As a baseball fan was disappointed with this article in that I thought Dunning could have given more supporting details that a person casually following the team wouldn't know. Investigative reporting, you know ?

For example the tryouts he mentioned. That's interesting, tell us more. Who are some of the unsung heroes who made the team out of these tryouts ? That's human interest stuff and it's good reading. For example, Nathan Lemos made the team this year after not playing since his freshman year, what's he been up to ? Playing club ball ? Concentrating only on studies ? Raul Sandoval is graduating after 1 year playing for UCD following 3 playing at the JC. People generally don't graduate 1 year after transferring from a JC so was he at UCD as a student in 2021 and just answered the call to arms (call to baseball gloves ?) as a 5th year senior ? This is the kind of stuff that can inspire people.

And the other part about predicting a .500 or better finish next year, I'd like to know more about his reasons for saying that. I'm not looking to refute them. I would just like to know more about his reasons for optimism so I can feel more optimistic. Without exciting new information I see the 2023 team just doubling or tripling their win total, which would be in line with some of the recent seasons under Vaughn. This team hasn't hasn't had a full-season with a .500 or better record since 2015, and those were teams with full rosters and crops of recruits. So what's he basing that on ? Freshman standouts like Wolbert, Green, Leehey, and Seeman ? Specific exciting new recruits ? That he thinks Nicholson & Co will do a better job ? Kind of left us hanging there, Bob.

There was really a treasure trove of interesting background stories about this year's baseball team members. UC Davis really had a chance to market this "Bad News Bears" season to attract more interest and support for the program. It kind of missed the boat.