Quote from: AGMAN on May 19, 2008, 01:36:22 AM
There is little doubt venue can have a huge effect on the outcome of the game.  It goes beyond not having to travel, or being able to sleep in your own bed at night in the comfort of your home, or having access to your own refrigerator and the type and quantity of food you are accustomed to.  Anyone that argues with ‘home field advantage’ really has not studied, much less played the game.  Subtle nuances such as being familiar with how prevailing wind patterns affect fly balls; being accustomed to a slow or fast infield;  being adapted to a sandy or tight base path; and certainly for pitchers, the mound height and characteristics.  Teams are built around playing conditions such as these, just look at the Colorado Rockies and their pitching staff.

For example the West regional was held at a truly amazing park, possibly the best D3 park I have seen, but I am told the mound was very difficult because of its height and slope.  (I can only assume it was regulation height but I heard it jokingly referred to as the mountain instead of the mound.)  Even though the host team did not win the West regional, their pitchers could have had a distinct advantage because they were accustomed to the mound if it indeed had unique characteristics. 

I am amazed the NCAA does not partner with professional baseball to have these tournaments at parks that truly would be neutral.  It would negate all the bickering and put everyone on a “level playing field”.   It could also create even more memories for the players that have earned the opportunity to play at this level of competition.

I am so sick and tired of hearing everyone bring up the fact about Chapman hosting the regionals for the last 5 years and that the reason they have won 5 regional titles in 6 years is because of "home cooking", etc, etc.  The bottom line is that Chapman University is THE premier D3 Baseball school in the nation as of this moment.  Sure, they "only" have one National Title to show for their last 4 appearances, but it truly is hard to win at that level.  Running into the National Champs in 05' (UW-Whitewater) and losing a 8-7 heartbreaker after blowing a 5-0 lead in the 2nd, the Nat'l Champs in 06' ( Marietta 10-4 in 3rd game of tourney) and then last year to Kean (07' Nat'l Champs) 3-1 when Joe Augustine struck out 12 hitters and is now in Double A and doing very well.  To tell you the truth, I would be willing to bet any amount of money that if Chapman did not face 2004 Pitcher of the Year and 7th round NY Mets draft pick Scott Hyde from George Fox in the opening game of the 2004 West Regionals that we would be sitting here talking about Chapman being in 6 straight World Series.  The program is far away the most consistent in the nation year in and year out.  Sure, the Cortland Sts, Emorys, Keans, ECSUs, Whitewaters, Stevens Points have had some great teams, but no one has been Top 3 every year, 35+ wins, 5 WS appearances, numerous individual stars (ERA leaders, Wins leaders, Players of the Year, Draft Picks, etc) like Chapman has.

It makes me sick when people on these message boards say and do two things to knock down and disrespect Chapman
1) question them hosting the regionals so often the last 5 years

ANSWER:  The team that has the best regular season and a dynamite playing field (by the way, ask Japan and South Korea what they think of Hart Park when they used it as their practice facility for the World Baseball Classic...) deserves to host the Regional.  Its the same reason why the Boston Celtics in the NBA now, why UNC in D1 baseball, why the Red Sox in the ALCS get to have their home advantage ----those teams had the best regular seasons and should be rewarded so by hosting

2) the whole notion about abusing arms and ruining player's futures.  I have read INFIELDDADs comments for years now, and while he is very educated, thoughtful and offers great insight, I HATE reading between the lines about how Scannell manages his pitchers better than Chapman does.  Because, really, in the long run, how many of these great D3 pitchers make anything of themselves at higher levels anyways???  Washburn, Billy Wagner, Jason Hirsh are about the only D3 guys to make an impact at the MLB level.  I guarantee the good pitchers that never had a chance in Appleton because their coach "saved" and "protected" their arm during the season and regionals would gladly trade their 1-2 seasons grinding it out in cities like Rome, GA, Lancaster, CA, etc for a shot at a ring and eternal greatness and memories. Chapman gets it done time and time again and should not be questioned for anything.  They win, every year, every regional and what happens in Appleton is really up to the breaks and games those 5 days.  it just so happens they have 1 Title to show for their string of success when they easily could be going for their 5th next week.  Maybe Chapman should move to D1 and play in the WCC with Pepperdine, LMU, USD, etc because I also guarantee within 5-7 years Chapman would be a USD and a national power.  Recruiting to a gorgeous school in Orange County, CA with the resources at hand would lead to a dominant program.  Now is that going to happen?? Probably not because the school wants to have a football team and things are not aligned to move up Divisions.

So where does all this leave us???  it leaves us with Chapman yet again catching a Wednesday flight to Appleton, WI and hopefully show the nation what West coast baseball is all about.  here's to a great WS and Chapman dogpiling at 2:32ET on Tuesday.....

If you guys were asking people who read/post on this board what and how many World Series' they have been to I thought I'd throw my list out there, one that could be tough to duplicate.  I was on the 2003' National Champion team as well in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 World Series'.  If not for a 2-1 loss in the 04' Regionals to one of the best D3 pitchers of all-time (Hyde from George Fox), I'd love to think I could have been a part of a World Series team every year I played in college (medical redshirt in 06' but was the 4th coach).  I definitely was blessed to be a part of a successful and consistent program that found a way to win year in and year out.  Getting to Appleton 4 times never got old; everyone involved with the tournament were tremendous and gracious hosts.  Its amazing the caliber of people (from the Oshkosk & Lawrence people to the Timber Rattlers ground crew to the host families to the Paper Valley hotel people) who donate their time so selflessly to make the tournament run at such a high level.  Being away from small-school baseball has been tough, but I, as do many others who post on this board, have enough memories to last a lifetime.

P.S.  I have to admit I took some satisfaction out of my alma mater beating the 07 National Champs last night 19-2, maybe extracting a tad revenge for our loss last year in Appleton.  By the way, that Kean team last year was legit, you're not going to find many pitchers better than Augustine and Zeffiro.

Quote from: Just_Some_Guy on May 11, 2007, 09:39:45 PM

Quote from: canpickit on May 11, 2007, 09:14:45 PM
I have been reading and listening to opinions on where the West Regional is going to be played the last couple of days.  With it looking more and more likely that 3 Texas teams are going to get in (TLU, UTD and Austin), I'd say there is at least a 75% chance the regionals will be held at McMurray.  My only feeling is that after looking at the 10 day weather report for Abilene, it looks like rain, thundershowers and more rain non-stop.  I think it would be an ultimate travesty if the regional was in Texas and teams and games were affected by the weather.  I know Chapman has hosted the regionals the last 4 years, but they do a good job running them, the weather is going be perfect (blue skies and high 80's temps), the field is gorgeous, there is plenty of lodging and the school and administration know how to run the thing like the back of their hand.  I think in a year where Chapman will be the #1 seed and weather could be a factor, playing the games in CA makes the most sense.  Also, I think if George Fox makes it, that might play into the picture and the fact maybe Austin gets shipped to the South region if only Millsaps OR Rhodes gets a Pool C.  I don't know, all I do know is that it would be brutal if a West Region team started their ace in a game, and he went 4 and then it started pouring and it altered everything and they couldn't bring that guy back, I think it would affect all 6 or 7 teams drastically.  Anyways, McMurray's stadium is legit and a great place to play, I just think more attention should be paid to weather, who the #1 seed is and logisitics.  I think money is a huge factor as always.  Any thoughts on if weather or Fox or 6 vs 7 team regional will affect location?

Honestly the weather isn't something I've thought much about, but it does look like the weather gets pretty gross after Wednesday in Abilene.  That said, I just don't know that it is a viable reason to have the regional at Hart Park again. IF three Texas teams get in I would like to see the regional in McMurry. We can argue the logistics of it all we want, but my favorite part about it being a neutral site would be that ALL of the teams will be on the road. I would think that it would be advantageous to be playing at your home park where you have all of your fans and you're able to go home and get a good nights sleep in your own bed instead of crashing in a hotel room with 3 other guys.

The facilities at McMurry are certainly nicer than they are at Hart Park.

Money is obviously one of the primary factors the NCAA is going to look at.

The thing is IF I was a Chapman player I would want the opportunity to say, "Look, everyone has said that we get such an advantage playing at our home park.  Well this is how talented our team is, (i.e Drag, Kitchens, Yacko, Cavan, Dean, etc.) and we can win wherever we go."  I would want the chance to prove people wrong and get rid of that stigma surrounding that advantage the last few years. IF I was a probable starting pitcher in this thing    I would take greater pleasure in getting a big dub on the road, but that's just me.

Some_Guy

Thanks for giving me your thoughts on my post about the weather and if any attention is paid to it.  I am not saying that I/We do not want to travel to Texas, I was just throwing out another idea/thought for people to consider.  I mean, you tell me how great it would be waiting around 4 hours to play a delayed game or start a game and then have to resume it later.  Trust me, I have been there done that numerous times in Appleton (see 2005 World Series).  Also, I really believe Hart Park is a better playing surface, I will say McMurry has a sweet stadium, but as far as playing surface, Hart Park is way better.  Shoot, the Angels used it as a practice facility when they hosted the WBC last spring.  About your comment about winning on the road and proving people wrong, I will say that we are ready for such, but maybe because I am new to this board I am foreign to the "Chapman has a huge advantage" talk that goes on according to you.  If that is the case, if people believe we have a monstrous advantage playing at home and that is why we have been in 3 of the last 4 World Series', then get our team on the next plane to Texas so it is a completely neutral site and even playing field.  All I was doing was throwing out a concern that should be paid attention to, I was not saying we are bitter if we don't host or anything like that.  Shoot, I would love staying in a hotel, bonding with the guys even more, meal money, flying, win on the road, all the stuff that will go on. 

Quote from: Just_Some_Guy on May 11, 2007, 05:07:11 PM

Quote from: Blackcat00 on May 10, 2007, 12:31:25 PM
Also what I noticed that is unbeleivable is how Coach Mike Gardner from Concordia hsnt received coach of the year at all. That be saying hes the only coach from the ASC conference to reach the Div3 World Series. Makes you think is there some bias because they love Mueller at TLU and they are the Buffolo Bills of the ASC when it comes to the REgionals.

I'm trying to discern how this is pertinent information at all. TLU's Miller wasn't even coach of the year this year. The coach of the year was Wells from UMHB who got them to the playoffs. It had been the same four teams for the last few years.  It's hard to argue with the success Miller has had winning at least 30 games every year for the last 15 years, and 6 of the last 7 ASC West titles. Miller, Driggers, Gardner, and Coleman off have solid track records, and YES Concordia is the only ASC team to make to a Div III world series, but it's hard to argue with the success the Bulldogs have had the last couple of years.

Some_Guy

I have been reading and listening to opinions on where the West Regional is going to be played the last couple of days.  With it looking more and more likely that 3 Texas teams are going to get in (TLU, UTD and Austin), I'd say there is at least a 75% chance the regionals will be held at McMurray.  My only feeling is that after looking at the 10 day weather report for Abilene, it looks like rain, thundershowers and more rain non-stop.  I think it would be an ultimate travesty if the regional was in Texas and teams and games were affected by the weather.  I know Chapman has hosted the regionals the last 4 years, but they do a good job running them, the weather is going be perfect (blue skies and high 80's temps), the field is gorgeous, there is plenty of lodging and the school and administration know how to run the thing like the back of their hand.  I think in a year where Chapman will be the #1 seed and weather could be a factor, playing the games in CA makes the most sense.  Also, I think if George Fox makes it, that might play into the picture and the fact maybe Austin gets shipped to the South region if only Millsaps OR Rhodes gets a Pool C.  I don't know, all I do know is that it would be brutal if a West Region team started their ace in a game, and he went 4 and then it started pouring and it altered everything and they couldn't bring that guy back, I think it would affect all 6 or 7 teams drastically.  Anyways, McMurray's stadium is legit and a great place to play, I just think more attention should be paid to weather, who the #1 seed is and logisitics.  I think money is a huge factor as always.  Any thoughts on if weather or Fox or 6 vs 7 team regional will affect location?