Slickfielder, From what I have heard from my son, he is very pleased with the program there. Coaching staff is very good. Feedback from my son is that the pitching coach is giving him the best instruction that he has ever had. Coach Mazeroski seems to have the team in top physical condition. Lots of workout ethics there. I have not seen the team play but from what I hear they will be very good this year in regular season play.
Academics are very good. Son has had to study very hard to keep his 3.5 average going. I fear that he may have bit off more than he could chew this semester as far as work load. He assures me that he can handle it though.
Tight knit group of players that spend a lot of off time together. Fishing seems to be big with some of them.
Coach Mazeroski's Dad shows up at the field to chew on a cigar and watch.
PCDad is another father of a player there and maybe because they live there he would be better at an on site report. Mike Scott is also there and knows the program very well.
The conference is always strong. Some very good talent throughout. One of the best in the country.It seems to be a magnet to DFE kids out of HS. I think there are seven on the GCCC team.
"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens
Posts: 1200 | Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA | Registered: December 27, 2002
I too can give anyone information regarding Gulf Coast. I am a graduate of that school and know Maz and his program well. I coached Kevin Humphrey's (Pitching Coach) and Kevin Miller (Hitting Instructor) as they moved through youth league baseball and Legion Ball (back when Legion was something). If you have questions about the cooaches or the program please email me at: Coach@TeamFloridaUSA.com
Steve Merchant Director of Baseball Operations Team Florida USA Baseball
---------------------------- "The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards!" - PAUL BEAR BRYANT
Posts: 134 | Location: Panama City, Florida USA | Registered: December 27, 2002
Obviously pre-season ratings, especially JUCO, are difficult at best. I noticed Seminole and Chipola ranked very high. Obviously both are very good programs, just wondering who you all thought would be the big names there this season. My son (04) committed to St. Pete and I really like their SS and RF.
I am amazed at the talent level!
Posts: 1169 | Location: Crofton, MD, USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
From what I have been able to gather, The panhandle conference should shape up to be very interesting this year. I would hesitate to make a prediction on this. Like Al McCormick said, I also am amazed by the talent level.
Congrats on the commitment Al. I sure he will do well there. A little far from home though. Don't you think?
"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens
Posts: 1200 | Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA | Registered: December 27, 2002
All the disclaimers first: It was the first game, it was only one game, and preseason rankings are difficult at best, particularly with JuCos where the teams are turned over every two years. Oh, and both teams have had a recent spate of injuries....
Seminole showed quality D in the OF (LF and CF in particular have serious wheels; they got to the LDs and fly balls beautifully -- and sometimes acrobatically! -- but were not as effective on balls on the ground)and the left side of the IF moved well. They also showed a couple of defensive holes. Pitching was good (Mays, their starter, had a nasty slider). Plays beyond a GO to first were confused. A couple of errors resulted in a couple of runs. The top of the order hit; the bottom was 0-fer. Their lineup is aggressive and works the opposing pitchers very effectively - I liked the way they battled and fought off pitches.
Now, I'm obviously biased ....but NFCC showed exceedingly well. Solid outfielding, nothing went for extra bases, always ready to hold the runner. Great range on the middle infield, a couple of well-turned DPs. Effective pitching which took some work with the way the Seminole batters fought off pitches. Everybody hit, and I loved the extremely aggressive baserunning.
Fun first game (for NFCC). Final score: 9-0.
--------------------------------- From 'Nice Guys Finish Last' by Leo Durocher:
Baseball lives at the center of a never-flagging whirl of irreconcilable opinions.
....but NFCC showed exceedingly well. Solid outfielding, nothing went for extra bases, always ready to hold the runner. Great range on the middle infield, a couple of well-turned DPs. Effective pitching which took some work with the way the Seminole batters fought off pitches. Everybody hit, and I loved the extremely aggressive baserunning.
