Posted by  Daniel Gibson, Tampa on 06/02  at  08:55 PM

Does anyone knwow what is happening with Coach Nelson North?  He is a quality coach and I hope he is around when the dust settles!!!

Posted by  Mike, Tampa on 06/02  at  09:56 AM

I got a chuckle from the suggestions. Pitching coach should be not only retained but promoted to head coach.  Why did the pitching give up more runs than our boys scored?

Hitting coach. Our boys were not able to muster more hits and runs under his instruction to win more games.

Horrible recruiter, I would have to assume that every player he has ever coached has been horrible. He must have been picking up the scraps that no other D-1 program wanted.

If the players were so good and highly respected, they would have gone into a more prominent D-1 program.

Coaches don’t hit, make plays or run bases.

Nepotism , what excuse for the years that Cardieri did not have a son on the team.

Stop the whining.

Posted by  Sam Koffman, Tampa on 05/31  at  08:25 AM

This says it all!

Thank You For Your Vote

Current survey results for 534 entries
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding

Should USF renew baseball coach Eddie Cardieri’s contract?
Yes 189 35%
No 345 64%

Note: This poll is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent public opinion.

Posted by  Matthew Yoder, St Petersburg on 05/25  at  06:27 PM

I was the first person to comment on this story and I have been watching this exchange ever since. Its clear that emotions are high but I think everyone to one degree or another everyone respects Cardieri and Bellotti. Wish them both well and end the personal attacks.

Lets remember that we all want the best for USF baseball and none of us have a say in what will happen. In any event the article and spotlight can do nothing but help USF baseball. Go Bulls!

Posted by  Mark Bellotti, tennessee on 05/25  at  12:33 PM

for Jim Martin, I take resposibility for JB getting screwed. JB’s Seminole high and Dunedin friends and parents warned me about EC 4 years ago. But I was taken in by his and Petey’s interest in making JB their starter his freshman year. They promised him every opportunity to play. I didn’t see through their lies and deceit. After his sophomore yr hitting .300 with 10 doubles, flawless defense I thought his troubles were over. JB wanted to transfer then but I advised him he was better off education wise and career wise to stay put. My fault, I’m sorry JB, I take the blame.

Posted by  mark bellotti, tennessee on 05/25  at  12:23 PM

"That six-run inning wasn’t a six-run inning if we did a couple little things; it would have been a two-run inning,” Cardieri said. Yea like maybe play your 9 best players. Same problem for the last three years dummy. Ever hear of the saying “same s--t different day”? Well that’s what it’s like playing for EC. As your ex player GV suggests, quite living your failed career through Nick and Joel, “find a hobby! Play Shuffleboard, build puzzles, play Bingo! Relax.” Just don’t play coach anymore. It doesn’t work.

Posted by  Jim Martin, Tampa, FL on 05/25  at  10:53 AM

Nick Cardieri:Career Avg.(4yrs) =.252
Jeremy Bellotti:Career Avg.(3yrs) =.290

Nick Cardieri = NO athletic TALENT whatsoever = a joke on the field = no business being in Bulls uniform
Jeremy Bellotti = hard work = leadership =Team Captain = best defensive CF in college baseball

Nick Cardieri = coaches son = automatic starting job no matter how horrible he is
Jeremy Bellotti = no relation to a Cardieri = no automatic spot = has to work for everything he earns = getting screwed by Cardieri

Posted by  Mark Bellotti, tennessee on 05/25  at  09:42 AM

You EC alumnus can throw out all the past garbage you want, bottom line is what’s going on now. And that is not pretty. Bad coaching, bad program, bad facilities, bad team. EC is still the lowest paid D-1 coach after 21 years, because that’s where he deserves to be. He’s done nothing to improve USF at the school level or the community. No one gives a crap about USF baseball. If they do resign him it will be about money, he will still be the lowest paid D-1 coach. Think about that, 21 years and he’s gone nowhere! JB did the right thing by getting out. You can’t blame him for this sorry year, that’s all on EC. And look what’s in store for next year! Yea, it’s time to move on.

Posted by  Jason Garcia, Lutz on 05/24  at  11:03 PM

N. Cardieri .250

JB .193

Posted by  Jim Martin, Tampa, FL on 05/24  at  05:47 PM

Hey GV, if anyone is an angry dad trying to live his career through his sons it would be Cardieri himself. He has two of his kids,who would be laughed off of the field at most high school try-outs, starting on a D-1 baseball program.Atleast we had a strong year this year though(23-35, in a REALLY tough conference:the Big East). Come on, this is just getting silly, get the entire Cardieri family off the field and let’s start a WINNING tradition at USF. He has disgraced this program enough.

Posted by  mark bellotti, tennessee on 05/24  at  11:09 AM

Way to go Bulls. the fact is, EC can’t compete with the big boys. THEY LOST LAST NIGHT, and their record is now 23 and 34. Wow, I’m proud of that. I’ve changed my stance, I hope he’s retained so all you sorry ass EC backers can continue to wallow in mediocrity for the remainder of his reign.Nick and Joel can continue their torrid careers, and will probably be his coaches later. How fun will that be? And Nick not being a hitter wasn’t really the issue, he plays defense like a little league right fielder. Other teams laugh when they see him on the field. THAT is the nepotism that is at issue. And JB has moved on to better things, he doesn’t need defending. I just like putting you all in your place. Which is last like the bulls.

Posted by  David Richtberg, Tampa, FL on 05/24  at  10:29 AM

Was a great game last night, unfortunately we came out on the short end.  ND pitchers were hitting spots and well I thought the Umps blew a few calls for the Bulls but that happens.

Looked to me like a great time was had by many at the USF function up stairs.  I know I had a blast seeing everyone come together for EC.

Posted by  GV, Tampa on 05/24  at  10:12 AM

We as Alumni know there needs to be improvement, but the timing of the article was awful by Mr. McMurphy. I feel EC can turn the program around. This has been a wake up call for him, hes got fire in him!For all you angry dads out there, quit trying to live your career through your kids! Find a hobby! Play Shuffleboard, build puzzles, play Bingo! Relax

Posted by  Jason Garcia, Tampa on 05/24  at  01:24 AM

If your son was so good someone would have taken him. To hit below .200 in college means one thing. You will never be a professional baseball player. The dream is dead. Trust me if you can’t hit with the metal it was not happening brother. Guess what little Cardieri got a hit late in the game tonight when nobody else did crap. Just let it go. Take a trip to the smokey mountains and relax.
To go to the media is hilarious. A bunch of guys who write and talk about sports who never played. There is no honor in that. If a dude on one of our teams did that he would have gotten knocked the F**K out bottom line. Quit crying !

Posted by  Jim Wingert, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  04:40 PM

Mr.Vigue,Thank you for finally trying to put thought into your words.As our previous posts have shown we all agree that Bellotti is a “good kid” as you put it,and a leader no doubt.I do not dislike Cardieri,but I do support the Bulls&can see that they need a change.Nick Cardieri is NOT a D-1 hitter though,I’m sorry.There should be no debate about that.And no one can make the argument that he deserved to play over Angelberger last year.If it were not for Nick getting hurt,who knows if Angelberger ever would have seen the field last year.This is how a coach who plays favorites can effect team success on the field:by not putting the best 9 players out their.No stadium or donation will ever change that…w/that said,GO BULLS!

Posted by  Larry Stevens, Tampa on 05/23  at  03:26 PM

John,

I don’t diagree with much of your last post but please explain to me why you think Nick Cardieri is a Division 1 hitter. In his three years playing for the Bulls he has hit, .222, .220, and .247 respectively. He also has collected a grand total of 1 home run and has a career slugging percentage of about .300. There are nothing about any of his stats that convince me he is worthy of his division 1 scholarship. I am curious what makes you think so.

Posted by  John Vigue, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  02:17 PM

The real question is should EC be resigned as the coach of the Bulls. I and many of his former players say YES!
When a coach has represented his university as well and as long as he has,both on the field and in the community, He deserves the opportunity to right the ship. It would be nice if they had the facilities to compete with some of the schools they have lost prospects to, and hopefully that will happen soon. In the interim I believe that Cardieri & his staff can refocus their recruiting, make some team changes & come back with a big year next year. Of course they will start by making us proud with a win tonight! Go Bulls!

Posted by  John Vigue, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  02:15 PM

It is unfortunate that the banter and discussion has turned so personal.
I know that all the parties involved feel very strongly about their points.
I apologize if I “threw gas on the fire”, by questioning the credentials of those writing in.Everyone is entitled to their opinion on this, and only the name calling should be considered worthless comments.
Unfortunately the conversation has turned more into is JB a good kid vs. bad kid & is EC a good coach vs. bad coach?The “nepotism” comments are equally as uncalled for, many D1 coaches have had their sons play for them, Martin, Ward, Knight, etc. the nepotism comments only come up when the wins go down. Nick Cardieri is a D1 hitter and deserves to play…

Posted by  David Richtberg, Tampa, FL on 05/23  at  11:33 AM

I am going to assume and feel safe in doing so, that the situation was not as calm as stated in the article.  How many of us, who have played sports and been heated over an error or other mishap, have put your arm around another player and calmly instructed them on how to make improvements?  I know I lost my head when playing and chewed some people before.  I am pretty sure that Player Belloti was not as calm and instructing as the article makes it out to sound.

Posted by  Daivd Richtberg, Tampa, FL on 05/23  at  11:30 AM

Who has lost respect for Cardieri?  Mr. Belloti and son? The players on this current team?  How come the players who lost respect for their coach according to all the doubters don’t have the courage to put their names on anything?  They are going to lose playing time?  Must mean they are starters?  I guess they like their position on the team enough to hide behind words they are affraid might cost them a position.  If there has ever been a problem, most of us older players had the courage to call a meeting and handle it amongst the team/family.  What happened to that?  EC never had his door closed unless he was in a meeting with the rest of the team/family.  Things used to be handled by the team captains, when they were respected.

Posted by  Jim Wingert, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  10:44 AM

Mr.Vigue,You are now making comments out of emotion and not intelligence.I’ve been watching USF for almost 10 yrs now.Cardieri probably was a good coach who gave you an opportunity and you should therefore be thankful to him.BUT you have to remember that his sons were not on the team when you played and that can change the way a person coaches,obviously.If coach North was one of the people that stood behind Bellotti shouldn’t that tell you that maybe something was wrong.Please clear your emotional connection to Cardieri and write back.

Posted by  Jim Wingert, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  10:37 AM

Mr.Vigue,by admitting that Jeremy is the hardest worker you have ever seen you completely contradict yourself by saying that he “thinks he is above the game”—If you are “above the game” how can you have enough RESPECT for it to work so hard at it?Would you please just stop trying to defend Cardieri for a minute and just think about what you are saying.You are putting down a young man who is respected by everyone, for the sole purpose of defending a man that has obviously lost a lot of respect.Stop going back and forth w/thoughtless comments.

Posted by  Jim Wingert, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  10:26 AM

Mr.Bellott,I could not agree w/you more.John said that Jeremy broke the #1 rule:“what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room.”I know the game of baseball at a professional level and in no way did Jeremy do this. He did not release anything personal about players or coaches(which is what rule #1 refers to).He obviously,as Mr. Bellotti has mentioned,saw the problem that EVERYONE else saw and bc he was the Team Captain he did what a leader is supposed to do:He stood up to Cardieri for the TEAM.The courage to stand up and question authority is not only a clear sign of integrity,but one of the strongest values a young man can have.A coward is one who sees the problem and becomes ignorant bc he is too afraid of the repercussions.

Posted by  John Vigue, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  09:45 AM

"Young Punk,” that’s great.and Jim for you to think I’m out for my own cause is even better.It’s called loyalty to someone who gave you an opportunity. Its having itegrity to do what is right.If it wasn’t for EC I would have never made it were I was.The bottom line to this whole thing is YOU believe there needs to be a change, and maybe there should. But you don’t attach someone who has done so much for so many people and portray him as something he is not.He has done more for the game in this area then any of you can imagine.He is and always will be Bulls baseball.Deal with it and get a clue.

Posted by  John Vigue, Clearwater, FL on 05/23  at  09:40 AM

Mr. Belotti, you are a true “DAD” and good for you, you should defend your son.I wish him and you the best of luck.I love how you decided to go ahead and throw out other names to justify your cause.You are a sad, petty man. Good luck with your endevor to bring a Good coach down, regarless he will never be as pethetic as you.I have never taken away the fact that Jeremy was a hard nose, hard working player.I love the way he played the game between the lines, but it is what you do off the field that shows a true leader.I’m glad he was a captain everywhere he went, doesn’t change the fact he showed his true colors his Junior year.