Official 2025 Nebraska Cardiac Beaver Slayers Baseball Thread (7-8) - Huskers On Fire, 3 game winning streak

[SlumpBuster]

So we’ve got a population that wants a good baseball team and a very solid natural recruiting market.

The state wants baseball and thus far two ADs have failed to give baseball what it needs to elevate.

Make no mistake, baseball is in good shape. But nobody wants the ceiling for this program to be region play.

Give us what we want Dannen.

When you look at baseball budget versus fan attendance participation and support, Nebraska baseball support is really really pathetic from the athletic department.

 

[SlumpBuster]

I think it’s a combo of:

1) NIL - It’s simply not there

2) Our facilities and overall set up isn’t even close to what the standards are other places.

You can’t compete with other schools when the above two things are true.

I would say give me 34 full ride scholarships even before NIL

 

[PonyBoy]

I would say give me 34 full ride scholarships even before NIL

And the staff agrees with you.

 

[ShortSideOption]

It'll never happen unless an Athletic Director significantly increases the baseball budget. It's bad, ghetto bad.

1) You'd have to elaborate so we know exactly what you're talking about. (We're not on par with the SEC or ACC in anything baseball related).

2) Baseball has a budget of $0 for NIL. The staff has to ask for money, but nothing is set like the other sports. So yes, volleyball - rightfully so - has more NIL available than baseball. I'll take it a step further, 3 of our current volleyball girls receive more money than the entire baseball team combined since NIL became legal. Let that sink in.

The last national data released publicly of all D1 baseball programs had Nebraska between 55-65 in overall baseball budget (NIL not involved in this). This data was from a few years ago (not what's shared below) & it was posted somewhere on this tPB. IIRC, we were #5 or #6 in the B1G - and this was before Oregon, UCLA, USC & Washington joined the conference. With them, we instantly drop 4 spots as everyone can see below.

Husker fans expect to host regionals, or replicate what DVH did 98-02, on a Dollar Store budget. FFS, Rutgers baseball has a bigger budget than us, based on the public data report referenced in the previous paragraph...

Well that's a sobering stat. #1 I was just referencing at one point I know Darin had said they knew they would have money available but couldn't offer it to people or something because the kids leaving hadn't officially declared. SEC didn't have to worry about that? That's super dated info though so once he left I didn't really have any information on it.

I believed that we could be as good as volleyball was because of our local talent, however, B1G baseball is not quite the national power B1G volleyball is as a conference. So maybe i'm just hoping and wishing there.

I also always thought we could somehow make it so baseball wasn't in the red like some of the schools down south. You'd have to get unbelievably creative for that though between us being more northern than the SEC/ACC schools and sharing with the Saltdogs.

Speaking of the latter, is there just no way we can get out of them controlling things? Have to believe that partnership is part of the reason facilities and other things aren't going quickly, on top of the AD and other issues. But 1890 told me they wish more people wanted to give to baseball, even though we have former professional athletes that are willing to give. So I just don't get it.

I'll hang up and listen.

 

[PonyBoy]

Well that's a sobering stat. #1 I was just referencing at one point I know Darin had said they knew they would have money available but couldn't offer it to people or something because the kids leaving hadn't officially declared. SEC didn't have to worry about that? That's super dated info though so once he left I didn't really have any information on it.

You asked, so here goes...

Ya, Erstad offered 4-year scholarships which at one time was "mandatory" (it wasn't for baseball though) by the B1G. So what happened was, if Johnny High School recruit signed with a MLB team, we (B1G teams) would lose that scholarship % for x-number of years. I believe it was 2 years, but I'm not 100% positive. So Darin never went after those guys, the risk was too big - see Cole Stobbe from Millard West in 2016 as a prime example. If Johnny Husker baseball player got drafted and signed before his 4 years was up - we lost that scholarship % as well for the remaining years left. Typically it was only 1 year but if you have multiple guys, it all adds up. Towards the last couple years of Erstad's tenure, the current players signing with MLB teams rule was laxed. Heck, to go even further, at one point the B1G required "offers" and "players returning" never to exceed 11.7. Yes - ridiculous. However, it was Erstad's choice not to dig deeper to find loopholes. Status quo, not a surprise...

When Bolt took over, he found out quickly the 4-year scholarship guarantee the B1G mandated was only for full scholarship sports (football, volleyball, MBB, WBB, etc?) only, which meant baseball was exempt from the rule. So Bolt offered 1-year scholarships, regardless of who you are. It cost us a couple guys over since Bolt took over as other programs are offering 4 year scholarships without realizing that coach will pull his scholarship and punt his ass if he isn't performing. Especially in the SEC & B12. It's even worse now with NIL.

I also always thought we could somehow make it so baseball wasn't in the red like some of the schools down south. You'd have to get unbelievably creative for that though between us being more northern than the SEC/ACC schools and sharing with the Saltdogs.

Speaking of the latter, is there just no way we can get out of them controlling things? Have to believe that partnership is part of the reason facilities and other things aren't going quickly, on top of the AD and other issues. But 1890 told me they wish more people wanted to give to baseball, even though we have former professional athletes that are willing to give. So I just don't get it.

Very few schools (<15 is my best guess) turn a profit in baseball. The expenses have increased so much over the years.

Our contract with the Saltdogs runs thru 2035. It is 100% on them Hawks Field (stands, concourses, etc) is what it is. I've heard mixed reports on the locker-room and who's at fault, but knowing Osborne, Moos & Alberts love for facilities - I can't imagine it's on Nebraska, as they're in horrible condition. Not having a better on-site facility is 100% on the Saltdogs too as they want the available space for fans at their games. It's bullshit.

1890 has no interest in baseball. There are 24+ home games per season. If they really wanted to raise money for baseball then they would be present at baseball games, have advertisement (and not just Bolt on a radio spot) throughout the stadium besides the pisser and actively pursue opportunities during games. Heck, after our win against Vanderbilt - why not make a public push to generate revenue? I don't care if it's only $4,000 or $2,000 - do something to show interest! LSU's NIL sent out a blast after winning the Frisco Classic. I have no way of verifying, but I heard it raised them close to $50,000. Beating Kansas State, Nebraska & Sam Houston fucking State returned them a good number. (And they're NIL is off the charts; including scholarship guarantees to all players on the roster). All Bolt has asked for is $1M/year so every single player on the roster is on a full ride.

As far as former players with money, I had an update in this thread on page 33 or so. They want their money going elsewhere within the program & I can't blame them. Our staff is asking for all players to be on full rides. 18 is the rumored number for baseball scholarship so we're 12 short, which is around what - $400,000 give or take? Pretty sad we can't earmark this going forward to we can be somewhat competitive.

 

[clifscales]

You asked, so here goes...

Ya, Erstad offered 4-year scholarships which at one time was "mandatory" (it wasn't for baseball though) by the B1G. So what happened was, if Johnny High School recruit signed with a MLB team, we (B1G teams) would lose that scholarship % for x-number of years. I believe it was 2 years, but I'm not 100% positive. So Darin never went after those guys, the risk was too big - see Cole Stobbe from Millard West in 2016 as a prime example. If Johnny Husker baseball player got drafted and signed before his 4 years was up - we lost that scholarship % as well for the remaining years left. Typically it was only 1 year but if you have multiple guys, it all adds up. Towards the last couple years of Erstad's tenure, the current players signing with MLB teams rule was laxed. Heck, to go even further, at one point the B1G required "offers" and "players returning" never to exceed 11.7. Yes - ridiculous. However, it was Erstad's choice not to dig deeper to find loopholes. Status quo, not a surprise...

When Bolt took over, he found out quickly the 4-year scholarship guarantee the B1G mandated was only for full scholarship sports (football, volleyball, MBB, WBB, etc?) only, which meant baseball was exempt from the rule. So Bolt offered 1-year scholarships, regardless of who you are. It cost us a couple guys over since Bolt took over as other programs are offering 4 year scholarships without realizing that coach will pull his scholarship and punt his ass if he isn't performing. Especially in the SEC & B12. It's even worse now with NIL.




Very few schools (<15 is my best guess) turn a profit in baseball. The expenses have increased so much over the years.

Our contract with the Saltdogs runs thru 2035. It is 100% on them Hawks Field (stands, concourses, etc) is what it is. I've heard mixed reports on the locker-room and who's at fault, but knowing Osborne, Moos & Alberts love for facilities - I can't imagine it's on Nebraska, as they're in horrible condition. Not having a better on-site facility is 100% on the Saltdogs too as they want the available space for fans at their games. It's bullshit.

1890 has no interest in baseball. There are 24+ home games per season. If they really wanted to raise money for baseball then they would be present at baseball games, have advertisement (and not just Bolt on a radio spot) throughout the stadium besides the pisser and actively pursue opportunities during games. Heck, after our win against Vanderbilt - why not make a public push to generate revenue? I don't care if it's only $4,000 or $2,000 - do something to show interest! LSU's NIL sent out a blast after winning the Frisco Classic. I have no way of verifying, but I heard it raised them close to $50,000. Beating Kansas State, Nebraska & Sam Houston fucking State returned them a good number. (And they're NIL is off the charts; including scholarship guarantees to all players on the roster). All Bolt has asked for is $1M/year so every single player on the roster is on a full ride.

As far as former players with money, I had an update in this thread on page 33 or so. They want their money going elsewhere within the program & I can't blame them. Our staff is asking for all players to be on full rides. 18 is the rumored number for baseball scholarship so we're 12 short, which is around what - $400,000 give or take? Pretty sad we can't earmark this going forward to we can be somewhat competitive.

Totally agree here after seeing LSU and Oklahoma the last 2 weeks. Baseball almost needs their own collective. LSU's NIL is multi million no doubt.

 

[RedSavage]

I understand resources aren’t unlimited but I REALLY struggle with the lack of want to be good from the university with a sport that not only generates revenue but shows great promise and amazing fan support

 

[PonyBoy]

Totally agree here after seeing LSU and Oklahoma the last 2 weeks. Baseball almost needs their own collective. LSU's NIL is multi million no doubt.

The staff feels they can have success with full scholarships & facility upgrades. IMO, this is a no-brainer for Nebraska Athletics.

 

[clifscales]

The staff feels they can have success with full scholarships & facility upgrades. IMO, this is a no-brainer for Nebraska Athletics.

Sam Houston's pre-season fundraiser made 75k in 1 night. Certainly Nebraska could double that if done right.

 

[Kaladin]

 

[Kaladin]

Huskers gonna try every lineup combinatoon possible

 

[...TrueColors...]

Sanderson with a weak chopper, pitcher puts him out.

Cant remember who was second, but he had a terrible at bat and struck out on four pitches.

Brumbaugh singles sharply up the middle.

Nunez down on strikes on an 8 pitch at bat.

Nervous about us offensively. Currently looks like the Huskers are getting fooled by the deceptive speed of the fastball. Looks like they’re behind the fastball and ahead of the offspeed stuff.

Huskers currently last in the conference in many offensive metrics

 

[...TrueColors...]

Walsh -

Backwards k
Sharp ground ball to 3rd
Sword on 3 straight pitches (for those new here a sword is a swinging strike where the batter looks like a total moron)

 

[...TrueColors...]

Huskers get a lead off hit from Jesske.

Stone strikes out - long swing, not surprising.

Jesske steals 2nd.

Jesske gets picked off trying for 3rd.

I think Overbeek was up, he put it on the track for a loud out.

 

[Samkellers_69]

More of the same. We give up a run with 2 outs

1-0

 

[...TrueColors...]

Walsh missed his spot on 2-2 and he’s lucky the park held it. Out number one.

Second man up gets a 1 out single - he’s promptly picked off by Walsh. Second out.

Third man up Walsh got behind (a couple calls I hope we get on the other end) and Walsh gave up a double.

Fourth man up gets a single - UCLA scores.

Walsh has been touched up this inning. He’s not fooling anyone. Part of it is the fastball isn’t down. It’s staying up a bit.

2-2 pitch was fouled back to Jesske on 5th man up. He couldn’t squeeze it. No harm no foul as the next pitch he puts it harmlessly on a ground to Walsh. 3rd out.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Carey put a charge in that one. But right to LF - 1 out, loud out.

Bolin battled, but harmless pop up behind 3rd.

Sanderson with a 9 pitch at bat got a decent piece, but right to cf.

Huskers down in order.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Fly ball to center on first pitch - one out for Walsh.

Top of the order —

Single
Soft pop up to centerfield
Runner steals second, advances to third on overthrow.
Walsh gets next guy way out on his front foot. Easy fly ball to 2B half way in the grass.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Lead off double on a 7 pitch AB for Buttenbach. Really good piece of hitting here as the ball went down the line to the left field corner.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Brumbach with a ball to the right side of the infield.

Buttenbach to 3rd.

Nunez - 7 pitch AB for a strike out. This one hurt.

Jesske was a sharp ball to 3rd base - 3B backhanded and made a nice throw to first.

Huskers don’t score after getting the lead off man on 2B, getting him to 3rd with one out.

Nunez’ strikeout was bad. He’s got to put that ball in play to the right side and get that run home.

Score would be 1-1 if the Huskers did the little things right on offense.