So, you’re asking about Eastern Mennonite University baseball, huh? It’s funny, I actually spent a bit of time looking into their whole setup not too long ago. Not because I’m some super scout or anything, but because of my nephew, young fella, pretty decent arm on him from what his dad, my younger brother, tells me. He was getting to that age, you know, high school junior, thinking about college, and he actually throws a baseball pretty well.
Thing is, he wasn’t exactly SEC material, if you catch my drift. Solid player, smart kid, but not the kind to get snapped up by a powerhouse D1 school with full rides and TV deals. So, his dad and him, they started looking at smaller schools, places where he could actually play and get a good education without being a tiny fish in a giant pond. Eastern Mennonite popped up on their list, partly because of its size, partly because my nephew’s got this interest in, like, peace studies or something along those lines, and EMU has programs for that.
Anyway, my brother, knowing I’m usually pretty good at digging around online, calls me up. “Hey,” he says, “can you do some recon on this Eastern Mennonite baseball program? See what’s what?” So, I said, “Sure, why not?” That was the start of my little “practice,” you could say.
My Digging Process
So, I fired up the old computer. First stop, obviously, was their athletics website. That’s standard procedure. I poked around for the baseball section. Found it, alright. Rosters, schedules, a bit of news, the usual stuff you find.
But I wanted to get a feel for it, you know? More than just names and numbers.
- I tried to find game footage. Not much luck there, at least not easily accessible like you’d find for bigger programs.
- I looked for detailed stats, beyond the basic box scores. Again, a bit sparse.
- I searched for player interviews, articles that weren’t just press releases. What’s the culture like? What’s the coaching philosophy?
It wasn’t like researching a big-name team where you’re drowning in information, articles, fan forums, and all that. This took more, let’s say, persistence. I remember thinking, “Man, these smaller schools, they operate on a different level.” And it’s not a bad thing, just different. You don’t have a massive media team, you know?
I found myself looking at the broader athletics department too, trying to understand the overall vibe. You see names pop up, like the Athletics Director, Carrie Bert, mentioned here and there in general athletic news, and you try to piece together the kind of environment they’re fostering. It’s not just about the home runs; it’s about the student-athlete experience as a whole, I reckon.
What I Really Learned
My “practice” wasn’t so much about becoming an expert on EMU’s batting averages or their pitching rotation. It was more about understanding the world of D3 athletics. It’s a grind, but it’s a passionate grind. These kids are playing because they love the game, pure and simple. The coaches too.
I started to appreciate the dedication it takes from everyone involved at that level. The resources might be tighter, the spotlight dimmer, but the effort is real. You’re not going to find ESPN breaking down their spring training, that’s for sure. You have to dig a bit, connect the dots.
In the end, what I told my brother was that it seemed like a solid program for a kid who wants to play ball, get a focused education, and be part of a close-knit community. It’s not about chasing pro dreams for most of these guys, it’s about the experience. My “practice” showed me that there’s a whole lot of heart in places like Eastern Mennonite University baseball, even if it doesn’t make the national headlines. You just gotta look a little closer.
