[ballcoach15]

LU plays Alabama February 14 in Orlando . at LSU March 5, at Baylor February 19.

[ATrain]

Hmm, currently Baylor isn't that far from me...

[ballcoach15]

I would like to see both Baylor and LSU game, but that is a little too far for me. I plan to go to Florida to see LU and Alabama.

[Sly Fox]

About a 2.5-hour drive for me.

[ATrain]

About a 2.5-hour drive for me.

Race you to the Stadium :-p

[Dalegarz1]

Does anyone know when the entire spring schedule is being announced?

[ballcoach15]

Last I heard they were waiting on Big South to finalize conference schedules. They were delayed because of conference having to move basketball tournaments out of Coastal Carolina, thus the conference office had not had time to do softball.

[Dalegarz1]

Ok, thanks-can't wait to plan my Spring trips to LU (I live in NJ) to catch some games. This program will compete for a National Championship in the near future!

[ballcoach15]

I am waiting for schedule so that I can plan a trip to Florida in February. I get away from winter weather in Virginia and enjoy warm Florida weather and watch about 12 softball games.

[Dalegarz1]

Love the new signees for 2016-17. Program is only getting stronger. Need to pick up a dominant force in the circle!

[ballcoach15]

We have 3 freshman pitchers this season. All 3 looked good when I saw them in the fall . I am hoping one develops into an Ace of staff this season.

[Dalegarz1]

Any idea of how hard they throw. It's nice to have a lot of pitches, but it's even better if they come off of a 65-70mph fastball.

[ballcoach15]

I did know how hard they throw, but I forget mph.

[Eighty]

I am waiting for schedule so that I can plan a trip to Florida in February. I get away from winter weather in Virginia and enjoy warm Florida weather and watch about 12 softball games.

Looking at Alabama's schedule, they will be in Florida the weekend of 2/12/2016. They play Alabama 2/14/2016 @ 8:00 a.m. @ UCF Classic. The Clermont tournament starts 2/12/2016 as well.

As far as the 2016 class... disappointing they didn't bring in a pitcher for 2016. They must be counting on everyone 1. staying 100% healthy 2. returning to LU in 2016 (LU has lost at least 1 pitcher for the past 7-8 years) 3. each pitcher really improving to compete in D1, with a 50+ game schedule.

As far as any of them pitching 65-70.. that's a no go. But, in fastpitch, spin and off speed is MUCH more important than top speed. The school with the #1 ERA in the country had 2 pitchers that were 5'4" - 5'5" and threw low 60's, but wicked spin and off speed. Same with JMU's pitcher, who was #4 in the country. Speed helps, but a flat 65-70 mph pitch goes a looooong way when a composite bat makes contact. You aren't going to blow a pitch by the better hitters after one time through the lineup.

[Dalegarz1]

Agree with you about a flat pitch but the hard rise ball remains one of the most effective "out" pitches.

[ballcoach15]

Agree. I have seen college pitchers throw in the 60s and get hit like it's church league slow-pitch.

I once saw a team in high school win state championship with a pitcher who topped out at 45 mph with a 37 mph change up.

A good rise ball is certainly the best "out-pitch" there is.

Key for LU pitchers this year is cut down on walks. They killed us last year.

[Dalegarz1]

Too much nibbling at the corners-hard to stay focused as a fielder when that happens.

[ballcoach15]

True, and we need to cut down on errors as well. Most of the errors came on very routine plays.