Bruin Baseball

Wow! Another great Utah County baseball game was played last night. There is a great article posted in the DNews about it. But for those of us who actually live in this county, you should know that the Mountain View, Orem game lived up to it's billing again. Stellar performances by Roden for MV and Adamson for Orem. There were key hits for MV, and a great attempted squeeze play that almost worked for the Tigers, that could have altered the outcome. Roden went the distance on the bump and gave up 1 earned run, 4 hits, and struck out 6 to get the 2-1 W. He was in command from start to finish. He got some great support from the other 8. While the plated runs were small in number, this game appealed to the purist's need to watch two pitchers change speeds, work fast and hit the zone. This moves Mountain View to 3-0 undefeated in Region play.


Bruin Scoop.

What did you think about the call on the squeeze bunt? Just curious to hear what people thought about that.
Zuke

Well executed on Orem's part. It's too bad base runners aren't or don't follow the coach's counsel to stay in the right lane of travel on their way to first. That particular rule is abused every game. I thought it was refreshing to actually see it enforced. I think it was the right call albeit from a questionable umpire. I think it was wise and prudent that he counseled with his companion. It's tough to be an umpire, not matter where you stand. The color of the uniform draws enough skepticism.

I liked what I saw from Mountain View today against Timpview. The Bruins hit up and down the order and Lovey looked good on the mound. I wished I could have seen more of Schmidt. I'd like to see if he is back or not.

It is not illegal to run on the inside of the line......ONLY if the ball hits the runner OR the runner makes contact with a fielder is it illegal. THEREFORE....the call was incorrect as neither thing occurred on the play. Look that rule up, or know the rule before assuming that the rule is abused.

I was there watching a friends kid and was dissappointed in the blue caving to the MV coaches. However, Orem still only had itself to blame as poor defensive execution in MV's two run inning really cost them the game. Not just that call.

I concur it was a very good game and both of those teams really are tough. I think that 4A league is pretty tough top to bottom, even though Timp, SF and AF are very good in the 5A league, that league is tougher this year than last for sure.

Orem got hosed -again- by another bad call. The perfect squeeze play was not only called wrong, but was the difference in the game. Then on the following inning's double play ... the runner interfered with the throw and there was no call. Blue took Orems runs off the board and gave them to MV. May have been one of the worst calls I've ever seen.

Unless you count last weeks game (Orem vs Provo). Provo hits a ground rule double with men on 1st and 2nd. The outfielders and umpires hands go up ... and Provo continues to run around the base for a HR. After consultation - the umps comprise and give the Provo player a triple scoring both runs. Orem over came that injustice ... but Orem is getting no love.

I guess they'll have to score more than one run tho—

Appreciate the article Neil! Yes, it was nice to see MV hit, albeit against a linebacker who has been forced into pitching based on an already weak line up for T-Ville. Don't call me cynical. . . it was good to see MV's line up actually adjust to the slow and slower. Thanks again for coming.

Thanks for the rule update. My view was not based on assumption. It came only from comments from three of MV's players,(who were involved in the play, and had a great view of the play in progress,) who indicated the ball DID hit the advancing runnner. Hence the right call comment. If it didn't, the call was in error, thanks for the reprimand though Dad. Nevertheless, there will always be those of us in the stands who strain to see through chain link to see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear.

Truth is, like Miner said, "We are not playing good baseball nor are we hitting the ball right now like we can." Take a look at Orem's previous two box line scores. . . In a close game, which has become a standard, with Orem/MV, bad calls can and do affect games. I have spoken with three head coaches from teams north of the point of the mountain, who independently, said they hate to play in Utah County, based on the consistently bad officiating that exists, both on the hardwood and on the diamond. Jilted? maybe, although their records against Utah County schools don't indicate a sullen, whaaa, type of complaint. Let's not be venue specific here, umpiring as far south as ST. George and Las Vegas reared it's ugly head to the point of formal complaint, and chest bumping in the parking lot following games. The hosting tournament officials even apologized for one umpire's behavior. Yup, there are good cops and bad cops, good parents, and bad parents, good spectators and bad, and yes, good umps and bad umps. Unfortunately, I've occupied both attributes embarrassingly.

I suppose those of us who love the game of baseball already know that little or nothing will be done to change the human element in the game. Some love that, others would love to see technology play a role.

Either way, it's good to hear the ping of metal, and the snap of leather again. Those sounds are muffled however, from the many layers of clothing and blankets wrapped around our heads.

Come on warmth.

Wow, did my post NOT say that Orem lost that game NOT because of a blown call? Additionally, no chain link in the world blocked out that play. The MV guys clearly fell all over each other and threw the ball off of a glove -not a helmet. I'm sure if you talked to the Orem player, nothing happened, as of course it did with the MV guys. And heck, I'm second guessing what I think I saw after all this nonsense. Thanks for the input DAD! Dad? Nice try. This from a guy shamelessly begging for a plug from the DH for his kid. Funny.

Additionally, on this subject, my friend who does have a son on the Orem team, said an MV assistant coach called him a half hour after the game and laughed about how they got the call changed and got it at all. Needless to say he was unhappy at the time and after the phone call. Additionally, the ump told the Orem parents I was standing around after the game that the runner ran into the fielder. So nobody seems to know what the heck happened! Personally, I was just weighing my two cents. Heck I get bored at work.

Anyway, MV looks tough for R7. That was a big game and they won it fair and square. Roden is obviously tough on the mound and Draper and Garrett can still mash. Wish they were still in Spanish's league and then we'd see.......... Oh, you wouldn't happen to be the catcher's Dad from Super League days? AND Chinmusic up there sounds like an Orem Dad so go after him!

SF Don Dad here, the Utah Baseball Mecca!