The Roost

Baseball signs nine

With an eye on next summer’s MLB Draft, Coastal Carolina’s baseball program filled some potential needs by signing nine players in the Class of 2010.

Starting lineup?

I'll have a fall practice-wrapup story on Coastal's baseball team in the paper sometime this weekend (probably Sunday or Monday). Coach Gary Gilmore did not want to disclose a post-fall starting lineup, but here is what I figure the starting lineup will look like on opening day:

Watford making progress

CONWAY | Coastal Carolina baseball player Bobby Watford, a Conway native, is "progressing according to plan" following his involvement in a fatal wreck early Saturday morning, Chanticleers coach Gary Gilmore said Monday.

Matz signs with Mets

Coastal Carolina baseball signee Steven Matz, a left-handed pitcher, caved in the end, signing with the New York Mets for $895,000, he confirmed via text message early Tuesday morning. Matz said all along that he was seeking a $1.1 million signing bonus.

Matz is still unsigned

Baseball signee Steven Matz said via text message at 9:30 p.m. that he isn't any closer to reaching an agreement with the New York Mets. His advisor is handling the negotiations, so he wasn't exactly sure how close the two sides were to his request for a $1.1 million signing bonus. The deadline to sign is midnight.

Matz expecting late night

I exchanged text messages with Coastal baseball signee Steven Matz this afternoon and he said that if he signs with the New York Mets it "likely will happen at the last hour." It's going to be a long, stressful night for Gary Gilmore boys and girls.

More on Matz situation

There is some news out of New York that could impact whether baseball signee Steve Matz signs with the New York Mets or not before tonight's midnight deadline. Baseball America is reporting that Yankees draftee J.R. Murphy, taken four picks behind Matz, has signed for $1.25 million.

D-Day for Matz, Chants

The midnight deadline is nearing for Major League Baseball draftees to either sign, return to school or choose to attend school, meaning Coastal Carolina's baseball coaches will probably have some anxious moments on Monday.

Baseball adds commit

Coastal's baseball program has gained a commitment from Freeport (Penn.) outfielder Ryan Siegel, according to a story in today's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Position changes looming?

When I was interviewing baseball coach Gary Gilmore for a story earlier this week, we talked about a number of different issues, including his impressions of how his current players are progressing in their summer leagues or on campus. One thing is obvious: Gilmore feels very good about this team's potential.