The Week in Review, 5/28

This has to go down in history as one of the more disappointing weeks in K-State sports, certainly in K-State baseball history. Entering last weekend's series with Baylor, the Bat Cats had a legitimate shot to go to the NCAA tournament. Now, 10 days and a 1-5 record later, the Cats will be sitting at home, thinking about what might have been.

As mentioned previously, the Cats had a rough go of it against Texas in the opening game of the Big 12 tournament, losing 19-10. That still left the team with two chances at RPI boosting wins, with Nebraska and Texas A&M looming.

After the fiasco of a game with the Huskers and a 5-1 win for the Cats, the whole season came down to another matchup with A&M. Despite having played the Aggies tough in all three games (winning one) in the regular season, the Cats couldn't do much right and lost 7-2. It turns out it wouldn't have mattered much, because Texas beat Nebraska, meaning even a win against A&M would have meant our Big 12 tournament was done. However, a win against A&M MIGHT (probably not, but at least maybe) have been enough to make the NCAA tournament.

Now, on to what became the real story of the weekend, the Cats game on Friday against Nebraska. I have now seen the replay of the play in question, and a link to it is here. First, let me say this...I'm relieved Mitch Abeita was not seriously injured. I never wish harm on players from other teams.

Now, on to you crazy Husker fans. I've reviewed the play several times, and here are my thoughts. Jordan Cruz definitely took the full liberty of the baseline (which is not an infinitesimally narrow point of space, but rather a foot or two wide) in attempting to break up the double play. However, he was not, in my view, outside the baseline. Not to mention, he kept his spikes down (***Note: CornNation claims Abeita was spiked. In watching the video, it appears to me Cruz went in knees first, but whatever. They're Husker fans so I'm sure they're right. Not to mention, they later claim he was eight feet from the plate...he's got some long damn legs if that was the case.). He was not attempting to injure Abeita.

Some of you claim there's a pattern of this happening. Yes, Eli Rumler was ejected from a game against Missouri earlier this year for a late slide into second. However, if you read the comments from that game, Brad Hill fully acknowledged that was deserved and said "That's not anything we condone." I've met Brad Hill. He's as nice a guy as anyone I've ever met, almost to a fault. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and doesn't swear. Really an upstanding guy.

Some Husker fans were calling for an earhole pitch on Cruz's next at-bat as retaliation for the slide. Really? So because a player makes a questionable play (that was uncalled, by the way, do you really think the umps are conspiring against you?), your pitcher should go for his head next time? I understand baseball, I know beanballs in retaliation are customary. ESPN had a great bit on Outside the Lines and SportsCenter this weekend about retaliatory pitches and pitching inside. It happens, and there's a place for it.

However, as the video says, there's no place for pitches above the neck. You're talking about throwing a baseball, at about 90 mph, at someone's head. You're not only endangering a guy's career (I know a guy who used to play at Wichita State whose career ended after a shot to the head), but potentially his life. Cruz got plunked against A&M, are you happy now you crybabies? Jeez.

Speaking of the A&M game, some of you claimed it was "convenient" that Cruz didn't start that game, implying it was Hill's punishment for an admittedly dirty play. It wasn't. Cruz played in 46 games, and started 30 (the Cats are 34-24 this year). Not to mention, A&M started ace David Newmann, who is a lefty. Cruz bats left-handed. Only makes sense to me to put Adam Muenster and Derek Bunker (two switch hitters) in the lineup instead of a lefty when A&M is putting a southpaw on the bump.

That's enough of dealing with Husker fans' problems. On to other news...

ESPN will be carrying five Big 12 games on Saturday nights. I've mentioned this before, and it looks like the league office has finally taken a positive step. That's five games FSN won't be broadcasting, which is always good. It also means the best-known sports broadcasting channel in the world will be showing some Big 12 action this year. Now, we just need the Cats to get one of their games on the channel. More to come on which games will be shown later, although Husker Mike has a pretty good breakdown of it already.

Anyway, because I'm always happy to give credit where it's due, especially to people I've dissed before, way to go Weiberg.

***

I'm going to have to start reading Tim Griffin of the San Antonio News-Express more often. He seems to cover the Big 12 as well as anyone, and his stuff is actually available online (are you paying attention, Tom Shatel?). Anyway, this week he had a good piece about Ron Prince upgrading K-State's non-conference schedule to get the program better competition and more TV appearances. Definitely worth a read.

Also, at the end of the column, there's a bit about the Big 12 programs with the best record against BCS conference teams. Guess what? K-State comes in second place, with a .615 winning percentage. Way to go Cats, let's improve that a little in the next few years.

Happy Memorial Day!