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Messages - BBFan62

#1
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
May 11, 2014, 11:48:06 AM
Quote from: airball55 on May 11, 2014, 06:11:16 AM
For UR, this seems to be their song.  Although they have been under .500 the previous three years, when they do get to the tournament, it's excuse after excuse.  Ithaca is down a bit, I don't like their chances at all. Cortland has the region for the taking. Fisher certainly has the arms to be a dangerous team, I wouldn't sleep on them.  I can't see any scenario where the NCAA won't ship a team in.  Whomever that may be, we would assume that team to be a threat.  Neither Stevens or Farmingdale evoke fear.  As for Fisher and Ithaca, who knows if they get in, could be both, might not be either.  Fisher is 30-8 in the region, it would be unprecedented to have a mark like that and not get in.

The UR YellowJackets have no excuses, they flat out lost. I'm dissappointed as anyone. The last 3 years were tough to watch, I only wish I could have watched thsi year. However, call it "more competitive", etc., but in mu counts for nothing opinion, the league could not have been as strong as the past couple if years. All you have to do is compare the teams and many of the individual stats and ask yourself how, for example, does a team like UR go from 1 guy having a +>400 OBP to having 7 guys +.400? Look at slugging %, you go from a team.297 last year to .326 this year, with virtually the same guys. There were a couple of new faces, but it is mostly the same.
You see much of the same in the pitching staff. Tim LaSuer (RPI) played at UR his first year but had a personality conflict with the UR coaches (plus probably was played in the wrong position), had a nice continuation of his career at RPI. He was not in the top 10 in hitting (hit .267 at UR) but hit .435 this year.
Most teams have a better conference performance than overall, which leads me to believe the LL is not as strong as other leagues. However LL guys go for the education, which is a strength at LL schools and prepares the guys for great careers.
But, watch the Jackets over the next couple of years!
#2
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
May 10, 2014, 06:12:00 PM
Quote from: airball55 on May 10, 2014, 04:46:34 PM
The Rochester jinx continues.  Union comes back from the losers bracket and gets the AQ for the Liberty League.  I would say that the best team won, nothing against Rochester who had a good season and certainly has some positive energy to build on for next season.  Union does it the hard way, which at the end of the day is much more impressive.  Good luck to Union, a deserved champion.
Airball, I agree with what you're saying. All I can say is a big OUCH! for Rochester. They will be back; the Freshmen & Sophomores are talented.  I was really hoping UR would do it, as as a Cub fan I'm used to saying."Wait till next year". Hats off to Union; they alos ended the #1 seeed jinx.
#3
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
May 10, 2014, 08:41:46 AM
Quote from: airball55 on May 09, 2014, 07:42:07 PM
That's a great point about the next round.  The NY region is most definitely Cortland's, followed by Ithaca and most recently Fisher and then to a smaller extent Farmingdale. The LL has to deal with cost though more than maybe any other league...maybe in the country.  The costs to attend these schools is just mind boggling.  Most of them are now in the 60000+ area.  There are really solid staffs in this league, the northern duo of CU and ST. Law do great jobs to attract kids despite geographical disadvantages.  I know Skidmore struggled this year, but, they typically overachieve.  Not sure why RPI is backing up. This though is why you have a Union, with part time coaches, Vassar and Rochester now moving up.  UR has been up and down, seems to be a three to four year cycle.  Vassar, it's just amazing how they have gone from an automatic 4 game sweep to a conference contender.  It is just to expensive to attend these schools and kids who want the dual experience of academics and baseball, the real solid ones (D1 types) go to Cortland, Fisher, Ithaca, etc.  2013 RPI 2-2,  2012 Skidmore 0-2, 2011 Clarkson 1-2 2010 Skidmore 0-2....and on in the regionals.  The last team to beat one of the powerhouse teams (Cortland, Ithaca, and even Fisher) was Clarkson back in 09 coming back in that game from a 10-2 deficit against Cortland.  If UR advances, although they did beat Ithaca, or Union, I don't see them doing much damage in the regional.  Our LL teams just don't have the horses the others in the region or whoever the NCAA decides to ship in...and that's what $60000 a year will do.

I am not surprised by the success of Rochester, although I am surprised it happened this year. The Yellowjackets will surprise some people in the Regionals. Their Sophomore class is a very strong gorup. It appears the Freshmen are also solid, but I have not had the enjoyment of watching any games, so i can only go by what I see on the results pages and from the ga,es I "watched" on live stats.
I am not sure what to make of the league this year. Yes, Bard and Skidmore helped teams pad their stats, but I told my son (UR grad from last season) that the Jackets were going to win, once I saw the 4 teams. Clarkson may have a strong staff, but like UR last year, they can't hit.Rochester batted .304 this year (versus .268 last year), while Clarkson only hit .271. It is the year of the Jackets!

Last year the problem for the Jackets was hitting. Consider this: in 2013 UR was held to 2 runs or less 17 times and was 1 hit twice. I attribute that to "growing pains", as there were 4-5 freshmen starting last year and I do not think they were prepared to face college pitching.
On the mound, the success of Warren and Janifer do not surprise me, although Janifer did not pitch at all last year, you could tell he was a solid ballplayer.
Warren looked good last year and reminded me of the 2013 guys when those guys were freshmen. And, he is only going to get better.
The reason I don't know what to think of the league this year, other than it is balanced, is strictly comparing number.
For UR, Warren had a 6.95 era. this year 1.05. Crean, 9.58 vs. 1.55 this year, Mondon 13.98 last year, 2.79 now.Petito 7.72 vs. 3.00. Some of that is Freshmen growing pains.
For hitting, last year the jackets had 3 guys over .300, this year7 guys. Again, some of that is pure college level adjustment. Hamilton went from.138 to .372, Sander (who has been a solid player) had a down year last year at .250 but rebounded to .378 this year. Mulberg, whom I saw as the most improved last year, went from .207 to .360 this year.
So, what to make of the LL? I firmly believe the Jackets will make the Regionals, and they will win a few. What'd I'd really love is seeing them in Appleton, only 3 hours away!...........Go get 'em Jackets!
#4
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
April 28, 2014, 02:20:25 PM
Quote from: baseballislife on April 22, 2014, 10:44:16 PM
UR (19-13) overcame a slow start tonight to beat another hot team, Brockport (19-11), with a bottom of the ninth three-run walk-off HR by sophomore Lance Hamilton.  Down 7-0 in the 5th inning, 'Jackets rally with 5 in the fifth, 1 in the 6th, and three in the 9th on the walk-off HR to win 9-8.  Hamilton had 5 RBI on the night.

RPI (17-10) gets easy win @ Williams, Mass. (8-13), 15-3.
[/quote

Congratulations UR Yellowjackets! What a nice finish to the regular season, with just a non-con game to go! The jackets clinched a playoff spot and could end up the league champ, depending upon the RIT/Union series. Union must take 3 games or else UR takes the crown. If Clarkson grabs 3 from Skidmore then Clarkson shares a .667 win percentage. The jackets are 16-8, Clarkson would be 14-7. I'm not sure how that shakes out. Hats off to the YJ's, they're a year ahead of what I thought they would be.
#5
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
April 16, 2014, 06:33:52 PM
Quote from: baseballislife on April 15, 2014, 09:44:44 AM
You're right, this is tough.  The wildcard in this is it looks like only UR will play all of its league games this year.  I agree on Union looking like the team to beat.  I see them in first place again and hosting the tournament.  Of course, it has been many years since the host has won the tourney, so I'm not sure that bodes well for them, haha.

My originals were Union, RPI, UR, and Clarkson.  I am starting to think Vassar is stronger than I thought, but it is hard to tell since they have only played 6 league games.  Big series at UR this weekend. 

RIT is stronger than they have been, but they will need to prove themselves over the next three weeks to get in.  I see them going 5-7 and missing the play-offs, but finishing over .500 at 13-10.

My revised four are Union, UR, Vassar, and.....in a tie for fourth, RPI or Clarkson.  I think they could both by 13-9 and having split the only two they have played, they may have to find a way to play the other DH to see if one of them can sweep the other and get in at 15-9.  In that scenario, I'm going with RPI as the fourth.

The picture should be clearer by this Sunday.  Lots of parity in the LL!

Go Jackets! I stated it last year and I'll restate it this year - these kids can play! The Freshmen class was the best class overall since the 2010 Freshmen; all they needed was a year under their belt. Last year hitting was a problem, but 5 or 6 started. It's paying off, as the team seems to be putting it together. I am hopeful they make it this year, as we still know a few classes. But by next year the jackets should be on top.
You knew Dan Warren was a player as were a few others. Now combined wth the Seniors and Juniors they're making their move. I just checked on the Ithaca game and the jackets had a 2 hit shutout going. Don't know how it will end, but we're there (in spirit) rooting.
#6
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
April 01, 2014, 04:26:22 PM
Quote from: airball55 on April 01, 2014, 12:52:38 PM
I think the reason the schedule is what it is, is because this is the best way to play games.  These Universities are very strict on class time.  Now, when the ole hoops teams leave a couple of days early to play in region games, well..i will let you run with that.  But, it's very hard in baseball because games are played in the daytime and classes get missed.  So, the coaches have more hurdles.  It is not entirely up to them.  As far as 30 wins, not gonna happen.  When you play 7 teams four times, that's 28.  Most teams play, lets average out to 8 games in Florida.  Now you are down to 4 non league games.  So four games in two days up north.  8 games in as little as 5 days down south, no one has that kind of pitching.  It is so hard for these programs.  It is not like, say, Cortland, where they play a ton of single nine inning games, spread out on Tues., Wed. etc...it's just apples and oranges.  Can't blame not playing on coaches, hell, most fields here are still under snow.  That's why Rochester has such an advantage now with that facility. Just my two cents.
airball55, et a;,
Ahhhh, I miss the season and the postings, etc. Such is the life for a parent of a graduated senior. Oh well, the sun is still shining, but perhaps not as brightly.
I agree with the past few posts. UR is expensive., as are several scools. My son (2013) was lucky enough to get a bit over 50% and wasd fortunate enough to play on the last really good UR team. The past 3 seasons were indeed brutal. However, the field is in fantastic shape and I believe it will help. But, beyond expense is the academic level required to succeed at UR. It is a challenge. However I have a feeling many of the other schools are the same but I do not know. I can only speak of the academicsa at UR and the difficulty of getting in.
I do know UR lost a few good players they counted on, mainly because the students did not get in, and a couple chose to go elsewhere.
IMO, starting next year UR will be back towards the top, IF the next incoming class is as good as the current Sophomore class. I don't know anything about the freshman clss, so I cannot rate them. Last year was tough because UR had a Freshman starter at several positions. UR had great pitching and had a tough defense but they just did not hit. Too many low run (or no runs) games. It was a big learning experience. There are some good senior and junior players, but the sophomore class reminds me of some of the players recruited a few years ago.
#7
Quote from: Patriotfan87 on May 10, 2013, 04:27:32 AM
UTT has four guys (possibly 5) that are throwing 90+ but I don't know if they are on anyone's radar. Three seniors, two juniors.

92 is the new 88. MLB scouts look at projection and the radar gun, not stats. Numerous teams have guys how "can throw 90+", but how consistently, that's the key. Rochester (NY) had 2 this year.
I was walking past Dave Filak (Oneonta) back in 2010 when my son was a freshman and turned around when I heard the ball pop into the catchers mitt. I had no idea who he was, but did read up on him after seeing his name mentioned on the D3 boards a few times. He threw 94, got drafted that year in the 4th round. He was released this year.
#8
Pro ball / Re: Stephen Strasburg
May 12, 2013, 11:24:54 PM
Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on March 31, 2013, 11:43:59 PM
Reread this thread tonight - brought back memories. :)

Strasburg is back (despite the controversial shutdown at the end of last season), and there are MANY now predicting the Nats to win it all this year.

Personally, I'm predicting the Tigers.  Best starting five in MLB, and best 1-5 hitters.  Though I admit I'm scared by their bullpen (or lack thereof :P).
Strasburg is now 1-5. Some of it just plain bad luck.
#9
Quote from: rob on May 11, 2013, 01:41:14 PM
Quote from: playball on May 11, 2013, 09:00:59 AM
A lot of good/great players in D3 go undrafted.  A big reason for this is age.  Most players at a D3 play all four years and are 22/23 when they are drafted and are already somewhat behind in development.   I'm not saying it can't be done, but the odds are already against them as age is a big factor.
As compared to D1 or D2?  Getting drafted after your junior year makes you only 1 year younger.
A big reason for D3 is level of play, not age. D1 seniors are (unles they were red shirted) are the same age as a DIII senior.

AJ Nathan IWU catcher is on the radar of a couple of teams.
#10
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
May 12, 2013, 03:33:41 PM
Quote from: BBFan62 on May 10, 2013, 08:58:00 PM
Quote from: BBFan62 on May 10, 2013, 08:41:16 PM
Quote from: AlleyCat on May 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
RPI 8
St Lawrence 0

Union 3
Vassar 2 in 10 innings

Vassar vs St Lawrence - 9:30am
RPI vs Union - 1pm
TBD - 4:30pm

Good night SLU; so much for the experts predictions. I didn't think SLU would capture first place nor win the conference tourney. They only had one tough pitcher and he almost lost to UR and did lose yesterday. They have the bats but as we know, good pitching usually wins out. Hats off to RPI, they're going to be tough to beat. Prior to conference games I mentioned Union and Vassar as the dark horses, now one of them will go home tomorrow while the other has the tough task of knocking off RPI. Good luck to all.

Well hush my grits; I did not know Vassar & Union played later. Congratulations to Union, Vassar has been eliminated. So, it's Union with the uphill battle.

Congratulations to RPI - go get 'em in the Regional. Too bad for Union; this must be at least 6 years in a row where the host team has not advanced to the regional. Back to the long cold winter for the rest of the teams.
#11
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
May 10, 2013, 08:58:00 PM
Quote from: BBFan62 on May 10, 2013, 08:41:16 PM
Quote from: AlleyCat on May 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
RPI 8
St Lawrence 0

Union 3
Vassar 2 in 10 innings

Vassar vs St Lawrence - 9:30am
RPI vs Union - 1pm
TBD - 4:30pm

Good night SLU; so much for the experts predictions. I didn't think SLU would capture first place nor win the conference tourney. They only had one tough pitcher and he almost lost to UR and did lose yesterday. They have the bats but as we know, good pitching usually wins out. Hats off to RPI, they're going to be tough to beat. Prior to conference games I mentioned Union and Vassar as the dark horses, now one of them will go home tomorrow while the other has the tough task of knocking off RPI. Good luck to all.

Well hush my grits; I did not know Vassar & Union played later. Congratulations to Union, Vassar has been eliminated. So, it's Union with the uphill battle.
#12
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
May 10, 2013, 08:41:16 PM
Quote from: AlleyCat on May 10, 2013, 10:15:57 AM
RPI 8
St Lawrence 0

Union 3
Vassar 2 in 10 innings

Vassar vs St Lawrence - 9:30am
RPI vs Union - 1pm
TBD - 4:30pm

Good night SLU; so much for the experts predictions. I didn't think SLU would capture first place nor win the conference tourney. They only had one tough pitcher and he almost lost to UR and did lose yesterday. They have the bats but as we know, good pitching usually wins out. Hats off to RPI, they're going to be tough to beat. Prior to conference games I mentioned Union and Vassar as the dark horses, now one of them will go home tomorrow while the other has the tough task of knocking off RPI. Good luck to all.
#13
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
May 06, 2013, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: LLbaseball on May 06, 2013, 09:06:59 PM
Also, what happened to UR at the end of the year?  Yikes!
The Freshmen did not perform as anticipated. All season there were usually 4-5 freshmen starting. A total lack of timely hitting all year. The defense killed them in a couple of critical games, particularly down the stretch.  For example, against St. Lawrence they had the SLU ace on the ropes, leading 3-1 going into the bottom of the last inning. UR allows the first hitter to get on by throwing away a routine grounder. Then, with 2 on and one out, a tailor made game ending double play is botched; SLU went on to win 4-3. We lose another to SLU 1-0. Against SLU the Jackets had 29 hits in 3 games, yet only scored 4 runs. The week before, against Clarkson, the same thing happened. A game ending double play was mishandled and UR went on to lose in extra innings.
This week, against RIT, same ol' story - lack of timely hitting. Too many left on base. The UR ace hadn't been able to pitch for 3 starts due to shoulder soreness. He started the last game yesterday, despite not being 100%. He went 7 innings and left with the game tied 1-1. Several UR runners left stranded. The Jackets scored 2 in the top of the eighth to take a 3-1 lead. The Freshman reliever promptly gave up 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to help the Jackets go down.
In that last game 6 of the position starters were Freshmen.
However, the Freshmen are talented and will be a force when they are Juniors, if UR is able to replace the 3 senior pitchers - Menke, King, and Sullivan. They have some good pitchers left, particularly Cool, Mabee, and Diller. King ended up 4-5 but lost 3 games by UR being shutout. Menke ended 3-2 but, like King, was a victim of run support. The most he gave up in a game was 3 runs, which was in his second start of the year. Both Menke and King had sub 3.00 ERA's but combined to go 7-7. But, that's baseball. A very disappointing year!
#14
New York Region / Re: BB: LL: Liberty League
April 27, 2013, 10:01:54 AM
Quote from: AlleyCat on April 23, 2013, 09:05:32 AM
Looks like Union will be hosting this year. any ideas on where they will host? Shuttleworth or central Park?

While I tend to agree that it looks like Union will host, RPI is only 2 games back with 8 to play. All I can say is the tournament will be in the Albany area, just can't say for sure where. This is a BIG weekend in the LL!
#15
New York Region / Re: BB: SUNYAC
April 12, 2013, 12:22:09 PM
Quote from: jdex on April 10, 2013, 04:53:02 PM
Cortland regains balance to take down host Rochester 11-3 Wednesday night. UR's S. Eychhner brings home two with two-out single in the third to begin scoring. Corts strike for four runs on six hits in their fourth, add two runs in the fifth and five over the last two innings. Yellowjackets -- losers of seven straight, use 10 pitchers. RDragon M. Hollander 3x5, 2r, 2bi; Z. Graczyk and M. DeCarr two hits each, D. Castaldo two rbi. Cortland sends four to the mound. Quartet yields three unearned runs, fans 13. S. Kimmelman wins it with 3.1 relief innings of one-hit ball.  CSt 19-8, UR 7-13
CSt entertains Old Westbury Friday and meets Misericordia on Sunday at 2 at PNC Field in Moosic, Pa.
Cortland    000 420 032 -- 11-14-3
Rochester  002 000 100 --  3-3-2

Fredonia finishes off series at Oneonta with 11-6 win on the heels of splitting Tuesday's pair. Oneonta later game today vs. Mt. St. Mary's (NY) ppd.

Oswego loses 7-4 decision at home to St. John Fisher. Second game of scheduled pair ppd. Oswego 10-10, Fisher 14-7

Plattsburgh outscores Clarkson 9-3 with all of the run-making in the first five innings

Cortland game at Rochester moved back by weather to 6:30

Brockport home date with Ithaca ppd.

UR used 10 pitchers by design, to give guys some work. I wouldn't read too much into the victory. 5 of the pitchers used are Freshmen. Menke & Diller are conference starters. Wednesday is normally their bullpen day so they each threw one inning. Both gave up 0 hits, as did Todd and Warren, two of the freshmen.The surprise was Sullivan, usually the closer and a guy who has been lights out. With respect to position players, 6 of the starters are freshmen, but need to grow up quickly in order to salvage a conference playoff spot, which is more important to the Yellowjackets.

Yes, other than 4 guys, all aspects of the 'Jackets game broke down. The main problem all year has been the hitting, as the freshmen starters adjust to the college game. The Jackets also committed a couple of costly errors, although Cortland did commit 3. We'll keep our fingers crossed!