Hard Ball Rules

Head coach Jim Morris released the University of Miami’s 2017 baseball schedule Wednesday.

The Hurricanes, coming off their second straight College World Series trip and 25th in program history, feature 17 returners from a 2016 team that finished 50-14 overall and 21-7 in the ACC.

“It’s a very competitive schedule, just like last year’s,” Morris said. “It’s very tough, starting with the Atlantic Coast Conference and playing Florida out of the SEC, along with all the teams from South Florida. We’re playing just about everybody three or four times from down here. It’s another tough schedule.”

Three-time defending ACC Coastal Division champion Miami hosts 34 games inside the friendly confines of Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, where the Hurricanes finished 34-6 in 2015.

Rutgers (Feb. 17-19) arrives for the first regular season series of the spring before the Hurricanes travel to Gainesville, Fla., for their annual rivalry series with the Gators (Feb. 24-26).

Miami will also play crosstown foe FIU four times in 2017, splitting the games home and away. A classic home-and-home will take place March 7-8, when the Hurricanes host the Panthers in the first game and make the short drive to FIU Baseball Stadium for the second.

“All the teams down here are very good,” Morris said. “I expect FIU to be better now under their current coach. They’re tough games.Sometimes a team down here will hold their top guy back or No. 2 starter for us….it challenges our team to play good every day against everybody, not just ACC games. I spend a lot of time talking to our team about the importance of playing on Wednesdays, not just Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.”

Miami also battles FAU and FGCU three times, as well as single showdowns with St. Thomas and UCF.

ACC series include home matchups with Georgia Tech (March 10-12), Wake Forest (March 31-April 2), Duke (April 7-8), Florida State (April 21-23) and Virginia Tech (May 18-20). Road series include trips to NC State (March 17-19), North Carolina (March 24-26), Pittsburgh (April 14-16), Boston College (April 28-30) and Virginia (May 12-14).

In 2016, Miami won the ACC Regular Season Championship for the second time in the past three seasons, was ranked the No. 1 team nationwide during the regular season and earned the No. 3 national seed for the NCAA postseason.

“Coming to Miami from Day 1 was a tremendous challenge, following Coach Ron Fraser and what had been done in the past,” Morris said. “Every year is a new year, for me, for our players and for our fans. The expectations are very, very high. We have to go out and prove that we’re good this year. Next year we’ll have to go out and prove that we’re good next year. Every year is a new year, and we want to compete, we want to go to Omaha, and we want to have a chance to win.”

Comments

[UMike]

Im going to stick with the PROOF that USF has already flipped a Miami committ lol.... I am not saying they will be a threat to our program, I think you missed what I was saying. I am saying it is possible for USF to get a player Miami also wants...its already happened.

[UMike]

And so its clear to everyone...I am ONLY talking about recruiting. The topic was that USF will NEVER EVER get a player that Miami also wants...that is what I have been responding to. Not the idea that FIU, FAU or USF as a program will take over Miami

[Go Canes!]

No idea who that kid is or what happened in his recruitment.

Could have been grades, character, a numbers game, we changed our mind, his girlfriend went to USF, his mom was sick or he had a thing for Bulls.

The point will continue to be if we want a kid badly he'll be here not at any of those programs. And there will never be a scenario, ever, ever, ever where a recruit says I'm going to one of those schools because it's a better program than the U.

[UMike]

Yall are some naive ass people lol... saying something will never ever happen, when its already happened more than once lol... So now if a kid doesnt come to Miami its because grades, character, we didnt want him, gf etc.... couldn't possible be because we havent been relevant in almost 2 decades, havent won a bowl game in a decade, have been embarrassed on national tv numerous times, had sanctions, havent played for a conference title in over a decade, had the worst d in the history of the program, had a dumb stubborn coach, played in half empty stadium etc etc etc....no it couldnt be because ANY of those factors.

This is the 90's or the early 00's, stop living in the past.

[SOUP]

When CMR really starts winning they'll be down to the equivalent of a pimple on an elephant's ass.

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 15, 2016 at 06:50 AM

WHEN this happens call me. I'll be napping.

#CasualFan

[UMike]

Right now, in the USF class there is a 4-Star commit with a Miami offer. In 2009 they flipped Kayvon Webster who we infidelity wanted and is a starter in the NFL. They had Jason Pierre Paul another 4-star in that class. Bradly Battles, another 4-star same class. Adaris Bellamy, 4-Star. In 2010 they got 4-Star Todd Chandler, who Miami wanted. They got 4-Star Terrence Mitchell. 2011 they got 4-Star Elkino Watson who had Miami offer and was from Miami. In 2012 they got 4-Star WR D'Vario Montgomery who had a Miami offer. Same class they got 4-Star Sean Price who had a Miami offer. 2013 for 4-Star Lamar Robbins from Miami. In 2014 they got a couple more 4-Stars although from the Immokalee area. 2016 they snag 4/5-Star Darnell Salomon who had Miami offer and offer from everyone else. Also got 4-Star Craig Watts who had Miami offer.

So, I think its fair to say it CAN happen :)

[SOUP]

HOW QUICKLY THEY FORGET...

High school[edit]
Webster attended Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Florida, where he was a letterman in football and track. In football, he saw action on both sides of the ball and as a return specialist and was a two-time first team All-Dade selection. During his junior season, he caught 30 passes for 500 yards with eight touchdowns on offense, while also adding 65 tackles, four sacks, seven forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries on defense. Academically, he carried a 3.0 GPA.[1]

Also an standout track & field athlete, Webster was one of the state's top performer in the sprinting events. He earned All-Dade County First Team 3A track and field honors in 2007 and All-Dade County First Team 3A football honors in 2008. He was tabbed All-American by Track & Field News in the 4 × 100 m in 2009. He led the Pace Spartans 4 × 100 m relay team to three straight Florida 2A state championships his sophomore and junior seasons, and posted the fastest time in the nation in the 4 × 100 m relay with a time of 40.54 seconds as a senior, setting the state meet record in the process.[2][3] He took silver in the 100 meters at the 2009 Region 4 meet, with a time of 10.67 meters. Additionally, he was also timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and posted a 245-pound bench press.

Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Webster was rated as the 28th-best safety in the nation, 29th according to Scout.com. He was also ranked as the 32nd-best prospect as an athlete by ESPN.com He chose USF over scholarship offers from Miami, Florida and Auburn, among others.[4]

College career[edit]
Webster attended the University of South Florida, where he played for the South Florida Bulls football team from 2009 to 2012. He was a second-team All-Big East Conference selection in 2011. He graduated from South Florida with a bachelor's degree in health science in December 2012.

Posted by: HAPPY SOUP | December 15, 2016 at 12:01 AM

FUNNY, NOT A SINGLE REPLY FROM GO CANES OR OHIO CANE???

[SOUP]

For the rest of the story:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayvon_Webster

[UMike]

SOUP... they will reply and explain how we didnt REALLY want him, were ACTUALLY after him, or he must of had character issues or grade issues etc

[Go Canes!]

Yet here we sit with 3-4 legitimate freshman All-Americans, a likely Top 10 recruiting class with up to a dozen ESPN 300 players in it, record season ticket sales, a state of the art indoor practice facility on the way, a proven winner at head coach and an excellent overall coaching staff.

Who's perception is skewed?

[SOUP]

Don't look now, more PROOF, Sam Barrington LB:

http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?atclid=3662085

TERRY PARKER HIGH SCHOOL: Named a three-star prospect at linebacker ... rated 37th best prospect among inside linebackers by Rivals.com ... ranked 65th best prospect in Rivals.com Florida Preseason Top 100 list ... rated 18th best prospect at middle linebacker by Rivals.com ... ranked 47th best prospect at outside linebacker according to ESPN ... started all four years and played on both sides of the ball at Terry Parker High School ... logged 1,188 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 108 carries as a senior ... selected to play in the 2008 Florida All-Star game ... also added more than 109 tackles, five sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six pass break-ups while playing multiple linebacker positions ... recorded 104 tackles, including 74 solo stops, three sacks and three forced fumbles during his junior season ... chose USF over Miami, Purdue and Illinois, among others.

[UMike]

As much as I love my Canes... the reality is we arent who we use to be and haven't been for a long time. Can't just walk into a house and expect a kid to love you cause there is a U on the coaches shirt. The NFLU talent is slowly decreasing. We are no longer the school with the most players in the NFL. The majority of the big time names from the NFL are gone. We have to win NOW, thats what elite kids want. They dont care how good we were when they were 2 years old

[UMike]

Yet here we sit with 3-4 legitimate freshman All-Americans, a likely Top 10 recruiting class with up to a dozen ESPN 300 players in it, record season ticket sales, a state of the art indoor practice facility on the way, a proven winner at head coach and an excellent overall coaching staff.

Who's perception is skewed?

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 15, 2016 at 08:42 AM

Thats great....did any of that help during a horrible 4 game skid in which Coley looked better at OC then CMR? Did any of that help us win the pathetic coastal division? Did any of that help us stop the losing streak to FSU? Did any of that help us beat a 2-5 pathetic ND team?

AGAIN...the point I was making and responding too is that is is VERY possible that USF can get a player Miami also wants...what does anything you posted have to do with that?

[UMike]

SOUP...how can you have proof of the impossible?

[UMike]

And Go... I do agree with you we are trending up and have a lot going for us...I think that is unquestionable...but we still have to win on the field to get these elite kids we need to get to the top.

[raizecane]

but we still have to win on the field to get these elite kids we need to get to the top.

Posted by: UMike | December 15, 2016 at 08:55 AM

*************************************

And it starts on the 28th......

[UMike]

Raize...I sure hope so. That is exactly what we need. A marquee win against a ranked team on tv. Something kids will remember and momentum for next year.

[Go Canes!]

Here's an article showing Shannon signed 5 of the 7 linebackers in Florida the year before and followed it up with the #7 class the year Barrington signed with USF.

Cherry picking two guys over the last 10 years as "proof" of anything is hysterical. You have no idea what happened behind the scenes, the numbers they signed or the priority they gave any specific player. You don't even know if they had commutable offers.

http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205543122

[Go Canes!]

Five of the top 7.

[Ohio_Cane]

FUNNY, NOT A SINGLE REPLY FROM GO CANES OR OHIO CANE???

Posted by: HAPPY SOUP | December 15, 2016 at 08:36 AM
----------------------------------------------

Again, for the cheap seats, I'll say this again...

NOW THAT WE HAVE A REAL STAFF, USF WILL NOT BE TAKING ANY RECRUIT THAT WE ACTUALLY WANT.

I never said, nor insinuated, that we've never lost someone to another school, including USF.

Again... NOW THAT WE HAVE A REAL STAFF, ARE CHANGING THE CULTURE AROUND THE SCHOOL, UPGRADING FACILITIES (NAMELY THE IPF WHICH IS LONG OVERDUE), ETC.

For the last time... AS LONG AS MARK RICHT IS HERE, WE WILL NOT LOSE 1 SINGLE F'ING RECRUIT TO USF THAT WE ACTUALLY WANT.

[Ohio_Cane]

I hate the damn inferiority complex Golden and Radio have instilled in this school and fan base. I understand, but i hate it.

[Ohio_Cane]

Call me a homer, call me whatever U want.

I refuse to believe that some shit school like USF or any other "group of 5" team can take ANYONE from the power that is/was/can be again at Miami.

WE ARE THE M F'KING U.

[UMike]

Cherry picking two guys over the last 10 years as "proof" of anything is hysterical. You have no idea what happened behind the scenes, the numbers they signed or the priority they gave any specific player. You don't even know if they had commutable offers.

http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205543122

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 15, 2016 at 09:38 AM

Whats hysterical is someone saying it could "never, ever, ever" happen, when it already has. You said NEVER could happen, so even if I cherry pick 1 guy it proves you wrong.

And the whole "we actually want" tag is bs, its just giving you an out in case it does happen.

I think its unlikely, specially if CMR wins and Strong flops, but the notion that we are big bad Miami and we could never lose a guy to USF now that the greatest coach ever is here is delusional imo.

We could "actually" want a LB right now and that LB be from Tamps and pick USF because he doesnt want to wait behind our freshman studs. It could happen that easily, even with CMR.

[UMike]

WE ARE THE M F'KING U.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 15, 2016 at 09:44 AM

Yup...and what has that got us lately? Look at the losses over the last decade, look at the pathetic names of UVA, Duke, Louisville, USF, GT etc etc... being the M F'King U doesnt mean shit if you dont win, having the U on the helmet doesnt guarantee wins.

[Go Canes!]

We could "actually" want a LB right now and that LB be from Tamps and pick USF because he doesnt want to wait behind our freshman studs. It could happen that easily, even with CMR.

Posted by: UMike | December 15, 2016 at 09:50 AM

Any linebacker we really want that doesn't sign with us will sign with a top flight Power 5 team before USF about 100% of the time.

[Ohio_Cane]

DeeJay Dallas ‏@Deejaydallas5 1h1 hour ago

Corner ... receiver....maybe both 😈

[UMike]

Again, you guys sound like Lurker with the "never, ever ever" or "100%".. none of us know for sure.

If a LB from the Tampa area wants to stay close, Strong and USF are winning games and he could start right away...a kid may be inclined to stay with USF and show out for his home team. All Im saying is it COULD happen... COULD.

[UMike]

Ohio.. I thought I read before the coaches told him he could play both

[Ohio_Cane]

Yup...and what has that got us lately? Look at the losses over the last decade, look at the pathetic names of UVA, Duke, Louisville, USF, GT etc etc... being the M F'King U doesnt mean shit if you dont win, having the U on the helmet doesnt guarantee wins.

Posted by: UMike | December 15, 2016 at 09:52 AM
-----------------------------------------

I don't care about lately. This was BEFORE MARK RICHT. Nothing prior to December 2015 matters any more for our future. Golden doesn't run this ship any more.

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio.. I thought I read before the coaches told him he could play both

Posted by: UMike | December 15, 2016 at 10:11 AM
---------------------------------------

That option is there to play both, but Dallas said they're keeping it a secret of which he'll start out at so they don't give away which position they're recruting the hardest because we're very quietly on a couple kids committed elsewhere.

[Ohio_Cane]

Matt Miller ‏@nfldraftscout 18m18 minutes ago

While his decision isn't final, I'm told QB Brad Kaaya is "leaning" toward declaring for the draft.

So basically, no one actually knows which way he's leaning. Because that's the opposite of yesterday.

[trianglecane]

I appreciate Ohio and Go for keeping up the fight.

Doesn't matter who comes into the neighborhood Charlie... Lane.. Patton.. ALEXANDER THE GREAT... I give two ducks. I will appreciate the guys that come and forget those who chose not to.

I believe this staff will develop and win.

I also believe that this staff is probably dragging 20% of the players who have not bought in.

I am not against those with opposing views, just encouraging those who believe in the U like me.

GO CANES!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Perry, Weldon, Allison. Which will be Miami's starter in 2017 if Kaaya leaves?

My money on Allison.

[UMike]

I don't care about lately. This was BEFORE MARK RICHT. Nothing prior to December 2015 matters any more for our future. Golden doesn't run this ship any more.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 15, 2016 at 10:11 AM

Ummmm we went 8-4, 4 straight losses, terrible play calling, didnt make it conference game... again...so again the U didnt mean anything!... Having said that, we finished great and looked like we made adjustments, which was great to see. It proved CMR isnt the stubborn ass Golden was..

I'm going to drop out of the USF could get a recruit topic, its not going anywhere lol...

I would assume Allison, but I wouldnt be to excited about it.

[Ohio_Cane]

but I wouldnt be to excited about it.

Posted by: UMike | December 15, 2016 at 10:32 AM
------------------------------------------

Shocking! Lol

[Go Canes!]

Really hope we get one more year with Kaaya, if not Perry seems to be a pretty dynamic player.'

His high school numbers are definitely much more overwhelming than Allison's.

[UMike]

Come on now lol... you would be excited about a guy that couldn't be out Rosier? I mean, much rather have Kaaya coming back

[UMike]

Go, Perry looks awesome, Im not sold he will be college ready from day one. I think his ceiling is higher then Allisons though.

[UMike]

Either way, I think we would miss Kaaya next year... a lot

[Terrance Sullivan]

Just win the damn Russell Athletic Bowl Game. That is all!

[Ohio_Cane]

Agree, Sully. A win there would go a long way for recruiting and how we start next season. A win gets us ranked to start next year IMO

[UMike]

Ohio, I definitely believe it will get us ranked going into next year

[CaneRock]

Webster & Barrington had "committable offers"...whatever dafuq that means.

Hell, Rudy from ITU rode all the way to J'ville thinking Barrington was gonna don a UM hat...remember that SOUP? LOL.

And that 09' class was overrated...the only DBs that somewhat panned out from that class were McGee & Armstrong. So yeah, Webster was a must get.

[BEERicane]

Kaaya decides to go, Jeudy will be a cane. He doesn't want to catch passes from that very average QB.

[BEERicane]

RayRay was the biggest bust of all time.

[Ohio_Cane]

More than Willie Williams?

[Ohio_Cane]

Tim Reynolds: To recap, Brad Kaaya is staying, or leaving, or maybe staying, or maybe leaving. Finally, we have clarity.

^^ Pretty much this....

[UMike]

Willie the biggest and not even close IMO...although when I watched Ray Ray play I thought he was a sure fire elite college player....but Willie the biggest bust

[VA Cane]

You never know what can happen in recruiting....and I see a lot of great kids playing...both here and from many of you who regularly add kids and film on here.

Those coaches are all good recruiters...but I do not care, We will not get every kid....and while we out duel smaller schools and others for kids....Do we beat Bama, OSU, OK, Clemson, FSU FL and other big players for kids on a regular basis? No we do not. I love Miami....but we are not the MF U anymore....that ended in 20003 for me....when you do not compete for NCs on a fairly regular basis...you really do not matter....we are a Top 30 team at best.....we have not battled near the top since 2003....we were #5....that aint #1....so does it matter? Not really. thats 13 years ago.

The U is a lost brand right now....kind of like the Oakland Raiders my other love. Yes we are hard core...but now were are ....the little u! We have not figured in the BCS or playoffs since 2003, we do not nail the great elite players, we do not capture kids imaginations like the old days....a lot of people do not really know our history....its dusty old and irrelevant.

GA wont a title in 1980...not CMR. 10 wins a year is nice....but he has no title that matters division? conference? who cares? If you are not #1 when the dust settles it means nothing. Dale Earnhardt said finish 2nd first to lose! I agree. Who cares if a guy averages 10 wins a year.....AVERAGE is the key. No title to hold up to me! Averaging 10 wins a year is nice...HOF....not really but that is my thought.

We have improved a lot of things....facilities, training table, diet, coaching staff greatly improved. While 8-4 is not bad for first year, had CMR really been spot on, and had a really good plan, and been open minded about what we were doing, we would be 11-1. I did not expect a title this year....we could not compete with any of the Top 4, and a lot of the other big teams would kill us as well. We are little u right now, but I do think we are on the right path. CMR needs to at least field a team made up of CMR recruits for the most part; AQlPa got a few good guys but let CMR have a shot with his guys. Then we will see what he is made of; can he win in the big time; GA never won a title so to me that is not big time.

When we win a NC we will be back. You have to be #1 to be successful to me; that is the goal.

[BEERicane]

Well, willie sure was a gigantic bust, but he didn't really play too much. RayRay played and stunk up the joint. He had one nice hit vs Murray, and gave up a ton of TDs.