ISU vs. SLU - Home Opener

[SydCamore]

SkinnyLu and Family, you can hear your son's first collegiate start live on WISU 89.7 which you can find on www.GoSycamores.com. Click on the story for this game. Then click on the link "Listen Live".

I will be at the game............ Anybody else going?

I am glad that we decided to start a kid from Minnesota for a game that will be played in 30 degree weather. It only makes sense! Haha.

Some things to look for..........

ISU stole 7 bases on 7 attempts during the 4 game series at the Citadel. That is pretty good. Hopefully, we see a lot of movement on the bases this year.

SLU and ISU are playing their first games after coming back from roadtrips in warm weather climates. I'm guessing that neither team has really practiced outside so we will see how they adjust.

SLU is (2-2) with a win over U of Cal-Bakersfield and U of Cal-Santa Barbara. Their two losses are to U of Cal-Bakersfield.

[SkinnyLu]

Holy Cow, I'm nervous already. We will be sending Cordell and the ISU team good vibes for today's game.

What to look for with Cordell:

1) He has played in the cold weather alot here in Minneapolis, so shouldn't be too distrubing. (other than the fact that he has about 10% body fat)

2) Dell usually takes the first inning to warm up and get in the groove. (I'm hoping Coach Meggs makes him break a sweat before he gets on the mound - starting the game will help).

3) Cordell has a very short memory. If a batter gets a good hit he is almost always able to forget about it and the next pitch is fresh. He has always had great mound composure. I'm hoping that transfers to college ball.


Thanks for the radio link. We will have a ton of family listening and cheering on the team!

:bigsmile:

[SydCamore]

It feels kind of strange saying this............. I will let you know how your son looks.

It is actually shaping up to be a decent day. It's about 32 degrees and sunny.

[btisu22]

It's suppose to be a balmy 42 here today!!! I may be out there. It depends on picking kids up from school.
:sycamores:

[btisu22]

http://www.wthitv.com/subindex/weather

Yep 42......to bad this game isn't tomorrow!!! Mid-50's!!!!!

[bent20]

What is the start time?

[btisu22]

First pitch is to be at 3:00.

[Beav89]

SkinnyLu and Family, you can hear your son's first collegiate start live on WISU 89.7 which you can find on www.GoSycamores.com. Click on the story for this game. Then click on the link "Listen Live".

Thanks for the tip! I'll be heading down the hill to our local library to use their wireless broadband connection to listen this afternoon. I don't want to choke out our satellite access with the streaming audio. Now I just have to remember not to say anything out loud while I'm there...

Go Trees!!

[btisu22]

Thanks for the tip! I'll be heading down the hill to our local library to use their wireless broadband connection to listen this afternoon. I don't want to choke out our satellite access with the streaming audio. Now I just have to remember not to say anything out loud while I'm there...

Go Trees!!

Just an FYI....we are on eastern time. 3:00 for us so I'm guessing 12:00 for you.

[Beav89]

Just an FYI....we are on eastern time. 3:00 for us so I'm guessing 12:00 for you.

Thanks! The library opens at 12:00, so I'm hoping the volunteers aren't behind the 8-ball on opening...

[SkinnyLu]

It feels kind of strange saying this............. I will let you know how your son looks.

It is actually shaping up to be a decent day. It's about 32 degrees and sunny.

Thanks SydCamore. I texted him a "good luck" message this morning and he sounded a bit nervous. It's probably better that I'm not there as I get way too nervous and spend my entire time down at the snack shack.

I have a feeling he will struggle a bit today (and maybe early on in the season) as the competition level is much higher and they have changed all of his pitching mechanics this fall. Cordell is a perfectionist so if he can tough out the rough days he will get things worked out to be an asset to the team.

The MLB scout for our area gave this advice to Coach Meggs when he was looking at signing Cordell:

"Cordell is the kind of player that if he doesn't turn out to develop the potential we see in him he won't hurt your team. If he does fully develop the potential we see in him then you will look like a genius for signing him."

I thought it was very fair advise.

[btisu22]

Bot 1st 1 out and Syc's have the bases loaded!!!
Jett to the plate

[btisu22]

2-0 Sycamores....2 run double!!!! for Jett

[btisu22]

2-0 Syc's....bases loaded again...now with 2 out

[btisu22]

2-0 after 1

[btisu22]

Now 2-1 Syc's top of 2nd w/ 1 out....sac fly for SLU...still two on..2nd and 3rd...

[btisu22]

another sac fly.....2-2 2 out top 2nd....men on 2nd and 3rd

[bent20]

So we go to 4-1 with a 7-5 victory. It was 4-2 in the seventh when I checked in. That's a lot of runs late in the game. Nice to get another win though.

[SydCamore]

SkinnyLu,

Dell looked good! He struggled in the 2nd. However, that was after sitting during a long top of the 2nd. I actually said that I thought he would struggle after sitting for a long inning. That being said, they scored on a few "SOFT" hits. They did not hit him hard at all. Good Outing! I actually stood pretty close to quite a few local baseball guys (former ISU players, high school coaches) and they were all saying some pretty good things about Dell's outing. I'm looking forward to watching him for the next couple of years.

I liked his delivery. It appears as though he is able to keep the ball where the hitters can't get a good look at it. He was around the plate all day and didn't seem to miss his spot very often. He did hit 2 batters I think.

I was impressed and very encouraged after wathing your son.

[SkinnyLu]

Thanks SydCamore:

I had a chance to talk with Cordell after the game and he seemed pleased with the first inning but not the rest. I laughed. That's what will keep him improving over the next few years. He said that after the 1st inning's long break he had a terrible time getting his curve ball to hit the right spots. He also mentioned how cold it felt. He has always been a strong warm weather pitcher so we are hoping Indiana gets a heat wave by next week!

Thanks again for being there and providing your feedback. He will struggle at times, being so young and making big changes, so I have prepared myself for some tough critique :)

ISU is definitely home for Cordell and I can't wait to get out there to see the whole team in person.

[SydCamore]

SkinnyLu,

Let me know when you are coming down. I'm at most of the games. Especially on weekends.

[True Blue]

Thanks SydCamore:

I had a chance to talk with Cordell after the game and he seemed pleased with the first inning but not the rest. I laughed. That's what will keep him improving over the next few years. He said that after the 1st inning's long break he had a terrible time getting his curve ball to hit the right spots. He also mentioned how cold it felt. He has always been a strong warm weather pitcher so we are hoping Indiana gets a heat wave by next week!

Thanks again for being there and providing your feedback. He will struggle at times, being so young and making big changes, so I have prepared myself for some tough critique :)

ISU is definitely home for Cordell and I can't wait to get out there to see the whole team in person.

Talked with a friend of mine who was at the game.(he knows baseball) He thinks that when/if your son gains 15-20lbs. of muscle, he could be a dominant Friday night starter which is big in this league.

[BlueSycamore]

Here is the story on the game:

http://www.gosycamores.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&ATCLID=3678113

[SydCamore]

Picture of Cordell.

http://www.gosycamores.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?PAGE_ID=&ZID=3530724

If the link doesn't work. Just go to GoSycamores.com, click on the story about the game. Then click on photo album. They usually have some pretty good pictures.

[SkinnyLu]

Talked with a friend of mine who was at the game.(he knows baseball) He thinks that when/if your son gains 15-20lbs. of muscle, he could be a dominant Friday night starter which is big in this league.

Hi TrueBlue

Thanks for the very encouraging feedback. When Cordell left for ISU in August of 2008 we weighed in at 170 lbs. Today he is at 185 lbs and eats 5 full meals a day. Coach Meggs has him working harder than I have ever seen to put on muscle and weight. I think right now he is fighting his own genetic metabolism as both his father and I are very tall and were super skinny until our late 20's / early 30's. The goal is to have Cordell put on 10 to 15 lbs each year along with year round training.

Now paying for the food is adding up, the kid has the LARGEST meal pass ISU sells and he still eats $400.00/month more of food!

Anyone want to house him for the summer? LOL! :bigsmile:

[SkinnyLu]

Picture of Cordell.

http://www.gosycamores.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?PAGE_ID=&ZID=3530724

If the link doesn't work. Just go to GoSycamores.com, click on the story about the game. Then click on photo album. They usually have some pretty good pictures.

Holy Cow, that kid needs a haircut! :imslow:

Okay, they brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for the heads up!

[True Blue]

Wish I had his metabolism problems!

[SkinnyLu]

SkinnyLu,

Let me know when you are coming down. I'm at most of the games. Especially on weekends.

Thanks SydCamore!

I'm thinking about driving out for a home game Cordell might start some time in April or May. I will let you know when I'm headed that direction. Coach Meggs is great about giving Cordell a heads up which will allow me to plan accordingly.

Its important to note though - I don't do well when he is pitching. I'm a nervous wreck and usually offer to go on a coffee run for everyone else. :imslow:

[SydCamore]

SkinnyLu,

I am going to disagree with you about the haircut. I kind of like the shaggy look. To be honest with you, I kind of looked at him before the game and thought to myself "I bet the other team looks at him and thinks there is no way they are going to lose to a tall skinny. shaggy-haired kid." Therefore, they play not to lose.

I like it!

[sycsam]

he needs to get a hair cut... its not a shaggy look is something unexplainable :naughty: