Randy Tomlin

[Sly Fox]

LU pitching coach and former classmate of mine, Randy Tomlin, gets a mention in this New York Times article:

To Scouts, Wood Bat Tournaments Are True Test for Prospects

By RAY GLIER
Published: July 18, 2005

Some college coaches attend the tournaments, even though aluminum bats are used in college baseball. Randy Tomlin, the coach at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1990's, said the wood bat tournaments were valuable to him because they gave him an accurate display of what a player could do at the plate.

"You can judge bat speed better, you can see if they have a swing that is too long, and you can judge their balance," Tomlin said.

He added that the wood bat tournaments were a valuable forum for evaluating pitchers, too, because they are facing many of the top high school hitters in the country.

[PAmedic]

I seem to remember a movement some years ago to eliminate Alum bats in the NCAA. whatever became of that?

also, since I'm in a good mood today: nice find on that article SLY, you must have a customized search engine to come up with this stuff!

[Sly Fox]

What the NCAA did was force the manufacturers to come up with bats that weren't as dangerous. They are supposed to act mor elike wood bats even though they still make that ridiculous 'PING'.

[PAmedic]

Don't understand the theory on NOT switching over. Originally I guess it was to save HS/colleges on money for new bats all the time (PUHLEEEZ), but you're not getting a true picture of these guys capabilities. Sorta inflates everyones' power, though I guess if everyone's using it equalizes. Using that logic- maybe we should hand out steroids to everyone! More of a problem when assessing talent for the pro's I guess.

[Sly Fox]

The cost of broken bats would be very expensive for programs not in the upper echelon of Division I. That's why there's been little effort to change the current setup. The powerhouses schools all get free gear from the manufacturer. But there's no way any wooden bat maker would want to give away all that lumber to a school like ours.

There also were far too many pitchers getting hurt with the old bats firing lasers back at a guy finishing up his follow-thru.

[PAmedic]

Not that I doubt you SLY, but I have a HARD time believing that- statistically speaking- sooo many guys were injured that the masses were screaming to go metal.

and I bet we spend more on cleats for the football team than we "would" on "wood".

[Thekid2003]

Hey guys, first, it would definitely be cheaper to use the wooden bats. We go through metal bats just as quick as any wooden bats. Easton lets us return the bats just as soon as they crack or dent which some times is just 1 or 2 wks the same as any wooden bat before it breaks, and each of those metals is about $250, and a really good wood is only $50. And SLY, we wouldn't even have to pay for the wood, we don't even pay for metal, Easton has us sponsored and guys get new bats just about every week.
And there are plenty of people who could make wood bats for colleges in richmond, beach, and other places all over the place. Each college summer league all the guys get sponsored bats through the whole summer anyway, and that's not even for the real college season, so it would be no problem using the wood. It would also definitely be a lot better game, and give the scouts some real good looks at kids.

[PAmedic]

thanks for the perspective kid2k3, and thanks for backing me up against the crazy Texan.

are ya on the team this year?

[Sly Fox]

All I am telling you is the word from the NCAA when this subject came up a few years back when they chose to use the dulled down metal bats.

And while DI programs have no problem getting bat deals, its a different story for DIIs and DIIIs. And any change would have to be implemented across the board.

[Sly Fox]

It seems Randy must have a publicist or something because here's another newspaper article:

Former big league hurler pitches message of faith
By Marion Valanoski
For The Daily Item

NORTHUMBERLAND — Randy Tomlin knows regardless of the age group, it’s important to be genuine when dealing with a generation of future ballplayers.

The former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher has been imparting his knowledge all this week at this year’s Professional Baseball and Softball Clinic on the campus of the Sunbury Bible Church. And from all indications, Scott Billings and his staff have hit another home run.

On Thursday, more than 75 campers were treated to the school’s version of baseball olympics after two days of learning the basics of the game, and parents were treated to ear-to-ear smiles and screams of joy from the participants.

"With the wide range of ages (5-13) we have here this week we’ve been sticking to the basics," said Tomlin, who spent nine years in the Major Leagues before retiring in 1997. "There is only so much more they can absorb, so you want to keep it simple and yet provide them with a good base for learning the game."

But there is another message that Tomlin hopes to get across to the campers, and it involves more than just balls and strikes. It appears he’s accomplishing what he set out to do.

"What I do is teach baseball and also share with them God’s message," said Tomlin. "Baseball is the platform to get the ball rolling, but they have been attentive as well when I’ve shared with them my experiences and what our Savior has done with my life.

"I was able to play in the Major Leagues, and that’s what they initially are here for at the clinic, to learn the fundamentals that ultimately will lead to the professional ranks.

"They will relate to the experiences that took you there, but also you can make them aware that when the batting averages are no longer important and you are not throwing balls and strikes, Jesus Christ is still there for you and does not go away."

Tomlin went from station to station Thursday, encouraging all the participants and letting them know he was there for them for all the right reasons. There was nothing phony about his exuberance.

"Kids want you to be genuine and truly believe what you are telling them," said the former Pirates hurler. "That will get their attention, but they are also smart enough and find out right away if you’re insincere. If you are half-hearted with what you’re saying, you’ll find them slipping away."

Ted Deptula has been bringing his children to the clinic for the past six years, and the Paxinos resident now has become part of the teaching staff. He loves every minute of the time spent with the kids.

"I work with the 5- and 6- year-olds and go over hitting, fielding and throwing with them," said Deptula. "The professionals come in here and show them the right way to play the game, and I provide them with the basics of what they are trying to get across.

"This year, with the intense heat, we used water balloons to practice catching popups, and that made it fun even when you didn’t make the catch.

"I like this clinic because it’s one of the few with actual pros working with the children, and it’s also affordable."

Tomlin still maintains contact with former Major League friends Sid Bream, Lee Gutterman, Jay Bell and Andy Van Slyke. But whether it’s working with the pitchers at Liberty University as the school’s pitching coach or coming to clinics to show future ballplayers the fundamentals, he never wavers from getting his message across to all who listen.

"I teach baseball and share God’s message," said Tomlin. "He provides us with the best instruction book ever, the Bible, and in it is His plan for our success. Follow the Lord and don’t let Him down and you will be successful."

www.dailyitem.com/archive/2005/0805/sports/stories/03sports.htm

[Guest]

As far as replacing the wood bats...it is not the cost of replacing the bats. It is all about other dollars...the money that Easton and Louisville pay for endorsements and the such. They played a large part in all the deals.

[LesGeft]

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