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This seems to be a hot topic right now lets see what people think about it.

This should be a good year for the conferences as in I see both pretty equal

There are a couple guys that could play pro ball from the conferences as well. I am going to offer names of 5 guys that I think could break the amateur barrier. Please let me know what you think. Alot of these guys are going to be in this classic.

When I talk about professional baseball, this does not just mean affiliated, but independent as well.

1. Gary Bulman, RHP (VWC)
2. Trae Bailey, SS (CNU)
3. Ben Moore, RHP (NCWC)
4. Cameron Grant, OF (LC)
5. Kyle Bradley, 2B (LC)

Does anyone know how many of the games are going to be played at the new stadium in gboro.

I know Greensboro and Guilford will be there. Then their schedule says they have one at War Memorial later in the day. So maybe everyone gets to play there once? Is it on the daily schedule on the website?

Quote from: HighHeat on February 09, 2009, 08:08:30 PM
This should be a good year for the conferences as in I see both pretty equal

There are a couple guys that could play pro ball from the conferences as well. I am going to offer names of 5 guys that I think could break the amateur barrier. Please let me know what you think. Alot of these guys are going to be in this classic.

When I talk about professional baseball, this does not just mean affiliated, but independent as well.

1. Gary Bulman, RHP (VWC)
2. Trae Bailey, SS (CNU)
3. Ben Moore, RHP (NCWC)
4. Cameron Grant, OF (LC)
5. Kyle Bradley, 2B (LC)

I would imagine a real good way to assess the D3 guys is to examine how they do in their respective summer leagues...especially when you start talking about the CPL and SCBL...two leagues that are generally more friendly to the D3 guys than the Valley League for players in our region.  That being said...Mike Wallace from R-MC managed a .295 BA in the Valley League last summer.

Does anyone think that one of these teams can make a run to regionals based on what they saw in the first couple days. I know its early but its never to early to start thinking about it. I would like to know what people think and some reasons to back it up. Good luck to everyone in the Challenge this weekend.

people still doubt Greensboro.. I wouldnt be surprised if we went 3-0 this weekend.

Gboro and Guilford will play 2 games at the new stadium. I agree with some of the names on the list of who could play some pro ball, but, come out and watch Gboro play and you'll see at least 5 or 6 kids who have potential.

Quote from: BuchNasty on February 10, 2009, 07:18:35 PM
Gboro and Guilford will play 2 games at the new stadium. I agree with some of the names on the list of who could play some pro ball, but, come out and watch Gboro play and you'll see at least 5 or 6 kids who have potential.

Well looks like I need to make sure I see a lot of Gboro games this year.  Where else can I see so many prospects in one place.  Thanks for the inside info. 

Catfish,
I am driving to Greensboro for NCWC's game.  Have you got word on where is NCWC playing?  I am guessing from some teams websites that we play Bridgewater at Guilford College and RMC at New Bridge Bank Park.  Not sure where they play Guilford Sunday...

I am not sure of all the locations for this weekend.  I will be staying local this weekend so I did not get any on the schedules this weekend. 
Guess I will see you at the Tourney of Champions NCWC is hosting.  The 1999 team has been challenged to a game versus the 1989 National Championship team.

I know it must sound cocky to say we have potential prospects but our 2b and cf both run around a 6.5, we have 3 pitchers who throw consistently in the high 80s and one one has been clocked at 91 92 in the summer, and a very good hitting team.if anything, we are worth a look.

Quote from: BuchNasty on February 11, 2009, 01:32:29 AM
I know it must sound cocky to say we have potential prospects but our 2b and cf both run around a 6.5, we have 3 pitchers who throw consistently in the high 80s and one one has been clocked at 91 92 in the summer, and a very good hitting team.if anything, we are worth a look.

I think I maybe making a trip to see u guys when you play Wesleyan the weekend of March 14th. 

1. Gary Bulman, RHP (VWC)
2. Trae Bailey, SS (CNU)
3. Ben Moore, RHP (NCWC)
4. Cameron Grant, OF (LC)
5. Kyle Bradley, 2B (LC)

Out of all 5 Id say Bulman has the best chance to make it, he has a big frame with good velocity, a litte erratic at times but he is still young.

Moore, Grant, and Bradley are all undersized and probably wont be given a serious look, I think Moore and Bradley would have no chance anyways. Grant has some good skills but is still undersized and not really a power threat.

Bailey is the most skilled player of them all. Decent size, however if he were to get a chance to play i dont think it would be at SS, maybe 3rd base, but he is not a power guy really. Hitting 7 or 8 homeruns in D3 baseball with aluminium isnt that big of a deal. If he were given a chance I think he would do alright in the minors.

Good luck to all the teams this year in this Challenge I hope they have this every year.  Hopefully they can get more teams in this challenge next year. 

I think I read on a site that instead of 3 teams, there will be 7 teams from each conference playing each other next year and they will play in Cary, NC.

Quote from: LTHSdad on February 13, 2009, 05:02:58 PM
I think I read on a site that instead of 3 teams, there will be 7 teams from each conference playing each other next year and they will play in Cary, NC.

would that be at the USA Baseball site?

Quote from: LTHSdad on February 13, 2009, 05:02:58 PM
I think I read on a site that instead of 3 teams, there will be 7 teams from each conference playing each other next year and they will play in Cary, NC.

Sure hope LC is one of those team playing. 

QuoteGREENSBORO, N.C. - Guilford College's baseball team completed a perfect weekend in the inaugural USA South/Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Challenge with wins over Greensboro College and Averett University Sunday. The Quakers improved to 4-1 for the first time since 2001 and were the unofficial challenge champions as the lone team with a 3-0 record in the six-team event. Bridgewater College and Randolph-Macon College both posted 2-1 records as the ODAC won seven of the nine games played in three different city venues.

http://www.d3baseball.com/pressreleases/Guilford/2009/02/15/Guilford-Goes-3-0-In-USA-SouthODAC-Challenge/3543

The ODAC-USAS Challenge disappointed me a little bit. The ODAC showed up and the USAS didn't really bother to. RMC and Guilford looked really good. Bridgewater stole one from GC and showed a lot of heart while doing that. NWC looks like they may struggle this year. Ben Moore will have to be the HERO for them. But I think he can do that. He is a fighter and can really battle. Averett and Greensboro looked about the same. Greensboro is very inconsistent and seems to have some issues. Losing a 7 run lead in the 9th inning must have cast some doubts in the minds of their players. Especially since the majority of the starters were watching the downfall from the bench. Averett's pitching staff looked decent at best. I really think they could be in the cellar again this year...Great job Quakers!!!

I dont want to dissagree with you on that, the USAS got beaten pretty bad in the tournament.  But as far as what you said about averett, one of their pitchers missed the entire weekend and another was just getting over MRSA and had not thrown in over a week.  not to mention some of the better hitters missed the first weekend and are just getting into the swing of things.

I really wouldn't count any teams out at this point. Its really too early to say "this team will be last." Cal State Fullerton, starts with worst record in school history a couple of years ago, that year they go virtually undefeated the rest of the year and win the cws.

I was really disappointed at USA South results this past weekend.  Best offense I have seen so far this season is Salisbury.  It seemed every player was 6'3" and 220 lbs.  M. Celenza and A. Miller will be 1st team All Americans if they keep pounding the ball they way they are.  Not too far behind was the Guilford offense.  They sure raked the ball this past weekend.  The DH Wooten is a monster at the plate, I was trully impressed. 
Best pitching I have seen so far this season has been Salisbury with Dustin Herbert and Kyle Judson on the mound doing a great job.  I was also impressed by Byron Mendenhall of Randolph Macon...2 hit NC Wesleyan for 6 innings until he got hit by line drive and had to leave...long season to go...

To randomguy: At the end of the day, Averett will always be just that, Averett. I understand you pitch for them, and if I remember correctly Ben, you not half bad on the mound. Unfortunately, there isn't much talent around you. Best of luck though.

To BoJam: I say again, please quit posting. You're not the real BoJam. Go back to the JV squad and keep working. By the way, I noticed you guys split with Suffolk CC. Impressive  ;D

To LTHSdad: Salisbury sounds legit. Sound be a great match up this weekend between them and the #1 team in the nation. Cortland State might have their hands full. By the way, its Kyle Wooden you are talking about for Guilford. The big lefty is killing the ball right now. Hope it continues today.

I see that Shenandoah has already posted their 2010 schedule with the ODAC-USAS opponents.  Has anyone else seen the rest of the match ups?

CNU is in the USAC-ODAC Challenge but not sure of the tournament schedule. CNU's tentative nonconference opponents for 2010,  among others, are University of Texas-Tyler, University of Texas-Dallas, Mary Hardin Baylor, Rowan, Piedmont, Salisbury, York, Stevenson, with regular season games against ODAC foes VWC, HSC, Bridgewater, and RMC. A few more games will be added but it's a pretty tough nonconference schedule.

that's a very impressive list for non-conference games....Harvell has never ran away from playing top teams.

Quote from: hokieone on August 07, 2009, 08:05:52 AM
CNU is in the USAC-ODAC Challenge but not sure of the tournament schedule. CNU's tentative nonconference opponents for 2010,  among others, are University of Texas-Tyler, University of Texas-Dallas, Mary Hardin Baylor, Rowan, Piedmont, Salisbury, York, Stevenson, with regular season games against ODAC foes VWC, HSC, Bridgewater, and RMC. A few more games will be added but it's a pretty tough nonconference schedule.

Non-region games in bold.  Good schedule, but those will not directly help them, come tourney consideration.

USAS-ODAC Challenge will be played in Richmond. CNU plays Guilford, Lynchburg, and Washington and Lee. Games will be played in Ashland area, using Randolph Macon's field and some close by high school fields.

Why is that?  What happened with Cary, NC?

No idea, but it shortens my drive considerably so I'm all for it!

Hokieone,
I am with you...instead of 4 hours I am now looking at 1 1/2 hrs from Norfolk, VA...good deal.  Any word on when the entire schedule is coming out?  Looking to see who NCWC plays.

Hokie One:  That is really good news - makes the drive less than an hour for us.  Any idea which HS fields they will use? 

Who cares how far you have to drive.  Ask your kids this question.  Would you rather play on a H.S. field or at the Team USA Baseball Complex?  I personally would rather watch a game at the Team USA Baseball Complex then a HS field in Richmond or Randolph-Macon's football field.

I'd hate to see what the H.S. fields look like in the beginning of Feb.  The High School teams don't even play in Virginia till the middle of March.  Richmond area is going to be very very cold, possibly snow.  I believe Randolph-Macon had some games ppd last year in Feb due to snow.

Should be interesting.

  I'm told that Deep Run and Hanover High School fields will be used, along with RMC.

  Our grass at CNU is actually "greened up" somewhat in February, although it gets better and better as spring rolls in. I have no knowledge about how things work in Richmond. I suspect it will not be warm and toasty. With games in February ever year, I just assume it will be cold and windy, and then rejoice the occasions when it's more seasonable. According to Accuweather, normal high for Richmond for the scheduled dates is 49, with overnight low of 29.  I can handle 49 degrees but sure hope we don't have to play in any 29 degree stuff. Greensboro's normal high for the same dates is only 5 degrees higher.

Let's all hope for an early unseasonable heat wave!

Well,  I suppose my wife and I care about the drive - not sure I care if anyone else does.   I do agree with Hokie - I doubt the kids really care which field they play on in early Feb unless it's Texas, Florida, or California.  We've played in Myrtle Beach at that time of year and frozen our rear's off.    I just hope it's only cold and not raining/sleeting/snowing.  Probably go through several of the composite bats too. 

CNU will hopefully get a few games in the relative warmth of Texas on 2/5 - 2/6.   While I'm sure nobody cares, we won't be driving to those. 

Economically probably makes more sense to go to Richmond. A more centralized location for all parties.  Cary, NC/Team USA Baseball Complex just sounded like an awesome idea and a great place to host this tournament at one venue. Who wouldn't want to play hear.

http://web.usabaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080618&content_id=33892&vkey=news_usab


I am looking forward to the challenge.  I think this tournament is going to be great for both conferences.  Cnference pride on the line, some great match-ups and DIII baseball at its best.

Falcon:  I agree that complex looks great.  Maybe next year after Shenandoah leaves the USAS, the challenge will go down there.  At that point CNU becomes the northernmost team in USAS and it might make more sense.   Of course there are 5-6 ODAC teams that are north of CNU so maybe not.  I bet if they lose a bunch of games to weather in Richmond, there will be more of a push to go further south next year. 

Ferrum "might" be a little more northern, hard to tell on the map, but the stadium at Cary does look like it would be worth a trip.

Anyone seen the final schedule for 2010 ODAC/USAC Challenge?  I am trying to find out who NCWC plays.

CNU has their 3 games listed on their schedule:

USA South ODAC Challenge
2/13-14/2010    Guilford  Richmond, VA 3:00  Details 
2/13-14/2010    Lynchburg  Richmond, VA 11:00  Details 
2/14-14/2010    Washington-Lee  Richmond, VA 5:00  Details 

Looks like 3 good ballgames

I notice that a couple teams have posted locations (Guilford shows games at Petersburg, Hanover HS and RMC - RMC shows games at RMC, Hanover and Deep Run).   None of the USAS teams seem to have locations posted.  Is there a consolidated list?  It would be nice to catch as may games as we can down there.

Here's the schedule shown as of this morning on the ODAC website:

Sat. Feb. 13:

Methodist vs. RMC                    11am (site TBD)
Shenandoah vs. VWC               11am (Petersburg Sports Complex)
NCWC vs. Bridgewater             11am (Petersburg Sports Complex)
Lynchburg vs. CNU                   11am (Richmond -- TBD)

Greensboro vs. RMC                 2:30pm (Richmond -- TBD)
W&L vs. Averett                        2:30pm (RMC, Ashland)
Ferrum vs. VWC                        2:30pm (Deep Run HS, Glen Allen)
CNU vs. Guilford                        3pm (Richmond -- TBD)

Shenandoah vs. Lynchburg      6pm (Deep Run HS, Glen Allen)
Methodist vs. Bridgewater        6pm (Richmond -- TBD)
NCWC vs. Roanoke                   6pm (Petersburg Sports Complex)

Sun. Feb. 14:

Greensboro vs. Bridgewater     10am (Richmond -- TBD)
Roanoke vs. Averett                 10am (Deep Run HS, Glen Allen)
Ferrum vs. Gulford                    10am (Hanover HS, Mechanicsville)
NCWC vs. W&L                         10am (Petersburg Sports Complex)

Lynchburg vs. Averett               1:30pm (Petersburg Sports Complex)
Shenandoah vs. Guilford           1:30pm (RMC, Ashland)
Greensboro vs. VWC                 2pm (TBD)
Roanoke vs. Methodist              2pm (Richmond -- TBD)

Ferrum vs. RMC                          5pm (Deep Run HS, Glen Allen)
W&L vs. CNU                              5pm (Richmond -- TBD)

There's also a few "TBD" games listed on the ODAC site where the opponents, times and locations are all TBD -- W&L has at least two of those.  Also, some of this above doesn't jibe with what's on the individual schools' schedule websites, but that's mostly just the times -- opponents and locations seem to be consistent.

In any event, we're going to see some good baseball in the Challenge in less than 3 weeks...

WOW, both the USA-South and ODAC teams will find out where they stand right out of the gate!

Looks like some GREAT baseball to be played.

What are the chances that any of the fields will be  for these games? Richmond got a lot of snow and the melting is going to be rather slow based upon the forecast for the next few days.

Well games are not until the following weekend, should be plenty of time for snow to get out of dodge (I hope!).  Current accuweather is calling for temps to be 42-44 and cloudy on those 2 days.  Not too bad if it holds up.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Weather in Richmond is supposed to be sunny and in the low 40's all this week; just right for a good slow melt which should let it seep into the ground rather than making mudpuddles out of the infield/outfield.

I suspect, however, that this coming weekend's games for many of the teams in the USAC and ODAC won't get played...

With upcoming weather predictions, I am betting that USA-South / ODAC gets banged.  Cannot imagine those HS fields being ready.

What's the backup plan?

Snow, snow go away!  :'(

Weather for Southern California with heavy rain prediction could postpone games scheduled for Friday/Saturday/Sunday for the SCIAC conference and the Independent teams in the area.

Good luck on that snow thing also.... for the ODAC-USAC....

Latest predictions are several inches of snow/wintry mix in Richmond this weekend, with maybe another storm coming in sometime next week.  With the season openers this weekend for many of the teams in both conferences and only 8 days to go before the ODAC-USAC Challenge, it sounds unlikely that we'll be watching any baseball either this weekend or next weekend...

What is this, New England???  Enough with the snow already!!

Ominous posting on Greensboro's website today:

"Additionally, The Pride is expecting changes on next weekend's USA South/ODAC Challenge scheduled for Richmond. Severe weather is predicted for Virginia."

Maybe they could move the ODAC-USAC Challenge to Connecticut...I hear they're not getting much snow/ice up there this winter...    :P

Piedmont-Guilford Sat-Sun games at Piedmont were moved to Sun-Mon.  Forecast is sunny and 40s.  Piedmont has a great facility and they will move heaven and earth to get those games in.  Sunny and 40s sounds like February baseball...

What's the backup plan for the ODAC/USA-South challenge series?  

Com'on the entire state is getting dumped on with SNOW, how in the world is any field unless its a complete TURF going to be ready for Feb. 13th and 14th?

Last time, what's the backup plan, who's running this tourney?

I just been told that the tournament is cancelled.  Not sure what will happen for make ups if any will happen.  Teams will most likely schedule games somewhere else to make up for the lost weekend.

From the Methodist athletic website,

Methodist and Bridgewater will now be playing a 3-game series at Methodist Feb 13-14.

I guess other teams will make up games on their own accord.

As I understand it, Teams are working with each other to set up series on dry fields but Richmond is apparently out, as is the ODAC-USAS challenge. There will be I guess a whole bunch of "mini-challenges".

NCWC is looking at traveling up to Virgina Wesleyan next weekend to play them in a double header. That's not for sure yet, with the weather, it's all up in the air.

Here is the post for MU website:

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist baseball team has adjusted their schedule for the next two weekends and fans should take note to plan accordingly.

This weekend, the Monarchs will kick off the 2010 campaign at LaGrange College, but the games have been pushed back a day to Sunday and Monday at 1 p.m.

Next weekend, Methodist was originally scheduled to play in the ODAC/USA South Challenge hosted by Randolph-Macon, but due to heavy winter weather in the area, the tournament has been split up amongst a number of sites. The Monarchs will host Bridgewater College in a three-game series at Armstrong-Shelley Field beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. The final game will take place Sunday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m.

Lynchburg and Greensboro are playing three this weekend in Greensboro; looks like the ODAC-USAC Challenge is not being rescheduled.  Bummer...

Wish the Challenge wouldnt have gotten canceled. I was looking forward to some great baseball. Was Really looking forward to the Shenandoah vs. Lynchburg showdown with probably 2 future draft picks both starting on the mound in Greg Van Sickler for Shenandoah and Bryan Breedlove for Lynchburg. Would have been a great game. Also was looking forward to seeing methodist (Jordan, Ingraham), cnu, vwc (Bulman).