Mizzou fan here

[MizzouAstro]

Hey guys, with our first match up against each other coming up this weekend, thought I would stop by here and give you a little info about the new kids on the block.

First off, I'd like to say how excited (nervous) we are about being in the SEC. Long term, I think the consensus among Mizzou fans is that this move will be great for the program, but I think everyone is sure there will be some growing pains in the first few years. If anyone on here is planning on making the trip to Columbia West, I'd be happy to give you some great places to eat while you are in town, if anyone is interested.

Our team this year started out VERY slow, especially at the plate as we went 0-6 in first two series (@Southern Miss and @Memphis). Since then, we have gone 5-1, though we have had 3 games snowed out, so we should have a couple more wins than we do. That said, I imagine our lineup will struggle quite about this year as we only have 2-3 hitters over .300. Our pitching has been a little better, at least as starters are concerned. Rob Zastryzny is our Friday night guy. He's a junior lefty with pretty good stuff as long as he can throw strikes. Our Saturday guy is Brett Graves, a sophomore who struggled a bit last year but has had some pretty good outings so far this year. I'm not quite sure who will throw Sunday, but it will probably be Jace James, a JUCO transfer who has looked good so far.

I'll shut up for now, but would be happy to answer any questions you guys have. I am definitely looking forward to this weekend, regardless of the outcome.

[Mt. Lattimore]

Please don't read the "Missouri Baseball Stadium" thread.

Unfortunately success has gone to the heads of many Carolina baseball fans.

Looking forward to a great series this weekend.

[MizzouAstro]

lol, I just read that thread. Taylor Stadium is small by SEC standards, but it is fairly well taken care of. There are plans to upgrade it further in the next couple of years, but I think those will be more cosmetic improvements than capacity increases. To be honest, despite the programs' relative success in the past decade (8 regionals in 10 years), we get pretty poor fan support. A good weekend conference series will draw about 2k a game if the weather is warm (which doesn't happen until mid-April). A few of us diehards are really hoping the SEC move will help jumpstart fan interest in the area.

[Luke Skycocker]

The teams you have beaten are pretty awful. Eastern Michigan, San Francisco, Jackson St., and Truman St. I honestly can't predict for you guys to finish anywhere other than last in the conference.

How much do Mizzou fans value the baseball program? I know that the Cardinals are huge and have great fans, but what about college baseball?

[MizzouAstro]

Originally Posted by Luke Skycocker

The teams you have beaten are pretty awful. Eastern Michigan, San Francisco, Jackson St., and Truman St. I honestly can't predict for you guys to finish anywhere other than last in the conference.

How much do Mizzou fans value the baseball program? I know that the Cardinals are huge and have great fans, but what about college baseball?

Yes, we haven't played great competition, though San Francisco did just beat Oregon St. yesterday. Unfortunately, there really isn't much fan support for baseball. I'd attribute a lot of that to having two MLB franchises in the state, but it still isn't much of an excuse. One of the frustrations for the few diehards is an apparent lack of support from the AD in terms of marketing the team to potential fans around the state. Hopefully that will increase now that we are in the SEC.

[MikeTrainNC8]

Originally Posted by Luke Skycocker

The teams you have beaten are pretty awful. Eastern Michigan, San Francisco, Jackson St., and Truman St. I honestly can't predict for you guys to finish anywhere other than last in the conference.

How much do Mizzou fans value the baseball program? I know that the Cardinals are huge and have great fans, but what about college baseball?

Good question there

[USCBatgirl21]

Originally Posted by MizzouAstro

Yes, we haven't played great competition, though San Francisco did just beat Oregon St. yesterday. Unfortunately, there really isn't much fan support for baseball. I'd attribute a lot of that to having two MLB franchises in the state, but it still isn't much of an excuse. One of the frustrations for the few diehards is an apparent lack of support from the AD in terms of marketing the team to potential fans around the state. Hopefully that will increase now that we are in the SEC.

The sooner your AD realizes he needs to fully support baseball the better for y'all, especially now that you are playing in the best baseball conference in the Nation.

[GamecockMomSC]

Very glad you stopped by and welcome to SEC baseball. There is nothing like college baseball in the SEC, IMO. I'll be watching the game from home. I know y'all have had a bad start and cancelled games with snow on the field. I hope that the quality of your baseball program is good enough to give the Gamecocks a challenge so we can all watch a good game. Good luck to both teams!

[RudeCock]

The SEC is almost as stout in baseball as it is in football. The move to the SEC should definitely help improve your baseball program as well as football as long as the money is put into it. We didn't do much until we started putting money into our programs.

Hope for a good series this weekend, a sweep would be nice, but 2 of 3 will do. Hopefully we'll bring those All-Access commentator's tone down a little, seems they think Mizzou is more talented than any other team in the SEC. They are mistaken in that.

[MizzouAstro]

Originally Posted by RudeCock

Hope for a good series this weekend, a sweep would be nice, but 2 of 3 will do. Hopefully we'll bring those All-Access commentator's tone down a little, seems they think Mizzou is more talented than any other team in the SEC. They are mistaken in that.

I'm really just hoping we can avoid getting swept in as many series as possible this year. Honestly, I would be pretty happy with a 10-20 conference record. You may be referencing our radio guys Tex and Hunter. They are pretty much homers, but they mean well. They both definitely know what the talent level is in the SEC.

[GamecockMomSC]

Originally Posted by Mt. Lattimore

Please don't read the "Missouri Baseball Stadium" thread.

Unfortunately success has gone to the heads of many Carolina baseball fans.

Looking forward to a great series this weekend.

It is a fact that we have one of the best stadiums in the nation. I don't see how discussing how other stadiums compare to ours means that success has gone to our heads. It is also a fact that Mizzou's stadium does not stack up well against some other stadiums in the SEC. This is their first year and hopefully their facilities will improve once the money starts flowing. That is what happens when you join the best conference in the nation.

[MizzouAstro]

Originally Posted by GamecockMomSC

Very glad you stopped by and welcome to SEC baseball. There is nothing like it college baseball IMO. I'll be watching the game from home. I know y'all have had a bad start and cancelled games with snow on the field. I hope that the quality of your baseball program is good enough to give the Gamecocks a challenge so we can all watch a good game.

Thanks for the welcome! We are definitely happy to be here.

[Luke Skycocker]

Do you guys have turf or grass?

[MizzouAstro]

Originally Posted by Luke Skycocker

Do you guys have turf or grass?

Grass surface. It is actually very well taken care of, especially considering the rough weather we can have here in the early spring. There was 18 inches of snow on the field 2 weeks ago, but the surface has played fine the past week despite that.

[Cocklover]

When I made the thread about the Missouri Baseball Stadium it was not to make fun of by any means. It was a chance for our fans to see what it was like out there. It will be the first time we have seen Missouri baseball. Just trying to get some info out there. Welcome to the board and we look forward to the series.

[MizzouAstro]

Originally Posted by Cocklover

When I made the thread about the Missouri Baseball Stadium it was not to make fun of by any means. It was a chance for our fans to see what it was like out there. It will be the first time we have seen Missouri baseball. Just trying to get some info out there. Welcome to the board and we look forward to the series.

No offense taken. We had one of the smaller venues in the Big 12 as well, so it isn't anything I haven't heard before, lol.

[Roosterboy]

I agree with you MizzouAstro.
I think the move will pay off...but there will be some growing pains.

I looked at your stats so far this year, and Mizzou isn't a bad team.
I think the problem is depth, which will develop as you put more of an emphasis on baseball.

The groundwork is there I think for Mizzou to have a good program.
The fertile recruiting ground of Texas is nearby, as is Oklahoma.

Truth be told, I think we sweep...but it wouldn't surprise me if Mizzou steals a game either.

I just can't wait for you guys to come to Columbia next year and visit Carolina Stadium.
Good food, good price and not a bad seat in the house.

[FlorenceCock]

I know the improvements to your stadium will take some time but please for the love of God can you call your AD or write an email and try to get your all access video feed camera moved from behind the net? You guys are the only school I have ever seen that actually just has one camera and sticks it right behind home plate so you can hardly see anything at all through the net. Oh and also your message board is one of the most difficult to use I have ever seen. It is right up there with Tigernet. Good luck this weekend I hope both teams end up injury free and the yardcocks sweep of course.
http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/list.php?board=3

[St. Louis Gamecock]

Originally Posted by MizzouAstro

Hey guys, with our first match up against each other coming up this weekend, thought I would stop by here and give you a little info about the new kids on the block.

First off, I'd like to say how excited (nervous) we are about being in the SEC. Long term, I think the consensus among Mizzou fans is that this move will be great for the program, but I think everyone is sure there will be some growing pains in the first few years. If anyone on here is planning on making the trip to Columbia West, I'd be happy to give you some great places to eat while you are in town, if anyone is interested.

Our team this year started out VERY slow, especially at the plate as we went 0-6 in first two series (@Southern Miss and @Memphis). Since then, we have gone 5-1, though we have had 3 games snowed out, so we should have a couple more wins than we do. That said, I imagine our lineup will struggle quite about this year as we only have 2-3 hitters over .300. Our pitching has been a little better, at least as starters are concerned. Rob Zastryzny is our Friday night guy. He's a junior lefty with pretty good stuff as long as he can throw strikes. Our Saturday guy is Brett Graves, a sophomore who struggled a bit last year but has had some pretty good outings so far this year. I'm not quite sure who will throw Sunday, but it will probably be Jace James, a JUCO transfer who has looked good so far.

I'll shut up for now, but would be happy to answer any questions you guys have. I am definitely looking forward to this weekend, regardless of the outcome.

Greetings, Mizzou Guy!

I sure am enjoying the banter with my Mizzou buddies here in St Louie now that you guys are in the SEC. Football was especially rewarding (free lunch, bottle of wine for me), but basketball – not so much!

Enjoy the baseball games this weekend. I’ll be keeping up online!

[MizzouAstro]

Originally Posted by Roosterboy

I agree with you MizzouAstro.
I looked at your stats so far this year, and Mizzou isn't a bad team.
I think the problem is depth, which will develop as you put more of an emphasis on baseball.

The groundwork is there I think for Mizzou to have a good program.
The fertile recruiting ground of Texas is nearby, as is Oklahoma.

I agree that building depth will ultimately be the key. We have some talented players on the roster (Zastryzny, Graves, Rash, Kelly) but our bullpen is weak and the lineup is not strong offensively save for our top 2-3 guys. Considering us being a "northern" team, our program has been pretty solid in the last decade, but it will definitely have to move forward to be competitive from this point on.