BB: NWC: Northwest Conference

[Ralph Turner]

The reason that I like the post-season tournament is that it gives the 4th place team, perhaps a young team that is gelling late in the season, a chance to whet their appetite.  They come back the next season even hungrier.

I see three levels in the D-III conferences:

The top tier that is always contending for the title.
The hopeless bottom tier, where nothing has happened and the administration and AD have not blown the whole thing up with 3 sticks of dynamite in hopes of starting over.
The middle rung where the complacent programs and the falling programs and the rising programs are sorting things out.

The 4th place finisher that is getting better has a tangible experience on which to build for the next season.  For the sake of the student-athlete and what we are trying to accomplish in D-III, that is where the life lessons are learned.

[Piobark]

I too see the three tiers - but in the case of the NWC this year, the conference champ Whitworth is one of those regular tier three schools who has come out of nowhere to win.

I'd rather see them win than have the usual Tier 1s win in a short tourney.

[Ralph Turner]

I too see the three tiers - but in the case of the NWC this year, the conference champ Whitworth is one of those regular tier three schools who has come out of nowhere to win.

I'd rather see them win than have the usual Tier 1s win in a short tourney.

Whtiworth or St Johns are my Cinderella picks in the West Region.

Does Catdome root for the NWC and/or for or against the Johnnies?

[CrashDavisD3]

I too see the three tiers - but in the case of the NWC this year, the conference champ Whitworth is one of those regular tier three schools who has come out of nowhere to win.

I'd rather see them win than have the usual Tier 1s win in a short tourney.

In 2012 Illinois Wesleyan went into their conference tourney as a 4th place team with a .500 record(20-20).
They won their regonal and went on to win the National Championship. Conference tourney's make this possible.

[wildcat11]

Does Catdome root for the NWC and/or for or against the Johnnies?

I'll be rooting for good baseball.  I actually like the Johnnie fans.  They're boorish, loud, and beyond loyal.  My type of fans and why I enjoy mixing it up with them.

The weather for the remainder of the week and weekend looks OUTSTANDING in the valley.  Mid 60's to low 70's all week and weekend long.

For those reading this that are outside the area there is the McMinnville annual UFO festival starting on Friday in downtown Mac.  It's fun event that gives people an excuse to dress like freaks, eat, drink, and blow off some steam. 

For those that like Music, Thursday night at the College, starting at 5pm, is Linfield's annual Wildstock concert.  Local/college bands will be performing and featuring acclaimed Seattle Based hip-hop artist Macklemore.

If you don't want to hang out with UFO Freaks or listen to college music and hip-hop the Valley is loaded with Wineries so you can go out and get a taste of the great wine coming out of this part of the country.

Enjoy.

[Ralph Turner]

Three outs left, Rats!  Beat CNU!

Make that 7-2 lead hold up and even with 6 errors!

Three Dogpiles!

Accomplished!

They play the loser of the Wheaton MA Cortland State game at noon tomorrow

[CrashDavisD3]

You only get the third dogpile by winning the last game of your season.

[Ralph Turner]

You only get the third dogpile by winning the last game of your season.

Yes. Sorry that I did not re-arrange the phrases of that post when I modified the post to reflect the final score.

[(509)Rat]

Whitworth is down to their last 3 outs, down 5-4... c'mon Rats!

[Ralph Turner]

'Rats showed that they belonged.

I thought that the failure to bunt with 1-on and no out in the 7th inning was critical.  The next batter got a single, which should have scored a runner from 2nd.

[wildcat11]

http://www.kxly.com/sports/Future-is-bright-for-Whitworth-baseball-team/-/100918/14408696/-/3kbtdaz/-/index.html

Ramsay adds, "It would be crazy not to be able to look at what we have and what we've been able to do and see how young we are and that we definitely have a solid foundation of young guys that were consistent contributors all year. We learned that we can win on a national level. We belong there, that Whitworth baseball is going to continue to go to Appleton year in and year out"

Again...congrats to Whitworth on their great season but let's slow down just a little. 

[CrashDavisD3]

Great job for Whitworth. The West is now a even a tougher Regional. Expect Linfield and Chapman to bounce back. CTX, Trinity are also going to continue to be tough. La Verne shows it can be tough in the SCIAC, Pomona just missed getting to the regional and so did Pac Lu. Expect Redlands to also bounce back....

Maybe be a bit premature for Whitworth to declare dominance in the West. Go to Appleton for a few year like Linfield and Chapman has done and they maybe you can make this statement.

[Whatagame]

Great job for Whitworth. The West is now a even a tougher Regional. Expect Linfield and Chapman to bounce back. CTX, Trinity are also going to continue to be tough. La Verne shows it can be tough in the SCIAC, Pomona just missed getting to the regional and so did Pac Lu. Expect Redlands to also bounce back....

Don't forget about Pacific (co-NWC champs 2012) and George Fox in the NWC.....

[(509)Rat]

A bit over the top? Sure. But if I'm a head coach talking to any Eastern Washington news outlet I'm gonna say the exact same things. Inspire a little confidence in your players and put that line out there for HS kids who don't know any better to read. Smart IMO.

Plus, who really cares if they're butt hurt over the comment in Tacoma, or Forest Grove, or McMinville, etc? Until next year it ain't about them...   

[CrashDavisD3]

What will happen in the NWC in 2013?

Will Whitworth, Pacific and Pac Lu be at the top while former NWC powers Linfield and George Fox follow?