SIAP: #1 MLAX Recruit Brennan O'Neil (PSU Commit)

[massimoManca II]

I'm pretty sure I didn't imply anything ... I stated it outright.



Football and lax are different seasons. True story.

Really really good lax players are playing lax all year, and that means bye-bye football... two kids, currently on PSU’s squad, went to HS with my oldest son... superior athletes, both quit playing HS football... one very early, the other decided to bag his senior season... both were great basketball players in HS...

If your HS/region is seeing players defect from baseball to lax, as you claim, because they can’t hit a fastball ... then your HS / region isn’t getting as much as a sniff from D1 programs...

Baseball is toast... millennials simply don’t give a crap about it ... GenZ ? Not even on their radar... they care even less... Lax is exponentially a better game requiring better athletes

 

[ram2020]

Really really good lax players are playing lax all year, and that means bye-bye football... two kids, currently on PSU’s squad, went to HS with my oldest son... superior athletes, both quit playing HS football... one very early, the other decided to bag his senior season... both were great basketball players in HS...

If your HS/region is seeing players defect from baseball to lax, as you claim, because they can’t hit a fastball ... then your HS / region isn’t getting as much as a sniff from D1 programs...

Baseball is toast... millennials simply don’t give a crap about it ... GenZ ? Not even on their radar... they care even less... Lax is exponentially a better game requiring better athletes

^so much this

 

[UncleLar]

He played lacrosse, football, basketball and track & field at Syracuse. He did not play baseball.

My understanding is that while he didn't letter for Syracuse, he did pitch for them a few times. I was told that by a former Rutgers lacrosse player who played against Brown. Said he was surprised when Brown wasn't dressed for their game. Somewhere around halfime, Brown showed up in his baseball uniform, changed clothes and led Syracuse to a second half win.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Really really good lax players are playing lax all year, and that means bye-bye football... two kids, currently on PSU’s squad, went to HS with my oldest son... superior athletes, both quit playing HS football... one very early, the other decided to bag his senior season... both were great basketball players in HS...

If your HS/region is seeing players defect from baseball to lax, as you claim, because they can’t hit a fastball ... then your HS / region isn’t getting as much as a sniff from D1 programs...

Baseball is toast... millennials simply don’t give a crap about it ... GenZ ? Not even on their radar... they care even less... Lax is exponentially a better game requiring better athletes

I'll repeat. For the 3rd time. I'm speaking about youth. Or maybe it's "utes" where you're from.

Yes, I'm quite aware of specialization at the older ages, and it happens in just about every sport, though the really good athletes usually still fit a second sport in. Some a third. My "HS" is not seeing players defect from baseball to lax. That happens much earlier. As I said. And repeated. And am repeating now.

I'm happy that you think lax is super awesome. And think lax players are super awesome.

That doesn't change the fact that youth lax picks up a ton of its participants from baseball wash outs.

And, yes, lacrosse has been trending up, and baseball down, in interest ... but youth baseball/softball participation still dwarfs lacrosse, and baseball participation is actually ticking up again after years of decline. But I think it's important for another easy-entry sport that encourages kids to run around to exist and challenge soccer.

 

[UncleLar]

My understanding is that while he didn't letter for Syracuse, he did pitch for them a few times. I was told that by a former Rutgers lacrosse player who played against Brown. Said he was surprised when Brown wasn't dressed for their game. Somewhere around halfime, Brown showed up in his baseball uniform, changed clothes and led Syracuse to a second half win.

Let me put a disclaimer on that. The guy who told me the story was also from New York, so I suppose that it is possible that I misremembered the story and it happened in high school not college. This NYT article states that he played baseball in high school along with four other sports - football, basketball, lacrosse and track - winning 13 letters. It says that baseball was his least successful but that the Yankees considered signing him

 

[massimoManca II]

[QUOTE="SimplyComplicated, post: 3660212,.

That doesn't change the fact that youth lax picks up a ton of its participants from baseball wash outs.

And, yes, lacrosse has been trending up, and baseball down, in interest ... but youth baseball/softball participation still dwarfs lacrosse, and baseball participation is actually ticking up again after years of decline. But I think it's important for another easy-entry sport that encourages kids to run around to exist and challenge soccer.[/QUOTE]

dude, not too many kids playing Little League in this town... youth lacrosse, at least here in UNY, is wayyyyy bigger than boring old baseball... has been for at least a decade...

Soccer players? Yeah, they’re still giant pansies / fems
#sillysocksshortshortsandemptybleachers

 

[SimplyComplicated]

My understanding is that while he didn't letter for Syracuse, he did pitch for them a few times. I was told that by a former Rutgers lacrosse player who played against Brown. Said he was surprised when Brown wasn't dressed for their game. Somewhere around halfime, Brown showed up in his baseball uniform, changed clothes and led Syracuse to a second half win.

There's no record of that.

Here's the only type of mention of Jim Brown and baseball that I could find:

"Brown attended Plandome Road Junior High, where his speed and strength through high school helped him dominate any sport. Many say his best game was lacrosse. By the time he was a senior, his athletic prowess was such that the Yankees offered him a minor-league contract. Brown switched from lacrosse to baseball in the spring to test himself in the sport.

After pitching and playing first base with some success, he decided his skills wouldn't get him to the major leagues so he sent his regrets to Casey Stengel."

https://aaregistry.org/story/jim-brown-athlete-actor-activist/

 

[SimplyComplicated]

dude, not too many kids playing Little League in this town... youth lacrosse, at least here in UNY, is wayyyyy bigger than boring old baseball... has been for at least a decade...

Soccer players? Yeah, they’re still giant pansies / fems
#sillysocksshortshortsandemptybleachers

Lax bros have definitely earned their reputation in this thread.

 

[UncleLar]

There's no record of that.

Here's the only type of mention of Jim Brown and baseball that I could find:

"Brown attended Plandome Road Junior High, where his speed and strength through high school helped him dominate any sport. Many say his best game was lacrosse. By the time he was a senior, his athletic prowess was such that the Yankees offered him a minor-league contract. Brown switched from lacrosse to baseball in the spring to test himself in the sport.

After pitching and playing first base with some success, he decided his skills wouldn't get him to the major leagues so he sent his regrets to Casey Stengel."

https://aaregistry.org/story/jim-brown-athlete-actor-activist/

My buddy, who played against him in college and coached college lacrosse for years, said Brown was easily the best lacrosse player he ever saw. He described in considerable detail how Brown dominated the North South All Star game despite the South trying to throw everything they could at him. The southern boys weren't very happy about a black athlete playing their sport.

He's a story about Brown in that game.

 

[ram2020]

Lax bros have definitely earned their reputation in this thread.

Passive aggressive, when all else fails. I thought you said lax bros were supposed to be "chill" earlier. So it seems to me we have not earned the reputation you assigned?

 

[schoolie]

So, the question is, with basically no real future, beyond college, in the sport comprised of failed baseball players, why would anyone who was good enough to go wherever they wanted chose PSU when you could go to Johns Hopkins, Yale, Penn, Cornell, etc. and still play top level competition? Get the best education you can out of these sports that don't have legitimate professional futures (in the short-term), kids.

You are simply complicated. Maybe the kid just likes Penn State. Do you?

 

[SimplyComplicated]

You are simply complicated. Maybe the kid just likes Penn State. Do you?

Proud letterman and alum.

 

[schoolie]

Proud letterman and alum.

I am happy to hear that. Then I am sure you are proud he picked Penn State. I've never seen a lacrosse player with moves like that, even Phil Grosz in his day.

 

[diontechristmas]

I cleared up this potential confusion ... (tackle) football often isn't played in an organized fashion until high school. And lacrosse is more akin to that sport (football) than other sports, in that you can pick it up at a relatively late age, and still transition into it successfully as long as you're generally athletic.

Yes, kids play tackle football at a young age. And they play lacrosse at a young age.

Understand now?

Not true at all regarding football in my opinion. I personally know one or two kids who started playing football later on and were actually good. Most athletic kids who try football later are pretty terrible. They are often afraid to hit, or unable to take a hit. They also are very far behind on technique, especially at certain positions.

 

[PA college fan]

Life is what you make of it, simply complicated— not necessarily school you attend. Penn State is one of the top research universities in the world and the faculty actually like to teach compared to some high priced private schools like GW- my son started at GW and transferred to Schreyers and graduated with 4.0 and now has the world at his feet— going through Med school interviews where only 10 percent get picked and many Ivy Leaguers are left out. My brother went to Penn, I went to Penn State- both of us are making a good living but I make double— and am much more academically successful in my career. You just need fit, passion and discipline for hard work and opportunity is there. You do know that more CEO’s come out of Penn State than Penn also, right??

All the best to the young man in his athletic and academic career/- he is joining the proudest and most loyal alumni network for life!!

 

[BobPSU92]

SimplyConstipated ……… that describes this tool completely!!!! I grew up in upstate NY a long time ago …… let's just say that when I was young, Ben Schwartzwalder was the SU coach ……. when we were in high school, the three sports that the "stars" played were football, wrestling, and lacrosse. Some guys played BB in the winter but baseball was a "poor" afterthought. Jim Rosecrans starred with Greg Buttle at PSU but went to our HS and was a better lacrosse player than football player in HS ……. this BS about lacrosse being a new thing that "failed baseball players" pick up is as big 'a piece a crap' as "SimplyC" is!!!!

Get SimplyConstipated some Ex-Lax. Maybe that will get his head out of his ass.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Not true at all regarding football in my opinion. I personally know one or two kids who started playing football later on and were actually good. Most athletic kids who try football later are pretty terrible. They are often afraid to hit, or unable to take a hit. They also are very far behind on technique, especially at certain positions.

Now THAT goes against just about everything. Back in my day, over half of my freshman football team's starting lineup didn't play football until freshman year. Currently, I live in a town with a very good football program, with a state "Hall of Fame" coach. He recommends kids don't play tackle football until high school, and has a son my kids' ages (in between them) who only plays flag (athletic kid). A lot of the kids on his squad have followed suit over the years. I live in the vicinity of Gillette Stadium, and, therefore, I've gotten to know a slew of Patriots players, coaching staff and admin - of those with kids in elementary school, almost none of them play tackle football, and won't until they're older.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Now THAT goes against just about everything. Back in my day, over half of my freshman football team's starting lineup didn't play football until freshman year. Currently, I live in a town with a very good football program, with a state "Hall of Fame" coach. He recommends kids don't play tackle football until high school, and has a son my kids' ages (in between them) who only plays flag (athletic kid). A lot of the kids on his squad have followed suit over the years. I live in the vicinity of Gillette Stadium, and, therefore, I've gotten to know a slew of Patriots players, coaching staff and admin - of those with kids in elementary school, almost none of them play tackle football, and won't until they're older.

Football prizes sheer athletic talent - especially at positions like D-Line. There are many stories of guys that don’t play until high school and make the NFL. Look at our very own Jack Crawford. That Is exceedingly rare in sports where you need the time to develop specific skills (e.g. hockey and soccer).

 

[psulax3]

Not true at all regarding football in my opinion. I personally know one or two kids who started playing football later on and were actually good. Most athletic kids who try football later are pretty terrible. They are often afraid to hit, or unable to take a hit. They also are very far behind on technique, especially at certain positions.

Now THAT goes against just about everything. Back in my day, over half of my freshman football team's starting lineup didn't play football until freshman year. Currently, I live in a town with a very good football program, with a state "Hall of Fame" coach. He recommends kids don't play tackle football until high school, and has a son my kids' ages (in between them) who only plays flag (athletic kid). A lot of the kids on his squad have followed suit over the years. I live in the vicinity of Gillette Stadium, and, therefore, I've gotten to know a slew of Patriots players, coaching staff and admin - of those with kids in elementary school, almost none of them play tackle football, and won't until they're older.

Awesome sample size - and I assume the kids will only play tackle football after they wash out from baseball. Thanks for the plethora of information in this thread. I’m sorry you have something against lacrosse and the skill needed to play the game.

 

[4rosco]

The truest measure of an athlete....can he stand still and swing a stick and make contact with a baseball. Forget speed, agility, jumping ability......just can he hit a fastball with a bat. Lax players play lax because they simply can't produce that feat of mankind. They also are not adept at standing around and chewing tobacco while the game drones on. They are told this at a young age, call it 10 years old, that they will never be able to do it, so why don't they just pick up lacrosse...same seasons.

And getting a hit 30% of the time is considered successful

 

[cjrugger]

Alright boys, I think you've sufficiently pummeled this loser enough. Let's put him on ignore and move on

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Football prizes sheer athletic talent - especially at positions like D-Line. There are many stories of guys that don’t play until high school and make the NFL. Look at our very own Jack Crawford. That Is exceedingly rare in sports where you need the time to develop specific skills (e.g. hockey and soccer).

Yes. And this has been one of my central points all along. And this rarity of succeeding in acquired skill sports is only increasing as they become year-round, or nearly year-round endeavors, and at earlier and earlier ages.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Awesome sample size - and I assume the kids will only play tackle football after they wash out from baseball. Thanks for the plethora of information in this thread. I’m sorry you have something against lacrosse and the skill needed to play the game.

Yes, the prevailing wisdom through those involved in football is to have your kids wait until later in life. Sample size.

Why would you assume the part about washing out? That's nonsense. Washing out from baseball would have nothing to do with playing football.

I have absolutely nothing against lacrosse. I've made that quite clear. Some of you guys just immaturely rushed to judgment and into a defensive posture. I've even tried to get my own kids involved in lacrosse, despite them being heavily into baseball (and not washing out). But that doesn't change the truth of my original statement.

The "Oh, yeah? My sport is awesome" stuff is silliness. Don't be so insecure.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

And getting a hit 30% of the time is considered successful

Are you promoting or criticizing the sport by highlighting the difficulty of the tasks therein?

 

[ram2020]

Yes, the prevailing wisdom through those involved in football is to have your kids wait until later in life. Sample size.

Why would you assume the part about washing out? That's nonsense. Washing out from baseball would have nothing to do with playing football.

I have absolutely nothing against lacrosse. I've made that quite clear. Some of you guys just immaturely rushed to judgment and into a defensive posture. I've even tried to get my own kids involved in lacrosse, despite them being heavily into baseball (and not washing out). But that doesn't change the truth of my original statement.

The "Oh, yeah? My sport is awesome" stuff is silliness. Don't be so insecure.

You have been so complimentary and unbiased about lacrosse. SMH, you literally came out of the gates saying things like "the sport of failed baseball players" and referring to anyone defending their argument as "laxbros."

 

[sluggo72]

Now THAT goes against just about everything. Back in my day, over half of my freshman football team's starting lineup didn't play football until freshman year. Currently, I live in a town with a very good football program, with a state "Hall of Fame" coach. He recommends kids don't play tackle football until high school, and has a son my kids' ages (in between them) who only plays flag (athletic kid). A lot of the kids on his squad have followed suit over the years. I live in the vicinity of Gillette Stadium, and, therefore, I've gotten to know a slew of Patriots players, coaching staff and admin - of those with kids in elementary school, almost none of them play tackle football, and won't until they're older.

Joe always said the same thing, and I agree with all of this. But OTOH to say lacrosse is filled with a bunch of baseball flunk outs is just simply wrong.

 

[4rosco]

Are you promoting or criticizing the sport by highlighting the difficulty of the tasks therein?

Criticizing it. I am not saying the sport is difficult it has more to do with players being rewarded for hitting a HR and that is what they try to do on each AB and they are no longer concerned with putting the ball in play. Most players don't know the fundamentals of the game anymore

 

[psulax3]

Awesome sample size - and I assume the kids will only play tackle football after they wash out from baseball. Thanks for the plethora of information in this thread. I’m sorry you have something against lacrosse and the skill needed to play the game.

Yes, the prevailing wisdom through those involved in football is to have your kids wait until later in life. Sample size.

Why would you assume the part about washing out? That's nonsense. Washing out from baseball would have nothing to do with playing football.

I have absolutely nothing against lacrosse. I've made that quite clear. Some of you guys just immaturely rushed to judgment and into a defensive posture. I've even tried to get my own kids involved in lacrosse, despite them being heavily into baseball (and not washing out). But that doesn't change the truth of my original statement.

The "Oh, yeah? My sport is awesome" stuff is silliness. Don't be so insecure.

Let me know when I said lacrosse is awesome. Kids should play whatever sports they like. Go back to your own posts on the first page and see your comments about lacrosse being filled with washed out baseball players.

There was no rush to judgment so spare me with the “whoa is me” “why am I being attacked.” People called you out using the actual words you used throughout the thread.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Let me know when I said lacrosse is awesome.

It's been implied throughout your consistent passive aggressive childish snark.

Kids should play whatever sports they like. Go back to your own posts on the first page and see your comments about lacrosse being filled with washed out baseball players.

OK, I did so. Now what?

There was no rush to judgment so spare me with the “whoa is me” “why am I being attacked.”

OK, I'll spare you that, since I never said nor implied it. There is no whoa, or woe.

People called you out using the actual words you used throughout the thread.

And, to date, they've done an awful job, since they've countered nothing I've stated.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Criticizing it. I am not saying the sport is difficult it has more to do with players being rewarded for hitting a HR and that is what they try to do on each AB and they are no longer concerned with putting the ball in play. Most players don't know the fundamentals of the game anymore

What are the fundamentals of the game?

 

[ColinPSU]

And, to date, they've done an awful job, since they've countered nothing I've stated.

Correct, you got us. Everyone now knows that baseball gets all the top athletes and lacrosse gets none. You convinced the whole board that you are top dog since we all did such a horrible job refuting your horrendous, misguided take.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Correct, you got us. Everyone now knows that baseball gets all the top athletes and lacrosse gets none. You convinced the whole board that you are top dog since we all did such a horrible job refuting your horrendous, misguided take.

No one talked about "top athletes." It appears you guys are purposely missing the point (hopefully it's purposeful) just so you can snark yourselves silly.

Now, go out there and enjoy yourselves some lacrosse!

 

[4rosco]

What are the fundamentals of the game?

Don't have time to teach you about the fundamentals of the game.

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Don't have time to teach you about the fundamentals of the game.

OK, thanks.

Because when I watch baseball, at every level, the players are far more fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game than they were 25 years ago, when I was a collegiate baseball player.

It's amazing, actually. Sometimes, as I'm coaching the youngsters, some frustration sets in that they're not "getting it" with regard to some concept I'm going over ... and then I pop in a DVD of some of my old game tapes, and I realize they're light years ahead of where we were, so I should just chill.

Hopefully, you're not referring to bunting and stealing, and things like that, because I can just dump a ton of statistical analysis on you to get you to understand that "the fundamentals" have changed. For the better (in terms of productivity, if not joy of watching).

 

[4rosco]

OK, thanks.

Because when I watch baseball, at every level, the players are far more fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game than they were 25 years ago, when I was a collegiate baseball player.

It's amazing, actually. Sometimes, as I'm coaching the youngsters, some frustration sets in that they're not "getting it" with regard to some concept I'm going over ... and then I pop in a DVD of some of my old game tapes, and I realize they're light years ahead of where we were, so I should just chill.

Hopefully, you're not referring to bunting and stealing, and things like that, because I can just dump a ton of statistical analysis on you to get you to understand that "the fundamentals" have changed. For the better (in terms of productivity, if not joy of watching).

Well some current Hall of Famer's don't agree with you. I guess the all of nothing approach to hitting is better fundamentals

Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, observing how different the game is from his last season just six years ago, says, "It blows my mind that this is probably going to be the first year where you have more strikeouts than hits during a season."
"It's not sexy, is it?" he says. "Chicks dig the long ball, still, as Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine used to say. And that's where all the money goes. The guy who's going to hit the measly singles and hit .300 is not going to get paid like the guy who hits .270 and 35 or 40 [homers]. It's unfortunate."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...tch-why-mlb-greats-think-baseballs-in-trouble

 

[SimplyComplicated]

Well some current Hall of Famer's don't agree with you. I guess the all of nothing approach to hitting is better fundamentals

Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, observing how different the game is from his last season just six years ago, says, "It blows my mind that this is probably going to be the first year where you have more strikeouts than hits during a season."
"It's not sexy, is it?" he says. "Chicks dig the long ball, still, as Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine used to say. And that's where all the money goes. The guy who's going to hit the measly singles and hit .300 is not going to get paid like the guy who hits .270 and 35 or 40 [homers]. It's unfortunate."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...tch-why-mlb-greats-think-baseballs-in-trouble

I just think you're confused.

I thought I headed this off when I mentioned it might not be better to watch.

Sure, you'll always find "back in my day" old-timers.

The reality is that the game has changed. Hitting a home run isn't any less "fundamental" than performing a sacrifice bunt. It's just that they realized that hitting home runs is more productive, even if it means striking out a bit more.

Sure, there are fewer "crafty" pitchers living at 88 mph, and fewer nickel and dime hitters trying to make up for their lack of power with SBs ...but power v. power is quite fundamental. Babe Ruth didn't lack fundamentals in hitting, and Sandy Koufax didn't lack fundamentals in pitching.