DiMare Is A Difference Maker

When it was announced last July that former Miami Hurricane baseball player and coach Gino DiMare was rejoining the UM coaching staff for the 2012 season after a three year hiatus every savvy and knowledgeable 'Canes fans openly rejoiced at the news.

UM fans that follow college baseball knew that the exit of former assistant coaches Joe Mercadante and Roger Tomas and the entrance of DiMare and volunteer assistant coach Lou Palmisano was a clear sign that skipper Jim Morris was not satisfied with last season's results and was not going to settle for the status quo.

DiMare has a long history of success at the University of Miami. He was a standout outfielder for the Canes from 1989-92 and currently ranks among UM's leaders in career games played (243), career stolen bases (93) and total sacrifices (36). In 1991, DiMare led the Hurricanes with a .353 batting average.

Following his career in Coral Gables, he was signed as a free agent by the Boston Red Sox. He played the 1992-93 seasons in the Red Sox minor league system in Winter Haven and Ft. Lauderdale. DiMare returned to UM in 1997 and was a volunteer coach for three seasons, in charge of outfielders and base running.

DiMare became a full-time coach on the UM staff in 2000 and prior to his exit after the 2008 season, he served as the Canes recruiting coordinator and hitting coach over nine seasons. He held the title of assistant head coach during the 2008 season - a year the Canes won the Atlantic Coast Conference championship before advancing to the College World Series.

During his time at UM DiMare helped recruit and coach players such as Yonder Alonso, Ryan Braun, Jon Jay, Gaby Sanchez, Danny Valencia and Jemile Weeks - all of whom have reached the big leagues in recent years. In fact, his accomplishments on the recruiting scene during his nine years in the capacity of recruiting coordinator are as impressive as the Hurricanes' annual postseason results.

While recognized for his recruiting accomplishments DiMare is also highly respected for his coaching abilities. And nowhere was that more evident than during the recent game against Florida Gulf Coast University at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

This is the second year in a row I have had the opportunity to attend the game at this spectacular facility, which serves as the Spring training home of the Minnesota Twins, and sit in the first row right behind the UM dugout.

Last year, I saw little if any coaching going on by either of the two assistant coaches. But this year, with Dimare on board it was literally a different ball game. I was totally surprised at the difference between the coaching staffs and absolutely impressed with the actual difference from year to year.

It started during batting practice. UM outfielder Dale Carey was in the cage taking BP and practicing his bunting technique. DiMare, positioned right behind home plate was observing every single repetition and coaching Carey up after every bunt.

Coach DiMare, who serves as Miami's hitting coach, would have Carey alternate between dragging the bunt down the first base and third base line and then work on "deadening" the ball right in front of home plate and rolling it gently towards the pitchers mound.

On one attempt when Carey missed the ball completely, DiMare interjected: "Don't chase after the ball if it is low and outside. That's either going for a strike or a pop-up out. If you develop bad habits during practice they will eventually show up during a game."

Then during the game DiMare was a non-stop bundle of energy and influence as he could literally be seen and heard everywhere on the field at Hammond Stadium.

When the Hurricanes were on defense he was involved in positioning the UM players which he would do on almost every single new batter that came to the plate. He was on the top step of the dugout at the rail and holding a three ring binder with each FGCU players hitting tendencies and abilities and how Miami was going to pitch them.

On several occasions FGCU batters hit the ball solidly and right at a UM infielder or outfielder who had just been repositioned by DiMare. Coincidence? I think not! More often than not Coach DiMare guessed right and had his defenders in position to make the play against both right and left handed batters for FGCU.

DiMare could be heard calling out to the UM outfielders and could be seen gesturing with his hands and fingers (two fingers means to steps to the right or left or back or forth) and at times even waving his arms around to get the UM players positioned at the right depth and alignment.

This experience was in stark contrast to a game just last year that Canespace blogger Six and I attended in Tampa at the Yankees Spring training stadium against USF. With a left handed USF batter up at the dish Six, who knows baseball and noticed the UM right-fielder positioned over towards Center said: "Why are they not playing this guy to pull down the right field line?"

Sure enough on the next pitch the USF batter belted a looping fly ball into right field for a double that should have been an out IF the Canes were positioned correctly. They were not and Miami would go on to lose that game to the Bulls.

Also in the game against FGCU after each inning when UM catcher Peter O'Brien would return to the UM dugout DiMare was there waiting for him to discuss the inning in general and any specific hits that the Eagles had managed during that inning.  They discussed pitch selection, pitch location and the UM defensive alignment to determine the defense in future innings.

During the game in Fort Myers it became clear to me that Hurricane fans can expect a lot better defense by the Hurricanes and more consistent hitting for average and power now that DiMare is back on the UM bench this season along with head coach Jim Morris and pitching coach J.D Arteaga.

It is still early in the season and nobody can predict for sure just how far the 2012 team will go in the ACC or college baseball tournament but one thing that Miami fans can be sure of: Gino DiMare will help ensure that the current UM players will get the coaching they need to bring out the best in them and put them in a position to succeed.

And for long-time, hard-core UM baseball fans that alone is reason to rejoice.

Comments

[SOUP]

78-62 UM WIN!!!

Posted by: pbcfrcane 13 | February 26, 2012 at 08:13 PM

NICE!

[Ohio_Cane]

Go Canes!!

[Usagainsttheworld]

Randall thrill Hill (another Miami Killian Cougar!)

[IraqiCane]

Yup.

[Texascane]

The Reggie Johnson thing couldn't come at a worse time...in addition to maybe having to forfeit some basketball games just as we might make the tournament, we are getting close to the dreaded "Loss of Institutional Control" designation for the school...

Hocutt, Haith, Morton, Panunzio, Stoutland and Hill all move on to other jobs...chuckling all the way to the bank...

[j.w.]

Big day for Cane Sports. The Reggie thing doesn't scare me too much about wins being forfeited- if he is cleared by Wed. and really didn't know about the benefits suppostedly recieved, this isn't on him. It's on whatever asst. did it, hopefully Haith didn't know about it.

[SOUP]

DA SKREETZ IZ BURNIN...

1. Yooo bruh, I get me an email from that Hassan boi tellin me I gotz to eat crow. What the f? Its great Streets ran that time and im glad its going to help him but I told him what I saw and that was Blur, McGee, Truth, DVD & even DJ (1 of 2 races) smoke his azz. That was at the tree with plenty watchin and on grass so maybe that made some kinda difference I dont know.

2. Aint he part of that squad that swore MoMo would beat out Jacory last year when we told boi over and over that Jacory had the playbook down better and was outplaying him with the 1s.

3. I aint ever said im always right but I don't run around all swole up when I am right. Dont attitudes like that boi look alot like alot of the Miami ballahs these last few years lol. Wanna run in front of the camera all on swole when they make a play but inconsistant as f lol

[SOUP]

SKREETZ WALKIN...

1. I know some of your email crew might think im a hatah on some of these boiz, so let me break it down. I love every Miami ballah and every fan that got love for Miami make no mistake about that bruh.

2. Heres why I and goons in this LC and OT got issues with them. When you are fortunate enough to put that Miami uniform on you go out and bleed and give every g d thing you got to this school. You dont accept halfazz effort and let your brothers killin sh$# to rep this Miami down. You dont always talk about gettin all that flip for making NFLU and not 1 f n time mention wantin to win that ring. Theres been boiz on Miami that were ride or die for his team and they aint blessed with great talent but had f n heart. I been on teams where boiz f n cried cause we lost a big game and wouldnt tolerate being outplayed by the other team.

3. You know bruh, everyone wants to give Shields love for showin out in NFLU, thats not what gives him love from the 305, its the fact that he never f n quit even though he could of. That boi went through alot of sh$# Onion did to him but stayed true and worked his f n azz off even though Onion wouldnt let him see the tree most of the week. He would run the dunes, do extra on weekends and look at him now. Thats the Miami family way. Not what this group has done.

[Hassan]

I was not on the MoMo crew. I knew Jacory could play well in the right Offense.

We had a bet on here so of course i would brag when I win the bet that is 90% of the fun of it lol.

What will Spence run? I am guessing a 4.55, he looks quicker then fast.

[SOUP]

Hassan...are U going to the scrimmage in Ft. Myers or the Spring Game at Sun Life?

[Ohio_Cane]

I'll guess Spence runs a 4.49-4.53

[SOUP]

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) - Durand Scott scored 17 points and Miami beat No. 15 Florida State 78-62 on Sunday night, snapping a six-game losing streak to the rival Seminoles with a victory that enhances its NCAA tournament resume.

Kenny Kadji added 15 points for the Hurricanes (17-10, 8-6 Atlantic Coast Conference), who pulled into a tie with Virginia for fourth place in the conference standings.

Miami played without starting center Reggie Johnson, declared ineligible by the school an hour before the game after an investigation revealed members of his family had received benefits not allowed under NCAA rules. According to a statement released by the university, "Johnson was unaware of the benefits and his family was told they were permissible by a member of the former basketball coaching staff."

Miami is seeking a quick resolution from the NCAA in an attempt to reinstate Johnson, who is averaging 10.6 points per game.

[CGNC]

LOL in an effort to make lemonade out of lemons at least Reggie's knee is getting a rest

[Hassan]

Hassan...are U going to the scrimmage in Ft. Myers or the Spring Game at Sun Life?

Posted by: SOUP | February 27, 2012 at 08:10 AM
-------------------------------------------

I think the spring game, would not mind to do both. I met some more season ticket holders up here in orlando that went to Homestead High and I am trying to get a caravan going to Miami I got 2 car loads so far commited for the spring game. I think fan apreciation day might be cool too though.

Kermit blazed the fastest 60M in the nation this past weekend. Ran a 6.71 for those keeping track TB3 set the Miami record of 6.70 this past year breaking Tana's record of 6.72. TB3 also is the fastest guy on offense coming into the nfl this year and this young man is his equal in terms of speed. Congrats to the young man.

http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?video_id=60368-Boys-60-Final-1-Levonte-Whitfield-6-71-US-HS-Leader-Brooks-PR-Invitational-2012

[SOUP]

Hassan has a need for SPEED! Good update on the UM speedsters past, present and future.

I am doing Ft. Myers and the Spring game, not able to go for Fan appreciation day.

[CaneRock]

Marcus Forston ran a 5.15...

[Ohio_Cane]

Forston's unofficial 2nd attempt is 5.10. I'm assuming he'd wanted better than that.

[Hassan]

Not under 5.00 but not bad, he can get better too.

[Ohio_Cane]

Forston does 35 reps in the bench press, third-best mark among defensive linemen; Olivier Vernon with 31 reps.

[Texascane]

Don't understand why OL and DT's run the 40. When do they ever run that far in a game...

[pbcfrcane 13]

Man Forston looks so good in these drills today....sucks he was injured all the time.

[Ohio_Cane]

Texas, most teams and coaches just watch for the OL and DL 10 yard split time. Shows their get-off and go.

[Ohio_Cane]

ACC schedule comes out at 2pm today.

[SOUP]

Forston does 35 reps in the bench press, third-best mark among defensive linemen; Olivier Vernon with 31 reps.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 27, 2012 at 10:01 AM

Impressive. GO CANES!

[SOUP]

Texas...I agree about OL/DL running 40s. What's the purpose other than to pull a hammy?

[CaneRock]

Sports Buzz
Barry Jackson has Florida sports teams covered

More draft tidbits, UM talk, from the NFL Combine

Tidbits as enter our final day from the NFL Combine:

### In the past couple days, several UM players were asked by national media how the Hurricanes can have eight players at the Combine but only a 6-6 record last season. The players had a tough time explaining it.

Very disappointing,” Sean Spence said, noting the losses were by narrow margins. “It was very frustrating. It hurts. Talent isn’t the problem. We had a lot of people looking at us to change Miami, to bring it back. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that.”

### Several prominent former players have been tutoring current ones. UM’s Travis Benjamin said he has been receiving one-on-one sessions from former NFL receiver and ESPN analyst Cris Carter, “who is my mentor.” LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson is being tutored by Chad Pennington, who has decided to stay retired and remain a broadcaster for Fox. UM’s Jacory Harris has worked with former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson.

### Among the numerous players the Dolphins have met with: Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, FSU offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders, UM defensive tackle MARCUS FORSTON and North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2012/02/more-draft-tidbits-um-talk-from-the-nfl-combine.html#storylink=cpy

[CaneRock]

It's interesting that J12 had a pretty good combine yesterday in terms of the broad jump,vertical leap, and His 40.

I just don't understand why the explosion He displays in the jumps doesn't translate to arm strength...

[Ohio_Cane]

Olivier Vernon ran an unofficial 4.68 40

[Ohio_Cane]

Benjamin benched 215 lbs 14 times at 172 lbs. That's pretty damn impressive.

[herbieibis]

Ohio
Had Benny worked his azz off in the weightroom, for 4 years, he would be doing 225 at least 10 times or more and be up to 185 to 190 in weight.

[Ohio_Cane]

Latonya Sadler from UM: Are []_[] Ready? http://yfrog.com/kiuyyavj

[Ohio_Cane]

Herbie, U think he would be doing 225 24 times? That would be #1 at the combine for WR's.

[Ohio_Cane]

Spence only put up 225 12 times. Uhhh, what? Wow, that hurt him.

[Ohio_Cane]

The defensive linemen have finished the vertical jump. Olivier Vernon reaches a height of 34.5 inches and Marcus Forston 28 inches.

[Six]

86 - still sick about that loss to USF, only good thing about that game was at least the visual co-ed talent walking around the ball park

How many times was Morris questioned last year and years before that about his coaching staff? That's why I didn't think twice about putting him on the proverbial "hot seat" - he needed to either make a change to his coaching staff or bring someone in that will

I don't think that's too much to ask - and for the defense of Morris that he won this and that ... who was on his coaching staff to also receive their NChamp rings and put that team together?

The team coming in this Friday, UiF, has been doing nothing but progressing since their new coaching staff - while the team in Coral Gables has been regressing since that new coaching took over at UiF

The comparison of the two coaching staffs was a complete joke. Gino coming back gets Miami back into the fight for a few more rounds at least

[SOUP]

Six...U know I tell it like I see it.

I think the UM baseball team will be better this year than last, and better coached. Will we win the ACC? The CWS? No way to tell at this point but we will know more after the UF series.

GO CANES!

[Hassan]

ACC schedule comes out today @ 2pm

[Ohio_Cane]

Mike Mayock, "I'm really dissapointed" on Spence only doing 12 reps in the bench press

[Da U N Houston]

12 reps? come on brah??? TB did more, wow!!!

[3G Cane]

Mike Mayock, "I'm really dissapointed" on Spence only doing 12 reps in the bench press

Posted by: Ohio_Cane
------
No wonder he got gobbled up too many times in the wash and couldnt get off blocks. Mayock might readjust his top 5 LB list...

[SOUP]

MIAMI
Sept. 1 at Boston College
Sept. 8 at Kansas State
Sept. 15 BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Sept. 22 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 29 NC STATE
Oct. 6 at Notre Dame
Solider Field, Chicago, Ill.
Oct. 13 NORTH CAROLINA
Oct. 20 FLORIDA STATE
Oct. 27 OPEN
Nov. 1 VIRGINIA TECH (Thursday), ESPN
Nov. 10 at Virginia
Nov. 17 SOUTH FLORIDA
Nov. 24 at Duke

[Ohio_Cane]

Here is a PDF version of the 2012 Football Schedule: http://bit.ly/woyKZ3

I like that the Bye week is after FSWho and before our Thurs night game.

[SOUP]

FLORIDA STATE
Sept. 1 MURRAY STATE
Sept. 8 SAVANNAH STATE
Sept. 15 WAKE FOREST
Sept. 22 CLEMSON
Sept. 29 at South Florida
Oct. 6 at NC State
Oct. 13 BOSTON COLLEGE
Oct. 20 at Miami
Oct. 27 DUKE
Nov. 3 OPEN
Nov. 8 at Virginia Tech (Thursday), ESPN
Nov. 17 at Maryland
Nov. 24 FLORIDA

[Ohio_Cane]

However, I'm not sure I'm crazy about this young of a team playing 3 of first 4 games AWAY, but what can ya do...?

[SOUP]

The 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference football schedule released today by Commissioner John Swofford is a slate which sees conference teams playing 10 games against opponents that are projected by ESPN.com to be in the nation's preseason Top 25, and 21 games against teams which participated in 2011 bowl games.

In all, the schedule is comprised of 97 games, including 48 regular-season conference match-ups, over a span of 14 weeks and is capped off with the Eighth Annual Dr Pepper Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game, which returns to Charlotte, N.C. this year and will be played on Saturday, Dec. 1 in Bank of America Stadium.

The 2012 ACC Championship Game is one of five contests which will be played on a neutral field. Miami will meet Notre Dame on Oct. 6 at Soldier Field in Chicago and Virginia Tech will face Cincinnati on Sept 29 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Additionally, a pair of ACC teams will participate in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Doubleheader, when NC State will face Tennessee on August 31, and Clemson plays Auburn on Sept. 1, with both games at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

ACC teams will face 48 nonconference opponents who had a combined winning percentage of 52 percent in 2011, including 35 games against FBS opponents who won 55 percent of their games last fall.

Twenty-one of the league's 48 nonconference games (44 percent) are against 19 teams that earned bowl berths in 2011. This includes 18 games with teams which finished ranked in the nation's Top 50 of the final Sagarin rankings in 2011, which ties for the most of any conference in the nation.

[SOUP]

Where is RCCF? I want him to be the FIRST to say that the Canes will go undefeated in 2012. He is a TRUE 12% all the way baby!

[Hassan]

FSUWHO sched is kinda lite if you ask me

[Hassan]

Spence runs a 4.56

Good time for him, right where I thought he was

[Ohio_Cane]

FSWho could arguably be 7-0 headed to Miami in late October.

[SOUP]

Ohio...FSU will be 7-0 and ranked top 5 headed to Miami.

Hassan...Spence's second run was higher thanj his first, wait for the "official" time to be announced.