the roster that is draft eligible this year, and Im not positive there is one for next year either.

I just don't think we are all that talented. In baseball, talented players eventually show up. That is the great thing about baseball. The more talented team ends up on top by the end of the season almost 80% of the time. I just don't see the talent, and I don't think MLB does either.

[maroonmania]

I'm pretty sure most teams have to use bats from whomever the team contract is with. I suppose it's possible for a school to have more than one contract, although I don't think that's common.

Are most other Adidas schools using Adidas bats? Has TA&M been using them? TN? Others outside the SEC? If TA&M has been using them they don't seem to be having any problems with them.

[ScottH]

Are most other Adidas schools using Adidas bats? Has TA&M been using them? TN? Others outside the SEC? If TA&M has been using them they don't seem to be having any problems with them.

TN uses DeMarini

[bgover4]

from pics on google it looks like A&M is using easton

[maroonmania]

So apparently we are one of the very few Adidas schools actually willing to use Adidas bats.