BB: CC: Centennial Conference

Started by Ralph Turner, February 11, 2006, 02:36:50 PM

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RollTide

I would be very surprised if Hopkins finds a way to finish undefeated in the conference again, especially with these new bats. They have the pitching but big fields like F&M and Swarthmore give those teams a chance because Hopkins has had so much success with the long ball, it might hurt them on larger fields.

Hammer Ball

It would be surprising if JHU does not repeat - handily.  Undefeated, who knows, it's baseball, a good outing for 7 innings on a cold saturday and anyone can be beat (recall Red Devils sweep of JHU a couple of years back). But the better players, and more better players (if that makes sense) are clearly with JHU.  In defense of the rest of the teams competing for playoff spots 2, 3 and 4, the teams in the CC are not necessarily playing on a level surface, although all (including JHU) appear to play within the CC rules.  Consider the following from 2010:

School            Roster Size
JHU                         57 (51 saw playing time)
HAV                         31
SWAT                         31
WAC                         23
MUHL                         33
F&M                         38
URS                         28
GET                         33
McD                         33
DC                         27

JHU          20 FR     10.1 IP and 32 AB
SWT           7 FR     76 ip and 105 ab
HAV            6 FR     40 ip and 139 ab
WAS         10 FR     49.1 ip and 469 ab

Why is this important?  First, casting a wider net makes it more likely you will catch a bigger fish i.e. better player.  Second, at ages 17-18-19 a year to mature physically, get stronger/bigger, and practice at a higher level make a difference in years 2-3-4-5.

Re: year 5 - JHU has made good use of 5th year players.  In 2011 JHU has 3 Grad Students on the roster.  I do not know how many 5th year players other teams have, but as few, if any, of the other teams have Grad Schools, it is likely very few. 

Perhaps this, at least in part, explains why JHU has "more better players" and  has been superior to all other CC members in certain key statistical catagories.  For example:

2003 – 2010 JHU Team BA = .353.  -   BA of the 2nd best team = .328
2003 – 2010 JHU  HR total = 57.75  - Avg HR total of the 2nd  best team = 28.25
(These are comparisons of JHU to the 2nd best team only.  Comparisons to the league average, w/o JHU figured in, are likely off the charts.)

All of the above, combined with experienced dedicated quality coaching at one of the best Universities in the world, leads to a perennially successful program.  JHU follows a good formula that others (if their circumstances allow) would be wise to follow.


ArkRiverSnake

Thanks for the input Hammerball and RollTide. 

Another question after reading the Mid-Atlantic preview.  Everyone seems to be talking about the pitching that Hopkins has, but do they have any bats this year?  Who are they expecting a lot from offensively?

bulldozer

Quote from: ArkRiverSnake on February 23, 2011, 03:16:30 PM
Thanks for the input Hammerball and RollTide. 

Another question after reading the Mid-Atlantic preview.  Everyone seems to be talking about the pitching that Hopkins has, but do they have any bats this year?  Who are they expecting a lot from offensively?

Well they return Jesse Sikorski who certainly qualifies as a big bat.  Sam Wernick is looking for a bigger role too after dominating the conference as a wide reciever in the fall.  I think Babb is looking for some more production out of Steve Bejsiuk after his impressive 2nd team all conference run last year.  In reality though, the way hopkins is, Babb always seems to find guys who just rake... plain and simple.  If the pitching is as good as it should be, Hopkins should have no problem going undefeated in conference again this year.

RollTide

It seems like it may be a long year for Hopkins in the Centennial if they continue to struggle getting runners across the plate. That being said, is Dickinson for real?

ArkRiverSnake

Hey Rolltide, what do you have against Hopkins? I cant remember the last time you said something good about the program. 

And it appears Dickinson is NOT for real.  Not sure where you get your information.  The teams they played in Florida were very weak.

Hammer Ball

As the Conference Schedule begins today I will take a stab at the Top 5:

1.  Swat - After an off year the experience of the last 3 years could carry them to the top of the most evenly balanced CC in many years.  Depth of pitching may be a challenge but the Garnet should put up alot of runs;
2.  WC - The best player in the CC (Mr. Normoyle) should be enough to carry the Shoremen to the playoffs.  Experienced pitching at the top off the rotation will make a difference against the Ace's put up by other top teams;
3.  JHU - Will need productive innings from pitchers not yet called upon and more runs than we have seen in many of their pre-conference games.  Their very experienced coach still has the most players to select from and that means alot against teams with half as many players;
4.  HC - Lost 5 position players to Graduation and 2 SP's.  Return top 2 SP's from last year and the entire bullpen.  Rough pre-conference schedule may prepare them well for top CC foes.  Power likely to be down so scratching out runs will be a priority.  Very young but history shows Coach can recruit;
5.  Field - Wide open year for CC baseball fans.

Hammer Ball

Missed on 1st place team but got 3 out of 4. 1st time in CC history an 11 win team did not make playoffs. Very closely matched teams should make for competitive playoffs. Overthinking pitching choices could be a differencemaker. McD and Hav hottest teams. Wac wants to send coach off with trip to regional.  Hav over McD in final.

Hammer Ball

2012 JHU baseball team not nearly the team we have seen the last 5 years - finishes season losing 6 of 8. WAC and HAV are gutsy teams that can really hit the ball. Pitching matchups still key. Should favor HAV.

Hammer Ball

Congrats to hav - clearly the best in cc this year. 7 - 0 against 1st and 3rd place teams.
Hopkins field was in very poor condition. Even a little care would have made a difference.

Gray Fox

Fierce When Roused