BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Dagger]

If point had a game tomorrow it would be richter at first, cummings at 2nd and bloom behind the dish.

[cubs]

Well it's official....  The WIAC Tournament is going back to being hosted by the regaular season champion starting this season. 

Also, it is being propsed that the #1 and #2 seeds will have to be beaten twice to be eliminated, whereas the #3 and #4 seeds will be out after their first loss.  It makes the regualr season, all the more important now!!

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/statecolleges.html

[Just Bill]

Interesting format.  So essentially it's eliminating Game 1 and Game 2 and starting in the second round with the #3 and #4 seeds already in the "loser's bracket".

The best part is that since the tournament is now only 4 or 5 games long, there no need to make that loser's bracket team try to win three 9-inning games in the same day.  I don't know for sure, but I'm assuming it goes like this.

Friday
Game 1 - #1 seed vs. #2 seed
Game 2 - #3 seed vs. #4 seed (loser emliminated)
Game 3 - Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 winner (loser eliminated)

Saturday
Game 4 - Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner (First Championship game)
Game 5 - Rematch, if necessary (Second Championship game)

Certainly puts a premium on getting the top two seeds!

[BigPoppa]

This set-up really puts a premium on the WIAC regular season. Winning the #1 vs #2 seed game just about wraps it up as the loser would have to win three straight games to advance.

[batboy]

I think that this new conference tournament rule is terrible! That's like saying the wild card teams in the MLB only have to get beat twice.  Its wrong.  What is the point of having a tournament if everyone isn't on the same playing field?  They should take this rule out, because it's taking away from the excitement of tournament play.  Look what Stevens Point did in 2006, they were the 4th seed, lost their first game to WW, then won the tournament and advanced to the World Series.  If this rule stands, which it shouldn't, it won't be around very long!

[Dagger]

I like the fact that the winner of the conference gets to host, you need something to reward the guys that win conference.  People were getting upset because it was always at UWO or WW with a SP mixed in here and there...but tough luck.  I don't like the format of the tournament though, that just makes it really unfair for the 3 and 4 seeds.  I see them doing this almost to ensure that the team that wins or takes 2 in the conference gets the automatic bid!  That's terrible...if the those top two teams deserve to play on and can handle the pressure of big games then they should have no problem moving on in the tournament fair and square.  the wiac only sends the top 4 teams to the tournament anyway so even if the 4 seed won the tournament and got the automatic bid they would still be able to compete in a regional.  I don't understand the rationale behind this new format, it needs to go!  I do like the conference champs hosting though!  We'll get it figured out sooner or later...

[Titan20]

I also like the champion team hosting.  i think that is one of the biggest advantages of winning the conference now.  i agree it is unfair as well to the 3 and 4, but i like the overall new idea. 

as for oshkosh, mickey will most likely only play 2nd, depending on his arm and if it gets better...and how fast.  as for sebesta, his defense will be the key.  Either him or Blake will be DH.  If sebestas defense is good enough, then he will be at 3rd and blake at dh.  If he cant play good defense, then he will dh with blake in left field.  That is what i think will happen.  Line up has many different options so should be interesting. 
top 4 pitching-rubens, demmin, kanny, matson/kuepper
1-9 BA-N. Fadness, M. Fadness, B. Demmin, B. Berger, J. Fosler, Jirsh, Sebesta, p. Berg, D. Hirosky
possible others, b. wetencamp, m. wapoose, and a couple freshman all are in the mix.
If UWO played a game tomorrow, i think that would be the lineup.

[batboy]

Thanks for the update Titan20. 

Stevens Point apparently has 3 possible starters at 3rd base; Brent Kakwitch, Josh Krueger, and Kevin Thomas (who is now strictly a position player).  As for catcher, it will most likely be Considine and Bloom splitting time to start the season, but that could change. 

[BaseballFan]

Also, it is being propsed that the #1 and #2 seeds will have to be beaten twice to be eliminated, whereas the #3 and #4 seeds will be out after their first loss.  It makes the regualr season, all the more important now!!

Well hopefully whoever is trying to make this decision isnt on the NCAA committee because they would probably like to bring back 7 team regionals too.

Wouldnt be surprised if Oshkosh, Point, and Whitewater are behind this to give them an advantage in the playoffs--just an outside perspective

[poly god]

From what I seen this fall, Points' areas of concern are the infield and behind the plate. Whoever can hit is gonna play. Pitching should be solid.

[OshDude]

Finally back at a campus field? Sweet! I understand how the monetary end of things made Rapids attractive, but as fans we often don't care – maybe to a fault. I hope the WIAC can somehow make up the cash difference and make this a lasting change. I'm sure it was a tough decision for many considering what I assume is a tiny budget (relatively speaking) for baseball. But I think the loss of those windfall dollars is well worth the sense it makes in competitive terms. Kudos to Karner for allowing the change.

In a related note, Lechnir, one of the proponents of the tournament change, will be inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame this weekend. Lechnir joins fellow Titan coach Russ Tiedemann in the WBCA HOF. Congrats, coach!

[Dagger]

Well hopefully whoever is trying to make this decision isnt on the NCAA committee because they would probably like to bring back 7 team regionals too.

Wouldnt be surprised if Oshkosh, Point, and Whitewater are behind this to give them an advantage in the playoffs--just an outside perspective
[/quote]


I'm not sure if you've noticed over the past 7 years or so or not, but the WIAC doesn't seem to need any advantages in the playoffs to get a team to the series!  That is ridiculous to think that is the driving force behind it, not to mention the coaches don't have anything to say about the format of the tourney.  Bloom is on the midwest selection committee, I believe he's the only WIAC coach in such a position but I could be wrong.  But even so that has nothing to do with how the rounds will be played, just who is playing. 

[Just Bill]

This set-up really puts a premium on the WIAC regular season. Winning the #1 vs #2 seed game just about wraps it up as the loser would have to win three straight games to advance.

True, but at least they don't have to win three straight games on the same day.  In the past to come from the losers bracket meant playing two games on Friday and then winning three in a row on Saturday. I don't think that's any more fair than this setup.

[TitanBystander]

I'm probably in the minority with my opinion on this subject, but I'm OK with the tournament format change.  I've always believed in season championships being more important and higher prestige than tournament championships.  IMO the "best team" is that team which does it over the long haul.  Tournament championships reward the "hot team".  I hold teams that win consistently over a number of games in higher regard.  My opinion only.    

First (The easy one) allowing the regular season champ to host the tournement on campus is a great idea.  As stated before, I believe the regular season champ deserves something and hosting is a big deal.  It sure is a better idea more holding the tournament at a "neutral" site like Rapids.  FYI - you'll never convince me that Point didn't have a distinct advantage when Rapids hosted.  You can argue all you want, but I'll just point out that despite not winning a regular season title, Point goes 4 for 4 in the tournament when hosted in Rapids.  Again - the "hot team" gets the rewards & the "Best team" gets the shaft.  Just ask the '06 Whitewater team how they felt about staying home during the regional despite winning the regular season championship.  

I'm also OK with the format change.  We all know the rules before the season starts so if you want the benefit of not having the "1 & done" noose around your neck, then you have to win or place second in the regular season.  Rewarding teams for their consistent play and depth during the regular season is not a bad thing.  I mention depth because the format of the WIAC regular season (4 game weekends) tends to favor teams who are deep - particularly in the pitching staff.  Again - I consider these to be the best "teams".    Tournaments can be dominated by teams that have a couple of stud pitchers which really doesn't (IMO) demonstrate team depth.      

So...Fire away.  These are my opinions and by the way - they won't change even if Oshkosh is saddled with the "1 & Done" rule.  Get it done all season long & things will work themselves out.  

[badgerwarhawk]

Wouldnt be surprised if Oshkosh, Point, and Whitewater are behind this to give them an advantage in the playoffs--just an outside perspective

Too funny.  Did you see the shooter behind the grassy knoll?