| 1996 | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1998 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1999 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep |
Polls:
Baseball America Top 25 -- Collegiate Baseball Top 25 -- USA Today/ESPN Top 25 -- The Sporting News Top 25
10/15/99 Go here to view pictures of the Dudy Noble / Polk-DeMent Stadium expansion.
10/30/99 (2:15 p.m.)
STARKVILLE, Miss. --- A golf outing and a pair of Saturday afternoon baseball games highlight a full slate of activities at the 1999 Mississippi State University Alumni Baseball Weekend Nov. 5-6 on the MSU campus.
More than 100 former Mississippi State baseball players and team officials representing six decades of Bulldog Baseball are expected to take part in the ninth biennial event.
"The response from our former players has been great," said third-year MSU head baseball coach Pat McMahon. "We're still receiving confirmations from players planning on being with us and expect that all 10 SEC championship teams and all seven College World Series teams will be represented."
This year's event, which kicks offs with an 11 a.m. players tournament at the Elm Lake Country Club, has been expanded to include former Diamond Dogs from throughout MSU's storied baseball history. The returning players will gather in the outfield area at Dudy Noble Field for a cookout while the current MSU team wraps up this week's fall practice-ending Bulldog World Series with a 5:30 p.m. Maroon-White game.
A pair of seven-inning games involving the returning baseball players is set for Saturday at Dudy Noble Field. Following batting practice and a 1:20 p.m. home run derby, the former Bulldogs will be divided for a Maroon-White game. The second game will feature the current MSU baseball team in a seven-inning game against former MSU players currently playing professional baseball.
"We think our fans will enjoy watching these games as the returning players will have getting back together," said McMahon.
The list of returnees reads like a veritable who's who of Bulldog Baseball. Among those returning to campus are current or former major leaguers Jeff Brantley, Jack Lazorko, Carlton Loewer, Jay Powell, Gary Rath, Jon Shave, Homer Spragins and Bobby Thigpen. Also on the growing list of returnees are MSU All-America standouts Bruce Castoria, Eric DuBose, Van Johnson and Ken Kurtz, along with All-SEC performers Russ Aldrich, Lefty Brandon, Brooks Bryan, Mike Burns, David Hayman, Jeremy Jackson, Brantley Jones, Bobby Reed, Barry Winford.
There is no charge for admission to the alumni weekend events. Due to continuing construction on the grandstand expansion at Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium, fans are asked to enter the stadium using the main grandstand ticket office entrance.
Former MSU baseball players who have not complete Bulldog Alumni Weekend arrangements should contact the MSU Baseball Office at (662) 325-3597.
10/29/99 - I know there are a lot of former Diamond Dawgs who check out my page, so if you have not yet been contacted about playing in the Alumni Game, you should call the baseball office (662) 325-3597 as soon as possible. Coach Mac wants to be sure no former player is left out.
10/28/99 - Scrimmage Notes:
10/27/99 - Here is the current list of former Diamond Dawgs who will be attending the Baseball Alumni Weekend. As more former players send in their confirmation, I will add them to this list:
Russ Aldrich 1978
Brooks Ayers 1989
Don Bell 1966
Phillip Lefty Brandon 1951
Michael Burns 1966
Bruce Castoria 1982
Bob Craig 1959
Mike Darby 1978
Larry Gore 1959
Frank Hair 1960
Dennis Hall 1970
Joey Hamilton 1991
Robbie Hayes 1993
David Hayman 1996
Brad Hildreth 1989
Doug Hutton 1965
Ben Jenkins 1996
Tracy Jobes 1990
Brantley Jones 1970
Kenny Kurtz 1979
Jack Lazorko 1978
Ken Lee 1977
Eddie Lyons 1994
Chris Maloney 1983
Mike Martin 1988
Roark McDonald 1986
Bill Miley 1969
Coker Palmer 1969
Bobby Permenter 1985
Steve Polk 1990
Frank Portera 1967
Dan Purnell 1979
Jim Robinson 1990
John Scott 1986
Ed Self 1950
Jon Shave 1990
Lou Sottile 1981
Homer Spragins 1942
Mike Sterling 1979
Larry Tomkins 1995
Barry Winford 1989
10/26/99 - MSU baseball hosted about 20 Major League Baseball scouts yesterday at their annual MLB Scouts Day.
Jon Knott put on a show for them with a 2 for 4 afternoon. Included in those two hits was a home run. Jon also hit two home runs during the Maroon-White baseball classic Friday night. Travis Chapman also had a good afternoon, going 2 for 3 with a double. True freshman Jonathan Papelbon was 1 for 1 while junior Josh West was 1 for 2. For the complete boxscore, check out my premium site.
10/23/99 During Friday night's Maroon-White baseball classic, Jon Knott hit two home runs and Jamie Rock hit one. Freshman infielder Brad Hutto hit a clutch double driving in three runs. Redshirt freshman pitcher Steven Dowe looked very, very impressive during his two innings of work, allowing no hits or runs while striking out three. Other notable pitching performances were turned in by freshmen Michael Taquino (IP-1, H-0, R-0); Jeff Lacher (IP-1, H-1, K-1, R-0); Jonathan Papelbon (IP-1, H-0, R-0); Chris Young (IP-1, H-1, R-0).
10/22/99
STARKVILLE, Miss. --- Step aside Braves and Yankees. It's the Diamond Dogs' turn for a moment in the fall baseball spotlight with the 1999 Maroon-White Fall Baseball Game tonight at Dudy Noble Field.
First pitch for the annual intrasquad scrimmage is set for 5:30 p.m., and baseball fans young and old are invited to attend with no charge for admission.
Mississippi State is heading into the home stretch of its seven-week fall baseball drills, and Friday's fall game will give fans an opportunity to preview the 2000 MSU baseball team.
"We've had a very competitive fall practice and like the progress we're seeing on the field," said third-year MSU baseball coach Pat McMahon. "With just four returning position player starters back, we know we've got a lot of work to get done before we're ready to open the season in February. But the players have worked very hard, and hard work has to be the foundation for any successful season."
MSU returns 20 lettermen from last year's 42-21 edition that advanced to State's fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Friday evening's game will pit the veteran players and rookie pitchers against the veteran hurlers and the newcomer position players. "We're looking forward to an exciting day at the ball park," said McMahon. "We certainly want to encourage our great fans that are in town for the football game to join us for some fun at Dudy Noble Field."
Mississippi State will conduct a final fall scrimmage Friday, Nov. 5 (5:30 p.m.) in conjunction with Bulldog Baseball Alumni Weekend. One of the weekend's highlights will be the biennial MSU Alumni Baseball Game Saturday, Nov. 6 at Dudy Noble Field.
Source: MSU Athletic Media Relations
10/21/99 - Scrimmage comments and other highlights from the past five games (complete boxscore is on my premium page):
Upcoming Events:
10/20/99 - A premium site tidbit:
10/19/99 - Two freshmen had good outings yesterday during the baseball scrimmage. True freshman infielder J.T. Hardcastle was 2 for 2 and redshirt freshman pitcher Steven Dowe pitched 2 innings of no-run, 1-hit ball. Steven continues to come back strong from his injury.
Upcoming MSU Baseball Events:
All practices are open to the public.
10/17/99 - Here is a tidbit from the premium site.
| Name | Classification/Throws | IP | H | K | BB | ER | R | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Estel | Junior (RHP) | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Michael Taquino | Freshman (RHP) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Adam Larson | Sophomore (RHP) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3.00 |
| Jeff Lacher | Freshman (RHP) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Tanner Brock | Sophomore (RHP) | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9.00 |
| Jonathan Papelbon | Freshman (RHP) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Josh Wooten | Junior (RHP) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 18.00 |
| Chris Young | Freshman (RHP) | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Collins Hughes | Freshman (RHP) | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9.00 |
| Brandon Medders | Sophomore (RHP) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Scrimmages Comments:
10/15/99 - Click here to view updated pictures of the Dudy Noble/Polk-DeMent Stadium expansion.
10/15/99
STARKVILLE, Miss. --- While the 12th-ranked football Bulldogs take a break from weekend competition, Mississippi State's Baseball Bulldogs go on display this weekend with a pair of public scrimmages at Dudy Noble Field, Polk-DeMent Stadium.
The Diamond Dogs hit the field for a Friday game at 5:30 p.m. and continue weekend intrasquad competition Saturday at 10 a.m. during Parents' Weekend.
Mississippi State returns 20 lettermen and four position starters from last season's 42-21 edition that advanced to State's fourth consecutive NCAA regional tournament and eighth in the 1990s.
'"We've been able to get a lot accomplished during the first half of fall practice, but we've still got a great deal of work ahead of us," said Bulldog baseball coach Pat McMahon. "This is our Parents' Weekend Series, and the families of many of our players will be on campus for the games."
McMahon also noted that preparations are moving forward for the 1999 Bulldog Baseball Alumni Weekend November 5-6. The weekend slate gets underway Friday (Nov. 5) at 11 a.m. with a golf tournament for the returning former players. MSU's 2000 baseball team will do battle in a Maroon-White scrimmage at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with returning players watching the action while dining in the outfield terrace. The former Bulldog players will cap the reunion weekend Saturday afternoon with the popular Alumni Baseball Game.
Fans attending the Parents' Weekend games this weekend, the 5:30 p.m. Maroon-White Game Friday, Oct. 22, and the Bulldog Baseball Alumni Weekend games can access the stadium through the main grandstand entrance. Some seating areas near the on-going stadium expansion construction are off-limits during fall practice.
Source: MSU Athletic Department Media Relations
10/08/99 - In their annual college baseball recruiting rankings (post- pro draft signings), Collegiate Baseball has MSU's class ranked 30th in the country. Other SEC schools ranked in the top 30 were Florida (2nd), South Carolina (11th), Alabama (19th), LSU (20th), Arkansas (22nd), Kentucky (25th) and Auburn tied with MSU. Southern California was ranked 1st.
10/08/99 - For those of you who can't make the football game this weekend or just like baseball over football, MSU baseball is having two scrimmages Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
10/07/99 - Premium site tidbit:
MSU baseball practice comments:
10/05/99 - Tidbit from the premium site. Practice update (I missed one inning while attending football practice):