I would like to know if anyone knows anything about James Madison's baseball program. Coaches etc.

I will only speak to one aspect about JMU's baseball program.....their field.
IMHO, it is BELOW average for a DI school.
No lights.
Turf IF, grass outfield.
AND a very odd hill in RF.
It is my understanding a new stadium is being built. When? Who knows?
I think our HS field is nicer.....

jbbaseball

What about the coaching staff?

I know that their first recruit for 2008, C Jake Lowery, will prove to be a front line player when he gets there. Cannon arm, power bat, unusual speed for a catcher.

I don't know much about the staff there, but they have been competitive most years in the CAA (a conference that has sent quite a few to MLB in recent years), and their headline player, Kellen Kulbacki, got All-American notice and a mid-supplemental round payday last June. So, you'd have to say it's a good baseball opportunity at the very least.

The school has a lot to offer off the field, too.

...that new field can't come soon enough ! Great University !

TRHit-
I chose to respond specificallyto batboy1's request on the one aspect of the baseball program that I have first hand knowledge of..............the field.
My son has played showcases/tournaments there on a couple of occasions.

I do know the university has a solid reputation.

Also am aware of Kulbacki...IMHO....he definitely help put JMU on the baseball map......a few years back there football team was DI-AA National Champs.

I don't feel I am in a position to comment on their baseball staff, since I have no first hand knowledge.

Just double checked their 2008 roster. One player from Hayfield and one from Battlefield (and that is pushing it as it related to Northern VA).
Only 12 of 25 players are from VA.
For a state school, that seems a bit low/unusual to me?
How about you???
I guess the other surprise is only 25 players on the roster. I guess that could be good or bad........

I have read that they are getting a new field and that will help them attract players. That's what the article said. Also I read that they were the only Va. team to make it to a college world series or playoffs or something but I am not positive. I think in 1986. Anyone know?

i know a bunch of people who went/ are going there..they love it.
from the baseball standpoint their heacoach is a great pitching guy, while their field can use work it is a great place to be. I went for a camp tehre a while back and the coach said that they were teh only team from Va to make it to the college world series.

JMU beat University of Tennessee 10 -3 yesterday,

I have never heard anything bad said about either JMU or Coach Spanky McFarland. I know some kids there right now. Spanky works well with pitchers,I hear. The only drawback to JMU baseball is the old diamond. I have heard they will soon be on a new field located on the other side of I81.

spanky mcfarland is a nice guy. his son played on my baseball team this summer and fall. i don't know much about his coaching though. i'm pretty sure they are getting a new field by next year.

Seth,
That was the Md. Patriots wasn't it ? My son was there with the Braves. You guys had a good run in Jupiter at USA Baseball JO's. I ran into Spanky there a few times.I enjoyed talking to him. I'm sure it was hard for him to be on the "other" side of the fence.

JMU beat Virginia Tech today 10-3. They are now 9 and 3 and going strong.

no it was just a local fall team we had called the harrisonburg turks.