AUMom02

UCLA is out? Wow. So IF Auburn had gotten the 15th seed and won the regional, then they would have been hosting the super regional as well?

Trying not to say too much or be too negative but it’s just so frustrating to watch. I watch a lot of other teams as well and the energy level in the dugout when you compare our team to others is night and day.

She played for both Myers and Dean.

Not sure if I’m doing this right, lol. Hopefully I’m replying to your comment. My daughter actually played for both Myers and Dean. And I too was so sad that (Myers’ reign) ended in the mess that it did - more than sad actually. Thinking about it now brings back so many emotions. But to answer your question, yes I think the team has the talent. Dean recruits top level players. But Dean has a bunch of players who seem to think they are the best ones on the team and they all deserve to start day one. Just not sure Dean has the right coaching style to pull a team like that together. Myers, on the other hand, recruited athletes (I still remember him telling my husband and I that). He tells them all that they have to earn their spots and gets 100% buy in from the team on the process and the ultimate goal of going to the WCWS. Everyone always seemed to know and understand what their role was. Whether it was leading the cheers in the dugout, pinch running or just being ready when your name was called. Again, not here to bash the team or even Dean for that matter. After holding my tongue for years, the frustration just got the best of me, I guess.

I’m a parent of a former player (from a few years ago). I have watched just about all of the games this year and read comments and analysis from this forum often. This is my first post. To be completely honest, I find this team extremely difficult to watch and root for. Not running out ground balls (does it make you faster if you carry the bat with you to first base? lol), casually catching fly balls at your shoulders, jogging to get a ball that you just missed, saying “WTF” on national TV after giving up a home run, no or very little life and energy in the dugout - all witnessed during this game (against Clemson). I have seen this all season long. This team, with all of their talent and potential, just does not seem to be truly playing for each other and does not seem to be having FUN! In fact, my daughter mentioned that after the game. She said “other teams have fun when they play, Auburn does not”. In my opinion, less than 100% effort and poor attitudes have been allowed and therefore have continued. There is a fine line between confidence vs. cockiness, disappointment vs. sulking, and deserving vs. entitled and unfortunately, many players seem to be on the wrong side. And there is no obvious leadership on the team to pull everyone together. I am reluctant to post this as I do not want this to be seen as bad mouthing the team. In fact, I used to HATE it when fans used to criticize the team when my daughter played. But I think the tone is being set at the top and these negative behaviors exist because they are allowed to exist. It’s just extremely frustrating to watch. Hopefully they can regroup and pull out a win later today.