Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coach Wine Answers Your Questions
August 26, 2003 | General
Name: Andrew Weaver
City, State: Shreveport, LA
Question: How is strategy different between the college game and Major league? For example, in a potential bunting situation, are you less likely to sacrifice, planning on more offense in the college game? And, at OSU are these kinds of
decisions made "by the book" or more based on specific game situations?
Thanks.
Andrew,
These are good questions. The strategy in college and the major leagues is somewhat different yet is the same. You always try to keep pressure on the opposing pitcher and defense. The aluminum bats in college are a factor but not as much as they were years ago. The fundamentals of moving runners and getting runners in important especially against a quality pitcher.
As for the decisions made in the game, there are many factors to consider. Is the hitter at the plate swinging the bat well? Is the pitcher tough today or does he not match up well with your hitter? What is the score of the game and what is the situation?
The key is to know your players and their capabilities and try to put them in a position to have success. You wouldn't ask your slowest player on the team to try to steal a base, as an example.
Thanks for your question
Coach Wine
Name : Wookie
City, State : Texas League
Question : Tell McCurdy this isn't a place to tell everyone his stats. You ask Questions. HaHaHa! Whats up Coach, I'll call you. First of all, for those who don't know who wookie is he was a catcher we had here a couple years ago when we went to Omaha. I'll let you figure it out.
Wookie if you have a gripe with Nick call him. How have you been doing ? Let me know and I'll post your numbers. By the way I haven't heard from Nick lately, I wonder how he's been doing.
Take Care and Good luck
Coach Wine
Name : Shelly Smith
City, State : Stillwater, Okla.
Question : I have heard many people wondering what the different songs are that are played before OSU players bat. Is there any list of the songs that are played? I know alot of people would be interested in knowing these. If you guys made a CD of the songs that would be a big hit!
Shelly,
I do know that each player signs up for a song to be played when they hit or pitch but I have no idea what they are. My favorites songs are Chris Gutierrez and Josh Fields. I don't know what they are though. If you really wanted a list I could probably find out from our promotions department.
Thanks
Coach Wine
Name : Nick McCurdy
City, State : Salisbury, MD
Question : Looks like everything is coming back together. Hope everything is well. I'm in low A, and just started my first game. I went 6 inn. with 6 hits runs but 1 earned, 0 BB's and a grand total of 1 punchouts. We're 4-0 and look to have a strong team. Good luck to you guys. Call me if you get time (which may never happen). Tell 'em all I said hello. Later, Nick
Nick,
It was good hearing from you. Keep up the good work. Keep the updates coming.
Good Luck,
Coach Wine
Name : keeton storts
City, State : ada, ok
Question : When i go to college i want to play baseball for you. How would i get
you to look at me?
Keeton,
The big question is when do you go to college? If you are in youth baseball the answer is keep playing and having fun. Listen to your coach and work hard. As you get older(high school age) College coaches will be out recruiting as well as professional scouts. The important thing in high school is you never know who is watching. Hustle and play hard all the time and good things will happen.
Good Luck,
Coach Wine
Name : John Duval
City, State : San Luis Obispo, CA
Question : Coach Wine,
I saw your reply to Luke Kutner from NJ and it reminded me of fond and hilarious memories of being in Stillwater during the early 80's. There were not only a number of players on the OSU rosters from the east, but also the west coast. It seems that most of the power pitchers come from the east rather than the west. Would you attribute that to the amount of baseball being playing in the west versus the east (fresh arms)? What are your feelings about youth coaches telling kids these days that they need to specialize in a sport if they want a chance to play in college or the pros?
Take care.
Duver
John,
Once again a blast from the past. I hope all is well. Last time I saw you was last year in Phoenix and you were coaching. I assume that's one of the reasons for these questions. I think warm weather climate players and coaches should guard against overuse, innings pitched per week and per year. The arm needs time down. I think kids should be kids and if they want to play other sports it is healthy for them. Each sport brings a different discipline to the players. The strength and power of football, the conditioning and discipline of basketball, the one on one match up in wrestling and the ability to maintain focus for 9 innings and the long season. I'm sorry I took so long getting back to you. It has been very busy around here lately.
Take care and stay in touch.
Coach Wine
Name: ben shcolnik
City/State: chandler,AZ
Question: What did you like best about being in the major leagues?
Ben,
That's an easy answer. Everything. The big stadiums with large crowds, the great players I played with and against, the travel to all the cities around the country and the world and the friendships my family and I now have made through baseball. Catching Nolan Ryan with the Astros, having Yogi Berra as a coach and becoming good friends with players like Robin Yount mean a lot to me. Those are only a few of my favorites. It was always a dream of mine to play in the big leagues and I was lucky enough for my dream to come true. I'm sure you have that same dream. If you work hard and give 100% in everything you do, sports, school or the little things your mom and dad ask you to do, good things will happen for you.
Good Luck with your Dreams,
Coach Wine
Name: Luke Kutner
City/State: Leonia, New Jersey
Question: Coach Wine, When you played at OSU, there were many players who were from the Northeast including yourself. Over the years, I have noticed the northeastern part of the country has been absent on your rosters. Will you be recruiting more players from this area?
Luke,
First of all, I only know one Luke Kutner from Jersey. I am going to assume you are the one. My roommate in Iba hall our freshman year. How are things? That was a long time ago. 22 years.
The college game has changed alot from when we were recruited to OSU. Many of the East coast colleges have made huge jumps with their baseball programs and national recognition. Many of the kids on the East coast choose to travel straight south. We also have a roster limitation today that we didn't have back then. Remember how many kids we had in the fall of our freshman year. The rules have changed for the better.
We are always looking for the best players in the country though and we do get kids from back there just not as many. Those are only a couple of reasons. If you have any leads let me know.
It was good hearing from you.
Take Care,
Coach Wine
Name: Corwin Anschutz
City/State: Little Elm, TX
Question: Coach Wine, Do you think the college baseball player today is just has motivated to play in Omaha in the College World Seris as the players were when you played?
Do you ever see the NCAA allowing more scholarships to college baseball programs?
Corwin,
I know for a fact that our guys are all looking for that trip to Omaha. I do think that back when I played at OSU the money from professional baseball was not as great and less of a distraction. Today a 21 year old is looking at or dreaming about six or seven figure dollar amounts and as much as they are saying they don't think about it, they are. It's a distraction more than lack of motivation.
I don't see any changes in the future regarding the scholarship limitations in baseball. As long as all the schools are playing by the same rules is the main concern of the NCAA.
Thanks,
Coach Wine
Name: Jimmy Barragan
City/State: Lee's Summit, MO
Question: When are you all going to have an alumni weekend. get the boys back in stillwater for some golf/baseball game?
Jimmy,
How are things? We did have a Golf Tourney this past fall at the country club as well as a dinner we called the Baseball Bash. You are right, we do need to get our past players back on our field and in uniform. The problem is 90% of you have outgrown your uniforms and the risk of a pulled hamstring is too great. Maybe we could play softball, that would probably be more up your alley. Just kidding.
It is important to try to bring past players back for some fun and old memories. We are making attempts to do so. You know you are always welcome back, just give us a call.
I hope things are going good with you.
Take Care,
Coach Wine
Name: Steve Hyden
City/State: Moore Oklahoma
Question: Coach, Do you remember meeting my little boy Tyler last year in Waco? We sure had alot of fun down there. Too bad we didn't play that 3rd game! The team and Ali made it all worth while. We will be in our same seats this year. 1st base front row seat 1-4.
Steve and Tyler,
I do remember meeting you and Tyler in Baylor last year. Tyler is a great kid and we did have some fun during those long rain delays. I remember my wife getting a hold of me and telling me about how well behaved Tyler was being for so long in the rain. I was glad Tyler had the opportunity to come into the dugout and meet our players. Our players will remember Tyler and I hope he is old enough to remember them.
I was wondering are you going to be in Stillwater this year. I hope so because we play Baylor at home this year. They have a very good club this year. It should be a great series.
Take Care and tell Tyler I said Hi,
Coach Wine
Name : Corwin Anschutz
City/State : Little Elm, Tx
Question : Coach,
First I would like to think you for the time you have taken to answer all my past questions?
Which do think would better help a college baseball program? More scholarships allowed or more Full-time assistant coaches allowed.?
Corwin,
Your welcome. The whole point of this site is to try to answer as many questions as possible. Answering the questions is easy, it's my typing abilities that takes so much time. I enjoy doing it though, keep them coming.
Another good question. More scholarships will always help recruiting and signing a player to a letter of intent. My feeling is money can't develop players. Coaching , especially high school players, is all about developing their skills on an everyday basis. They are challenged academically, athletically and socially everyday. A coach has to be in tune with all of these things. I think having another certified full-time assistant would be great for the kids. The thing we have at OSU is a tremendous support staff available to all students. Our academic support program is one of the best I've seen. All of these programs help and assist college coaches in areas away from the field. Development is the name of the game and anything that will help is worth considering.
Talk to you later,
Coach Wine
