Quote from: BBFan62 on December 18, 2010, 11:01:40 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on December 17, 2010, 04:52:26 PM
I just spent a very nostalgic hour re-reading the threads from last spring's CWS.  I again have a huge smile on my face from the Titan's 9-run 5th inning in the title game!

IWU picked up a great transfer in AJ Nathan from Lawrence. He was a teammate of Kevin Sullivan (HP '08)and Anthony Kopp (HP '09) at Highland Park HS. AJ set the season hit record at HP (66 hits in 33 games) and the BA season record, with .546 during his senior year at HP ('09). His primary position is catcher (1.80 pop time) but can be used as a closer, or play the infield. A great pickup of a great athlete for IWU.
My son played with them during HS, but attends college out East.

aj nahan hit .318 at lawrence university-- a team that went 7-29 last year, who played against very average teams in their own right...hopefully he helps the titans

hahha Congrats to all players who have been honored...

A special congrats to COY Fitzgerald. I am confident NCC will be in the CCIW tourney annually as long as he is there. NPU has also proved to be a true challenger.

CCIWFAN, your guess is as good as mine. As long as the pitching and defense shows up every inning for the Titans, they can get deep. I just hope they still have the right mindset and are not satisfied with being participants in Appleton.

Quote from: DirtyJersey on March 02, 2010, 09:17:47 PM

Quote from: CCIWFAN6 on March 02, 2010, 03:27:58 PM
DirtyJersey,
You seem to have some good insight into IWU.  Anyone that could surprise us either on the mound or in the box this year?

The Titans always seem to have a pitcher step up out of nowhere, from Lapinksi to Dobosz to Aronson to Kulavic.  Who will be this years player?

CCIWFAN,

That is an interesting question. Kulavic will be back to his old form as long as he has no health issues. However, I believe Jason Pankau will bust into the CCIW spotlight this season on the bump for the Titans. I am not familiar with any of the newcomers who are expected to be in the IWU lineup starting this weekend.  Offensively, I believe the Titans may be a lot like this year's White Sox...without a lot of pop beside Ladd, McIntosh, and Moore and not  relying on the homerun (something the Weenies have relied on a lot in the past 8 seasons) .


I am sorry, but I am going to pat myself on the back for getting Pankau right (and nothing else correct beside McIntosh), even though it is no surprise he had success because he has such a live arm. Go Titans!!! Goodluck!!

I expect Wheaton and Carthage to be the best hitting teams all season long.

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on May 21, 2010, 03:22:39 PM
Lead back to 6; 14-8 with three outs to go.

IWU WINS AGAIN! With plenty of arms available and hot bats, you have got to love the Titans chances.

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on May 04, 2010, 09:43:28 PM

Quote from: HITandRUN463 on May 04, 2010, 09:30:55 PM
It's awesome to see a CCIW team (North Central) crack the Top 25!


Other News on NCC

- beat Univ. of Chicago today 11-5

- face Rockford tomorrow

Until the last week or two, it was years since the CCIW did NOT have one or more teams in the top 25.

Yeah, No kidding, this has been a disappointing season for a few CCIW who are used to competing for post-seaon positions. Before last year, Carthage, Augie, and IWU made back to back postseason appearances. NCC fans, welcome back to the party

This board has been sad lately. I think we have a few players on it or something.

These next 13 days of CCIW play will be very exciting even with all 4 teams clinched. IWU vs NCC, a possible first round matchup going at it the weekend before. I think this will be interesting as NCC will see Pankau and Kabbes, while IWU will be able to see Arenson and Kloss on the bump for a taste before a potential rematch.

Also, NPU vs Carthage, same story. Giovenco and Sparacino for NPU and Perez and co. for the Redmen.

Quote from: BigPoppa on April 30, 2010, 10:06:18 AM

Quote from: ChiSoxMan on April 30, 2010, 09:42:30 AM
What a pitcher's duel that NPU @ Wheaton DH was yesterday--NOT.

Game time 3:00 p.m. Teams left the field for the day around 10:30 p.m. Wow.

Why are they playing a Thurs/Fri series instead of the usual Fri/Sat for Wheaton?

My guess would be either graduation or weather

Quote from: The General Public on April 26, 2010, 12:53:44 AM

Quote from: warrior35 on April 24, 2010, 10:42:31 PM
Wow, NCC bats exploded today.  Rough start coming off an injury for Urbanowicz.  How much did the weather play into this game?  Wheaton is certainly in a tighter spot than I think they thought they would be after struggling against IWU and NCC so far.  Who knows what the final standings are going to be anymore?  I'm clueless!

Weather not so much...horrific umpiring played a much bigger role. Possibly one of the worst umped games, as home field umping definitely took place.  Wheaton walked 18 or so on the day with NCC walking only 1. That was definitely not because NCC's pitching was better.  It was a complete joke and the umpires should be ashamed.

Not to say NCC shouldnt have won, because they should have, but the umping did play a big role in the game.

CCIW umping is never any better than average. Playing through calls is part of the game, and is a small part of what makes baseball perfect. Of course, unless the umpires have a hidden agenda...but I could guarantee they're doing the best they can even if they stink

Quote from: warrior35 on April 23, 2010, 05:10:29 PM
First of all, I said that it's BECOMING a revenue sport.  I'm not sure that it ever will be at the D3 level.

Secondly, I'm not sure where you guys are getting your information, but it's really hard for me to believe that a lot of southern DI schools aren't breaking even... and if they're not, they really need to hire new marketing executives.  Most stadiums down there, and new DI baseball stadiums everywhere, rival minor league parks and seat 5,000 or more. For example, Florida State's average attendance has steadily been on the rise for years.  The latest data I could find showed an average home attendance of 3,305.  3,305 over 35 games, that's 115,680 fans a year.  I don't know what they charge, but even if it was just $5, that's just over $575,000 a year. I'm not involved with the daily operation of a baseball program, but I would hope that's enough money to at least break even.  College baseball is more popular now that it was in 2004, most of the numbers I've seen for attendance in the south from the past few years ranges between an average of 3,500-upwards of 6,000.  If you still don't agree, take a look at some of the stadiums that have been built/completely remodeled in the last 2 years...

http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/view.gal?id=41534 (UNC)
http://www.spinatour.com/usc2/tour.html (South Carolina)
http://www.thetigerblog.com/wp-content/gallery/alexbox/dsc_7470.jpg (LSU)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/480433897_c7ead79b45.jpg?v=0 (The Citadel)
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/tul/graphics/zephyr-field-main-lg.jpg (Tulane)
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=204893537 (Oregon)
http://www.mgoblue.com/view.gal?id=52685 (Michigan)

Yeah, having high attendance at college baseball games is great, but there are serious operating expenses when dealing with 30-40 baseball players, transportation, food, and a beautiful facility. Here is one article that I found to be interesting. There are hundreds of schools competing in college baseball who already understand the high costs that come with it, and wood bats would increase them...we all agree it seems, even though it would be a beautiful thing.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=120423505333048300

Quote from: CCIWFAN6 on April 23, 2010, 12:22:49 PM

Quote from: warrior35 on April 22, 2010, 05:15:26 PM
I don't disagree that composites would save money, and might be the best solution to the injury issue... however, in terms of the game of baseball, my experience with composite bats is that they significantly lack pop from other wood, especially Maple.  But, if injury is solely what you're going for then perhaps that's the best option for college baseball.  Perhaps composites have improved, but the Baum bats I swang a couple years ago were not good baseball bats if you're looking for a bat that performs well.  I guess that's the ethical dilemma at the heart of the issue, and it's hard to know what blend of performance and safety should be assumed.  I don't think college baseball is going to resort to safety balls anytime soon ;-) haha.  Considering how baseball is becoming a revenue sport at the D1 level, I find it hard to believe that the NCAA would sacrifice revenue for a very small degree of safety.  I think college baseball would suffer revenue if it didn't possess some of the offensive prowess it does from metal bats.  The general public just doesn't enjoy/respect the defensive side of the game anymore.

Not sure how many college AD's would agree with you that baseball is revenue sport.

Agreed CCIWFAN, there isn't an athletic director out there that relies on revenue from baseball. Articles I have read on this subject only have 2 powerhouse baseball programs (Oregon State and LSU) "out of the red" for the 2007 baseball season. Breaking even would be a blessing, and, at least at the major Division I level, bats are not a legitimate cost concern. However, at the D3 level, I am sure the switch away from metal would leave more of an eventual cost onto the player realistically. 

Quote from: HITandRUN463 on April 20, 2010, 02:49:56 PM
I think this is a huge week for CCIW matchups, so I dug up some stats that might be interesting.

               Avg.         ERA           Conf. Avg.  Conf. ERA         FLD %
   
Augustana      .332        4.36      .317             5.47                .938

Carthage        .359         5.63     .394             7.62               .950

Elmhurst          .327       9.30      .345             11.60             .943

Ill. Wesleyan   .263        6.10      .264            6.01                .952

Millikin            .286        7.14      .276           7.82                .940

North Central   .357        4.88      .369           7.13                .957

North Park       .336        4.32     .355             5.68              .962

Wheaton         .347        4.51      .338           5.67              .956


Anyone have any predictions for the games?  I personally cannot wait to watch Wheaton vs. NCC on live stats, and NPU vs. IWU, as well

           (Matchups)

*Wheaton vs North Central
*North Park vs. Ill. Wesleyan
*Augustana vs. Carthage
*Elmhurst vs. Millikin

What an exciting weekend of baseball upcoming!! Here is my source for the 95.5 MPH reference. http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=5108902&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dolney_buster%26id%3d5108902

Either way, throwing strikes, keeping hitters off-balance while locating the ball well leads to pitching success. I am going to take a crack at it predictions. Good point, Sager, Augie certainly seems out of the hunt without anything short of something Colorado Rockies-like  

Wheaton 2 out of 3 against NCC
IWU 2 out of 3 against NPU
Carthage sweeps Augustana
Elmhurst 2 out of 3 against Millikin

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on April 19, 2010, 07:21:08 PM
Anyone got any first-hand insight on IWU this season?  I've been studying the stats, but would like something more to interpret them.

Kraig Ladd was touted by some as a possible CCIW MVP - he is currently hitting .182, with a .250 slugging percentage.  Nagging injuries or just a horrible final season?

Brent Kulavic is currently 0-2 with an era of 6.03 (but he IS striking out >1 batter per inning, so I assume it is not physical, per se).  Was his sophomore season simply magic in action, or is he the ultimate 'hard-luck' story this year?

The team appears to be carried (to the extent that a 12-13 record for a perennial contender is being carried at all) by Jason Pankau (6-0, 2.15 era - the ONLY Titan pitcher with a winning record, and 2.80 era better than 2nd place) and Casey McIntosh (slugging % of .606 - he leads in RBIs with 31 [2nd is 19], and total bases with 60 [2nd is 35] - he has nearly as many HRs as the rest of the team combined).

Two other anomalies I'm intrigued by.  There are FIVE Titan regulars with on base % over .400, yet they can't score regularly.  And, after 25 games, the staff total for saves is ONE.

Any insights to go beyond the stats will be appreciated.

Mr. Ypsi,

IWU is an interesting topic. Brett Moore, their best ballplayer is out for the season, which has pushed another freshman into their lineup. IWUs young bats 9have been fairly weak besides the first baseman. Kraig Ladd is healthy, however, looking like a different hitter than the past 2 seasons. Kulavic is coming off Tommy John and just isn't the same pitcher.
If not for McIntosh and some timely hitting (considering they dont hit it very well), the Titans could be in worse shape. I am inclined to say their upperclassmen pitching staff and hitters will turn it up down the stretch. As for the saves, Martel is a guy who won't depend on a closer unless he succeeds every outing.

Also, Gregory Sager, Giovenco does not have a 96mph fastball. Last season Ubaldo Jimenez was the hardest throwing pitcher in MLB averaging a fastball at 95.5 mph. If Giovenco and Jimenez sit at the same velocity then I would have to say CCIW hitters are much more talented than I ever would have thought.  I have never heard of a flamethrower like that not going in the top 3 rounds!! Of course, he may have touched 96 a handful of times in his lifetime on hot summer days but it is safe to say he has a 91 mph fastball. And YES I have seen his throw several times since last season started. As Mr. B has shown he could very easily be 7-1. He is a great pitcher on a solid baseball team, nonetheless.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on April 16, 2010, 03:29:40 PM

Quote from: DirtyJersey on April 16, 2010, 02:49:58 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on April 16, 2010, 12:11:51 PM

Quote from: DirtyJersey on April 15, 2010, 10:23:37 PM
Jigsaw, I hate to rain on the NCC parade, however, NCC still has to play the 4 best teams in the cciw, according to preseason polls and common knowledge.

Only one of the five people who have posted their predictions of the final standings here over the past 24 hours has picked Augustana to make the playoffs, so it would seem that Augie's status as one of the four best teams in the CCIW is not "common knowledge" after all. In fact, you didn't pick Augie to finish in the top four, either, which means that you're contradicting yourself.

It's also interesting to note that two of the five prognosticators didn't pick Illinois Wesleyan to finish in the top four, either.

Augustana is still one of the four most talented ballclubs in the cciw. They will swing the bats every time they play, however, they have dug themselves in a hole too deep to climb out of. They are still a very dangerous team.

Augustana is sixth in runs scored, sixth in OBP, sixth in BA, seventh in slugging, and seventh in homers. "They will swing the bats every time they play"? If anything, it's Augie's pitching that is keeping it out of the bottom of the standings. (Augie's also dead last in fielding percentage.)

Last weekend Augie was swept in its own ballpark by a North Park team that you say is not one of the four most talented ballclubs in the CCIW. Only one of those three losses was close, and Augie was outscored by a combined tally of 26-11 in the series. And keep in mind that, as letsplay2 said, NPU has struggled on the mound since CCIW play began.

You say that Augie is one of the four best teams in the league. I say that they should prove it first.

Well done research. In my defense Augustana's pitching is 1st in CCIW play and the 3 teams they have played (IWU, Wheaton and NPU) are 2nd 3rd and 4th in pitching coming into the weekend. Maybe their bats will heat up?

Quote from: Gregory Sager on April 16, 2010, 12:11:51 PM

Quote from: DirtyJersey on April 15, 2010, 10:23:37 PM
Jigsaw, I hate to rain on the NCC parade, however, NCC still has to play the 4 best teams in the cciw, according to preseason polls and common knowledge.

Only one of the five people who have posted their predictions of the final standings here over the past 24 hours has picked Augustana to make the playoffs, so it would seem that Augie's status as one of the four best teams in the CCIW is not "common knowledge" after all. In fact, you didn't pick Augie to finish in the top four, either, which means that you're contradicting yourself.

It's also interesting to note that two of the five prognosticators didn't pick Illinois Wesleyan to finish in the top four, either.

Augustana is still one of the four most talented ballclubs in the cciw. They will swing the bats every time they play, however, they have dug themselves in a hole too deep to climb out of. They are still a very dangerous team.

Quote from: jigsaw54 on April 15, 2010, 07:35:57 PM
With 3 series down and 4 to go we are at the midpoint of the CCIW.  Before the start of this big weekend I want to hear some predictions for the final regular season standings.  Here are mine:

1. North Central
2. Carthage
3. Wheaton
4. North Park
5. IWU
6. Augustana
7. Millikin
8. Elmhurst 

Jigsaw, I hate to rain on the NCC parade, however, NCC still has to play the 4 best teams in the cciw, according to preseason polls and common knowledge. Kloss, Arenson, and Robinson are fine ballplayers. At best NCC takes 2 out of 3 from Augie and IWU. AT BEST! Kloss is a big game pitcher who will face every teams ace. I do not think he will go 4-0, leading me to believe that NCC only has a chance to win the series or 2 that Kloss wins. Goodluck to NCC because I would love some shakeup in the conference...I just don't think it will happen.

prediction
1. Carthage
2. Wheaton
3. NCC
4. IWU