Veteran Profile - #20 - Nick Caldrone

Veteran Profile - #20 - Nick Caldrone
Class at NWMSU - Senior
Position - Pitcher
Bats - Right, Throws - Right
Height - 6'0"
High School - Blue Springs High School (MO)
Major at NWMSU - Physical Education
2011 Statistics -
ERA - 3.33
W-L - 0-2
Appearances - 11
GS - 3
CG - 0
IP - 27.0
H - 26
R - 15
ER - 10
BB - 19
K - 13
2B - 6
3B - 1
HR - 0
HBP - 3
Comments - The Starting Rotation is wide open going into the Spring 2012 NCAA season.  Nick is a wild card that I can see break into a Saturday 2nd starter or Sunday starter.  Mid-week starting is a possibility.  I know Nick got a lot of looks during fall practice as did all the pitchers.  The B2R eye-ball test of Nick tells me he worked hard on his body.  Definitely noticeable when you walk next to him and have seen him over the years.  I've always rooted for Nick as he's always been a good kid when we visit or him interacting with my boy, Alex.  Nick's going in to his senior year with little proven starting pitching returning save Chris Green and Chase Anderson.  At this point in his career at Northwest, Nick hasn't had a lot of opportunities as a Bearcat with only 2 appearances in 2010 and 11 appearances in 2011.  That will likely change in 2012.  Nick may want a rubber arm if he gets hot and is put into a starting role or relief.  This will be a big spring for Nick.  I think he has put in his time.  I'm rooting he continues to develop his body this winter and attacks spring practice to crack the starting rotation.  The Bearcats have gotten off to slow starts the last two years where the starters in the first series tend not to be the starters in the final series.  The Bearcats will need Nick Caldrone to take advantage of opportunity and perform consistently to have the success they need in February through April so that they are playing in May.

Go Cats!!

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Thanksgiving Day Prayer - B2R style

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all of the blessings you've sent;
In all things, give thanks;
So I want to thank you for Bearcat Baseball and the mighty athletes that you brought to Maryville;
Thank you for Singleton, Eckhardt;
Thank you for Kretzer and Parrish;
Thank you for Bret and Cam;
Thank you for E and Krueger;
Thank you for the Bradys, Caldrone, and Hort;
Thank you for Chris Green and Tommy John surgery;
Thank you Carson and Chase;
Thank you for AnRam & Geno;
Thank you Steven, Ricky, and Grant;
Thank you for the new guys;
I thank you for Darin Loe, Mike Creason, Jordan Bischel, and Heath Stein for recruiting and coaching talented baseball players for my alma mater;
Thank you for Joe and Kelly Quinlin for giving us athletes with the power we see on game days;
Thank you for Wren Baker, Mark Clements, and Lori Hopkins for supporting baseball;
Lord, I want to thank you for Easton and TPX performance bat technology;
Thank you for Rawlings and raised seams;
Thank you for pine tar and batting gloves;
Lord, bless the Bearcat Baseball team - may they dominate the weight room over the winter to perform with power and precision this spring worthy of the hallowed grounds of Bearcat Baseball field;
Most importantly Lord, thank you for my family, and having the coolest wife on earth and my boy Alex;
B..E..A..R..C..A..T..S..
Amen


Happy Thanksgiving from the B2R
Go Cats!!

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NorthwestBearcats.com: Diamond 'Cats ink 12 at early period

Maryville, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State baseball squad added 11 high school seniors and one junior college transfer head coach Darin Loe announced on Friday at the early signing period. The Bearcats were successful locally adding three players from Missouri, four from Nebraska, and two from Iowa along with one each from California, Illinois and Wisconsin.

"This group of young men is one of the deepest and most talented groups we have ever had," said Head Coach Darin Loe.

Read more by clicking on this hyperlink: NorthwestBearcats.com

Go Cats!!

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Veteran Profile - #18 - Charlie Krueger

Veteran Profile - #18 - Charlie Krueger
Position - P/1B
Bats - Left
Throws - Left
Height - 6'4"
Class - Junior
Home Town - Omaha, Nebraska
High School - Creighton Prep
Major - Undecided
2011 Statistics -
W/L - 0/1
App - 1
GS - 1
IP - 2.0
H - 5
ER - 8
BB - 4
K - 3
2B - 1
ERA - 36.00
Comments - I'm really excited to see Charlie play this spring.  Admittedly, I am a little biased about him as I am a proud alum of Creighton Law School in Omaha, Nebraska.  Bluejays have got to stick together (mascot of Creighton and Creighton Prep).  Charlie also comes from Omaha, where my wife grew-up, so there is a lot of reasons why everybody should absolutely love Charlie Krueger (He's just like B2R except for he has good looks, talent, height, and an inviting personality).  Charlie didn't get much of a chance in games in 2011.  The chance he did get was one that he could not capitalize upon.  I believe an extra year of weight training and the new pitching coach will go along way with Charlie in adding confidence to his pitches on the mound.  Charlie got a lot of looks during fall ball.  Northwest needs a lefty to step-up into the starting role and a lefty to step-up in the bullpen.  I know Charlie can do it if he believes in himself as much as I believe in him.  He's a great kid.  Blue collar.  You can tell he gets along well with his teammates.  I don't know if he qualifies as the team's comedian but I see him in the middle of a bunch of guys laughing in the dugout.  With Charlie's size, I wonder if his bat could force him into a position player?  I think I remember seeing him play in the field a little in the fall.  Regardless, one of my favorite photos of Charlie is below.  I believe it illustrates how intimidating Charlie is on the mound.  I believe some Charlie K chin music to the first batter and the rest of them will not be digging in too deep in the batter's box.

Go Cats!!

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Official Release on Early Signings is imminent

Bearcat fans:

Rumors are swirling that an official release on the student-athletes that signed to play baseball with Northwest is imminent.  It also sounds like it is an amazing list of talent.  Please check http://www.northwestbearcats.com/ for updates when the list is published.

The B2R's crack investigative staff has learned from Twitter that James Holler, a Catcher out of Waynesville, Missouri, signed with Northwest according to a tweet from the Waynesville Baseball Coach Scott Turner.  The fact was corroberated by Prep Baseball.com.

Go Cats!!

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National Letters of Intent Early Signing Period concludes November 16, 2011

According to collegesportsscholarships.com, College Baseball Early Signing Period for National Letters of Intent concludes November 16, 2011.  It will be interesting to see or hear what new recruits sign with the Northwest Baseball team.  Only time will tell.  Of course, if I hear anything, I will pass it along.

Go Cats!!

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Kansas City Chiefs recognize Bearcat Baseball alum & fallen hero Matt Mason

On November 6, 2011, I did a lot of crying as I watched my beloved Chiefs lose 3-31 to the Miami Dolphins.  However, during the game, the Chiefs paid multiple tributes to the servicemen and servicewomen of the American Armed Forces.  During the half-time, the Chiefs surprised a wife and mother of 2 with a hero who was deployed overseas by bringing the hero home to meet them at the 50-yard-line at Arrowhead Stadium.  Then the Chiefs played a video highlighting the heroes from Missouri and Kansas of our American Armed Forces that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Country from 2008-2011.  Everybody that follows Bearcat Baseball knows that our Brother Bearcat Matt Mason was one of those fallen soldiers.  Matt Mason's picture was featured during the tribute.  This picture was taken of the Arrowhead Vision Video Board with my Blackberry.  The reasons for the lines across the photos are that I am taking a picture of an enormous HD TV Screen.  I apologize for that fact.  But, I felt the Chiefs Organization did a remarkable thing to remember our troops and all those that serve.

Go Cats!!

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Veteran Profile - #13 - Eric McGlauflin

Eric McGlauflin - #13
Position - 3B
Bats - Left
Throws - Right
Height - 6'2"
Class at NWMSU - Sophomore
Hometown - Sioux City, Iowa
High School - North High School
Major at NWMSU - Undecided
2011 Statistics -
GP/GS - 38/32
Batting Average - .229
AB - 109
R - 13
H - 25
2B - 3
HR - 1
RBI - 12
TB - 31
SLG % - .284
BB - 9
K -26
OB % - .283
SF - 2
SH - 2
SB/Att - 5/5
PO - 34
A - 22
Errors - 0
Fielding % - 1.000

Comments - I expect Eric to challenge for a starting job at 3B this spring.  As far as the B2R Eye-ball test, there is something about Eric when he plays 3B that makes it clear to me if his bat can catch-up to his glove then you have an All-Conference caliber starter at Third.  His defensive statistics back-up the EBT with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.  If my memory serves me correctly, Eric made a late splash in the 2011 regular season.  His on-field demeanor is remarkable:  iron-clad level.  Doesn't get too high when things go well or beat himself up when adversity hits.  Defensively, it appears the MIAA is not to fast a game for him.  He appears to be a reserved person on the field.  Goes about his business in a professional manner.  Great size.  I expect his offensive production to explode this upcoming spring.  Comes from a terrific community that produces quality college athletes in Sioux City, Iowa.  Great family.  I know there is a lot of competition in the infield heading into February's season opener but expect Eric to have a remarkable season in 2012.

Go Cats!!

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2011 Fall Practice Highlight Slideshow

Go Cats!!

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