Is the Husky program on the way up? static? down? Heard they are getting new stadium.

Based on the last few years it would have to be static. But, you never know how a new season will turn out.

There has been talk about a new stadium for years, but football will get a stadium renovation long before baseball. What baseball is trying to get is new stands so they can host NCAA tournaments but there is no money.

Son went there for a visit last summer. Coaching staff was nice and the campus was beautiful. However, their facilities are way behind the elite Pac-10 and other west coast programs. I think they suffer in recruiting because of that, especially out of state kids. Also, the rumor we heard is their coaches are on the hot seat because their program has been mediocre, and they are losing the recruiting battle to other schools in the Northwest.

The positive is that it is a great academic university in a beautiful location. The weather is tough if you are coming from the south.

Very difficult to recruit quality pitching in a cold and wet climate. In spite of that they had one of the top pitchers in the nation two years ago and still did not make it to the tournament.

quote:

Originally posted by Majorkahuna:
Very difficult to recruit quality pitching in a cold and wet climate. In spite of that they had one of the top pitchers in the nation two years ago and still did not make it to the tournament.

I would think if Oregon State could do it, UW could as well. Similar climate and recruiting base. With Oregon Ducks entering the picture, it will only get tougher for UW to recruit. OSU coaching staff is superior, as proven by what they've accomplished. UW should have an advantage with academics and location, but their poor facilities really hold them back.

OSU is now able to recruit nationally (though still largely from the west), while UW is 100% Washingtonian.

As a former COUG, I must say: Huck the Fuskies!

quote:

Originally posted by Krakatoa:
OSU is now able to recruit nationally (though still largely from the west), while UW is 100% Washingtonian.

It takes a lot of work to recruit nationally, and OSU has put in the time and effort. Why can't UW do the same? Seems UW coaches are too comfortable and content to take the easy route and recruit only in-state. I doubt UW is going to win a national championship anytime soon. Their only goal seems to be trying to out-recruit WSU every year.

last year UW has players from Texas, Oregon and Hawaii.

this year is all Washington players.

Good one, Krak.

The two programs in the Northwest definitely on the rise are OSU and WSU. WSU coaches are young, eager, and do a great job of followup in their recruiting. That was certainly the case with Bum, Jr. Although Bum, Jr. was invited to UW's Junior days and toured the campus and facilities, there wasn't really any followup by the coaches for whatever reason. At the time, I figured it was because they thought he was too small.

A kid's father off Bum, Jr.'s Summer team says UW's coaching philosophy is you call them and express interest.. how bad do you want to play for us? We never did that so maybe that explains that. In the end, Bum Jr. wanted to be a Coug anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by Majorkahuna:
Very difficult to recruit quality pitching in a cold and wet climate. In spite of that they had one of the top pitchers in the nation two years ago and still did not make it to the tournament.

I believe that was more of an oversight of the SE-biased NCAA selection committee than anything else. The rest of the country was deprived of Mr. Lincecum (possibly upsetting an SEC school?) because of that oversight.

I have been to Seattle 3 times in my life...once for as long as a week. Maybe I need to go more often, but every single time I have been there it has been blue skies and warm weather.

I also think that UW is the 2nd most beautiful campus in the Pac-10 (haven't been to WSU though). My son has a good friend who attends school there and loves it, absolutely loves it. Nice college neighborhod surrounding the campus, not far from downtown, great dining, nice shops nearby, breath-taking scenery, and a good school to boot!...its my favorite Pac-10 road trip.

Stadium seating is old and out-dated, but the scene beyond the outfield fence is tremendous.

I would not hesitate to advise my son or daughter to strongly consider this school in any situation, baseball or not.

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:
A kid's father off Bum, Jr.'s Summer team says UW's coaching philosophy is you call them and express interest.. how bad do you want to play for us? We never did that so maybe that explains that. In the end, Bum Jr. wanted to be a Coug anyway.

Bum, I think your friend is right about UW's philosophy. The problem is, many of the best players in UW's backyard are now leaving for better programs. The elite players don't need to beg UW for a spot on the team, because they have choices beyond Seattle. Plenty of other programs are after the same players, and feeling wanted is an extremely important ingredient when a recruit makes a life changing decision. I'll be very surprised if the current coaching staff is there when our kids graduate from college (or get drafted after three years).

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
I have been to Seattle 3 times in my life...once for as long as a week. Maybe I need to go more often, but every single time I have been there it has been blue skies and warm weather.

I am originally from Seattle, and we always wanted people to believe that it rains there 365 days a year (to keep the population down).

Yes, I was born and raised in Seattle and I remember a local writer advocating for a "Lesser Seattle" by advising all Seattlites, when traveling, to tell everyone about the rain and poor weather. Dad and Mom took this to heart and wore sweatshirts mocking the rain. Even my mom's nickname was "Rainy".

The truth, of course, is Seattle does get a lot of rain in the Winter, sporadically in the Spring and Fall, but is very dry in the Summer. Is Seattle cold? Nah. Actually it's warmer than most major cities in the Winter. Plop on a windbreaker and you're good to go in the Spring and Fall. In the Summer it is the most beautiful city on the planet.

It's a great place for baseball, with solid Connie Mack teams that can compete with the best of them. Baseball can be played and practiced outdoors nearly year-round, unlike most cities. The Mariners at Safeco have very good attendance. Seattlites love their baseball team. It is a great place to live and play ball.

I have chose to live on the sunnier east side of the state, but always love to travel to Seattle, to see dad, to peruse Pike Place Market and China Town, maybe do a little clam digging or take a Ferry boat ride. Seattle is fantastic.