Bad timing?
Coaches unhappy amateur draft held during CWS
Posted: Tuesday June 3, 1998 03:46 PM
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Miami players sit dejected after being ousted from the CWS. Seven Miami players were drafted in the first 13 rounds (AP) |
OMAHA, Nebraska (CNN/SI) -- Ask Miami coach Jim Morris about the amateur draft being held during the College World Series, and be prepared to get an earful.
"I don't like it all. I don't think it shows a lot of compassion and
respect for the College World Series," Morris said Tuesday shortly after his team was eliminated.
"These guys bust their butts to make it here and then they have to deal
with agents and you guys [reporters] talking about professional baseball,"
Morris said.
Morris' angry words came the day seven of his players were drafted in the
first 13 rounds, including the Hurricanes' star slugger Pat Burrell -- the
No. 1 pick overall.
Several Miami players, including Burrell and pitcher Robbie Morrison, who
was selected by Kansas City early in the second round, knew before the game
they had been drafted.
While Morris refused to blame distractions for his team's 6-3 loss to Long Beach
State, he said the draft should be held after the tournament.
"I don't think it's good as it is now," he said.
Southern Cal coach Mike Gillespie and Mississippi State coach Pat McMahon
agreed.
"I have a passionate opinion [about the draft]. Unfortunately, it's like
the weather in that there is nothing I can do about it," Gillespie said.
"Professional baseball runs its own show. They don't have to answer to
anybody."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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