BASEBALL: Cards, Marconi wanting quick start
The frigid February air marks the beginning of another season of baseball for colleges across the nation.
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The frigid February air marks the beginning of another season of baseball for colleges across the nation.
It wasn't the ideal season opening series for Alex Marconi and his club, dropping their third straight game to Kennesaw State, 10-7 Sunday.
It was a sloppy nine innings that was embedded with errors for Ball State (0-2) Saturday. The result was a 17-9 loss to Kennesaw State, the second straight defeat of the season for the Cardinals.
The cleats and gloves have been dusted off and broken in. The bats have resumed smacking into the round sphere with red laces.
Alex Marconi's season debut as head coach of Ball State didn't result in the way he envisioned it; a 3-2 loss to Kennesaw State Friday.
Ball State softball was picked to win the Mid-American Conference West Division in the 2011 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll.
For the past 15 years the Cincinnati Reds have taken part of a Reds Caravan, traveling around Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia to promote the team.
Then-assistant coach Alex Marconi spent much of the summer as a one-man recruiting team while he waited for Ball State's search for a head coach to finish. By the time his promotion to head coach was made official in late July, the first recruiting period for high school juniors was already half over.
The schedule for coach Alex Marconi's first season as Ball State's head coach features visits to Ball Diamond by Indiana and Purdue and a Spring Break tournament at Coastal Carolina.
Alex Marconi completed his coaching staff Tuesday, announcing the hiring of pitching coach Jeremy Plexico.
Coach Alex Marconi announced Tuesday that Jeremy Plexico would join Ball State's coaching staff as pitching coach.
Ian Nielsen's decision to transfer to Taylor University on Friday left a gaping hole in Ball State University's lineup, but Alex Marconi is confident it will be filled.Marconi was already facing the difficult task of replacing the Cardinals third and fourth hitters, including Kolbrin Vitek, the 20th player taken in June's MLB Draft. Nielsen's departure means the third-sixth hitters in Ball State's 2010 lineup will not return in 2011."We've got some talented kids coming in and some good hitters coming back," Marconi said. "It might take a little bit, but we'll fill it adequately."Marconi reiterated Nielsen's stunning decision was based on his desire to attend a Christian school and grow in his faith and not the coaching change. Marconi was hired to replace Greg Beals, who left to become coach at Ohio State University in June. Nielsen had considered transferring to a Christian school in previous years. Marconi said he had an idea Nielsen might actually go through with it after the Cardinals' season ended at the Mid-American Conference Tournament."I knew it was on his mind," Marconi said. "I wasn't sure how serious he was."Ball State doesn't have a readily-available replacement for the former Freshman All-American first baseman. Nielsen has been an integral part of the Cardinals' lineup since hitting a home run in his first collegiate at bat. In the last two seasons, Nielsen hit .339 with 20 home runs and 111 RBIs in 109 games. Marconi said he will look at a "handful" of possible first basemen in fall ball before deciding who will play there next year. Included in that group will be Ball State's two highly-regarded recruits, Kenny Mahala and Cody Campbell. Another possibility is Blake Beemer, the only other first baseman listed on the 2010 roster. Beemer, however, became the Cardinals' starting right fielder and earned a Freshman All-American nomination. Marconi would like to keep him in right field, where his arm is a big asset."Blake is always a possibility," he said. "He did play great in right field and ideally I'd like to keep him out there."One thing is certain, however. Nielsen's replacement will not be a late addition to the team. Even though Marconi knew early in the summer Nielsen intended to transfer, Ball State's coaching change made it impossible to recruit another first baseman."It was a kind of a unique situation," he said. "Once Beals and [pitching coach Mike] Stafford left, there was no head coach. I was not in a good position to hand out scholarships."
The baseball coaching job at Ball State University ultimately will stay in the family. Athletic director Tom Collins announced Tuesday assistant coach Alex Marconi would be promoted to head coach, ending a six-week search for Greg Beals' replacement. Marconi has been an assistant with the Cardinals since 2005. Collins said the familiarity Marconi has with the entire program set him apart from the more experienced candidates. "He knows Ball State," Collins said. "He had a hand in recruiting a lot of the players. I felt Alex was deserving of the opportunity."The search to replace Beals, who became Ohio State's head coach June 17, culminated with three final interviews last week. Marconi, former Wake Forest coach Rick Rembielak and Birmingham-Southern coach Jan Weisberg were finalists for the job. Collins said Marconi had an excellent interview and came with the recommendation of Beals.Marconi focused his pitch on an easy transition from Beals to himself in the interview."A big part of it was continuity with the program, the university and the Muncie community," he said. "I was just myself."In addition to his time at Ball State, Marconi spent one year as a volunteer assistant at the University of North Carolina. He played at Kent State University, and then in the Tampa Bay Rays' system, rising to Class AAA in 2001.Marconi was able to overcome his lack of experience as a head coach or top assistant, a hole neither Rembielak nor Weisberg have on their resumes. Rembielak's 16 years as a head coach is the most experience of the three finalists, but Collins chose the young, energetic coach he said he was looking for at the outset of the process."He's a high-energy, good -character guy," Collins said. "He's got a plan and he's going to work hard at it. He's very enthusiastic." The move was praised by the Cardinals, who are relieved the process is finally complete. Starting pitcher Cal Bowling had grown antsy in the past few days, even making the short drive from Yorktown to campus to see associate athletic director Pat Quinn for an update Monday. "I was trying to be as patient as I could be," Bowling said.Quinn told him to expect something by Tuesday at the latest. True to his word, the players were notified in around 4 p.m.Shortstop T.J. Baumet said the players, who are scattered across Ohio and Indiana playing summer ball, quickly started texting and calling each other."I talked to a lot of the guys once we found out," he said. "It's better for the team. Now it's time to go to work."Bowling was concerned that Ball State might be falling behind on the recruiting trail as summer seasons are coming to a close. Marconi said he has continued to recruit throughout the search to keep the Cardinals in the game."When Beals and Stafford were still on staff, we were still recruiting as normal," he said. "As soon as they made the decision at Ohio State, it's been a one-man show with me. I did the best I could to keep us in the running."Now the Cardinals are left to wonder how things might change with Marconi in charge. Bowling and Baumet both said they expect the intensity of practices to increase. Marconi said while that might happen, he expects to keep much of the process Beals installed intact. During his time at Ball State, Marconi has worked primarily with the catchers and outfielders. Jeremy Hazelbaker, the Red Sox fourth-round draft pick in 2009, credited Marconi with helping him make a successful transition from second base to center field in his junior year. Bowling characterized him as a good teacher."He makes things simple," Bowling said. "He really explains what he wants from you."Marconi's next step will be to hire two assistant coaches to complete his coaching staff, a process he said he didn't want to rush through, and talk to all the Cardinals in the coming days. While the Cardinals are all pleased Marconi is their new coach, Baumet said they were prepared to get behind whoever was hired. "We're all a team no matter who the coach is," he said. "I feel like we're a family. We have each other's backs and look out for each other."
Alex Marconi will become Ball State University's ninth baseball coach in the program's history, the university announced Tuesday.Marconi replaces Greg Beals, who left to become Ohio State University's coach last month. Marconi has been an assistant at Ball State since 2005, but has never been a head coach before. He also spent one year as a volunteer assistant at the University of North Carolina. He was one of three finalists for the job, beating former Wake Forest University coach Rick Rembielak and Birmingham-Southern College coach Jan Weisberg for the job.Athletic director Tom Collins said Beals endorsed Marconi for the job. Marconi was not Beals' top assistant, but Collins said he doesn't expect much of a learning curve after the promotion because he knows the program and team so well."He had a hand in recruiting a lot of the players," Collins said. "I felt Alex was deserving of the opportunity and he will move the program forward."Marconi played collegiately at Kent State University under Rembielak before playing professionally in the Tampa Bay organization. He rose to Class AAA in 2001 and 2002, but never played in the Major Leagues. For more on the story read Wednesday's edition of The Ball State Daily News.
Rick Rembielak will become Ball State University's ninth baseball coach in the program's history, the university announced Monday.Rembielak replaces Greg Beals, who left to become Ohio State University's coach last month. Rembielak has previously coached at Wake Forest University and Kent State University, compiling a record of 515-393-1 in 16 years. He was one of three finalists to come to campus for interviews last week, beating Ball State assistant Alex Marconi and Birmingham-Southern College coach Jan Weisberg for the job.Of the finalists, Rembielak had the most experience, especially in the MAC. He is the winningest coach in Kent State history and played at Miami University. In 11 years as coach of the Golden Flashes, he was named MAC Coach of the Year three times and won three MAC Tournament titles. He was inducted into Kent State's Hall of Fame in 2009.Rembielak left Kent State for Wake Forest after the 2004 season. He took the Demon Deacons to the NCAA Tournament in 2007, before regressing the next two years. His contract was not renewed after the 2009 season, finishing with a .500 record.Since he was let go by Wake Forest, Rembielak was worked as director of player development at the Hitting Zone, a baseball instruction center in Winston-Salem, N.C.Rembielak has ties with the Ball State program. Beals was an assistant under Rembielak at Kent State before coming to Ball State in 2002. Rembielak coached Beals and Marconi during his time with the Golden Flashes. For more on this story read tomorrow's issue of The Ball State Daily News.
Ball State University has narrowed the candidates for the vacant baseball coach position to the final three and has begun the last round of interviews.
As Ohio State University officially announced Greg Beals as its next baseball coach Thursday morning, Ball State University athletic director Tom Collins said he would hire someone similar to Beals.Beals' move to the Buckeyes was reported by The Ball State Daily News and other media outlets Wednesday night. He leaves Ball State after eight seasons to replace Bob Todd, who retired after 23 years at Ohio State. Beals had a record of 243-202 with the Cardinals and one Mid-American Conference Tournament championship in 2006. That team upset the University of Kentucky in Regionals, before being eliminated.Ball State athletic director Tom Collins said Beals informed him Wednesday night of his decision to accept the position."I told him ‘Congratulations,'" Collins said. "I'm happy for Greg and his family. It's something he earned."Now Collins will begin his fifth coaching search in the past year. He said he hopes to hire Beals' replacement in the next few weeks and is looking for another young, energetic coach like Beals."We'll look for someone with the same profile," Collins said. "We want someone who will be a good fit and take us to our next MAC Championship."Collins said Beals did not tell him if he would take any assistant coaches with him to Ohio State. However, sources close to the Cardinals told The Ball State Daily News that pitching coach and former Buckeyes' ace Mike Stafford would join Beals in Columbus. Assistant coach Alex Marconi's fate is unknown.Collins expects to involve Beals in the search for his replacement."We talked a little bit about people," Collins said. "As the process moves forward, I'll probably call him."Beals was one of the last coaches at Ball State not hired by Collins. Former athletic director Bubba Cunningham found Beals when he was an assistant coach at Kent State University. Collins could go in the same direction and tab a top MAC assistant coach like Josh Bradford from the University of Toledo. Marconi could be interested in the job, as well as former University of Notre Dame coach Dave Schrage, who was fired this week after four mediocre seasons. Whoever Collins picks will inherit one of Ball State's top programs and a job that has become a stepping stone. Beals was hired when Rich Maloney left Ball State for the University of Michigan. With back-to-back coaches leaving for the Big Ten and dozens of players drafted in the last 15 years, the job is a good one."It's a wonderful opportunity for Greg," Collins said. "But it's sad for us that we have to find a new coach."
The Houston Astros selected Ball State University catcher Zach Dygert in the 22nd round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday afternoon.
The Philadelphia Phillies selected Ball State University starting pitcher Perci Garner in the second round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday afternoon.
Theo Epstein must have liked what he saw.The Boston Red Sox general manager made a scouting trip to the Mid-American Conference Tournament in Chillicothe, Ohio, last month to personally see Ball State University second baseman Kolbrin Vitek. Monday, the Red Sox selected Vitek with the 20th pick in the MLB First-Year Player Draft. The newly-minted All-American became Ball State's seventh first round draft pick and first since Brad Snyder was selected by Cleveland with the 18th overall pick in 2003.Vitek is very happy with his destination and expects to sign a contract very soon, foregoing his senior year at Ball State."I'm going to get signed as quick as possible, maybe in about a week or so," he said. Joe Bick, who is advising Vitek in the draft process, said the signing bonus has been agreed upon with the Red Sox and believes a contract will be in place in about a week. Neither Vitek nor Bick knows if Boston will send him to their minor league affiliates in Lowell, Mass. or Greenville, N.C. to begin his professional career."It will strictly be their call," Bick said. "There were no conversations about that prior to the draft."Vitek will join former Ball State star Jeremy Hazelbaker in the Boston organization. Hazelbaker was the Red Sox fourth-round selection last year.Coach Greg Beals is happy two of his former players are now in an organization like Boston's."I'm proud of that because it shows they're happy with the type of player we develop," Beals said. "That says a lot about what type of guy Hazelbaker is that they had the confidence to come back to the program for the next guy."The San Diego Padres also showed strong interest in Vitek before the draft, but ultimately choose Karsten Whitson, a high school pitcher from Florida, with the ninth overall selection. After the Padres passed on him, Vitek began an anxious wait at his home in Bryan, Ohio, with family and friends.Cincinnati, Texas and the Chicago Cubs all scouted Vitek heavily, but went in different directions as well."There was more and more pressure on my shoulders," Vitek said. "I just wanted to get this over with."After the Cubs took Division II pitcher Hayden Simpson with the 16th pick, the next likely landing spot for him was Boston. Vitek said the Red Sox called him a few minutes before their pick was announced to make sure he was still OK with going to Boston. When his name was announced by commissioner Bud Selig as Boston's selection the celebration began."Once they called my name it was quite exciting," Vitek said. "Everyone was going bonkers."Vitek could become the latest in a long line of strong draft picks made under during Epstein's tenure. Recent Boston draft picks include 2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Daniel Bard. Later in the night, Boston picked Middle Tennessee State University outfielder Bryce Brentz and Louisiana State University starting pitcher Anthony Ranaudo in the first compensation round.Vitek said he is excited to join such a quality organization with."It's an awesome feeling joining such a successful program," he said. "They put a lot of dedication into their players."Vitek will get a chance to make a name for himself at third base in Boston. After spending this year as the Cardinals' second baseman, the Red Sox plan to move him back to the position he played last year.Some teams that showed interest before the draft talked about moving him to the outfield, but Vitek prefers to remain in the infield."I'm most comfortable in the infield," he said. "I'm excited to play third."Beals said Vitek will have to set new goals now that he has been drafted, but he is capable of living up to a the expectations set by the former great Red Sox draft picks."He has to push himself to play in Fenway Park," Beals said. "If he does that, he will be the next guy they're talking about."