Apis Bull Posted May 16, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 1,586 Content Count: 23,185 Reputation: 2,332 Days Won: 65 Joined: 09/05/2002 Share Posted May 16, 2006 From the St. Pete Times:USF baseball battles question mark in finaleEddie Cardieri's job, as well as the Bulls' postseason hopes, are in jeopardy as the season winds down this week.By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff WriterPublished May 16, 2006TAMPA - Ask Eddie Cardieri about his future, and he treats it like a bad hop, a wind blowing in from the outfield, something he can't control.For 21 years, he has been USF baseball, leading the Bulls to conference crowns in three different leagues. But as his team battles for the final spot in the Big East tournament, hosted by USF in Clearwater next week, the disappointment of this season could make tonight's home game against Stetson the last in the Cardieri era."I don't know if worry is the right word. I have some concerns," said Cardieri, whose team is 21-31, and may have a losing record for only the fourth time since he replaced Hall of Famer Robin Roberts as coach in 1985. "I always tell our players, if you ever could, you always can. If you've done it, of course you can do it. We're supposed to get better as we get older. I'm not going to question my abilities. I feel I can still do the job, but it depends on what the administration thinks."The administration isn't saying what it thinks, as athletic director Doug Woolard has declined to comment while the season is still being played. Last summer, with Cardieri and softball coach Ken Eriksen entering the final years of their contracts, Woolard gave Eriksen a new five-year deal, but had no such extension for Cardieri, making this seem like a season that would determine his future.The Bulls were picked to finish third in the Big East and opened conference play 5-1. But since then, the Bulls are 5-13 in league play, clinging to the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament entering this weekend's final series at West Virginia."We've had to readjust our goals as we've clunked through this year," the 51-year-old said. "But we're in control of our destiny. It's just that close. You don't want to be in a position where you have to root for somebody to help you. I've told our guys, the reality is you're not that far from being a pretty good club."Cardieri points to injuries, such as those to his power hitters, Matt McHargue and Brian Baisley, who have missed 44 games. He cites tough luck in close games, though his team is 8-9 in one-run decisions, a better winning percentage than its overall record."We've been snakebitten," he said. "We've hit an awful lot of balls hard and the other team makes these great plays and diving catches. I feel like our guys are battling and doing the best they can, just coming up short."Cardieri's postseason success has dropped off in the second half of his tenure coaching the Bulls. His teams reached the NCAA Tournament seven times in his first 12 years; they've been just twice in the last nine.Cardieri has been hamstrung with glaringly inferior facilities, such as Red McEwen Field, the Bulls' home since 1967. In January 2005, Woolard unveiled a plan for new and upgraded facilities, but no timetable has been set for when a stadium would arrive to help the Bulls, who are likely back at the Red next season.The embarrassment of missing the Big East tournament, held at Clearwater's Bright House Networks Field, "would be awful," Cardieri said.Shortstop Addison Maruszak, a freshman from St. Petersburg Catholic, said USF's players take the blame for this season's shortcomings and are focused on getting into the tournament, where a strong showing could ease some of the pressure on Cardieri."He hasn't had a bad season. We've had a bad season," Maruszak said. "He's a great coach, and I don't see why his job should be on the line. We just need to click this weekend, and we know we can do some damage in the tournament once we're in."If the Bulls can make the tournament and upset top-seeded Notre Dame, they have a 5-4 record against the teams likely to be seeded second, third and fourth, including a 3-0 record on Fridays, when teams typically use their best pitcher.Cardieri's teams have been tournament surprises in recent years. Despite finishing no higher than sixth in Conference USA in the past four years, the Bulls have finished third once and fifth twice in the league tournament.Cardieri said he hasn't talked with Woolard about his future and doesn't expect to until after the season."I'll have a lot of things to think about, or the administration will, but it's nothing that I can control," he said. "God has a plan, and we'll see what works out. I want to continue in this profession, but if I don't, I'm going to be OK. I feel like I'll land on my feet. My life will be fine. I don't have those kinds of worries."USF baseball battles question mark in finale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flsportsfan83 Posted May 16, 2006 Group: TBP Subscriber III Topic Count: 1,698 Content Count: 16,523 Reputation: 886 Days Won: 12 Joined: 08/16/2004 Share Posted May 16, 2006 bye bye Eddie.... Good luck to you in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smazza Posted May 16, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 9,831 Content Count: 65,435 Reputation: 2,229 Days Won: 172 Joined: 01/01/2001 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I CANT WAIT TO see ad Woolard's next move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minotaur Posted May 16, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 111 Content Count: 996 Reputation: 3 Days Won: 1 Joined: 01/24/2002 Share Posted May 16, 2006 WARNING: UDERSTATEMENT AHEAD The embarrassment of missing the Big East tournament, held at Clearwater's Bright House Networks Field, "would be awful," Cardieri said. Cardieri's postseason success has dropped off in the second half of his tenure coaching the Bulls. His teams reached the NCAA Tournament seven times in his first 12 years; they've been just twice in the last nine. USF baseball coach Eddie Carderi's contract expires this year and has not been renewed yet. The man went to my HS and has served honorably as USF coach. I wish him and the BaseBulls well tonight, but that "YET" is superflous in my opinion. Leave it off that caption, shine up the gold watch and open the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sheriff Posted May 16, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 718 Content Count: 6,701 Reputation: 745 Days Won: 19 Joined: 12/24/2001 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Just make the tourney... win it all... and then the critics will shut up... A blowout loss though won't cut it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hightechbull Posted May 16, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 231 Content Count: 2,446 Reputation: 237 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/01/2001 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I CANT WAIT TO see ad Woolard's next moveA 10 year contract extension? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullman3 Posted May 16, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 159 Content Count: 1,372 Reputation: 56 Days Won: 1 Joined: 11/23/2003 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Come on DW, give the guy a vote of confidence like you did for some other coaches and release a statement. Whats fair for one is fair for all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky the Bull Posted May 17, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 1,001 Content Count: 7,256 Reputation: 943 Days Won: 9 Joined: 12/25/2001 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Bulls lose 9-2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flsportsfan83 Posted May 17, 2006 Group: TBP Subscriber III Topic Count: 1,698 Content Count: 16,523 Reputation: 886 Days Won: 12 Joined: 08/16/2004 Share Posted May 17, 2006 woo hoo go Bulls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South_Florida_Flip Posted May 17, 2006 Group: Member Topic Count: 99 Content Count: 10,565 Reputation: 93 Days Won: 7 Joined: 05/14/2005 Share Posted May 17, 2006 Come on DW, give the guy a vote of confidence like you did for some other coaches and release a statement. Whats fair for one is fair for all.It's a much different situation then the one in Men's Basketball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now