[ballcoach15]

I was not referring to "getting in another conference". LU needs to schedule and play schools from ACC, SEC, PAC 10, Big 12, and beat them. Build a strong resume for NCAA Tournament selection committee. This would help getting good seeding in tournament. Big South teams always get bad seedings, usually to Tennessee or someplace like that with #4 seed in first round. LU may as well go for it all, and hopefully be a regional host someday.
Softball is one sport where I think LU can think big, well beyond BSC.

(When we get a new field)

[olldflame]

You don´t hire an assistant coach based on their being familiar with another conference where you HOPE to Schedule a few out of conference games. To be honest with you, even familiarity with the conference you are IN has limited value, but I mentioned it because it was a fact. You pick assistants you have confidence in. In this case one is her husband and a very highly regarded person in softball circles and the other is apparently a Young lady that Dot believes in who also happens to know the lay of the land in the BSC.

[Purple Haize]

I'm personally a big fan of husband/wife coaching staff's. but I could be biased

[BJWilliams]

We aren't going to get matchups with a lot of big name schools (like ballcoach wants) right out of the gate unless we match up with them in tournaments. The Tennessee series came about from (I believe) the relationship that Coach Wetmore had with the coaches there which made that a bit of an anomaly but facing teams like Cal, Baylor, Alabama, Michigan, Kentucky outside of tournament play is not as easy as picking up your phone, calling them and saying, "Hi, Im Jeff Barber from Liberty University and I want you to come to Lynchburg and play us" or "we want to come out there and play you". Now with Coach Richardson we might be able to use some relationships and pick up some good games but we need to get a good balance to the schedule of winnable games in non-conference play plus some confidence builders in tournament play ahead of diving into the Big South.

[Purple Haize]

We aren't going to get matchups with a lot of big name schools (like ballcoach wants) right out of the gate unless we match up with them in tournaments. The Tennessee series came about from (I believe) the relationship that Coach Wetmore had with the coaches there which made that a bit of an anomaly but facing teams like Cal, Baylor, Alabama, Michigan, Kentucky outside of tournament play is not as easy as picking up your phone, calling them and saying, "Hi, Im Jeff Barber from Liberty University and I want you to come to Lynchburg and play us" or "we want to come out there and play you". Now with Coach Richardson we might be able to use some relationships and pick up some good games but we need to get a good balance to the schedule of winnable games in non-conference play plus some confidence builders in tournament play ahead of diving into the Big South.

I disagree. Coach R has a lot of relationships that will open doors for scheduling. Most will be on the road though until a firm decision and ground is actually broken for a new softball facility. Top flight schools will probably be more willing to play us because of our coach's new connections, but they most certainly won't want to play here with our present "facilities" (And I use that term loosely because the only facility I know of is a Port A Potty)

[BJWilliams]

That was my point at the end of the post. Coach Richardson probably has some relationships that can get us some games but its not totally necessary to load up the non-conference schedule with BCS level teams (Big 10, Big 12, SEC, Pac 12, etc.) . Many of those matchups will probably come from tournament play. Now we certainly could get a name team for the first DH in the new (or new to them) facility this year and in years to come I certainly will give you that.

[Eighty]

The 2014 schedule is already done and probably will not change dramatically. Look for some changes coming in 2015 to include possible ACC, PAC 12 and Big 12 schools. Coach Richardson and Coach Pinto have relationships all across the country, that will not be an issue.

The pitching coach, Paige Cassady, has been mentored by one of the top pitching coaches in the country that is now the head coach at LSU. She continues to help at their camps and pitching clinics, which provides networking and recruiting opportunities for LU. Her former school, Lipscomb, had a RPI in the top 50, which is very good. She comes with the credentials and will turn the pitching around over the next few years. Her first recruit won't be their until the 2016 season, so... be patient.

The Coach Richardson, Pinto, & Cassady hire has created a lot of buzz at the last 2 showcase/tournaments that I have attended. Even more important, they have been in attendance trying to catch up with 2015 graduate recruits and getting started on 2016's.

[BJWilliams]

Coach Dot will have a chance to make a splash pretty quick on the recruiting trail with 6 seniors on the 2014 roster including one pitcher

[JK37]

Her first recruit won't be [there] until the 2016 season...

Can you elaborate? Specifically, why wouldn't her first recruit arrive in 2015 (fall of 2014)?

[Eighty]

Her first recruit won't be [there] until the 2016 season...

Can you elaborate? Specifically, why wouldn't her first recruit arrive in 2015 (fall of 2014)?

The 2014 graduate recruits that are coming for the 2015 season were recruited last summer/fall of 2012. Softball recruiting typically happens the summer/fall between the 10th & 11th grade. With quality pitchers it is even sooner. There are several 2016's and 2017's pitchers that committed this summer. I shouldn't have been so absolute, if there is some 2014 money available, I am sure they are trying to find a 2014 pitcher that fell between the recruiting cracks or a player that wants to come to LU due to the new coaches.

To the new coaches credit, they hit the ground running and are working hard to recruit the 2015's that are still available and using relationships with the top organizations for their 2016's & 17's.

Hard to imagine putting your career in the hands of 14-15 year old and their parents, but, that is where recruiting is now.

[ballcoach15]

Does anyone have any information on when construction of new stadium will begin ?

[BJWilliams]

If you have twitter Id follow @luadjeff or the official Athletics twitter or even our resident scribe. all three of those are good places to look for news along with our friends at Flames Nation

[Purple Haize]

If you have twitter Id follow @luadjeff or the official Athletics twitter or even our resident scribe. all three of those are good places to look for news along with our friends at Flames Nation

Sooo....that would be a 'No' then?

[BJWilliams]

Yes PH, that would be a no...anyway, with the idea that Coach Richardson wanted the old baseball stadium as the new softball complex (rumor), you have to think there has been work to make the changes necessary to prepare for that construction over what was going on that site. Id anticipate that theyll have one more year up on the South end of campus while the field is repurposed (and all that goes into that) and theyll be playing at Worthington in 2015.

[Cider Jim]

BJ, would it really take 2 years to move in the fences, and bases, and remove the pitcher's mound? Didn't LU build an entire new 2,500 seat baseball stadium in less than a year?

[olldflame]

BJ, would it really take 2 years to move in the fences, and bases, and remove the pitcher's mound? Didn't LU build an entire new 2,500 seat baseball stadium in less than a year?

You´re right Cider. If they were going to use Worthington long term, there would be other changes they would make, but for a one year transition there is no reason they could not have it ready for this Spring. I´m still thinking they will be able to get the new field done by then, but I have no info.

[olldflame]

I appreciate the info 80 has given us on the culture of college softball and how early the recruiting process starts. We should keep in mind however that everything he said is referring to verbal comittments, and we all know how much they mean (I miss Libertine). The fact is this years signing period for 2013 to 2014 enrollees does not end until August 1 and for 14 to 15 the official early signing period will be a week in November with the regular period starting in mid April and extending through July. With Richardson on board, a lot could change.

[LCA&LU Mom]

WSET 13 Full Interview With New Liberty Softball Coach Dot Richardson

Posted: Aug 01, 2013 6:40 PM EDT
By Justin Feldkamp

Click Here for Full Interview

ABC 13 Sports Justin Feldkamp sat down with Dot Richardson on her first day back on campus since being hired by Liberty earlier this summer.

The two-time Olympic softball gold medalist and three-time UCLA All-American, is one of the most decorated players in history. She led Team USA's march to an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and 2000. She's also coached at the collegiate level at Adelphi and volunteered at Oregon State.

She has named her husband Bob Pinto as one of her assistants and Paige Cassady as the pitching coach.

She also told ABC 13 Sports that she has been told that Liberty will build a new softball stadium where the old baseball stadium is located. The University hopes to complete construction by March - in time for the start of the 2014 season.

[Purple Haize]

This is our first official word on where and when there will be a new softball facility. And it also means revising the Master Plan.....again.

[BJWilliams]

Wonder what they will do with the extra space once they shorten the field for softball dimensions...

[olldflame]

No surprise here, but that interview was impressive. I´m sure we will never hear any official acknowlegement, but does ANYONE think it is a mere cooincidence that the change of plans (again) to renovate Worthington instead of building at a new location coincides with Dot´s arrival? Personally, I think it´s a bit of a stretch to use that land for softball, but we just may have someone who can build a program that is ¨worthy¨of it.

Talk about having a comfort level with your staff! Her husband, who has 30 years of coaching experience, including a 2 year stint as a D1 HC at LIU and Paige Cassidy, who she has known since she was 10 years old and pitched for her travel team ¨Dot´s Diamonds¨. Looks like she has put herself in a great position to hit the ground running.

[Purple Haize]

'Worthy' I see what you did there.
I suspect there were no real hard plans for a time and place as to where the Softball complex was going to be. But when the powers that be saw how impressive she is they put their thinking caps on. Plus, I'm sure she mentioned it as a necessity for her to be here.
Very happy about the hire and facility. Although it makes you wonder if they are putting it at Worthy now why they couldn't have done it before or go thru all the rigmarole about it being somewhere else.

[Chippy]

Am I reading the "Master Plan" wrong? According to it the old baseball stadium is where the parking garage is suppose to be built and the softball field looks like where the LCA field is now, again, according to the MP???

[soccer7]

I truly hope it's a temp move and they stick with the master plan. Where they have the parking deck and the softball complex on the master plan seems like ideal locations. I was really looking forward to seeing the parking deck go up and hope that is not off the table. I don't see to many places on campus that make that much sense to put one.

[Purple Haize]

Am I reading the "Master Plan" wrong? According to it the old baseball stadium is where the parking garage is suppose to be built and the softball field looks like where the LCA field is now, again, according to the MP???

No. You are reading it correctly. Unless, there are longer term plans. But, just like the " temporary' dorm circle facts on the ground are the trump card.
I personally like that the baseball and softball fields are in close proximity to one another. There are several other places they can put up a parking garage.