We spoke to a former Seminole pitcher familiar with this year's team about the state of FSU Baseball and changes underway in the coaching staff. Here's what he told us.
Were the pitching staff's struggles this year due to recruiting or development or what?
"I think it’s a combination of both. Every year Florida State, including the years I was there, has the talent to make the post season and compete and have a solid winning record. But there’s never a real shot talent-wise to win it all. And that does reflect on recruiting, and on development to an extent."
How does a former FSU pitcher feel about coach Shouppe stepping down?
"He was a good coach while I was there. And for me personally, even after I moved on from Florida State baseball, he’s been a friend as well. He was like family to Mike Martin, so I know it has to be tough on all of them. It had to be a tough decision. But when it comes down to it, it’s about getting that ring. It’s a business, including when you’re a player three.
"I think the move was an accumulation of pressure. Not just from this season but of years past leading up to this season. There was a level of expectation set for this team and the pitching staff this year -- how they would do and how they would compete in the post-season. And it was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as far as the decision that 11 had to make."
Do you think the new pitching coach will also be the recruiting coordinator?
"I don’t believe he’ll be named the recruiting coordinator. I think that coach Mike Martin, Jr. certainly is deserving and, I think, will be awarded the head recruiting job."
Do you believe FSU’s recruiting has slipped in recent years?
"Bluntly, I think that position by position you can find several schools in the top 25 teams that can out-match FSU, from a scout’s perspective."
If the new pitching coach makes a difference, do you think Martin will want to stick around longer?
"I think coach Martin has several years left in him as a head baseball coach. And if he can’t be a hands-on teacher and coach, the day that comes will be when he steps down. If you saw how a Florida State practice is run, you’d see what I mean. He’s hands-on, he’s all over the place. He’s not an eye in the sky. He’s on the field and the most vocal coach on that field."
In the past, has Martin been hands-on with the pitching staff, or did he leave it to the pitching coach?
"There were times Martin was involved with the staff. But for the most part it was Shouppe’s to develop. The final decision was a collective one about who would start, and who would be the first guy out of the pen, and the closer. But from a recruiting and development standpoint, it was left to the pitching coach."
I don't know why you would post a picture of Mike McGee, suggesting to the readers that the interview was with him when it wasn't.
Posted by: Liz | June 25, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Crazy how this site did a story last week about the double standard and shouldn't winning be enough, but today find a former player that says change was needed. Not that it should require that kind of validation since it is clear to anyone who watches that change was needed.
Posted by: George | June 24, 2011 at 11:08 AM